It’s encouraging to see private enterprise soar ahead — and in the case of SpaceX, that’s literally proving to be the case.

The thriving aerospace company last week announced it will build what it calls the world’s most powerful rocket. The company boasts it will be capable of hauling into orbit items weighing more than 53 metric tons and will provide more than twice the performance capacity of the space shuttle.

Quite a load. And quite a feat, if the company’s Falcon Heavy proves to be up to the task — which would include serving commercial, military and NASA needs. 

We certainly hope it is. Because in doing so it would again be proof positive that science is going forward on its own — not under government control. It also frees up NASA scientists to continue developing and exploring new space frontiers. And it saves taxpayer dollars to be used for discovering those new horizons while substantially reducing the $1.74 billion budget currently set for government heavy-rocket launches.

As history has shown, our country works best when government marks and blazes the trail, then allows private industry to swoop in and take over the process.

Texas entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens told the Trib’s editorial board recently his similar wish for the energy industry. Under his Pickens Plan, the federal government would help jump-start the trucking industry to convert to natural gas by offering tax incentives. Pickens believes once the substantial energy and cost savings are noted, private industry will jump on board and the majority of big rigs will convert from costly diesel to readily available, cheap natural gas.

SpaceX has proved its ability to pick up where government leaves off. It’s made a name for itself in the privatization of space.

Of course, success comes at a cost. And although some local homeowners have complained of disruptions and rattling windows and doors from test launches at its site — 15 miles west of Waco off Highway 84 — no one can dispute the scientific advancements being made there. Or the economic boom that the California-based company has brought to Central Texas, along with high-paying professional jobs. This new project could possibly double the amount of staff currently at the McGregor facility, company officials told the Trib’s Mike Copeland.

Might we suggest that, to keep the locals happy, at least one big rocket test concur with the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve?

Regardless of the date, the sky’s the limit — and we’re definitely along for the ride.