Can Private Space Travel Take us to Mars?

If you can really duplicate the functions of the Elektron oxygen generator with a simpler, lighter and more reliable machine, then you should build one and fly it. NASA no longer does get away specials but there may still be a chance to fly under this program.
http://www.wff.nasa.gov/efpo/main/oppor ... s_iss.html
And Bigelow has invited experimenters to fly in his inflatables for free.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0409/27bigelow/

Thank you for the Bigelow link. I am in the process of building a zero g compatible system which will sustain me (a far from compact “Astrowanabe”). A prototype Oxygen system should be operating within days, with a permanent CO2 scrubber and water reprocessing system in the next two months. I will defer the CO2 “Water Gas” “reformer” system for a bit, since it has more limited benefit. While I like the Bigelow idea (and he needs the system), I think I will be ready before he is. Other than a medium term personal demonstration (with fully invertable hardware), I prefer the idea of flying a recycled rodent habitat piggyback on a SpaceX product. I suspect that the real costs of a “free” NASA launch will be excessive. I plan to post updates on this effort to a “Deep Space Hardware” thread in the Micro-Space forum.