Exploration by Contract?

Rather than assume all the risk might mega corps and others award contracts to private ship owners to do exploration work?<br /><br />The contractor would have to write a proposal invovling their ship's abilities (primarily to land and take off) and the crew expertese. There would be a money award up front for the contract winner to get started and a payout with bonuses for certain things upon return and verification of data. Contractor assumes all the risk. <br />