True private space flight is a threat to big government and world government types. We have to overcome not only the technological challenges, but also the overwhelming desire to regulate, control and smother that is so prevalent in the US and the UN.
Good point. It's actually not even as political as you describe it. There are uncountable billions of dollars to be made harvesting solar power in space and beaming it back to earth; in fact it is the only way that solar energy will ever be profitable. Think of the impact on the energy market! But think ALSO that the power beam from the orbiting array would be an incomparable weapon, a giant magnifying glass in the sky. It follows that virtually any technology that could make space profitable could also be used to make a game-changing superweapon. A weapon that would be in private hands.
No wonder the Govern-weenies want to regulate space travel!
Our spacefaring future, if it ever comes, is going to be very interesting.