China Markets Space Program -- NASA Could Learn a Thing or Two

It seems to me NASA could make a few dollars marketing its launches. Remember when Columbia Pictures paid $500,000 to paint"Last Action Hero" on the side of a Conestoga rocket? The movie bombed, through no fault of the rocket, and for some strange it caused people to feel it was more a publicity stunt than an actual attempt at capturing any sort of market.
Too bad. Much like Chinese are currently doing NASA could be making millions in revenue. And dare I say it--possibly even be self-funding if only it were operated more like a private business rather than a governmental entity.
They should be asking questions like: How much money can we make from our next project? What is the profit potential of returning a few hundred pounds of Moon rocks? Can we mine Helium3, and what could we do with it?
In light of our current energy crisis it would be nice if NASA stepped up to the plate and said, "We have a plan to build a solar power station on the Moon and beam the energy back to earth via microwaves." That is not outside the realm of possibility.

Back to the point. At the very least NASA should start allowing people to make suggestions for advertising opportunities. If someone offers them three million dollars to paint the shuttle pink (and they're willing to pay for all the costs associated with making that happen) take the money and run. It's free.
If NASA had more of an open mind I firmly believe the business would come to them.
What do you think?