If you had your pick of launch systems to work on, I don't believe you would pick any of NASA's platforms since the shuttle.

Their explorer robotics are interesting, something I would be proud to work on; but a pretty different nitch.

So NASA is not drawing from the best people anymore.

That is only looking at (mostly orbital) launch systems, such a minor part of NASA's R&D and missions that the Obama administration decided to contract it out.

NASA doesn't develop or build lots of technology that has become mature enough that private industry can take it on and NASA can focus on the past-the-bleeding-edge stuff.

DART is an example of both an incredible NASA accomplishment and a SpaceX launch that left Earth orbit.

SpaceX launched a Tesla Roadster to Mars orbit.

>What is that based on?

Reality? Outside of JPL the talent level at Nasa is frankly very poor. You really want to claim that the current version of Nasa could pull off the Apollo program today?

Again, what is that based on? NASA has one success after another. JWST, helicopters flying on Mars, Europa Clipper (ongoing), etc. etc. etc.

All of which are peanuts compared to Apollo. Not to mention insane cost overruns and timeline failures on their projects like JWST or SLS for example. Many of those successful projects came out of JPL, where I mentioned the talent level is much higher.