9. Other comments/suggestion

Some initial responses (randomly selected)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

  • Encouraging, cultivating and ensuring a thriving commercial space economy should be a NATIONAL priority, not just a NASA initiative. As China and India join Europe, Japan and Russia in an expanded Earth-Moon-Mars space economy (whether commercial or government-led), our COUNTRY’S attitude and position will look weaker and weaker.
  • The Issue of the Decade arrow seems to be pointing to the global environment, sustainable energy, etc. Yet, with the known ~infinite resources in space, space does not even enter the discussion or trade space of most experts studying these key issues, and rarely if ever gets invoked in any public discussions and debates. Proper applications of space technologies and aggressive use of space resources could materially affect all of these areas and change the course of human history, yet no one seems to know. Commercial space will be a key element of how to make all of this happen.

    • (Response A)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

Commercial communications industry is far ahead of what NASA is currently envisioning. Leverage completely commercial solutions for Constellation space communications. (Response B)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

A legal and regulatory infrastructure for orbital commerce needs to be developed and implemented. (Response C)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

In addition to important COTS type programs, a more serious prize program is needed. It is far easier for NASA to offer prizes to whomever accomplishes a major space objective than to pick winners and losers from dozens of unproven entrepreneurial companies. But such prizes are meaningless unless they are very large and provide a huge “gold rush” type response. It needs to be a “XXX” Prize not an X Prize. The current prize levels will do little to spur innovation and investment. (Response D)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

We are developing launch technology with the potential to lower costs to $100/lb to LEO. In an evaluation of 400 advanced space technology concepts performed by the Concept Development Think Tank Branch of the Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center, our system was one of only 5 selected for further review—but there is no civilian source of funding. If NASA had an R&D grant program open to ALL technologies, not just those narrow selections requested in the SBIR program, is could pay huge dividends both to NASA and the commercial space business. (Response E)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

Make ISS resources clearly available for commercial users and suppliers, since the government science program has been largely abandoned for the moment – let private industry perform science utilization of ISS. (Response F)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

Please refer to NASA publication, “Accessing Space: A Catalogue of Process, Equipment and Resources for Commercial Users,” published by the U.S. Gov’t Printing Office in 1990 (and 1988). This book should be updated and published again to include and address contemporary issues, interests and resources, and distributed far and wide throughout U.S. commercial industry. (Response G)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

Set up a web site, news letter, and blogs for exchanging information and posting news. (Response H)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

Some entrepreneurs/commercial space zealots will say all commercial space needs is for the govt to provide enabling legislation and then get out of the way. This in theory is capitalism right? This view is not correct and only will delay the entire market. Need to foster a partnership between govt and commercial that both can live with. Govt must provide legislation, enabling activities, anchor tenancy but in a way that does not pick winners and losers and does not preclude others from taking what is there and running with it. Tricky balance to work but essential. (Response I)

 

9. Any other comments or suggestions regarding commercial space?

I don’t think that many within NASA are aware of the leveraging power of the Centennial Challenge prize money, nor the educational and promotional benefits of the alternate space industry. If we want to encourage a new generation of scientists, engineers and explorers, the alternate space industry is an inexpensive way of reaching a vast audience. (Response J)