1. What statement best describes your interest in space? Please mark (or highlite with red font) all that apply to you
a. Supplier of space launch services or hardware/software
b. Supplier of ground processing or support services or hardware
c. Supplier of space based assets or services
d. Buyer/user of space services (e.g., biotech, material science, earth science)
e. Financier (Angel, VC, investment banking, etc.)
f. Media/entertainment representative
g. Other
2. Do you know about the NASA COTS program? (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services)
a. No or not much (if no skip to #7)
b. Have heard about it
c. Some knowledge
d. Very familiar
3. Did you or your organization apply for a NASA COTS award?
a. Yes
b. No
4. Do you think NASA should offer other COTS type programs?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Don’t know
5. Do you have any ideas for future NASA COTS type programs? If yes please briefly describe.
COTS & the NASA Centennial Challenge office are two of the best things that NASA has done to promote the alternate space industry. We would like to see both programs extended to further encourage private sector development and to promote joint NASA / private sector ventures. A prize for the first company to demonstrate the capability to put a small scientific payload into LEO for less than an extremely low benchmark cost.
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
Continuity of funding is a major concern voiced by old hands at the NASA / private sector partnership. Guaranteed funding through a specific period / project that would survive less visionary congresses?
7. What do you see as the biggest barrier/obstacle to commercial space?
Environmental review process stifles the development of new non federal ranges. It is also an impediment to the permitting and licensing processes. FAA AST should have some discretionary powers to negate the necessity of environmental review for small vehicles.
8. What do you think is the most important thing that NASA could do to support and promote commercial space?
Expand the Centennial Challenge office role and offer prizes for more demanding goals … payloads to LEO, one-man orbital vehicle, lander vehicle to deliver (low cost) scientific payload to the lunar surface with ride provided.
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.
10. Name and contact information for follow-up (optional):
Name: Neil Milburn
Organization: Armadillo Aerospace LP