The way this study works...

"Space Project Enterprise asks not only what your country can do for NewSpace, but what NewSpace can do for your country!" -- Coyote

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS CRITICAL! The research team will post questions and you comment with your expertise or considered opinions.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Assumptions of Space Project Enterprise

1. The role of government is to blaze trails, promote commerce, and protect its interests.
2. The role of NewSpace is commerce.
3. The interest of government is security, prestige, and wealth.
4. The interest of NewSpace is profit.
5. The interests of government can be served by successes in NewSpace ventures.
6. NewSpace can be helped or hindered by government actions and investments.
7. Government may regulate NewSpace to help, not hinder, national interests.

Your thoughts?

3 comments:

  1. This may be old fashioned, but:

    7. Government has a legitimate claim on its domestic NewSpace industry to take reasonable actions to promote and/or not hinder national security efforts.

    I'm mostly a libertarian but I sense that some in NewSpace may consider themselves "citizens of the world" and may consider it their capitalist duty to go to the highest bidder. I saw this a bit when Spaceport Dubai sought to poach some Spaceport America workers and potential tenants.

    The study should look to foster a patriotic attitude in the American NewSpace industry. However, we shouldn't use patriotism as an excuse to keep Uncle Sam's thumb on their back, either.

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  2. Brent, I reworded your statement a bit, but as you see, I added it to the list of assumptions.

    Other thoughts out there???

    Coyote

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  3. I was fortunate enough to have served at NASA Johnson Space Center for 17 years. I worked primarily in advanced programs. One of the things we wrestled with was the balance of public and private activities in space.

    It became increasing clear to me that the role of government should be exploration and facilitation, much as 150 years ago, state and federal government chartered the private development of railroads into the west.

    I initially voted for 0% NASA budget to develop space infrastructure. I've changed that to 50% because building the 'space highway' should be fundamental to facilitating private development.

    However, a key aspect is incentive. As you've stated, the government is not driven by profit (i.e., increased value at lower cost). The standing STS army exists (existed!) largely independent of how many shuttles we launched.

    - Kyle

    Coyote -- I regret that we didn't meet up while you were in Reading. I live mostly in west London now. I did a fair bit of work for Thales Research and Technology in south Reading. If you ever get back, I've love to buy you a pint.

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