Coming attractions in space

steve smyth lynn ma — Sat, 26 May 2007 00:40:24 GMT

You have got to be kidding me...I'm going to dig out some fifty year old Space Dreamer Mags...other than the ticket prices, I'll have a complete New Space Race Program...get a few cheesy graphics, hire some flashy, honky-tonk web developer, and start selling tickets...

I bet anyone at the conference that Gaia Two, dropped from a balloon at 150,000', propelled into space via highly compressed air, and returning with no heat related, ablative, or dissipative issues will outperform anything being pitched by anyone...manned, or otherwise...and, as time progresses, Gaia Two will serve for any length voyage, any payload, and be self-sustaining...reuseable...safe...nice...you name it.

I'll even drop my decades-long refusal to build with Petro Chem Waste Products...just to quiet these clowns...bring it on...any amount...anytime...anywhere.
This is getting embarassing...grown men getting off playing with rockets...messing with humanity's most enduring dream...and generally trashing the magic...YECHH!

Coming attractions in space

Michelle Katrina, Austin, TX — Sat, 26 May 2007 13:22:57 GMT

What about something like Microgravity Enterprises, Inc (they just flew on the UP launch in April)? Those guys are flying ingredients to space and then putting the ingredients into consumer products. I think it's cool that you can drink stuff that's physically been to space and back - I'm really looking forward to the beer!

I understand that their business plan is to fund more and more space commercialization, including production and manufacturing, through sales of their products. They are also flying University payloads for free. I think they flew one in April and another one is scheduled for June.

Isn't this the kind of thing we should be supporting - real space commercialization? I know it's not as sexy as the guys above but it's real and it's now.

Michelle

Coming attractions in space

Aaron Oesterle, Dallas, Texas — Sat, 26 May 2007 13:44:26 GMT

Michelle - I agree with you to that any and all space commericalization is good. However, I would point out that Space Adventures is also already selling product. And with regards to Armadillo, they are very very close to being able to do true space commericalization - they want to finish their testing program, since they are already flying part of their main commericalized vehicle.

I can't speak to Benson Space Company, since I didn't see their presentation, but Jim Benson has a successful track record, so it would be a mistake to write him off either.

Coming attractions in space

Lisa, Lemoore CA — Sat, 26 May 2007 19:36:29 GMT

I really don't care for the "commercialization of space" terminology. It makes it sound like TV or radio commercials are going to be blaring at space venturers from satellite billboards. I can see it now: an enormous neon sign flashing "Fly Protrzebie Spacelines!" And all inflight movies would be interrupted by space commercials with inane (and annoying) jingles...

I prefer to hear about space enterprise, rather than commercialization, when describing non-governmental ventures into space technology. I'd rather not have a Madison Avenue satellite polluting the spaceways...

Coming attractions in space

Kevin Davis, South Elgin IL — Sat, 26 May 2007 21:25:29 GMT

Excellent......

Coming attractions in space

Michelle Katrina, Austin, TX — Sun, 27 May 2007 00:40:12 GMT

Aaron, I guess that's my point. The web is full of "space companies" that are "doing" space commercialization. So, go buy something right now (assuming you aren't a millionaire). Right now there is nothing but promises. Those guys at Microgravity Enterprises are giving you something you can hold in your hands every day and (my friends tell me) at a regular price. Supposedly their energy drink, antimatter, will sell for exactly the same price as Red Bull. I don't know about you but given the choice between Red Bull and something with stuff from space - antimatter wins everytime.

See, I think that's commercialization right now - not someday.

Michell

Coming attractions in space

Robert Mrva — Sun, 27 May 2007 16:08:16 GMT

I think that NASA's aid in the work to develop commercial space endeavors is great thinking. It is all too obvious that Congress would like to cut NASA's budget to the bone. If that happens the only way for it to continue anything would be though a strong commercial base for ISS runs, crew and cargo, sats and probably the moon bases. The way the budget goes Moon bases will probably be joint NASA/commercial ventures to cut costs and to start the harvest(rape) of the resources there. In the future Space will be left to the private sector with the goverments acting as regulators and cops