North American Suckup Adminstration...

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by razark

I think NASA should be in the research and exploration business. NASA, using its government funding, should research and develop the technologies that are not viable in the commercial sphere. They should also run the exploration missions that private industry would not be willing to undertake. As new technologies and materials are developed, they could be licensed, sold, or given to private industries, and the private sector could take over running commercial launches and operations. Perhaps allow contractor companies that work with NASA first grab at new technology. For example, NASA says "Boeing, help us develop this new Hozenfartzen rocket engine, and you get a 5 year exclusive license once we release it". Have NASA build the space station, and then rent space on it for companies to do their own research. (That might be hard to do, what with all the international agreements involved.) If a company wants to develop a tourist industry, let them rent time at a docking port, and charge for oxygen, water, etc. Allow private industry a way to provide funds to maintain the station, and NASA can move on to their next project.

That's quite clever of you, razark.

NASA has actually already entered into agreements resembling what you posited, but it hasn't worked out yet, simply because the economic potential of doing anything other than just putting up comm satellites is negligible. Behind satellites, tourism is the next industry with the most potential, if that tells you anything about what kind of economic potential lies in space at the moment. In any case, hybridizing NASA with private industry is a wise move, one whose benefits we will see as soon as we can figure out a way to make space productive.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

That's quite clever of you, razark.

NASA has actually already entered into agreements resembling what you posited, but it hasn't worked out yet, simply because the economic potential of doing anything other than just putting up comm satellites is negligible. Behind satellites, tourism is the next industry with the most potential, if that tells you anything about what kind of economic potential lies in space at the moment. In any case, hybridizing NASA with private industry is a wise move, one whose benefits we will see as soon as we can figure out a way to make space productive.

I agree with both of you on that. I think that mining of Near Earth Asteroids maybe what that will make space productive. (I've posted on this subject before in other threads so I won't repeat my self here, its late and I'm tired).

[razark]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

That's quite clever of you, razark.

Whatever it takes to make sure I still have a job to go to tomorrow, and the next day, and the next...