Space Products: Reports
Humans to Mars: Logical Step or Dangerous Distraction? | AIAA Space 2009
"This paper examines post-Apollo proposals for human exploration of Mars and assesses their failure to win enduring political and public support. There are lessons to be learned that are applicable to current exploration efforts. Foremost among them is that the path to solar system exploration that has dominated the space community's thinking since the 1950s may not be a logical or politically feasible approach for the 21st century. The paper proposes that human exploration of the Moon and Mars should be decoupled and treated as separate ventures with each justified by its own merits and pursued at its own pace." Good arguments are made for this viewpoint which include the role of commercial space and public benefits.
Small Aerospace Companies: Space Actitivies in N. America and Europe
“Although the aerospace industry is dominated by a small group of large companies, a sizeable and diverse universe of small aerospace companies are engaged in space activities (civil, defense/intelligence, commercial). [This includes] all elements of the value chain and provides critical and innovative components, subsystems and mission services to large prime contractors and end-user operators. This whitepaper seeks to develop a greater understanding of the contributions of smaller companies to space missions and operations in North America and Europe.”
Commercial Avenues for Space Utilization | Dittmar Associates (2003)
“Interest in the commercial development and utilization of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has increased significantly over the past ten years with the advent of relatively advanced technologies including telecommunication and satellite applications as well as high-resolution sensor development for topographical surveys, environmental impact studies and community planning. Access to space remains a challenge; both in the high cost to orbit and in the dearth of commercially-viable transport mechanisms which can fully address the varying analytical and physical integration needs of a burgeoning market. This paper addresses these concerns and posits an innovative business approach to commercial placement in LEO of scientific, engineering, and new product projects utilizing existing platforms and examines the promise of new commercial programs which will expand the resources available on-orbit.”
Industry Consensus Statement on Improved Access to Space
“What role can—and should—the US government play in supporting the development of low-cost, responsive space transportation (flexible, quick access to space)? That is the question tackled in a one-page statement released today that represents the consensus of over two dozen companies and organizations in the industry. The genesis of this document was a one-day meeting held at the request of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in Los Angeles last October immediately before the Space Frontier Conference. AFRL wanted industry feedback on what it can do to promote the development of responsive space options by entrepreneurial firms. Those participants later decided to compile their opinions into a single document, although not at the request, nor with the endorsement, of AFRL.”
NASA ARC Wins Funding for Innovative Technology Partnerships
“NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration calls for robots and humans to return to the moon, Mars and beyond. And NASA Ames’ innovative partnerships with industry and academia will ensure cost-effective development of the breakthrough technologies needed. Responding to a call from the NASA Headquarters’ Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP), Ames and its collaborators recently submitted eight proposals for seed fund consideration. On the basis of technical merit, feasibility and leveraging of internal and external resources, Ames’ proposals were selected for award in four technically diverse areas encompassing the Science, Exploration Systems, Space Operations and Aeronautics mission directorates.” These projects are all public-private partnerships between government (NASA), academia and industry.