Commercial space takes center stage

The Space Review ^ | 2/15/2010 | by Jeff Foust

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

It was the best of timing, it was the worst of timing.

It was the best of timing for the FAA’s annual Commercial Space Transportation Conference, normally held in early February in Washington, DC. The schedule meant that the conference took place this year just over a week after the White House released its fiscal year 2011 budget proposal, one that emphasized more than ever before the development of capabilities by the commercial sector to transport cargo, and now crews, to low Earth orbit. It was also the worst of timing from a meteorological standpoint, coinciding with yet another major winter storm that paralyzed the city and surrounding region for much of last week, shutting down the federal government for several days.

“We plan to transform our relationship with the private sector as part of our nation’s new strategy with the ultimate goal of expanding human presence across the solar system,” Garver said. Nonetheless, despite a storm that cancelled flights, shut down public transportation, and made many roads impassible, the conference went on as scheduled last Wednesday and Thursday at a hotel in Crystal City, Virginia, just across the Potomac from downtown Washington. Those who could make it—and over 100 did, particularly on the second day when weather conditions improved—got some insights about NASA new emphasis on commercial capabilities and the abilities of the private sector to fulfill NASA’s needs.

[Regulator]

Commercial space is alive and well, making money (lots of it) and Lori Garver had nothing to do with it, and never will.

And involving the FAA will simply stop any progress dead in its tracks.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I agree with you.