Private space missions weighed

Pasadena Star-News ^ | 07/16/05 | Kimm Groshong

[KevinDavis]

PASADENA -- With the Ansari X Prize claimed, ever better and cheaper technologies available and anxious scientists hungry for enhanced space exploration, some local space enthusiasts are convinced the time has come for commercial space missions to take off.

It's been more than a year since Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne became the first commercial rocket to carry a man into space above the Mojave Desert. Last month, The Planetary Society attempted to launch an entirely privately funded solar sail mission to prove that a spacecraft could be propelled by the momentum of the sun's rays.

Over the course of five decades of space exploration, about 200 missions have launched beyond Earth's orbit into deep space. But so far not one has been commercially funded.

[KevinDavis]

[Balding_Eagle]

At the speed that private industry responds to financial incentives, the next Shuttle flight could almost be canceled.

All kidding aside, THIS is how space will be tamed.

[KevinDavis]

I agree. This should have been done from the get go. While working on the moon program, NASA, should have encouraged private industry from the start..

[GreenHornet]

I hope Haliburton gets to Mars first!

[cripplecreek]

I think the real value will be found in the asteroids. Future generations may look up into the night sky and see asteroids that have been brought into a distant earth orbit for mining.

[Notforprophet]

I couldn't agree more. The rocky asteroids are where all the wealth is.

NFP

[Prime Choice]

All kidding aside, THIS is how space will be tamed.

Sure. Corporate America can't see past 1 quarter's earnings and you think they're going to have a 10-year plan for space exploration?

If anything, the commercialization of space will do nothing but once again sell out our best and brightest to the Japanese...who actually appreciate long-term business strategies.

[RightWhale]

Big Money appreciates the value of private property. Since there is no private property in outer space, Big Money is not interested, but will continue to invest in BigGov apps for outer space.

[Prime Choice]

Big Money appreciates the value of private property. Since there is no private property in outer space, Big Money is not interested, but will continue to invest in BigGov apps for outer space.

The moment there is private property in space is the moment that space will become militarized. You think the Chinese won't want a slice of that? Got news for ya.

Whoever controls space controls the planet.

[RightWhale]

Of course. Militarization is how the State protects private property rights. Militarization is how the West was won. Liberty is protected by Force.

[Balding_Eagle]

Sure. Corporate America can't see past 1 quarter's earnings and you think they're going to have a 10-year plan for space exploration?

If that were true, NASA long ago would have opend space to private enterprise.

Private enterprise will find ways to make space profitable in a very short time. Witness what's happening in the few months since the first private flight into space, as puny as it was.

[Prime Choice]

If that were true, NASA long ago would have opend space to private enterprise.

Excuse me, but who do you think builds NASA's equipment, including -- but not limited to -- its spacecraft?

Please answer me that. I want to know where the heck you get the idea that private enterprise is somehow excluded from the space program.

[Prime Choice]

Witness what's happening in the few months since the first private flight into space, as puny as it was.

Whoop-dee-doo. NASA did that over 40 years ago. Am I supposed to get excited about some private venture only recently accomplishing it?

Let me know when those oh-so-ballyhoo'd private ventures land on the moon. Then we'll talk.

[RightWhale]

NASA long ago would have opend space to private enterprise

They can't. It isn't in NASA's baliwick. Look toward Congress for that, or possibly an Exec action.

[Balding_Eagle]

NASA was selling vacation flights? Except for that Senator (forgot his name) I'm unaware of any vacation flights.

[Balding_Eagle]

It isn't in NASA's baliwick.

You're right, my goof.

My point still stands though.

At some point space is private enterprise is going to be given a real chance to strut their stuff. They're going to make NASA look silly.

[RightWhale]

The lack of private property rights is explicitly mentioned in the Pres Commission report on Moon, Mars and Beyond. That is NASA's mission statement, and Pres Bush's instructions to NASA. NASA can do nothing about the property rights issue, but the report is on the Presidential Desk.

During the Pres campaign in 2000, the Bush campaign said Bush would look into private property rights in outer space once he became Pres.

It's not that the Exec is unaware of the problem.

[Balding_Eagle]

Does that include property in orbit?

[RightWhale]

No, per Treaty; as a matter of fact anything you already own on earth and blast into space remains your private property. Woe! on he who pockets a moon rock.