Space Entrepreneurship

[HyperDrive 0]

For years I've thought about space in sort of a fantasy/scifi ideology, watching the Star Treks, Stargates, and shows like that for years thinking about how cool it would be to work with that technology. Every now and again I think, "Gee, it would sure be a lot of fun to work in the space industry," citing in my mind the likes of Scaled Composites, SpaceX, Bigelow Aerospace, Blue Origin, and some others. Over the last few months, though, I've been thinking a lot more seriously about it. There are so many opportunities, if you can get to them: tourism, exploration, mining, and off-world settlement to name a few. These are untapped industries that are going to grow and become substantial world markets, likely at some point within the next 20 years. And I can't help but think that, since I enjoy space and tech so much, why shouldn't I be pursuing this more?

 

I suppose I was just wondering if anyone has really thought about it. I mean, I don't have a wife, don't have kids, and I can pretty well live anywhere in the world. If I'm going to do something like this, now would be the perfect time to take some chances. I've been looking a bit at a conference coming up in July (NewSpace 2011 Space Conference out near San Francisco -- anyone else here going to be at this?) and I'm thinking more and more about going.

 

I'm not sure what I'm trying to get out of this topic post (support? help? best wishes? all of the above?) but I've been around STSF for a while and couldn't think of anywhere else a post like this would be better suited. For all I know there could be some people on here who have also thought about it and come to some conclusion about (a) how they're going to pursue something like this, or (B) why they're avoiding it.

 

I just wanted to throw this up here and see if anyone had any comments about the idea and topic. I know there are those who are just yearning for the day that starships can blast across the galaxy at FTL speeds, but the likelihood of that in the near future is certainly slim-to-none. Maybe the best we can do is setup the next generation for something that remarkable.

 

Anyway, if you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I'd love to read a few remarks and opinions about this topic if you have anything to say. I don't know for sure whether or not it is something anyone on this forum has thought about, but I have to think that a few of you have. Just want to probe your minds a little bit.

[STSF_Scooter 0]

 

I just wanted to throw this up here and see if anyone had any comments about the idea and topic. I know there are those who are just yearning for the day that starships can blast across the galaxy at FTL speeds, but the likelihood of that in the near future is certainly slim-to-none.

 

 

Only if something (Star Destroyer/ha'tak/NX-01/etc.) falls into our laps. :D

[V'Roy 0]

How would you make money at it? What's your business model?

[HyperDrive 0]

Good question. Short answer? Space manufacturing. I think space mining is still a little off (except maybe for mining the Moon for He-3) but the ability to manufacture in space (i.e. probes, ships, satellites, etc.) is legitimate. Recent studies to see how 3D printers function outside of Earth's gravity makes this sound even more possible as a business pursuit. The propulsion mechanisms, some of the electronics, and a few other parts would have to be transported from the Earth's surface, but the framing can be developed in space and the object can be constructed in orbit. Since it is essentially raw material being transported from Earth into space, and not a finished product, some amounts of risk on the consumer end is removed.

 

The biggest market would be the creation of space objects that are too large to be currently feasible (i.e. can't fit in the Space Shuttle, on an Atlas V, or would have to be assembled in space with pieces delivered from multiple launches). In terms of space exploration (and colonization), this is how you will create a large living space that can be delivered to another planet.

 

The biggest space business will probably be mining operations, but the magnitude of an operation like that (and the high number of deaths that would likely be associated with it) make mining something that is a bit more distant. Plus, those mining operations (whenever they do come into existence) will need transport vessels... which can also be manufactured while orbiting Terra Firma. Essentially, someone is going to eventually spend a lot of money to build a manufacturing operation in space. It will be large--it'll be sent up in pieces (sort of ISS-like). But it will help prevent anyone from having to build and launch "sections" of a space station/ship/probe/etc ever again.

 

That would be my plan to (a) fuel exploration, and (B) make some money doing it. Anyone have $150 billion (+- $50 billion) lying around somewhere?