An Astronaut's Opinion of Commercial Space

Firstly, let me apologize for not updating this blog sporatically.  Mike and I both work full time jobs, and those tend to get in the way of the rest of our lives.  

Aviation Week is today publishing an editorial by Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria praising the approach that NASA is taking in the development of the new Commercial Crew Vehicle.  It's worth the read, and certainly worth your time.  Mr. Lopez-Alegria makes many interesting and valid points.

Commentary:
I am all for Commercial Crew Development as I do not like monopolies, or betting on a single horse.  For 50 years, NASA has been the only source of space access for human beings in the United States.  Although NASA operated the only spaceline for 30 of those years, the cost of renting space on the Shuttle was too staggering for most companies to seriously contemplate.  Spurring the development of a commercial, human option is essential for our own Economic and Technical Development.

Burt Rutan made a great speech at  TED a few years ago where he talked about the difference between government and industry fueled innovation:


The gist of the talk is that government requirements can develop amazing flying machines (SR-71 and LEM).  However, real innovation requires the market.  In this way, CCD is essentially providing seed capital to companies interested in flying people into orbit.  This seed capital can be turned over to flying people to commercial space stations, or beyond low earth orbit based on contracts from other companies.  As space markets open up, innovation will be spurred creating, better, faster, safer, cheaper access to space. 

Additionally, CCD gives a test case for certification of manned spacecraft.  Just as most aircraft need to be given a type-certification before they can be sold to customers, a commercial spacecraft will need to undergo a certain amount of certification before it can be type rated and available for people to fly.  Currently, there are no set standards by the FAA.   NASA has the ability to self-certify their aircraft and spacecraft, and are so far the only group that can certify a spacecraft.  These standards provide a good starting point, but eventually, the FAA will need to take a leading role in this, as the customer base will expand to include private companies and require a type certificate to fly.

In short - commercial space is good for this country as it will spur economic development in the United States, keeping us on the edge of aerospace achievement.  


Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in the commentary are those of the author alone and do not represent the opinions of any other organization herein.