Space Commercialization Event in San Francisco

Space commercialization, mostly for launch vehicles and space exploration, is heating up. Intelius CEO and Founder Naveen Jain joined a distinguished panel of speakers to discuss the future of space commercialization at The Churchill Club, which focused primarily on NASA's plan to outsource launch vehicles to companies.

Highlights from the panel from the perspective of sustainable earth applications:

- "Real commercialization will be solving problems on earth." Commercializing space will introduce innovations that will provide solutions for earth. Moreover, it will raise our awareness. Carl Sagan noted that by studying other planets, we will appreciate our earth more, such as studying Mars' dusty, CO2-laden atmosphere has raised awareness about global warming.

- A recent survey found that the U.S. public supports earth-focused NASA programs for protection from asteroids (52%) and protection of the environment (48%), but only 22% knew about the new NASA policies. A July 2009 Gallup poll found 60% of the public suppports NASA space programs: http://www.gallup.com/poll/121736/majority-americans-say-space-program-costs-justified.aspx. In short, the American public supports, but doesn't care about space exploration, except for its benefits for earth.

- New vaccines and materials produced in space may benefit medicine and other fields. UCSF is using space technologies in its intensive-care unit.

- Singularity University studied nanosats (tiny satellites), which could cost 1/1000 of the price of current satellites and have major terrestrial benefits.

- Tele-presence technologies developed for space flight will enable people on earth to immerse themselves, experience space virtually, and leave messages for posterity.

- The X-Prize offers prizes for ocean exploration (deep submarines, mapping, biodegradable plastics), environment, life sciences and education.

- To get the American public excited again about space, we need to get Oprah and other celebrities beyond NASA's new policies. Peter Diamandis, President/CEO of X Prize Foundation, said: "Potentially, it's a new day for space."

NASA's new commercialization policies are positive since they will untap the ingenuity, energy and investments of American entrepreneurs and investors. Although focused on space vehicles, these policies will accelerate investments on sustainable earth applications, especially since the American public is so adamant about benefits for the earth.

For details:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3900034.htm