Sustainable Earth Applications

President Obama's new NASA policies could could stimulate the "next new thing" -- space tech commercialization on a massive scale for sustainable earth uses, not just space travel.

A European Space Agency (ESA) technology broker estimates that ESA generates about 15X to 20X for each Euro of space spending. The world's space agencies spend about $250 billion annually, which could generate up to $5 trillion in new economic growth if the agencies worked more closely with venture capitalists and companies to commercialize space technologies. At US$100,000 per job, they could create up to 50 million new jobs per year, which would have an enormous impact on the global economy.

ESA just set up a venture fund with a European VC. Last year, NASA Ames partnered with a NY City fund to invest in nanotechnologies, so space tech is emerging as a new area of venture capital (VC) funding.

The major challenge is overcoming bureaucratic obstacles and regulations. The mission of space agencies is space exploration, but taxpayers want to see more tangible down-to-earth benefits from their tax dollars -- new jobs, products and services.

Inspiration from space is the key. The Apollo Project inspired Apple Computer and others to develop personal computers, which stimulated the chip industry, which led to the rise of Silicon Valley -- not a bad investment for going to the moon. These Silicon Valley companies did not have to license NASA technologies, but were inspired to develop their own versions. It was NASA's vision and thinking that influenced them.

Given the global recession, I'd like to see space agencies take a stronger leadership role in inspiring young people, creating new jobs, and stimulating sustainable products and services. Then taxpayers would finally see the benefits of their hard-won money. We went to the moon. Obama now wants to go to Mars. I want our Mars mission to create the next Silicon Valleys on earth.

I'm partnering with JIBS.se, a Swedish international business school, on space tech commercialization projects where we're helping Swedish companies, municipalities and schools apply space technologies and thinking to develop new down-to-earth, sustainable products and services. We invite you to join us!

Contact me at: sheridan at dreamscapeglobal.com