Private sector has solid position in space business

By Marija B. Vader

A group of advisors and space program experts gathered Tuesday to discuss legislation and policy flowing from the nations capital during the Space Symposiums A View from Washington panel at The Broadmoor.

Much of the discussion surrounded the future of commercial space programs, including private-sector satellites and rockets used to transport cargo, as well as space tourisms surge in popularity and the possibility of it becoming a prominent industry in several states, including Colorado.

The panel was comprised of Richard DalBello, assistant director, Space and Aeronautics Office of Science and Technology Policy, executive office of the president; Tom Hammond, staff director, Majority House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Space; George C. Nield, associate administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration; and Ann Zulkosky senior professional staff, Majority Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Subcommittee on Science and Space. It was moderated by Brendan W. Curry, vice president of Washington Operations for the Space Foundation.

Future opportunities Zulkosky, when asked why Congress should continue to be involved in the space industry, quoted the Committee on Rationale and Goals of the U.S. Civil Space Program: Civil space activities are central to the [research and development] enterprise of the nation, often in a transformational way, and thus presents powerful opportunities to address major national objectives.

Nield said he was supportive of commercial ventures working in tandem with the government to expand space flight capabilities. Im all for including the private sector in national space efforts, Nield said. By its very nature [the private sector] is better positioned to be more innovative, to take more risks and be more in tuned with advanced technologies.

He also addressed a need for industry standards for commercial space flight.

Existing regulations cover launches and reentries, Nield said. Congress decreed they need to gain more experience before putting more regulations in place. Nield said a moratorium is in place until 2015 regarding new regulations until more data can be gathered in order to create pertinent policies.

We need to try and have people talk to one another and take advantage of the 50 years of space flight experience weve got, he said. We have got to put together a guide of established practices for space flight and safety, share that with the community and get feedback.

The panel discussed the proliferation of commercial launches over the past two years. In 2012, according to Nield, there were three commercial launches and six times as many last year. He said commercial launches in the U.S. are on pace to beat that number this year. Spaceports growing fast There was also discussion of spaceports, of which there are currently eight in the country.