Government Investment in Commercial Space Transportation Enables the Creation of New Industries
- Paper number
IAC-10.E6.1.2
- Author
Mr. Lawrence Williams, Space Exploration Technologies, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Stephanie Bednarek, Space Exploration Technologies, United States
- Year
2010
- Abstract
Initial government investment, coupled with private funds, has spurred the creation of successful new industries. For example, industries such as e-commerce, commercial aviation, and entertainment were enabled by government investment in the internet, aviation infrastructure, and the satellite industry respectively. U.S. government investment in commercial space companies to create a safe, reliable, and cost effective human space transportation industry will enable the formation of entire new industries. Immediate beneficiaries of government incentives include commercial human space transportation providers, their suppliers, and local communities where new infrastructure is being developed to support new missions. As the human space transportation industry grows, the enterprise will extend to markets in scientific research, tourism, education, and exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. With the maturation of systems, new industries will evolve in fields such as medicine, material science, energy, and expanded tourism. This paper explores the past, present, and future of how government investment in innovation stimulates the growth of new economies.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)