PROFITING ON THE MARGINS: Investing in enabling technologies for long-term space infrastructure development.
- Paper number
IAC-10,E6,3,14,x9044
- Author
Mr. Thomas Olson, Exodus Consulting Group, United States
- Year
2010
- Abstract
As the global economy continues its upheaval, many space and space-related entrepreneurial startups are finding it more difficult than ever to raise capital. Meanwhile, investors find a shrinking pool of investment opportunities that make sense in today's uncertain markets. In a follow up to 2008's IAC paper, the author makes the case that, if one is looking in the right place, all sorts of opportunities, for both entrepreneurship and investment, are readily available. "Space" infrastructure deals, when not limited to a narrow definition of launch, tourism, and facilities, are definitely out there, and the author will list both concrete examples from the recent past, and tantalizing potential future developments. These technologies may not seem "space like" to the casual observer, but they have the advantage of being profitable today, while being scalable to space use tomorrow, thus helping the industry maintain a forward momentum during this time of extreme downturns everywhere else.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)