1998 — Space Transfer Services as a Precursor to Space Business Parks
January 12, 1998
Author: David Smitherman, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
Abstract: Boeing Defense and Space Group and NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center conducted a study in 1996–1997 on the topic of commercial space business parks under the sponsorship of the former Office of Advanced Concepts at NASA Headquarters (Marshall 1997). The findings of this 7-month study are used to present possible strategies for near-term commercial developments in space. Related data from NASA studies on public space travel, and commercial space transportation are included along with the author’s observations. It is hoped that this analysis will assist future entrepreneurs in the development of commercial space business parks. In conclusion, it appears that a market could soon become viable for commercial space transfer services, and that this market could form the infrastructure to grow the first commercial space business park.
INTRODUCTION
A space business park is a commercial multi-use space station designed to accommodate multiple tenants in different but compatible businesses (Langley 1994). This business concept is analogous to a business park, industrial park, or retail mall on Earth where multiple tenants share common facilities, utilities and transportation infrastructures. The overall development and operational cost is shared among the tenants through lease agreements spread over many years. Previous studies on the space business park concept indicate that all the prime markets, except one, are dependent on the development of a new, reusable Earth-to-orbit space transportation system capable of carrying fee-paying passengers to orbit. These include public space travel, entertainment, and microgravity product development. The one market that does not require a new Earth-to-orbit transportation system is space transfer services that can be accomplished with a reusable orbital transfer vehicle. This is closely related to satellite servicing, but provides only the transportation side of the servicing operation and does not require immediate or major changes in satellite design.
SPACE BUSINESS PARKS
There are two prime markets and one secondary market that look promising for space business parks once a public transportation system to orbit is in place. These include public space travel, entertainment, and microgravity products development. The space transfer services market is a precursor to space business parks and will be covered separately in the next section.
Transportation to space for the general public will probably take the form of suborbital flights initially and grow to orbital tours as the vehicles mature and the market grows. Current price goals for the reusable launch vehicles that could be developed from the X-33 program are still high (about $2,000 per pound). This would translate into a very high ticket price in the $600,000 to $1.4M range — too high for the average traveler. The space business park concept offers a way to bring the ticket prices down and still provide profit for the investors through multiple sources of revenue that the entertainment and advertising industries can draw upon.
The space business park will probably be the first commercially developed destination facility on orbit for the space traveler. It will serve a variety of functions designed to accommodate the traveler, service the space transportation infrastructure, and produce revenue. By combining aspects of the travel industry and the entertainment industry, it is possible to make the initial high ticket prices more affordable. Figure 1 shows a space station size module being used for film production. This type of facility could include the general public, athletes, and movie stars as participants to produce film footage for advertising and movie stunts, and live telecast of new sporting events. Advertising revenue generated from the film and live telecasts would offset the high cost of transportation and operations. Video both inside and outside the facility should be marketable for entertainment, news and weather broadcasts, Earth observation, and scientific research.
This concept still seems distant since there is not a transportation system to space suitable for the general public. But, plans are in place for flight tests of the X-33 in 1999 with a goal for a new commercial vehicle by 2005, and the space station will be completed on orbit by 2002. It is not unusual for planning and major investments in large theme parks to begin 10 years or more before operations begin. The space business park appears to be within a similar 10-year window of opportunity. Commercial investors must get involved to define their markets and turn in their requirements to the developers if the new vehicles are to meet their transportation needs for this new market. And, for destination facilities, the plans, facilities, tooling, and space construction experience gained from the space station program can be translated over to commercial industry to begin real space business park planning. Figure 2 shows a concept for a space business park that uses space station and shuttle derived technology for its construction. This technology, soon to be proven on orbit, can form the basis for sound investments in the near future.
The markets for space business parks discussed above appear to be within a 10-year window of opportunity. But, as a precursor to space business parks, there is a market in space transfer services that can begin now.
Full paper availability at:
NASA Technical Report Server: https://sti.nasa.gov/
American Institute of Physics: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1063/1.54843