1997 — Strategies for Development of Space Business Parks in the Space Station Era
September 23, 1997
Authors: David Smitherman, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center; Harvey Willenberg, Boeing Defense & Space Group.
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. The findings of this 7-month study are used to present possible strategies for near-term commercial developments in space. Related data from ongoing NASA studies for public space travel are included along with the authors’ observations.
A commercial space business park is defined as a commercial orbital facility that is operated as a multi-use business park for compatible markets and tenants. Much like terrestrial business park developments, a space- based business park must have compatible characteristics and similar development strategies to become a viable enterprise. This paper will identify several markets that appear to have promise for the opening of the commercial space frontier and will address numerous issues that have yet to be resolved. It is hoped that this analysis will assist future entrepreneurs to initiate the development of commercial space business parks.
The International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled to begin assembly next year with completion projected for the year 2002. Its 10 year mission life will make space routinely accessible for scientific research and technology development through at least the year 2012. What are the possibilities for commercial developments in space as an outgrowth from the ISS and the infrastructure and technology base it is expected to foster?
First dubbed as a multi-use low-Earth-orbit (LEO) Business Park in the Commercial Space Transportation Study (CSTS) in 1994, the concept for commercial space business parks is explored in more detail to identify some of the markets that can support the startup development of this space-based infrastructure, and which markets are made feasible once such an infrastructure is in place. In conclusion, it appears that a market can soon become viable for commercial space operations. Public space travel and entertainment will be feasible when new human-rated, low-cost space transportation vehicles become operational.
Full paper availability at:
NASA Technical Report Server: This paper will eventually be available at: https://sti.nasa.gov/
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.1997-3935