14 DAY TRIAL // According to an announcement made by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden yesterday, February 9, the American space agency cannot possibly hope to survive without developing strong partnerships with the private space industry and spaceflight companies.
The official seems to believe that these agreements are what will propel the agency forward, and allow it the maneuvering space it needs to continue exploring various spots in the solar system.
Bolden was speaking to attendants at the 14th annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Space Transportation Conference, which was held in Washington DC.
One of the main points in his speech was that the synergy between the government and private businesses is not something to fear, but look forward to. hundreds of commercial spaceflight industry expert, government employees and space enthusiasts attended the Conference.
“NASA has always thrived on innovation. Industry has been our partner since inception. We have never built a big rocket. It has always been a NASA/industry team,” the NASA Administrator said.
“When I retire the space shuttles, that's it for NASA access to low-Earth orbit - e need you. We cannot survive without you,” the official added, looking at representatives from all the major private companies dealing with innovation in spaceflight.
Getting access to LEO and keeping up with current space exploration plans are the main objectives that Charles Bolden has in mind for the future of the space agency. The realization of the former is now entirely contingent on the efficiency of the private corporations NASA now funds.
Spaceflight companies are also necessary for realizing the latter too. If the space agency no longer has to worry about securing LEO access, then it can focus all of its energy and funds towards developing a spacecraft that can go on Mars or a near-Earth object (NEO).
“We are big fans of commercial space. This industry is going to change things for this country,” Bolden said at the meeting, Space reports. But other space experts don't seem to believe that the tipping point for passing the torch to the private space industry is already here.
They believe that it will soon happen, but advocate more involvement from the government in securing its own access to space, rather than giving taxpayers' money to private corporations.