Jim Benson, Chairman and founder of SpaceDev, the San Diego company developing the first commercial satellite mission to an asteroid, has decided to establish the "Space Development Institute" in San Diego.

Pierre Bartholome, former head of ESA's office in Belgium argued that commercial profits from space activities have been earned from satellite operation, ground equipment manufacturing, satellite manufacturing and rocket manufacturing, in that order.

Space 98, the biennial space conference of the American Society of Civil Engineers' Aerospace Division, is one of the few "mainstream" space conferences that is actively adapting to the "new paradigm" that space activities are becoming increasingly commercial, and their funding will come increasingly from the private sector with the objective of earning profits.

Wired News' May Issue has an interesting article on Alden Richards, founder of the niche insurance brokerage Space Machine Advisors (SMA).

Editor's Note: The following commentary reflects opinions of the writer, and may not reflect the official opinion of the Space Future Journal. / Other (None) 27 April 1998 by Sam Coniglio Space Access '98 Notes Peroxide, tethers, and regulations were hot topics April 17-19, 1998 News / Other (None) 24 April 1998 by Sam Coniglio CAC Pilot Appears on David Letterman Show Vaughn Cordele Shows He's Got the Right Stuff Vaughn Cordele, the Civilian Astronaut Corps Pilot, appeared on Thursday's "Late Nite with David Letterman" show. He was dressed in an all black military-style flight suit and was wearing CAC logos. He was slightly nervous, but he confidently talked about himself and the rocket. News / Other (None) 21 April 1998 by Japanese Pepsi Drinkers Could Win a Trip to Space in 2001 Reuters and Wired Magazine are reporting that the Japanese distributor of Pepsi, Suntory Ltd., plans to offer it's customers the chance to fly in space as part of a promotional campaign. Five winners will receive the opportunity to fly into space in 2001 via Zegrahm Space Voyages, a U.S. space travel agency. Media / Habitat (None) 21 April 1998 by Hilton Plans Hotel on Moon In a recent article, the London Sunday Times reports that Hilton International is working on plans for a lunar hotel. News / Other (None) 15 April 1998 by Patrick Collins NASA/STA General Public Space Travel and Tourism Report a "Landmark" NASA admits that space tourism is both feasible and desirable The final report of a study of General Public Space Travel and Tourism performed cooperatively by NASA and the Space Transportation Association (STA) under a Space Act Agreement dated 12th September, 1995 was released at a press conference on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. on March 25.  Newer Latest Older  Home What's New Topics Space Tourism Space Habitat Space Power Space Vehicles Journal Front Page Space Tourism Space Habitat Space Power Space Vehicles Directory Information Documents Who's Who Glossary of Terms Links About SF Introduction Philosophy Contact Masthead Please send comments, critiques and queries to feedback@spacefuture.com. All material copyright Space Future Consulting except as noted.