Space Commercialization & Entrepreneurship

This course addresses the theoretical and empirical energy requirements of a sustainable settlement. Using analog studies and historical perspectives of energy consumption and production, students shall examine the underlying science and technology of energy sources and solutions, including conventional, alternative, and exotic resources in the context of their advantages and limitations with respect to technological, social, environmental, and economic considerations to supporting the collective activities of a settlement over multiple time periods. 

This course focuses on new models to stimulate innovation and accelerate the development of the start-of-the-art technologies that will enable future space settlements. Topics include, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, autonomy, robotics, energy production and storage, economical space access, regenerative medicine, materials and nanotechnology, additive manufacturing, asteroid mining technologies, and in-space fabrication and servicing. 

This course will examine some of the best-known tools and methods for technology management that are important for both entrepreneurship in small firms and within large organizations. Particular topics for discussion will include technology readiness levels (TRLs) and their application in conducting technology readiness and risk assessments (TRRA) in evaluating new concepts and new ventures, mission and system project design, and innovation portfolio development and management.

This course will contribute to understanding better how new and existing technologies have been and may in future be commercialized in new space ventures can benefit from being explored in some depth. 3-4 case studies will be examined; candidates include space solar power (SSP), in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and space transportation.

Entrepreneurial space commercialization occurs within the framework of legal, regulatory and policy decisions in the US and internationally, including the Outer Space Treaty, bilateral agreements (such as the International Space Station bilateral agreements), the recently announced Artemis Accords proposed by NASA, the rules of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) regarding spectrum management and orbital slot allocations, and other terms for international cooperation.