Can We Do Business in Space?
Two decades into the era of private space flight, companies are establishing ventures in low-earth orbit, sending private citizens into space, and pursuing exploration and development on the moon and beyond. We talked to Yale alumni and other leaders about how finance, law, and other day-to-day details of business get translated into space.
Assembling an Economy in Space
A mix of public and private investments are positioning the space economy for a period of growth and innovation, says Sven Eenmaa ’98, director of investment and economic analysis at the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory.
Exploring the Business of Space
Dramatic reductions in payload costs have spurred tremendous innovation in space technologies. John-Paul Menez ’07 warns that the finance, insurance, and legal infrastructure supporting space firms must make similar advances if the sector is going to mature.
Is Space Becoming the Next Front for War—and Traffic Jams?
Satellites enable everyday tools like GPS and weather forecasts, and allow militaries to track troop movements and target weapons. But the most desirable orbits are increasingly crowded and vulnerable to attack. Jamie Morin, an expert in space defense and policy issues, explains how we avoid squandering this shared resource.
How to Build a Space Station
Nanoracks, co-founded by Chris Cummins ’89, started as a niche startup that facilitated research on the International Space Station. Now it’s building a space station.
How Satellites Can Help Win the Climate Fight
Satellites can track methane leaks and other greenhouse gas emissions back to the source. We asked Karen Jones ’89, senior technology strategist in the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation, what it will take to act on the insights offered by space technology.
Who Makes the Rules for the New Space Economy?
The international legal framework to oversee the growing commercial activity in space doesn’t yet exist. Gershon Hasin, a graduate of Yale Law School and an expert in international law, explains how the rules for new contexts are established, and the pitfalls with space law that we can already foresee.
The Joy and Opportunity of Living in Space
Retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman describes the wonder of living in orbit and calls for a wiser, more inclusive approach in a new age of space exploration.
