Aerospace
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.
Who Is the Leader to Put Boeing Back on Course?
Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a longtime observer of the company, and co-author Steven Tian consider five likely candidates to succeed CEO Dave Calhoun, who will step down at the end of the year.
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.
What the ‘Door Plug’ on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Tells Us about the Airline Industry
The door plug that plunged from an Alaska Airlines aircraft in flight earlier this month was there to seal off an unused emergency exit. Amy Fraher, a Yale SOM lecturer and former commercial pilot, explains why—and says the incident reflects a worrying approach to safety.
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.
Why David Calhoun Is The Right Choice for Boeing Right Now
Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that the company made the right move by turning to a knowledgeable insider instead of making a clean sweep.
Can Boeing Keep Up?
Boeing’s leaders are placing a multi-billion dollar bet that they can bring together innovation and global reach to survive tumultuous times.
Women Leaders Ascend in the Aerospace and Defense Industry
When Kathy Warden was named CEO of Northrop Grumman this week, she became the third woman CEO among the top five aerospace and defense contractors. Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that this welcome trend has an echo in the early history of the industry.
What’s the Business Case for Private Space Flight?
Private companies Orbital Sciences and SpaceX are putting rockets into space to resupply the International Space Station. According to Orbital’s Bill Claybaugh, the only thing tougher than rocket science may be making the rocket business work.
Is there profit in outer space?
Getting a rocket into space is complicated business. In addition to expertise in physics, materials science, and electronics, you need the business savvy to create a sustainable company in an industry replete with flameouts.