Jim Benson, founder and CEO of SpaceDev, a publicly traded space development and exploration company, was the guest for this edition of The Space Show. Mr. Benson discussed SpaceDev projects and its long term plans for its private space program through 2015 and longer. We talked about the importance of having a business background when managing a space company, we talked about the early history of SpaceDev and the barriers put in the SpaceDev path by NASA. My observation was that these barriers forced Jim and SpaceDev to develop their private sector plans for company growth and prosperity. Mr. Benson also talked about new space policy plans to return to the Moon, to build a permanent base and settlement on the Moon and to go forward to Mars. He also discussed near-Earth asteroids and the use of these resources. Mr. Benson went into detail to describe SpaceDev's microsat program, CHIPSat, and its hybrid-based rocket motor propulsion systems, as well as its role with the engine used in SpaceShipOne. Also of interest is the fact that Mr. Benson shows how he initiated the trend of computer and technology businessmen coming into the space industry as he had two very successful computer and high-tech entrepreneurial and management experiences prior to starting SpaceDev. Mr. Benson brings to the Space Show the road map of how to be successful with a commercial space company. His interview is a must for Space Show listeners.
Guest
The Space Show
