Guest: Ken Davidian: Topics: Space entrepreneurship, FAA AST and space, Ken's doctoral dissertation, interview questions for Dr.Space. Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.
We welcomed back Ken Davidian to the program to discuss commercial and NewSpace entrepreneurship, AST and the FAA and his work on his doctoral dissertation at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business which has focused on affecting policy, programmatic, and acquisition strategy decision-making within the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation to improve the viability of nascent markets in the suborbital space transportation industry. The actual title of his dissertation is "Inter-organizational Power Effects on the Evolving Human Suborbital Space Transportation Industry." As you will hear later in our discussion, we look forward to Ken's papers, presentations and articles which will come forth from his dissertation research work. I personally look forward to discussing his body of research and work on many future Space Show programs. In addition, let me direct you to Ken's commercial space WIKI which you will find of interest: http://commercialspace.pbworks.com/w/page/16189353/FrontPage.
During the first segment of our 85 minute two segment program, we talked about Ken's overall work with the FAA AST and some of his previous work with for example, the FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation, and his leadership with the Ohio State University space programs plus more. In addition, he talked about the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School, their doctoral program, the European PhD approach as compared to the typical US approach, plus he talked about evolving from a purely engineering background which he had in both undergraduate and graduate school to taking on a social science perspective. As you will hear, that can be challenging and rewarding at the same time.
Other first segment topics included commercial and government space and their evolvement both together and separately but at the same time. Listeners asked questions about how well the FAA has worked with space entrepreneurs and the role of regulation, both for the good and what happens it turns out to be bad or less than good. I asked Ken an off the wall comment about the FAA and drones though that was not directly related to space. Still, we had an interesting short discussion about drones, regulation and we learned some interesting demographic stats about the FAA. Another listener asked Ken about the FAA perspective on NewSpace. Don't miss what Ken had to say about that.
In the second segment, we focused on Ken's doctoral dissertation as mentioned above. Part of his research included asking questions to various people relevant to his dissertation work and space. Ken explained this as the second segment started, then he had two questions for me as part of his interviewing research process. I was a bit long winded as you will hear in my replies.
The first question Ken asked me was about the norm (we first discussed and defined norms so don't miss this important but short up front discussion) about space serving as a higher calling for space entrepreneurs and others in the field. I did respond to it because I am very familiar with this issue and we frequently talk about it on Space Show program. Let us know what you thought of my response as well as what you think of space as a higher calling as a norm for commercial and NewSpace entrepreneurs and others.
The second question Ken asked me was about the norm failure is not an option. Again, don't miss what I said about this, how I understood the phrase, and why I suggested that not being successful was not a failure unless one lets it become a failure and show stopper. Again, share your thoughts with us on this norm on TSS blog.
Before the end of the program, I asked Ken if we would be able to access his dissertation when completed so we could read it. He talked about it being written in typical academic style but suggested he would be delivering conference and other presentations based on his research and analysis, writing articles and such and we would have access to this material. We talked about his keeping us informed and then discussing his work as he makes it available on future Space Show program.
Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog. You can reach Ken Davidian through his WIKI or me. Do let us know what you think about the norms Ken asked me about by posting on our blog.
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