Tom Olson returned to The Space Show to update us on what has been happening within the entrepreneurial space industry for the first half of the year. Since his last visit on the program at the end of 2004, the industry has continued to move forward with hopes placed on the new NASA Administrator Dr. Mike Griffin as well as on the momentum from events in late 2004. Mr. Olson talked about the Administrator and NASA, he spoke about the continuing impact of Space Ship One, and the many likely entries in the space tourism vehicle market. We had an extensive discussion regarding commercial options for the International Space Station and the return to flight for the Space Shuttle. Mr. Olson, in response to questions, suggested that if return to flight did not go as intended the potential was there to derail for a time the development of suborbital space tourism vehicles and the investment the industry needs. He also explained why the industry was yet to be considered an industry most of the investment is still concentrated in the hands of too few investors. Mr. Olson discussed the New Space Vision for returning to the Moon and then on to Mars, explaining how it can be structured to support the development of the alt.space industry by making sure frontier enabling development is a major result of the program. Mr. Olson discussed politics and policy, investment objectives, much more. Don't miss this exciting update program.
Guest
The Space Show
