Guests: Jay Wittner, Steven Jorgenson; Topics: Space Finance Group crowd funding, space investment, investors, Integrated Space Plan updates, equity deals, & more. 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 both Jay Wittner and Steven Jorgenson to the show to discuss The Space Finance Group (SFG) and updates to the Integrated Space Plan. During the first segment of the 1 hour 58 minute program, we focused on the SFG. Jay introduced it to us, then both Jay and Steven explained what the group does and how it can help and support commercial space industry start-ups and entrepreneurial activity through crowd funding projects. Jay described their approach to securing capital through a Kickstarter type campaign, plus he explained the support brought to the table on behalf of the entrepreneur and team from the SFG. If you are considering starting a space business and you need start-up capital, do not miss this discussion as it will prove to be very important for you. Even if you are not considering a space business at this time, you will want to know about the SFG as it will be a significant resource for you and others as commercial space continues to evolve and develop. To find out more or to follow up on our comprehensive discussion, visit the SFG website, www.spacefinancegroup.com.
During this segment, we addressed many topics of concern including due diligence, the requirements for a successful crowd funding program, the need for "skin in the game," participation rewards, pre-campaign time plus actual campaign time, and much more. We also talked about the need to be clear in the desired expected outcome, the use of networks and social media, and the SFG database. Another topic of interest was the importance of keeping control of one's intellectual property.
During the second segment, we focused on the need to update the Integrated Space Plan. As you will hear, the update will happen via a crowd funding program during the first part of 2017. As part of this discussion, we talked about the segments of the plan that need to be updated and why, plus listeners had suggestions for additions to the plan. As you will hear from our guests, suggestions are welcome. You can offer them through an email to Jay (he did give out his email on air) or through the Integrated Spaced Plan website, www.thespaceplan.com.
Later in this part of our discussion, Jay and Steven talked about specifics that would be updated including topics such as propulsion and launch vehicles, company progress such as SpaceX with the F9 reusable first stage and new rockets, and the work advanced by Blue Origin, & the Bigelow Beam module at the ISS. Also, policy updates such as the recently passed Space Launch Competitive Act. Yet another topic to be included in the plan update will be how advanced technology like 3D printing is impacting space but our guests said when a 3D printer lands on the surface of the Moon, that will change the timeline for space development.
Challenges and roadblocks on the plan were discussed. We focused on the need for a gravity RX for human spaceflight as am example but there were other blocks mentioned as well. Our guests explained how the plan treats blocks as overcoming blocks are important to creating our future in space. Later, our guests were asked about contributions from NASA and other national space agencies. Don't miss what they said about this.
Before the program ended, we took time to discuss the investment climate that is likely to unfold in the new administration. Steven had much to say about this so don't miss this part of our discussion which was near the end of the program.
Please post your comments/questions in the comments section for this archived show on TSS website. You can reach our guests through the websites or me.
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