SpaceCom is here (and we are there)
2015-11-19
The Space Commerce Conference and Exposition, or SpaceCom, is wrapping up today in Houston. From Nov. 17 to 19, the conference is bringing together experts and thought leaders to explore the business aspect of space. NASA Johnson Space Center, the home of human spaceflight, enjoyed a huge presence at the event throughout the three days.
“SpaceCom is a new city of Houston event being put on by the Greater Houston Visitors and Convention Bureau with the concept to bring together five of Houston’s world-leading industries (energy, medicine, advanced manufacturing, transportation and telecommunications) to discuss the application of space technology to fuel business innovation and new market opportunities,” said James Lewis, NASA executive liaison with the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership/BayTech, JSC’s local economic development partners. “Several factors are already in play, advancing this exciting opportunity.”
Some business topics being delved into include rapidly increasing development of international spaceports and the reduction in cost launching payloads to orbit, making it more economically feasible companies to access space. The increased interest in point-to-point shipping, space tourism, low-G experimentation and orbital launch capabilities are helping to make the hostile environment of space that much more inviting. And those interested want to invest in not only in commercial space, but game-changing technologies.
JSC is hosting the largest interactive exhibit at SpaceCom, with many NASA centers also representing their projects and programs. Driven to Explore, the mobile exhibit most commonly seen during Destination Station outreach campaigns throughout the United States, is also parked at the expo to show visitors how space station is making a difference to research as a recognized National Laboratory.
Many NASA and JSC leaders are also taking part. NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and JSC Director Ellen Ochoa kicked off the event and gave keynote speeches, as well as International Space Station Program Manager Kirk Shireman. Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren, both aboard the International Space Station, provided a downlink message announcing the winner of the Health Challenge that Ochoa kicked off earlier in the year at SXSW.
Closing day, Nov. 19, will also bring a lot of foot traffic to JSC grounds as approximately 100 visitors tour the center to see our spaceflight and technology capabilities in person.
“With advent of commercialization of space, especially in LEO (low-Earth orbit), NASA now has the opportunity to reach out to new industries looking for collaborators and partners who can help us meet our space-exploration requirements while helping them create new products or technologies, which can benefit life on Earth,” Lewis said. “The challenges of going to Mars almost certainly today will not be solved by NASA alone or within NASA’s budget, so it is important that if we are going to begin a new human exploration program that will begin to develop the systems and technologies in three to five years, which can take us to an asteroid in eight to 10 years or on to Mars in 15 to 20 years … we need to find new partners, new technologies and new ways to find solutions to the human spaceflight challenges that we face, starting today.”
SpaceCom is a steppingstone, right in our backyard, to build on new or existing partnerships to pursue some very far-out spaceflight goals. Technology is the future—but then, so is teamwork.
Catherine Ragin Williams
NASA Johnson Space Center
“SpaceCom is a new city of Houston event being put on by the Greater Houston Visitors and Convention Bureau with the concept to bring together five of Houston’s world-leading industries (energy, medicine, advanced manufacturing, transportation and telecommunications) to discuss the application of space technology to fuel business innovation and new market opportunities,” said James Lewis, NASA executive liaison with the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership/BayTech, JSC’s local economic development partners. “Several factors are already in play, advancing this exciting opportunity.”
Some business topics being delved into include rapidly increasing development of international spaceports and the reduction in cost launching payloads to orbit, making it more economically feasible companies to access space. The increased interest in point-to-point shipping, space tourism, low-G experimentation and orbital launch capabilities are helping to make the hostile environment of space that much more inviting. And those interested want to invest in not only in commercial space, but game-changing technologies.
JSC is hosting the largest interactive exhibit at SpaceCom, with many NASA centers also representing their projects and programs. Driven to Explore, the mobile exhibit most commonly seen during Destination Station outreach campaigns throughout the United States, is also parked at the expo to show visitors how space station is making a difference to research as a recognized National Laboratory.
Many NASA and JSC leaders are also taking part. NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and JSC Director Ellen Ochoa kicked off the event and gave keynote speeches, as well as International Space Station Program Manager Kirk Shireman. Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren, both aboard the International Space Station, provided a downlink message announcing the winner of the Health Challenge that Ochoa kicked off earlier in the year at SXSW.
Closing day, Nov. 19, will also bring a lot of foot traffic to JSC grounds as approximately 100 visitors tour the center to see our spaceflight and technology capabilities in person.
“With advent of commercialization of space, especially in LEO (low-Earth orbit), NASA now has the opportunity to reach out to new industries looking for collaborators and partners who can help us meet our space-exploration requirements while helping them create new products or technologies, which can benefit life on Earth,” Lewis said. “The challenges of going to Mars almost certainly today will not be solved by NASA alone or within NASA’s budget, so it is important that if we are going to begin a new human exploration program that will begin to develop the systems and technologies in three to five years, which can take us to an asteroid in eight to 10 years or on to Mars in 15 to 20 years … we need to find new partners, new technologies and new ways to find solutions to the human spaceflight challenges that we face, starting today.”
SpaceCom is a steppingstone, right in our backyard, to build on new or existing partnerships to pursue some very far-out spaceflight goals. Technology is the future—but then, so is teamwork.
Catherine Ragin Williams
NASA Johnson Space Center
JSC Director Ellen Ochoa and Wanda Sigur, Lockheed Martin VP & GM of the Civil Space Line of Business award Annise Parker, the mayor of Houston with a flag flown on Orion's first flight test . Image Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford
Ochoa gives an introductory speech at SpaceCom, where JSC had a huge exhibit presence. Image Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford
During a special downlink message at SpaceCom, station crew mates Commander Scott Kelly (right) and Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren announce the winner of the Health Challenge. Image Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford