commercial space travel and new space programs

[zenith]

Because of (Sir?) Richard Bransons initiative program to make redily affordable space travel (though so far no where to travel to, except perhaps the moon, but that is just a big fun park/tourist trap, Lunar Land), do you think that this will open up new space programs in countries otherwise space neuteral?<br /><br />Such as with countries like Japan, Germany, France, Australia and so forth? (apart from australia, im not so sure if they have existing space programs?). Will these countries begin to develop programs to rival that of NASA, or will NASA hold the monopoly for many years to come?

 

[kelle]

Both France and Germany are part of ESA, the European Space Agency, and ESA is quite active and has among others built parts of the ISS and satellites and probes and such. I'm not sure about Japan though. But we see more countries, among other China starts getting more and more of a space program, so perhaps new countries will get space programs in the years to come.

 

[synerspace]

Call for survey participation<br />www.synerspace.net<br /><br />We are conducting an online survey for a new commercial concept called Synerspace.<br />Interest has already been directed towards Synerspace from leading space tourism ventures and your participation in our continued studies into its feasibility will be greatly appreciated. <br /><br />A brief description of Synerspace: <br /><br />Goals for the Synerspace Corporation are to create and model the most realistic public perception of how humanity might one day live, work, and play in space as a direct result of private sector innovation and to use this new service to establish private sector development funding resources and build stronger public support for the industry.<br /><br />Synerspace is an Earth-based space tourism facility, everything within will be consumer and educationally driven to interact and help drive the industry forward. Designed to meet the needs from all points of interest and concern, Synerspace will provide the resources to meet private sector development funding solutions, marketing opportunities (movies, television programs, and advertising), build stronger relations with the investment community, national and international corporations, societies, agencies and more. <br /><br />A new model is needed<br /><br />“The commission believes a new model is needed to expand the role of space exploration in our culture. Working together, the White House, NASA, Industry, and professional organizations can forge a new model for public engagement built on grass roots support. Such support requires sustainable, systematic, effective marketing and communication programs, employees professionals who are trained in the art and science of communication, and uses new and even novel means for communicating with the public about space.” (“A journey to Inspire, Innovate, and Discover” June 2004 President’s Commission on Implementation of United States Spac