Space Prizes: Freedom Among the Stars

[Mark Reiff <markreiff@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

FYI,

"Freedom Among the Stars"
The Stanford Review
http://www.stanfordreview.org/Archive/Volume_XXXV/Issue_7/Features/features1.shtml

: The new space race is on. This time, though, the competitors aren’t
: countries. They’re companies.

: It began with a stroke of economic ingenuity informed by history.
: Continuing the rich legacy left by such goal oriented awards as the
: Orteig Prize, the Longitude Act of 1714, and Richard Feynman’s “Race
: to the Bottom” molecular-scale engineering prizes, a group of St.
: Louis businesspeople established the X-Prize.

: But the true excitement of space exploration has shifted away from the
: state. The mind and hands of the private citizen now hold the tools to
: conquer the stars. Innovation will no longer rely on government
: funding, but will be fueled by the flexible energies of the market.

: Foresighted investors will recognize the true size of the opening
: space business. The early stages will witness an explosion of space
: tourism, including scenic tours from earth orbit and stays in space
: hotels. But three other industries will eventually emerge in the space
: sector: technology, mining, and energy.

: There exists the opportunity to spur the explosive rise and enrichment
: of civilizations across the globe and reverse “the decline of the
: west” by opening up a new frontier, one with infinite possibilities
: and limitless potential for human growth. And that growth includes
: political and intellectual growth in addition to economic expansion.

--
Mark Reiff <markreiff@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>


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