NASA explores commercial endorsements, rocket naming rights
New Delhi : Seems like, NASA is exploring the possibility of commercialising the agency's operations in low Earth orbit to lower its costs, while it is preparing for upcoming mission in Moon and Mars. NASA's administrator Jim Bridenstine has announced about the formation of "Advisory Council Committee" that will explore some of these plans, which could include product endorsements from astronauts and even selling the naming rights to rockets and other spacecraft.
Mike Gold, head of the advisory committee, said that the body would also consider scrapping "obsolete" regulations to let US astronauts support private activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Now companies should not have to "turn to Russian cosmonauts" for private operations, suggesting that astronauts could even perform ads to promote the product.
Gold said the possibilities could include having NASA receive reimbursement when commercial space companies sell spots on spacecraft heading for the ISS, and leveraging those funds for access or services on future private-sector space stations.
"Our companies should not have to turn to Russian cosmonauts to execute commercial operations, "Gold was quoted as saying by the GeekWire.
"When new industrial substance are created, commercial experiments conducted, or even advertisements filmed, American astronauts should lead the way."
Besides, Bridenstine mentioned that he was unaware that such kind of approach to commercialisation was possible and the move might help NASA compete with private spaceflight companies.
