Virgin Galactic
Greg Ponesse — March 2, 2006 — Lifestyle
References: money.cnn
Prepare for liftoff: The space business may be the most incredible new opportunity of your lifetime.
The shuttle and the international space station continued this record of dismal return on investment. Small wonder, then, that most private-sector investors have focused instead on more earthly pursuits. Only one thing will prod us into the cold, hard vacuum of space, and that's the prospect of earning cold, hard cash.
We are also well into the commercial space age. In 1998, private-sector spending on space applications began to exceed government spending, and the gap is widening. A critical mass of entrepreneurs -- some with familiar names like Bezos and Branson -- have been backing space-related companies for years. In the coming months, their efforts will reach blastoff stage (quite literally). Some of the markets they're targeting, like the $4 billion satellite launch business being pursued by PayPal founder Elon Musk, are ripe for competition. But most, such as suborbital tourism, space hotels, and solar satellites, don't yet exist. All, however, have the potential to generate astronomical returns during the next decade.
The shuttle and the international space station continued this record of dismal return on investment. Small wonder, then, that most private-sector investors have focused instead on more earthly pursuits. Only one thing will prod us into the cold, hard vacuum of space, and that's the prospect of earning cold, hard cash.
We are also well into the commercial space age. In 1998, private-sector spending on space applications began to exceed government spending, and the gap is widening. A critical mass of entrepreneurs -- some with familiar names like Bezos and Branson -- have been backing space-related companies for years. In the coming months, their efforts will reach blastoff stage (quite literally). Some of the markets they're targeting, like the $4 billion satellite launch business being pursued by PayPal founder Elon Musk, are ripe for competition. But most, such as suborbital tourism, space hotels, and solar satellites, don't yet exist. All, however, have the potential to generate astronomical returns during the next decade.
Trend Themes
1. Commercial Space Age - The commercial space age presents an opportunity to create new industries that have yet to exist, such as suborbital tourism, space hotels, and solar satellites.
2. Space Entrepreneurship - Space-related companies, backed by entrepreneurs including Bezos and Branson, have the potential to disrupt traditional markets such as the $4 billion satellite launch business pursued by Elon Musk.
3. New Space Financing Models - Entrepreneurs and investors can explore new financing models that will help to fund the commercialization of space, such as partnering with governments or crowdfunding platforms.
Industry Implications
1. Travel and Tourism - Suborbital tourism and space hotels could create a new market within the travel and tourism industry.
2. Technology - The development of solar satellites and other space-related technology presents an opportunity for innovation within the technology industry.
3. Finance - The commercialization of space presents new financing models and investment opportunities within the finance industry.
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