NASA considering raising funds through product endorsements, rocket naming rights

NASA is considering receiving reimbursements 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.

NASA is exploring the feasibility of commercialising the agency’s operations in low Earth orbit to lower its costs while its eyes turn toward the Moon and Mars, the media reported.

In this file photo taken on April 11, 2018 obtained from NASA, technicians assist as the SpaceX payload fairing containing the NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is moved to a transporter, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. (AFP)

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine has unveiled an “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, the Engadget reported.

According to Mike Gold, head of the Committee, the committee would also consider scrapping “obsolete” regulations to let US astronauts support private activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Companies should not have to “turn to Russian cosmonauts” for private operations, suggesting that astronauts could even be involved in filming ads, he was quoted as saying.

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.

“When new industrial substance are created, commercial experiments conducted, or even advertisements filmed, American astronauts should lead the way.”

While Bridenstine stressed that he did not know if this kind of commercialisation was possible (hence the committee), he noted that the move might help NASA compete with private spaceflight companies.

The US has a shortage of military pilots precisely because they can make more money with airlines, the administrator argued – there could be a similar problem if they’re tempted away by the likes of SpaceX – a California-based private aerospace manufacturer.

Bridenstine also noted that this could spread NASA’s influence in pop culture, the report said.