Comments on: Italy awards $256 million contract for testing in-orbit robotic satellite servicing https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/italy-awards-256-million-contract-for-testing-in-orbit-robotic-satellite-servicing/ Wed, 17 May 2023 05:19:12 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Edward https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/italy-awards-256-million-contract-for-testing-in-orbit-robotic-satellite-servicing/#comment-1412895 Wed, 17 May 2023 05:19:12 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=95086#comment-1412895 David Eastman,
I’m pretty sure that is a major factor in the privatization of many of these space projects. Rocket Lab and Orbital Sciences (Orbital ATK) also showed that private actors can do launches and operations in space. With the reduction in the cost of access to space, many other companies are also showing that operating in space can be done well by private companies, independent of governmental organizations, such as NASA and ESA. Orbital Sciences, Rocket Lab, and SpaceX all showed that rapid development is key. Boeing’s Starliner showed that taking too long gives the competition the advantage.

Governments had severely limited what could be done in space, but these three companies are showing how much can be accomplished and how much less expensive it can be done. With countries such as UAE starting their own space programs that rely heavily on private commercial companies, the rest of the world’s countries are seeing that they may be left behind.

I think I got this link from this BTB site, perhaps from a commenter. It shows that Europe fears being left behind:
https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/corporate/h-lag_brochure.pdf

About a decade ago, landlocked Luxembourg decided that it needed to get involved in space activities, and they encouraged space operators to come to their country for support and encouragement. There are many ways for countries to benefit from space, and various countries are seeking and sometimes finding ways that work for them.

Meanwhile, the once-great Russia is falling behind in space, counting on a reluctant China to help prop them up. China may owe Russia for giving them the technology to become a spacefaring nation, but China does not seem so eager to carry Russia very far.

With luck, Italy will join the list of great spacefaring nations.

]]> By: GaryMike https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/italy-awards-256-million-contract-for-testing-in-orbit-robotic-satellite-servicing/#comment-1412861 Tue, 16 May 2023 22:25:02 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=95086#comment-1412861 The more entities in the space development market the better.

The more economies and their employees involved in making space resources Earth resources the better.

Everyone wins.

There’s a lot of stuff out there. It doesn’t involve ‘raping’ the Earth. Glad to not have to listen to those crazies much ever again.

]]> By: David Eastman https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/italy-awards-256-million-contract-for-testing-in-orbit-robotic-satellite-servicing/#comment-1412845 Tue, 16 May 2023 19:37:19 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=95086#comment-1412845 I wonder how much credit SpaceX needs to be given, not just for the obvious competition driving prices down, but also the “if a small private company can do this, it’s obviously not as hard and expensive to do a space program as we’ve always thought, and we can in fact afford to do it ourselves.”

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