The Space Settlement Institute

"I like this idea. It would create a broad constituency to do something, sort of a cross-border would-be citizenry of the moon that I hope can spur governments and investors into action!" - Esther Dyson, on Lunar Land Claims Recognition

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Articles & Commentary >

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Journal of Air Law & Commerce

An important article on space settlement law by members of the Institute appears in the Journal of Air Law & Commerce, the oldest scholarly periodical in the English language devoted to the legal and economic problems affecting aviation and space.

The Space Settlement Prize Act

Learn about a draft "lunar land claims recognition" law worth billions of dollars to the private space industry. This law could open up the Moon and Mars to settlement by creating a very large financial incentive to build the necessary space infrastructure.

The Importance of a Backup Plan

The President's Moon-to-Mars initiative is struggling under Shuttle-related budget woes. But what is the backup plan if NASA becomes mired financially or politically? Private industry could fill the de facto role of Moon-to-Mars backup system - but they need the financial incentive to make it happen.

Florida Should Sponsor a Race to the Moon

The new Florida Space Commission must determine what Florida can do to offset the potential loss of billions of dollars in annual revenue and thousands of lost jobs that may result from the 2010 retirement of the Space Shuttle. Sponsoring the first private industry Race to the Moon through a no-cost lunar land claims recognition law might be the key to Florida maintaining preeminence in space.

Commercial Launch Industry Needs a Boost

According to COMSTAC, the satellite launch industry is heading for a decade in the doldrums. Is there a way forward for commercial launch providers like SpaceX, Sea Launch, Kistler, and others? Better yet, might there be a way to reignite the huge demand enjoyed by launch companies during the 1990's?

Better Financing for the LTS Earth-Moon Highway

Lunar Transportation Systems (LTS), Inc. plans to build a real Earth-Moon spaceline. To do so, founders Kistler and Citron will need some heavy-duty financing - but what payoff will entice venture capitalists and others to invest in such an expensive and risky venture?

Institute Submits Proposal for NASA RFI

The Space Settlement Institute has proposed "The Space Settlement Prize" as the ultimate Flagship Challenge for NASA's Centennial Challenges initiative. This prize would create an enormous financial incentive for private space development.

$100 Million "Space and Aeronautics Prize"

Legislation establishing a $100,000,000 space prize was submitted by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) to the House on October 8. The "Space and Aeronautics Prize Act" (H.R. 5336) proposes a huge cash prize for the first private ship to complete three orbits.

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