As I mentioned last night on The Space Show, for my next project at CEI, I’m planning to do an Issue Analysis (similar to the one I did on space real estate) laying out the history of risk and safety regulations, to provide some context for what is happening with both commercial crew (and other human spaceflight) at NASA, and with potential regulations that the FAA-AST may impose when the moratorium ends in 2015 (it will also make the case for extension). Broadly, it will make the case for a flexible approach, and to avoid a one-size-fits-all regime that could stifle, or even prevent the creation of the human spaceflight industry, both because it is too immature to have the sort of rigorous certification system currently in place for modern aviation, and because different people will have different risk tolerances for different experiences and prices. There will also be some philosophy in it about nanny statism, and the fact that our current obsession with safety is a sign that space isn’t societally important (for example, I’ll point out that if it were, we’d be sending volunteers on one-way missions already). It will also become a chapter in a forthcoming book.
The only problem is, I haven’t found a donor for it, and my creditors won’t allow me to do it pro bono, for some reason. So what I’ve done is to initiate a Kickstarter project for it. I’m trying to raise seven grand, which is about what the last one cost, and will give me enough to focus on it for a few weeks without having to frantically write for other publications just to pay bills, and it will allow me to travel to DC for associated meetings and press briefings. Target funding completion is a month from now — no one will be charged until then. Obviously, I’ll appreciate both word spreading and donations. I’m offering an autographed copy of the paper for a ten-dollar donation, but I’d appreciate suggestions for other possible rewards and levels.
Donated. I recommend having a “list of contributors” at the end that the $10 bidders get and reserving your autographing hand for the higher bids. Offer to throw in an autographed copy of your previous work for higher bidders.
I also donated.
BTW I ran across my file of law articles on regulating aerospace planes from the 1990’s when I was working with the spaceport in NM. I will scan them in and email them to you next week when I get finished with finals.
Somewhere I also have a study I did for the spaceport on how the public perceives the risk of rocket overflight I did as part of my dissertation. I will send it along as well for what its worth. If I recall the public’s confidence only increased slightly with FAA approval which is not surprising. Also if I recall states were rocket overflight is common, like New Mexico have less worries then states where it is something radically new.
Speaking of which, you might like to track down the EIS for the X-33 flights from California to Montana. There was a good discussion of the law as it stood at that time in it as I recall.
Thanks, Tom, for both the donation and the offer of additional research fodder.
Unfortunately, for some reason, the Kickstarter site isn’t tracking donations properly, because everyone so far has exceeded the minimum, but it’s only noting two of the donors as having done that.
Other rewards could be a video chat with a donor about space policy. At a higher level, you could do a video presentation to a group. An eventual signed copy of the book would be a good one, too.
Donated!
Could you offer an electronic version of the document? And how are you handling overseas shipping (ie. Should people who get a physical copy throw in a few extra bucks if they’re outside the US).
I also agree with Tom’s suggestions above.
It will be published on line, at the CEI web site.
Donated! Best of luck with this important project.
Regulation often has a major impact on how industries develop or if they even do. Although folks in England had a strong interest in rockets they were prohibited from developing any prior to WWII because of England’s very restrictive laws on working with explosives. That is why the British Interplanetary Society was forced into a theoretical approach rather then the applied one that emerged in Germany, Russia and the United States. Its also why England has never caught up in the art of building rockets.
So really, the reward should be to see that the emerging entrepreneurial human space flight industry is not burden with inappropriate regulation for its stage of development. This is especially important as the NASA funding entering the industry looks like it will carry with it NASA safety regulations above and beyond those of the FAA AST. Hopefully this paper will provide a foundation for a regulatory regime that will enable the industry’s development rather then restrict it and argue against any additional burdens being imposed by NASA. If the FAA AST says its safe for civilian astronauts to fly, it should be good enough for NASA.
I just kicked in a donation. If you’re looking for a little research help, I may be able to lend a brain. Not a lot of time available, but maybe enough to make a difference?
I’m in for ten.
Brainstorming on additional donor rewards:
Donor’s name on title page (instead of at back)
Donor’s name and picture on title page
Letting donor choose name of characters/vehicles in examples or illustrations.
Access to “proofreading” draft for feedback before final release.
Yeah . . . I’ve been spending time on Kickstarter.
Rand, I’m in.
You need to put this notice at the top of your blog, otherwise your supporters may miss it.
Lee