Synopsis
Here is a summary of the key points from the research paper:
- Public and private institutions are recognizing the economic potential of space exploration. Key areas of innovation include transportation, manufacturing, bioproduction, agriculture, propulsion, and satellite services.
- However, space is an open-access global commons, presenting risks of competition and coordination failures. A “tragedy of the commons” is possible if countries race to capture space value.
- NASA, universities, and companies can collaborate in public-private research partnerships (PPRDPs) to stimulate innovation and avoid coordination failures. PPRDPs align incentives and resources.
- NASA provides opportunities for public good research. Universities contribute intellectual capital and research workforce. Companies provide financing and data.
- Assessments of partner strengths and commitments is key. NASA needs talent, universities want resources and problems, companies want commercialization and talent access.
- PPRDPs enable resource pooling and funding support. Declining public research funds make private sector funds crucial.
- PPRDPs should focus on open-access research to fully benefit public partners. The linear research paradigm (basic to applied) is challenged by nonlinear feedback loops.
- Overall, properly designed PPRDPs between NASA, universities, and companies can accelerate space innovation through collaboration, resource integration, knowledge sharing, and aligned incentives.
