Assessing Potential for Lunar Commerce Dr. Robert D. Richards Director, Optech Space Division Founder, International Space University THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 1
The Dream Dichotomy THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 2
What is our world of 2057? The Grand Human Adventure What are the business cases for private players? What are the engines of innovation and motivation? THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 3
Innovation inspired by the Orteig Prize Increase in U.S. airline passengers from 5,782 to 173,405 in three years (1926-1929) 300% increase in applications for pilot s licenses, 400% increase of licensed aircraft in the United States in one year (1927) The Spirit of St. Louis was personally viewed by a quarter of all Americans within one year of Lindbergh s historic flight Today, the global aviation industry is estimated at more than $300 billion
The Ansari X PRIZE Inspiring innovators
The Ansari X PRIZE Many times the prize money was invested into winning it.
Creating Markets - X PRIZE Cup Making the future happen
Google Lunar X PRIZE Moon 2.0 A $30M challenge to successfully land a privately funded craft on the lunar surface, roam about the lunar surface for at least 500 meters, and sending a defined image and video data package back to Earth. THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 8
Google Lunar X PRIZE Moon 2.0 Changing the exploration paradigm Moon 1.0 (Apollo), a few do, everyone else watches Moon 2.0, analogous to Web 2.0, participation based development THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 9
Google Lunar X PRIZE Why the Moon? In a recent Gallup poll, more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) support a return to the Moon Enabling exploration of the solar system and beyond. The Moon can help save the Earth We can learn about the Earth s geologic past We can see more deeply into space Driving new technologies and devices THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 10
Google Lunar X PRIZE Why the Moon? Excitement, adventure and hope for the future Inspiring youth into science and engineering Making a connection in ways that are cool Learning guides for teachers One small step for Google one giant leap for Googlekind THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 11
Bridging the Business Case Investors gain comfort from strong associations with major brands and other investors THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 12
Isle of Man Space Friendly Domicile The Isle of Man is is a selfgoverning British Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical centre of the British Isles. It is a low tax economy with no capital gains tax, wealth tax, stamp duty, death duty or inheritance tax. Income tax rates are 10% and 18%, and corporation tax is 0% As a jurisdiction and an International Finance Centre dedicated to Space, the Island has become home to active subsidiaries of the world s leading space and satellite communications companies. THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 13
Entrepreneurs Think Differently Integrate the interests of many players with varying value propositions into a business model that delivers happiness to all stakeholders. FOUNDERS CUSTOMERS INVESTORS THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 14
Making the Business Case Customers help NASA and other space agencies can help by making clear statements of intent to buy commercial products and services Long term market risk can be mitigated by delivering near term value to angels Institutional investment requires much more rigor definition and confidence in long term markets Venture capitalists still remember the dot com implosion THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 15
Closing the Business Case Missions of Opportunity (MOO) are key Valid science and technology demonstration enabled by commercial players Public & media excitement is a value that can be sold to ego-angels and brand marketeers The entry of Google into the game provides credibility and co-branding incentives The existence of a goal that transcends any short term ROI potential helps close the business case for lunar astropreneurs THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 16
Building Bridges for Lunar Commerce THE NEW RACE TO THE MOON 17