License to Orbit

An up-to-date investigation of the emerging commercial space business. It explores who are the players, the celebrities and technical innovators that are making this important new industry a reality. It is the most comprehensive look at the industry in terms of covering the companies, the role of NASA and other space agencies, as well as the strategic implications of private space systems. It examines the business risks and other possible show-stoppers that might inhibit the growth of commercial spaceflight systems. Space tourism is seen as more than a fad but a crucial next step in the evolution of humankind. The book is unique in terms of exploring new technologies of the future, and reviewing the regulatory and legal ramifications of private space now and into the next decade.