Hackerspaces Global Space Program/Finance
Costs[edit]
Space is expensive - flat out -- it doesn't matter how DIY you can be -- it will take some money
At present there are two main costs associated with space: 1. The cost of getting stuff up to space (i.e. rockets, propulsion, etc) 2. The cost of developing stuff to send to space (i.e. satellites, landers, future habitats, etc)
Getting stuff up to space is currently very expensive. One route to get stuff there would be piggybacking off commercial launch systems. If we were to find commercial sponsors, perhaps we could piggyback with them. Developing our own traditional launch systems (i.e. rockets) would be expensive and somewhat redundant since they have already been out there for a long time.
On the other hand, actually developing stuff to send to space seems to be a lot more flexible. Xinchejian have been discussing building simple satellite testing equipment and Cubesats. Universities and other groups are also working on Cubesat development. We could use it as a standard to get things rolling, and since it is small and simple it doesn't require such high costs or such heavy equipment for testing.
Financing[edit]
Commercialisation[edit]
One way to finance space projects will be via commercialisation. For example, by building testing equipment to test satellites for vibration, shock, zero g, etc. Satellite testing can then be sold as a service to other organisations and funds used to develop the project further or spin off a company. This makes sense for individual projects.
Grants[edit]
Applying to organisations like DARPA, Ansari X Prize, Long Now Foundation, etc. This is where a unified Hackerspace Space Project organisation may be useful, instead of individual projects. Donated funds can then be allocated to projects and annual event.
Crowdfunding[edit]
Kickstarter, etc. Very good for individual projects and possibly for organisation too.
Long Term[edit]
As efforts progress and space exploration becomes increasingly cost effective, Hackerspaces and their spinoff companies (when their charter allows it and they elect to do so) will be able to use facilities built in space to generate a profit. In the long-term, a near-Earth space economy and then a solar space economy created through Hackerspace initiated projects will provide further funding to go further and faster.
