Expanding Scope To Include All Potential Markets
The industry
association of companies seeking to make commercial human
spaceflight a reality has rolled out a new website and a new
name.
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation, previously known as the
Personal Spaceflight Federation, instituted the changes after a
review of the organization’s messaging by industry leaders at
a recent board meeting.
The emphasis on commercial spaceflight recognizes the diverse
business activities of the commercial human spaceflight industry,
according to Bretton Alexander, President of the Commercial
Spaceflight Federation (CSF). “There are so many uses for
commercial access to space,” said Alexander, “and we
want to emphasize the broad cross-section of potential markets for
our members’ products and services.”
The markets being pursued by commercial spaceflight companies
include cargo and crew transportation to the International Space
Station, flights of private individuals (so-called “space
tourism”), science research missions, technology research and
development, astronaut training, education and outreach activities,
and national security applications. “Even in this tough
economic climate the commercial spaceflight industry is still
growing and creating high-tech jobs – a lot of that comes
from a new realization of how broadly these capabilities can be
used,” said CSF Executive Director John Gedmark. “Our
companies are on the forefront of major innovation, and through our
new website people will be hearing much more about that in the
months to come. We’re looking forward to a steady stream of
exciting developments in the commercial spaceflight sector in these
critical next few years.”
One of the first moves for the newly-renamed organization was to
select Mark N. Sirangelo (pictured below) of the Sierra
Nevada Corporation as its new Chairman of the Board.
Sirangelo anda new slate of officers for the Commercial Spaceflight
Federation were elected at a recent board meeting by a diverse
cross-section of industry leaders.
Mr. Sirangelo is Executive Vice-President of Sierra Nevada
Corporation and Chairman of the Board for SNCSpace Systems, and
most recently served as Chairman and CEO of SpaceDev, Inc., which
has now merged with Sierra Nevada Corporation.
In addition, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) has
elected a slate of senior space industry executives as officers.
The new officers include:
- Eric Anderson, CEO of Space Adventures
- Jeff Greason, CEO of XCOR Aerospace
- Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX
- Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic
- Stuart O. Witt, General Manager of the Mojave Spaceport
Having completed his three-year term as Chairman, Alex Tai, a
Virgin Group Director, welcomed his replacement. “Mark is a
fantastic selection to lead this industry in such a critical time.
His experience running both small and large aerospace and technical
companies, combined with his technical and policy expertise, make
him a natural choice.”
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