Does Mitt Romney Have a Commercial Space Vision?

COMMENTARY | While Newt Gingrich's approach to space policy would be heavily weighted toward encouraging the private sector, space observers have been wondering how much the Mitt Romney approach, once it is formulated, will rely on commercial space.

Jeff Foust, at space politics, conducted a phone interview with Eric Anderson, one of the signatories of the letter from the group of aerospace wise men endorsing Romney. Anderson is the chairman and CEO of Space Adventures and the chairman of the Commercial Space Flight Federation.

Here are some takeaways from the interview, as it appears in Space Politics.

Romney has apparently not thought a lot about commercial space, but seems eager to learn of its possibilities. Anderson points out that Romney is a businessman and is therefore conversant in the ways of the free market.

Anderson supports the concept of the commercial crew program of the Obama administration, but is heavily critical of its execution. He believes that the administration has not backed up the program and that the lack of support shows.

Anderson also thinks that Gingrich has some good ideas about space prizes. He is skeptical that they would work on a large scale such as a lunar base prize or a humans to Mars prize.

Anderson is confident about how Romney will approach space, even considering the fact that he has not articulated any goals yet. He suggests that Romney will choose a plan that can be done over one or two terms of office

Anderson is not the only member of Romney's space group to have experience in the commercial space sector. Mark Albrecht has worked for Lockheed Martin and is currently Chairman of the Board of USSpace, a small, commercial space firm. Mike Griffin has President and CEO of In-Q-Tech, a private non-profit firm funded by the CIA, as well as having been involved at Orbital Sciences as well as having been general manager at Space Industries. He is currently involved at Stratolaunch Systems.

All of this suggests that while Gingrich has an inspiring vision, Romney has the management heft and the experience to carry a space vision out. Now all he has to do is to find one.

Sources: Leaders in America's Space Program Write Open Letter in Support of Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney for President, Jan 27, 2012

Anderson: Romney would be "advocate" of commercial space, Jeff Foust, Space Politics, Jan 29, 2011