The new leader of NASA has the main goal to privatize spaceflight, and whether we like it or not, it might lead to new approaches to branding. The feasibility of commercializing the operations in low Earth orbit of the company was discussed by NASA Advisory Council committee, according to Administrator Jim Bridenstine and you might be able to take a trip to Mars and the Moon. These plans include selling the right to name spacecraft and rockets and even product endorsements from astronauts. This means that astronauts might appear on a Red Bull mission to the Planet or on a box of Wheaties.
What are the thoughts of the committee
According to Mike Gold, the head of the committee, they have in mind to scrap the obsolete regulations and allow American astronauts support private activities while aboard the International Space Station. When it comes to private operations, he said that companies should not feel obliged to “turn to Russian cosmonauts,” suggesting that their astronauts can get involved in filming ads if they want.
More thoughts on this type of commercialization
This kind of commercialization did not cross Bridenstine’s mind, but it might help NASA in the competition with the companies offering private spaceflight. Military pilots are short in the US because airlines pay they more, as the administrator argues and this might happen to NASA as well because if private companies such as SpaceX. This idea would also allow NASA to influence the pop culture.
What might become the adverse effect?
Some significant resistance might come up to stop this idea from happening as scientists are not fans of commercializing their work. NASA has always been considered a safe space for the pure pursuit of science and they do not want it to change. Naming rights and endorsements might also skew the missions which would lead to a lack of discoveries.
Before opening the floodgates, NASA would have to consider a few practical and ethical concerns.
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