Sun, Sep 16, 2018
Administrator Jim Bridenstine Reportedly Has The Agency Looking Into The Idea
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine (pictured) is reportedly considering allowing companies to buy naming rights to rockets and other spacecraft in an effort to boost the agency's brand.
AL.com reports that at a recent meeting of the NASA advisory council, Bridenstine announced the formation of a committee to look at what he called "provocative questions" related to placing corporate logs on spacecraft. "Is it possible for NASA to offset some of its costs by selling the naming rights to its spacecraft, or the naming rights to its rockets," Bridenstine said. "I'm telling you there is interest in that right now. The question is: Is it possible? The answer is: I don't know, but we want somebody to give us advice on whether it is."
Bridenstine also said he'd like to see astronauts be more accessible to journalists, and perhaps even participate in marketing opportunities. NASA has traditionally kept any branding at arm's length, even calling the M&Ms enjoyed by astronauts in space "candy-coated chocolates".
The idea is not being universally welcomed. Former astronaut Scott Kelly said it would be a "dramatic shift in the rules" that prohibit government officials from using their office for private gain. Another former astronaut, Michael Lopez-Alegria said NASA could end up competing against the commercial space industry. Lopez-Alegria also said he could foresee Congress saying NASA was getting plenty from sponsorships and reduce government funding for the agency.
(Image from file)
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]