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)

FMI: Source report