Document prepared by Donald A. Jacques, Scottsdale AZ
Thursday, August 13, 2009

This document is submitted freely, and it is encouraged that it be used publicly.

NASA should not expect taxpayers to continue to fund completely the typical NASA "minimal risk" "research only" purposing for the future.  Citizens are shareholders in NASA that no longer have any patience or interest in research - even at the "distant" benefit of the public.

NASA should FACILITATE private companies who have demonstrated an ability to acquire funding of their own, and show documentable progress toward their goals.  Companies coming to mind are Bigelow Aerospace, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic.  NASA's FACILITATION should NOT intrude on the risk-taking of these companies.

These goals may be accomplished by a system of competitive grants, or perhaps more reasonably, by supporting and contributing matching funds to existing grant competitions, i.e. X-Prize.  Such prizes should be more lucrative than the DARPA Grand Challenge, and previous X-Prizes, and also perhaps provide access to public launch facilities as part of the final qualifying test.

Expand the X-Prizes to organizations that would deliver ongoing commercial services, instead of just being the first to reach the target goal (review result of Rutan-Virgin partnership).  Create a continuity in the prizes that facilitates private enterprise in space.  

Encourage down-play of the lunar prizes until an Earth Orbit Economy has begun to take hold.  Hold human development to a strict plan with benchmarks that define when it is time to move to the next level by virtue of economic completion rather than a date.  Limit ALL research beyond orbit until we are capable of consistently moving people beyond that orbit.

A Public relations plan should be put in place assuring news-worthy annoucements of "REAL" progress actually reach the public.

I submit the following simplified plan suggesting how NASA might move forward to facilitate human settlement, and in the process, create more opportunities for research than they have seen before.

A LONG-TERM PLAN:

1.  Earth Orbit Economy
    a.  Define a means to steadily increase personell capacity in orbit over
        the next 5 years.  Perhaps leasing units from Bigelow Aerospace to be
        docked with the ISS.
    b.  Transfer ALL development of personell/cargo transport & return to private
        companies within the next 5 years, leasing seats/space on these private 
        commercial services for NASA/Public projects.
    c.  Define a means to encourage private fuel suppliers to deliver to and
        maintain a fuel depot.  Perhaps in partnership with NASA with a 
        clause that leases the facility to the company over 5 years, 
        and transferring ownership at the end of this period.
    d.  Define a means to encourage private companies to build and staff
        a salvage/recycling station.  Perhaps in partnership with NASA with a 
        clause that leases the facility to the company over 5 years, 
        and transferring ownership at the end of this period.  Such a facility
        would design and build small one-man salvage craft for target
        acquisition and return to the salvage facility.  Objects in orbit that
        have survived beyond their useful life should be deemed "salvage" with
        rights deferring to those who can salvage the object.

2.  Lunar Orbit Economy
    a.  Using the above as a model, extend the Earth Orbital Economy to
        include Lunar Orbit as a means to prepare for a settlement on the
        surface.
    b.  Develop techniques for delivery of "supplies" for the ASSEMBLY
        of a settlement colony on the surface of the moon.

3.  Lunar Surface Economy
    c.  A single settlement habitat should be constructed in four phases:
        1.  Structure: frame and skin easily assembled in 1-2 days by 2 people
        2.  Envelope: application of sealing components to assure atmosphere
        3.  Protection:  application of regolith, or moving into a cave.
        4.  Supply:  introduction of atmosphere, hydroponics to assure survival
    d.  NASA should work with world leaders to create Homesteading opportunities
        for citizens demonstrating willingness and ability to survive the
        challenges - not age or military background.
    e.  Private companies shall be encouraged to establish services for
        and to facilitate the settlers continued progress - without gouging.

4.  Expansion beyond lunar orbit would follow the lessons learned in these first
    three steps.