Author

Jerra Brown

Date of Award

January 2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Space Studies

First Advisor

Paul Hardersen

Abstract

How does the distribution of commercial satellite payloads affect the National Space Transportation Policy? Looking at the launch of commercial satellite payloads as a market, providing profit for private ventures, the question was analyzed by linking the economic benefits of the market to policy that it influences. Historical models are used to establish an economic variable and correlate its impact on policy change through time, using the 1994, 2004 and 2013 National Space Transportation Policies. The primary methods used were different comparative text analysis to baseline the changes of the evolving policies as applicable to a growing private space launch industry. Conclusions of this research indicate favorable trending for the private space launch industry within the three policy versions, particularly when it comes to competing for national security space payloads

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