SRV Markets
The study addresses eight markets that could be served
by SRVs, examining segments of each market to determine
the value that such vehicles might add.
Study results indicate that the following six SRV
markets show potential for significant customer demand:
Commercial Human Spaceflight – The largest of potential
SRV markets, these short rocket flights provide
participants with one to five minutes of microgravity.
According to the study, typically such flights
would be purchased by individuals, and corporate
clients.
Basic and Applied Research – The next largest market is
research, which appears to support demand for hundreds
of experiments in a number of areas.
SRVs could help facilitate potential studies that
involve both biological and physical research addressing
atmospheric science, space science and human
functioning.
Education –This is the fastest growing market, as
educational flight opportunities are integrated into
curriculums.
Educational applications offer potential for
kindergarten to 12th grade experiences, as well as
university instructional missions.
Aerospace Technology Test and Demonstration – SRV allow
for testing of technologies in reduced gravity,
radiation, heat, and vacuum environments.
Media and Public Relations – Film and television studios
may find commercial advantage in having access to space.
Satellite Deployment – Very small satellites could be
launched from specially designed SRVs.
Two additional markets do not appear to involve
near-term market demand, although longer-term potential
may eventually become evident.
Remote Sensing– This application involves generation of
commercial Earth imagery for civilian and military
purposes.
Point to Point Transportation – SRVs would be used to
provide high speed passenger, troop or package
transportation.
SRV Demand
To
date, there have already been hundreds of component and
test flights by existing types of suborbital vehicles.
Eight vehicle designs are being developed, with
initial operations planned to begin in 2013 and 2014.
The study presents three scenarios based on
modest, decreased and significant growth.
Baseline Scenario – The report finds that over 10 years
demand increases from 373 seats in the first year of
regular operations to 533 seats in the 10th year, for a
ten-year total of 4,518 seats.
This scenario looks at today’s consumer demand
and research budgets, with daily flights bringing in
nearly $600 million over 10 years.
Constrained Scenario– The report finds that demand over
10 years, involves 213 seats in the first year,
increasing to 255 seats in the 10th year.
This scenario recognizes a significant drop from
today’s demand.
With multiple flights per week, activities may
bring in $300 million over 10 years.
Growth Scenario— The report finds that over 10 years,
the demand for seats increases from 1,096 in the first
year to 1,592 seats in the 10th year, with a total of
13,134 seats over 10 years.
This scenario looks at increased demand due to
the positive cumulative effect of marketing and research
successes with multiple flights per day, bringing in
over $1.6 billion over 10 years.
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