The ISS

> >
> > What about ISS becoming a utility hub. Focus on power generation,
> > communication, recycling (water, etc.), storage and other services.
> > SSI and other interested organizations ...

> This is cool, but who are the customers? Where is the market?
>
> I still have no idea who these companies are. Has NASA or anyone done
> any market research to find those companies that are champing at the
> bit to have orbital research/production facilites?

Let's start with "A." The following list of Aluminium-related companies
was found in a 10 minute search on the net...

Alcan Aluminium Ltd. ... Alcoa Inc. ... ALUAR Aluminio Argentino SAIC
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. .... Billiton Aluminium SA Ltd.
Cia. Brasileira de Alumnio ... Comalco Limited ... Corus Group plc
Dubai Aluminium Company Ltd. ... Elkem a/s ... Hindalco Industries Ltd.
Hydro Aluminium a.s. ... Kaiser Aluminium Chemical Corporation
Kobe Steel Ltd. ... Mitsui Co. Ltd. ... Nippon Light Metal Company Ltd.
Pechiney ... PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium ... Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd.
Vale do Rio doce Alumnio S.A. ... VAW Aluminium AG ...

Id say there are an equal (or greater) number of companies in ceramics,
chemicals, steel and other materials processing, pharmaceuticals, energy
production, entertainment. With a bit more effort the list of potential
customers could number in the thousands. Organize related companies into
consortiums to share the expense and there we go...

> champing at the bit ...

People won't "champ at the bit" until they see that there is a stable
program that won't be cut by the white house or at the next sesson of
congress. When congress sees that industry is really interested in using
ISS they might change there tune. Its the chicken and the egg...

The reason I am drawn to this list is that the people who participate
here "think out of the box" which is what NASA needs. The best ideas for
use of ISS are going to come from you ...

Robin Chew
proU.net, Inc. - http://www.proU.net
Lucidcafe Interactive Cafe - http://www.lucidcafe.com