If Virgin are going to be able to put satellites into orbit at 10% of current charging then the demand will explode, as one would expect.

In this case, surely certain orbital positions will be in demand, some more than others. Couldn't this lead to supply problems?

I am guessing that orbits are currently commons, with all the advantages and drawbacks that implies. Would there be value in making them tradeable properties? And how would we go about this? Heaven forbid that the UN starts seeing them as a source of revenue.

Another issue, the article talks about this being a boost to the British space industry.....

Now, the UK isn't well placed as a launch site, too far north, but I heard mutterings some years ago that St Helena would be great for this. Ok, I know the place is a bit hard to get to right now, they STILL don't have that bloody airport built, but that is a detail. Any thoughts on this?

Or is it too small and too far from anywhere to even create the needed support infrastructure.

Jonathon: Yes, the story is true. If you want to try a follow up, the offices are in London. I could probably get you in touch with the top guy at VG if you want to do an interview.

Good luck to Branson, I say, If he can get commercial satellite launch going, and largely out of the hands of governments then that is brilliant news.
As to his involvement in rail services, I think he is just being practical. If anyone can run an intercity rail service well enough to minimise the state subsidy then he can. Certainly better than a fully nationalised service.
As for his offshore corporate structure - certainly this is for tax reasons but an ally who takes a position for selfish reasons is a fairly reliable one.

Elon Musk can already launch your commercial satellite like he did for the Malaysians a few weeks ago.

Mike: Different markets, entirely different business models. VG has made a number of very interesting strategic moves which could give it a big chunk of the small sat business; SpaceX is using small sats only as a short term stepping stone to delivery of medium and heavy satellites and cargo to orbit.

They may end up in competition eventually, but at the moment I do not see that as being the case, given the vehicles each is developing and what I know, both public and not public, of their future directions.

I might add that Rand's discussion of the orbital fuel depots is the most important point in the article. You should go read Jonathon Goff's paper on the topic.

I know that persons in the Augustine Commission also know of that work and that is why Jeff Greason mentioned it in his broadcasted subcommittee report last week.

Fuel depots would open up a whole different way of doing business in space.

The best place on Earth for a Space-port would be Kampala, in Uganda. You are high up to start with, on the equator, and near a great body of water (Lake Victoria) which could be used for emergencies, like landings. This would stimulate the African economy, as well!

for a space elevator might not build a big mound of earth carry all the bits to the top and build it from there.

for the case of a wire breaking why not build three wires hang the cost, and have each wire supporting the other. This would look even more spectacular than just one wire.

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