Opportunities for Commercial Participation in Microgravity Material Processing

Signifying the evolution and confidence of our Nation\u27s space effort has been the relatively recent involvement of both large, well established commercial firms as well as the newly created, almost unknown companies in space research of new materials and processes. The dynamic mechanisms of our capitalistic society are now at work in the continuing adventure of space. The challenge to NASA is to provide the most appropriate business environment to these pioneering firms, at a cost which can be financially acceptable to both NASA and each company. This paper describes the existing facilities and procedures which are being used by these companies as stepping stones to space and to full commercial production in space. It introduces some of the potential programs and procedures which, if adopted and implemented, could lead quickly to even greater participation of commercial firms in space