Science as a Service: From Mission Need to Commercial Market
Scientific missions begin with a need: observe a changing planet, deliver instruments to the Moon, test materials in microgravity, study human health, or generate data that supports decisions on Earth. Traditionally, government agencies built custom missions to meet those needs. A new model is emerging in which commercial providers offer transportation, research platforms, payload integration, manufacturing, and data as repeatable services.
This panel examines the pathway from an identified mission requirement to a sustainable commercial market. Panelists will explore who defines the need, funds early development, validates demand, purchases the first service, and supports expansion beyond a demonstration contract. The conversation will span lunar payload delivery, microgravity research and manufacturing, and space-based data products.
Discussion will address procurement, mission cadence, standardized interfaces, pricing, intellectual property, data rights, technical validation, and customer development. Attendees will gain insight into when government should remain the primary customer—and what it takes to convert publicly funded science capabilities into services purchased by multiple commercial, academic, and international markets.
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