Golden Spike - Doug Griffith - On The Shoulders Of Apollo: How Golden Spike Plans To Lead The Next Wave Of Human Lunar Exporation

Golden Spike - Doug Griffith - On The Shoulders Of Apollo: How Golden Spike Plans To Lead The Next Wave Of Human Lunar Exporation

Golden Spike's mission is to create a "railroad" that will allow access to the moon and beyond.  They plan to sell to foreign companies and science organizations.  Over twenty nations have used the Mir.  Doug went over the leadership and the advisory board.

Their research says there are several nations which want access to space.  There are also corporations seeking commercial activity or marketing activity.  And there are some wealthy individual looking for adventure.

Many nations want to do science on the moon.  Golden Spike can put people on the moon for the price of robotic missions.  There are some limitations on where they go on the moon.

Their price is $1.5 billion per mission or $750 million per expedition member.  They may be the only two on the flight.  They are trying to make it as automated as possible.

The cost for the first landing is about $7 billion.  They plan to leverage collateral revenues and advance ticket sales so they can limit the financing needs.

They currently are looking at four launches:
1) First takes the lander to a moon orbit
2) Second docks with the lander
3) Has the passengers
4) returns with the passengers

If they use the Falcon Heavy they might only need two launches.

The lander is the only major hardware that must be developed essentially from scratch.  They have started development on the launder.

The EVA suits will be developed, but will be based on existing designs.


The full agenda for Space Access 2013 agenda.