Our History
The 1990s
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In the early 1990s, the Foundation intensified its efforts to challenge the dominance of government-led space programs. A major focus was the Delta Clipper-Experimental (DC-X) program, a Department of Defense initiative to develop a reusable, single-stage-to-orbit rocket. The Foundation saw the DC-X as a potential game-changer that could expose the inefficiencies of traditional expendable rockets based on 1950s technology and the Space Shuttle’s 1970s design. Foundation volunteers worked tirelessly to spotlight the program, building relationships with broadcast and print reporters to shape public and media narratives. Simultaneously, Foundation members engaged in behind-the-scenes advocacy in Washington, D.C., educating policymakers on the benefits of reusable launch systems. Through the emerging medium of the internet, the Foundation cultivated a knowledgeable and active public constituency, rallying support for the right to pioneer the space frontier. These efforts helped shift the conversation around space transportation policy, positioning the Foundation as a leading voice for innovation.
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In 1991, the Foundation opened its first office in Houston, strategically located to influence NASA’s activities. This move underscored the organization’s commitment to direct engagement with the space establishment while advocating for a paradigm shift toward commercialization. The foundation’s second annual conference, held in Houston, continued to build momentum, featuring discussions on reducing launch costs and enabling private enterprise in space. The Foundation also introduced the concept of “Alpha Town,” a visionary idea for a commercial space settlement that would later evolve into a recurring theme in its advocacy. These early conferences and initiatives solidified the Foundation's reputation as a forward-thinking organization unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom.
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By 1993, the Foundation was gaining traction as a catalyst for change. The third annual conference, also held in Houston, introduced the “Best Presentation of the Vision” award, recognizing individuals who effectively communicated the foundation’s goals. This award, presented to J. (likely a reference to a notable figure in the space community), highlighted the Foundation's emphasis on inspiring and mobilizing its supporters. The foundation’s advocacy for CATS continued to resonate, influencing discussions in trade and general media. Volunteers played a critical role in these efforts, leveraging their expertise to educate decision-makers and the public. The Foundation’s focus on reusable launch vehicles and private sector involvement began to align with emerging commercial space ventures, foreshadowing the rise of the NewSpace movement.
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In 1995, the Foundation moved its fifth annual conference, dubbed “Space Frontier Conference IV,” to Los Angeles, the world’s “media capital.” This strategic relocation aimed to amplify the foundation’s message through mainstream media and popular culture. The conference featured an awards ceremony recognizing the Clementine lunar probe team for their work on frontier-enabling technology and the producers of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for an episode on solar sails, reflecting the Foundation’s appreciation for both technical innovation and cultural inspiration. The event also introduced the “Star Council,” an experts-plus-audience talk show sponsored by the Sci-Fi Channel’s Inside Space program, which became a recurring tradition. These efforts underscored the Foundation’s ability to bridge science, policy, and popular culture, broadening its appeal and influence.
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That same year, Rick Tumlinson testified before the House Space and Aeronautics Committee on NASA restructuring. His testimony criticized the agency for maintaining the status quo and failing to push boundaries, calling for a “New American Dream” where space exploration could drive prosperity and ingenuity. This bold stance, accessible via the Foundations archives, positioned the foundation as a vocal critic of government inertia and a champion of entrepreneurial space ventures. Additionally, in March 1995, the Foundation organized the first-ever public seminar on “A 21st Century Space Policy from the People,” which attracted bipartisan support from House and Senate members. This seminar marked a significant step in engaging policymakers directly with the foundation’s vision.
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Throughout its first decade, the Foundation faced challenges, including limited funding and reliance on volunteer efforts. Despite these constraints, the organization achieved remarkable success in shaping the discourse around commercial space exploration. Its membership grew to include regular members, who provided volunteer support, and advocate members, who took on leadership roles and helped fund activities. The Foundation’s board of directors, elected annually by advocates, ensured that the organization remained true to its mission. By 1998, the foundation had established itself as a leading advocate for the NewSpace movement, a term that would later encapsulate its vision of space as a frontier open to entrepreneurialism and free enterprise.
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The Foundation’s early years were characterized by a relentless focus on reducing barriers to space access and promoting private sector innovation. Its conferences, publications, and advocacy efforts laid the foundation for the commercial space industry’s growth in the decades that followed. The organization’s emphasis on reusable launch vehicles, as exemplified by its support for the DC-X, influenced the development of modern companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. By challenging NASA’s monopoly and fostering a constituency for space settlement, the Foundation played a critical role in redefining space as a frontier for all humankind.
Major Initiatives
Cheap Access to Space (CATS)
The Foundation launched the CATS initiative in 1990, emphasizing that without affordable, reliable, and frequent access to space, meaningful economic growth and settlement were impossible. They released the “CATS Declaration,” asserting humanity’s inherent right to explore space affordably.
Return to the Moon Petition
Early in the decade, the Foundation spearheaded a grassroots campaign resulting in over 60,000 signatures delivered to President George H.W. Bush. The petition urged a return to the Moon—not as a short-term Apollo-style program—but to establish a permanent lunar settlement focused on scientific research and commercial utilization.
AlphaTown (Mid-1990s):
As NASA and international partners planned the International Space Station (ISS), the Foundation criticized its design and purpose. In 1996, the Foundation proposed “AlphaTown,” a vision to transform the ISS from a purely governmental project into the core of a commercial “town in space,” driving private-sector activities, including commercial launch and resupply services, leased expansions, and space-based energy supply.
Policy Advocacy
The Frontier Enabling Test
Developed in the late 1990s, this policy litmus test became the Foundation’s primary criteria for supporting space initiatives. It evaluated projects by whether they directly accelerated low-cost space access, enabled the utilization of space resources, or increased wealth generation from space—ultimately measured by sustainable human habitation.
NASA Endorsement (1999)
In a significant policy milestone, NASA Administrator Dan Goldin publicly endorsed the Foundation’s vision for ISS privatization at the 8th Space Frontier Conference. Goldin acknowledged that NASA could not effectively manage both ISS operations and deeper exploration missions, explicitly aligning NASA’s policy with the Foundation’s AlphaTown model of commercial operation.
Influential Events
Annual Space Frontier Conferences
These conferences grew influential throughout the 1990s, drawing policymakers, NASA officials, entrepreneurs, and the media. They became a pivotal platform for debates on commercial space policy, affordable launch solutions, ISS privatization, and settlement-oriented strategies.
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Clementine Lunar Mission (1994)
The Foundation actively promoted the significance of NASA’s Clementine mission, which mapped lunar geology and hinted at ice deposits near the Moon’s south pole. This data strengthened arguments for commercial lunar settlements.
Publications and Media
Letter to the New York Times (1990)
Foundation president Rick Tumlinson penned a high-profile critique published alongside a rebuttal from the NASA administrator. Tumlinson argued that NASA’s existing ISS plans lacked direction, advocated reusing space shuttle external tanks as low-cost habitats, and proposed settlement-focused policy as a clear national goal.
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Press Releases and Editorials
The Foundation consistently issued press statements critiquing government inefficiency, advocating market-driven solutions, and publicizing alternative visions like AlphaTown and lunar settlements, significantly influencing public discourse around commercial space.
Legacy
By the end of the 1990s, the Foundation had firmly positioned itself as a prominent voice advocating fundamental change in U.S. space policy. Its lasting legacies include:
• Establishing the notion of “Cheap Access to Space” as an industry standard goal.
• Pushing NASA toward recognizing commercial providers as critical partners rather than mere contractors.
• Developing and embedding the Frontier Enabling Test as a lasting policy assessment tool still used today.
• Influencing the narrative around permanent settlement—not merely exploration—as a legitimate and necessary goal for space activities.
The Foundation’s activities throughout the 1990s profoundly shaped the trajectory of commercial space policy and laid crucial groundwork for the growth of today’s vibrant NewSpace industry.