Space
Development Institute
SpaceDev Chairman Forms Space Development Institute
April 14, 1998, San Diego, Calif., James W. Benson, chairman of SpaceDev, (OTCBB: SPDV),
which aspires to be the worlds first commercial space exploration company, today announced
the creation of the Space Development Institute.
The Space Development Institute will conduct small hands-on workshops and retreats for
industry, academic and government leaders to identify and find solutions to technical,
scientific, regulatory, legal and other issues related to space commercialization.
There is great potential for the institute to contribute substantial research findings to
the scientific community, and to everyone interested in space exploration, said Benson.
Thats what the future of space development is all about, making more knowledge available
and understandable to everyday people, in order to open up more commercial opportunities
and jobs so eventually people can work, live and play in space.
The Institute is seeking funds to keep two observatories open and dedicate their
telescopes to the study of near earth objects, their orbits, composition and other
characteristics. Some near earth objects may pose a grave danger to all humanity, but more
importantly, they are an abundant and nearby source of concentrated natural resources. The
more we learn about them, the better off humanity will be, said Benson.
Those interested in funding a particular study or contributing to the Institute in general
should contact Benson.
The Space Development Institute will assume responsibility from SpaceDev of the Benson
Prize for the Amateur Discovery of Near Earth Asteroids, and administer all future prize
awards. While under SpaceDev administration, this past March, Roy Tucker, Tucson, Arizona,
became the second winner of the prize. Tucker won $500 for his discovery of asteroid 1998
FG2. Under the auspices of the Institute, eight more $500 awards will be presented to
amateurs who discover such asteroids.
The Space Development Institute thanks its benefactor James W. Benson, chairman of
SpaceDev, for initially funding the Institute. More information about the Institute can be
found on the SpaceDev website: www.spacedev.org
For more information, please email info@spacedev.org.
