Soyuz Price May Challenge American Space Commerce, Says Former NASA Comptroller

Malcolm L. Peterson, a former NASA Comptroller, told the US Senate Commerce science and space subcommittee that the Russian Soyuz today provides the greatest market challenge to commercial space launch carriers to carry passengers. Peterson benchmarked the average market price for the three-passenger Soyuz at $150-million [76-min mark or PDF testimony].

US commercial ventures rocketing humans to orbit will be a direct market challenge to the Soyuz. Peterson expressed concern with the ability to sustain the human launch market. He also noted that space commerce venture investors may seek a guaranteed return on investment (ROI) on the order of 40%.

Testimony offered by the former NASA Comptroller reminded this Blogger of Jeffrey Manber's recent book, Selling Peace: Inside the Soviet Conspiracy that Transformed the U.S. Space Program. Manber's book provides greater insight to the current space policy debate now going full-steam on Capitol Hill as evidenced by today's testimony from Peterson. The Wall Street Journal has more about the Senate hearing in the Friday edition.