Development of innovative space business was discussed with prominent Russian and international experts at Startup Village at the session led by the space cluster executive director Sergey Zhukov. Ken Davidyan, Director for Science of the Department of Federal Aviation Agency of USA on commercial space transport, gave an interview in the conference lobby.
Ken, you represent an industry that has now probably gone further than the others on the way to commercialization of innovations in the airspace activities. What is in your opinion necessary for the countries that think of taking the same route in the first place?
Ken Davidyan:
The country must have an extremely strong cultural drive in order to develop in this direction. Here at Skolkovo I saw a poster with places in Russia marked with dots where creation of innovative centers is planned. I think, for a successful innovative country the entire map must be covered with such dots. This is the first thing. Secondly, the entire essence of commercialization in our sector is that the state (space sector has been created as a state industry everywhere in the world) must start handing over a part of its functions to the private sector.
It seems like the government does not trust the private sector that much yet, even in the USA, for example launching human in space. Space flights are still connected to high risk.
Yes, of course, the state wants to see that the private sector does something cheaper and better at the same time. However, the state managed to achieve safety, even though at a high price. Now it wants to see how the private sector entrepreneur can do it cheaply, well, and safe at the same time. The main challenge here is: cheaper and preferably better without losing safety.
In what main directions can private business be useful?
In the USA we have defined these directions. We talk about transportation systems, creation of new spaceships, improvement of conditions and safety of humans in space, and an increase of market effectiveness of the space industry as a whole.
What is your opinion about Russia’s role in the space industry and opportunities for commercialization?
I think Russia was, is and will be the largest space power. Also in market conditions. You have an extremely strong entrepreneurial spirit, and you know, you can’t really learn that. And it’s not the same everywhere, not in every country. These are cultural factors, something built-in in the culture of the people. And it became even more obvious to me after my visit to Russia.