This is a page of links and information regarding the interesting and note-worthy people who are a part of the Commercial Space story.
Please feel free to add the names of folks (in alphabetical order!) and links to information about them.
Benson, Jim
Oct 10, 2008 0:00
SpaceDev Founder Jim Benson Dies
POWAY, CA – October 10, 2008 – SpaceDev, Inc. (OTCBB: SPDV) announced today that SpaceDev Founder and Board Member James Benson, 63, died peacefully in his h
ome. Benson was diagnosed in 2007 with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor, the cause of his death early this morning.
Mr. Benson had resigned from an operational role in SpaceDev in September 2006. He retained a seat on the Board of Directors of SpaceDev where he had continued to support the Company that he founded in 1997.
"Jim was a true visionary," said Mark Sirangelo, SpaceDev's CEO and Chairman of the Board. "He saw that space exploration could be more effective if done commercially, and formed SpaceDev to make that dream become a reality. He will be missed by many but his legacy contained in SpaceDev will continue to forward his vision for the commercialization of space. On behalf of the employees, board and shareholders of SpaceDev we would like to express our condolences to the Benson family."
Prior to founding SpaceDev, Mr. Benson spent thirty years associated with the computer field, spanning the era from the introduction of modern mainframe computers, to the dominance of the computer industry by microcomputers. Mr. Benson invented modern full text computer indexing and searching in 1984, and exploited the new field through companies he founded; Compusearch and ImageFast of McLean, Virginia.
After his successful career as a computer industry entrepreneur, Mr. Benson decided to take on the challenge of starting an innovative space commercialization venture because it combined his lifelong interests in science, technology and astronomy with his successful business experience. SpaceDev was the result.
In addition to his roles in SpaceDev and Benson Space, Benson had been a member of the Board of Directors of the California Space Authority. He founded the non-profit Space Development Institute, and introduced the Benson Prize for Amateur Discovery of Near Earth Objects.
Mr. Benson Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, his home town.
He is survived by his wife Susan, 3 children and 4 grandchildren. The family is planning a memorial service later in the year.
Here's a video of his vision...
Cormier, Leonard N.
Lauer, Chuck
November 15, 1955 - March 28, 2021
To our colleagues and partners in Space,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Charles (Chuck) Lauer, a true veteran of the Space sector, one of the founders of Rocketplane Global, instrumental in developing spaceports in North America, CBDO of Spacebit, President of Spacebit North America and member of the Board of Advisors of the Space Frontier Foundation. Chuck has been researching and developing potential business opportunities in space since 1991, and has published many general interest articles and technical papers on commercial space development.
Chuck will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him. He touched so many with his contagious energy and genuine interest in serving humankind and pushing the frontier of space. He dedicated his life to the development of reusable rocketplanes and enabling access to space. If anyone knew about space business parks or commercial lunar robotic exploration systems and lunar resource development business models, it was Chuck. Chuck was a graduate of the University of Michigan College of Architecture & Urban Planning; proud to have his roots in architecture and design, and had great aspirations of getting something ‘flown in space.’ Truly one of a kind; his legacy will live on.
Chuck’s family are asking for any donations to go to the American Heart Association (https://www2.heart.org/) in his name.
Rogers, Tom
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