Astronauts for Hire
Astronauts for Hire (A4H) is a non-profit corporation whose mission is, "to increase the competitiveness of commercial astronaut candidates by Providing skills training, facilitating forums for candidate communication, engaging with potential employers, and inspiring the next generation."
Background
Astronauts for Hire, Inc. (also known as "Astronauts4Hire" and "A4H") was incorporated as a non-profit in the state of Florida on April 12, 2010.
The organization was established with the intent of training groups of scientist-astronauts and making them available for hire. Research institutions, principal investigators and private spaceflight companies would engage these individuals to conduct experiments in suborbital and eventually orbital space, as opposed to sending their own personnel on these missions.
The organization has received significant national and international press coverage in 2010 due to its role in testing the first beer specifically intended to be consumed in space, targeted at the emerging space tourist market.
Flight Members
The organization currently has 22 Flight Members, who are considered commercial astronauts for hire. These flight members are:
- Christopher Altman
- Ben Corbin
- Jim Crowell
- Jon-Erik Dahlin
- Kristine Ferrone
- Amnon Govrin
- Melania Guerra
- Mindy Howard
- José Miguel Hurtado, Jr.
- Kris Lehnhardt
- Joseph E. Palaia, IV
- Jason Reimuller
- Luís M. R. Saraiva
- Erik Seedhouse
- Brian Shiro
- Laura A. Stiles
- Alli Taylor
- Abhishek Tripathi
- Cosan Unuvar
- Veronica Ann Zabala-Aliberto
- Pavel Zagadailov
- Luis Zea
Ongoing Projects
A4H is currently pursuing a number of projects and initiatives.
Development of Training Standards
With the assistance of a board of advisers composed of former astronauts, training specialists, and space operations professionals, A4H is currently developing a comprehensive set of training standards for use in training commercial astronauts.
Past Projects
Participation in 2011 NSRC
A4H was an official sponsor of the 2011 Next Generation Sub-orbital Researchers Conference (NSRC). A4H personnel assisted in the planning and execution of the event.
Contract with Vostok Pty Ltd
A4H was awarded a contract to provide flight research services on a Zero-G flight, for commercial company Vostok Pty Ltd, which is a joint venture between Saber Astronautics Australia and the 4-Pines Brewery. The experiment consisted of measuring the physiologic and biometric responses of alcohol consumption under conditions of weightlessness.
Sponsors & Donors
The organization has received support from a number of individuals and organizations including Optify, Target Process, Bob Page, Tony Webb, Doug Drexler, 4Frontiers Corporation and Mike Kronenberg.
See Also
- Commercial astronaut
- Astronaut
- NewSpace
- List of private spaceflight companies
- Private spaceflight
- Commercialization of space
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation