Nasa can let you name rockets if you pay enough

WASHINGTON: NASA is exploring the possibility of commercializing the agency's operations in low Earth orbit to reduce costs while its eyes turn to the Moon and Mars, media reports said.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine has unveiled an "advisory committee" that will review some of these plans, which could include astronaut product recommendations and even the sale of naming rights to rockets and other spacecraft.

According to Mike Gold, head of the committee, they would also consider removing "obsolete" regulations to allow US astronauts to support private activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Companies should not have to "turn to Russian cosmonauts" for private operations, suggesting that astronauts might even be involved in filming commercials, he said.

Gold said the possibilities could include the reimbursement of NASA when commercial space companies sell spots on spacecraft to the ISS and that funds would be used to access services or future space stations from the private sector.

"Our companies should not have to turn to Russian cosmonauts to run commercial operations," said Gold, quoted by GeekWire.

"When new industrial substances are created, commercial experiences are made or even filmed commercials, American astronauts should show the way."

Although Bridenstine pointed out that he did not know if this type of commercialization was possible (hence the committee), he noted that this measure could help NASA compete with private space flight companies.