Rick Tumlinson
Both a rebel and a respected leader, Rick is listed as one of the top 100 influential people in the space field. Called one of the world’s top space “visionaries,” Rick helped coin the term "NewSpace" and worked to create the new commercial space industry highlighted by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
A leading writer, speaker, and six-time Congressional witness, Rick helped start the first mission to find water on the Moon, signed the first ever commercial data purchase agreement with NASA, helped start NASA’s Lunar Exploration Analysis Group, led the commercial takeover of the Russian Mir space station, signed the first private astronaut to fly to the space station, co-founded the Space Frontier Foundation, and was a founding board member of the X-Prize.
As a result of his world-changing work, in 2015 he won the World Technology Award along with Craig Venter of the Human Genome project. He founded the SpaceFund venture capital company with 19 space companies in its portfolio and is a member of the US Space Force Doctrine Advisory Group.
Rick's The Space Revolution "radiopod" is featured on IHeart Radio Network's iRoc Space Radio and is available on most major podcast sites. He hosts the New Worlds Conference and the Space Cowboy Ball in Austin, Texas, and his non-profit EarthLight Foundation is creating an inclusive new movement to use space to protect the Earth and expand life into the cosmos.
Latest articles by Rick Tumlinson
The values of family in space (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
The frontier culture of space will enhance and revitalize the concept of family, even as it has seemed to fade in the societies that are launching this new era.
This time, we take it from no one: Why opening the High Frontier of space can be different (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
The coming settlement of the High Frontier doesn’t have to be a repeat of the violent conquests and colonization of history. We will not take space from anyone, and we can give it to everyone.
Getting it right on the moon: Let's not trash Tranquility (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
Humanity is headed back to the moon. We shouldn't make the same mistakes there that we have made here on Earth.
The Space Force should safeguard US interests on the moon (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
While the Pentagon sees the Space Force as a tool to fight the last war here on Earth, its leaders must prepare for its real role in space, on the moon and beyond.
Return to the moon: The race we have to win (again)
By Rick Tumlinson published
The race is on. We are in a Sputnik moment — a sudden and important recognition that we are about to lose the heavens if we do not act with clarity and unity.
When it comes to space, failure isn't just an option — it's a requirement
By Rick Tumlinson published
In spaceflight, we advance by learning from our mistakes — if, that is, we accept the learning we gain from those failures and apply it to our future endeavors.
Missing the moment history happens: The media and 'NewSpace' (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
The important stuff, if mentioned at all, wasn't part of the build-up to the Artemis story about NASA finally returning to the moon after 50 years or so.
Apollo 11 vs. space tourism in 2022 (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
We honor the heroes of Apollo 11 and all those who made their accomplishment possible, yet many still deride astronauts in the U.S. private space industry.
Private astronauts are not 'space tourists' (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson last updated
The Inspiration4 mission will launch an all-civilian crew of culturally and socially blended people on a mission funded by a billionaire. None of them will be tourists.
Billionaires and Space — The Right Race (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
As the billionaire space race heats up between Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, it's easy to get the wrong message.
The Elysium effect: The coming backlash to the billionaire 'NewSpace' revolution
By Rick Tumlinson last updated
As entrepreneurs spend billions on space, there is a backlash building that holds their projects as icons of extravagance, even as they may help save the Earth. This is the "Elysium effect."
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