Not all Earth science missions may be suited to private development. But where both public and private interests can be served, this approach should be tried. That is our purpose. Consider some of the attractions:

• Under the discipline of a private venture, mission cost can be lowered dramatically
• When that cost is distributed over 100 or more user groups, the cost to each can be small
• Users make no outlays until data begins to flow; all risk is incurred by non-government interests
• Users are assured a level of quality, quantity, and timeliness or they don’t pay
• Thousands of small groups with no ability to conduct missions of their own can join as owner-sponsors
• Many more worthy science missions can be carried out