SUNY Polytechnic Institute Professor of Technology Management Dr. Robert Edgell will be featured among a distinguished list of speakers at the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, Italy, from October 14-18, 2024. Dr. Edgell’s research, titled "The Grand Creative Challenge of Commercializing Interplanetary Space: An Empirical Comparative Taxonomy of Organizing Models," offers a pioneering exploration of public-private partnerships in space commercialization. His work addresses the complexities of establishing a sustainable human presence in interplanetary space through various organizing models, offering insights that are expected to influence future space policy and development.

Dr. Edgell’s research provides an in-depth comparative analysis of four public-private partnership (PPP) models—enterprise, coordination, harmonization, and future-forward—using case studies like the Apollo Moon Program, the Commercial Crew Program, and emerging space tourism ventures. By applying sociotechnical systems theory, his study explores how different organizing models influence the effectiveness of space ventures, highlighting factors such as power dynamics, philosophical orientations, and alignment practices. The findings emphasize the need for carefully structured partnerships that align diverse expertise and resources to ensure the successful commercialization of interplanetary space activities.

The IAC is a premier global space event, bringing together experts from the fields of science, engineering, and technology management to discuss the latest innovations in space exploration and commercialization.