NASA Official Compares Space Economy to Early iPhone

NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy likened the iPhone to the space economy and the US moon mission in a recent podcast with the space agency: “…it’s kind of like the iPhone at the start of the iPhone…”

Duffy explained that no one could have envisioned years ago how the iPhone would change one’s life. Likewise, no one could have foreseen 20 years ago the US’s upcoming moon mission and what has happened in low Earth orbit.

In the September 5 episode of ‘Houston We Have a Podcast’, Duffy said: “…15, 20 years ago, no one could have envisioned the kind of economy that you would have in space, with the space economy…”

“It’s kind of like the iPhone at the start of the iPhone, like, no one understood how that was going to change your life, that you would get your directions, and you have social media, and you would bank, and you like- all of this stuff happens on your phone. Like, we didn’t realize what tool this would be,” Duffy said.

Duffy, who is also the US’s Transportation Secretary, said he believes “what happened in low Earth orbit, in the space economy, is, I don’t think anyone could have foreseen this 20 years ago”.

Duffy said the same kind of industrial revolution will take place when the US goes to the Moon.

“Likewise, with what’s going to happen when we go to the Moon, the same kind of revolution of industry is going to take place as well, which is really exciting,” he said.

“And I want that to be American innovators, American companies, American manufacturers, American scientists. I want it to be led by our team. I don’t want it to be led by another country, in some