Laine has been involved with Space Elevator research since 2001 – initially, as a part of the definitive NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) research study.  Laine (eventually) used the accumulated knowledge to form LiftPort Group to commercially construct an Elevator on the Moon.

Laine is President of LiftPort Group; LiftPort is an “idea factory” focused on commercializing the spin-off technologies developed in pursuit of the Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure.  Laine’s team has discovered new metal alloys, hold records in robotics, and invented a new method of weather monitoring.

Laine’s array of professional experiences – U.S. Marine, investment advisor, internet entrepreneur, and real estate developer – have each contributed to the global program of building the Space Elevator.  The Marines taught him to persevere under difficult conditions, chokepoint analysis – and most importantly at a young age – leadership skills. Managing other people’s’ money taught him to evaluate and mitigate risk.  Laine learned time management, delegation, and operating at ‘internet speed’ running his first company. Finally, real estate forced Laine to focus on cash flow, politics, and the value of a stable financial foundation.

Laine is President of the U.S. Alumni Association for the International Space University and is an active Board Member of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance.

Since 1977 Bob has been a partner in a privately held, real estate firm, RiverCrest Realty Investors. For 24 years he was the partner in charge of commercial leasing, development, and construction for the affiliated property management firm.

In 1988 he co-founded the Space Frontier Foundation (SFF) and was serving as Board Chair when The Center for Space Commerce started as a project within the Foundation. After a decade uninvolved with the Center he decided to reengage because of the compelling need to revitalize both the Business Plan Competitions and the Space Investment Summits. He is also convinced that there is an opportunity to build on these established offerings. Bob’s decision to join the Board of Directors came from his passion for the space industry and his understanding that it will likely be companies that do not yet exist that will lead a united humanity into the Solar System.

His goals include protecting the Earth’s fragile biosphere and creating a freer, fairer, and more prosperous life for each generation by using the nearly unlimited energy and material resources of space. Bob also serves on the board of two other NewSpace not-for-profit organizations.

Sean C. Casey, PhD, MBA is an aerospace executive, astrophysicist, entrepreneur, and space-industry strategist with more than three decades of experience spanning NASA science programs, commercial space, university research, and emerging technology ventures.
Casey began his career as an astrophysicist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and later spent 15 years at NASA Ames Research Center supporting development of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), including technical oversight of a $40 million scientific instrument development program. He subsequently moved into the commercial space sector, serving as Managing Director of the Silicon Valley Space Center and Vice President of Business Development for ATLAS Space Operations.
Today, Casey focuses on building and shaping technically complex space initiatives at the intersection of engineering, commercialization, workforce development, and regional economic growth. His work includes developing partnerships among aerospace companies, universities, research institutions, government organizations, and investors; translating emerging technologies into executable programs and commercial opportunities; and helping strengthen the Houston-area ecosystem supporting lunar, planetary, and commercial-space development.
He is President of the San Diego Space Institute and leads Silicon Valley Space Consulting.