One example of an upcoming need for downmass - the ability to transport material from space to the Earth - is space manufacturing.

There are items that have far superior quality when manufactured in space, but need to be returned to Earth to be purchased and used by customers.

There are several revenue streams that are near and present that could support a private space station, including in-space manufacturing, microgravity research, and tourism - for both individuals and sovereign nation astronauts - and in-space supply logistics.

Space is really domain expansion.

By 2030, up to 10 percent of the world's gross domestic product could be linked to space in some way.

Fibers made on Earth, and thus made in the presence of gravity, have impurities and defects in the glass that adversely affect transmission speed and quality.