Numerous articles have appeared during the last few weeks about entrepreneurs being vital to the world's economic recovery. Some countries, like the U.S., have the financial, legal, and regulatory systems so vital to the encouragement and support of entrepreneurs.  Indeed, this is one of the forces behind Joseph Schumpeter's "Creative Distruction."

But what about those less-than-capitalist nations that are also feeling the economic squeeze? 

Consider Latvia, formerly owned and operated by the Soviet Union.  I recently had an e-conversation with Sandijs Aploks, founder of the new Earth Space Agency and citizen of the capitol city, Riga.  I was delighted to learn that NewSpace has penetrated a nation that is "in intellectual crisis today," as he put it.  He described Latvia as not quite Communist, yet not quite Capitalist.  And there is a brain drain problem:  "Educated people are emigrating to western countries."

As for the Earth Space Agency, its goal matches that of the Space Frontier Foundation; simply put, space should be open to everyone.  Sandijs also refers to the Strugatsky Brothers, Russian science-fiction writers who envision an Earth future like that portrayed in Star Trek, and he sees NewSpace as fundamental to that future.

Sandijs is currently the only financing source for the Earth Space Agency, and he is looking for website content to help him with future fundraising efforts.  Please look at the website and help as you can.  Another NewSpace dream needs nurturing.