CASIS Had A Board Meeting Today

Keith's note: CASIS, sometimes also known as the ISS National Laboratory (depending who you talk to), held a board meeting today in Washington, DC. In a nutshell, while they have spent a lot of money and time erasing "CASIS" from their branding, websites, and publications, they admitted that they are not changing their name - even if they are. They also claimed that there have been no discussions of setting up a commercial entity even though multiple sources tell me that they have had these conversations with and about this topic and CASIS. I had a short exchange with Joe Vockley, the executive director of CASIS.

Some Twitter notes from the event today:

Looks like @iss_casis is looking to expand its operations beyond ISS to private commercial platforms. That is beyond the scope of their contract with NASA and exceeds the legislation that created the ISS National Lab in the first place — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

Oddly while Joe Vockley from @ISS_CASIS days that there are no discussions within #CASIS about forming a new commercial entity sources report that discussions have been held with CASIS staff on a new commercial effort by CASIS. Stay tuned. — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

Vockley says a lot of ISS projects are totally privately funded but neglects to mention that all of the launch costs are paid for by @NASA as is 99.97% of #CASIS budget — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

#CASIS claims to have raised $150million in external money "it's not our money but it funnels through us" according to Vockley @ISS_CASIS — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

The director of @iss_casis is being introduced. He has zero background in space. He introduces the event with "CASIS doing business as the ISS National Laboratory" and did so twice. — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

After spending all this time and effort to erase #CASIS from their branding the exec director still makes frequent mention of "CASIS". Go figure. — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

Just asked @iss_casis if they are going to formally change their name to ISS National Lab. Vockley said no. He also said there is no IP associated with this name. — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

Vockley tried to explain why @ISS_CASIS is "doing business as the ISS National Lab" he said this was because people had never heard of #CASIS. He says CASIS is not the ISS National Lab but doesn't think people will be confused if CASIS calls itself the ISS National Lab. Got that? — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) February 8, 2019

Earlier posts

- CASIS Now Has An Official Fictitious Name
- CASIS Is Changing Its Name But It Missed A Few Things (update)
- CASIS Is Changing Its Name By Pretending That Its Not
- Why Is CASIS Making Itself Disappear?

from NASA Watch http://bit.ly/2tebi92
via IFTTT