I was impressed with UrtheCast, especially with the fact that it will be able to reap the full economic benefits of a satellite without spending hundreds of millions to develop one. However, UrtheCast is at the mercy of the Russians, who have granted the company access to their facilities in space. However, if the Russians do not renew the lease agreement with UrtheCast, the company will be finished, since it will no longer have the ability to offer its services. The Russians could possibly decline to renew the lease agreement if a Russian company pops-up and wishes to use the same facilities.
However, UrtheCast could take potential steps to prevent Russia from declining to renew the lease agreement. UrtheCast could make powerful Russian businesspersons and politicians equity holders in this venture. UrtheCast would then be able to leverage the influence of these individuals and prevent Russia from declining to renew the lease agreement. Additionally, selling equity to Russian businesspersons and politicians would generate capital, which the company desperately needs to survive. However, there is an ethical implication in making politicians equity holders in the business, since a conflict of interest would arise on the part of these individuals.