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Space allows scientists to possibly one dayrecreateretinas and print3D human tissues.

Such possibilities mean it's in humanity'sbest interest to explore space but that requires commercial partners, saidJim Bridenstine, NASA administrator President Trump nominated in 2017.

"We are always, always, always thinking about what we can commercialize and the next step,"Bridenstine said Tuesday in Naplesduring a panel discussion titled "Space: The New Market Frontier," at the Global Financial Leadership Conference at The Ritz-Carlton along the beach.

Space industry leaders talk Nov. 19, 2019, on a monitor during the Global Financial Leadership Conference at The Ritz-Carlton by the beach in Naples. No media were allowed to shoot photos inside the auditorium.(Photo: Daily News staff)

Joining him for the discussion were Tim Hughes, senior vice president and general counsel of SpaceX, and Stephen Attenborough, commercial director for Virgin Galactic.

Chris Davenport, space editor for the Washington Post, served as moderator.

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Bridenstine a former Republican congressman from Oklahoma has served in the post since 2018. He said the president has supported NASA and nearly two years ago signed Directive 1.

That policy provides for a U.S.-led, integrated program with private sector partners for a human return to the moon, followed by missions to Mars and beyond.

Hughes said SpaceX recently had its 77th launch and emphasized the importance of using rockets more than once.

"Reusability is kind of a holy grail of space," Hughes said.

SpaceX looks to one day develop the Starship, the largest spaceship launched from Earth that will one travel to the moon and Mars, Hughes said.

Attenborough said what's exciting is creating an opportunity for more people to visit space. So far, a total 579 people (mainly men) have traveled into space, he said.

"We have to fly in a commercially viable way," Attenborough said.

And SpaceXseeks to reduce the cost to access space and make humanity a multi-planetary species, Hughes said.

"Most importantly, human beings living and working in space is an exciting future, an American future," he said.

Space exploration will remain important as well for science, as Bridenstine pointed to scientific experiments on the International Space Station in microgravity such as experimenting with retina regeneration and making 3D human organs on a printer."

Such medical technology is less than a decade away, he said, noting that a "significant breakthrough on earth" is required to make it happen.

One aspect of space where the U.S. is different from other nations is its "exceptional willingness to fail," Bridenstine said.

Through trial and error, NASA has achieved because of trial and error, he said.

"In the United States of America, that's a learning point and we go forward," he added. "Other countries don't have that resolve."

The annual global conference draws up to 350 of the Chicago-based CME Group's top clients from around the world. The cost to attend is $2,995.

Terry Duffy, CME Group executive chairman and president, began the conference in Naples a dozen years ago.

Oprah Winfrey spoke immediately after the space panel discussion but media were barred from attending.

Past speakers have included former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others.

Actress Nicole Kidman and husband country music star Keith Urban were to host a dinner gala Tuesday night at the Ritz but the media was barred from that event as well.

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Space leaders discuss the future of the industry at Naples conference - Naples Daily News