Rusty Schweickart, a member of the Association of Space Explorers, a club of ex-astronauts and cosmonauts, has been working with his colleagues to lobby the United Nations to put asteroid-impact planning on the agenda.

ECONOMIST: The American Association for the Advancement of Science

An official of an association representing commercial space flight contractors hailed the new strategy of government encouragement for commercial companies to develop systems for transporting astronauts and cargo to the space station.

CNN: Congress approves $19 billion for NASA but layoffs loom

That is a view backed by Dr Simon Evetts of the UK Space Biomedical Association.

BBC: Chris Hadfield says Nasa's job is not to 'titillate'

Scott Sacknoff, president of the International Space Business Council, a space-industry trade association based in Arlington, Va.

FORBES: Galactic Gold Mine?

Though more Americans are catching TV shows on mobile devices like tablets in bedrooms, kitchens, even bathrooms, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, people still want a big set in a big space like the living room for watching movies, sports or special events together.

WSJ: Disguise Your TV

"To call for 1970s-style government mandates is frankly dangerous in the wireless space, " says Joseph Farren, director of public affairs for CTIA-The Wireless Association.

FORBES: Spectrum Warriors

The GSM Association, which organizes the shows, expects more than 70, 000 attendees, and the demand for exhibit space has forced a move from the historic conference center at the foot of the Montjuic hill to a larger, more modern venue further from the city center.

NPR: Wireless Show Expected To Draw Crowds To Barcelona