BETHESDA, Mary. (Futron PR) — We are pleased to announce the publication of our new report:

Futron’s 2014 Space Competitiveness Index: A Comparative Analysis of How Countries Invest in and Benefit from Space Industry

Among our 2014 findings:

• The United States remains the leader in space competitiveness, but is the only nation to decline for seven straight years. As other countries enhance their space capabilities while the U.S. navigates uncertain transitions, its currently unique convening power in setting the global space agenda is not guaranteed.

• (more…)

Virgin Group Founder Richard Branson was on CNBC’s Squawk Box the other day talking up his plans to follow up Virgin Galactic’s suborbital space tourism flights with hypersonic point-to-point transcontinental commercial passenger service.

ULA Statement on Department of Justice Response to Court of Federal Claims May 7, 2014 “ULA and the U.S. Department of Justice filed motions to dissolve the preliminary injunction supporting ULA’s earlier statements that the purchase of the RD-180 engines from our suppliers and partners, RD AMROSS and NPO Energomash, does not violate the Ukraine sanctions. “Unfortunately, SpaceX has made many public but unfounded speculations to create negative perceptions of […]

Artist’s conception of Lynx Cub Payload Carrier internal view. (Credit: Citizens in Space)

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, May 7, 2013 (USRA PR) – The United States Rocket Academy announced the delivery of the first Lynx Cub Payload Carrier, a new research platform which promises to dramatically reduce the cost of access to space for small scientific and education payloads.

The Lynx Cub Carrier will fly on the XCOR Lynx spacecraft, which is now under construction at the Mojave Air and Space Port.

(more…)

By Steven Siceloff,
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

The next generation of American spacecraft designed to carry people into low-Earth orbit will be required to function as a lifeboat for the International Space Station for up to seven months. This service has not been provided by an American spacecraft since an Apollo command module remained docked to Skylab for about three months from 1973 to ’74.

(more…)

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks over plans for Vostochny. (Credit: Roscosmos)

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Russian Federation was left with some key installations and capabilities in newly-independent nations. Kazakhstan had authority over the main launch facility at Baikonur, while Ukraine found itself in control of ballistic missile producer Yuzhmash, the Yuzhnoye bureau that designs Yuzhmash’s rockets, and a host of other defense companies.

Today, more than 50 Ukrainian arms factories turn out technologies that are vital for the nation’s tottering economy and the Russian military that now threatens to invade it. The factories are located in the southern and eastern portions of Ukraine, where Moscow-based separatists have wrestled control away from local authorities.

With the fate of these regions and companies still very much up for grabs, the outcome is of concern far beyond eastern Ukraine. Launch providers in the United States, Europe and Brazil are looking on with great concern and trepidation.

(more…)

Video Caption: NASA Public Affairs Officer Kyle Herring talks to Kathy Lueders, Commercial Crew Program Manager, about the private companies designing future spacecraft to take humans to and from low Earth orbit and the International Space Station.

NASA has selected Ventions, LLC of San Francisco, Calif., for two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I awards, with both projects involving advanced propulsion systems for spacecraft.

Under one contract, Ventions would develop a low-cost, high-performance propulsion system for use on CubeSats. The other project involves the development of on-board pressurization systems for Mars sample return missions.

(more…)

Arkyd 100 spacecraft. (Credit: Planetary Resources)

NASA has selected asteroid mining company Planetary Resources for two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards for the development of a propulsion module and advanced imaging technology for CubeSats.

One project involves the production of a standard propulsion module that could be used for CubeSats ranging from 6 to 12 units.

(more…)

A mission concept to enter and explore a skylight on the Moon using Tyrobot. (Credit: Astrobotic Technology)

NASA has selected Astrobotic Technology for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop an auto-landing system for sample return missions.

“The proposed research innovates safe, precise navigation for autolanding for sample return missions to a distant asteroid, planet, or moon,” the proposal summary reads. “The technology suite developed will be packaged as a commercial product.

(more…)