The International Space Station, backdropped by the blackness of space and the thin line of Earth’s atmosphere. (Credit: NASA)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL, February 26, 2014 (CASIS PR) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) today issued a solicitation for proposals supporting enabling technologies onboard the International Space Station (ISS). CASIS is the nonprofit organization responsible for managing research onboard the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to solicit flight projects that develop tools and/or techniques that will enable improved and expanded use of the ISS National Lab; increasing return on U.S. investment in the ISS National Lab and enhancing the value of the ISS research platform.

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The new design of Stratolaunch’s carrier aircraft. (Credit: Stratolaunch Systems)

SEATTLE, Feb. 26, 2014 (Vulcan PR) — Vulcan Inc., the investment and project management company founded by Paul G. Allen, today announced that Charles Beames has joined Vulcan as the Executive Director, Stratolaunch.

Beames brings a unique combination of leadership and expertise in space and military systems, engineering, legislative affairs and business. Beames’ 30-year legacy in the Department of Defense includes the development and deployment of transformational airborne, ground- and space-based systems.

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UPDATE: My appearance on the show is now archived for listening: https://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2200-BWB-2014-02-26.mp3 I will be a guest on The John Batchelor Show this evening on a segment called Hotel Mars from 9:30 – 9:45 p.m. EST (6:30 – 6:45 p.m. PST). I’ll be talking with John and David Livingston, host of The Space Show, about Sir Richard Branson’s claims that he and his family will be flying into space by […]

Sierra Nevada Commercial Crew Milestones Status Award Period: August 2012 – August 2014 Total Milestones: 13 Milestones Completed: 8 Milestones Pending: 5 Total Possible Award: $227.5 Million Total Awarded to Date: $164.5 Million Total Award Remaining: $63 Million No. Description Original Date Status Amount 1. Program Implementation Plan Review. This is an initial meeting to describe the plan for implementing the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Program, to include management planning […]

WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — NASA’s Commercial Crew integrated Capability (CCiCap) partners are relentlessly moving forward in the joint quest to re-establish U.S. human access to space. All the industry teams have been hard at work meeting their planned CCiCap milestones and maturing their crew transportation systems.

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Allison Odyssey (Credit: Space Florida)

EXPLORATION PARK, Fla., February 25, 2014 (Space Florida PR) – Space Florida is pleased to name Allison Odyssey as Vice President of NewSpace Market Development. In this role, Odyssey is responsible for creating, directing, and managing Space Florida’s business partnerships with the NewSpace industry, while leveraging and strengthening a positive business climate for the commercial space markets to grow in Florida. Odyssey has been with Space Florida for seven years, most recently as Senior Program Director.

Today the NewSpace industry is composed of hundreds of small and large businesses and according to industry analysts, is expected to reach 1,000 companies worldwide by 2016. NewSpace is characterized by lean companies that are backed by private investment and use space applications to serve a growing base of commercial customers. By evaluating the business needs of these companies from a technical and financial standpoint, Odyssey is responsible for shaping customized solutions, and providing support and investment in the areas that will have the largest impact and best position them for growth and success.

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Video Caption: Professor Bill Nye got to touch it, Chris Spicher SITS INSIDE. We take you along as we rocket off the runway at Mojave Air/Spaceport, in 4 quick 6G minutes we are at 320+ Thousand feet, weightless in a space suit…Public Space Travel is close, a reality. Mr Andrew Nelson is a scientist, engineer and a people person, the perfect chap to lead this enterprise. To meet, talk with […]

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk just Tweeted the following photo showing the first stage of the Falcon 9 with landing legs attached. SpaceX will attempt to bring the stage down with a controlled landing on the Atlantic Ocean when it launches a Dragon freighter to the International Space Station on March 16.

NASA has published a detailed report on the state of small spacecraft development and operations. The report, “Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art,” was put together by the Mission Design Division staff at the Ames Research Center in California. The report provides detailed information about the different sizes and capabilities of small satellites, with detailed sections on propulsion, power, attitude and control systems, thermal systems, materials and structures.  The […]

Full Committee Hearing Mars Flyby 2021: The First Deep Space Mission for the Orion and Space Launch System? 2318 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515Feb 27, 2014 10:00am Witnesses Dr. Scott Pace, Director of the Space Policy Institute, George Washington University General Lester Lyles (ret.), Independent Aerospace Consultant and former Chairman of the Committee on “Rationale and Goals of the U.S. Civil Space Program” established by the National Academies […]