Spacewalker Oleg Kotov works outside the Zvezda service module. (Credit: NASA TV)

Update: UrtheCast says that both cameras are functioning normally.

NASA PR — Expedition 38 Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy closed the hatch to the Pirs docking compartment at 3:08 p.m. EST signaling the end of their six-hour, eight minute spacewalk. The cosmonauts finished up work that could not be completed during their last spacewalk on Dec. 27.

The duo wrapped up the installation of a pair of high fidelity UrtheCast cameras that experienced connectivity issues Dec. 27. Kotov and Ryazanskiy also retrieved scientific gear outside the station’s Russian segment.

After exiting Pirs, the duo translated to the Zvezda service module and installed a high resolution camera and a medium resolution camera to capture Earth imagery. However, the medium resolution camera again experienced telemetry issues. The installation work was part of a commercial agreement between a Canadian firm and the Russian Federal Space Agency to provide Earth views to internet-based subscribers.

(more…)

A Bloon pressure suit created by Final Frontier Design (Credit: zero2infinity)

BARCELONA, Spain (zero2infinity PR) — The high-altitude balloon company zero2infinity, based in Barcelona, has received its first Space suit, designed by American company Final Frontier Design. This brings the company one step closer to crewed test flights, which should start later this year.

(more…)

In its 2013 annual report, NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) calls the COTS program “extremely successful,” noting the space agency and its partners, Orbital Sciences Corporation and SpaceX, developed two new launch vehicles and cargo ships for less than the price of a single Space Shuttle flight. The report provides a succinct synopsis of what NASA did right during the program: It is important to point out that it […]

There’s a report out of Midland, Texas about plans for Los Angeles-based spacesuit manufacturer Orbital Outfitters to move there: This week Midland Development Corp. approved a nearly $7 million agreement which will permit Orbital Outfitters to manage and operate a $3.2 million altitude chamber facility, which MDC will own. According to news reports, the board will also provide the firm with an incentive of $2.2 million to construct its headquarters […]

Richard Branson has begun to respond to the criticisms about Virgin Galactic in Tom Bower’s book, “Branson: Behind the Mask.” Although he is getting words of support, some folks are unhappy with how he runs a much simpler and basic form of transportation, Virgin Trains. Branson is reported to be furious about the book and threatening legal action. Perhaps the third time would be the charm. He failed twice before […]

This week on The Space Show with David Livingston: 1. Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, 2-3:30 PM PST (5-6:30 PM EST, 4-5:30 PM CST): We welcome back Rick Boozer who will update us on his book from last year, “The Plundering of NASA,” his suggestions for programs other than SLS, and his work with the Space Development Steering Committee. 2. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014:, 7-8:30 PM PST (10-11:30 PM EST, 9-10:30 […]

Carolyn Ticknor

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. , January 24, 2014 (CASIS PR) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, manager of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, has inducted Carolyn Ticknor to the organization’s Board of Directors. Earlier this month, CASIS welcomed the addition of four other new board members, which brings its total board member count to twelve.

The induction of Ms. Ticknor brings expertise and leadership in the field of high-tech commercialization to a board already comprised of distinguished scientists, academic administrators, entrepreneurs and business executives. The establishment of sound leadership has been critical to the overall success of CASIS in attracting new and out-of-the-box research opportunities since the original board members were inducted in late 2012.

(more…)

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

BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 8, 2014 (Emerald Bio PR) – Emerald Bio, world class protein science researchers and drug discovery experts integrating structure-guided drug discovery and target knowledge to transform the treatment of disease, announced today a partnership with industry, academic and nonprofit organizations to explore the effects of microgravity on crystallization of two challenging therapeutic targets implicated in cancer and cardiovascular disease. The company is collaborating with the Broad Institute, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), NanoRacks and Protein BioSolutions.

(more…)

A couple of short news items from Tethers Unlimited: AF Awards TUI Contract to Deliver Two HYDROS Thrusters for CubeSat Mission: TUI has received a contract from the Air Force to deliver two HYDROS thrusters for an undisclosed CubeSat mission. The HYDROS thruster enables CubeSats and other secondary payloads to use a propellant that is non-toxic, has no stored energy, requires no pressurization, and is ‘man-rated’ — WATER — yet […]

The Sunday Times is serializing Tom Bower’s latest biography, “Branson: Behind the Mask.” The early excerpts and stories are focusing on the British mogul’s most high-profile venture, Virgin Galactic. And they are extremely critical, focusing on difficulties of developing an engine and the many problems that have plagued the program over nearly 10 years. An excerpt titled, “Lost in Space,” tells the inside story of the explosion in Mojave that […]