Project Engineer Shelley Rea demonstrates the X1 Robotic Exoskeleton. (Credit: Robert Markowitz)

Marvel Comic’s fictional superhero, Ironman, uses a powered armor suit that allows him superhuman strength. While NASA’s X1 robotic exoskeleton can’t do what you see in the movies, the latest robotic, space technology, spinoff derived from NASA’s Robonaut 2 project may someday help astronauts stay healthier in space with the added benefit of assisting paraplegics in walking here on Earth.

NASA and The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) of Pensacola, Fla., with the help of engineers from Oceaneering Space Systems of Houston, have jointly developed a robotic exoskeleton called X1. The 57-pound device is a robot that a human could wear over his or her body either to assist or inhibit movement in leg joints.

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Abbotsford, B.C., August 9, 2013 (AIAC PR) – Today the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) announced that it has taken the next step in plans to collaborate with the Aerospace Industries Association of British Columbia (AIABC) on the revitalization of the provincial aerospace association by hiring Jay Teichroeb, a well-known regional business development expert, to develop a launch strategy and implementation plan.

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Banned from the Voyager Restaurant because it doesn’t serve “their kind” there, R2-D2 wandered out on the tarmac at Mos Eiseley Spaceport on Thursday to check out WhiteKnightTwo, which had just returned from releasing SpaceShipTwo on another glide flight. Meanwhile, SpaceShipTwo test pilot Brian Binnie was out at the big airshow in Oshkosh last week talking up how awesome it’s going to be when the ship actually starts flying into […]

Space News reports that NASA officials want a decision on extending ISS operations soon:

NASA space station managers hope to receive word this year on whether the orbiting outpost’s mission will be stretched beyond 2020 because an extension would require supporting investments starting as soon as 2015, a senior agency official said.

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Video Caption: Robots and rockets! Some of the newest tech and hardware from the Google Lunar XPRIZE Teams in the last year! It’s always amazing to see them grow as they get closer to the prize!

I somehow missed this announcement back on July 18… In celebration of the wonderful Nelson Mandela on Mandela Day, Virgin Galactic and Galactic Unite are thrilled to announce a new initiative, inspired by the great man himself. The premise of Mandela Day is that every one of us has the ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Galactic Unite, inspired and driven by Virgin Galactic’s Future […]

Space Florida President Frank DiBello

Statement from Space Florida President Frank DiBello on Lori Garver’s departure from NASA as Deputy Administrator, announced on August 6, 2013:

“More than anyone in Washington, Lori Garver has advocated passionately for the future of commercial space in the service this nation. That commitment has been challenged repeatedly by opposition from powerful competing interests around the country and on Capitol Hill. Although a fierce advocate for that which will ultimately secure this nation’s future in space, she was unfailingly warm and personable. We need more people like her in this industry. She remained ever faithful to her vision, and we are all the better for it.”

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TOKYO (JAXA PR) — The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) decided to postpone the launch of the first Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-1) with the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere (SPRINT-A) on board to August 27, 2013, from the Uchinoura Space Center. The launch was originally scheduled for August 22, 2013 from the center.

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Via Orbital Sciences Corporation On August 8, 2013 Orbital and its Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA teammates successfully conducted a 54 second hot fire acceptance test of an AJ26 engine. The AJ26 used in this test will be one of two engines that will power the first stage of Orbital’s Antares rocket in its second mission to deliver cargo to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) agreement […]

Statement from SARG Chair Dr. Steven Collicott on Suborbital Research Needs August 9, 2013 “The Suborbital Applications Researchers Group (SARG) of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation notes John Carmack’s August 2, 2013 statement regarding the hibernation of rocket development at Armadillo Aerospace. The STIG rocket appeals to researchers by providing many of the advantages characteristic of next-generation suborbital vehicles including a gentle lift-off, pressurized payload bay, late payload access before launch, […]