An extension of New Mexico’s spaceflight informed consent law has cleared the Legislature, clearing the way for Gov. Susana Martinez to sign it. The measure extends liability protections to spacecraft manufacturers and suppliers in the event that passengers are injured or killed in spaceflight. Virgin Galactic has threatened to pull out of a 20-year lease on Spaceport America if the protections were not extended. The company is both a manufacturer […]
AUTHOR
Doug Messier
AMERSFOORT, THE NETHERLANDS, MARCH 11th, 2013 (Mars One) – Mars One has taken a bold step toward their goal of establishing a human settlement on Mars in 2023 by contracting with its first aerospace supplier, Paragon Space Development Corporation®. As required by the U.S. Department of State, a Technical Assistant Agreement was successfully executed and Paragon began work on February 25th, 2013. Under the contract, Paragon will perform a conceptual design study as the first step towards developing life support and space suit systems for the Mars One mission.
This week on The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston: 1. Monday, March 11, 2013: 2-3:30 PM PDT (5-6:30 PM EDT, 4-5:30 PM CDT): We welcome the return of DAVID HOOK to discuss updates with aviation security and the new General Aviation Security Magazine. 2. Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 7-8:30 PM PDT (10-11:30 PM EDT, 9-10:30 PM CDT): We welcome MARK WHITTINGTON back to the show to discuss the current […]
Two possible configurations for the Ariane 6 launch vehicle with two and three strap-on boosters at the base. (Credits: ESA /CNES/Arianespace)
CNES has published an overview of the planned Ariane 6 launch vehicle, which could eventually replace Ariane 5 in 2021 if the project gains the support of ESA members next year.
LONDON (UKSA PR) — The UK Space Agency and the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KAZCOSMOS) have today (7 March 2013) signed an agreement outlining cooperation in the area of space activities.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Dr David Parker, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, and Dr. Talgat Mussabayev, Chairman of the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, at the DMC and NovaSAR International Conference in London.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (NASA PR) — NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and the Space Coast Energy Consortium (the Consortium) have created a partnership to develop and improve the Federal spaceport capabilities and to implement the objective of becoming a multi-user spaceport, serving both Government and commercial renewable energy entities. NASA and the Consortium have agreed up on a five-year Space Act Agreement that defines how those goals are to be implemented.
McGregor, Texas (SpaceX PR) — SpaceX’s Grasshopper doubled its highest leap to date to rise 24 stories or 80.1 meters (262.8 feet) today, hovering for approximately 34 seconds and landing safely using closed loop thrust vector and throttle control.
Grasshopper touched down with its most accurate precision thus far on the centermost part of the launch pad. At touchdown, the thrust to weight ratio of the vehicle was greater than one, proving a key landing algorithm for Falcon 9. Today’s test was completed at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk testified before the Texas House Appropriations Committee on Friday concerning the company’s proposed launch facility near Brownsville. Here are the highlights: Musk said Texas still is the leading candidate for a SpaceX launch site. “It all seems to be progressing pretty well. We are optimistic about making this work in Texas in the Boca Chica area. It is looking quite good. Any support that Texas can offer […]
LONDON (UKSA PR) — The question of whether the UK should have its own spaceport, launch vehicles and spacecraft is about to be considered by the UK Space Agency and members of the UK’s space industry.
UKLaunch, a six-month ‘customer-driven’ economic study, funded in partnership between industry and the Agency, will examine whether there is a viable business case for a UK launch infrastructure and will take both a short term (up to 5 years) and longer term (20-30 year) look at the launch market, taking account of both UK and UK-partner satellite capabilities. It will address questions such as whether there is a need for an indigenous small satellite launch service and answer the question as to whether UK capabilities and market needs can be matched to support the growth agenda.
MOSCOW, March 1, 2013 (Roscosmos PR) — Today, the Russian Space Agency held an event on the signing of the Agreement on cooperation and joint activities in the formation of a modern and efficient system of training of qualified personnel for the space industry (PSC), which involves the creation of the Space Research and Education Innovation Consortium.
The event was attended by representatives of Roscosmos, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, heads of rocket and space industry, as well as rectors of Russian universities that train specialists for the space industry.