The Orion heat shield structure hovers above its layup mold during removal at the Lockheed Martin composite development facility in Denver, CO.

DENVER (Brookings Instituion PR) — Anchored by critical military installations, glistening clean rooms, and a dynamic GIS and earth-observation industry, Colorado possesses one of the most diversified, high-potential space economies in the nation, concludes a new study released by the Brookings Institution in Denver on Feb. 5, 2013.

At the same time, argues the report, maintaining this preeminence in the presence of numerous disruptive global trends will require an aggressive collaboration of industry and government.

(more…)

Longueuil, Quebec, February 4, 2013 (CSA PR) – Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut Chris Hadfield has been using social media to connect with the public. To this day, his most famous exchange is the one he had with legendary Canadian actor, author and former Captain Kirk, William Shatner. On February 7, they will continue their discussion. This time, Astronaut Hadfield (via video) will speak to Mr. Shatner (on the phone). The conversation […]

The Canadian Press reports that Netherlands-based Space Expedition Corporation (SpaceXC) is expanding its global marketing efforts for the Lynx space plane to Canada:

Space Expedition Corp. and XCor Aerospace signed a deal with Quebec travel agency Uniktour on Friday to offer suborbital flights to Quebecers.

A similar deal is in the works for the rest of the Canadian market and is set to be announced in the coming days in Toronto.

(more…)

Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) President José Raimundo Coelho with SpaceX Director of Business Development Stella Guillen. (Credit: AEB)

Brasilia, February 2, 2013 (AEB PR) — The president of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), José Raimundo Coelho, received the director of business for the American company SpaceX, Stella Guillen, on the morning of Monday (January 28).

Guillen came to Brazil to present SpaceX, to know the programs developed by the country, and to evaluate possible partnerships. “It is interesting to know more about what private companies are doing in the industry. We can learn from them and also envision future partnerships, “says the chairman of AEB.

(more…)

HOUSTON, TX (Ad Astra PR) – Christopher Scott Olsen, a Research Scientist at Ad Astra’s Houston Research Laboratory, formally presented the results of his 5-year company-sponsored PhD research on the physics of magnetic nozzles.

The scientific seminar was conducted yesterday at Rice University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy as part of Olsen’s oral PhD defense before his thesis committee, which included professors Paul Cloutier (emeritus and committee chair), Franklin Chang Díaz (adjunct) and David Alexander, all from the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Prof. Frank Tittel from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

(more…)

ATLANTA, GA, February 5, 2013 (TVA PR) – Terminal Velocity Aerospace, LLC (TVA), today announced formation of an Advisory Board to help guide the company in its mission to improve reentry safety and further the utilization of outer space.

(more…)

2rd Annual California Aerospace Week Dates: 12 – 13 March 2013 Location: Sacramento, California Venue: State Capitol Building, Govenor’s Council’s Chamber A multiple day event at the California State Capitol intended to educate and stimulate state lawmakers on the crucial California aerospace industry. Beginning Tuesday, 12 March, at 0900 hrs, AIAA will host a breakfast panel discussion in the Governor’s Council’s Chambers for members and staff of the California state government. […]

A SpaceShipTwo experiments package. (Credit: Virgin Galactic)

By Douglas Messier
Parabolic Arc Managing Editor

With all the attention given to Virgin Galactic’s impressive list of famous future space tourists (Ashton Kutcher! Richard Branson! Branson’s kids!), SpaceShipTwo’s impressive research capabilities for microgravity experiments have been largely overlooked.

According to SpaceShipTwo’s Payload Users Guide, the vehicle will be capable of carrying up to 1,300 lbs. (600 kg) of experiments into space, where they will experience 3 to 4 minutes of high-quality microgravity in a pressurized, shirt-sleeve environment. Small experiments can also be mounted on the exterior of the vehicle.

(more…)

In yet another giant…ummm….something….for mankind, an American actress is set to become the first porn star in space next year aboard a Lynx suborbital vehicle.

Coco Brown, 34, who, using that name as well as “Honey Love,” has starred in porn epics like “Big Booty Bomb 2,” “Sugarwalls Slop Shots” and “It Don’t Matter, Just Don’t Bite 5” is now in the Netherlands training to become the first adult star and the second African America woman to take the journey into that final frontier.

(more…)

Boeing has filed suit against its Sea Launch partners, alleging they failed to pay it more than $356 million owed after the Sea Launch joint venture went into bankruptcy in 2009.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Friday, targeted RSC Energia, a company partially owned by the Russian government, and two Ukrainian state-owned companies, PO Yuzhnoye Mashinostroitelny Zavod and KB Yuzhnoye.

(more…)