TUCSON, Arizona: September 07, 2012 (Paragon PR) — Inc. magazine has ranked Paragon Space Development Corporation^® No. 35 in the Engineering Industry and No. 3631 on its sixth annual Inc. 500|5000 list, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent entrepreneurs.

Jane Poynter, Paragon President, stated, “Through even the most difficult of economic times, we remained determined to continue to provide quality products with first class service to all of our customers, solidifying our commitments and securing our future.”

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MOSCOW (Khrunichev PR) — Head of the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) has appointed, by his Executive Order, Vasily Nikolaevich Sychyov Executive General Director, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the appointment to remain valid until General Director is appointed in accordance with the applicable procedure. Vladimir Evgenievich Nesterov was relieved of his duties as Khrunichev General Director by the Presidential Edict of 31 August. New General Director will be […]

By Douglas Messier
Parabolic Arc Managing Editor

Earlier this week, NASA published a Selection Statement explaining how and why it awarded $1.1 billion in commercial crew contracts to Boeing, Sierra Nevada Corporation and SpaceX last month. The 13-page document, written by William Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, lays out how the NASA rated the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCAP) proposals submitted by these three companies and ATK, which did not receive funding.

A summary of the document with the ratings and rationale is below.

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A GEMS-60 motor test on Sept. 6, 2012. (Credit: ATK)

Promontory, Utah, Sept. 6, 2012 (ATK/ULA PR) – ATK and United Launch Alliance (ULA) conducted a successful cold-temperature ground test today of a Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM-60) solid rocket motor used to boost ULA’s Delta IV launch vehicles.

The 60-inch diameter and 53-feet long motor, which was chilled to a core temperature of 30°F, performed as designed, producing approximately 270,000 pounds of thrust and burned for 90 seconds. The test was the second in a series to qualify new fixed and vectorable nozzles manufactured by ATK for flight readiness.

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Boulder, Colo., Sept. 06, 2012 (Uwingu PR)– Uwingu, LLC announces today two new corporate sponsors have partnered with Uwingu: Space Daily and Parabolic Arc. Both companies are space-themed media outlets whose sponsorships are based on in-kind media messaging about Uwingu and its mission.

[Editor’s Note: Click on the graphic to the right to learn more and to contribute to the campaign.]

Uwingu itself is a space-themed, for profit start up.  Uwingu’s mission is create a new funding stream for space exploration, research, and education efforts around the world.

Space: The Last Priority
Space Frontier Foundation Press Release

Last week some of the Republicans among us wrote a press release that slammed the Republican Platform on space. This week the Democrats among us were hoping to have nice things to say about the Democratic platform. No such luck.

At least the platform committee didn’t waste any words. But when it comes to actual substance, they earned the same failing grade as the Republicans.

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President Obama’s First Term: Key Accomplishments for NASA and Space
Via Obama Biden Campaign

“I am 100 percent committed to the mission of NASA and its future. Because broadening our capabilities in space will continue to serve our society in ways that we can scarcely imagine. Because exploration will once more inspire wonder in a new generation sparking passions and launching careers. And because, ultimately, if we fail to press forward in the pursuit of discovery, we are ceding our future and we are ceding that essential element of the American character.” – President Barack Obama

President Obama has pursued an ambitious new direction for NASA, laying the groundwork for a sustainable program of exploration and innovation. He has extended the life of the International Space Station, forwarded efforts to foster international cooperation in space, supported the growth of America’s commercial space industry, and invested in taking on our pressing scientific challenges while continuing the nation’s commitment to robust human space exploration, science, and aeronautics programs.

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Sept. 5, 2012, Tucson, Ariz. (PSI PR) — Planetary Science Institute scientists and undergraduate students from The Citadel and other South Carolina colleges visited XCOR Aerospace in Mojave, Calif., to fit the Atsa Suborbital Observatory Mark I camera in an engineering model of the Lynx Mark I spacecraft.

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Interesting. This video says the spaceport is equipped with a new airport with runways to accommodate space shuttles. Do the Russians have any programs like that?

The Mojave Air & Space Port will rebuilding runways 4-22 this fall with the help of a $3.5 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). General Manager Stu Witt said the crosswind runway will be rebuilt, widened from 50 to 60 feet, outfitted with lighting, and restored to its original 4,746 feet from its current 3,943 feet. Improvements will be made to the shoulders and […]