To boldly go…. (Credit: Douglas Messier)

By Douglas Messier
Parabolic Arc Managing Editor

The Mojave Air and Space Port is looking to expand the types of tests and activities that its tenants can undertake at the desert facility.

Last week, the East Kern Airport District (EKAD) Board of Directors approved a plan to hire ICF, Inc. of Fairfax, Va., to conduct a health and safety evaluation as part of the airport’s update of its spaceport license with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Spaceport licenses are updated every five years.

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Stratolaunch’s second hangar has been taking shape on the east side of the Mojave Air and Space Port. The massive structure needs to be large enough to house an aircraft with a wingspan of 385 feet (117 meters). In these photos, we can see the frame of part of the hangar with walls being attached. Two other sections of the frame have been put up that are much further apart, […]

In one of his final public appearances, Neil Armstrong addressed the Next Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference in Palo Alto at the end of February.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden

Charles Bolden
NASA Administrator

“On behalf of the entire NASA family, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Carol and the rest of the Armstrong family on the passing of Neil Armstrong. As long as there are history books, Neil Armstrong will be included in them, remembered for taking humankind’s first small step on a world beyond our own.”Besides being one of America’s greatest explorers, Neil carried himself with a grace and humility that was an example to us all. When President Kennedy challenged the nation to send a human to the moon, Neil Armstrong accepted without reservation.”As we enter this next era of space exploration, we do so standing on the shoulders of Neil Armstrong. We mourn the passing of a friend, fellow astronaut and true American hero.”

Bob Cabana
Director
NASA Kennedy Space Center

“Neil Armstrong was a true American hero, and one of the nicest gentlemen around. He was the epitome of what an engineering test pilot should be, and a role model for everyone who aspired to be an astronaut.

“He always took the time to share his thoughts on technical issues and his experiences from the past.

“I feel very privileged to have known him. He will be missed.”

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Neil Armstrong passed away yesterday at 82. The tributes have been pouring in since the sad news broke. My own encounter with him was brief, but I feel it’s worth sharing. The only time I saw Neil in person was in February at the Next Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference in Palo Alto. His appearance there was a surprise. Neil was a very private person who rarely appeared in public. But, […]

“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Neil Armstrong. “Neil was among the greatest of American heroes–not just of his time, but of all time.  When he and his fellow crew members lifted off aboard Apollo 11 in 1969, they carried with them the aspirations of an entire nation.  They set out to show the world that the American spirit can see beyond what seems […]

Statement from Buzz Aldrin I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong today. Neil and I trained together as technical partners but were also good friends who will always be connected through our participation in the mission of Apollo 11. Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away […]

Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Apollo 11 Commander, inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk. (Credit: NASA)

WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, has died. He was 82.

His family has released a statement:

“We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

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Neil A. Armstrong 1930 -2012 You made us all proud. Rest in peace, Neil. Statement from the Family of Neil Armstrong Saturday, August 25, 2012 “We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures. “Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. “Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his […]

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program has selected two new technologies to fly on commercial reusable suborbital vehicles. The flights will test the payloads’ functionality before full deployment on future missions. One technology will be tested on a suborbital reusable launch vehicle and the other will be tested on a high altitude balloon.

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