BUTTE, Mont. — Space Propulsion Group, Inc. (SPG) today successfully completed a major technology development test of its 22-inch-diameter, Liquid Oxygen/paraffin-based advanced hybrid rocket motor. This cutting-edge hybrid propulsion technology has practical applications for numerous space-related industries, including transportation, defense, suborbital research and tourism.
AUTHOR
Doug Messier
SpaceShipTwo glides through the Mojave sky on June 29. (Credit: Virgin Galactic)
Here’s a photo essay of SpaceShipTwo’s two glide flights this week on June 26 and 29. More photos below.
RocketMotorTwo Test Summary (Via Scaled Composites) Fire: 13 Date: 26 Jun 12 Objectives: Thirteenth full scale flight design RM2 hot-fire. Continued evaluation of all systems and components: – Pressurization – Valve/Injector – Fuel formulation and geometry – Nozzle – Structure – Performance Results: All objectives completed. Performed targeted 55 second hot fire as planned. Duration of burn chosen to allow examination of internal geometry.
There was another glide test of the SpaceShipTwo vehicle today at the Mojave Air and Space Port. A source says that WhiteKnightTwo took off with the spacecraft beneath it at about 6:50 a.m. PDT. SpaceShipTwo landed about an hour later and both vehicles were back in the hangar by 8 a.m. Writing about the flight on his blog, Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson said this was the first test flight […]
Former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin
By Douglas Messier
Parabolic Arc Managing Editor
When Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney unveiled his space advisory group at the end of January, one might reasonably have expected that the group would have gone to work producing some sort of plan for the candidate to run on in relatively short order.
Five months later, there is no sign of such a document. However, two members of that body — former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin and his former deputy, Scott Pace — showed up in Cleveland this week to scare people with allegations that the Obama Administration plans to cut back staff at the NASA Glenn Research Center.
They failed to mention, however, that Romney’s budget proposals would cut NASA’s spending plan even more.
ARLINGTON, Va., June 28, 2012 (Astrium PR) — Astrium, the number one company in Europe for space technologies and systems, has successfully completed a set of tests on tank structures proving that key design and manufacturing processes used for Ariane launchers are ready for production of the Liberty commercial launch vehicle second stage with ATK.
The tests covering load-carrying cryogenic tanks demonstrate that existing Astrium processes can be leveraged to confirm the overall Liberty schedule and enable a speedy entry into service – and into orbit. Astrium is also working on leaner production processes for the second stage to bring best value to the Liberty launch vehicle.
Launch complexes on Wallops Island, Virginia
Wallops Island, Virg. (VirginiAviation PR) –- The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) Board of Directors today announced the selection of Dale K. Nash to serve as the Authority’s new Executive Director beginning July 31, 2012. Mr. Nash will replace Dr. Billie Reed, who has served as Executive Director since the VCSFA was established in July 1995.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton said, “We are very excited to have Dale join the VCSFA team. His years of experience in the aerospace industry will be a tremendous boost to the Authority as it works to become the number one commercial space port in the U.S. With his leadership, the Commonwealth can seize upon the tremendous advantages we have in the aerospace industry to grow the VCSFA and create much needed economic development and jobs.”
Dr. Alan Stern
TUCSON, Arizona (Paragon SDC PR) — Paragon Space Development Corporation®, a premier provider of environmental controls for extreme and hazardous environments, announces the addition of Alan Stern, Donald Tringali and Kenneth Dorushka to its Board of Directors.
Dr. Stern is a planetary scientist, space program executive and aerospace consultant who has authored over 200 technical papers and 40 popular articles. He is the Associate Vice President at the Southwest Research Institute and is the Principal Investigator on several of NASA’s space mission programs.
“We are honored to have Alan join our team. He has an exemplary record in the space industry having served as NASA’s chief of all space and Earth science programs, directing a $4.4B organization with 93 separate flight missions and a program of over 3,000 research grants. Alan now supports private sector, in providing reliable cost effective services that can increase the value and leverage of government space budgets.” said Taber MacCallum, CEO.
SpaceShipTwo glides to a landing during a test flight on June 26. (Credit: Virgin Galactic/Chris Van Pelt)
MOJAVE, Calif. (VG PR) – Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline, today announced that its passenger-carrying suborbital space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2), successfully completed its first glide flight test on June 26 since a recent integration period for rocket motor systems and maintenance. Also, on June 26, the spaceship’s engine, RocketMotorTwo (RM2), underwent another successful full duration test fire, marking the first time the company and its partners have undertaken test flight and test firing on the same day. Both milestones prime Virgin Galactic to reach powered flight by the end of the year.
A couple of photos of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo during and after the latter’s 17th glide flight on June 26 at the Mojave Air and Space Port. A big shout out to my friend Bill Deaver!