Reston, Va. (AIAA PR) – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), in coordination with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), is pleased to announce the initial program for the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) to take place May 22–24, 2012 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L’Enfant Plaza Southwest, Washington, D.C.

The opening day of the event will feature a “Heads of Space Agencies Global Space Exploration Dialog.” Moderated by AIAA Executive Director Bob Dickman, it will bring together Charles Bolden, administrator, NASA; Jean-Jacques Dordain, director general, European Space Agency; Steve MacLean, president, Canadian Space Agency; Vladimir Alexandrovich Popovkin, head, Russian Federal Space Agency; and Chen Qiufa, administrator, China National Space Administration, for a candid discussion on the future of space exploration initiatives in the global community. Dr. Keiji Tachikawa, president, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, chairman, Indian Space Research Organization, have also been invited.

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Soyuz-2-1v first stage undergoing tests. (Credit: Roscosmos)

Russia is moving steadily toward a planned September launch of the stripped Soyuz 2-1v rocket designed to launch small satellites into orbit. Two tests last month verified key elements of the new rocket, Russian officials say.

On April 19, engineers successfully completed the first cold flow test of the first stage using liquid oxygen and kerosene. The test was done in preparation for the first first-scale test firing of the rocket set for later this year.

The following day, engineers at the United Engine Corporation completed the forth and final test firing of the first stage’s NK-33A engine at the Vintay facility. The company announced that the engine has fired without any problems for 157.5 seconds. The total firing time for the four tests is 600 seconds.

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An interview with Alan Bond at Reaction Engines on the Skylon single-stage-to-orbit vehicle.

The Angara rocket family. (Credit: Allocer)

Russian rocket maker Khrunichev has announced that the third launch attempt of South Korea’s KSLV-1 rocket will take place at the end of 2012. Meanwhile, the first test flight of Russia’s new Angara launch vehicle is due in the second quarter of next year.

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Soyuz launch complex in Kourou. (Credit: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2011)

Well, it looks like the burgeoning commercial space industry in the United States is beginning to have a major impact overseas. Space News reports:

The European Space Agency (ESA) will select two competing proposals by late June to design a next-generation rocket that, if accepted by European governments in November, could succeed the current Ariane 5 heavy-lift vehicle within 15 years, ESA officials said.

The 19-nation agency is taking a new approach to launcher design by asking industry from the start to design a cost-effective rocket that would appeal to owners of satellites, both commercial and governmental, without regard for where the vehicle’s contractors are located.

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The latest update from SpaceX: SpaceX and NASA are nearing completion of the software assurance process, and SpaceX is submitting a request to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for a May 19th launch target with a backup on May 22nd. Thus far, no issues have been uncovered during this process, but with a mission of this complexity we want to be extremely diligent. The launch of the first Dragon […]

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Who’s Honoring Me Now? – National Space Society & Buzz Aldrin www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared the way for the issuance of experimental permits for SpaceShipTwo test flights to begin from the Mojave Air and Space Port. The FAA has concluded that there would be no significant environmental impact from the flights. The agency issued its finding in a new report, “Final Environmental Assessment for the Launch and Reentry of SpaceShipTwo Reusable Suborbital Rockets at the Mojave Air and Space […]

AJ26 engine undergoing testing.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 4, 2012 (Aerojet PR) — Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY – News) company, announced today that its AJ26 engine successfully completed a hot-fire test yesterday at NASA’s Stennis Space Center.

Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital), Aerojet and NASA monitored the full-duration test in support of the Antares(R) rocket program. This is the eighth AJ26 engine to be tested at Stennis.

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SNC Will Expand Commercial Crew Program in Florida — if the Incentives are Right

SNC Dream Chaser docks with the International Space Station. (Credit: Sierra Nevada Corporation)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL — May 4, 2012 (SNC PR) – Today, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) Space Systems announced interest in Florida as a possible location for commercial human spaceflight programs and facilities.

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