Gear down. (Photo: Mark Greenberg)

The moratorium on the FAA regulating the emerging commercial spaceflight industry, which had been set to expire by the end of the year, will be extended until Oct. 1, 2015, under a new funding bill set to be approved by Congress.

The original 8-year moratorium was intended to allow the industry to mature before the FAA began issuing regulations covering passenger and crew safety. However, the industry has developed much slower than expected, with passenger flights not expected until 2013 at the earliest.

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Space Adventures CEO Eric Anderson gives an update on his company’s plans for commercial circum-lunar flights. Actually, the only real updates are that the flight has slipped from late 2015 to early 2017 since their last estimate in May, and that they still haven’t sold the second $150 million ticket they need to make the flight possible (but they’re close). They also want to launch it in time for the […]

G. Madhavan Nair

After exhausting all its bad options, ISRO is actually going to do the right thing:

Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space stated that the Department is in the process of getting necessary clearances for releasing the Reports of the two Committees viz. (a) the High Powered Review Committee set up by Government on February 10, 2011 (with Shri B.K. Chaturvedi and Prof. Roddam Narasimha as Members), and (b) the High Level Team set up by Government on May 31, 2011 (chaired by Shri Pratyush Sinha) to examine various aspects of the ANTRIX-DEVAS Agreement of January 2005.

Finally.

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1st International Announcement of Opportunity for
HAYABUSA Sample Investigation

JAXA PR — Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been engaged in initial analysis* of Itokawa’s sample brought back by HAYABUSA. On this occasion we would like to inform you of offering the announcement of opportunity for HAYABUSA Sample Investigation.

Through the peer review, JAXA will provide HAYABUSA sample to researcher who submits research proposal in the framework of this Announce of Opportunity (herein after referred as “AO”). This AO is planned to be conducted a few times. The 1st International AO issues on January 24th 2012.

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REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Jan. 31, 2012 (NGC PR) — Northrop Grumman Corporation was recently awarded a contract to study high-power solar electric propulsion flight system technology for NASA deep space and human exploration missions.

“In collaboration with our partners, we are working on alternatives to the typical solar array approach,” said Jim Munger, solar electric propulsion program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “Our concept will be scalable to 300 kilowatts and beyond and have the potential for reducing the cost and complexity of high-power requirements.”

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An electric propulsion engine. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Report Identifies 16 Highest Priorities to Guide
NASA’s Technology Development Efforts for Next Five Years

WASHINGTON (NAS PR) — During the next five years, NASA technology development efforts should focus on 16 high-priority technologies and their associated top technical challenges, says a new report from the National Research Council.  In addition, the report recommends emphasis on flight demonstrations for technologies that are nearly ready and a 10 percent allocation from the existing program budget to advance and refine early emerging technologies.

“It has been years since NASA has had a vigorous, broad-based program in advanced space technology development,” said Raymond Colladay, president of RC Space Enterprises Inc., and chair of the committee that wrote the report.  “Success in executing future NASA space missions will depend on advanced developments that should already be under way.”

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SPACEX PR – Hawthorne, CA – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has successfully test fired SuperDraco, a powerful new engine that will play a critical role in the company’s efforts to change the future of human spaceflight.

“SuperDraco engines represent the best of cutting edge technology,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Technology Officer. “These engines will power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make Dragon the safest spacecraft in history and enable it to land propulsively on Earth or another planet with pinpoint accuracy.”

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Astronaut Shannon Walker activates an experiment aboard the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA

CASIS PR — KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (January 31, 2012) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)—the nonprofit entity selected in 2011 by NASA to maximize utilization of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory—released a Request for Information (RFI) today seeking information about potential implementation partners, service providers and organizations that can provide project integration and operations support for payloads.

As part of its mission, CASIS will facilitate the matching of laboratory users with commercial providers for the purpose of developing research payloads. The RFI, which closes on March 31, 2012, will allow CASIS to establish a database of providers that can support a wide variety of payload needs.

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A major leadership transition is occurring as Virginia begins to ramp up spending on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport: The man leading Virginia’s charge into space is eyeing retirement, a management change that comes as the state prepares to invest millions of dollars to create the nation’s premiere spaceport. Billie M. Reed has overseen nearly all aspects of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport since Virginia lawmakers decided to build the facility 17 […]

Dynetics PR — Huntsville, Ala. (Jan. 31, 2012) – Today, on the 54^th anniversary of the launching of the Explorer 1 satellite, the Rocket City Space Pioneers (RCSP) invited Alabama public school fourth graders to participate in their mission to the Moon.  RCSP, the Alabama Tourism Department and the Alabama Department of Education unveiled the details of a contest that will allow fourth graders to name RCSP’s Moon-bound lander.  The winning class will get a free trip to Space Camp®, and the teacher will receive a $500 gift card for classroom supplies.

The announcement was made at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center®’s Davidson Center, and the event featured a rocket engine firing and a display of hardware from Rocket City Space Pioneers team members.

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