Lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a NASA budget that will provide $406 million to the Commercial Crew Development program, a 52 percent decrease from the $850 million requested by the Obama Administration. The amount exactly splits the difference between the $312 million the House proposed and the $500 million the Senate wanted to spend.

The overall spending plan is $17.8 billion, which is $100 million less than the Senate wanted but above the House’s proposed $16.8 billion budget. The Obama Administration had requested $18.7 billion. Key priorities in the Congressional plan include the Space Launch System, the Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle, and the James Webb Space Telescope.

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ALLIANZ PR — Allianz Global Assistance will accompany future space travelers before, during and after their space flight with bespoke space travel insurance

Allianz Global Assistance, world leader in travel insurance and assistance solutions, and the International Space Transport Association (ISTA) have signed a unique partnership agreement in anticipation of the inevitable growth in space tourism and commercial space flight. The two partners are committed to accompanying travelers before, during and after their space flight to ensure that their unique galactic experience, as well as the experience of their families back on earth, will be as safe, serene and comfortable as possible.

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ATLANTA, November 9, 2011 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. will locate its headquarters and design facilities in Atlanta.

Generation Orbit is a commercial aerospace company that uses domestic and international technology, along with expertise from aerospace-affiliated Georgia companies, to provide space transportation services to potential customers including NASA, the Department of Defense and commercial businesses. Generation Orbit expects to create up to 10 higher-wage positions by the end of 2013.

“Commercial space initiatives are on the cutting edge of what is going on in the space arena currently, so we welcome this type of innovation in Georgia,” said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “A company like Generation Orbit brings very technical and high-paying jobs. The company’s decision to locate in Georgia definitely makes our state more competitive in the aerospace sector, which remains one of Georgia’s leading strategic industries.”

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Dream Chaser cockpit simulator. (Credit: Sierra Nevada)

SNC PR – Sparks, NV – November 14^th, 2011– Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Space Systems announces the completion of additional Dream Chaser Space System Milestones under NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Phase 2 (CCDev2) Program.

SNC is leading a team of industry partners, universities, and NASA Centers to develop a low-cost space system that will provide NASA with the capability to safely transport crew and cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS). To date, SNC has completed five of thirteen Milestones under the CCDev2 Program, all on time and on budget.  The Program is on schedule to culminate in a high-altitude flight test of the Dream Chaser crew vehicle in the summer of 2012.

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You’ve heard of Google Search. Google Mail. And the Google Lunar X Prize. But, none of that can prepare you for Google X — the Mountain View company’s ultra-secret research lab. And what sorts of futuristic things are they dreaming up over there? Dinner plates that can transmit what you’re eating to your social media network. (Mac and cheese! Yum!) Lots and lots of robots that can collect all sorts […]

Some VG news out of Singapore: A Singaporean businessman, his wife and two children have paid $1 million to become the first Asian family to fly together on space-tourism airline Virgin Galactic, the company announced Monday. “I had lunch yesterday with a guy who got in touch with us in Singapore, and over lunch he signed his contract for not just a seat, but for a whole flight,” Virgin Galactic […]

This week on The Space Show with David Livingston… SPECIAL TIME: 1. SPECIAL TIME: Monday, Nov. 14, 7-8:30 PM PST: We welcome back Gary Hudson to discuss rocket reusability and other space and rocket issues. Check the website newsletter for Gary’s full bio and his list of companies, projects, and achievements. 2. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, 7-8:30 PM PST: We welcome back Marc Millis & Paul Gilster of Tao Zero […]

Phobos-Grunt in preparation. (Credit: Roscosmos)

After days of official silence, Roscosmos Head Vladimir Popovkin provided an update on efforts to save the Phobos-Grunt probe, which has been stranded in low Earth orbit since shortly after its launch last Wednesday. In the process, he managed to flunk Mathematics 101 when discussing the success rate of previous missions to Mars.

According to media reports, Popovkin told reporters that:

• controllers have not been able to establish communications with the spacecraft
• Roscosmos have until early December to send the probe on its way to Mars before that becomes impossible
• Phobos-Grunt will continue to orbit the Earth through January
• The supply of toxic fuel on board is only 7.5 tons, not 10 tons as has been widely reported
• The spacecraft poses little threat to Earth because it will burn up upon re-entry, destroying the vehicle and the fuel in the process.

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GOTHMAN DATING PARTNERS PR — This will be the very first, first date in space. All I need now is the adventurous, beautiful woman to go up there with me.” Tech Stock Millionaire Bryan Christopher (38) from Ohio has placed his money down for two seats aboard Virgin Galactic’s Space Ship Two, and is almost set for his date with a difference. He is just absent one element…his date for the occasion.

Gotham Dating Partners Inc. and Virgin Galactic will send one date into space as part of their new promotion.

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SunHerald.com has a long story about how Mississippi and Louisiana are riding out the post-shuttle economic downturn with a combination of NASA, defense and private aerospace projects. The keystone is NASA’s heavy-lift Space Launch System and the Orion crew vehicle, which will give NASA’s Michoud and Stennis centers plenty of work to do.

Stennis Space Center Director Patrick Scheuermann said the decision on Space Launch System “will secure this place and our prime mission for the next 30 to 40 years,” according to comments to the press.

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