AIA PR — November 07, 2011 — Draft revisions to Category VIII (military aircraft and associated parts and components) of the U.S. Munitions List released by the Obama administration today constitute a major milestone in the ongoing effort to control more appropriately exports to our allies of sensitive technology.

“AIA has advocated for years for export control reforms that could better serve U.S. national security, foreign policy and economic interests,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “Throughout this reform process, the Obama administration has been focused on national security above all else and it has yielded good results.”

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The Space Review takes an in-depth look at Russia’s Phobos-Grunt mission, which is set to launch this week from Baikonur. I have an essay titled, “Will Russia end its curse at Mars?“, that looks at the long history of largely failed Russian and Soviet missions to the Red Planet. An excerpt: Phobos-Grunt (“Soil”), the first Russian mission to Mars in 15 years, is designed to end the curse. It is […]

We now know the identify of another of the handful of people who have backed out of flying aboard Sir Richard Branson’s SpaceShipTwo: Hollywood hottie Salma Hayek. The Latina beauty told the Fresno Bee that she had signed up for a Virgin Galactic space tourism flight but decided to postpone the trip after giving birth to her daughter, Valentina, four years ago. “When my daughter gets older, I will look into […]

This week on The Space Show with David Livingston…. 1. Monday, Nov. 7, 2-3:30 PM PDT: We welcome James Bennett to discuss his idea for a Coast Guard in space, Space Guard. See his article at www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/proposing-a-coast-guard-for-space . 2. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, 7-8:30 PM PDT: We welcome Kenneth Murphy, the new president of the Moon Society. 3. Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, 9:30-11 AM PDT: No show today for the […]

Last week, Brazil’s Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) conducted a test firing of a solid rocket to be used in the second stage of its VLS-1 booster. The new rocket, which is set to make its first test flight by December 2012, will be capable of inserting a 115 kg (253 lb.) satellite into 750 km (469 mile) orbit.

International Space Station

Russia is marketing a six-month stay aboard its segment of the International Space Station for $140 to 150 million, according to the National Space Agency of Ukraine.

These were the prices quoted last year during talks with Roscosmos officials about spending a Ukrainian cosmonaut-researcher to ISS, according to a statement on the NSAU site dated today.

“According to the Russian side, the cost of training and the flight of our compatriot as part of the Expedition to the ISS, duration of 150-170 days is estimated at 140 million dollars U.S.,” the press statement said.

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NASA PR — NASA’s Langley Research Center completed another successful test of the Orion spacecraft’s landing capabilities in their Hydro Impact Basin.

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AIA PR — Arlington, Va. — An economic impact analysis projects more than one million American jobs could be lost as a result of defense budget cuts if the deficit reduction select committee fails to reach agreement on alternative balanced budget solutions and total cuts to defense reach $1 trillion.

Dr. Stephen S. Fuller, Dwight Schar Faculty Chair, University Professor and Director, Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University and Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. (EMSI) conducted the analysis on behalf of the Aerospace Industries Association. “Our analysis reveals bleak outcomes for both the defense industry and the economy as a whole if the budget sequestration trigger is pulled and $1 trillion is cut from defense,” said Dr. Fuller.

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A Zenit-2SB rocket with Russia’s Phobos-Grunt spacecraft was moved to Launch Complex 45 on Sunday in preparation for a Wednesday launch to the Red Planet, Rososmos PAO reports. Phobos-Grunt (“Soil”) is the first Russian mission to Mars in 15 years. At 13.2 metric tons, it is one of the largest and most ambitious planetary missions ever launched, with the primary goal of returning up to 200 grams (.44 lbs.) of […]

The Angara rocket family. (Credit: Allocer)

The Kazakh and Russian space agencies have signed an agreement to move forward with the long-delayed construction of the Baiterek launch complex at Baikonur, the official state news agency Kazinform reports. The launch pad will host Russia’s new Angara family of rockets.

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