Investigators examining a string of launch failures by Roscosmos have identified a “major list of financial irregularities and a misuse of budgetary funds” at the Russian space agency. Investigators believe that the financial issues have contributed to the loss of four rockets and six satellites over the past nine months. Law enforcement authorities have now become involved in the investigation. This is intriguing. Although Roscosmos is a civilian agency, it […]
AUTHOR
Doug Messier
A note from Rob Nail over at the Singularity University: I am excited to announce that Singularity University founders Peter Diamandis and Ray Kurzweil have BOTH been nominated for The Economist’s “Greatest Innovator of the Past Decade” distinction (in different categories). As part of the theme “A Decade of Celebrating World-Changing Innovation,” The Economist is showcasing notable individuals within the seven categories and asking people to vote for their favorites. […]
ROSCOSMOS PR — The result of the Interdepartmental Commission for the launch of cargo vehicle “Progress M-12M” Roskosmos approved the schedule of preparation and launch of spacecraft “Progress” and “Union”. The schedule is based on the analysis of willingness to third propulsion launch vehicle and taking into account the implementation of all recommendations developed by the commission. In accordance with the schedule of launches transport cargo ship “Progress” is scheduled […]
By Ed Memi
BOEING PR — In the Mojave Desert in southeast California, Boeing and teammate Bigelow Aerospace recently conducted a series of successful air bag drop tests for the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 mock capsule, which, like airbag tests done in cars, will help ensure that the seven crew members inside the capsule land safely after reentering the Earth’s atmosphere. Boeing is one of four companies competing to develop a commercial crew transportation system that will restore the United States’ capability to provide access to the International Space Station by 2016.
NASA PR — CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of Salt Lake City have agreed to collaborate on the development of the company’s Liberty Launch System as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Development Round 2 activities.
The unfunded Space Act Agreement (SAA) through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program will allow the agency and ATK to review and discuss Liberty system requirements; safety and certification plans; computational models of rocket stage performance; and avionics architecture designs. The agreement outlines key milestones including an Initial System Design review, during which ATK will present to NASA officials the Liberty systems level requirements, preliminary design, and certification process development.
Press Conference
Ed Mango, Commercial Crew Program manager, NASA
- Unfunded Space Act agreement with ATK that will run through next spring
- NASA and ATK will share information on the rocket and human rating requirements and cooperate on an evaluation of the Liberty rocket
Kent Rominger, vice president, Strategy and Business Development, ATK Aerospace:
- Upper stage has 45 consecutive launches as part of Ariane V
- Can launch any of the commercial crew vehicles out there to date
- Amazing how the upper stage matches up with the lower stage
- In 2010, President Obama approved a new space policy saying we wanted to extend our international cooperation
- Have a very rigorous design that was designed to lift humans from the start
- Two commercial companies are taking technology designed to very high standards and creating a commercial rocket
SPACE FLORIDA PR — CAPE CANAVERAL, FL (September 9, 2011) – On Wednesday, 10 high-tech start-ups had the opportunity to present their business models to national financers at the Igniting Innovation Showcase, hosted by Space Florida and the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) in Cape Canaveral. At the conclusion of the networking event, Space Florida awarded a $100,000 check to the company judges felt had the most potential for near-term growth and commercial success, while contributing to Florida’s economy. C2C Development – a neurological medical device manufacturer – was selected for the award.
The company has developed the proprietary NAViTECH Platform for performing intracranial procedures. C2C CEO Matt Solar says the streamlined device greatly reduces procedure time and is minimally invasive when compared to current technologies like stereotactic frames. According to Solar, Therapy Specific Catheters – like that reflected in the NAViTECH Platform – reflect a $1 Billion market potential. The company anticipates FDA clearance for its product by the end of 2012.
The Xinhua news agency reports on China’s rocket progress: Production on a major part of China’s Long March-5 large-thrust carrier rocket has been completed and its maiden voyage is expected to take place during the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), according to its producer. The Long March-5 rocket is scheduled to be put into service in 2014,Liang Xiaohong, deputy head of the CASC-affiliated China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology […]
(Credit: PRNewsFoto/Zero Gravity Corporation, Al Powers)
Space Exploration: Not Just for Billionaires Anymore
When
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
6:00pm – 7:00pm – Networking and Refreshments
7:00pm – 8:30pm – Panel Discussion and Q&A
Where
Stanford Graduate School of Business, Cemex Auditorium
655 Knight Way, Stanford, CA 94305-7298
Map: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/contact/GSB_KMC_finalMap.pdf
Event Description:
Advances in payload and transport technology have made it easier than ever for entrepreneurs to launch into space – some for less than even $1M in capital. Entrepreneurs are now exploring opportunities with new rocket launchers, novel uses of affordable small satellites, space tourism, and even space-based power generation and extraterrestrial mining. The space market is already a $280B business.
SpaceX officials have admitted that an engine anomaly occurred on its most recent Falcon 9 launch: Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Corp. acknowledged that its Falcon 9 rocket experienced an engine anomaly during its December launch of the company’s reusable Dragon space capsule. “I’d call it an oxidizer-rich shutdown,” former NASA astronaut Ken Bowersox, SpaceX’s vice president of astronaut safety and mission assurance, told Space News in a Sept. 9 interview. […]