J-2X Turbopump Inspection Engineers, from left, Lakiesha V. Hawkins, David C. Reynolds, and Cynthia L. Sprader inspect the J-2X fuel turbopump first stage nozzle after a successful test series in Marshall's Test Stand 116. Photo credit: NASA/MSFC/D. Olive

NASA PR — Engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center gave a key component of the J-2X engine a brisk workout to ensure it can withstand its extreme operating environment. The engine’s fuel turbopump first stage nozzle passed the test, performing even better than expected.

The J-2X is a highly efficient and versatile upper stage rocket engine that can stop and restart in space to support a variety of mission requirements. Full-scale testing begins later this summer but before then, engineers examined the longevity and durability of the engine’s fuel turbopump first stage nozzle. The nozzle directs hot gas flow onto the turbine blades.

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Another day, another prediction.

Sir Richard Branson has surfaced from the ocean depths just long enough to give us an update on his plans to conquer that other forbidding frontier, space. In the above video, he predicts SpaceShipTwo will be “ready to go” within 12-15 months. Although this is somewhat vague, he appears to be referring to the time when he will climb aboard the spaceship with his family and Burt Rutan in tow for Virgin Galactic’s first commercial suborbital tourism flight. (What else would anyone care about?) If so, how credible is his latest estimate to end all estimates?

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Innovative Space Propulsion Systems will test a green, high-performance mono-propulsion technology called NOFBX^® at the International Space Station late next year.

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CAPE CANAVERAL — The manner in which Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) handles its operations is all about reducing cost while maintaining efficiency. A large part of this is displayed in the use of horizontal as opposed to vertical integration. This however is just one of many technical innovations that the company employs at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC 40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

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NASA PR — NASA will host a media teleconference at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 24, to discuss an agency decision that will define the next transportation system to carry humans into deep space. Douglas Cooke, associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington, will take reporters’ questions during the teleconference. Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live at: https://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio Editor’s Note: This announcement comes just […]

NMSGC PR – UPHAM, NM – Friday’s successful launch of the UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket for the New Mexico Education Launch was greeted by cheers from students New Mexico, Arizona and Texas as their payload experiments reached space, bringing a successful conclusion to months of work and preparation.

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Orbital Sciences Eyes West Coast Missions for Taurus 2 Launcher
Space News

Mark Pieczynski, Orbital vice president of space launch business development, says the Dulles, Va.-based company has spent the past several months eyeing two launch sites on the West Coast that would allow the company to deliver medium-class payloads to high-inclination and sun-synchronous orbits: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and Kodiak Island, Alaska. The company expects to decide on a site before the end of the year, he said.

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This week on The Space Show…. Monday, May 23, 2011, 2-3:30 PM PDT. No show as I am participating in the California Space Day with CSA. Thursday, May 26, 2011, 2-3:30 PM PDT. We welcome back Kevin Sloan to talk about this year’s Mars Society University Rover Challenge Sponsored by TASC. (Note, no show on Tuesday due to California Space Day). Friday, May 27 , 2011 , 9:30-11 AM PDT. […]

Space Florida PR — Kennedy Space Center, FL (May 20, 2011) – Each year, Space Florida submits a list of project priorities to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for consideration in preparing a five-year work program in partnership with local Transportation Planning Organizations (TPOs). This five year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) serves as the basis for receiving Federal and State transportation funds for aerospace-related projects. (more…)

Bellevue, Washington – May 23, 2011 – Space Angels Network, LLC, a national network of seed‐ and early‐stage investors focused on aerospace‐related ventures, today announced that Richard M. David, a Space Angels Network member and managing member of the Orrery Group, LLC, led a seed‐stage investment in Altius Space Machines (ASM) of Louisville, Colorado. The investment corresponds with ASM’s successful testing of its “Sticky Boom” electro‐adhesive rendezvous and capture technology on a microgravity flight provided by the Zero Gravity Corporation on May 14, 2011. The amount of the investment was not disclosed.

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The “gravity defying hat”  worn by rumored royalnaut Princess Beatrice to the wedding of Prince Whatshisname and Kate Whosawhatsit is up for sale on eBay.

Bidding on the wacky headpiece, reputedly designed by Britain’s super secret Ministry of Funny Hats, had reached GBP 80,000 (approximately $129,560) as of Saturday evening EST.

The princess, fifth in line to the British throne, is reported to have a ticket to fly a suborbital space tourism flight aboard Richard Branson’s SpaceShipTwo vehicle.

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WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo prepped before the first drop test. (Credit: Mark Greenberg)

My colleague Jeff Foust and I covered Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides’ presentation during ISDC in Huntsville. Below are our Tweets on the talk. You can follow us @Spacecom and @Jeff_Foust.

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