NASA honors the heroes it lost in the Challenger disaster 25 years ago today.
Michelle Murray of the FAA's Commercial Space Transportation office addresses representatives of aerospace firms during a Flight Opportunities Program Industry Day at NASA Dryden Jan. 25. (NASA photo / Tom Tschida)
NASA PRESS RELEASE
Representatives of more than 20 aerospace firms both large and small met with officials of NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center Jan. 25 during an Industry Day meeting for potential providers of sub-orbital reusable launch vehicle and payload integration services.
Discussions focused on NASA’s interest in acquiring commercial flight and payload integration services for NASA-provided technology payloads on sub-orbital reusable space launch vehicles, as reflected in a recent NASA Request For Information submitted to potential commercial providers.
During the morning sessions, Steve Meier, director of the Cross-Cutting Demonstrations Division of NASA’s Office of Chief Technologist, stressed the partnership approach that NASA is seeking with commercial launch vehicle firms, while Michelle Murray of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation outlined the FAA’s licensing and commercial launch approval process.
EADS Astrium To Develop Spaceplane
Aviation Week
EADS Astrium has disclosed that Singapore will be a partner in its suborbital spaceplane program.
At the Global Space & Technology Convention in Singapore, EADS Astrium executives announced that Singapore will be building a small-scale demonstrator of the spaceplane and may be involved in developing parts for the commercial product. EADS Astrium is also hoping Singapore will ultimately have a fleet of its commercial spaceplanes stationed at Singapore’s Changi Airport.
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ESA PROGRAM UPDATE
After more than eight months ‘flying’ to the Red Planet, the isolated Mars500 crew will finally take their first steps onto a mock-Mars surface on 14 February.
CSA PRESS RELEASE
Much like his Earth-based counterparts, the Space Station’s robotic handyman, Dextre is on call for any situation that may arise. But Dextre also has a “to-do” list. His first official task will take place on February 2-4, 2011 when he unpacks the Japanese Kounotori2 HTV-2 cargo spaceship as it makes its second visit to the International Space Station (ISS). It will also mark the first time that the mobile base carries Canadarm2 with Dextre on the end.
My friend Clark Lindsey over at HobbySpace reports that Bigelow Aerospace and Space Florida will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding next Wednesday. Apparently Space Florida issued a press release about it, although I haven’t been able to find it. Here’s the excerpt from Clark’s site: Robert Bigelow – president of Bigelow Aerospace, Frank DiBello – president of Space Florida, and Dr. George Sowers – United Launch Alliance Vice President […]
Astronauts berthed JAXA’s HTV Kounotori freighter at the International Space Station this morning. The vehicle carries supplies to the six crew members aboard the orbital outpost. Among its tons of supplies the HTV is carrying student experiments via the American company NanoRacks.
A couple of brief updates from Russia: The long-delayed Angara rocket will be ready for testing next year. “We plan that it will be fully prepared for launch in 2012. Everything is going according to plan,” said Space Troops chief Oleg Ostapenko. Angara is a modular family of rockets designed to be the mainstay for Russia’s strategic launches, replacing several existing rockets. It will be capable of launching between 2 […]
Arianespace Shareholders Agree To Offset Consortium’s Losses
Space News
The Arianespace commercial launch consortium has won approval of its shareholders to recapitalize the company to compensate for two years of losses totaling 135 million euros ($184 million), European government and industry officials said Jan. 26.
The shareholders, led by the French space agency CNES and Ariane 5 prime contractor Astrium Space Transportation, will not be paying that amount in cash, however.
US removes ISRO, DRDO from export control list
Deccan Herald
Fulfilling a promise made by President Barack Obama in November, the US has removed nine Indian space and defence-related companies from the so-called Entity List to drive hi-tech trade and forge closer strategic ties with India.
President’s Commitment to Education the Right Step for Our Nation Statement by AIA President & CEO Marion C. Blakey on President Obama’s State of the Union Address January 27, 2011 Arlington, Va. – President Obama’s commitment to innovation and education is important for our nation at a time when we’re facing enormous economic challenges. Our industry understands more than most that “this is our generation’s Sputnik moment†and is committed […]