Mockup of India's human spacecraft (Credit: ISRO)
US to enhance space cooperation with India
Deccan Herald
Looking to India as a ”great” up and coming space-faring nation, the US said its newly announced space policy attached ”vital” importance to enhance cooperation with that country.
Some initial reactions to President Barack Obama’s new National Space Policy from The Space Foundation, Aerospace Industries Association, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, The Planetary Society’s Lou Friedman, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Secure World Foundation.
THE SPACE FOUNDATION
The Space Foundation today welcomed the release of the new U.S. National Space Policy as “an important milestone in furthering national and international discussions about the future direction of the United States in space.”
“Although there are some inconsistencies and areas of concern, largely the new U.S. National Space Policy provides a positive framework that will serve as an important milestone in furthering national and international discussions about the future direction of the United States in space,” said Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot H. Pulham.
Russia is moving ahead on a range of space propulsion projects: Production of the Angara rocket could begin by the end of the year. Khrunichev Space Center’s Gennady Kleimenov told Interfax that engineers expect to complete test firings of Angara’s first and second stages in the third quarter. Financial issues that had delayed construction of an Angara launch pad at Plesetsk have been resolved. Interfax also quotes TSNIIMASh DG Gennady […]
International Space Station
An excerpt from the Obama Administration’s National Space Policy document, laying out priorities for the nation’s civilian and military efforts.
Principles
In this spirit of cooperation, the United States will adhere to, and proposes that other nations recognize and adhere to, the following principles:
The Obama Administration has published its National Space Policy document, laying out priorities for the nation’s civilian and military efforts. The commercial policy section is reproduced below.
Commercial Space Guidelines
The term “commercial,†for the purposes of this policy, refers to space goods, services, or activities provided by private sector enterprises that bear a reasonable portion of the investment risk and responsibility for the activity, operate in accordance with typical market-based incentives for controlling cost and optimizing return on investment, and have the legal capacity to offer these goods or services to existing or potential nongovernmental customers. To promote a robust domestic commercial space industry, departments and agencies shall:
SpaceX (www.spacex.com) released this “more detailed compilation of highlights from the [June 4, 2010] Falcon 9 Flight 1 Mission in high definition” on June 18, 2010.
Falcon 9 takes off on its first flight. (Credit: Chris Thompson SpaceX)
Arvada engineering firm sends pumps into space
Denver Post
The June 4 maiden flight of Falcon 9 — destined to deliver supplies to the international space station after the space-shuttle fleet is retired late this year — was cause for particular celebration at a small Arvada engineering firm.
NASA PRESS RELEASE
NASA senior managers met with their counterparts representing other space agencies at the National Harbor, Md., on June 23, to discuss globally-coordinated human and robotic space exploration.
The meeting participants agreed that significant progress has been made since the joint release of The Global Exploration Strategy (GES) in May 2007. They agreed steps should be taken to coordinate a long-term space exploration vision that is sustainable and affordable.
SpaceX has won a contract to launch over 60 new Iridium satellites in to orbit. Did you know Iridium was actually still around and launching new birds? Me neither. The Rocket Racing League has released a new game for your iPhone and iPod touch that looks amazingly cool. Pull your teeth out with a model rocket (warning, you will probably cringe) New welding techniques for Orion that look pretty awesome. […]
Photo caption: Flight hardware for the inaugural launch of Falcon 9 rocket undergoing final integration in the hangar at SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral launch site in Florida. Components include: Dragon spacecraft qualification unit (left), second stage with Merlin Vacuum engine (center), first stage with nine Merlin 1C engines (right). (Credit: SpaceX)
Falcon rocket meets fiery end after three weeks in orbit
Spaceflight Now
After riding a flame into Earth orbit more than three weeks ago, the dormant upper stage of the first Falcon 9 rocket plunged back into the atmosphere this weekend, a fiery finale for the historic privately-developed spacecraft.
In The Space Review this week: Picking up the torch vs. dropping the ball Have recent achievements demonstrated that the development of space launch systems is now within the realm of individual investors? Dwayne Day criticizes a recent analysis that tried to make that case. An embarrassment of riches It sounds like the perfect definition of “swords into plowsharesâ€: converting ICBMs into satellite launch vehicles. Wayne Eleazer discusses the controversy […]
On The Space Show this week: Tuesday, June 29 2010, 7- 8:30 PM PDT: Dr. Paul Mueller returns for his annual Experimental Sounding Rocket Association updates. Friday, July 2, 2010, 9:30-11:00 AM PDT: Bobby Block, space editor for the Orlando Sentinel is our guest.
