Computer generated image showing the debris cloud around Earth.
Ray Williamson of the Secure World Foundation testified before a House subcommittee on Tuesday holding a hearing on what is becoming known as space situational awareness, i.e., preventing space debris and satellite collisions from making it difficult for us to use Earth orbit.
ISU PRESS RELEASE
Speaking during the International Space University’s recently completed symposium on “Space for a Safe and Secure World,†University President Michael Simpson said that the 2007 student study on Space Traffic Management recommended ways to prevent space collisions.
Ralph White
BASED ON A CELESTIS PRESS RELEASE
Award-winning cinematographer Ralph White, who documented the wreck of the Titanic, will be among 16 people who will have their ashes launched into space on May 2.
UP Aerospace’s Spaceloft XL suborbital rocket will carry the remains to an altitude of 70 miles above New Mexico’s Spaceport America. The payload will land by parachute for recovery.
Companies seek tax breaks: County to consider abatements for 3 businesses seeking to expand
Florida Today
The highest-profile project is NewSpace Center, LLC, a New Port Richey corporation that wants to build its research headquarters on 40 acres of Space Coast Regional Airport property off State Road 407 in Titusville.
Included in the plans: The NewSpace Pavilion, featuring a replica of a Mars settlement and space-themed displays.
Space Florida
Space Florida spends millions for launchpad to nowhere
Orlando Sentinel
Space Florida has spent more than $2 million of state taxpayer money during the past six months on the early stages of a $60 million launchpad here that the agency can’t find the money to finish and which so far no rocket company is committed to use.
Model of NASA's Orion spacecraft
The Huntsville Times reports that NASA has officially cut the crew size for its new Orion spacecraft from six to four:
The capsule, which is basically twice as large as the iconic Apollo moon ships, had grown in weight to more than 22,000 pounds. The spacecraft is slated to sit on top of the Marshall Space Flight Center-managed Ares I rocket.
Update 1 – Orbital Sciences Q1 net drops 29 pct
Reuters
Orbital Sciences Corp (ORB.N), a maker of small rockets and satellites, posted a 29 percent drop in quarterly profit, hurt mainly by higher research and development expenses, and lowered its 2009 profit view for the second time in almost three months.
About 475 jobs are available for the construction of Spaceport America in New Mexico. The facility will serve as a launching site for Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicles.
Artist's conception of OSC's Taurus II rocket at Wallops Island.
Jack Kennedy has a couple of posts about the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on his Spaceports blog:
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Creigh Deeds endorsed increased operational funding to enhance the staff size of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport today speaking at the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council Energy Technology Summit as interest in the fledgling commercial space operations increases among the Virginia public.
A mock-up of the Orion crew exploration vehicle floats in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino
The Huntsville Times says that a NASA astronaut is now putting the rest of the space agency to shame with his Tweets:
NASA astronaut Mike Massimino – who is slated to fly to the Hubble Space Telescope next month – is putting the space agency in the social media arena with his Twitter account that now reaches more than 130,000 people. (more…)
Japanese astronauts in a microgravity flight.
The Yomiuri Shimbun has a short report on Japan’s efforts to develop a coherent national space policy, which was spurred on by the passing of the Basic Space Law last year:
A panel of experts reporting to the government’s space development policy team approved Monday a draft basic plan on space development, in which they call for a shift of focus from research to practical use.
