The Midland Reporter-Telegram reports that Midland Development Corporation has approved a deal with Kepler Aerospace for the city’s spaceport. The board approved a couple of items having to do with Kepler Aerospace Ltd.: a sublease agreement that calls for the Florida-based company to occupy the empty, 17,000-square-foot building – once occupied by Orbital Outfitters – at the business park at Midland International Airport. The deal does not include a cash […]
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AST&Science’s new 85,000 sq. ft. facility in Midland, Texas (AST&Science PR)
MIAMI, November 15, 2018 (AST&Science PR) – AST&Science, after an intensive competitive process, today announced the selection of Midland, Texas, as the location for its new high-volume North American satellite manufacturing plant and corporate headquarters.
With two key tenants — XCOR and Orbital Outfitters — out of business, the Midland Development Corporation has hired Interflight Global to advise it on the next steps for Midland’s spaceport. It’s a move that City Councilman J. Ross Lacy, who also serves as the President for the Midland Spaceport Development Corporation, thinks is a step in the right direction. “As we continue to move forward and we see the […]
Total solar eclipse photographed from NASA Armstrong’s Gulfstream III. (Credit: (NASA/Carla Thomas)
by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor
I realize it’s a bit late, but here’s a look back at the major developments in space in 2017.
I know that I’m probably forgetting something, or several somethings or someones. Fortunately, I have eagle-eyed readers who really seem to enjoy telling me just how much I’ve screwed up. Some of them a little too much….
So, have at it! Do your worst, eagle-eyed readers!
Lynx suborbital space plane (Credit: XCOR)
MOJAVE, Calif. – Troubled XCOR Aerospace, a pioneer in reusable rocket engine technology, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in federal court on Wednesday, according to court documents.
The filing will lead to the liquidation of the 18-year old company, whose engine technology was designed to power the two-person Lynx suborbital space plane XCOR was building. The vehicle, which was designed to take off and land on a runway, was only partially completed before most work on it stopped last year.
Lynx engine hot fire. (Credit: XCOR)
Despite laying off its 21 remaining employees, XCOR Aerospace isn’t dead yet. But, it’s not in real good shape, either.
It turns out that a major blow to the company was the loss of a contract with United Launch Alliance (ULA) to develop an upper stage for the Vulcan booster.
The primary impetus for the layoffs, Acting CEO and XCOR Board member Michael Blum told me, is the loss of a contract for engine development that the company had with United Launch Alliance. “The proceeds should have been enough to fund the prototype of Lynx [the company’s planned spacecraft], but ULA decided they’re not going to continue funding the contract. So we find ourselves in a difficult financial situation where we need to raise money or find joint developments to continue.” ULA declined to comment.
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Space radar system (Credit: LeoLabs)
MIDLAND, Texas (MDC PR) – The Midland Development Corporation (MDC) and LeoLabs, Inc., celebrate the completion of the Midland Space Radar facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Construction of the Midland Space Radar began in September 2016 and was completed in February 2017.
MIDLAND, Texas, September 13, 2016 (MDC PR) – The Midland City Council and the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) approved two agreements with LeoLabs, Inc., a company offering space debris tracking services.
The city of Midland has executed a License Agreement regarding city-owned property for the use of LeoLabs.
The MDC has entered into a promotional agreement with LeoLabs, Inc., which will include advertising and publicizing for the City of Midland for the purpose of developing new and expanded business enterprises.
More infrastructure development is planned for the Spaceport Business Park at the Midland International Air & Space Port. On Tuesday, the Midland Spaceport Development Corp. (MSDC) approved contracts worth just over $2.4 million to two companies for road and utility improvements. The Midland Development Corp. (MDC) is funding the expansion with $3 million. The MSDC will repay $2 million of the amount to MDC with funding it is getting from […]
The Midland Development Corp. (MDC) is negotiating an agreement with spaceport consulting, engineering and design firm RS&H to explore ways to develop the Midland International Air and Space Port.
MDC Chairman Brent Hilliard revealed that RS&H would be exploring a novel use for the landlocked spaceport.
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