Space Tourism … and Much More
Commercial Space Advocates Rally To Stall NASA Authorization Bill
Space.com
A flurry of behind-the-scenes maneuvering took place late July 28 as opponents of a NASA authorization bill fought back efforts by leaders of the U.S. House Science and Technology Committee to bring the measure to a floor vote before lawmakers break for the summer district work period that begins Aug. 2.
Continue reading ‘Pushback in House as Group Attempts to Delay Vote on NASA Funding’
NASA planetary scientist Chris McKay talks about why and how we should go to Mars during the NewSpace 2010 conference.
Asteroid Ida - which is not heading toward Earth any time soon.
Apparently momentarily bored with covering the always entertaining (and occasionally Hitler loving) Royal Family, the British press has picked up on the possibility that the Earth will get hit by a rather large asteroid in 2182.
Giant asteroid ‘heading for Earth in 2182 and Asteroid Could Raze London are just two of the headlines blaring in English newspapers this week. Apparently, the amusingly named asteroid 1999 RQ36 has about a 1-in-1000 chance of hitting Earth, odds that The Sun mentions in the 12th paragraph of its story.
Continue reading ‘English Press Worries About Asteroid Due in 172 Years’
Space.com reports on a panel discussion at NewSpace 2010 in which participants predicted that the price of suborbital space flights would drop significantly within four years as the volume of flights grew:
By 2014, a ticket for suborbital flight is likely to cost between $50,000 and $100,000 as the industry develops to offer hundreds or even thousands of flights annually, according to a panel of experts speaking Friday at the Space Frontier Foundation’s annual conference in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Continue reading ‘Biggest Challenge to Low-Cost Suborbital Tourism: Actually Flying’
SpacX Founder Elon Musk
Below is a plea from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to call your Congressman to vote against the NASA budget, which comes up for a vote in the House on Friday.
Although I agree with him, an email appeal seems a bit odd given that Musk said nothing about this on The Colbert Report last night. This was an opportunity to appeal directly to the “average citizen” in whose name this plea is nominally being made. (It’s also being made in the names of Musk and SpaceX, who stand to gain substantially under the Obama Administration’s commercial space initiatives.)
Continue reading ‘Musk: Call Your Congressman on House Vote’
XTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES PRESS RELEASE
Xtraordinary Adventures, in conjunction with RocketShip Tours, is taking reservations on The Lynx, XCOR Aerospace’s newest fully reusable rocket powered suborbital vehicle, to reward Corporate Executives worthy of the prize.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
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The South African space entrepreneur doesn’t make any news on The Colbert Report, but his American accent seems to be improving. It almost sounds real.
Recycled Solar Probes Heading For Lunar Orbit
Aviation Week
Two satellites of NASA’s five-member Themis constellation, launched in February 2007 to study geomagnetic storms, are approaching lunar orbit for a new mission called Artemis.
Continue reading ‘NASA Solar Satellites Headed for the Moon’
Pentagon Report: Solid-Motor Industry Must Downsize
Space News
The U.S. Defense Department is weighing ideas for sustaining what it says is an overcapitalized solid-rocket motor (SRM) industrial base that includes instituting a joint Air Force-Navy research and development program, accelerating technology work for next-generation missiles and purchasing space launch vehicles at more predictable annual rates, according to an interim report recently sent to Congress.
Continue reading ‘DOD Looks to Downsize Solid Rocket Motor Industry’
The road to Spaceport America on its groundbreaking day - June 19, 2009 (Photo Credit: Lucinda Land)
Spaceport America will soon have what every facility that sends millionauts on space joyrides really needs: a paved road.
Continue reading ‘Spaceport America to Get Paved Road’
Spaceport America
SPACEPORT AMERICA PRESS RELEASE
Governor Bill Richardson today announced two appointments to the Board of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.
Continue reading ‘Richardson Makes Two Appointments to NMSA Board’
As the United States struggles to rebuild a commercial launch sector that has been largely decimated by cheaper – and ITAR free – overseas competition, another low-cost spaceport is rising in its own backyard:
The headquarters of the Mexican Space Agency will be built in the Caribbean state of Quintana Roo thanks to an investment of $120 million made public on Tuesday by Gov. Felix Gonzalez Canto.
The Space Center will be built in Chetumal, the state capital, on the border with Belize and Guatemala. At the site will be a launch pad, a runway, an underwater training unit and the space museum.
Continue reading ‘Look Out, Cape Canaveral! Here’s Comes Mexico’
My friend Misuzu Onuki was in town over the weekend for the NewSpace 2010 conference. She’s doing some very interesting work in a sometimes overlooked area of space travel that will likely become increasingly important as more people venture out into the cosmos.
The JAXA-funded Quality of Life in Space project is looking at the essential elements that can make all the difference between a good stay in space and a bad one. How comfortable are the accommodations? What amusements exist? How good is the food? What does a traveler smell? Are amenities offered?
Continue reading ‘Japanese Study Looks at Improving the Quality of Life in Space’
Chris McKay and Rick Tumlinson what the future holds as we move outward into space.
Sea Launch – which declared bankruptcy last year – is back in business.
As expected, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware today approved a reorganization plan in which Russia’s Energia RSC will take 95 percent ownership of the company, which launches Zenit rockets from both land and an off-shore platform.
Continue reading ‘Sea Launch Back in Business With Majority Russian Owner’
Spaceport America Wants to Hire Tour Guide Company
NMSA ANNOUNCEMENT
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) on July 12 seeking bids for a contractor to provide regular sightseeing tours of the Spaceport America facilities and construction jobsite to the public. The NMSA wants to start regular weekend tour service as early as September 1, 2010. Prospective [...]
European Conference to Explore Suborbital Flight Regulations
A September conference in Leiden will focus on how Europe will regulate suborbital flights.
Whitehorn: British Airways “Dirty Tricks” Pushed Virgin Group to Explore Space
BA “dirty tricks” pushed Virgin into space – Whitehorn
MEETTHEBOSS.TV
Virgin’s latest plans to push travellers into space was the direct result of what Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn calls Brtish Airways “dirty tricks” campaign of 1993.
Speaking exclusively to MeetTheBoss.tv in London, Whitehorn said the actions of the airline immediately inspired Virgin to seek [...]
