Space Tourism … and Much More
PRESS RELEASE
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority is planning to webcast Saturday’s SL-3 Education launch live on Saturday, May 2. The UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket is scheduled for launch at 8 a.m. MDT, and can be seen live on the Internet at the Spaceport America website (www.SpaceportAmerica.com).
Continue reading ‘Spaceport America Launch to be Webcast on Saturday’
Former NASA astronaut George "Pinky" Nelson
NASA PRESS RELEASE
NASA Television will provide live coverage of the 2009 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, May 2, at 3 p.m. EDT. The ceremony will take place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.
Joining the hall of fame this year are former astronauts George “Pinky” Nelson, one of only four space shuttle astronauts to fly untethered in space using NASA’s Manned Maneuvering Unit; William Shepherd, commander of the first crew to live aboard the International Space Station; and Jim Wetherbee, commander of the longest docked shuttle-Mir mission.
CNN reporter John Zarrella will host the event. More than 20 hall of fame astronauts are expected to attend, including Scott Carpenter, Walt Cunningham, Jim Lovell and Bob Crippen.
International Space Station
Commercial Human ISS Flight Funds Backed
Aviation Week
The Obama administration has cleared NASA to use $150 million of the $1 billion in economic stimulus package funding it will receive this year to advance possible commercial human spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS).
Continue reading ‘NASA Could Spend Up to $150 Million on Human Commercial Spaceflight Effort’
X-43A Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle -- Artist Concept in Flight. Credit: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE
When a jet is flying faster than the speed of sound, one small mistake can tear it apart. And when the jet is so experimental that it must fly unmanned, only a computer control system can pilot it.
Ohio State University engineers have designed control system software that can do just that — by adapting to changing conditions during a flight.
Continue reading ‘OSU Researchers Develop Hypersonic Control System Software’
Wilkins Ice Shelf
ESA PRESS RELEASE
Satellite images show that icebergs have begun to calve from the northern front of the Wilkins Ice Shelf – indicating that the huge shelf has become unstable. This follows the collapse three weeks ago of the ice bridge that had previously linked the Antarctic mainland to Charcot Island.
The ice bridge, which effectively formed a barrier pinning back the northern ice front of the central Wilkins Ice Shelf, collapsed on 5 April removing about 330 sq km of ice. As a consequence of the collapse, the rifts, which had already featured along the northern ice front, widened and new cracks formed as the ice adjusted in the days that followed.
Vega Engine Test
ESA PRESS RELEASE
On 28 April, the final qualification test firing of the third stage solid propellant motor for Europe’s new small launch vehicle Vega took place at the Salto di Quirra Interforce Test Range in Sardinia, Italy.
Continue reading ‘Second Firing Test for Vega’s Zefiro 9A Solid Rocket Motor’
More developments from Florida, courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel:
A man who filed an ethics complaint over Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp’s frequent use of state planes has lodged another one against the former staffer in Gov. Charlie Crist’s office who helped dole out $500,000 in state funds to a sports medicine clinic for a “space tourist” program, then left to take a $150,000 job running the program.
Continue reading ‘Ethics Complaint Filed in Florida Space Tourism Case’
Martian moon Phobos
Space.com takes a look at missions being planned for the Martian moon Phobos. Most of the story is about Russia’s massive Phobos-Grunt spacecraft, which is designed to return soil samples to Earth. That mission was set for launch later this year, but it will likely be delayed for two years.
Private Moon Rover Aims for Apollo 11 Landing Site
Space.com
If there’s one name that’s on the lips of many Google Lunar X Prize competitors, it’s Astrobotic. The team boasts a name that readily conveys its ambitious aspirations for reaching the moon and beyond.
Continue reading ‘GLXP Competitor Astrobotic Plans to Revisit Apollo 11 Landing Site’
Lyles takes name out of running for NASA’s top job
Dayton Daily News
Retired Air Force Gen. Lester L. Lyles said Wednesday, April 29, that the White House indicated he was the top candidate to become the next NASA administrator, but that he has taken his name out of consideration.
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