X-37B space plane after it first landing. (Credit: U.S. Air Force)
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (USAF PR) – Preparations for the second landing of the X-37B, the Air Force’s unmanned, reusable space plane, are underway at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
While the exact landing date and time will depend on technical and weather considerations, it is expected to occur during the early- to mid-June timeframe. Space professionals from the 30th Space Wing will monitor the de-orbit and landing of the Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle mission, called OTV-2.
The X-37B launched March 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Since then, Vandenberg crews have conducted extensive, periodic training in preparation for landing. “The men and women of Team Vandenberg are ready to execute safe landing operations anytime and at a moment’s notice,” said Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
HOUSTON (NASA PR) – NASA Television will provide extensive coverage of the departure of the SpaceX Dragon capsule from the International Space Station before its reentry and splashdown on May 31.
On Wednesday, May 30, a news briefing previewing the departure activities will be held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston at 9 a.m. CDT (10 a.m. EDT) and will be broadcast live on NASA TV and the agency’s website. Participants include NASA Flight Director Holly Ridings and SpaceX Mission Manager John Couluris. Continue reading ‘NASA TV Coverage for Dragon Reentry and Splashdown’
The Space Report 2012 is now available for purchase.
The premier research and analysis product of the Space Foundation covers the state of space activity and thoroughly examines the impact of the space industry on the overall economy and our daily lives.
Highlights Include:
Impact of budget austerity on the global space economy
Global launch capabilities and performance in 2011
Demographic information for ESA and JAXA, updated NASA figures and much more.
Sparks, NV –May 29, 2012(SNC PR) – Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Space Systems announces that the Dream Chaser® Space System has successfully completed four additional NASA Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) Program Milestones.
The four Milestones included: Separation System Testing, Flight Article Main Landing Gear Drop Testing, Captive Carry Interface Testing, and a Captive Carry Flight Test Readiness Review.
SSI President Gary Hudson will appear on The Space Show with David Livingston tonight from 7-8:30 PM PDT (10-11:30 PM EDT, 9-10:30 PM CDT).
Gary will discuss his G-Lab plan for a variable gravity research station in low Earth orbit.
To listen live to The Space Show podcast, go to http://www.thespaceshow.com. The show will be archived later in the week if you can’t listen in live.
—–
SSI Vice President for Research John Lewis was on the show last night talking about asteroid mining and the Chinese space program. The show is now archived for listening.
The moon rising over Half Moon Bay, California on Halloween 2009. (Credit: Douglas Messier)
Alexandra Hall, Senior Director of the Google Lunar X Prize Foundation, talked about the status of the lunar rover competition during the International Space Development Conference in Washington, DC, on Sunday.
It looks like things are getting down to the wire for many of the 26 teams. With a 2015 deadline looming, a long lead time in securing a booster, and many of the teams falling significantly short on raising money, it looks like the field will be significantly smaller by the end of the year.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (May 29, 2012) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the nonprofit organization managing research on the International Space Station (ISS), signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the TERC to provide a $300,000 investment that will greatly improve the process for attaining on-orbit photography from the ISS, as well as use of Earth images for scientific research and education. TERC, an education non-profit, in collaboration with the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) will enhance and adapt the Windows on Earth software for use by astronauts to replace the current multi-step process for targeting, photographing and geo-referencing images.
Washington, DC / Hawthorne, CA May 29, 2012 (SPACEX PR) – Today, Intelsat, the world’s leading provider of satellite services, and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the world’s fastest growing space launch company, announced the first commercial contract for the Falcon Heavy rocket.
1. Monday, May 28, 2012, 2-3:30 PM PDT (5-6:30 PM EDT, 4-5:30 PM CDT): We welcome back DR. JOHN LEWIS to discuss asteroid mining, the Chinese space program and more.
2. Tuesday, May 29 2012, 7-8:30 PM PDT (10-11:30 PM EDT, 9-10:30 PM CDT): We welcome back GARY HUDSON to discuss his G-Lab concept with the Space Studies Institute for a variable gravity research station. See www.ssi.org.
3. Friday, June 1, 2012, 9:30-11 AM PDT (11:30- 1 PM CDT, 12:30PM-2:00 PM EDT) : We welcome back REX RIDENOURE of Ecliptic Enterprises with information on new projects, new developments, and commercial space information.
4. Sunday, June 3, 2012, 12-1:30 PM (3-4:30 PM EDT, 2-3:30 PM CDT). We welcome back JIM MUNCY on space policy issues and developments.
Loading ...