Posted on October 12, 2011, at 3:20 pm .
A scale model of Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft undergoes wind tunnel tests at NASA Ames Research Center. (Credit: Boeing)
By Edward Memi
Boeing PR
Boeing is nearing completion of wind-tunnel testing for a new spacecraft to ferry people and cargo to the International Space Station.
Engineers have been testing the spacecraft, called the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100, since Sept. 17 at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. The test team is using a 12-inch-wide, 14-inch-long aluminum model that is about 1/14th the size of the operational space capsule that Boeing plans to build. Testing is scheduled to conclude by the end of October.
Continue reading ‘Boeing CST-100 Wind Tunnel Tests Nearly Complete’
Posted on August 21, 2011, at 5:45 pm .
Space Up Houston August 2011 from Schipul – The Web Marketing Co. on Vimeo.
A video of the Commercial Spaceflight panel at SpaceUp Houston that featured:
- Will Pomerantz: Virgin Galactic
- Neil Milburn: Armadillo Aerospace
- Khaki McKee: XCOR Aerospace
- Mike Burghardt – The Boeing Company
- John Curry – Sierra Nevada Corporation
- Jeff Patton: United Launch Alliance.
Posted on August 11, 2011, at 3:33 pm .
Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center
Space layoffs are accelerating this month in the wake of the final space shuttle flight. Meanwhile, commercial space companies are expanding in Florida, California and Texas as they ramp up programs designed to carry American astronauts into space.
First, the bad news:
- Approximately 1,000 space shuttle workers will lose their jobs this month, including 515 at United Space Alliance’s Houston operations and 285 additional USA workers in Huntsville, Houston and Huntington Beach, Calif.
- Boeing and Lockheed Martin are also planning layoffs
- ATK laid off approximately 100 employees in Utah as a result of the space shuttle’s demise.
Continue reading ‘Signs of Expansion Amid Mass Layoffs’
Posted on August 4, 2011, at 2:48 pm .
Artist's conception of Boeing's commercial crew module. (Credit: Boeing)
With Boeing’s selection of Atlas V to launch its CST-100 commercial crew vehicle, the picture relating to NASA’s Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program has become a bit clearer. Without any delay, let’s dive into it.
A Big Win for Big Rocket
For an “OldSpace” rocket company under threat from new competition, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is doing pretty well here. Companies building three of the four human spacecraft that NASA is funding under CCDev 2 have selected the Atlas V as their launch vehicle. These vehicles include Boeing’s CST-100, Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser, and Blue Origin’s orbital vehicle. The other company, SpaceX, has its own Falcon 9 rocket for the spacecraft it is building.
Continue reading ‘NASA’s CCDev Program: Where Things Stand’
Posted on August 3, 2011, at 12:52 pm .
Six months ago, I would have predicted that ULA would win this in a walk with the Atlas V over ATK’s Liberty rocket. Atlas V has a flawless flight history, can be human rated, and is relatively inexpensive as rockets go.
However, I’m not quite so sure now. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Boeing chose Liberty.
That idea probably sounds crazy to many of my NewSpace friends. But, I think that ATK’s booster has been underrated since it was announced six months ago. The rocket has a number of strengths that have been largely overlooked, and it is being taken seriously by both NASA and Boeing.
Continue reading ‘Will Boeing Choose Atlas V or Liberty to Launch CST-100?’
Posted on July 9, 2011, at 5:42 am .
Aviation Week reports that the Kennedy Space Center is now open for business:
The pad they left behind—39A—will be mothballed against the day when NASA needs it to loft its heavy-lift Space Launch System. The other of the two pads originally built for the Apollo-era Saturn V—39B—already has been refurbished for the terminated Ares I crew launch vehicle with state-of-the-art lightning protection, fiber-optic communications links and other features NASA hopes to sell to commercial operators.
Sierra Nevada Corp., which is developing the Dream Chaser commercial crew vehicle, signed an agreement on July 7 to use facilities here, and has started looking for the buildings it will need to launch the lifting-body vehicle. Boeing is said to be near a deal to use the Orbiter Processing Facility, and while declining to specify the exact site, a top company space official confirmed that a deal is close.
“We didn’t quite get there, but I think it will happen before very long,” says Brewster Shaw, Boeing vice president and general manager for space exploration.
So, what exactly are these Orbiter Processing Facilities? NASA’s Rebecca Regan fills us in below.
Continue reading ‘Report: Boeing Eying KSC Orbital Processing Facility for CST-100 Work’
Posted on February 22, 2011, at 6:09 pm .
GSLV Mark III engine test (Photo: ISRO)
Boeing might be able to help India to master composite cryogenic fuel tanks, a crucial rocket technology essential to the nation’s ambitious space ambitions, a company official said.
Vivek Lall, who is Boeing’s Defence, Space and Security vice president in India, said the American aerospace giant and ISRO are discussing cooperation in “launch escape system (LES), vehicle health monitoring system and abort triggers (VHMSAT), life support system, crew accommodations and other areas such as reusable space systems and composite cryogenic tanks.”
These technologies are crucial for India’s nascent human spaceflight program, which hopes to launch crews into space around 2016-17. Cryogenic engine technology is also key to India entering the international satellite launch industry with its GSLV rocket.
Continue reading ‘Boeing, ISRO Could Cooperate on Cryogenic Tanks, Human Spaceflight’
Posted on February 11, 2011, at 6:00 am .
Boeing's CST-100 crew transport. (Credit: Boeing)
Boeing probes international market for human spacecraft
Spaceflight Now
Boeing is weighing international sales of its CST-100 commercial crew spacecraft if NASA selects the firm to continue development of the capsule, a company official said Wednesday…
“There’s an interesting opportunity that we’re just starting to flesh out,” [John] Elbon said Wednesday. “The spacecraft that we’re designing is rocket-agnostic. It would be possible to sell this like a commercial airplane to countries who perhaps have a launch vehicle who would like to launch it in their own country.”
Continue reading ‘Boeing Looks to Sell CST-100 Capsule Overseas’
Posted on February 11, 2011, at 4:15 am .
Boeing Still Seeking $356M from Sea Launch Partners
Space News
Boeing has not abandoned its effort to collect $356 million from its former Sea Launch commercial launch service partners in Russia and Ukraine despite an initial setback at a Swedish arbitration panel, saying the companies in question “have the wherewithal to pay,†Boeing said Feb. 9.
Long Beach, Calif.-based Sea Launch is emerging from bankruptcy with fresh cash provided by an affiliate of RSC Energia of Korolev, Russia, the company that Boeing says owes nearly two-thirds of the money it is seeking for reimbursement of loans and bank guarantees it made to Sea Launch.
Continue reading ‘Boeing Wants $356 Million from Former Sea Launch Partners’
Posted on February 8, 2011, at 11:24 am .
Boeing is looking to partner with ISRO on its human spaceflight program:
Aerospace behemoth Boeing plans to make the most of opportunities tossed up by removal of technology embargo with offers to partner Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in major projects.
The aerospace major has picked two key projects—the advanced medium combat aircraft (ACMA) being designed by DRDO and human space programme of ISRO—as ones with potential for partnership in future.
Continue reading ‘Boeing Looks to Partner with ISRO on Human Spaceflight Program’
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