Clark Lindsey over at NewSpaceWatch points to three new patents that Blue Origin has received for its reusable launch vehicle. Abstracts and links to the patent documents are after the break.

Compensating for wind prior to engaging airborne propulsion devices

Document Type and Number: United States Patent 8424808

Document: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8424808.html

Abstract:

Technology is described for enabling a reusable launch vehicle to compensate for wind prior to engaging propulsion during approach to landing. The technology can cause the reusable launch vehicle to begin un-powered descent; determine a first rotation angle of the reusable launch vehicle about a specified vertical descent path, the first rotation angle corresponding to a first attitude of the reusable launch vehicle selected to stabilize the reusable launch vehicle on the vertical descent path based on a wind speed and angle; and prior to engaging a propulsion device, command a second rotation angle for the reusable launch vehicle, the second rotation angle corresponding to a second attitude that, when the propulsion device is engaged, will cause the reusable launch vehicle to remain at least approximately at the vertical descent path.

Launch vehicles with fixed and deployable deceleration surfaces, and/or shaped fuel tanks, and associated systems and methods

Document Type and Number: United States Patent 8408497

Document Location: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8408497.html

Abstract:

Launch vehicles with fixed and deployable deceleration surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle that has a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, and is elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends. The vehicle carries an exposed outwardly facing surface having a first region positioned or positionable to have a first cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the first end of the vehicle, and a second region positioned or positionable to have a second cross-sectional area generally normal to the vehicle axis toward the second end of the vehicle. The first cross-sectional area is less than the second cross-sectional area. The system can further include a propulsion system carried by the launch vehicle and having at least one nozzle positioned toward the first end of the vehicle to launch the launch vehicle. In a further particular embodiment, the exposed surface can include a deployable flare surface that is positioned toward the forward section of the vehicle and is stowed during an ascent phase of the vehicle. During descent, the deployable flare surface can pivot outwardly to slow the vehicle down for a tail-down landing. Systems is accordance with other embodiments include launch vehicles with fuel tanks shaped to control the motion of the center of gravity of fuel in the tanks as the fuel level in the tank changes.

Modular friction welding head and associated systems and methods

Document Type and Number: United States Patent 8408443

Document Location: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8408443.html

Abstract:

Modular friction welding heads and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A friction welding system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a carrier fixture positioned to carry a workpiece, a head support positioned proximate to the carrier fixture, and a modular friction welding head releasably carried by the head support. At least one of the carrier fixture and the head support can have a guide structure with a constrained motion path positioned to guide relative motion between the modular friction welding head and the carrier fixture. A controller can be operatively coupled to the modular friction welding head and programmed with instructions to control the operation of the friction welding head.

Marco Rubio

In an effort apparently aimed at supporting the development of a commercial space facility in Florida, the Senate has approved a budget amendment introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) that urges NASA to dispose of underutilized property and facilities in order to save money and promote commercial space activities.

“NASA currently has underused facilities and property which are beyond their design life or outdated and costing billions of dollars to keep and maintain,” Rubio said in a press release.

“It is important that we maintain the excellence of NASA and our space programs, and we should start by re-allocating infrastructure that could be utilized by commercial users and state and local entities, resulting in savings for NASA and a reduction in the federal government’s burden to fund space operations,” he added.

Florida officials want NASA to turn over title to 150 acres of land at the north end of the Kennedy Space Center for the development of a commercial launch facility. The property includes the former citrus community of Shiloh.

The federal government denied the request last year, saying the land doesn’t meet the definition of excess property. Discussions are continuing between state and federal officials on other arrangements for development the site.

Florida is competition with groups in Texas, Georgia and Puerto Rico to host a facility that would be used by SpaceX for launching commercial payloads. Blue Origin also is interested in using the proposed Florida site.

Frank DiBello, President and CEO of Space Florida, praised the legislation in a press release.

“Space Florida continues to pursue opportunities to both transition infrastructure from NASA programs to more commercial activities, and to develop a purely commercial space launch capability,” DiBello said. “We are grateful to Senator Rubio for his assistance in enabling NASA to more effectively dispose of underutilized facilities. This amendment is a meaningful step in growing this nation’s commercial space capability.”

Commercial Spaceflight Federation President Michael Lopez-Alegria also praised the move.

“Many of the most difficult challenges in spaceflight development require solutions that involve a partnership between NASA, state governments and private companies. Senator Rubio’s amendment, which would encourage a streamlined process for companies and local public entities to lease or obtain NASA’s facilities, will strengthen the public-private partnerships that help us achieve our national goals of science, exploration, and continued leadership in space,” stated Michael Lopez-Alegria. “The measure would also ensure the government gets the most bang for its buck in today’s tight fiscal environment.”

The fate of Rubio’s amendment is uncertain as the House and Senate thrash out a compromise on two very different budget plans.

F-1 thrust chamber. (Credit:Jeff Bezos)

Jeff Bezos — founder of Amazon.com and Blue Origin — has completed an expedition to recover Saturn V F-1 engines from deep below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Below is his report on the successful project.

March 20, 2013

What an incredible adventure. We are right now onboard the Seabed Worker headed back to Cape Canaveral after finishing three weeks at sea, working almost 3 miles below the surface. We found so much. We’ve seen an underwater wonderland – an incredible sculpture garden of twisted F-1 engines that tells the story of a fiery and violent end, one that serves testament to the Apollo program. We photographed many beautiful objects in situ and have now recovered many prime pieces. Each piece we bring on deck conjures for me the thousands of engineers who worked together back then to do what for all time had been thought surely impossible.

F-1 thrust chamber and fuel manifold (Credit: Jeff Bezos)

We’re bringing home enough major components to fashion displays of two flown F-1 engines. The upcoming restoration will stabilize the hardware and prevent further corrosion. We want the hardware to tell its true story, including its 5,000 mile per hour re-entry and subsequent impact with the ocean surface. We’re excited to get this hardware on display where just maybe it will inspire something amazing.

While I spent a reasonable chunk of time in my cabin emailing and working, it didn’t keep me from getting to know the team. I’d like to call out a bunch of thank you’s. First of all to David Concannon who pulled together this team. The whole thing would simply have been impossible without the A-team, and I’m not sure anyone other than Dave could have brought them together.

F-1 engine heat exchanger. (Credit: Jeff Bezos)

To Rory Golden for his incredible Irish wisdom which put us on the right track multiple times. Rory also wins the best eye award – nobody could spot faint markings and mentally map twisted, corroded, 90% concealed parts like Rory. Incidentally, he’s the same guy who found the main ship’s wheel of Titanic, which many before had tried and failed.

To Vince Capone, who kept us organized and on track. His deep domain knowledge of recovery and his methodical, controlled approach made this mission work.

To Dr. John Broadwater for his passionate and conscientious care for the archeological mapping and conservation of our raised artifacts. He claims to have found time to sleep, but I didn’t see it. He also gave us an incredible presentation of his work on raising the U.S.S. Monitor.

F-1 gas generator (Credit: Jeff Bezos)

To Mike Kelly whose sonar interpretation made finding these needles in a haystack possible. Time after time, he took us directly to the next target.

To the ROV pilots, Hans Brygfjeld, Jarle Eide, Kai Loven, Michael McLeod, Ole Iden, Ronnie Haugland, Sean Gleason, Stewart Cruickshanks, Thoralf Moen and Troy Launay. Though underwater, operating the ROVs is called flying, and it’s easy to see why. Strong currents, obscuring silt, tethers to manage and keep untangled – these guys make it look easy but it isn’t. Particularly impressive was watching them rig slings to these awkward objects with the manipulator arms, three miles down. Also, role models for a can-do attitude.

To Josh Bernstein and Evan Kovacs who captured all of the amazing photographs and underwater high definition footage. Both turn out to be renaissance men explorers who were ready to help at every turn.

To Dr. Ken Kamler our team physician – we’re happy we didn’t need you, but we always knew we would be in good hands if we needed it. And thank you for the riveting lecture on your experiences on Mt. Everest.

To Arild Olsen and Oddvar Takseth, our incredibly-talented crane operators who brought the artifacts on board with the precision of surgeons. Operating any crane is difficult and requires care, but doing so on a ship at sea where the load is picking up energy with every roll and pitch, requires special art.

To Augusto Paras and his team for keeping us well fed and deliciously fed. It’s sailing lore that a happy crew starts and ends with the quality of the mess. We’re going to have to lose a few pounds now – and nobody’s complaining.

To Captain Alf Tore Kristoffersen, Operations Manager Doug Scott and the entire crew of the Seabed Worker. This truly is a first class ship in every way, and we appreciate everything you did to make this mission successful.

To my family members, Mark Bezos, Steve Poore, Mike Bezos, and Jackie Bezos. Thanks for sharing this underwater adventure with me. We have surely traveled in a land of marvels. Mark helped make key decisions with great judgment, kept us organized, and kept us laughing, hard. Steve maintained a sense of proportion and focused us on big things at the right times. Mike and Jackie both quickly became Dr. Broadwater’s archeological assistants, and worked at all times of night and day.

Finally, I want to thank NASA. They extended every courtesy and every helping hand – all of NASA’s interactions were characterized by plain old common sense, something which we all know is impressive and uncommon. We’re excited to be bringing a couple of your F-1s home.

Sincerely,

Jeff Bezos

Richard Branson and then-Gov. Bill Richardson. (Credit: Douglas Messier)

By Douglas Messier
Parabolic Arc Managing Editor

Forbes has released its annual list of the world’s billionaires. There are a record 1,426 individuals with an aggregate net worth of $5.4 trillion in the world. The table below shows the tiny handful of this group — nine individuals — who are currently or have been previously involved in space projects.

The nine individuals are collectively worth $104.7 billion, with the bulk of that worth ($86 billion) coming from four individuals. Only one member of the group — Canadian Guy Laliberte — has been to space, flying to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 2009. He is not known to have been involved in any space projects since returning to Earth.

Richard Branson and Elon Musk are the billionaires most prominently connected with space travel in the public’s mind. This is interesting because of the disparity in results between their two companies. SpaceX has launched its Falcon rockets 10 times, with the last seven successfully placing payloads into orbit. Earlier this week, one of the company’s Dragon freighters docked with the International Space Station.

Thus far, Branson’s connection with space has been as much a matter of hype as actual accomplishments. After more than eight years of development, the brash British billionaire hasn’t gotten SpaceShipTwo above 51,000 feet, and never under its own power. That situation is set to change later this year as the suborbital craft begins powered test flights.

After Musk, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has been the most successful billionaire space investor. He backed SpaceShipOne, which became the first privately-funded vehicle to reach space in 2004. He subsequently sold the rights to the technology to Branson and donated the the ship to the Smithsonian Institution, managing to turn a profit on his investment.

Allen is now backing an even more ambitious effort, Stratolaunch Systems. The company is building a massive carrier aircraft that will air-launch satellites into space. His primary partner in the venture is Scaled Composites, the same company that built SpaceShipOne.

Jeff Bezos is the most secretive billionaire space investor on the list. Despite becoming much more open over the past year, we still don’t know all that much about Blue Origin, which is developing crewed suborbital and orbital spacecraft. It would be interesting to know how much the project has cost, and how much Bezos has invested personally.

Google Co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and Chairman Eric Schmidt have backed a private race to the moon through the $30 million Google Lunar X Prize. Twenty-three teams around the world are competing to land a rover on the moon and travel 500 meters by the end of 2015 to win the competition.

Page and Schmidt are backing a new venture, Planetary Resources, that aims to mine asteroids for profit. They are joined in that effort by H. Ross Perot, Jr., whose more famous father once ran for President.

Brin has put a $5 million down payment on a future space flight with Space Adventures, the company that has seven seven tourists to ISS. No flight has been scheduled yet.

Blue Origin successfully fires the thrust chamber assembly for its new 100,000 pound thrust BE-3 liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of the company’s Reusable Booster System (RBS), the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped Space Vehicle the company is developing in collaboration with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Meanwhile, NASA and Blue Origin signed an agreement last week to extend their Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) partnership in an unfunded capacity. Between now and mid-2014, the company will continue to advance subsystems for its biconic-shaped spacecraft. The company also will test fire its liquid-oxygen and liquid-hydrogen fueled BE-3 engines at its West Texas Launch Site. This CCDev2 extension will allow NASA to provide expert feedback to Blue Origin as the company works through additional milestones.

With touchdown 1,630 feet from the launch pad, Blue Origin completed a successful test of its Crew Capsule escape system. (Credit: Blue Origin)

Florida Today reports that Blue Origin is also interested in operating out of the launch complex that Florida officials want to build at the north end of the Kennedy Space Center.

Blue Origin, backed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, says Space Florida’s proposed “Shiloh” site would be a good fit for tests of a reusable booster and eventual launches of cargo and crews to orbit.

“Blue Origin is keenly interested in conducting orbital launch operations at the Shiloh facility,” the company said in response to state request for information from interested launch providers.

Blue Origin was the only company to respond in writing to the state’s request by a deadline last month.

However, Space Florida says it has held discussions with SpaceX and at least one other firm it has not identified.

Space Florida asked NASA to cede title to 150 acres of land that include the former citrus community of Shiloh so the state can develop a private launch complex. NASA has denied the request, but the space agency is working with Florida officials on alternatives arrangements operating on the land.

SpaceX wants to establish a private launch facility to supplement flights it make from the government-owned Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Vandenberg Air Force Base. The Shiloh site would be outside the U.S. Air Force-run Eastern Test Range, where SpaceX’s flights are subject to being bumped for high priority national security launches.

During a pre-flight briefing for the Falcon 9 launch scheduled for Friday morning, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said the company is still looking at multiple sites and has not yet made any decisions on where to locate.

SpaceX is reportedly looking at sites in Texas, Georgia, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. SpaceX has requested that an environmental impact assessment be conducted on the Texas site, which is located south of Brownsville.

Read the full story.

NASA Commercial Crew Briefing

Participants

• Phil McAlister, NASA Commercial Spaceflight Development director
• Ed Mango, NASA Commercial Crew Program manager
• Rob Meyerson, Blue Origin president and program manager
• John Mulholland, The Boeing Co. Commercial Programs Space Exploration vice president and program manager
• Mark Sirangelo, Sierra Nevada Corp vice president and SNC Space Systems chairman
• Garrett Reisman, Space Exploration Technologies Commercial Crew project manager

Phil McAlister
NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager

• Partnerships are very difficult – public private partnerships – makes challenges even greater
• These partnerships going very well
• NASA’s role is to facilitating the development – not do the development
• $1.5 billion awarded so far….
  • CCDev 1: $50 million
  • CCDev 2: $315 million
  • CCiCAP: $1.1 Billion
  • Certification: $29.6 million
• McAlister goes through the various cooperative activities being undertaken, including technical meetings, reimburseable Space Act Agreements, etc.
• Close to 50 Space Act Agreements just with commercial crew partners – allows them to use NASA facilities and benefit from NASA expertise and experience

Rob Meyerson
Blue Origin President and Program Manager

• Significant Accomplishments under CCDev 2
• Incremental development plan focused on re-useability
• Vertical landings work best for design
• Start with suborbital to prove out technologies for orbital
• Considerable investment in facilities in Kent, Washington and West Texas
• Vehicle manufacturing capability at Kent facility
• Strong and growing company that is hiring
• Suborbital activities are now in flight testing
• Successful pad escape test in October
• Began development of orbital space vehicles under CCDev 2
• Biconic capsule – 4 to 7 astronauts
• 22,000 pounds with crew on board
• ULA partnership as well as working on own launch vehicle
• 2-stage launch vehicle – reusable first stage and expendable second stage
• Significant private investment from Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com CEO
• $3.7 million in CCDev 1 – composite pressure vessel
• $22 million in CCDev2 – refine and develop design for bioconic wind tunnel, aerodynamic testing and a lot of requirements refining
• pad escape test was final milestone
• B-3 engine test of liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen
• deep throttling, full reusable and restartable
• 100,000 lbf thrust at sea level
• did engine test at NASA Stennis
• NASA Stennis has unique facilities not available at West Texas facility
• Engine was fully designed and developed in house at Blue Origin
• Crew Capsule Pad Escape Test using pusher system
• Escape test conducted in October
• Will be used on New Shepard suborbital vehicle
• demonstrated system for use on orbital system as well
• Working with NASA to extend Space Act Agreement in an unfunded manner – will be working with space agency in the coming weeks on it….

John Mulholland
The Boeing Co. Commercial Programs Space Exploration vice president and program manager

• Two iterations of pressurized crew module – did testing on it
• Wind tunnel, propulsion systems, landing system and structures and mechanisms testings
• Large number of runs at Ames wind tunnel
• Early testing on an emergency detection system for Atlas V booster
• Cockpit design and layout
• Big goal of CCiCAP is maturing design
• Component PDRs followed by component CDRs later in the year
• First CCiCAP three milestones were accomplished on schedule
  • Integrated Systems Review
  • Production Design Review
  • Phase 1 Safety Review Board
  • CST-100 Interior Layout Evaluation
• “Our partnership with Mission Operations I can’t understate that.”
• Mission ops partnership really critical in bringing in that expertise
• Partnership with Space Florida on the use of the old Orbital Processing Facility
• Outstanding work by Space Florida– cleaned out building and starting on mods now – will hand over the keys this summer

Mark Sirangelo
Sierra Nevada Corp vice president and SNC Space Systems chairman

• “The development of this program has really been extraordinary.”
• Commercial crew is a well run program and making a great deal of progress
• We are moving forward really rapidly…
• 2012 was a “wonderful year” – enormous amount of passion involved
• We’ve gone from something conceptual to a full flight vehicle set for flight test soon
• Wind tunnel tests – Texas A & M and at NASA Langely and Marshall
• 7 NASA centers part of the program
• Dream Chaser Engineering Test Article was completed with captive carry over Memorial Day weekend in Colorado
• First flight tests in the first quarter of this year – autonomous flight tests

Garrett Reisman
Space Exploration Technologies Commercial Crew project manager

• SpaceX feels an urgency to get Americans back into space on U.S. made spacecraft – no more rides on Russian Soyuz
• Gone back and forth to ISS twice on cargo missions
• What do we need to do to modify Falcon 9 and Dragon for human flights
• Human spaceflight was the plan from the very beginning
• Launch Abort Design – Super Drago engine provide escape system
• Crew Systems Initial Design and Development – spacesuits, life support, launch pad mods, spacecraft interior design and testing
• Abort scenario analysis and other analysis
• CciCAP involves integrated design work, crew safety, certification activities and more
• Fly to ISS with a non-NASA crew by the end of 2015 if they complete all their milestones on time
• Completed four milestones before Christmas
• Merlin 1-D has completed qualification testing
• Next test is to test 9 of them together in a stage
• Year ends with Pad Abort Test at KSC in December – will take a Dragon and demonstration ability to get away from Falcon 9
• 3 more milestones in 2014
• end CCiCAP by doing an in-flight abort test

Phil McAlister
NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager

Discusses certification program — Phase 1 involved contracts to Boeing, Sierra Nevada Corporation and SpaceX

• Phase I of certification starts in about two weeks – January 22
• Phase II will begin in spring 2014 and conclude between 2015 and 2017
• Phase I contracts given to Boeing, Sierra Nevada Corporation and SpaceX
• Performance based approach – pay about 40 percent later this year and the bulk next year
• Phase I Certification Products Contract
• Four Product scope
  1. Alternate standards
  2. hazard analyses/reports
  3. verification and validation plan
  4. certification plan
• Encourage industry to look at different ways of meeting requirements
• Phase II Certification will include final design and certification, including design, manufacturing, testing, qualification, production and operations
• ISS is one destination, not the only destination – how to bring in FAA and other regulatory agencies in there with us
• If launched in U.S., then FAA must be involved
• Will issue an RFI for Phase II of certification in the next few weeks
• Draft RFP in the summer
• Final RFP in early Fall 2013
• Have contracts awarded in Spring 2014

Discusses scope of Commercial Crew Program

• 63 aerospace providers in 26 states involved in commercial crew
• 56 electoral districts
• partners and subcontractors across the nation
• The commercial crew program is national in scope.
• “My team is very energized”
• Seeing growth in the American spaceflight industry

Questions and Answers

Q: What about the budget?

McAlister:  Budget is going to be an extremely challenging thing – for everybody. We’re getting a better sense of the cost of these systems every month as the programs mature.

Q: Do you anticipate multiple awards in next phase?

Mango: Competition is key. Want more than one companies involved in phase 2. competition and innovation are key to the program.

Q: Update on engine anamoly on last Falcon 9 flight?

Reisman: had a team look at it that included SpaceX and NASA officials. Briefed to NASA on root cause before Christmas. Will provide details soon.

Q: Is there an on-ramp for future NASA funding for Blue Origin?

Meyerson: Yes. Possible with commercial crew or another program.

Q: Details on SpaceX non-NASA crew flight by end of 2015?

Reisman: Part of optional milestones in CciCAP agreement. First test flight of Dragon into space by mid 2015 and a flight to ISS by end of 2015. Minimum crew for these test flights. Prior to certification, so could not use NASA astronauts. Would be part of flight tests and final certification process.

Q: What is ratio of NASA support vs. total funding (private company funding)? To what extent can companies pick up slack if funding is cut?

McAlister: Would not answer that question because its proprietary.

Mango: Each dollar put in by company is one less dollar taxpayers have to spend.

McAlister: companies maintain ownership of vehicles and IPR.

Mulholland: Need to look at true market assessment at that time. Need to wait and look at the market emerging at that point.

Sirangelo: We’ve put considerable resources into the program. Program schedule would probably slip if NASA’s funding is cut.

Reisman: Human spaceflight is our reason for being. Didn’t want to go into all the permutations.

Q. Is Blue Origin interested in a Phase II certification contract?

Meyerson: Can’t really say until I see the draft RFP. A little too early to say.

Q. Details on Boeing’s 2016 orbital flight test?

Mulholland: 3 Day flight demonstration test in 2016. Part of optional milestones in CCiCAP agreement.

Q. When is next cargo Dragon launch to station?

Reisman: On track for March 1 launch. No issues that would delay things at this time.

Q. When is Boeing ready to cut metal?

Mulholland:  first piece of flight ready hardware will be delivered to former Orbiting Processing Facility in Florida in about five months.

Q: Does Sierra Nevada have plans for crewed test plan using suborbital flights?

Sirangelo: Dream Chaser is piloted and optionally piloted. Will do suborbital flight tests.

During recent public talks, Scaled Composites Founder Burt Rutan has bemoaned the lack of recent rocket development in the United States. After the initial burst of creativity in the 1950′s and 1960′s, decades went by with very few new rockets being developed. He has also pointed to Scaled Composites’ SpaceShipTwo, SpaceX’s Dragon and Stratolaunch Systems air-launch project (which he worked on for 20 years) as the only serious developments in the field at present.

My first thought was: Burt’s wrong. There’s a lot more going on than just that. Including developments just down the flight line in Mojave that he somehow fails to mention. And my second thought was: well, just how wrong is Burt, exactly?

A lot, it turns out.

Going through the voluminous Parabolic Arc archives, I discovered that we’re in the midst of a renaissance in rocketry and spacecraft development in the United States. The list of project under active development or already flying includes heavy-lift rockets, deep-space exploration craft, orbital taxis, private space stations, suborbital tourism and research vehicles, and dedicated nano-sat launchers.

Not all of these programs will succeed, of course, but if enough of them do, then the U.S. will once again have a vibrant and competitive launch industry. And the nation will have multiple options for sending humans to space, where there will be multiple destinations for them to visit.

The tables below show all the new projects that are either in active development or have reached flight in recent years.  If I’ve missed any, please let me know and I’ll add them to the tables.

UPDATES: Revised on Jan. 4 to include the X-37A spacecraft (Boeing/U.S. Air Force) and the P-18D suborbital launch vehicle (Garvey Spaceflight Corporation). Also updated information on the GOLauncher 1 (suborbital) and GOLauncher 2 (orbital) launch vehicles. Thanks to readers for the recommendations and additional information.

Revised on Jan. 5 to include commercial deep space programs now being planned.

Revised on Jan. 6 to include SpaceX Grasshopper.

HUMAN SPACECRAFT — ORBITAL AND BEYOND

NEW HUMAN SPACECRAFT
	Spacecraft & Booster	Builder(s) & Supporting Agency	Passengers/ Occupants	First Crewed Flight
	CST-100 – Atlas V	Boeing & ULA/NASA	7	2015 or 2016
	Dragon – Falcon 9	SpaceX/NASA	7	2015
	Dream Chaser – Atlas V	Sierra Nevada Corporation & ULA/NASA	7	2016
	Orion – Space Launch System	Lockheed Martin, Boeing & ATK/NASA	4	2021
	Orbital Vehicle — Atlas V (Later Blue Origin Reusable Rocket)	Blue Origin & ULA/NASA	7	Unknown
	BA330 Space Station	Bigelow Aerospace (with Boeing and SpaceX crew partnerships)	6	2016 or 2017

HUMAN SUBORBITAL

NEW HUMAN SUBORBITAL SPACECRAFT
	Spacecraft	Builder	Passengers & Crew	First Crewed Flight
	SpaceShipTwo	Scaled Composites	8	2013
	Lynx	XCOR Aerospace	2	2013
	Hyperion	Armadillo Aerospace & Space Adventures	2	Unknown
	New Shepard	Blue Origin	4	Unknown

ORBITAL SPACECRAFT — ROBOTIC

NEW ROBOTIC SPACECRAFT
	Spacecraft & Booster	Builder & Supporting Agency	Payload to ISS	First Flight
	Dragon – Falcon 9	SpaceX/NASA	6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) up-mass; 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) down-mass	2010
	Cygnus – Antares	Orbital Sciences Corporation/NASA	2,000 kg Standard 2,700 kg Enhanced	2013
	X-37B – Atlas V	Boeing & ULA/U.S. Air Force	Unknown	2010

LAUNCH VEHICLES

NEW LAUNCH VEHICLES — ORBITAL
	Booster	Builder(s) & Supporting Agency	Payload to LEO or SSO	Payload to GTO	First Flight(s)
Heavy Lift
	Space Launch System	Lockheed Martin, Boeing & ATK/NASA	70 MT & 130 MT		2017/2021
	Falcon Heavy	SpaceX	53 MT	12 MT (26,460 lbs.)	2013 or 2014
Medium Lift
	Falcon 9	SpaceX/NASA	13,150 kg (29,000 lbs.)	4,850 kg (10,692 lbs.)	2010
	Antares	Orbital Sciences Corporation/ NASA	5,000 kg (11,000 lbs.)		2013
	Stratolaunch	Scaled Composites, Dynetics & Orbital Sciences Corp.	6,100 kg (13,500 lbs.)		2016
	Athena Ic, IIc	ATK & Lockheed Martin	up to 1,712 kg (3,775 lbs.)		Unknown
Small, Nano and Micro Satellite Launchers
	Super Strypi (a.k.a., SPARK)	Aerojet, Sandia National Laboratories & University of Hawaii/DOD Office of Operationally Responsive Space	250 kg (550 lbs.)	N/A	2013
	LauncherOne	Virgin Galactic	225 kg (500 lbs.)	N/A	2016
	ALASA	Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Virgin Galactic, Northrop Grumman, Ventions LLC & Space Information Laboratories LLC/DARPA	45.4 kg 100 lbs.)	N/A	Unknown
	SWORDS	U.S. Army	25 kg (55 lbs.)	N/A	2013
	GOLauncher 2	Generation Orbit Launch Services & Space Propulsion Group	5 to 30 kg (11 to 66 lbs.)	N/A	2018
	Minimum Cost Launch System	Whittinghill Aerospace	Nanosats	N/A	Unknown
	Lynx	XCOR Aerospace	Microsats	N/A	2015 or 2016

SUBORBITAL LAUNCH VEHICLES

SUBORBITAL LAUNCH VEHICLES — NO CREW
	Booster	Builder(s)	Payloads	First Flight(s)
	STIG-A, STIG-B, STIG-III, STIG-V, STIG-VII	Armadillo Aerospace	Various	Various
	Xombie, Xogdor	Masten Space Systems	Various	Various
	P-18D	Garvey Spacecraft Corporation	CubeSats, Nanosats	2011
	Minimum Cost Launch Vehicle	Whittinghill Aerospace	Various	Unknown
	GOLauncher 1	Generation Orbit Launch Services & Space Propulsion Group	Up to 100 kg (220 lbs.)	2015
	Grasshopper	SpaceX	Test Vehicle	2012

BEYOND EARTH ORBIT

Commercial Lunar and Deep Space Programs
	Companies	Goal	Technology	Schedule
	Astrobotic, Team FREDNET, Team Jurban, Moon Express, Omega Envoy, Penn State Lunar Lion Team, Team Phoenicia, Team Stellar	Win $30 Million Google Lunar X Prize	Lunar landers and rovers	Prize expires Dec. 31, 2015
	Planetary Resources	Asteroid mining	Arkyd-100, Arkyd-200, Arkyd-300	2013 or 2014 (first launches)
	Space Adventures & Energia	Space tourism flight around the moon	Modified Soyuz transport	NLT January 2017
	Golden Spike Company	Human landings on moon	Lunar transportation architecture	2020

The British-born Patrick, who retired from NASA on May 31, served as mission specialist on STS-116 in 2006 and STS-130 in 2010, spending more than 26 days in space. He walked in space three times, playing a vital role in the installation of the Tranquility module and Cupola of the International Space Station.

“Nick is an extremely talented individual,” said then-NASA Chief Peggy Whitson upon Patrick’s retirement. “His engineering skills and expertise were a valuable contribution to our team, not only during his flights but in his work with future exploration programs as well. I am sure that his future contributions will be just as valuable.”

Patrick holds a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in Engineering from Cambridge University. Prior to his spaceflights, he led the team that designed the Orion spacecraft cockpit.

Nicholas J. M. Patrick (Ph.D., P.E.)
Official NASA Biography

PERSONAL DATA: Dr. Patrick was born in 1964 in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. He also considers London, England, and Rye, New York, to be his hometowns. He became a U.S. citizen in 1994. His mother, Gillian Patrick, lives in Connecticut; his father, Stewart Patrick, in California. He is married with three children. His recreational interests include flying, fixing and building things and reading to his children.

EDUCATION: Harrow School, London, England, 1978 to 1982
Bachelor of Arts in Engineering, University of Cambridge, England, 1986
Master of Arts in Engineering, University of Cambridge, England, 1990
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1990
Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1996

ORGANIZATIONS: Dr. Patrick is a registered Professional Engineer (Mechanical) and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

SPECIAL HONORS: Honorary Doctorate from Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK, 2011; JSC Center Director’s Discretionary Award for contributions to the user interface of the shuttle cockpit avionics upgrade, 2002; General Electric (GE) Aircraft Engines Development Program Project Award for contributions to inventory reduction, 1988; entrance scholarship (“Exhibition”) to the University of Cambridge, 1983. Dr. Patrick holds three patents in the areas of telerobotics, flight displays and integrated aircraft alerting systems.

EXPERIENCE: During his college years, Dr. Patrick spent his summers as a Civil Engineer, inspecting bridges in New York and Connecticut. After graduating from Cambridge, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked as an Engineer for the Aircraft Engines Division of GE. He then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was a Research Assistant in the Human-Machine Systems Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research interests included telerobotics, aviation psychology, decision theory and optimization. Upon completion of his Doctorate, Dr. Patrick joined Boeing’s Commercial Airplane Group in Seattle, Washington, where he worked in Flight Deck Engineering as a Systems and Human-Factors engineer on many of Boeing’s commercial aircraft models.

Dr. Patrick learned to fly as a member of the Royal Air Force’s Volunteer Reserve while attending Cambridge University. After moving to the United States, Dr. Patrick continued flying, becoming an instrument and multi-engine Flight Instructor. He has logged more than 2,300 hours as a pilot, in more than 20 types of airplanes and helicopters, and more than 800 hours as a Flight Instructor.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Dr. Patrick reported to the Johnson Space Center for astronaut training in 1998. When not in training for a spaceflight, Dr. Patrick worked in the Astronaut Office on the space shuttle cockpit avionics upgrade program, served as Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) in mission control for STS-123 and STS-124, led the team that defined the human systems integration requirements for the Orion capsule, worked on the design of the Orion cockpit, and served as the Flight Crew Representative to the Orion program.

Dr. Patrick logged 638 hours in space as a Mission Specialist on two International Space Station construction flights: STS-116 and STS-130. He logged more than 18 hours during three spacewalks on STS-130.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-116 Discovery (December 9 to December 22, 2006). The seven-member crew on this 12 day mission continued construction of the International Space Station outpost by adding the P5 truss segment and performing four spacewalks, one of which was added to allow the crew to coax and retract a stubborn solar panel to fold up like an accordion into its box. Discovery also delivered a new crew member and more than two tons of equipment and supplies to the station. Mission duration was 12 days, 20 hours and 45 minutes.

STS-130 Endeavour (February 8 to February 21, 2010) launched at night, carrying the International Space Station’s final permanent modules: Tranquility and Cupola. Tranquility (or Node 3) is now the life-support hub of the station, containing exercise, water recycling and environmental control systems, while the Cupola provides the largest set of windows ever to grace a spacecraft. These seven windows, arranged in a hemisphere, provide a spectacular and panoramic view of our planet and a direct view of station robotic operations. During the 13-day, 18-hour mission, Endeavour and her six-member crew traveled more than 5.7 million miles and completed 217 orbits of the Earth, touching down at night at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Blue Origin’s pusher escape system rockets the New Shepard crew capsule away from the launch pad. (Credit: Blue Origin)

KENT, Wash. (Blue Origin PR) – Blue Origin conducted a successful Pad Escape test last week at its West Texas launch site, firing its pusher escape motor and launching a full-scale suborbital Crew Capsule from a launch vehicle simulator. The Crew Capsule traveled to an altitude of 2,307 feet under active thrust vector control before descending safely by parachute to a soft landing 1,630 feet downrange.

Blue Origin’s novel pusher escape system has been designed and developed to allow full-envelope crew escape in the event of an emergency on ascent for its suborbital New Shepard system.  As part of an incremental development program, the results of this test will inform the design of the escape system for its orbital Space Vehicle. Traditional tractor escape systems are not compatible with reuse. Blue Origin’s pusher escape system is a key enabler of full-vehicle reusability, as well as improving the safety of human access to space.

The New Shepard Crew Capsule escaped to an altitude of 2,307 feet before deploying parachutes for a safe return. (Credit: Blue Origin)

“The first test of our suborbital Crew Capsule is a big step on the way to safe, affordable space travel,” said Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin. “This wouldn’t have been possible without NASA’s help, and the Blue Origin team worked hard and smart to design this system, build it, and pull off this test. Lots of smiles around here today. Gradatim Ferociter!”

Video of the test is available on the Blue Origin website.

Blue Origin is testing the pusher escape system in partnership with NASA under the Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program. As part of CCDev, Blue Origin earlier this year completed the System Requirements Review of its Space Vehicle, designed to provide safe, affordable transport of up to seven astronauts to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station, as well as a full-power test firing of the thrust chamber for its new 100,000 lbf BE-3 LOX/LH2 engine.

With touchdown 1,630 feet from the launch pad, Blue Origin completed a successful test of its Crew Capsule escape system. (Credit: Blue Origin)

About Blue Origin

Blue Origin, LLC (Blue Origin) is a private company developing vehicles and technologies to enable commercial human space transportation. Blue Origin has a long-term vision of greatly increasing the number of people that fly into space through low-cost, highly reliable commercial space transportation. For more information and a list of job openings, please visit us at www.blueorigin.com.

The test was part of Blue Origin’s work supporting its funded Space Act Agreement with NASA during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2). CCDev2 continues to bring spacecraft and launch vehicle designs forward to develop a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability that ultimately could become available for the government and other customers.

“Blue Origin continues to be extremely innovative as it develops a crew-capable vehicle for suborbital and orbital flights,” said Ed Mango, CCP manager. “We’re thrilled the company’s engine test fire was met with success.”

The test took place early this month on the E-1 test stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. Blue Origin engineers successfully completed the test by powering the thrust chamber to its full power level.

“We are very excited to have demonstrated a new class of high-performance hydrogen engines,” said Rob Meyerson, president and program manager of Blue Origin. “Access to the Stennis test facility and its talented operations team was instrumental in conducting full-power testing of this new thrust chamber.”

As part of CCDev2, Blue Origin also completed a system requirements review of its spacecraft. During the review, engineers and technical experts representing NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration and the company assessed the spacecraft’s ability to meet safety and mission requirements to low-Earth orbit. That review also included results from more than 100 wind tunnel tests of the vehicle’s aerodynamic design, stability during flight and cross-range maneuverability.

All of NASA’s industry partners, including Blue Origin, continue to meet their established milestones in developing commercial crew transportation capabilities.

While NASA works with U.S. industry partners to develop commercial spaceflight capabilities, the agency also is developing the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS), a crew capsule and heavy-lift rocket to provide an entirely new capability for human exploration. Designed to be flexible for launching spacecraft for crew and cargo missions, SLS and Orion will expand human presence beyond low Earth orbit and enable new missions of exploration into the solar system.

WASHINGTON (NASA PR) –

Recently, SpaceX completed their final milestone, a second crew accommodation trial. During this review, several NASA engineers and veteran astronauts evaluated a prototype crewed Dragon spacecraft to assess operational tasks and gather data to improve crew and passenger experiences. Also, Boeing recently completed hot fire testing of the orbital maneuvering and attitude control (OMAC) engines for its CST-100, which demonstrated successful performance of the thruster design at vacuum conditions.

SNC recently conducted a captive carry test of the Dream Chaser to evaluate compatibility with the carrier helicopter in preparation for future approach and landing tests. SNC also completed testing of the nose landing gear for their flight test vehicle. Blue Origin completed a ground fire test of their pusher escape rocket motor and thrust vector control system.

SNC, Blue Origin and Boeing plan to complete their CCDev2 agreements by the end of 2012. Each of these agreements has critical risk reduction milestones remaining, which will further mature their crew transportation system development.

Blue Origin will conduct a pusher escape pad test to simulate an escape from a booster on the launch pad, and they will complete a full throttle test on their full- scale thrust chamber assembly. SNC’s remaining milestone is an approach and landing free flight test of the Dream Chaser engineering test article. Boeing will complete a ground systems software preliminary design review.

NBC News

[UPDATE: Here's Alan's story]

The Wall Street Journal‘s intermittently reliable Andy Pasztor quotes “industry officials” as saying that Boeing and SpaceX “are expected” to receive full awards and that Sierra Nevada “seemed likely” to receive half an award for its Dream Chaser shuttle. Boyle acknowledged the story and Tweeted:

By the way, WSJ is reporting SpaceX and Boeing, and likely SNC. But our sources are “knowledgeable” as of today.

SpaceX has developed the Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule to carry seven astronauts to the International Space Station. Boeing is building the CST-100 spacecraft, which will launch on a modified Atlas V rocket built by United Launch Alliance. Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser will also launch on an Atlas V.

Many of the modifications required to human-rate the Atlas V would benefit both Boeing and Sierra Nevada. This approach would allow NASA to fund development of both space vehicles and the launch system.

Other competitors include ATK, Blue Origin and Excalibur Almaz.

We will post further updates as we get them.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Charles now tells me that NASA is likely to inform the companies of their decision on Thursday morning. There is usually a lag between that action and a public press conference.

UPDATE: NASA will publicly announce the winners on Friday morning.

Charles Lurio of The Lurio Report has emailed me saying that he has heard from a very reliable source that NASA will announce the next round of commercial crew funding on Thursday or Friday. This is no independent verification of this report.

NASA is expected to make two full awards and one half award under Space Act Agreements to mature commercial launch systems and their spacecraft to transport crews to the International Space Station. This phase would be followed by one during which NASA would procure services using more rigorous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contracting methods.

The competitors include:

• ATK Liberty
• Blue Origin Orbiter/ULA Atlas V
• Boeing CST-100/ULA Atlas V
• Excalibur Almaz
• Sierra Nevada Corporation Dream Chaser/ULA Atlas V
• SpaceX Dragon/Falcon 9

I had heard from a source during the NewSpace 2012 Conference that NASA’s announcement had been delayed from July because White House officials are not happy with one of the awards. It’s not clear precisely what that means, but speculation has focused on the possibility of ATK receiving an award for its Ares I-derived Liberty system.

Such a decision would complete the near total revival of NASA’s Constellation program, which the Obama Administration had attempted to cancel outright. After a Congressional push back, work has continued on the other elements of  Constellation — the deep-space Orion capsule and the heavy-lift Space Launch System.

Meanwhile, ATK has used the work it did on Constellation’s Ares I as the basis of a commercial launcher. Liberty’s first stage is a five-segment solid rocket motor derived from the system used on the space shuttle. It is topped with an Ariane 5 first stage. The capsule is a composite version of the deep-space Orion spacecraft that subcontractor Lockheed Martin is building for NASA.

An ATK award would anger many in the “NewSpace” community, who do not see the company as being very commercial and not impressed with the Liberty system. They will attribute such a decision to ATK’s lobbying efforts rather than the merits of its proposal.

I caution that this only speculation; there has been no confirmation.  It’s simply a possibility at this point.

CCDev milestones status, June 2012. (Credit: NASA)

NASA PR – NASA’s commercial crew partners continue to achieve exciting milestones as the Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2) Space Act Agreements enter their home stretch. Since the agreements were awarded in April 2011, the partners have achieved 48 of the 62 planned test, demonstration, and technical review milestone events. With the maturation of spacecraft and launch vehicle designs being accomplished under CCDev2, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is well positioned to move into the integrated capability design and testing phase. Awards for new Space Act Agreements are expected in July/August 2012.

An example of a recent significant CCDev2 accomplishment is the Boeing Company’s CST-100 parachute drop test. The company successfully completed the second of two tests that validated its parachute and latest landing airbag systems designs. During the test, a helicopter lifted the CST-100 crew capsule to 9,400 feet above the desert floor in Nevada, about a hundred miles north of Las Vegas. After the capsule was released, drogue parachutes immediately deployed to orient the capsule, followed by the three main parachutes. Airbags on the bottom of the capsule then inflated, and the capsule settled to a soft landing. This demonstrated how the CST-100 will be able to return crews from the International Space Station safely with land-based landings, simplifying crew recovery relative to water-based landings.

Blue Origin's pad escape capsule. (Credit: Blue Origin)

Another example of a recent CCDev2 milestone is Blue Origin’s “pusher” escape system test vehicle, which has now been assembled and shipped to the company’s test range near Van Horn, Texas. This is a significant milestone in preparation for Blue Origin’s pad escape flight test planned for later this summer. The pusher escape system protects crew in the event of a catastrophic failure of the launch vehicle, enabling the crew vehicle to carry the crew to safety. The upcoming test campaign will validate the system’s rocket motor and thrust vector control.