SpaceX could add 100 jobs: Successful launch of untested rocket on Cape may boost business
Florida Today
“A successful launch could mean more than 100 additional jobs in the space industry, which is threatened by the end of the shuttle program.
“But success isn’t guaranteed. SpaceX’s smaller, single-engine rocket racked up three failed launches before a fourth launch attempt reached orbit from an island in the Pacific. SpaceX, however, hopes for immediate success with the larger rocket, which uses technologies refined from the four launches of the smaller version…”
“Started with a $100 million investment from Internet tycoon Elon Musk, SpaceX has attracted the $278 million in NASA funding and at least $20 million in private investment, as well as payments for cargo on some of its failed flights.”
SPACE FLORIDA PRESS RELEASE
Space Florida is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Mark Bontrager as vice president of spaceport operations for the growing aerospace economic development organization.
In this role, Mark will lead the development of the organization’s spaceport holdings. Specifically, he will serve as a key resource in the development of Launch Complex 36, two multi-vehicle launch pads located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Earlier this year, the U.S. Air Force announced a formal intent to lease the complex to Space Florida for build out of a commercial pad by the end of 2010.
Continue reading ‘Space Florida Appoints MilSpace Vet as VP of Spaceport Ops’
There is sufficient capacity in the insurance market to cover both government and commercial launches, although any failures could drive up costs and cause insurers to reduce or eliminate coverage.
That is the main conclusion of a review done by the firm Willis Inspace. The company’s senior vice president, Raymond F. Duffy Jr. , presented the conclusions to the FAA’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) on October 30. The conclusions included:
Continue reading ‘Report: Liability Coverage Sufficient for Government, Commercial Launches’
NASA turns to the private sector as China flexes new space muscles
Will Pomerantz
Venture Beat
“It’s tempting to look at the situation — especially in the context of global economic conditions — and paint a picture of NASA in decline before an ascendant China. To do so, however, would be to neglect an important shift –- NASA’s new reliance on a growing private sector.
“Private spaceflight is booming. Just look at the Ansari X PRIZE winning flights of SpaceShipOne, the subsequent rollout of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo system, and the initial flight of Falcon 1, a commercial orbital launch vehicle funded by PayPal founder Elon Musk. You might think, hey, isn’t Virgin a UK effort? It’s actually headquartered in the U.S., with the technology being designed, the vehicles manufactured, and the launch taking place all within domestic borders. And the trend looks to continue with the popularization of programs like Google’s Lunar X PRIZE, which promises to do for robotic exploration what the Ansari X PRIZE did for human spaceflight.”
An updates on Elon Musk, who is now trying to balance CEO commitments to both SpaceX and Tesla Motors, his electric car company. Facing a severe credit crunch that has cut off access to capital, Musk fired the previous CEO, laid off 87 Tesla employees, and delayed the launch of a battery-powered Model S sedan.
In an interview with The New York Times, Musk said he would have to cut back his time on SpaceX from about 70 percent to 50 percent so he could take over as Tesla CEO from Ze’ev Drori.
Continue reading ‘Musk Pulls Back on SpaceX Work, Lays off 25 Percent at Tesla as Cash Reserves Shrink’
SpaceDev agrees to be acquired
North County Times
Private space flight pioneer SpaceDev Inc. said Monday that it has agreed to be bought for $38 million, or 68 to 72 cents per share, by Sierra Nevada Corp., a privately held company based in Sparks, Nev.
The price represents a 42 percent to 50 percent premium to the average closing price of SpaceDev stock in the previous 30 trading days.
In over-the-counter trading Monday, SpaceDev shares closed at 42 cents, up 2 cents for the day. Announcement of the sale was made after markets closed.
Continue reading ‘SpaceDev Acquired by Sierra Nevada (the Prime Systems Integrator, Not the Beer Co.)’
Florida plans duty-free launches
Zone gives incentives to commercial rockets
Florida Today
“A launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is being licensed by the state of Florida as part of a larger plan to develop a duty-free trade zone to the International Space Station.
Working hand in hand with the Air Force, the state would rebuild Launch Complex 36 and make it available to multiple small- and medium-size rockets capable of carrying commercial payloads into low Earth orbit.”
NASA is talking with military officials about whether they could build a commercial launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The talks come after NASA’s original idea - putting it in the middle of a world-renowned national wildlife refuge - was roundly panned by the public.
Cape now gets look for new NASA launch complex
Florida Today
NASA still considering using wildlife refuge for private ventures
Orlando Sentinel
A bill exempting space tourism companies from liability if they injure or kill their customers sailed through the Florida Senate on Thursday without objection or debate, Florida Today reports.
The measure exempts businesses from lawsuits as long as customers sign a consent agreement recognizing the inherent dangers in space travel. The exemption would not apply in cases of gross negligence.
The Florida law is similar to one approved in Virginia, which is also hoping to attract commercial space tourism firms.
Although much money has been invested in start-up commercial space companies, the industry has yet to attract the mainstream venture capitalists who fueled the development of computers and the Internet, Investor’s Business Daily reports.
However, experts believe that the time isn’t too far off when venture capitalists will put serious money into the field.
“The investment community has very much a herd mentality, and what we need is a Netscape event,” said X-Prize founder Peter Diamandis, referring to the Internet pioneer’s initial public offering. “Until then, (this industry) will rely on private benefactors who are very passionate about space.”
National Space Society Executive Director George Whitesides, who also is a consultant for Virgin Galactic, agreed. “We’re at a dynamic moment in space history. We have a handful of very credible players who very soon will start launching things and people into space,” he said.
