Seattle, WA – 8 August 2012 (Spaceflight PR) — Spaceflight Inc. (Spaceflight) announced today that the USAF Space Development and Test Directorate has exercised a contract option to launch the Kestrel Eye 1 imaging nano-spacecraft on a commercial launch in 2013.
The United States Air Force’s Space Development and Test Directorate previously contracted with Spaceflight to evaluate commercial launch options for the STP Satellite-3 (STPSat-3) and Kestrel Eye 1 Tactical Imaging Spacecraft (Kestrel Eye) spacecraft. After the conclusion of this feasibility study the Space Development and Test Directorate exercised a contract option to procure commercial launch services for the Kestrel Eye 1 spacecraft.
The X-37B after its first mission in December 2010. (Credit: USAF)
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — June 16, 2012 — (USAF PR) – The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), the Air Force’s unmanned, reusable space plane, landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 5:48 a.m. (PDT) June 16.
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.
Seattle, WA – April 30, 2012 — Spaceflight Inc. (Spaceflight) announced today that it has signed a contract with the USAF Space Development and Test Directorate to fly up to two government spacecraft on commercial launch vehicles.
The United States Air Force’s Space Development and Test Directorate has contracted with Spaceflight to evaluate commercial launch options for, and potentially conduct commercial launch and orbit insertion operations of, the STP Satellite-3 (STPSat-3) and Kestrel Eye Tactical Imaging Spacecraft (Kestrel Eye) spacecraft.
SPACEX PR — Hawthorne, CA — Today Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) welcomed the release of the detailed criteria the U.S. Air Force will use to certify new companies to provide launches for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.
“We very much appreciate the steps the Air Force is taking to ensure fair and open competition,” said Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. “This is a complex process and the Air Force is doing the right thing for both the American taxpayer and those whose lives are at risk in the field.”
USAF PR & FBO NOTICE — LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The Space and Missile Systems Center here announced Nov. 7 the publication of a guide that will allow commercial launch providers to compete for future launch service opportunities.
Formally called the United States Air Force Launch Services New Entrant Certification Guide (NECG), the document lays out the approach the Air Force will use to certify commercial launch companies to provide launch services for Department of Defense National Security Space missions.
SMC will hold an Industry Day to discuss the NECG on:
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011
Gordon Conference Center (GCC), Area 2, Building 270, 1st floor
200 North Douglas Street
El Segundo, CA 90245-2808
We will hold group general sessions from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM to present overview information about the NECG. Contractors may request optional thirty minute breakout Q&A sessions to further discuss the topic of the day, which will begin at 2:00 PM between company and government representatives.
A couple of slides from a NASA presentation made during last month’s FAA commercial space conference. The above slide shows the overall propulsion plan for the next 25 years. Note the image of the USAF’s Reusable Booster System which has a 2025 deployment. The service would phase out use of the existing EELVs (Delta IV and Atlas V) by 2030.
Below is the National Hypersonic Plan Access-to-Space Roadmap, which covers the next 15 years. Now, the very existence of an actual plan is probably a surprise to anyone who’s tried to follow America’s various and seemingly disconnected hypersonic projects. But, I digress.
The one thing that strikes me is the sheer scope of the technology that needs to be developed. It’s a complicated endeavor that will take quite a bit of time and funds. I always roll my eyes when I hear people talk about how large commercial passenger transports winging their way between London and Sydney in 45 minutes are not that far away. There’s a lot of work to do.
Seattle, WA – 8 August 2012 (Spaceflight PR) — Spaceflight Inc. (Spaceflight) announced today that the USAF Space Development and Test Directorate has exercised a contract option to launch the Kestrel Eye 1 imaging nano-spacecraft on a commercial launch in 2013.
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