Orion Program Update (March): http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/orion_monthly_newsletter_03-2016b.pdf Orion Acoustic Testing: Turn up the bass! Orion Service Module to begin acoustic testing at Plum Brook Station Monday will mark the start of a rigorous round of acoustic testing for the Orion capsule’s European Space Agency provided service module at NASA’s Glenn Research Center Plumbrook Station. The service module… [Continue Reading]
Expandable Crew Module: Expandable crew module attached to space station The Bigelow Expandable Activities Module delivered to the International Space Station last week on the most recent U.S. commercial re-supply mission was removed from the freighter early Saturday morning using Canadian robot arm operations and attached to the orbiting lab’s Tranquility module. The prototype module… [Continue Reading]
Launch Support Upgrades at KSC: NASA trumpets milestone in potential Mars travel: System reviews NASA announced new strides in the agency’s efforts with key contractors to develop the ground systems at the Kennedy Space Center to support future Space Launch System exploration vehicle launches of the Orion space capsule with astronauts on mission of deep… [Continue Reading]
China to Beat US Back to Moon: China’s first visit to the moon with its astronauts could come within a decade, according to the report that examines assessments from U.S. lunar expert Paul Spudis, author of a new book, The Value of the Moon: How to Explore, Live, and Prosper in Space Using the Moon’s Resources…. [Continue Reading]
Crewed Missions to ISS in 2017: Human space flight from Florida next year ‘realistic,’ experts say Boeing and SpaceX, partners in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, appear ready to resume human launches from Central Florida by the end of next year. Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s Dragon crewed vehicle will transport international astronaut crews to the… [Continue Reading]
Orion Supports Deep Space Exploration: Moon or Mars? Lockheed preps Orion for deep space adventure Orion, the new human spacecraft NASA is developing with Lockheed Martin, will be capable of starting astronauts on deep space missions, whether their destination is the moon or Mars. Under NASA’s Journey to Mars plan, astronauts would first journey to… [Continue Reading]
ISS and Commercial Space: Commercial competition finding way onto ISS Aerospace Daily and Defense Report (4/11): Increasingly, commercial competition is making its way to the six-person International Space Station. Competitors Orbital ATK and SpaceX are providing access through their NASA resupply contracts. Made in Space, for instance, recently delivered the Additive Manufacturing Facility, a 3-D… [Continue Reading]
Stability is Message to Candidates from NASA Leadership: Bolden seeks stability for NASA in upcoming transition NASA Administrator Charles Bolden hopes the change that comes with a new U.S. presidential administration will not disrupt a current civil space policy focused on resuming human deep space exploration and a goal of reaching Mars with astronauts in… [Continue Reading]
Feb 15-19, 2016 Cygnus Resupply Mission Completed: Cygnus ending OA-4 mission at ISS with high praise and success Launched Dec. 6, Orbital ATK’s latest commercial resupply mission docked to the six-person International Space Station three days later, delivering more than 7,000 pounds of food, clothes and research equipment. The capsule departs the station early Friday,… [Continue Reading]
Feb 15-19, 2016 SLS Exploration Upper Stage: NASA moves to enforce early switch to EUS for SLS Despite a reduction in spending for the Space Launch System in NASA’s proposed 2017 budget, space agency engineers are looking at an upgrade of the exploration rocket’s second stage for Exploration Mission-2, the first piloted test flight of… [Continue Reading]