Human Space Exploration Update (January 1-12, 2018) Orion Test: NASA drops replica Orion spacecraft to test parachutes NASA demonstrated a simulated Orion capsule could successfully descend to Earth with a parachute failure if necessary. The test was carried out on Friday at the U.S. Army Proving Ground near Yuma, Arizona, following a drop from a U.S…. [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (January 1-12, 2018) Hotel on ISS: Russia’s plan to build a luxury hotel on the ISS A second copy of a Russian science and power module planned for launch to the International Space Station in the 2021-time frame could become a guest house for wealthy space adventurers. The price is estimated at $40… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (January 1-12, 2018) Jim Bridenstine: Nominations update: January 8, 2018 The White House included Jim Bridenstine, the Oklahoma congressman and former naval aviator, among those re-nominated to high level positions within the Trump administration. Bridenstine was nominated in 2017 to succeed Charles Bolden as NASA’s administrator. Bridenstine underwent a Senate confirmation hearing,… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (December 15, 2017) Trump policy directive makes moon NASA’s official goal for human exploration “After 45 years, it is time to return humans to the region of the moon even as we look toward Mars,” stated Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, president and CEO of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, who… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (August 14 – 30, 2017) New NASA Astronauts: Get to know NASA’s new astronaut class NASA welcomed seven men and five women to the start of two years of astronaut candidate training at the Johnson Space Center, home to the astronaut corps and Mission Control. Learn more about these 12 men and… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (August 14-30, 2017) Dream Chaser Update: Dream Chaser prepares for captive carry test; completes runway tow tests Sierra Nevada’s mini Dream Chaser space plane is preparing for helicopter borne captive carry tests, following a series of runway tow tests at Edwards Air Base, California, earlier this month. The uncrewed Dream Chaser is one… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (August 14-30, 2017) Orion “Power Up”: NASA powers up spacecraft that could one day carry humans to Mars Orion, the human spacecraft that Lockheed Martin is developing for future NASA missions of human deep space exploration, was powered up in its latest configuration on Tuesday at the Kennedy Space Center. The capsule is… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (August 14-30, 2017) Honoring Peggy Whitson: NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson honored by ‘Makers’ as trailblazing woman in space (video) Astronaut Peggy Whitson has been honored by a trail blazing group of women called “Makers.” A biochemist, Whitson has commanded the International Space Station twice in three long duration missions to the orbiting science… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (July 10-28, 2017) US-Russian, Space and Sanctions: Russia sanctions bill clears Congress NASA activities with Russia and space launches conducted for NASA are exempted from Senate legislation imposing sanctions against Russia. The measure matches legislation approved by the House. The legislation, if signed by the president, will impose sanctions against Russian individuals… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (July 10-28, 2017) Commercial Crew Progress: NASA and companies express growing confidence in commercial crew schedules The latest scheduling from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and its contract partners Boeing and SpaceX shows both companies conducting uncrewed and crewed test flights in 2018. If the planning holds, the U.S. would be launching astronauts into… [Continue Reading]