NASA Kennedy Space Center has transformed from a government-only launch complex to the nation’s multi-user spaceport, as set forth in the KSC Master Plan. NASA KSC’s multi-user spaceport strategy leverages KSC’s unique location, land resources, and infrastructure to achieve agency programmatic objectives while also providing opportunities for the development of capabilities and assets for commercial… [Continue Reading]
by Paul Brinkmann — May 4, 2018 Monday’s scheduled launch of SpaceX’s newest version of the Falcon 9 rocket is another big deal in the development of space exploration. It will be the first launch of the Block 5, a significant leap forward in rocket re-usability. The Block 5 is designed to fly 12 times without much work… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (January 1-12, 2018) Lunar Exploration: Op-ed | Next stop: the moon Leaders of the recently created Moon Village Association, based in Vienna, suggest the association can serve as an effective non-governmental forum for government, industry, academia and the public in establishing a global strategy for coordinating future lunar surface activities. China Moon Program… [Continue Reading]
Human Space Exploration Update (January 1-12, 2018) Starliner Update: Boeing CST-100 Starliner one step closer to flight with completion of DCR Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner has cleared the Atlas V Launch Segment Design Certification Review portion of its partnership agreement under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Later this year, the four person Boeing spacecraft is to undergo uncrewed,… [Continue Reading]
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]