Orion and Space Launch System

Deep Space Gateway:  https://www.nasa.gov/feature/deep-space-gateway-to-open-opportunities-for-distant-destinations Flying Crew on EM-1:  NASA’s study of adding crew to EM-1 is completed, awaiting response  NASA’s assessment of whether it can add astronauts to EM-1, the first joint test flight of the Space Launch System and Orion crew exploration capsule, is complete and has been briefed to the White House as… [Continue Reading]

International Space Station

Astronaut Breaks Record:  Astronaut Peggy Whitson breaks NASA record for most days in space  Veteran U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson broke the record of 534 days for most career time spent in space by a U.S. astronaut early Monday.  Whitson, who launched to the Station in late November, is not scheduled to return to Earth until… [Continue Reading]

FY17 and FY18 Budgets

NASA Fares Well:  A Republican favorite, NASA escapes Trump’s budget ax  NASA, a national engine for economic growth and innovation, has fared well in President Trump’s proposed 2018 budget for the fiscal year that begins October 1.  The $19.1 billion proposed for NASA, represents a less than one percent reduction, much less than proposed reductions… [Continue Reading]

Education Committee Update – April 2017

The 2017 Outstanding Young Adult scholarship award went to Alexis Armstrong.  Alexis attends Space Coast Jr/Sr High School and competed with 17 other students to win the $1000.00 award. The scholarship is sponsored by Community Credit Union and Jess Parrish Medical Foundation. Congratulations to Alexis! The Education Committee has selected October 3, 2017 to hold… [Continue Reading]

Titusville Area Visitors Council Update – March 2017

The TAVC is continuing projects to fulfill a Visit Florida grant.  A new seasonal insert for the vacation guide will be published in April; advertiser opportunities are available for committee members.  A Trade Show display has been acquired. Square specifications and checkout agreements will allow members to purchase a branded square or use the TAVC display at events, trade shows,… [Continue Reading]

Space Budgets, Policy, Missions, Benefits, International Updates

Keep Exploring:  Ex-NASA official at CU’s Conference on World Affairs: ‘We have to keep exploring’  Former NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman told the audience at the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Conference on World Affairs that space exploration must go forward.  “All of this exploring is not for the faint of heart,” explained Newman. “But… [Continue Reading]

Orion and Space Launch System

Orion and Space Launch System Senate Letter to President:  Hatch Urges Continued Support of Space Explorationin Letter to President Trump Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the senior Republican in the United States Senate, led 23 of his colleagues in a letter to President Trump highlighting the importance of space exploration infrastructure, including the SpaceLaunch System (SLS),… [Continue Reading]

International Space Station

Commercial Crew on Schedule for 2018:  Commercial Crew on tight but achievable timeline for crewed flights in 2018  Boeing and SpaceX are showing signs of achieving crewed test flights of their CST-100 Starliner and Dragon spacecapsules by the end of 2018. Both are developing systems to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station… [Continue Reading]

NASA Authorization Legislation

President Signs:  Trump touts bipartisanship of NASA reauthorization in weekly address  In a video address early Saturday, President Trump pointed to his signing of the 2017 NASA Transition Authorization Act last week as an effective example of Washington bipartisanship. The president said with the NASA Transition Authorization Act, “we renew our national commitment to NASA’s… [Continue Reading]

FY17 and FY18 Budgets

NASA Funding:  FY2018 budget may be topic A, but FY2017 still not settled Though Congress is soon to get more details from the Administration on the proposed 2018 budget, the White House and lawmakers must still come to terms on a spending plan for 2017. Unable to agree on a budget last year, lawmakers and… [Continue Reading]