Commercial Space Transportation

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, then crewed orbital test flights. With success, the Starliner is to be certified to begin transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

Dream Chaser Update:  Sierra Nevada clears Dream Chaser test milestone  Sierra Nevada Corp has completed a final contract milestone in efforts initiated in 2012 to develop a crewed version of Dream Chaser. The achievement unfolded on November 11 as the winged, reusable spacecraft was dropped from a helicopter at 3,750 feet and glided to a landing 60 seconds later at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The company is currently working under contract to NASA on a cargo version of Dream Chaser that is to begin resupply missions to and from the Space Station in 2019.

SpaceX Cargo Resupply Mission to ISS:  Recycled SpaceX Dragon capsule makes 2nd delivery to Space Station  NASA’s latest contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station arrived with 4,800 pounds of supplies for the six-member crew, as well as science experiments and technology demonstrations. SpaceX’s 13th contracted cargo mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

SpaceX Dragon Update: SpaceX leases Cape Canaveral home for Crew Dragon  SpaceX has leased a previous satellite processing facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, where it will prepare its crewed Dragon capsules for launches to the International Space Station with astronauts.  (See also: SpaceX delays commercial crew test flights to latter half of 2018)

Citizens for Space Exploration – a pro-space, taxpayer, grassroots advocacy group (http://www.bayareahouston.com/content/c_s_e/c_s_e) – has traveled to Washington, D.C. the past 24 years to meet face-to-face with Members/staff of Congress to discuss the value of America’s investment in space exploration. In order to sustain that dialogue on a regular basis, Citizens distributes “Space Exploration Update” to Congressional offices on a weekly basis. The intent is to provide an easy, quick way to stay abreast of key human space exploration program and policy developments.