Tourist Blasted Off

The latest space tourist launched to the ISS on Saturday, if you didn't know.

SpaceDev to Luanch DreamChaser on Atlas V

SpaceDev and the ULA have a MOU on using the Atlas V to launch the DreamChaser vehicle into orbit.

They hope to launch NASA astronauts to the ISS. NASA does not have an agreement with SpaceDev but they welcomes SpaceDev.

Bigelow Aerospace News

Lots coming out of Bigelow this week:

Channel 8 News in Las Vegas has a summary of Bigelow's past and future getting ready for the launch of Genesis 2.

Bigelow has released his business plan and in 2012 four weeks in orbit will cost $14.9 million. This includes transportation and represents a significant price decrease from the $20 million space tourists has reportedly paid Space Adventures for stays on the ISS.

Aviation Week has more details on his business plan to build three orbital stations to lease out to governments, private companies, or whoever.

Rocketplane/Kistler Redesigns K-1 for ISS Delivery

Rocketplane/Kistler is redesigning their K-1 cargo module to support ISS delivery for COTS.

Venture Capital Firms Looking to Invest in New Space

Venture Capitalist are looking to invest in new space start-ups, trying to out-angel the angle investors. Go guys!

US to Share Missile Defense with Russia

To ease tensions over missile defense with Russia, the US is proposing to share the shield with Moscow.

New Mexico Spaceport Vote is Done

The resents of Dona Ana County voted on a gross receipts tax to support the proposed Spaceport America in New Mexico. With nearly 90 percent of precincts reporting, unofficial results from the county’s bureau of elections showed 51.5 percent of voters in favor of the tax increase and 48.5 percent against it.

New Space 2007

New Space 2007 is coming to Washington, D.C. this July.

Vietnam Creates Space Technology Insitute

Vietnam has created a Space Technology Institute to develop satellite technologies, equipment, remote sensing technology and application, and space dynamics.

Next ISS Tourist about to Go

Charles Simonyi will blast off in the 3rd seat of the Expedition 15 crew to the International Space Station this Saturday, April 7. He is the 4th space tourist sent up by Virginia based Space Adventures. Good luck Charles!

Clark Lindsey Questions the Odds-makers at NASA

Clark Lindsey has some issues with the "risk" that is COTS and the "sure thing" that is Ares/Orion. He makes good points, although I think Griffin was talking about whether the COTS vehicles are going to make it at all.

Truth be told, I don't think Mike Griffin doubts that COTS is a better program, but he is in a situation where he is trying to get NASA as far as he can without getting fired for stepping on some toes making too many changes.

I still agree with Clark, though, when it comes right down to it.

China Develops Moon Rover

China has developed a nuclear powered rover for it's first unmanned Moon mission in 2012.

Scotty's Ashes Going Up

UP Aerospace is set to launch Scotty (James Doohan) into space from New Mexico later this month.

"I can't give you any more captain." May you go were no man has gone before.

NASA Reduces Astronaut Height Limits

With the move toward the Orion capsule, NASA is reducing the size of astronauts for the coming years. The limits haven't been settled yet, but the previous limits were 4 feet, 10½ to 6 feet, 4 inches.

SpaceDev Releases Earnings Report

Earnings Report:

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, SpaceDev's revenue was approximately $32.6 million, an increase of 250%, compared to approximately $9.0 million for 2005. The increase in revenue was due primarily to the acquisition of Starsys in January 2006; Starsys generated revenues from February 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 of approximately $21.4 million, excluding approximately $300,000 of inter-company sales.

SpaceDevs posted a lost of $0.05 a share, down from a gain of $0.01 a share last year. However, revenue growth is continuing to rise with the acquisition of the Starsys Research Corporation.

NASA and the ESA Sign an Agreement to Provide Network Support

NASA and the ESA have signed a "Network and Operations Cross-support" agreement to supply each other with various operation support, including satellite tracking, spacecraft navigation, and mission operations.

I hope some kind of communication standards come out of it.

ESA to Simulate Mars Mission

The ESA is sending a crew of six to Russia to study the effects of a long term Mars mission.

NPR's View on Spaceport America

Here is an NPR report on the vote on a tax hike for Spaceport America in New Mexico. It has their usual "unbiased view." (that's sarcasm if you didn't know. -djs)

Close Call with 1 Mile Asteroid

A 1 mile asteroid is making a flyby of Earth Friday night at about 2 million miles. That is thankfully farther out than the Moon. 2006 VV2, is about 2 kilometers wide but has no chance of hitting the Earth.

Open Source Satellite OS

The ESA is developing an open source operating systems for satellites called the "Space Craft Operating System" or SCOS-2000