Editorials

“Space Settling for Less” : ULA Dismissal Underscores the High Costs of Low Expectations

“Space Settling for Less” : ULA Dismissal Underscores the High Costs of Low Expectations

Editorial: It is has not been a particularly good week for United Launch Alliance, and especially for now former VP of Engineering Brett Tobey, who resigned after making a number of controversial comments during a speech at the University of Colorado-Boulder. The story has unfolded in a flurry of articles in Space News, which on […]

SpaceX, ULA and the Delta IV

SpaceX, ULA and the Delta IV

Delta Heavy / Image Credit United Launch Alliance An Innerspace Editorial: In what seems to be becoming something of an annual affair, it was SpaceX versus United Launch Alliance Round earlier this week in Washington D.C. Last year, SpaceX’s Elon Musk and ULA’s Michael Gass squared off against each other in a highly contentious Senate […]

Leonard Nimoy, Spock and the Rationale for Space Exploration

Leonard Nimoy, Spock and the Rationale for Space Exploration

Some personal thoughts on the passing of Leonard Nimoy When news of Leonard Nimoy’s death broke on February 27th, it set off an avalanche of messages on social media mourning the loss of a man who at times struggled to separate himself from the role which defined his public perception. Yet for many who responded […]

Air Force New Engine RFI Ignores Reusability

Air Force New Engine RFI Ignores Reusability

Image Credit: SpaceX Innerspace Commentary: On Wednesday, United Launch Alliance took delivery of two more Russian built RD-180 rocket engines destined for the Atlas V. They were delivered to Huntsville, Al. aboard an Antonov cargo plane in a depressingly routine procedure. Curiously, even though Congress is in recess, none of the Alabama delegation; Mo Brooks, […]

Posted in: Editorials, EELV
SpaceX, the Air Force and Mediation

SpaceX, the Air Force and Mediation

Late last week, SpaceX’s lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force regarding the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program took a bit of a surprising turn when Federal Judge Susan Braden ordered both parties to enter into mediation. While the Judge has not ruled on a previous motion to dismiss filed by the Air Force, she did […]

Posted in: Editorials, SpaceX
SpaceX, OSC and a Window Into the Future

SpaceX, OSC and a Window Into the Future

Image Credit: SpaceX The timing of course, was ultimately a matter of co-incidence driven by weather and mechanical issues, but the back to back launches of the OSC Antares with a Cygnus re-supply ship, and the SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying the first Orbcomm OG-2 mission happen to highlight the stunning progress which has been wrought […]

An Update on Europe’s Ariane Conumdrum

An Update on Europe’s Ariane Conumdrum

Artists concept of the Ariane VI Two related items in Space News point to the growing conundrum facing Arianespace as it attempts to devise a strategy for combating the emergence of SpaceX and the Falcon 9. After repeatedly downplaying any impact from SpaceX (and generally dissing the company, its rocket and its founder) during much of […]

Ukraine Crisis Highlights America’s Propulsion Problem

Ukraine Crisis Highlights America’s Propulsion Problem

An Innerspace Editorial On Wednesday, March 5th, Elon Musk is scheduled to appear before the Defense Sub-committee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for a hearing concerning national security space.  Also on the panel will be Scott Pace, head of George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, and Christina Chaplain of the Government Accountability Office.  The hottest […]

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