Image Credit : Bigelow Aerospace In many ways, the promise being offered by SpaceX in lowering the cost of access to orbital space is only one part of a much larger image, one which we are still waiting to see come in to focus. Standing every bit as critical to remaining in space, as the […]
NASA released this statement on Friday, following SpaceX’s introduction of the Dragon V2 on Thursday evening. The last line, “NASA intends that U.S. providers market and use their systems for other customers” is somewhat interesting. Although marketability to other customers has been an inherent part of the Commercial Crew program from the very beginning, its […]
Some good news regarding ISS comes up in a Spacepolicyonline report of a briefing yesterday provided by Bill Gerstenmaier, Head of NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations(HEO) Mission Directorate to a NASA Advisory Council Subcommittee. In looking ahead to what comes after ISS, Gerstenmair observed: ““I don’t think there’ll be another government-sponsored space station.”” Instead, “He […]
From SNC Press release yesterday: Sparks, NV – August 22, 2013 – Today Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Dream Chaser® spacecraft successfully completed a full-scale captive-carry test. The test in which the Dream Chaser was carried under an Erickson Air-Crane helicopter was conducted at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif. The captive-carry test was […]
Inspiration Mars made a presentation to the Future In Space Working Group on Wednesday, and wasted little time in dispelling reports that NASA is applying heavy pressure to select the Space Launch System as the launch vehicle. The presentation, complete with audio, can be found here, and it is certainly worth a listen. What emerges is a refreshing […]
One of the many innovative features of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft resupplying the International Space Station is the fact that it can haul a wide variety of un-pressurized cargo in the disposable trunk section mounted behind the craft’s heat shield, where it also serves as the mounting platform for the solar array. The trunk, which […]
When President Bush introduced the Vision for Space exploration 9 years ago, long term prospects for the International Space Station suddenly didn’t look so good. As it turned out, ISS ultimately survived VSE and Project Constellation, with much of the American section of the station’s scientific research handed over to CASIS, the Center for the Advancement of Science, which manages it as a U.S. […]
At a press conference held in Bigelow Aerospace headquarters, NASA Deputy administrator Lori Garver and Bigelow founder and chairman Robert Bigelow formally announced the partnership arrangement revealed last week by SpaceNews, one which had been in the works for nearly 2 years. Under the terms, NASA will pay Bigelow $17.8 million for a two-year test of its BEAM, Bigelow Expanded Activity Module, […]
Space.com is reporting that NASA and Bigelow Aerospace have reached an agreement which will allow the North Las Vegas company to fly its proposed BEAM, Bigelow Aerospace Expanded Module to the International Space Station, where it would to provide extra storage space, similar to that provided by the Permanent Multi Purpose Logistics Module. Assuming the agreement, which is […]
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