Tag: COTS

Space Policy Goes to the Republican Convention

Space Policy Goes to the Republican Convention

Space is rarely an important topic during most presidential election, but at least this year it is being mentioned. Former astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a Space Shuttle mission is scheduled to speak on Wednesday evening. It will be interesting to see if her comments match the tone towards public/private partnerships the […]

Posted in: Space Policy
NASA / SpaceX Collaborative Partnership Offers Deep Space Opportunity

NASA / SpaceX Collaborative Partnership Offers Deep Space Opportunity

NASA announced four new, unfunded Space Act Agreements today as part of its Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities Initiative. The selection of SpaceX for “deep space” transportation capabilities is particularly intriguing, possibly indicating NASA is taking a speculative glance at the Falcon Heavy and the potential it offers. Big things can come from seemingly innocuous […]

Posted in: NASA, SpaceX
“Wastebook 2014” Takes Aim at the International Space Station

“Wastebook 2014” Takes Aim at the International Space Station

Earlier this week, retiring Senator Tom Coburn, (R) Oklahoma released the 2014 edition (pdf) of the “Wastebook” of public spending. As always the publication includes a cherry picked list of the various ways in which government “wastes” taxpayer dollars, much of which is difficult defend no matter what your political point of view. As usual, NASA […]

Posted in: NASA
NASA Announces New Collaborative Effort With Commercial Companies

NASA Announces New Collaborative Effort With Commercial Companies

While NASA is currently do doing very little to apply the successful contract approach of funded Space Acts Agreements the agency used to good effect in the COTS and CRS programs where its deep space plans are concerned, the agency is continuing to work around the edges with unfunded Space Act Agreements. Today, NASA announced […]

If I Like My Space Program, Can I Keep It?

If I Like My Space Program, Can I Keep It?

As with so much else, nobody really knows.  In the week which came between two launches towards the one destination almost everyone agrees is the ultimate goal of human spaceflight, at least at current technology levels, three press events shed a little light on the upcoming decision point facing the American space program.  First, the […]

Cygnus Departs, ATV to Follow; When Will We Find a Better Way to Take Out the Trash?

Cygnus Departs, ATV to Follow; When Will We Find a Better Way to Take Out the Trash?

At 6:31 AM CDT,  astronauts aboard the International Space Station released Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo vessel which has been berthed to the orbiting facility’s Harmony module for the last 23 days.  Having been filled with trash and sent on its way, the Cygnus will enter Earth’s upper atmosphere in a destructive re-entry on Wednesday.  With […]

Antares Conducts Flawless Launch on Way to ISS

Antares Conducts Flawless Launch on Way to ISS

Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares launch vehicle, carrying the Cygnus cargo vessel made an picture perfect liftoff this morning to mark the beginning of its COTS D1 Demonstration mission to the International Space Station.  With good weather and no issues, the two stage Antares blasted off at 10:58  A.M. EDT from Pad-0A  at  the Mid-Atlantic Regional […]

Orbital Set for Launch to ISS

Orbital Set for Launch to ISS

Orbital Sciences Corporation Press Release: ORBITAL SET TO LAUNCH COTS DEMONSTRATION MISSION TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION TOMORROW — Upcoming Mission Represents Final Milestone in the Development of Antares Launch Vehicle and Cygnus Cargo Logistics Spacecraft — (Dulles, VA 17 September 2013) – Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, […]

Lori Garver Departs NASA

Lori Garver Departs NASA

Aside from the launch of Japan’s HTV, it was supposed to be a fairly quiet week in the space arena. After endless bickering over a major budget differences, the U.S. Congress thankfully went on recess until September 9th,  leaving NASA to celebrate in relative peace the one year anniversary of the Mars Science Laboratory’s perilous […]

Posted in: NASA
NASA Seeks More Commercial Space Partnerships

NASA Seeks More Commercial Space Partnerships

A very interesting solicitation from NASA suggests the agency is sticking its toe in the water a little further  in incorporating commercial capabilities into its long-term plans.  Titled Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities, the NASA synopsis, which is calling for unfunded Space Act Agreements, begins with:   ” NASA encourages innovative and entrepreneurial efforts within the private sector to develop new space-related […]

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