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August
3, 2009
With Time Running Out, Panel has Plenty of
Info to Absorb
(Source: Huntsville Times)
A ticking clock might set up the next decade for NASA, said Norman Augustine,
head of a White House panel given three months to make recommendations to
President Barack Obama for the future of space travel. "We are here to
gather information and make recommendations," Augustine said. "We
have 34 days from today before our report has to be at the printers."
Augustine added that panel members have not "made up our minds about any
one area. We will offer recommendations only." (7/30)
NASA's Limited Budget Boxes-In Augustine Panel (Source: Space News)
A blue-ribbon panel under the gun to present options to the White House by
mid-August for a safe, affordable and innovative human spaceflight program
spent three days of public hearings grappling with budget realities that hem
in NASA's choices. "Unless additional money is added to the program,
there's a very tough tradeoff to be made," said Norman Augustine.
Sally Ride, the former astronaut who leads one of five panel subgroups,
caused a stir July 28 when she insisted that any options the panel presents
the White House in August for a sustainable human spaceflight program
incorporate two key assumptions: that NASA will need to keep flying the space
shuttle through at least March 2011 in order to complete its seven remaining
missions, and that the Space Station should remain in service –- and
supported by NASA –- through at least 2020.
Ride's recommendations, presented during the July 28 public meeting in
Houston, encountered opposition from fellow panelists concerned that the $10
billion to $15 billion cost of her proposal would lengthen NASA's confinement
to low Earth orbit. (8/1)
Augustine Update: Return to Moon Unlikely Before 2028 (Source: Orlando
Sentinel)
NASA's goal of putting astronauts back on the moon by 2020 is all but
impossible to achieve, a presidential panel was told Wednesday. An
independent study concluded there is little hope NASA could replicate anytime
soon what Apollo accomplished 40 years ago. And sources said an undisclosed
part of the study showed another moon shot won't happen before 2028 -- nearly
60 years after America's first moon landing.
"We can't see [the gap] closing," Gary Pulliam, an analyst with
Aerospace Corp., told a near-silent audience in Huntsville, Ala. A NASA
budget analyst, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not
authorized to speak on behalf of NASA or the committee, said American
astronauts have a remote chance of returning to the moon by 2028, although
another source close to the panel said 2035 was more likely. (7/30)
Sally Ride: Ares/Orion Launch Likely Delayed to 2017 (Source: Orlando
Sentinel)
Former astronaut Sally Ride told fellow members of Augustine Panel that she
did not expect that Constellation's Ares I rocket and Orion capsule could
complete a first mission into low-Earth orbit before 2017 -- two years after
its target date. A second estimate, calculated by Pulliam on Wednesday, was
even more pessimistic. Due to ongoing technical troubles and insufficient
funding, he said, Constellation's first mission could be delayed as many as
four years, to 2019. "It should not surprise anyone that problems
exist," he said. (7/30)
Major Shuttle and ISS Extension Drive at the Augustine Commission
(Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
With NASA authorization language already being drawn up behind the scenes by
Congress, Augustine Commission ISS/Shuttle subgroup lead Dr Sally Ride –
along with several key NASA and United Space Alliance (USA) managers – have
embarked on a major push to extend the shuttle program, linking the move with
the allowance for the International Space Station (ISS) to operate until
2020.
Efforts to extend the shuttle program past 2010 have been ongoing for over a
year, with the main concern relating to the ever-growing gap between the last
flight of the shuttle and the first operation flight of Orion via Ares I.
Problems with extending shuttle mainly relate to the need for additional
funding, with the current shuttle budget forecast to be handed over to the
Constellation Program (CxP) in 2010. Another problem relates to the skill
set, with thousands of layoffs already announced within the shuttle program –
most recently at JSC and KSC. Click here to view the entire
article. (7/28)
Longer Life for the Space Station Is Advised (Source: New York Times)
Members of the Augustine Panel said the life of the International Space
Station should be extended past its planned demise in 2016. “We think all the
options going forward should continue I.S.S. extension in some form,” said
Sally Ride. The shuttles can carry a far greater load into orbit than any
other rockets now in use, and can also bring heavy items back to the ground.
“We’re putting I.S.S. in a very fragile situation the moment we retire
shuttle,” Dr. Ride said.
Editor's Note: Here's another Florida hot-button. The state has
urged a bigger role for KSC in supporting the ISS "National
Laboratory" activities, including at the state-funded Space Life
Sciences Lab at KSC, which was developed specifically for ISS research
support. (7/31)
Presidential
Panel Ponders Shuttle Extension (Source: Florida Today)
A presidential panel is reviewing an option to extend the shuttle program
through 2014, significantly reducing an anticipated five-year gap in U.S.
human spaceflight. The option is one of three that the panel -- dubbed
presented during a public hearing in Texas. The other options: retire the
shuttle fleet as planned near the end of 2010; and add one additional shuttle
mission and keep flying the shuttle through 2012. Former NASA astronaut Sally
Ride said the option to extend shuttle flights through 2014 is "the most
realistic way to significantly reduce the gap" while taking advantage of
the full capabilities of the International Space Station. (7/28)
Ride:
With Ares I Delayed Until 2017, Let's Fly Shuttle (Source: Orlando
Sentinel)
Noting that she brought nothing but "doom and gloom," Sally Ride
told the Augustine Panel she did not expect NASA to launch its planned
replacement to the space shuttle before 2017 -- two years after its target
date. The delay would mean NASA would go at least six years without sending
astronauts into orbit, so Ride also suggested extending shuttle flights beyond
their retirement date of 2010 or 2011.
Ride, who was America's first female astronaut in space and one of 10 members
of a presidential committee studying America's manned space program, laid out
three options, one of which would add flights to the seven now scheduled and
keep the shuttle flying past 2012. She justified extending the shuttle
because "Constellation is likely to slip," citing ongoing financial
and technical problems.
Of her three proposals, the most ambitious would extend the shuttle era
through 2014, with one or two flights annually. But Ride said this idea only
would make sense if NASA scrapped Constellation and went with a new rocket
built largely from shuttle parts. (7/28)
Extending Shuttle Lifetime Raises Safety and Cost Issues (Source:
Orlando Sentinel)
Keeping the shuttle flying longer raises both safety and cost issues. Steve
Lindsey, chief of the astronaut office, testified Tuesday that astronauts
flying in the shuttle face a risk of dying comparable to troops landing at
D-Day, though engineers in the space community say the orbiter is far safer
than that. And the overhead for maintaining the shuttle fleet amounts to
about $2 billion a year, with each launch costing up to $500 million more.
One big reason Griffin had sought to retire the shuttle was to free up that
money for the Constellation program. Once the shuttle retires, KSC is
expected to shed as many as 7,000 jobs, said Lisa Rice, president of Brevard
Workforce Development Board. Worse, those job losses likely would ripple
through the Space Coast, causing three times as many pink slips in the
surrounding community, she said.
So when Ride mentioned the shuttle extension idea, it created a flicker of
hope. "We would absolutely love that," said Rice, who plans to
lobby the commission on Thursday when it visits KSC. "It helps us retain
a highly-skilled workforce that can be ready for that next generation of
space vehicle." (7/28)
Sen. Nelson Supports Shuttle Extension (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), in prepared comments for the Augustine Panel, said
he supports the expansion of the Space Shuttle program, "to a point in
time that would lessen the gap so that we can have Americans riding American
vehicles to get to our station, and then on to the moon, and then on to
Mars... If we cannot get this next set of space shuttle flights off in time
by the end of fiscal year 2010 or by the end of calendar year 2010, [NASA
should] commit to flying out all of these space shuttle flights to complete
the station and to equip it." (7/30)
Sen. Martinez Does Not Support Shuttle Extension (Source: Orlando
Sentinel)
Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), in prepared comments for the Augustine Panel, said
he does not support the extension of the Space Shuttle program... "I do
not believe that the Shuttle program should be extended beyond the current
manifest. While such an extension could help to limit job losses in the short
term, I am concerned it could further delay progress on development of our
next heavy lift launch vehicle." (7/30)
Congresswoman Kosmas' Urges Expanded
"Supply Chain" Role for KSC (Source: Rep. Kosmas)
"One common responsibility for each of the Working Groups of this
Committee is that each is focusing on 'industrial skill base'. Nowhere is
that issue more critical than here in Florida. To that end, I urge you to
consider offering an option that would establish a program office at KSC to
manage the supply chain and logistics for the next generation spacecraft. As
the final destination of the vast majority of the components and systems
purchased by the Federal Government before departure into space, KSC could
lead the way to a more sophisticated procurement mentality - which would
reduce operating costs - and a healthier industrial base for NASA, the
Department of Defense, and commercial launch activities."
Editor's Note: This proposed supply-chain and logistics role
for KSC is not a far departure from current practice. The NASA Shuttle
Logistics Depot at Cape Canaveral can evolve and grow to support
next-generation launchers, as well as ISS and other off-Earth habitat
systems. It would be a logical and value-added move if NASA really wants to
mitigate the Shuttle job losses coming soon at KSC. (7/31)
Keeping The Space Program Thriving After Shuttles Retire (Source:
CFL13)
Space Florida says more experimentation at Kennedy Space Center can be one of
the many things to keep the space program thriving in the state. In three
"white papers" addressed to special committees within the Augustine
Panel, Space Florida recommends: Using Florida launch facilities already in
place would save money; Developing new heavy lift capability to support the
ISS and future missions; Utilizing the shuttle workforce already in place to
make it happen. (7/28)
Space Coast Jobs Slipping Away (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
The pace of job losses is picking up along Florida's Space Coast, as two more
space-services contractors plan to dismiss scores of workers there by
October, the state's labor agency said Wednesday. Securiguard Inc. and Jacobs
Technology Inc. are the latest contractors shedding jobs at Cape Canaveral
Spaceport as a result of NASA cutbacks or budget belt-tightening by the U.S.
military.
Securiguard recently notified the state it plans to eliminate more than 150
jobs and close down its security-services operation at Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station. The company said more than 200 workers will be laid off by
Oct. 1, the start of the federal government's 2010 fiscal year. Meanwhile,
NASA contractor Jacobs Technology notified the state it plans to lay off
about 50 workers — or more than one-third of its payload-processing staff at
KSC, according to state labor agency. (7/30)
ULA to Cut 224 Jobs by Mid-October (Source: Denver Post)
United Launch Alliance will cut 224 employees by mid-October. Of the job
cuts, 87 are in Colorado, where 1,800 of the joint rocket venture's 3,900
employees are based. Florida-based launch operations will trim 123 jobs, and
14 rocket-assembly workers will be cut in Alabama. (7/28)
Florida Launch Service Group to Lose up to 45 Positions (Source:
Florida Today)
Up to 45 workers at Space Coast Launch Services involved with the Delta II
program at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station could lose their jobs after a
Global Positioning Satellite launch next month. On Thursday, a warning letter
was sent to all 300 Space Coast Launch Services workers about the upcoming
situation. Up to 15 percent of them could be affected. "When the last
Air Force (Delta II) launch flies next month, the Air Force no longer
requires Launch Complex 17," company president Steve Griffin said.
Launch Complex 17 has two launch pads, 17A and 17B. After the Air Force
launch in August, pad 17A will close. The two remaining launches, overseen by
NASA, will fly from pad 17B in September 2009 and September 2011. Space Coast
Launch Services might depend on NASA for money to operate and maintain launch
pad 17B. While some layoffs are possible soon, Griffin did not know the
number and was required by federal law to warn all workers who might be
affected. (8/1)
Augustine
Panel Weighs "Vision" -- But Doesn't Talk Jobs (Source: Orlando
Sentinel)
The Augustine Panel challenged NASA's vision of establishing a Moon outpost
and instead weighed other ambitious options including a free-ranging program
to visit destinations throughout the inner solar system. Noticeably absent,
however, were discussions of NASA's workforce. Even testimony by Lt. Gov.
Jeff Kottkamp did little to steer the conversation in that direction, though
he said the state faces an "economic shock wave" after Shuttle
retirement.
The Panel spent much time challenging the rationale behind NASA's current
Moon exploration vision. The debate swung between ambitious proposals to send
astronauts to the moon, Mars and nearby asteroids to questioning why NASA should
even spend billions of dollars to blast explorers into space.
There did seem to be one glimmer of hope for the Space Coast. Both panel
members and Florida officials said NASA would do well to invest in commercial
rocket companies to haul cargo and perhaps humans to the international space
station. It's a silver lining for Florida because KSC hosts the aerospace
company SpaceX, which has a contract with NASA to develop rockets capable of
reaching the station. (7/30)
Panel Sees Deep Space, Not Landings as Potential U.S. Goal (Source:
New York Times)
A panel examining the future of the United States’ human spaceflight program
will suggest that the Obama administration may want to skip the part about
landing on other worlds. That could enable NASA to send astronauts to more
corners of the solar system more quickly while keeping within a limited
budget. But it would also eliminate the possibility of astronauts leaving new
iconic footprints on the Moon or Mars for a couple of decades.
A subcommittee of the panel studied several possibilities, including NASA’s
current program to send astronauts back to the Moon by 2020, a more ambitious
plan to skip the Moon and aim directly for Mars and what the members called
the “flexible path,” which would avoid the “deep gravity wells” of the Moon
and Mars, saving the time and cost of developing landers to carry astronauts
to the surfaces of those bodies. (7/31)
John Kelly: Space Destination Changeable (Source: Florida Today)
The Augustine Panel is not limiting itself to the moon and Mars. Nor is the
group boxing itself into a program that assumes that the ultimate goal is men
and women standing on the desolate surface of Mars. Imagine astronauts
blasting off from Kennedy Space Center on a mission to Venus, the Martian moon
Phobos or a gigantic asteroid. Documents trickling out of President Barack
Obama's human spaceflight committee identify five exploration scenarios being
studied for the White House. Among the scenarios is one labeled
"flexible path." The plan would focus NASA on developing and
improving over time its ability to safely fly people deeper into space.
(7/27)
Orbiting Gas Station Could Refuel Lunar
Missions
(Source: New Scientist)
Forget huge, expensive rockets. A plan being examined by a US government panel
would allow smaller, cheaper rockets to fly to the moon and beyond by
stopping off at an "orbiting gas station". With conventional
rockets, many tons of fuel are needed on such missions for each ton of
payload. Sending astronauts or the heftiest robotic probes to these distant
destinations therefore requires huge launchers.
That may be about to change. The panel convened by order of the White House
to assess NASA's plans for the future of human space flight - including the
project to send people back to the moon by 2020 - is pondering a radical idea
to set up orbiting depots at which relatively small, inexpensive rockets
could stop off to pick up fuel. (7/31)
Fill 'Er Up ... In Space? (Source: MSNBC)
Basically, here's how a fuel-depot system would change the spaceflight
situation: Spaceships currently have to carry all the fuel they'd need for an
entire trip at once. If fuel depots were built in orbit, however, spaceships
coming up from Earth's "gravity well" could fill 'er up and
continue their journey with a full tank of gas (or, say, liquid oxygen and
hydrogen). Alternatively, you could design a different sort of transfer
vehicle, optimized for making the trip from one orbital spaceport to another
rather than launching and landing.
That would lighten the load for launch vehicles leaving Earth, since they
wouldn't have to carry all the fuel for a long trip at once. And it might
reduce the need to develop a new heavy-lift vehicle like the Ares V. You
could get by instead with a smaller booster, launched empty and fueled up in
orbit. "It really is a game changer," Jeff Greason, chief executive
officer of California-based XCOR Aerospace and a member of the review panel,
was quoted as saying in a New York Times report on the hearing. (8/1)
Griffin Urges Moon Focus (Source: SPACErePORT)
In his letter to the Augustine Committee, former NASA Administrator Mike
Griffin made the case for sticking with plans for continued lunar
exploration... "Abandoning cislunar space to others while the U.S.
embarks on a Mars project, even an international project, seems to me to be
geopolitically unwise. When other nations are conducting high-profile
missions in cislunar space and on the moon, and we are still talking about
going to Mars, we will no longer be seen as a leader in space. I think this
matters greatly." (7/28)
Spaceflight Panel: Consider Scrapping the
Ares-1
(Source: Florida Today)
NASA's Ares-1 might be dead. The rocket promises to be 10 times safer than
NASA's shuttle, but it might be killed because of concerns over cost and
schedule. This despite the fact that Columbia accident investigators said
crew safety should take top priority over cost and schedule in the design of
a shuttle replacement. A presidential review panel said Thursday it is
considering a plan to dump Ares I and go straight to the development of the
heavy-lift Ares V -- a Saturn V-class moon rocket. (7/31)
NASA: Ares Rocket Safest, Fastest Way to Get U.S. Back in Space
(Source: AIA)
NASA engineers have fired back at their critics, praising the new Ares rocket
as "the safest, fastest way to get Americans back to space." The
volley highlighted Wednesday's review of the "Constellation" human
space flight program conducted in Huntsville, Ala., by a committee authorized
by President Barack Obama to determine the state of the space program. (7/30)
Bejmuk: Turn LEO Over to Commercial Sector (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
One member of the Augustine Panel, Bohdan Bejmuk, said NASA should open
low-Earth orbit to these companies, including SpaceX of California and
Orbital Sciences Corp. of Virginia, which currently have contracts with NASA
to develop rockets and unmanned capsules that can reach the space station.
"Let's turn it over to the newcomers," he said. (7/30)
Griffin:
Keep Government Human Spaceflight Capability (Source:
SPACErePORT)
In a letter to the Augustine Panel, former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin
dismissed the notion of relying on commercial providers for human spaceflight
in Low Earth Orbit... "It is my considered judgment that the capability
for independent and assured human access to space is strategic for the United
States. It affects our standing in the world... it follows that it cannot be
left solely to the discretion and ability of private entities, whose
interests can never, and should never, be wholly aligned with those of
government... It is one thing to say, as I have on many occasions, that we
should purchase commercial service in lieu of utilizing government systems
when the former becomes available. It is another thing entirely for the very
existence of a strategic capability to be held hostage to the vagaries of the
marketplace."
Editor's Note: The Air Force also considers access to space to
be a strategic national capability, yet they no longer operate their own
launch vehicles. They supported the development of commercial EELV rockets to
meet this need. (7/29)
Lampson: Commercial Space Sector Can Help NASA Compete (Source:
Houston Chronicle)
As a congressman I fought hard for more resources so NASA could continue to
fulfill our nation's leadership role in space exploration, science and
technology. Today, in addition to several government space programs, an
emerging commercial space flight industry made up of proven and established
entrepreneurs is now able to provide many of the launch and cargo services,
equipment and infrastructure needed to expand our economy and improve our
security here on Earth.
The commercial space flight industry is in a unique position to help NASA and
our nation stay competitive. NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation
Services (COTS) and the follow-on Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) programs
enable us to use commercial space capability to deliver cargo to the
International Space Station while reducing the cost to the taxpayer.
Through these programs, NASA's development of commercial space transportation
will be augmented by both private investment and advanced revenues from sales
in other markets, such as telecommunication satellite launches. Commercial
providers will actively seek out new markets for their services, such as
scientific research flights, national security missions and potentially
flights by private citizens. Additionally, the performance-based payment
contract for COTS and CRS will provide incentives for commercial providers to
keep development costs as low as possible. (7/29)
Current Environment Ripe for NASA-Commercial Partnerships (Source:
Space News)
Despite bleak budget forecasts and the uncertainty surrounding NASA's human
exploration program, opportunities for commercial space firms are better than
they have been in decades, according to officials attending the Space
Frontier Foundation's NewSpace 2009 conference. Not only do NASA
Administrator Charles Bolden and Deputy Administrator Lori Garver seem to be
very supportive of commercial space ventures, but the challenging budgetary
environment means space agency officials are searching for innovative ways to
meet their goals, said Jim Muncy of PoliSpace.
During her July 8 confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science
and Transportation Committee, Garver said her recent experience working as a
consultant in the commercial sector of the aerospace industry "taught me
that the incredible talent and dedication of the workforce not only resides
at NASA, but also in private industry." (8/1)
Commercial Spaceflight Federation Hires PR
Firm
(Source: Parabolic Arc)
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry association representing
20 commercial spaceflight developers, operators and spaceports, has hired
Makovsky + Company, one of the nation’s largest independent public relations
firms, as its public relations advisor.
“Makovsky’s deep understanding of the commercial spaceflight industry and
their expertise in traditional and social media make them a valuable partner,”
said Brett Alexander, President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. “We
look forward to working with this talented organization to increase awareness
of the industry’s importance among leaders in government and the public
at-large.” (7/31)
The Next Step in Space (Source: Next Step Coalition)
The Next Step in Space is for NASA to invest in US commercial human
spaceflight. When most people think of sending US astronauts to space, they
think of NASA — and for good reason. For over forty years, the US has looked
to NASA to not only send astronauts to space but also to lead US space
exploration. What most people do not know, however, is that for over twenty
years, commercial space companies have also been providing space
transportation services for the government and other corporate customers. As
NASA is challenged to go further into space than ever before with limited
resources, commercial space companies are uniquely positioned to help further
NASA's efforts. Click here for more. (7/29)
Shuttle Endeavour, 7 Astronauts Return to Cape Canaveral Spaceport
(Source: AP)
Space shuttle Endeavour and its seven astronauts returned to Earth on Friday,
completing a long but successful construction job that boosted the size and
power of the international space station. Endeavour glided through a slightly
hazy sky and touched down on Kennedy Space Center's landing strip. Its smooth
and punctual late morning arrival set off a stream of praise. (7/31)
Faulty Valve Triggers One-Day Shuttle Discovery Rollout Delay (Source:
Florida Today)
Shuttle Discovery's rollout to the launch pad at KSC is being delayed for 24
hours as a result of a faulty valve in the steering system of one of its twin
solid rocket boosters. Mounted atop a mobile launcher platform, the shuttle
had been slated to be hauled out of the KSC Vehicle Assembly Building by a
giant tracked transporter at 12:01 a.m. Monday. But the faulty valve was
discovered during routine testing Saturday, and the time taken to assess the
situation and map out a course of action resulted in a decision to slip the
rollout to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. (8/2)
Bolden to KSC: Stay the Course (Source: Florida Today)
Kennedy Space Center workers got a dose of NASA Administrator Charles Bolden's
personal warmth Thursday as he gave employees a pep talk and outlined his
goals for the space agency. "Our task is to convince the nation that
(space) exploration is worth it," Bolden said during an hourlong talk
that was televised to KSC employees. Bolden said it was important to
encourage more young people to pursue careers in math, science and
engineering. "I want to take the amount of community outreach you do and
bump it up a notch," he said. (7/31)
Editorial: Follow Recommendations to Boost KSC Role (Source: Florida
Today)
At Thursday’s meeting of the Augustine Panel, Florida stakeholders offered
several recommendations aimed at maximizing KSC’s role in NASA space
exploration programs. Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp carried the message, pointing
out that Florida has a proud history of not only hosting our nation’s space
activities, but also investing in infrastructure to make space exploration
possible. “Florida has done this more than any other state, investing in
launch pads, processing facilities, assembly buildings, laboratories, control
rooms, and hangars that have saved the federal government hundreds of
millions of dollars,” he said.
Though significant, Florida’s contribution represents a small fraction of the
investment made by U.S. taxpayers. The billions of dollars worth of
facilities at the Cape make it the world’s most capable spaceport. We should
not let this investment go to waste by accepting a gap in human spaceflight
that could exceed five years, and a decade-or-more gap in heavy-lift space launches.
Click here
to view the editorial by Lisa Rice, president of Brevard Workforce. (8/2)
Editorial: Cutting Space Coast Econ. Dev. Agency Would be Mistake
(Source: Florida Today)
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know Brevard County should continue
ramping up its economic development efforts. Especially with the local
unemployment rate hitting 10.2 percent and Brevard staring down the barrel of
a loaded shotgun in the form of a possible 6,000 to 7,000 lost jobs next year
when NASA retires the shuttle fleet at Kennedy Space Center. That makes a
proposal to slash county funding for the Economic Development Commission of
Florida’s Space Coast a big mistake that our community cannot afford. County
commissioners debated the issue during discussions last week about deep cuts
to the county budget, including a possible 10 percent reduction in county EDC
funding that would reduce the money it receives to $1.4 million. (7/28)
A Place for Langley in Space? (Source: Newport News Daily Press)
Where do we go from here? As America has been retelling the proud story of
where it's been — to the moon — it's also reconsidering how the next chapter
reads. Many of the sharpest minds in the field think that the way to go is
unmanned exploration. Sending humans —– and getting them back — adds
enormously to the cost and complexity of space missions, and constrains where
we can go. Unmanned missions — probes, rovers, satellites — can take bigger
risks, go to different places and discover as much, at less cost.
But let's drop the romance, pause and take a practical view. What's given up?
The manned spaceflight push has been muscling aside other NASA priorities.
Two of those — aeronautics research and atmospheric sciences — are near to
our region's heart, for they are specialties of NASA Langley Research Center
in Hampton. They're also tremendously valuable to the nation. This
administration and this Congress should restore priority and funding to
aeronautics and sciences. Obama's budget makes welcome but small steps in
that direction.
This would be an excellent place for Reps. Rob Wittman and Glenn Nye to
establish special expertise and eventually exercise the leverage that comes
with it. Rep. Bobby Scott should bring his influence to bear, as well. And
Sen. Mark Warner or Sen. Jim Webb likewise should develop credibility and
clout on NASA issues. (7/30)
Virginia Symposium to Focus on Spaceport (Source: DelMarVaNow.com)
An academic symposium will be held this fall to explore the potential of what
officials are calling "Virginia's Spaceplex" in the Wallops Island
area. Accomack County and state officials met with representatives from
several state universities Wednesday in Richmond to hear preliminary
proposals for a concept study for the Wallops area, which would emphasize
developing a vision for its potential and which eventually would lead to an
economic impact analysis and concrete recommendations.
The county last week issued a request for proposals for the study, saying it
will aid in marketing efforts for Wallops area enterprises. But the group
decided to take a broader approach and to concentrate on three different
aspects of planning for growth in the area: to plan for immediate needs
related Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Taurus II project; to hold a symposium; and
to do comprehensive long-range planning. Immediate needs include providing
housing and workspace for a group of Ukranians due to arrive within the year
to work on Taurus II, Accomack County Economic Development Director Larry
Forbes said Thursday. (8/1)
Texas’ Hutchison Announces Plans to Step Down (Source: Space Politics)
It had been widely assumed for some time that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
(R-TX) would resign from the Senate later this year to devote herself
full-time to running against incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in the Texas GOP
gubernatorial primary next year. Yesterday Hutchison confirmed those plans, saying
that she would step down in the “October, November” timeframe. Her
resignation will mean the loss of one of the stauncher NASA advocates in the
Senate, where, among other things, she worked with Sen. Barbara Mikulski
(D-MD) in recent years to add an additional $1 billion to NASA’s budget. She
also serves as the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has
oversight of NASA. (7/30)
ATK Job Cuts Likely to Reverberate in Utah (Source: Salt Lake Tribune)
Over the years, residents of this small northern Utah community 20 miles
northwest of Alliant Techsystems' Promontory plant have enjoyed the booms and
endured the busts of the state's aerospace industry. The waves of hiring and
firings that came amid the ebb and flow of federal space and defense
contracts were as much a part of the economic landscape as the towers of
smoke billowing above the nearby hills after ATK test-fired its rocket
motors. Yet ATK's announcement last week that it would lay off 450 people, or
10 percent of its Utah work force, is viewed by many as a particularly hard
blow for Tremonton, given last year's unexpected closure of the La-Z-Boy
plant, once the town's largest employer. (7/30)
California
Authority Responds to Governor's Request for NASA Program Support (Source: CSA)
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reached out to the California Space Authority
recently to request input on NASA programs that industry leaders believe
would benefit from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus
funding. CSA stepped up and organized a roundtable discussion which provided
the Governor with a list of NASA projects that would have the greatest impact
possible to the California economy. Although the numbers are preliminary,
their analysis of the programs suggests they would provide for an economic
impact somewhere around $300-$500 million and translate into 715-1230 direct
jobs. Applying the multiplier for indirect and induced jobs, the total
direct, indirect and induced jobs would be in the neighborhood of 3500-6000
new positions. Click here for a copy of the
letter Gov. Schwarzenegger sent to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden
expressing his support for California's space enterprise community and his
desire that NASA's ARRA funds find their way to California. (8/1)
Officials Announce Space Exploration Program for Idaho Students
(Source: KIVI)
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and Idaho's Teacher-in-Space
and Boise State University Distinguished Educator in Residence Barbara Morgan
have announced a new program to bring space to Idaho students. Officials say
the new Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program, which will launch this
fall, is a competitive program that allows Idaho high school juniors to take
an engaging online course in space exploration developed by NASA and gives
them the opportunity to spend a week at NASA's Ames Research Center in
California gaining hands-on experience from the leaders in our nation's
aerospace industry. (7/30)
Hawaii Students Helping Develop Lunar Micro Rover (Source: Hawaii
24/7)
While Americans across the country celebrated the 40th anniversary of man’s
first walk on the moon this week, two Hawaii students are participating in a
NASA summer internship program, where they are developing technology that
will be used on the Lunar Micro Rover. Kelson Lau, a recent Waiakea High
School graduate and current University of Hawaii at Manoa student, and Jordan
Olive from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, are participating in the NASA
Robotics Academy, a NASA multi-center, 10-week residential summer internship
for students specifically interested in robotics. (7/31)
Oklahoma Warns Hawaii of Space "Pipe
Dreams"
(Source: KGMB)
Space tourism was sold as the next giant leap in aerospace and some Hawaii
lawmakers buy it. But now lawmakers in Oklahoma say take a better look after
the company that was close to blasting off just took off out of town. That
same company has plans in Hawaii. "Don't go on pipe dreams. That's what
we did and we paid the price for it," said Oklahoma State Representative
David Dank in an interview with KWTV.
Rep. Dank is talking about Rocketplane Global, a company he says took about
$18 million in tax credits from the state only to close its offices and move
out. So why should Hawaii care about Oklahoma? For starters the Aloha state
is planning on investing in space tourism as well. Some Hawaii Lawmakers want
to spend half a million tax payer dollars on an environmental impact
statement on space tourism. Rep. Wakai says that’s a small price to pay
especially considering what other states have invested.
Rocketplane Global had its expectations come back to Earth the past year
because of the bad economy. "We're a capital intensive business and we
got caught in a financial crunch. Everybody did," said Chuck Lauer,
Rocketplane Global Co-Founder. So what happened to that tax payer money from
Oklahoma? "The money was not wasted. It was invested in design and
engineering. That is not gone. It’s sitting there waiting to get restarted
and that's what we're doing now," said Lauer. The Hawaii Office of
Aerospace Development is buying it and believes three to six companies could
by flying into space in three years. (7/29)
Aerospace Company Deserts Oklahoma Leaving Questions (Source: KOTV)
The aerospace company that promised Oklahoma 'the moon' and so much more, has
left the state, leaving lawmakers with more questions than answers.
Rocketplane Global has vacated its company headquarters near the Will Rogers
Airport. Oklahoma State Representative David Dank has been a longtime critic
of Rocketplane. He said he was furious to learn that the company that
promised so much to the state had packed up and left town.
"We were told they left in February," said State Representative
David Dank. "Just packed up and left overnight. The last we heard, the
guy in charge was working out of his garage in Wisconsin. They have no
presence here in Oklahoma and I think that's an absolute sin against the
taxpayers." In 2003 Rocketplane was granted an $18 million tax credit
from the state. The first launch was scheduled for 2006. (7/30)
Rockeplane Says It's Far from Finished in Oklahoma (Source: KOTV)
Rocketplane Global vacated its Oklahoma City Will Rogers Airport headquarters
in February, but company officials said it is far from finished with its work
in Oklahoma. Rocketplane Co-founder Chuck Lauer said the economy forced the
headquarters' closure but said he wanted to show Oklahoman's that their tax
dollars have not gone to waste. He said the company may be grounded, but it's
far from gone.
"I don't think they ever intended to launch a space craft from
Oklahoma," said State Rep. David Dank. Just two week ago, the news was
announced in Hawaii that state lawmakers there were in talks with Rocketplane
over a proposed space tourism project. That's not what Oklahoma lawmakers
wanted to hear, especially since the state has granted the company $18
million in tax credits, but Lauer said the plan has always been to have
Rocketplane based in multiple locations. "We never abandoned the plan to
fly in Oklahoma. We will build vehicles in Oklahoma. We'll have jobs in
Oklahoma. We will fly from the Oklahoma spaceport." (7/31)
Despite Rocketplane Woes, Oklahoma Spaceport Remains Operational (Source:
OK Gazette)
The original reason for its start may no longer be visible in the state, but
that hasn't stopped the Oklahoma Spaceport from slowing down operations.
Created to function as a launch pad for suborbital space tourism, the
Spaceport near Burns Flat has found other ways to generate business and keep
folks busy out there. "We've really been concentrating on the aerospace
side," said Bil Khourie, executive director of the Oklahoma Space
Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), which operates the Spaceport. (7/31)
Oklahoma Lawmakers Study Tax Breaks to
Risky Ventures
(Source: CNBC)
They promised to bring new industry and high-paying jobs to Oklahoma. All
they needed, they said, was the right environment to help their fledgling
projects flourish, including generous tax incentives. Companies like
Rocketplane, which planned to send tourists to space from a launch site in
Burns Flat, and Quartz Mountain Aerospace, which promised to build 415 pilot
training planes, received tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks. But
their ventures fizzled, leaving taxpayers holding the bill.
Oklahoma doles out $3 billion yearly in tax breaks, including $1 billion in
income tax preferences and $2 billion in sales tax exemptions to
profit-making concerns, according to state tax commission estimates. But with
Oklahoma facing a budget shortfall of more than $600 million, some lawmakers
say its time to reassess how tax breaks are doled out in order to protect
taxpayers from being taken for a ride on risky ventures. (7/27)
Virgin Galactic Aims for the Moon (Source: The Mirror)
Virgin Galactic says it will take 50,000 into space within ten years. But
that’s just the start according to Richard Branson. “Looking further ahead,
and we like to dream, we hope that one day Virgin Galactic will be able to
ferry passengers between continents at a fraction of the time that they
currently travel between continents. We also hope that one day to have a
space hotel up there we can take people to that might be quite close to the
Moon and people will be able to head off in small spacecraft to head off
round the Moon before lunch or before breakfast.” (7/29)
Abu Dhabi Buys 32% of Virgin Galactic (Source: The Age)
The Mideast investment fund with the biggest stake in Mercedes-Benz's parent
said on Tuesday it will pay about $280 million to buy nearly a third of
commercial space travel startup Virgin Galactic. The buy-in by Aabar
Investments of Abu Dhabi gives British billionaire Sir Richard Branson's
space tourism venture a big financial kickstart at a time when many funding
sources have dried up because of the global recession. It also provides the
oil-rich Persian Gulf sheikdom a chance to acquire space flight capability of
its own. (7/28)
Virgin Galactic Aiming For IPO (Source: Forbes)
Space travel won't just be for billionaires if Richard Branson gets his way.
Fresh from selling a stake in his Virgin Galactic space-tourism subsidiary to
Abu Dhabi's Aabar Group, Branson's Virgin Group has an even more ambitious
aim in mind: to float the company on the stock market while still retaining a
significant stake. Virgin Galactic is a while away from going public, but has
already attracted attention from outside investors. (7/30)
Virgin’s Enterprises Can Soar – But Also
Fail to Reach Orbit
(Source: The National)
Ask anybody from Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar. The name Virgin is synonymous in the
business world with Sir Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur who has
made an incredible career, and a $5 billion business, out of selling dreams.
He might call it a “branded venture capital investor”, but that is what it
really does – it sells a dream to consumers, and occasionally to
international investors.
The dream has morphed over the years, from hyper-hip music in the 1970s, to
super-cool air travel in the 1980s, to fast, efficient rail travel in the
1990s. There have been other dreams on offer too – shopping, drinks, bridal
wear, mobile phones, holidays (including Zanzibar) and financial services –
but they all have the same unique selling point: an image of youth and
rebellious adventure, slightly wacky but ultimately reliable. Virgin shows
that the next generation is as good as the old-timers at business. The kids
are all right, it says. They can put the show on in the barn.
Branson has not had much luck when his companies bravely go onto the world’s
stock markets. His formative experience with Virgin Group in the 1980s was a
disaster, and since then there have been others whose return for investors
has hardly been stellar – Virgin Victory, Virgin Express, Virgin Media and
Virgin Blue come to mind. Just last week he sold his American company Virgin
Mobile for less than half its flotation value. Abu Dhabi should reach for the
stars, by all means, but the financial people should keep their feet on the
ground. (8/1)
Insurance Coverage on the Final Frontier (Source: Business
Insurance)
As last week's 40th anniversary of the moon landing focused attention on the
future of manned space flight, observers said early providers of space
tourism would face expensive pricing for property and liability cover and
possibly scarce capacity. The advent of private companies routinely taking
paying passengers into orbit to visit space stations, or even to experience
weightlessness on a suborbital flight, likely is at least several years from
reality.
Brokers and other observers said it is difficult to speculate on the
insurance market for private space flight because the space tourism industry
is not yet a reality, but some said they believe the initial ventures would
have difficulty buying cover for the risk. Says one Aon Risk Services
official: “You'll have a few (underwriters) in the beginning willing to take
on more risk (on space tourism) than others, but they'll price accordingly.”
One aerospace underwriter agreed, saying the history of private companies
attempting to launch satellites suggests insurers could expect space tourism
to produce at least one loss in its early stages. “There are going to be very
few markets willing to write that business,” the underwriter said. “You're
talking about people being placed on top of vehicles that are going to
fail...It's a very volatile area.” (7/27)
SpaceX Completes Qualification of Falcon 9 First Stage Tank and Interstage
(Source: SpaceX)
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the successful completion
of qualification testing for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle first stage tank and
interstage. Testing took place at SpaceX’s Texas Test Site, a 300 acre
structural and propulsion testing facility, located just outside of Waco,
Texas. (7/28)
SpaceX Faces Crucial Falcon 9 Test (Source: Flight Global)
After two consecutive successes of SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket, the stage is set
for the fourth quarter maiden flight of its much larger Falcon 9 booster,
which is scheduled to fly 23 times before 2016. With launches priced at $30
million, the Falcon 9 will be a competitive threat to existing launch
providers whose prices are closer to $100 million (SpaceX's competitors say
that its prices are unsustainable).
The first two Falcon 9 launches are planned for the fourth quarter of 2009.
This is after a delay of a year, partly due to what Musk has called "the
enormous amount of work to get done" for development and testing. In
2008 SpaceX won a $1.6 billion NASA contract to supply International Space
Station cargo, with 12 launches until 2015. SpaceX has seven other commercial
Falcon 9 launch orders.
Flight two is the first demonstration launch of Falcon 9 with its Dragon
spacecraft for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS)
program. Progress with the first Dragon, designed for worst-case scenario
launch abort loads, includes structural and acoustic qualification. This
first COTS flight will see Dragon make several orbits before splashing down
off California. SpaceX has 17 Dragon launches scheduled, 15 for NASA and two
for its commercial Dragonlab service - an unmanned recoverable Dragon with
science experiments. (7/28)
An Uncertain Future for Bankrupt Sea Launch (Source:
SpaceFlightNow.com)
Already burdened by bankruptcy and a cutthroat rocket industry, Sea Launch
could face more defecting customers if the company does not soon assure
satellite operators of its future viability. In court documents last week,
Intelsat filed a motion to force Sea Launch to assume or reject contracts for
up to seven missions to deliver communications satellites into orbit.
Intelsat owns seven of 10 contracts in Sea Launch's backlog.
Two Intelsat payloads will fly on Sea Launch's land-based subsidiary and one
spacecraft is manifested on Sea Launch's ocean-based service. Intelsat holds
up to four contract options for additional launches through 2012, but those
agreements do not have assigned satellites, according to Paula Korn, Sea
Launch spokesperson. (7/30)
Pact with US to Boost India’s Space Launch Industry (Source: Thaindian
News)
A technology safeguards agreement (TSA) signed with the US last week will
open up fresh opportunities for India in the field of space launches, say
officials. The agreement, signed July 20 in New Delhi, will facilitate the
launch of non-commercial US satellites and satellites with US components on
Indian launch vehicles. “Earlier, satellites built with US-made components
were not available for Indian launch vehicles,” said an Antrix official. At
present, the total market for non-commercial launches is estimated to be
around 40 satellites a year, of which India’s share is very small. However,
with the TSA agreement, India is poised to make a larger penetration into the
market, said ISRO officials. (7/28)
SES, Intelsat Ask Lawmakers to Rethink Launch Ban on China, India
(Source: Space News)
The world's two largest commercial satellite fleet operators, Intelsat and
SES, have joined forces to try to persuade Washington policymakers that China
and India should be permitted to launch U.S. commercial satellites. The two
companies have secured the full support, if not the active involvement, of
the largest U.S. builder of commercial telecommunications spacecraft, Loral.
The three companies believe their businesses risk severe launch-supply
bottlenecks in a market that, if the struggling Sea Launch Co. does not
recover from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, would be reduced essentially to two main
vehicles: Europe's Ariane 5 and Russia's Proton. Editor's Note:
Atlas-5 and Delta-4 should be competing for more commercial missions, but
they're too busy with government launches and are seeking to expand their
government business with NASA exploration missions. (8/1)
Korean Rocket Launch Reset for August 11 (Source: Korea
Times)
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said Sunday that it has
selected Aug. 11 as the new date for its first space launch. Although
technical issues had forced a delay in the attempt originally scheduled for
July 30, government officials had been hoping to pull off the launch as
quickly as possible to avoid the typhoon-affected months of September and
October. (8/2)
Dnepr Launches Small Satellites (Source: SpaceToday.net)
A Dnepr rocket successfully launched six small satellites from the Baikonur spaceport
in Kazakhstan. It placed six small satellites into low Earth orbit. Two of
the satellites, UK-DMC2 and Deimos-1, were built by Surrey Satellite
Technology Ltd. to be part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, a
network of medium-resolution remote sensing satellites. Also on the Dnepr
were the United Arab Emirates' first satellite, Dubaisat-1; two small
communications sats for American company Aprize Satellite; and a Spanish
technology demonstration nanosat. (7/30)
Russia Says U.S. Shuttle Delays Create a Burden (Source: Reuters)
A senior Russian space official said delays in U.S. shuttle launches to the
International Space Station (ISS) meant extra work for Russian rocket crews
without any financial compensation, RIA news agency reported. Russia and the
United States are the main contributors to the 16-nation $100 billion ISS
project, but Russia has borne the brunt of sending crews and cargo there
since the U.S. Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated in 2003, killing seven
astronauts. "We are most concerned by the unpredictability of shuttle
launches," RIA quoted Russian mission control flight coordinator
Valdimir Solovyov as saying. (7/30)
Experts Urge Reformulation of US Space Policy (Source: Eurekalert)
The Obama Administration has an opportunity to fundamentally reformulate
United States space policies that are anchored in Cold War-era mindsets,
according to the director of an American Academy of Arts and Sciences study.
At a Capitol Hill briefing today in conjunction with the release of three new
policy monographs, experts outlined the current state of U.S. and foreign
space policy and encouraged the Administration to set a clear direction that
advances the country's national security, civilian, and commercial interests
in space. (7/30)
OSTP Creating NPOESS Task Force (Source: Space Policy Online)
White House Science Adviser John Holdren told the Senate Commerce, Science,
and Transportation Committee that he had directed creation of a task force to
monitor progress and results on issues surrounding the NPOESS program.
"I have directed the formation of a Task Force within the Executive
Office of the President (which will include representatives from the Office
of Management and Budget as well as the National Security Council) that will
meet regularly with NOAA, NASA, and the Department of Defense (DoD), the
three agencies partnering on the program, to monitor progress and results in
addressing key issues facing the success of this program." (7/31)
Astronauts Fix Station Air Purifier, Averting Early Shuttle Departure
(Source: Orlando Sentinel)
A space station air purifier was working again Sunday after it shut down at
the worst possible time, when company was still visiting and had swollen the on-board
crowd to a record 13. The repair by flight controllers, albeit temporary,
came as a great relief to NASA. Even if the carbon dioxide-removal system had
remained broken, shuttle Endeavour would not have had to undock early from
the space station, said flight director Brian Smith. But the system needs to
work to support six station residents over the long term, he said. The
machine for cleansing the station atmosphere, on the U.S. side of the
sprawling outpost, failed Saturday when it got too hot and tripped a circuit
breaker. (7/27)
Space
Elevator Contest Held Up (Source: Aviation Week)
A technical issue with a helicopter cable system is forcing the Spaceward
Foundation to postpone the Space Elevator Power Beaming Challenge Games
originally scheduled for this summer at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center.
The Spaceward Foundation, which conducts the competition as part of NASA's
Centennial Challenges program, together with NASA, which is providing the $2
million prize money for this segment, said the problems cropped up during
tests last week. (7/28)
NASA To Provide Web Updates On Objects Approaching Earth (Source:
Space Daily)
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is introducing a new Web site that will
provide a centralized resource for information on near-Earth objects - those
asteroids and comets that can approach Earth. The "Asteroid Watch"
site also contains links for the interested public to sign up for NASA's new
asteroid widget and Twitter account. (7/30)
Putting a Bounty on Orbital Debris (Source: Space Review)
Recent events have raised awareness about the problems orbit debris poses,
but most of the attention has been focused on ways to reduce the rate of
growth of debris. Jeff Foust reports on a conference session where speakers
proposed innovative technologies and financial approaches to eliminating
debris. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1427/1 to review the
article. (7/27)
Earth Being Engulfed in Dense Cloud of Space Debris that Won't Stop
Growing (Source: Newsweek)
The Iridium/Cosmos satellite collision served as a wake-up call to space
planners. Insurance rates for the $18 billion worth of active commercial
satellites now in orbit have ticked upwards by 10-20 percent since the
accident. Governments, too, have grown to rely on networks of satellites to
gather intelligence, direct weapons systems, forecast climate and weather
changes, monitor agriculture, and operate communications and navigation
systems. Experts calculate that debris will now strike one of the 900 active
satellites in LEO every two or three years. For the first time, junk is the
single biggest risk factor to equipment in some orbits. Among the orbital
threats are two former Soviet nuclear reactors. Even the International Space
Station may one day be at risk, as debris slowly descends to its
350-kilometer orbit. (8/2)
Jupiter: Our Cosmic Protector? (Source: New York Times)
Jupiter took a bullet for us last weekend. An object, probably a comet that
nobody saw coming, plowed into the giant planet’s colorful cloud tops
sometime Sunday, splashing up debris and leaving a black eye the size of the
Pacific Ocean. This was the second time in 15 years that this had happened.
The whole world was watching when Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 fell apart and its
pieces crashed into Jupiter in 1994. That’s Jupiter doing its cosmic job,
astronomers like to say. Better it than us. Part of what makes the Earth such
a nice place to live, the story goes, is that Jupiter’s overbearing gravity
acts as a gravitational shield deflecting incoming space junk. (7/27)
Experts Puzzled by Spot on Venus (Source: BBC)
Astronomers are puzzled by a strange bright spot which has appeared in the
clouds of Venus. The spot was first identified by an amateur astronomer on 19
July and was later confirmed by the European Space Agency's Venus Express
spacecraft. Data from the European probe suggests the spot appeared at least
four days before it was spotted from Earth. The bright spot has since started
to expand, being spread by winds in Venus's thick atmosphere. Scientists are
unsure as to what caused the bright spot tens of kilometers up. However, a
volcanic eruption is a possibility. (8/2)
Melbourne Company Wins $11 Million for Navy
Space Programs
(Source: DOD)
Melbourne FL-based Space Ground Systems Solutions, Inc. has won a $10.9
million contract for Spacecraft Engineering, Software Research, Development
and Support for design, development, test, launch and mission operations of
Department of Defense assets. This is a new requirement for highly-skilled
personnel to support the Navy space programs development, enhancement,
testing and configuration management of a collection of software, which is
constantly being enhanced to provide state of the art solutions to space
applications. The contract contains options which could bring the total value
to $57,9 million. (7/31)
El Segundo's Wyle Wins NASA Bid Through 2013 (Source: DailyBreeze.com)
Wyle, the El Segundo-based aerospace technology firm, said it was awarded a
$201 million contract extension from NASA. The work, to be performed by
Wyle's Integrated Science and Engineering Group in Houston, is scheduled to
last until April 30, 2013. The contract extension calls for Wyle to continue
to provide health testing and other services for astronauts. NASA awarded
Wyle with the original contract in 2003. The agency exercised an option to
extend the contract in 2007. This latest extension brings the combined value
of the contract to $976 million. (7/28)
Protostar in Chapter 11, Looking to Unload Satellites (Source: Space
News)
Start-up satellite operator ProtoStar Ltd., which filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection July 29, hopes to use the reprieve from its creditors
to auction its two orbiting direct-to-home television satellites. ProtoStar
is spending through cash at a rate of $550,000 per week, not including
employee salaries, and is at risk of having to cease operations immediately
if it is not allowed to take advantage of its creditors' offer of $16 million
in emergency funds while the company operates under Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection, (7/30)
Eutelsat Revenue Growth Exceeds Forecast (Source: Space
News)
Eutelsat, the world's third-largest satellite fleet operator, on July 31
reported a 7.2 percent increase in revenue for the year ending June 30 and
said it now expects to maintain an average annual growth of 7 percent through
2012. (7/31)
SES Sticking With Growth Projections (Source: Space News)
SES on July 31 reported record gross-profit margins in its core satellite
transponder-lease business and said it is sticking with its forecast of 5
percent average annual growth between 2008 and 2010 despite what it
characterized as a temporary weakness in its ground-services business and
continued softness in the North American market. (7/31)
Q2 Profits Soar 76% for EADS (Source: AIA)
European aerospace/defense contractor EADS announced that second-quarter
profits rose by 76%, but it then warned it may suffer "substantial
negative" hits to future profits because of renegotiations with several
governments over its delayed A400M military transport program. Financial
analysts noted the net profit of $297 million from April to June still lagged
behind projected profits for the parent company of Airbus. (7/28)
Orbital Reports Second Quarter 2009 Losses (Source: Business Wire)
Orbital Sciences Corp. reported second quarter 2009 revenues of $270.1
million compared to $301.2 million in the second quarter of 2008. Second
quarter 2009 operating income was $12.8 million, compared to $26.5 million in
the second quarter of 2008. Income from continuing operations was $8.7
million, compared to $10.1 million in the second quarter of 2008. (7/28)
Honeywell Lowers Forecast After Q2 Profit Falls 38% (Source: AIA)
Weakness in its aerospace division led Honeywell International Inc. to a 38%
decline in second-quarter profit, and the company lowered its full-year sales
forecast by about $1 billion. "We aren't planning for any recovery in
2009," said CEO Dave Cote, noting that economic conditions are
"challenging." (7/27)
Report: NASA Awards Conference in Florida Cost $1 Million (Source:
Orlando Sentinel)
A 2007 NASA awards conference in Orlando cost taxpayers as much as $1 million
-- including $10,733 for shuttle model awards -- according to a report by the
agency’s inspector general. But the conference, which since has been banned
by Congress, generally followed government rules, according to the inspector
general. If NASA reinstates the program, however, investigators said it should
“address the question of what is a reasonably necessary expense.”
NASA spent more than $542,000 on 232 honorees who took a seven-day, six-night
trip to Orlando that included lodging at the Grand Cypress Resort. The agency
also spent about $43,000 to send 41 Kennedy Space Center honorees to Houston.
It also includes $69,000 for a breakfast awards ceremony and nearly $3,000
for awards frames. “We estimate that salaries and benefits for the honorees
represent an additional $424,265, bringing the total cost of the awards event
to $1,010,003.” (7/27)
Enterprise Florida Supports Trade Show Participation (Source: EFI)
Enterprise Florida will provide event-specific grants on a reimbursable basis
to small and medium-sized companies to enable them to participate in EFI
trade shows and select U.S. certified trade exhibitions in target sectors.
Eligible recipients include manufacturers, R&D companies, and technology
services providers in targeted industries, including: aviation/aerospace;
clean energy; financial & professional services; homeland security &
defense; information technology; life sciences; and targeted manufacturing,
including the boating/marine sector. Contact Michael Schiffhauer for
information at  407-956-5634
or mailto:mschiffhauer@eflorida.com for information.
(7/27)
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