World's First Privately Funded Re-entry
The most exciting event of the year was when Space Exploration Technologies, aka SpaceX, shocked the world with the first-ever privately funded capsule reentry. Press Release at SpaceX
Support From Washington
Commercial space policy reached an unprecedented high this year, with a new plan proposed by the White House and NASA. After much debate by Congress, NASA will
relinquish LEO crew/cargo servicing missions to commercial space companies and
transition to frontier exploration missions. Clara Moskowitz at SPACE.com
Boeing Gets in the GameWith an explosion of publicity and government interest in the commercial space industry this year, companies all over the world have announced their intentions to compete in the commercial space race. Most notable of these companies is aerospace giant Boeing, who has teamed up with Space Adventures, Ltd. Press Release at BoeingSpaceShipTwo Leading the WayVirgin Galactic has made history this year, with multiple successful flight tests of SpaceShipTwo and mother ship VSS Enterprise. Doug Messier at Parabolic ArcThe Stakes Just Got HigherThe Google Lunar XPrize has seen a lot of activity this year, but the biggest news was NASA's naming of six companies who are eligible for a $30 million Innovative Lunar Demonstrations Data award, effectively doubling the prize pot. Press Release at NASA
Other GLXP-related news:
Astrobotic and CMU Awarded Moon Mining Contract
Rocket City Space Pioneers Join GLXP
Bob Richards Forms New GLXP Team
Bigelow Finds Some Customers
Inflatable space habitat developer, Bigelow Aerspace, made some significant progress this year, locking down six six major customers. Leonard David at SPACE.comSpaceport America Takes One Giant LeapDespite uncertainties and economic woes, Spaceport America has continued construction at a break-neck pace. Frank Morring, Jr. at Aviation WeekRussian Commercial Space Station in the WorksTwo Russian aerospace companies, Orbital Technologies and RSC Energia, announced that they have partnered to create the world's first commercial space station. Tariq Malik at SPACE.comVirgin Galactic Is Going OrbitalDuring the Spaceport America dedication, Virgin Galactic Founder Richard Branson announced the company's plans to propose an orbital system for NASA's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program. Doug Messier at Parabolic ArcSpaceX Plans Heavy-Lift RocketAt the AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference in Nashville, TN, SpaceX unveiled their plans for their future heavy-lift vehicles. Guy Norris at Aviation Week
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