Pressure is mounting on Congress to abandon the Senate Launch System.  Criticism came from SFF Founders Rick Tumlinson and Bob Werb, the Competitive Space Task Force, SEDS, Florida Today, the Space Access Society, and even the President. Call Congress now and make your voice heard!

The Amazing Armadillo

Armadillo Aerospace has been making steady progress over the last few months. Just this week, they successfully completed their tube rocket.  Ben Brockert at Armadillo 

            XCOR and ULA Join Forces

After a successful demonstration of their aluminum alloy rocket nozzle, XCOR Aerospace and the United Launch Alliance have teamed up again to build a liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen upper-stage engine. Press Release at XCOR

SpaceXpanding
After a big year in 2010 and strong start to 2011, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. has made plans to expand their facilities in Texas. Press Release at SpaceX 

 

FAA-Sponsored Space Prize?

The Federal Aviation Administration is asking for $5 million in FY2012 to offer a space prize for low-cost space transportation. Debra Werner at SPACE.com 

 

Orbital In Orbit

Orbital Sciences Corp. is on track to launch their Taurus II rocket by September, and may even complete a COTS demonstration before the end of the year. Frank Morring, Jr. at Aviation Week 

 

FAA 2011 Report
The Federal Aviation Administration has compiled their "2011 U.S. Commercial Space Transportation Developments and Concepts: Vehicles, Technologies, and Spaceports " report. The title is long, but the list of intriguing developments is even longer. Release by FAA 

      Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc has highlighted some of the best parts:
      XCOR Made Significant Progress in 2010

      Commercial Spacesuit Companies Compete For Market Share 

      Blue Origin Aims for Orbital Flight on Atlas V 

 

Ahoy Omega Envoy
Google Lunar XPrize team Omega Envoy, formed and led entirely by students, got some press this month with a sponsorship from The Imaging Source. Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc 

 

Good Luck VG

Burt Rutan's retirement, announced several months ago, is now officially underway. Who will take his place? And more importantly, what will Virgin Galactic do without him? W.J. Hennigan at LA Times 

 

To Pandora! 

Director James Cameron has joined the X PRIZE Foundation Board of Trustees. Press Release at XPrize 

 

Reaping the Benefits 

As the commercial space industry continues to grow, science missions will drop in price significantly and fly more than ever. Mike Wall at SPACE.com 

 

The Space Show

Bretton Alexander, Henry Vanderbilt, and Bob Werb discuss their respective NewSpace initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on The Space Show.