Support Commercial Crew!
Congress has done it again...against advisement from seemingly every expert on the planet, they have cut the NASA budget, and given whatever money there is to SLS and MPCV. They cut Commercial Crew funding to $406 million, 52% less than the Obama Administration's requested $850 million (main link). Two of the most telling outcries came from a group of space leaders, including NASA's very own astronauts. Mark Whittington at Examiner, Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc, and a blog post at Orlando Sentinel
On Time and On Budget
Sierra Nevada Space Systems and United Launch Alliance (ULA) have both completed major CCDev2 milestones this month. Sierra Nevada has now completed five out of their thirteen total milestones (main link), and ULA has completed a milestone that could lead to the certification of their Atlas V launch vehicle for human spaceflight. Press Releases at Sierra Nevada and ULA
More Competition in Military Launch Market
The military has begun efforts to open up the launch market to more competition. For starters, the Air Force has published a detailed guide for new launch providers. Needless to say, the news made some people happy. Amy Butler at Aviation Week, Press Release at Air Force, and Press Release at SpaceX
It's Not The Size That Matters
An assessment by SpaceWorks Commercial shows that there is a steep increase in demand for microsats and nanosats, which will continue into the next decade and beyond. They estimate a demand of 100 to 142 nano/microsatellites in 2020, compared to the 23 launched in 2011! Press Release at SpaceWorks Commercial
Big Plans
Moon Express loves the limelight, and kept themselves in it this month with the announcement of their partnership with AutoDesk (main link). They also made an appearance on BBC, and co-founder Naveen-Jain made his intentions for the company clear: mining the Moon. Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc, John Stewart at BBC, and Press Release at SpaceX
Best Of What's New
Popular Science is well known for their Best Of What's New issue, that lists the top technologies being developed each year. This year, SpaceX and Astrobotic each earned a spot: Astrobotic for their Red Rover, and SpaceX for their Dragon capsule. Article at Popular Science
What Will You Do With Your VG Ticket?
Virgin Galactic loves throwing out numbers (main link), but what it really comes down to is that they will be ready when they are ready. Because of this, they have lost some customers, but are gaining even more. Salma Hayek postponed her flight, but VG sold several tickets: the most entertaining of which went to two men: one who plans to bring a first date into space, and the other bought tickets for his whole family...without telling his wife! Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc, Video By Virgin Galactic, Rick Bentley at The Fresno Bee, Article at MoonAndBack.com, and Article at France24.com
Sharing Is Caring
Blue Origin is notoriously air-tight, keeping their progress well hidden from the public (and, more importantly, their competition). However, they have recently launched a new company website (main link) that gives a peek into what they are doing. Blue Origin Company Website and Video at SPACE.com
Hopping Along
SpaceX has gotten clearance from the FAA to test their Grasshopper vehicle. The Grasshopper is being designed to test technologies needed to fully recover Falcon 9 stages for reuse. Release at FAA
Gedmark Steps Down
Just after their new President, Rear Admiral Steidle, stepped down for health reasons, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation has lost their Executive Director John Gedmark. Gedmark has been replaced by Dr. Alexander Saltman, who is a physicist who most recently served as Legislative Director for Congressman Adam Schiff of California. Press Release at CSF
Launch Videos
Masten and Armadillo have released videos of some of their recent launches. Masten has been testing Xaero very often, and has begun testing Xombie (main link) . Armadillo's video is of their Tube Rocket, which they have been testing for a while now. Blog Post at Masten and Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc
Mining The Moon
Naveen Jain at Moon Express isn't the only person talking about mining the Moon these days. In fact, Shackleton Energy Company isn't just talking about it, they have actually developed a plan for the world's first lunar mining operation. Bill Stone at RocketHub.com
Spaceport Invaders
The newsfeeds were buzzing with Spaceport news this month, with all of the big names releasing some kind of development. Some of the notable developments are that Spaceport America is readying for tourists (main link), Cecil Field legislation passed, and Virginia is looking to boost Wallops. Leonard David at SPACE.com, Matt Dixon at The Florida Times, and Press Release by Governor McDonnell
NewSpace Global, LLC Launches
A company named NewSpace Global LLC has launched. They are an information service provider that offers customers specific analysis on the NewSpace and commercial space sectors. Press Release at Market Watch
Don't Say He Didn't Warn You
Robert Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace, has recently given some warnings about China beating the United States to the Moon. And not sharing it. He says China could be on the Moon before 2020, and urges American leaders to renew their commitment to leadership in space. Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc
The Space Show
George Whitesides, Jim Muncy, and Dr. Paul Spudis share their respective NewSpace initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on The Space Show.
