Deja Vu
Space X has successfully launched their Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule into orbit and berthed with the ISS for the second time. Reminiscent of their first launch, they had a propulsion problem, albeit less severe than last time. The successful launch also marks SpaceX's fifth consecutive successful Falcon 9 flight. Press Release at SpaceX
Inspiration Mars
Private space traveler Dennis Tito has founded a nonprofit called the Inspiration Mars Foundation with plans to send a professional crew of one man and one woman around Mars in 2018. The date coincides with a rare planetary alignment in 5 years that will make the trip a "short" 501 days round trip. Press Release at Inspiration Mars
Sea Change
In what is being hailed as a "sea change" in space costs, Bigelow Aerospace has officially released pricing of their information for governments, companies, and individuals interested in using their Alpha Space Station. Compared to the $40 million week-long visits aboard the ISS, visitors on the Bigelow modules will spend up to 60 days for half the price. The transportation providers selected are Boeing and SpaceX. Update at Bigelow
Realization
After many months of delays, Orbital Sciences Corporation has successfully hot-fired their Antares rocket. The successful test puts Orbital on track to launch their Cygnus spacecraft into orbit on top of Antares later this year. Press Release at NASA
Another All-Star
Moon Express has been making huge strides over the past few months, and now they have signed former Rocket City Space Pioneers leader Tim Pickens as their Chief Propulsion Engineer. Pickens is best known for his role as lead propulsion engineer for Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne vehicle that won the Ansari XPrize in 2004. Moon Express Blog
Right on Schedule
According to NASA, the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) Program competitors are on schedule to complete their milestones. Meanwhile, NASA has appointed a new deputy program manager for the commercial crew effort, and is looking to move quickly on commercial crew certification. NASA 60-Day Report and Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc
Open For Business
Stratolaunch Systems has opened their hangar in Mojave, which will be used to build the company's massive, 385-foot wingspan carrier aircraft. For those unfamiliar with Stratolaunch, they are funded by billionaire Paul Allen, and plan to air-launch satellites into orbit. Dough Messier at Parabolic Arc
We Ain't No Dinosaurs
We have come a long way since the Dinosaurs were wiped out. Not only are we mapping dangerous asteroids, we are actually planning to mine them for their vast quantities of precious metals. At the forefront of this effort is Deep Space Industries (DSI), who has just signed world-renowned asteroid expert John Lewis as their Chief Scientist. Announcement at DSI
I Choose You
XCOR Aerospace has made three appointments for their Senior Business Development Team. Greg Claxon will lead the Retail Sales Channel, Khaki Rodway will lead the Payloads Sales Channel, and Lisa Rigano wil lead the Product and Customer Experience Development. Press Release at XCOR
We Be Rovin'
A team at Astrobotic will conduct a NASA-funded study to determine how rovers, such as Curiosity, can avoid becoming stuck by sinking in loose sand or other hard to detect terrain hazards. Press Release at Astrobotic via Parabolic Arc
Crowd Sourcing
Golden Spike has kicked off a 10-week Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise $240,000 - representing each mile on the way to the Moon. The drive aims to raise awareness about Golden Spike, accelerate Golden Spike's plans for innovative public participation in its activities, and give the global community of space enthusiasts and the general public a chance to help fuel Golden Spike's human Lunar exploration mission. Release at Golden Spike
About Time
According to Virgin Galactic's Executive Vice President and CTO Steve Isakowitz, a SpaceShipTwo spaceflight could happen in 2013. As a "gesture of good faith", VG has begun paying rent for their spaceport terminal. Interview at Forbes
The Space Show
Dr. John Lewis, Dr. Sean Casey, and Mark Sundahl share their respective NewSpace initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on The Space Show.
Space Tech Expo 2013
Space Tech Expo brings together leaders involved in the design, build, and testing of spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle, and space-related technologies. Space Tech Expo connects end-users with solution providers: a platform for industry leaders, specifiers, and buyers to meet manufacturers and the supply chain for both civil and commercial space. The 2013 conference will be held on May 21-23, 2013, in Long Beach, CA.
Our Bad
In the January 2013 issue of NewSpace News, "NewSpace News Top 10 Stories of 2012", we referred to Odyssey Moon acquiring Space IL. More accurately, SpaceIL and Odyssey Moon have teamed up and SpaceIL will be "assuming the representative role for both teams."
