Sequestration
As a part of the automatic spending cuts known as sequestration, NASA is taking a $1.3 billion budget cut, down to $16.5 billion. Luckily, Commercial Crew is getting $489 million, up from the 2012 budget of $406 million. In other policy news, informed consent legislation has made progress in California and New Mexico. Dan Leone at Space News and Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc
Bugs, Wizards, and Dragons
Refusing to stop and take a breather after berthing Dragon with the ISS, SpaceX has successfully flown Grasshopper 80m, achieved flight qualification for their Merlin 1D engine, and discussed systems for human Dragon missions with NASA. Not to mention it is their 11th birthday. Elon Musk, SpaceX's Founder and CEO, also found time to give an interesting TED interview. Press Releases at SpaceX, Update at NASA, and Videos at YouTube and TED
Disruptive Propulsion
XCOR Aerospace has announced a first in aviation and space history, with the firing of a full piston pump-powered rocket engine. This technology is the foundation for fully reusable spacecraft that can fly multiple times per day, every day. They have a cool video of the test too. Press Release and Video at XCOR
Xaero-B Rises
Masten Aerospace has shown the world their new Xaero-B vehicle for the first time. The aptly named Xaero-B is the second generation of Masten's Xaero vehicle and is capable of much higher altitudes than its predecessor. In other Masten news, they flew Xombie for 80 seconds, the longest and highest yet. Press Release at Masten and Staff at RedOrbit
Money Time
Moon Express has raised $500,000 in investment, as part of a $2 million offering. Moon Express is backed by a handful of wealthy entrepreneurs, but this is the first time they have had success getting investment in four separate offerings. Lisa Ward at BizJournals
The Time Is Now
Orbital Sciences has announced that it plans to launch Antares in mid-April. This is exciting, but not unexpected, after their successful hot-fire test in February. Orbital is the only company other than SpaceX that is a part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation System (COTS) Program. Antares Project Website
Bezos Goes Swimming
Not satisfied with simply founding and operating Blue Origin and Amazon, Jeff Bezos has taken to diving in the Atlantic ocean...for Saturn V engines. Meanwhile, Blue Origin has fired their new engine as they extend their cooperation with NASA, and are eyeing a launch site in Shiloh. James Dean at Florida Today, Update at Bezos Expeditions, and Video from Blue Origin
Soon...
In a Q&A interview released by XOJET, Virgin Galactic's CEO George Whitesides stated that he predicts commercial flights will begin by 2014. In related news, Scaled Composites has named Kevin Mickey as President and Cory Bird as Vice President, and Wired wrote an interesting article about Richard Branson and his view of the suborbital market. Release at XOJET, Press Release at Scaled Composites, and Adam Higginbotham at WIRED
Spotlight On Development
Sierra Nevada Corp. was the focus of NASA's most recent Commercial Crew Program (CCP) Updates. Astronaut Lee Archambault has also left a 15-year career at NASA to join Sierra Nevada. Press Release and Update at NASA
This Isn't Even My Final Form
Stratolaunch has significantly changed the look of their system. Known by some as "Birdzilla" Stratolaunch's vehicle will air-launch payloads destined for orbit from a massive 385-foot wingspan mothership. Most likely, their design will change several more times before they are finished. Stratolaunch Comapny Website
We Need To Get Off This Thing!
Peter Diamandis and Eric Anderson, founders of Planetary Resources, explain their plans to mine asteroids. They believe that humanity will need an economic incentive to move off Earth, and mining asteroids is one of the most promising incentives. Video from Planetary Resources
The Space Show
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jon Goff, and Dr. Alan Stern share their respective NewSpace initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on The Space Show.
Space Tech Expo 2013
The Space Tech Conference 2013, held on May 21-23 in Long Beach, CA, will offer insights into purchasing priorities, acquisition requirements and supply chain opportunities. Contractors including ATK, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and Raytheon will join The Aerospace Corporation, NASA and military representatives in discussing strategies to continue to deliver excellence and innovation, while driving down cost.
Next-Generation Suborbital Researcher's Conference
This year's NSRC will include presentations on flight experiments, funding and flight opportunities for flying payloads and a NASA FOP workshop. For the first time, NSRC-2013 will also include technical sessions by suborbital providers to present each flight system's capabilities, development status, and future plans. Keynoters include NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, ISS Program Manager Mike Suffredini and FAA Associate Administrator George Nield. NSRC-2013 will be held at the Interlocken Resort in Broomfield, Colorado, just outside Boulder, on June 3-5.
