Gearing Up

Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Dream Chaser spacecraft has completed their ground tow tests and second captive carry test, and the team is getting ready for a free-flight test of the Dream Chaser in the fall. The President of SNC Mark Sirangelo was also appointed as Colorado's Chief Innovation Officer. Press Releases by NASA, SNC, and State of Colorado, and Youtube video by NASA

Hop Hop

SpaceX has been conducting vertical launch and landing tests with their Grasshopper test vehicle, and they recently tested a new capability to do a lateral divert. SpaceX also won a series of launch contracts from Germany to launch its Radar Reconnaissance Satellite System. The company is also showing signs of going with Texas for the next launch complex with their new land purchases in Boca Chica, Texas. Youtube video by SpaceX, Press Release by SpaceX, and Article by Valley Morning Star

We'll Miss You

After serving as the Deputy Administrator of NASA since 2009, Lori Garver has announced her resignation. She has been a champion of commercial space within NASA for the past four years and a dear friend and supporter of the Space Frontier Foundation. Press Release by NASA

More Money, More Milestones

NASA has added additional milestones for each of the partners in the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative. These milestones are also associated with additional total funding of $55 million. In related news, SpaceX completed a milestone on orbit and entry review. Press Releases by NASA

Another Farewell

Masten Space Systems flew flights for JPL on Masten's Xombie rocket to test precision landing software. Also, leaving the front lines of NewSpace is Masten's Colin Ake. He has been with Masten for over three years serving the company in a variety of roles. Blog post by Masten and Press Release by NASA

Tethers, Cubes, and More

NASA has been busy awarding a variety of technology projects in suborbital flights, CubeSats, and advanced concept studies. Many are technology development and demonstrations for CubeSats such as telecom and propulsion. One of the NIAC Phase II proposals by Tethers Unlimited investigates on-orbit manufacturing of satellite components. Press Releases by NASA and Tethers Unlimited

Opening Up the Skies

Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Bill Posey have introduced the Suborbital and Orbital Advancement and Regulatory Streamlining (SOARS) Act to help alleviate the regulatory overhead. It consolidates the requirements and oversight, and it also fixes some of the technical issues with the current law. Press Release by Congressman Kevity McCarthy

Pushing the Limits

NASA has been testing new additive manufacturing methods for their rockets, and they have pushed the limit with a 3-D printed rocket injector for a 20,000 lbs. thrust engine. By using this technology, they were able to reduce the number of parts for the injector from 115 to 2. Press Release by NASA

Sharing the Pie

ATK was awarded a contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation to support the development of the Stratolaunch System. ATK will provide the first and second stage propulsion for the rocket that Orbital is designing. Press Release by ATK

Shakedown

Made In Space, which will be sending a 3-D printer to the ISS, recently completed a major milestone towards their flight certification. The recent developmental testing involved simulating launch environments to check if the unit can withstand the vibration, acoustic loads, and electromagnetic interference. Update by Made In Space

Attracting Investors

Masterson Industries has received funding from Cottonwood Technology Fund and Pangaea Ventures Fund to produce its Microgravity Enabled Materials (MEMs) in space. The materials are very difficult or impossible to manufacture in normal gravity, and they are in need in specific industries. Also of notable mention, the space tourism startup company SHIPinSPACE received $7.8 million in seed funding to develop a 48-passenger suborbital vehicle. Articles by BizJournals and ParabolicArc

Stairway to Heaven

Elysium Space has opened its doors to offer funeral services and place cremated remains into orbit. In addition to the launch, the capsule can be tracked using a mobile app. This now makes two companies in the space funeral business with the other being Celestis, which has launched over 1,000 capsules into space. Article by Time

The Space Show

Bob Zimmerman, Charles Miller, and Brian Weeden share their respective NewSpace initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on The Space Show.

Business Plan Competition Updates

Nearly 50 companies entered the 2013 NewSpace Business Plan Competition this year, proving that the "Space 2.0" industry is not only growing, but thriving. First-round judges are busy reviewing the entries and will announce 10 finalists on September 13, 2013. These finalists will be invited to participate in a full-day competition event onOctober 24, 2013 in Silicon Valley, CA where $135,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Competition judges will represent both the finance and space sectors. The all-day event will also feature a keynote speaker and a "State of the Industry" panel discussion. If you are interested in attending the competition on October 24, please visit the website for more information.