Subsidies to Ariane to keep it afloat
Subsidies to the Ariane 5 rocket to keep it afloat.
Something is seriously wrong with any operation (like Ariane) that dominates the market and still loses money the past two years.
Tag: commercial
Satellite Builders express contempt for MDA’s refueling plans for Intelsat
Sour grapes: Satellite builders express contempt for MDA’s refueling plans for Intelsat orbiting satellites.
No surprise here. If Intelsat can extend the life of its satellites, than it won’t have to buy them as often from these builders, something the builders clearly don’t want.
Intelsat signs MDA to perform in-space refueling of its communications satellites
Intelsat signs MDA to perform in-space refueling of its communications satellites.
The concept of refueling geosynchronous satellites has been lurking about the aerospace industry for years. According to this deal, we should see an actual mission in about five years.
Russians raise the ticket price on a Soyuz again, from $56 to $63 million per ride
Those private companies better get cracking! The Russians have raised their ticket price again, from $56 to $63 million per astronaut ride on a Soyuz.
SpaceX inks deal to launch SES satellite
More competition! SpaceX has inked a deal to launch its first geosynchronous communications satellite.
Virgin Galactic surpasses $10 million in ticket sales
Virgin Galactic surpassed $10 million in space tourism sales in 2010.
235 Years Later, the Invisible Hand Still Matters
235 years later, the invisible hand still matters.
Some interesting comments about NASA’s future from Clark Lindsey
Clark Lindsey of www.rlvnews.com/ has posted some interesting thoughts in reaction to the successful launch of the Air Force’s second reusable X-37b yesterday and how this relates to NASA’s budget battles in Congress. Key quote for me:
Charles Bolden doesn’t seem prepared to make a forceful case against the clear and obvious dumbness of the HLV/Orion program. Perhaps he in fact wants a make-work project for NASA to sustain the employee base.
As I’ve said before, the program-formerly-called-Constellation is nothing more than pork, and will never get built. Why waste any money on it now?
Five hundred customers into space in the first year of operation
Five hundred customers into space in the first year of operation.
The secrets of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space project
The secrets of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space project.
Some unusual commercial caves
A look at some truly different commercial caves.
Russia lacks enough rockets to fulfill 2011 launch plans
This is both good and bad: Russia appears to lack enough available rockets to fulfill its 2011 launch plans.
29 Teams, One Purchased Ride, and One Mystery for The Google Lunar X Prize
29 teams, one purchased ride, and one mystery for the Google Lunar X Prize.
Scientists buy tickets on Virgin Galactic
The Southwest Research Institute has purchased two tickets from Virgin Galactic for its scientists to fly on SpaceShipTwo.
The Beer has Landed: Astronauts4Hire Completes Space Beer Microgravity Test
The beer has landed: The first test of space beer in weightlessness has been completed. Key quote:
Astronauts4Hire Flight Member Todd Romberger was selected to perform the flight research. Todd sampled the beer during 12 microgravity parabolas, each reproducing the weightless conditions of space for 30 seconds at a time, and recorded qualitative data on beverage taste and drinkability as well as biometric data to gain a first look at alcohol effects the body.
A private space station by 2016
Space tourism poised to blast off in the next two years
So what the shuttle is being retired! Space tourism is poised to blast off in the next two years.
Want to go to space? Come to the Isle of Man
Want to go to space? Come to the Isle of Man.
A Private Space Shuttle Replacement
Google Lunar X Prize has announced the final roster of teams competing for its $30 Million prize
The Google Lunar X Prize has announced the final roster of teams competing for its $30 Million prize.