House Republicans propose even deeper NASA cuts
House Republicans propose even deeper NASA cuts.
The government free ride is ending. If you want us to go into space, you better consider buying a ticket.
Tag: NASA
Station Partners Mull Extraordinary Photo Opp
An extraordinary photo opportunity: Use the Soyuz to photograph ISS next month when the shuttle and the Japanese and European cargo ships are all docked to ISS.
Orion spacecraft shipped to Lockheed’s Jeffco facility.
Even as Congress argues over NASA’s budget, Constellation marches on! The first completed Orion capsule was shipped from the factory yesterday to undergo tests.
SpaceX puts Dragon 9 space capsule on display in D.C.
SpaceX has put the Dragon 9 space capsule that flew in space on display in D.C. Though it is really cool that they are making the capsule so available to the public, this quote tells us the real story:
With Congress preparing in the weeks ahead to again address the question of government contracts for commercial space businesses such as SpaceX, the company wanted to give it (and attendees of the nearby FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference) an opportunity to see the capsule. Members of Congress and of the Obama administration were invited to attend a Thursday evening viewing, and company officials said the response has been enthusiastic.
Trees from space
We need to find them! Trees from space, planted here on Earth. You can see the known list here.
A budgetary haircut ahead for NASA?
Republicans in House want to shift NASA’S climate funds back to Manned Spaceflight
The space war over NASA continues: A group of House Republicans want to cut NASA’s climate research budget — increased significantly by Obama — and put it back into manned spaceflight.
House committee to review NASA budget
The first post-2010-election House appropriations committee hearing on NASA’s budget will take place this week. Key quote:
“The goal of the hearings is to help identify top management challenges and find ways to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in these respective departments and agencies,” the chairman of the CJS subcommittee, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)
Former NASA employee is being investigated for stealing and selling shuttle tiles on eBay
The former NASA employee whose home was raided two days ago is being investigated for stealing and selling shuttle tiles on eBay.
While NASA retreats to capsule, two companies push commercial spaceplane concepts
While NASA retreats to building a capsule, two private companies push commercial spaceplane concepts.
This nicely illustrates the contrasting levels of innovation between NASA and the private sector.
More layoffs in the shuttle program
Contractor proposes taking over two shuttles and flying them for NASA through 2017
The contractor who manages the shutte program for NASA, United Space Alliance (USA), has proposed taking over two shuttles and flying them privately for NASA through 2017. Key quote:
USA’s current estimated price tag of $1.5 billion per year would represent a substantial drop from previous funding levels, which have seen shuttle program costs rise as high as $4 billion per year. United Space Alliance says its plan would take advantage of shuttle infrastructure and a workforce already in place. Some shuttle production lines would have to be restarted — for example, the operation that builds the shuttle’s external fuel tanks. But USA says the first commercial shuttle flights could take place in 2013. That would beat the 2016 deadline specified in last year’s legislation, as well as the development schedule laid out by SpaceX and USA’s other commercial competitors.