NASA, Boeing Make Progress on Starliner Valve Issue “Work progressed to restore functionality to several valves in the Starliner propulsion system that did not open as designed during the launch countdown for the Aug. 3 launch attempt. The valves connect to thrusters that enable abort and in-orbit maneuvering.” Keith’s note: How – why – did this spacecraft – one that is supposed to eventually fly humans – ever make it […]
NASA to pay Russia $88 mln to deliver astronauts to world’s sole orbiter in 2018-2019, TASS “Russia has signed a contract with the United States to deliver six NASA astronauts aboard Russian-made Soyuz MS spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2018-2019, according to a quarterly report released by Energiya Rocket and Space Corporation on Monday. Energiya Corporation is the producer of Russian spacecraft. According to the document, NASA […]
Boeing falls behind SpaceX in next space race, CNN Money “Boeing said Tuesday that it has pushed the date of its first manned space mission back from 2017 to 2018. Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, which will carry the astronauts, is still under development. SpaceX, led by Tesla Motors (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk, says it intends to have a manned mission in 2017 using its Dragon space capsule. Unlike the Starliner, Dragon […]
How NASA’s New Spaceships Stack Up, NPR “Boeing and SpaceX both have new displays standard on every model. But Keith Cowing says there is a difference in the way they look. The Boeing one does harken back to Apollo,” he says. “The SpaceX one, I’ve been in there, and it’s got a sci-fi vibe to it.” SpaceX does look sleeker, and it’d be his first choice. But honestly? He’d fly […]
ULA Successfully Completes Critical Design Review for Boeing Commercial Crew Accommodations at Launch Pad “The CDR, supported by Boeing, NASA, and the Air Force, approved the design for the Crew Access Tower, Crew Access Arm as well as the White Room that will allow the flight crews the ability to safely ingress and egress Boeing’s CST-100 crew module for launch. In addition, the team reviewed the conceptual design of the […]
Boeing Unveils Interior of CST-100 Manned Spacecraft [Watch], Boeing “NASA astronauts Serena Aunon and Randy Bresnik conducted flight suit evaluations inside a fully outfitted test version of The Boeing Company’s CST-100 spacecraft July 22, the first time the world got a glimpse of the crew capsule’s interior.”
Boeing Establishes Baseline Configuration of Commercial Crew Transportation System “Boeing and NASA recently established the firm baseline configuration for the company’s Commercial Crew Transportation System, achieving the first performance milestone in NASA’s Commercial Crew integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative.”
NASA Signs Agreement with Space Florida to Reuse Kennedy Facilities For Boeing CST-100 Development “The next era of space exploration won’t wait, and so we can’t wait for Congress to do its job and give our space program the funding it needs. That’s why my Administration will be pressing forward, in partnership with Space Florida and the private sector, to create jobs and make sure America continues to lead the […]
Deal that may bring 600 jobs to KSC could get OK soon, Florida Today “Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana said he is optimistic a deal will close soon to transfer control of a former shuttle hangar to Space Florida. He said that will clear up red tape, and enable what he described as “a commercial company” to move into the building known as Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3, where […]
Boeing Submits Proposal for 2nd Round of NASA Commercial Crew Development Program “Boeing is proposing an approach that will significantly mature the CST-100 design through demonstrations of critical subsystems. The CST-100 spacecraft is designed to support NASA’s primary objective of affordable access to Low Earth Orbit. It will carry up to seven crew and passengers, is reusable up to 10 times, and is compatible with a variety of expendable launch […]
