To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.
If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@space.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Friday’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting on space activities from around the globe. In Washington, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden assures commercial space companies they are an essential part of the agency’s future. Also in Washington, NASA’s inspector general urges House appropriators to sort out costly legislative conflicts restricting the future of human space flight. A look at the recently unveiled U.S. National Security Space Strategy. Lockheed Martin’s prototype Orion capsule heads for the Denver area to under go ground and water testing. Suggestions for a privately financed Mars expedition arise at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Lawmakers turn to the nation’s satellite reconnaissance programs for possible spending cuts.
1. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden makes a surprise appearance at the FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference in Washington on Thursday. During remarks, he assures commercial space companies their services are essential to the nation’s future in space.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/02/10/bolden-emphasizes-the-need-of-commercial-space/
A. From Aviation Week & Space Technology: NASA is negotiating with the Russians for more Soyuz spacecraft seats to fulfill U.S. transportation obligations to the International Space Station after the shuttle’s retirement. The talks are aimed at purchases in the 2014 to 2015 time frame in the belief U.S. commercial transportation services will not be prepared to operate before then.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2011/02/10/07.xml&headline=NASA,%20Roscosmos%20Seeking%20More%20Soyuz%20Seats&channel=space
B. From the Washington Post: On Dec. 8, SpaceX made history when it launched and recovered its Dragon cargo capsule as part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program. Now, the capsule is on display at 9th and K streets in Washington. The spacecraft, which SpaceX hopes to use for the commercial launchings of astronauts as well as cargo to the International Space Station, is in surprisingly good condition.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/10/AR2011021007614.html
C. From Spaceflightnow.com: The Boeing Co. is among U.S. companies in competition for NASA funding to develop a commercial space transportation capability to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. On Thursday, Boeing said it expects to compete for international customers as well.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1102/10cst100/
2. From Florida Today: NASA Inspector General Paul Martin urges members of the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee to resolve policy conflicts between the 2010 NASA Authorization Act and the agency’s 2010 appropriations measure. The appropriations legislation restricts agency spending and blocks a transition from the all but cancelled Constellation program to a new blueprint outlined in the authorization bill, Martin tells the panel. “We need a good, strong space program,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, a Virginia Republican who heads the Appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA. “It’s just wallowing, almost.”
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110211/NEWS02/102110322/NASA-Unclear-mission-wasteful?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home
3. From the Economist: A look at the Obama Administration’s National Security Space Strategy unveiled this month by Secretary of Defense Bill Gates and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. The strategy is focused on cooperation among nations to curtail the growth of orbital space debris and further anti-satellite weapons testing. http://www.economist.com/node/18111774?story_id=18111774&fsrc=rss
4. From Space.com: Lockheed Martin ships a prototype Orion capsule from production facilities in New Orleans to a test facility in the Denver area on Thursday. The prototype will under go ground and water testing. Though part of the all but cancelled NASA Constellation program, Orion appears likely to live on as a multi-purpose crew capsule for missions of deep space exploration.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/10815-nasa-orion-space-capsule-testing.html
5. From Space.com: At NASA’s Langley Research Center, talk turns to a privately financed mission to Mars. The estimated $160 billion cost could be paid for by assigning broadcast, film and book rights as well as licensing toys, clothing and other goods, a scientist suggests.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/10819-mars-private-funding-manned-mission.html
6. From Florida Today: The leaders of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology urge panel members to attend the upcoming launch of shuttle Discovery. Chairman Ralph Hall says he hopes to preserve NASA’s capabilities during difficult economic times. Discovery’s lift off is tentatively set for Feb. 24.
http://space.flatoday.net/2011/02/house-members-may-come-see-discovery.html
7. From Defense News: The House Intelligence Committee looks to the nation’s satellite reconnaissance program for potential savings.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=5679000&c=POL&s=TOP
Brought to you by the Coalition for Space Exploration, CSExtra is a daily compilation of space industry news selected from hundreds of online media resources. The Coalition is not the author or reporter of any of the stories appearing in CSExtra and does not control and is not responsible for the content of any of these stories. The content available through CSExtra contains links to other websites and domains which are wholly independent of the Coalition, and the Coalition makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information contained in any such site or domain and does not pre-screen or approve any content. The Coalition does not endorse or receive any type of compensation from the included media outlets and is not responsible or liable in any way for any content of CSExtra or for any loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of any content appearing in CSExtra. For information on the Coalition, visit www.space.com or contact us via e-mail at Info@space.com.