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 features a collection of the latest reporting on NASA bills making their way through the House and Senate. The House Science and Technology Committee agreed to an authorization bill on Thursday, following a lengthy session that considered a long list of amendments. The full Senate Appropriations Committee agreed to a measure as well. Differences loom however, over the future roles of commercial space transportation services and NASA developed spacecraft for exploration.
1. From the Orlando Sentinel: The seeming compromise at the center of the NASA spending bill adopted on Thursday by the full Senate Appropriations Committee could place NASA in new jeopardy, the Sentinel reports. The measure calls on the agency to develop a heavy lift rocket and crew capsule that could reach the International Space Station by 2016. However, the corresponding funding is inadequate and the agency could not finish the work sooner than 2020, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Deputy Administrator Lori Garver warned two key lawmakers, according to Sentinel sources.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-nasa-compromise-policy-20100722,0,3975954.story
A. From Florida Today: The House Science and Technology Committee agrees on a NASA spending plan Thursday, but it includes far less to help initiate commercial crew space transportation services than the White House envisioned. Florida Today foresees additional time consuming confrontation before a compromise is reached on the matter. Both chambers agree NASA needs another shuttle mission in mid-2011.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100723/NEWS02/7230330/House+aligns+for+one+more+shuttle+flight
B. From Spaceflightnow.com: Differing visions of NASA’s future advance in the House and Senate on Thursday. The differences promise to set up a legislative clash over the roles of NASA and commercially operated spacecraft in the future exploration of space. The House version envisions $450 million in direct funding, loans and loan guarantees for commercial operators over the next three years. The Senate version envisions $1.3 billion for the same period. The White House called for $6 billion over five years.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1007/22congress/
C. From the Huntsville Times: Key difference loom between the Senate and House and over spending on future commercial space transportation services. It does not appear the House has reached the same compromise with the White House that the Senate has, according to the Huntsville Times.
http://blog.al.com/space-news/2010/07/congressional_committees_keep.html
D. From the Deseret News of Utah: The state’s lawmakers see hope for the continued production of solid rocket motors in the NASA legislation now making its way through the House and Senate, the newspaper reports. The outcome will impact rocket maker ATK and hundreds of jobs, say legislators.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700050197/Bill-to-save-ATK-jobs-progresses.html
E. Spacepolitics.com: The full Senate Appropriations Committee makes quick work of the NASA spending bill. Report includes a spending breakdown.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2010/07/22/senate-committee-makes-quick-work-of-nasa-appropriations-work/
2. From Spaceflightnow.com: Orbital Sciences Corp. plans the first test flight of its Taurus II rocket for commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station in the second quarter of 2012.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1007/22orbitalcots/
3. From Discovery.com: Astronomers discover complex carbon structures called Bucky balls in the remains of a sun-like star. The stable carbon structures were discovered on Earth in 1985. The finding may alter scientific understanding of space chemistry. http://news.discovery.com/space/buckyballs-carbon-chemistry.html
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.