Report from Washington, D.C.
NASA Budget Reviews Occupy D.C.
The House Science, Space & Technology Committee held a hearing March 2 on NASA’s FY 2012 budget request, which proposes $18.7 billion in funds for the space agency. Administrator Charles Bolden testified before the Committee. Members of Congress from both parties voiced their concerns that the funding priorities outlined in NASA’s budget request did not…
Congress Expresses EASE Support at Hearing
The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing March 15 on the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for National Security Space Activities. Witnesses included: The Honorable Erin Conaton, under secretary of the Air Force, U.S Department of Defense General William Shelton, commander, Air Force Space Command Ambassador Gregory Schulte, deputy…
Space Foundation Hosts Ambassador Schulte
On March 14, the Space Foundation hosted a breakfast briefing on the national security space strategy for Congress featuring Ambassador Gregory Schulte, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, who briefed attendees and fielded questions. Schulte outlined the strategy’s three major objectives: to maintain the advantages that space provides the U.S. to protect…
Russians Hike Cost of a Ride to $63 Million
According to a story from The Associated Press, the Russians are hiking the price of rocket rides again for U.S. astronauts – to nearly $63 million. The price goes up in 2014 for an astronaut to fly to and from the International Space Station on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The previous contract charged just under…
Space Foundation Names Winners of 2011 Student Art Contest
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Mar. 31, 2011) — New to the 27th National Space Symposium this year is a student art contest co-sponsored by ARES Corporation, Fisher Space Pen Co. and the Space Foundation. Students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade were invited to submit original artwork depicting the theme, “Human Space Travel in the Year 2020,”…
Aerojet Completes Acceptance Testing on First MR-104G Engine Supporting NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 30, 2011) — Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, in conjunction with Lockheed Martin and NASA, successfully completed vibration and hot fire acceptance testing on its first development MR-104G mono-propellant rocket engine planned for use on NASA’s Orion Crew Module (CM). Twelve 160-lb. thrust MR-104G engines, arranged in four single-engine pods and…
Industry Alliance to Advance the Use of Hosted Payloads on Commercial Satellites
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 30, 2011) — Seven satellite industry companies have agreed to form an industry alliance to increase awareness of the benefits of hosted government payloads on commercial satellites. The Hosted Payload Alliance (HPA) will serve as a bridge between government and private industry to foster open communication between potential users and providers of…
27th National Space Symposium will Feature Large Spacecraft
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Mar. 28, 2011) — There will be more to see than ever before at the Space Foundation’s 27th National Space Symposium next month. The sold-out Boeing Exhibit Center has expanded this year to fill three indoor halls plus a brand new outdoor “Showroom” that will feature spectacular examples of space vehicles, including…
Students of Space Foundation Teacher Liaison Win 2010 NASA OPTIMUS PRIME Competition
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Mar. 25, 2011) — Four students of Space Foundation Teacher Liaison Kimberley Klein have won first place in the national 2010 NASA OPTIMUS PRIME Spinoff Award video contest sponsored by NASA and Hasbro. The contest asked students in two age groups, 3rd – 5th grade and 6th – 8th grade, to create…
Aerojet's Huntsville Office Hosts Expansion Groundbreaking Ceremony
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (March 25, 2011) — Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, announced today that in partnership with Huntsville City Mayor Tommy Battle and Chamber of Commerce executives, it held a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the launch of Aerojet’s new office expansion project. The event began at 4 p.m. and was held at Aerojet’s future location…