Space

Some of the answers were on display at the 65th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) just concluded in Toronto, both in the remarks of many participants and the actions of the host government in Ottawa.

Virgin Galactic is finally on the verge of full-duration powered test flights and the start of commercial suborbital flights in 2015. Providing a rare glimpse of progress on a second spacecraft under assembly at sister organization, The Spaceship Co., Virgin Galactic Vice President of Operations Mike Moses says, “we are ready for space.”

The goal of deep-space exploration is driving many technological benefits, including a high-efficiency iodine-fueled RF ion microthruster

The Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) have signed a contract to build the Alsat-1B Earth Observation satellite in combination with a comprehensive training and development programme.

One of the almost three dozen symposia scheduled during the International Astronautical Congress dealt with issues of Earth observation from space.

Penny-pinching politicians and those who reject the evidence that human activity is changing Earth’s climate are making it hard for scientists to continue providing the data from space needed to monitor and try to manage the effects of inaction

If signed, the deal with an undisclosed customer would allow UrtheCast to develop two sensors, a high-resolution, dual-mode optical/video camera and a high-resolution dual-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that will be capable of imaging simultaneously in L and X bands.

Sierra Nevada is taking advantage of the 65th International Astronautical Congress to push its Dream Chaser lifting-body spaceplane to offshore customers, now that NASA has rejected its bid to fly crews to the International Space Station.

Yahsat is offering a free satellite modem and dish for new YahClick subscribers to selected service plans as part of its commitment to deliver affordable, reliable and high speed internet connectivity in Kenya. The offer is available via the local YahClick service providers Skynet and SimbaNET.

It is time for the U.S. and Russia to bring China inside the space tent.

Export controls on space hardware and competition for public funds further complicate space cooperation.

Blue Origin, the startup space company endowed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, has generated a fair amount of smoke and fire at its West Texas test site, but very little publicity.

Following the ISS model, civil space agencies are tapping private partners for spaceflight developments

The Chinese space station is offering a range of opportunities for international coooperation

For Canada’s space sector, a new government, especially one led by the Liberals, would boost the program.

The FAA’s new “best practices” manual draws on its 100 years of aviation safety lessons learned

Intra-nation tensions related to Ukraine situation and other matters have left space partnerships relatively unscathed

Aviation Week looks at the laser technology that the European Data Relay System (EDRS) will use to transmit data via geostationary satellites. EDRS aims to provide nearly uninterrupted data links to low-Earth-orbiting spacecraft and allow ground stations that need it most to receive information in near-real time.

Satellites enable everything from better weather forecasts to smartphones; we would literally be lost without them.

67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko poses an unexpected challenge for Rosetta mission.

NASA Commercial Crew Contract Contenders Still Have Eyes On Prize

Blue Origin Tackles RD-180 Engine Replacement

SpaceX to continue with engine work whether or not it meets certification deadline

Major developments in Commercial Crew and rocket engines are the subject of this week’s podcast.

Watching our planet from the ISS