SpaceX Offers Space Travel For International Tourists, Pending Safe Dragon Launch

From International Business Times: SpaceX Offers Space Travel For International Tourists, Pending Safe Dragon Launch
Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, has announced a plan to offer space travel opportunities to civilians.

SpaceX is partnering up with Bigelow Aerospace, according to a May 10 press release. "The two companies will offer rides on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, using the Falcon launch vehicle to carry passengers to Bigelow habitats orbiting the earth."

Currently, the Dragon capsule is gearing up for mission to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. This would be SpaceX's first such mission, and the pressure is on--especially since the launch date has already been delayed several times. Currently, potential launch dates include May 19 and May 22.

But if Dragon, with the help of its booster rocket Falcon 9, can complete its mission safely and smoothly, private company SpaceX will be off to a good start garnering attention in order to market its space tourism program.

Bigelow specializes in creating space habitats, which are big enough for six people. "Bigelow Aerospace plans to connect two or more BA 330s in orbit to provide national space agencies, companies, and universities with unparalleled access to the microgravity environment," said the release.

Together, SpaceX and Bigelow plan to offer tourists the opportunity to travel into space and experience a unique environment that's truly out of this world.

"SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will be capable of carrying seven passengers to orbit. With the company's Falcon family of rockets, SpaceX is working to create the world's safest human spaceflight system," said the press release. "The companies will kick off their marketing effort in Asia. Representatives from Bigelow and SpaceX will meet with officials in Japan shortly after the next launch of the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft."

SpaceX is a private company that may become the next pioneer in U.S. space exploration now that NASA has shut down its shuttle program.

Although NASA will be working on the Dragon capsule mission and is still involved in space exploration, a SpaceX launch will mark the beginning of a new era. Russian, European and Japanese vessels have been responsible for International Space Station cargo missions since NASA shut down its own program last year, but now private companies are picking up the reins to once again put the United States among the top players beyond Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceX, founded in California by CEO Elon Musk, has lofty goals. "I think most people would agree that a future where we are a spacefaring civilization is inspiring and exciting compared with one where we are forever confined to Earth until some eventual extinction event. That's really why I started SpaceX," said Musk during an interview on 60 Minutes.

But efore civilians can hitch a ride to the great beyond, SpaceX will have to prove its capabilities by sending the Dragon capsule to the International Space Station.

"There should be no doubt about our resolve," said Musk. "We will get to the space station, whether it's on this mission or on a future one."

John Kelly: Measuring success of SpaceX's flight to ISS won't be easy

From Florida Today: John Kelly: Measuring success of SpaceX's flight to ISS won't be easy
There is much debate about what would constitute success for Space X’s coming landmark attempt to launch a privately developed spaceship to the International Space Station.

The answer is layered and depends on whose measures of success you’re considering. Technical experts in the aerospace industry, whether they’re from SpaceX, NASA or competing commercial space ventures, will say there are so many parts of this program in “testing,” that pulling off a launch, an orbital flight and close-up rendezvous with the space station would represent major progress.

If SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, on just its second orbital flight and its first trying to chase and meet up with the space station, docks at the orbiting outpost, the achievement could be the catalyst for a technical and political game-changer.

The only other entities to achieve this complex a mission in space are national governments of the world’s wealthiest countries. They spent many more years and many more billions getting it done than the U.S. has had to invest as a “venture capitalist” of sorts on the SpaceX Falcon and Dragon projects.

The United States spent at least $8 billion in the 1970s developing the space shuttle system. If that were measured in today’s dollars, the development cost would surpass $50 billion.

The Russians spent an undisclosed amount of money developing the Soyuz and Progress spacecraft that regularly dock at the space station, over four decades. Flights of a single Soyuz are estimated, by consultants and Russian space program experts, to cost in the $100 million range.

Europe spent about $1.8 billion developing its automated cargo ship. The price for each flight is about $300 million, not counting the cost of the rocket that gets it off the Earth.

Japan invested $680 million developing its transfer vehicle, and each flight costs $220 million (not counting launch).

So far, the U.S. government has spent well under $300 million seeding the development of SpaceX’s new system under a contract in NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation System program. SpaceX bore the rest of the cost in the hopes of landing a follow-on $1.6 billion deal to regularly fly cargo to the space station, which it did, and with an eye toward proving Dragon could someday ferry astronauts.

Gunshots damage historic Saturn V moon rocket

From Space@msnbc.com: Gunshots damage historic Saturn V moon rocket
A historic Saturn V rocket was damaged by gunfire Thursday after someone shot three bullets into the Alabama museum where the mighty moon booster is on display.

The gunshots were fired just before 11:00 a.m. EDT outside the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. The shots may have been fired from a moving vehicle traveling along Interstate 565, which runs parallel to the booster's window-fronted building, according to the Huntsville Police Department (HPD).

"Preliminary information indicates that there were three rounds fired, hitting 30 to 100 feet (9 to 30 meters) apart, which leads us to believe they were fired from a moving vehicle on the interstate," HPD Communications Director Harry Hobbs wrote in an e-mail to collectSpace.com.

"The rounds were likely fired from a rifle, judging from the velocity needed to penetrate the glass," Hobbs said.

Although the museum was open to visitors at the time, no one was injured. The Davidson Center, which has housed the 363-foot (111-meter) Saturn V since 2007, was closed for about two hours following the shooting.

In addition to displaying the Saturn V and other historical artifacts. the Space & Rocket Center is also home to the U.S. Space Camp and serves as the visitor center for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Bullets bounced off
The Saturn V at the Space & Rocket Center, which is one of only three such rockets remaining, was only bruised by the bullets.

."There was no puncture, the bullets did not enter," Edward Stewart, USSRC director of exhibits and curation, said in an interview with collectSpace.com. "They hit it and bounced off."

Of the three bullets that were fired, the two that struck the rocket hit its third stage, referred to as the S-IVB.

"In one case, the impact that was towards the (stage's) aft end, there is a very, very slight indentation in the tank wall and of course, some loss of paint," Stewart said.

"The impact on the forward end is a deeper indentation. It is among the skirting that would interface with the (Saturn V's) instrument unit, where there are ridged stiffeners," he said. "It hit on the ridge of one of the stiffeners and dented it in pretty well. As it hit a straight metal surface, when it hit and dented, the vibration caused the paint to lift away."

The lifted paint led to the belief that the bullet had pierced the stage.

"It looks like a huge gaping hole, but what you're actually seeing is the shadow from the paint that peeled up," said Stewart.

..The third bullet passed through the opening separating the rocket's first and second stages, missing five large engines in the process.

"It fortunately missed all the J-2s and impacted on the far wall of the building," Stewart said.

All three bullets struck areas that were well above visitors' heads, about 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) off the ground on the rocket and about 35 feet (11 meters) high on the far wall.

Smithsonian's Saturn V
The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., owns the Saturn V, which is on loan to the Marshall Space Flight Center, which in turn has it on loan to the USSRC.

"We have seen media reports about a shooting incident involving the Saturn V rocket at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and we are glad there were apparently no injuries," the Smithsonian said in a statement in response to collectSpace.com. "We are waiting for officials there to provide information. It is premature to speculate on what actions might be required until we know details."

Stewart said that they plan to consult with Marshall Space Flight Center in regards to further engineering analysis of the damage. Detailed photos of the rocket were taken on Monday to provide to the NASA center.

It is not yet clear if the shooter may face federal charges, given the Smithsonian's involvement.

"NASA investigators are involved and assisting Huntsville Police Department investigators," Hobbs said.

The Saturn V at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center was first used for vibration studies at Marshall Space Flight Center in the 1960s in support of launching the massive booster to the moon. After decades being displayed outdoors, the rocket was restored and moved into the Davidson Center for Space Exploration in 2007.

George Takei Narrates Star Trek Music

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1st private cargo run to space station now May 19

From Boston Herald: 1st private cargo run to space station now May 19
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A private U.S. company has set a new date for launching a cargo ship to the International Space Station.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better known as SpaceX, said Friday it was now aiming for a May 19 liftoff of its Falcon rocket and Dragon capsule. It will be the first commercial cargo run to the space station.

The launch of the supply ship had been scheduled for Monday but was delayed for more software testing. The test flight is already three months late.

NASA used to stockpile the space station through the shuttles, but the fleet was retired last summer. The space agency wants commercial providers to carry up supplies and eventually astronauts.

In the meantime, NASA is paying Russia to ferry astronauts to the space station.

Virgin Galactic, Virgin Unite, UNCF Announce the Launch of the Galactic Unite STEM Scholarship Program for Young Women

From Market Watch Press Release: Virgin Galactic, Virgin Unite, UNCF Announce the Launch of the Galactic Unite STEM Scholarship Program for Young Women
NEW YORK, May 01, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Virgin Galactic, the world's first spaceline, and the Virgin Group's not-for-profit Virgin Unite have come together to announce the Galactic Unite STEM Scholarship Program. Galactic Unite is a global initiative, driven by Virgin Galactic's community of Future Astronaut customers, designed to inspire and support students as they seek answers to global challenges through science, technology, engineering and mathematics education (STEM) and business entrepreneurship. Virgin Galactic Future Astronauts Jann Bytheway and Global recording artist/UNESCO Artist for Peace Ambassador Sarah Brightman have, by generous donations, created the Galactic Unite STEM Scholarship Program, which will be managed through a partnership with UNCF, one of the nation's largest private providers of minority scholarships.

The Bytheway and Brightman STEM Scholarship Program will help young females in the US pursue STEM education throughout their four-year college career, providing a much needed boost to the current participation of females in this area. The first scholarships will be awarded this fall. The application deadline is May 31, 2012.

To apply for Galactic Unite Bytheway Scholarship, please visit http://www.uncf.org/galactic_bytheway . To apply for Galactic Unite Brightman Scholarship, please visit http://www.uncf.org/galactic_brightman .

Commenting on the announcement, George Whitesides, CEO and President of Virgin Galactic said: "Space exploration belongs to everyone regardless of socio-economic background. We have built and will be operating the vehicles that will provide universal access to space, safely and affordably for the very first time. But this is just the start. The new industry which we are helping to create will offer endless exciting opportunities for talented young people. We will need that talent in order for the industry to grow and to reach its full potential. Through Jann and Sarah's generosity and the vision of our community of Future Astronauts, young lives will be changed and ambitions fulfilled to the benefit of future generations."

"It is exciting to be able to partner with Virgin Unite to provide STEM scholarships to young women," said Jann Bytheway. "Some of the fastest growing and financially rewarding jobs in the U.S. are in the STEM fields. While women make up more than 50% of the work force, they only comprise one quarter of the STEM jobs. The world needs inventive, intelligent women who can make a difference in STEM."

Sarah Brightman added: "I'm delighted to be supporting this exciting and important program. There are many talented young women out there who need to be given greater opportunities to develop their STEM skills. These women could be our future astronauts and space program pioneers. Success in every field is usually achieved through a mix of innate skill and superb teaching. I believe that these scholarships will enable the education system to bring out the best in young women who might otherwise not get a chance to realize their full potential."

"UNCF is excited to be partnering with Virgin Unite to offer this space-age scholarship program," said UNCF president and CEO Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D. "America will define itself in the 21st century by its ability to prepare our young people for STEM careers, and by its commitment to offer those opportunities to young women from low- and moderate-income families, who are currently underrepresented in STEM careers. UNCF is proud to be part of The Galactic Unite STEM Scholarship Program and salutes Jann Bytheway and Sarah Brightman for their generosity and willingness to invest in America's future."

"We are so excited to be working with Virgin Galactic, UNCF and the wonderful Future Astronauts from Virgin Galactic. A big thanks to Jann and Sarah for their commitment. We look forward to working with other partners and other Future Astronauts to really grow this program with the aim of encouraging millions of other young people to get a STEM education and help us all re-imagine how we live and work in this world." said Virgin Unite CEO Jean Oelwang.

About Virgin Unite
Virgin Unite is the non-for-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. We unite people to tackle tough social and environmental problems in an entrepreneurial way. Our aim is to help revolutionize the way businesses, governments and the social sector work together -- driving business as a force for good. This is based on the belief that this is the only way we can tackle the scale and urgency of the challenges facing the world today. Virgin Unite's overheads are covered by Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, meaning that 100% of additional donations received go direct to the frontline where they are needed most. For more information please visit www.virginunite.com . Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/virginunite . Join the movement on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VirginUnite

About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is on track to be the world's first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (VSS Enterprise) and Mothership (VMS Eve) have both been developed for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world's first privately built manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic's new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six customers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space. The VSS Enterprise test flight program will continue through 2012, prior to commercial operations, which will be based at Virgin Galactic's future headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico.

About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) plays a critical role in enabling more than 60,000 students each year to attend college and get the education they need and that the nation needs them to have. To live up to the ideal expressed in UNCF's universally-recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste,"(R) UNCF helps students go to and through college by:

-- Awarding 10,000 scholarships each year under 400 scholarship and internship programs so that students from low- and moderate-income families can attend more than 900 colleges and universities across the country. Through the UNCF/Merck Science Initiative, for example, UNCF has enabled almost 600 students and scholars to study biological science and engineering at the undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral levels;

-- Providing operating funds for its 38 member colleges, small, private institutions that offer a small-college experience at tuitions that average more than 30 percent less than those at comparable colleges and universities; and

-- Serving as a national advocate for college readiness and the importance of education for all Americans.

NASA Administrator Discusses Future of Space Flight

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From WHNT 19: NASA Administrator Discusses Future of Space Flight
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden appeared live on WHNT News 19 This Morning on Tuesday. We talked with him about the first commercial cargo mission to the International Space Station, which is scheduled for Monday, May 7.

Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, will launch its Falcon Rocket from the pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. A successful mission would mean less dependence on the Russians to supply the station. It would also mean NASA’s move to use more commercial ventures is working.

“This is American industry that’s going to give us the capability of taking cargo to the International Space Station,” said Bolden. “We’ve been reliant on our partners, the Russians, the Europeans, and the Japanese for the last couple of years, but we’re going to go back to American capability. It’s very, very important.