Constellation « AmericaSpace

Orbital ATK Signs Contract to Provide Launch Abort Motor for Orion

By Elliot Severn, on July 9th, 2015

An expanded view of NASA’s Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, showing the crew module, service module, launch escape system, and protective fairings.” Image Credit: NASA

On Tuesday, July 7, Orbital ATK signed a contact with Lockheed Martin to provide the solid rocket motor for the launch abort system of NASA’s Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. […]

ATK Schedules First Full-Scale SLS Booster Qualification Motor Test Fire for March 2015

By Mike Killian, on December 31st, 2014

File photo of a five-segment ATK solid rocket booster on the company’s test stand in Promontory, Utah. The 154-foot booster, which is in development for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), will produce heat two-thirds the temperature of the Sun, and its 12-foot-diameter cylinder will deliver 3.6 million pounds of thrust when the rocket […]

Commentary: A Path to Nowhere and the Absence of Leadership (Part 2)

By Leonidas Papadopoulos, on April 16th, 2014

Despite a plethora of deep-space mission concepts currently envisioned by NASA, there’s little consensus between Congress and the White House on where the space agency should go next in space, in the lack of a coherent vision and direction. Image Credit: NASA

Last week’s article had focused on examining some of the events […]

Commentary: A Path to Nowhere and the Absence of Leadership (Part 1)

By Leonidas Papadopoulos, on April 12th, 2014

In the aftermath of the recent geopolitical crisis in Crimea, a series of sanctions has been imposed on Russia by many countries, including the United States. Many observers fear that Russia might answer back, by denying to transport U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station. Image Credit: NASA

The recent geopolitical tensions resulting […]

House Science Committee Hearing to Discuss Mars-Venus Flyby as Mission Proposal for Second SLS Flight in 2021

By Leonidas Papadopoulos, on February 26th, 2014

A hearing scheduled by the House Science Committee will attempt to explore the possibility of the first manned SLS/Orion flight in 2021 conducting a Mars-Venus flyby. Could this lead to Dennis Tito’s and Inspiration Mars’ plans becoming a reality? Image Credit: NASA

A hearing by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Science, […]

Opinion: Which Way Toward the Red Planet? Current Plans for Mars Colonisation and the Need for Maturity

By Leonidas Papadopoulos, on February 11th, 2014

Artistic rendering of Mars, made from images taken with NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. Private space companies have announced plans for the colonisation of the Red Planet within the next decade. How close are those plans to becoming a reality? Image Credit: Kees Veenenbos/MOLA Science Team/NASA

“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s […]

SpaceX Awarded Launch Reservation Contract for Largest Canadian Space Program

By Press Release, on July 31st, 2013

Photo Credit: SpaceX

HAWTHORNE, Calif — Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) was awarded a launch reservation contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) to support the largest space program to date in Canada, carrying the three satellites to orbit that will make up the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) on a Falcon 9 rocket […]

ESC Empowers Part 1: The People that Make the Magic

By Jason Rhian, on January 7th, 2013

The first in a six-part series detailing the men and women working on the contract that is working to rebuild and redirect NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for the future. Image Credit: Jason Rhian

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla – The general public views NASA’s Kennedy Space Center as the place where America launches astronauts into […]

On @ The 90: The Future

By Jason Rhian, on November 11th, 2012

On @ The 90 is AmericaSpace’s editorial feature and is therefore based on opinion. Photo Credit: Jason Rhian

Predictions are dangerous things. Dick Morris, a political commentator, found this out the hard way recently. He predicted that Mitt Romney would win the U.S. presidential election in a landslide. Yeah, so much for that. […]

Opinion: One Year Later Finds Shuttle Workers Still Struggling

By Matt Gaetjens, on August 11th, 2012

Many highly-skilled aerospace workers still are unemployed and are struggling to survive in the current tepid economic climate. Photo Credit: Matt Gaetjens

On July 21, just prior to sunrise, space shuttle Atlantis completed its final flight on the South end of the Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The mission’s commander Chris […]