May 12 News Items

XM Posts Wider Loss, Awaits FCC Decision on Sirius Marger (Source: Wall Street Journal)
XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. posted a wider first-quarter loss on higher marketing costs as it continues to wait for clearance on its pending acquisition by rival Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. The merger of the nation's only two satellite-radio companies, originally announced in February 2007, is still being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission. The $4.3 billion deal was expected to have closed already. (5/12)

New Water Reclamation System Headed for Space Station (Source: NASA)
International Space Station crews soon will have a new water reclamation system that will recycle wastewater, allowing up to six crew members to live aboard the orbiting laboratory. The latest addition to the station's life support system departed May 12 from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., for final flight preparations. (5/12)

Soyuz Landing Problems Concern NASA (Source: AIA)
NASA is concerned that Russia's Soyuz space capsules pose a safety threat to American astronauts it transports to and from the International Space Station. Despite an impressive safety record over 40 years, Soyuz has recently experienced two consecutive reentry failures that space experts attribute to malfunctioning parts and errors in workmanship. Soyuz will become increasingly important to the U.S. space program after the space shuttle fleet is retired in 2010. (5/12)

Embry-Riddle Team Among Finalists in Competition to Promote NASA (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Two Florida teams landed slots last week in the final round of the annual " NASA Means Business" competition, agency officials said. Teams from Daytona Beach-based Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Eglin Air Force Base campus and Miami International University of Art & Design competed in the final round of the contest, which was held at Kennedy Space Center. Bentley College of Waltham, Mass., and the University of Wisconsin in Madison were also among the finalists. A University of Wisconsin team won the grand prize. (5/12)

NASA Plans Boeing Contract for Ares Parachute Testing (Source: NASA)
NASA plans a sole-source contract with Boeing to support a requirement for Ares I First Stage drogue and main parachute drop tests at aircraft extraction loads of 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, and 90,000 pounds to support the deceleration sub-system development for Ares I First Stage. NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the services from Boeing. The Boeing C-17 is the only cargo aircraft, commercial or military, capable of air dropping loads above 60,000 pounds at altitudes of 25,000 feet to meet the deceleration subsystem parachute test qualification and schedule requirements for Ares I First Stage. The C-17 was designed by Boeing to carry loads in excess of 60,000 pounds, although the Air Force does not have supporting documentation to that effect. The Air Force requires that Boeing, the original equipment manufacturer, perform the analysis for the C-17 due to its unique knowledge of the C-17 aircraft. Boeing retains proprietary information including drawings and specifications concerning the C-17, and the information concerning the C-17 is not available to another contractor. Click here for information. (5/12)

Orbital Propellant Depots: an Idea Whose Time has (Almost) Come (Source: Space Review)
On-orbit propellant depots has for years been an interesting concept, but one that was still far in the future. Jeff Foust reports on why some people believe that the depots' time has nearly come. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1127/1 to view the article. (5/12)

Notes on the State of the RLV Industry in 2008 (Source: Space Review)
While some RLV companies have faded away over the years, a few have managed to survive, if not yet prosper. Taylor Dinerman takes a look at what set two of those companies apart. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1126/1 to view the article. (5/12)

Why the Moon? (Source: Space Review)
With the current presidential candidates showing lukewarm interest, at best, at continuing the Vision for Space Exploration, developing a strong rationale for returning to the Moon becomes ever more important. Eric Hedman argues that it's vital to play up the long-term benefits to society of exploration. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1125/1 to view the article. (5/12)

Space Angels Network Featured on Next Stanford Webinar on May 19 (Source: CSA)
Burton Lee, Ph.D., of the Space Angels Network, will be featured on the next Stanford Webinar Course AA247, Innovation in Aerospace and Space Exploration, at 2:15 p.m. (PDT). Click here for access. Meeting Number: 926 021 322. Meeting Password: innovation.

They're no Jack Kennedys (Source: Space Review)
As president, John F. Kennedy provided the nation's infant space program with strong direction and a bold goal. However, Jeff Brooks notes, the Massachusetts Democrats currently in Congress don't share Kennedy's public support for human spaceflight. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1124/1 to view the article. (5/12)

Florida and Virginia Await Launch Pad Decision (Source: Spaceports Blog)
The Orbial Sciences Corp. Taurus II launch site decision is eagerly being awaited by space advocates along the East Coast after an announcement delay. The Florida legislature enacted three initiatives to seek to boost the prospects for the commercial space industry - matching the Virginia offer. Both Virginia and Florida now have enacted protections from lawsuits for the nascent space tourism businesses, tax incentives, and millions of dollars for investment in launch pad infrastructure improvements. Virginia's most important advantages are: slightly easier boost inclination to the space station, less demand for range and launch delay conflicts, and Orbital being based in Virginia and not far from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. (5/12)