July 18 News Items

Horizons-2 Launch Pushed Back to December (Source: Space News)
A technical anomaly found in the Horizons-2 satellite owned jointly by Intelsat and JSat Corp. will force a delay in its launch from September to December, Horizons-2 prime contractor Orbital Sciences Corp. said July 18.

Orbital Outlines Revenue Goals for Taurus 2 (Source: Space News)
The new launch vehicle that Orbital Sciences Corp. tentatively plans to develop and debut in 2010 will generate $150 million to $200 million in annual revenues based on three to four missions per year from 2012 onwards, Orbital Chairman David W. Thompson said July 18.

NASA Halts Ares I Upper Stage Engine Development (Source: Flight International)
NASA has stopped development of the 274,000lb-thrust J-2XD engine version for its Ares I crew launch vehicle (CLV) and will instead use its 294,000lb-thrust J-2X powerplant for both the CLV and the Ares V cargo launch vehicle upper stages. As well as a larger nozzle extension, the J-2X will have to use new materials because the Apollo-era J-2 used out-of-date aluminium alloys, its thermal protection system is no longer available, and other components are unavailable due to Environmental Protection Agency restrictions. More up-to-date manufacturing technologies will also be employed, including the hot isostatic pressing bonding method used to produce the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68 engine's milled channel combustion chamber.

Orbital Sciences Reports Higher Earnings (Source: BizJournals)
Orbital Sciences Corp. reported net income of $13.8 million on $273.3 million in sales for the second quarter this year, a 40 percent increase from its second-quarter earnings a year ago of $9.9 million. The satellite and space systems segment notched $160 million in revenue compared with $108 million in the year ago quarter. Launch vehicles brought in $102 million in sales, compared with $80.4 million in the second quarter 2006. In the second quarter, Orbital successfully carried out six satellite and launch systems missions, including a Minotaur I space launch vehicle for the Air Force from Wallops Flight Facility and a Pegasus rocket for NASA from the Vandenberg Air Force Base. The firm has a backlog of contracts worth more than $2 billion, according to the earnings statement.

E'Prime Aerospace and Space Propulsion Systems Announce Strategic Alliance (Source: E'Prime)
E'Prime Aerospace Corp. and Space Propulsion Systems have announced a strategic alliance to use SPS's patented concept for the design and manufacturing of advanced performance solid rocket propellants. This new generation microcellular propellant technology uses the most advanced supercritical fluids based manufacturing methods and should provide significant enhancements to E'Prime's performance, safety and operating costs and introduce new capabilities including allowing design of mission specific propellants. Visit http://new.quote.com/stocks/story.action?id=PRN190p5503 for information.

JSC Saturn 5 Restored to Former Glory (Source: Florida Today)
Another of the mammoth Saturn 5 rockets from the U.S. moon-shot program has been rescued from a rusty demise and restored to museum standards for tourists visiting Johnson Space Center. Three of the gargantuan launchers, which were used to blast crew and cargo from Kennedy Space Center to the moon, remained when the lunar-landing program was cut short in the 1970s. The one at NASA's center in Houston, Texas, had been sitting on display outdoors, its condition degrading as it sat exposed to both visitors and the elements of the weather. This week, as part of the celebration of Friday's 38th anniversary of the first manned moon landing in 1969, NASA will unveil the restored version of one of the relics and open the now-indoor exhibit to tourists.

Space Worker Vandalized After Crossing Picket Line (Source: Florida Today)
A United Space Alliance worker who crossed the picket line reported that his home and car were vandalized. The worker found all four tires on his car flattened, and the words "USA Scab" written in black spray paint all over his vehicle. He also found the word "scab" scrawled on his garage. Scab is a slang word that refers to someone who works while others are on strike. The man was a worker who'd crossed the picket line. There's no way to know what happened beyond speculation, but certainly this contentious labor battle continues to grow more bitter.

Space Florida Plans RLV Hangar Improvements (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida is soliciting proposals for improvements to the state's Reusable Launch Vehicle Hangar at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility. The solicitation calls for Architectural and Engineering Design Services to supplement the existing wet pipe sprinkler fire suppression system with a low-level, high expansion foam system. This will allow the facility to accommodate new types of aircraft and launch vehicles. Click here to view the solicitation.

Group Calls for Stronger UK Space Policy (Source: SpaceToday.net)
Members of the British parliament are calling upon the UK government to develop a more coherent national space policy, including increased support for human spaceflight. The report, by the Select Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Commons, calls for "a strategic approach to space activities" that the committee feels is currently lacking. The report calls for funding of space medicine activities, "appropriate regulation" to support the emerging space tourism industry, and no prohibition "in principle" on funding of launch vehicle development.

Dubai Space Tourists - All Systems Are Go (Source: 7Days)
Four Emiratis are set to go where few men have been before, next year, when they head to a whole new world for the holiday of a lifetime. The ‘Founder’ travellers – two UAE nationals, two Dubai residents as well as another Gulf national - are among the first 100 people booked on flights to outer space with Virgin Galactic. The five tickets, costing $200,000 each, have gone to Emirati businessman Ibrahim Sharaf, Dubai resident Namira Salim, a member of the royal family in the Gulf, another Dubai resident and a UAE national.