October 2, 2018

Inside Boeing's Starliner Space Capsule (Source: NBC)
The gumdrop-shaped capsule is designed to function essentially as a space taxi, ferrying up to seven astronauts and their cargo to and from the International Space Station. Boeing is expected to conduct the spacecraft's first crewed test flight to the ISS next year. (SpaceX is putting the finishing touches on its Crew Dragon capsule, which is also scheduled to carry its first crew in 2019.) Step inside a mock-up of the spacecraft that will ferry astronauts to the International Space Station. Click here. (9/30)

With Big Business Dominating Earth's Orbit, NASA Moves Deeper Into Space (Source: Washington Examiner)
While the space outside Earth's atmosphere was originally dominated by nation-states, investment by American businesses has been growing since 1984, when Congress set up a licensing system for commercial rocket launches. Today, a sizable portion of U.S. spending consists of investments such as satellites used for television, communications and global positioning systems. Click here. (10/1)

Russia Claims SpaceX is Unfairly Dumping Cheap Launches on the Market to Drive Russia Out (Source: Sputnik)
Elon Musk and SpaceX have been using dumping on the space launch market in order to crowd out Russia, head of Russia's State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said. "If you look at the price at which [Musk] sells Falcon [rocket launch vehicles] to the Pentagon and what its price is on the market, you'll see that it is pure dumping. In order to drive Russia out of this market he sells launches for $40-50 million, sometimes $50-60 million," Rogozin said.

The Roscosmos head indicated that the US Defense Department, in turn, paid Musk an average of $150 million for every launch. "So you see, [Musk] is paid more in order to enable him to offer cheaper items on the market. And, clearly, Russia cannot compete [in such conditions]. We cannot ask [the Russian] Defense Ministry for a price for launch which is three, four or five times higher in the interest of our national security," Rogozin said. (10/2)

Animal Study Suggests Space Travel May Significantly Damage GI Function (Source: Space Daily)
Simulations with animal models meant to mirror galactic cosmic radiation exposure to astronauts are raising red flags for investigators at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) about the health of astronauts during long voyages, such as to Mars.

Their most recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggests that deep space bombardment by galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) could significantly damage gastrointestinal (GI) tissue leading to long-term functional alterations. The study also raises concern about high risk of tumor development in the stomach and colon. (10/2)

Sixty Years of NASA, Thirty Years of NASA Leadership (Source: Space Review)
Monday marks the 60th anniversary of the day NASA started operations. Jeff Foust reports from a recent conference panel where the current administrator was joined by five of his predecessors to discuss how their challenges have changed, while sometimes remaining the same. Click here. (10/1) 
 
Space Force: It’s Time to Act (Source: Space Review)
Should the United States establish a separate Space Force versus a Space Corps within the Air Force or some other alternative? Tom “Tav” Taverney argues that whatever the model, reforms are necessary to improve the speed of space activities and how they’re managed. Click here. (10/1)
 
A Liftoff at Last for a Rocket Engine Agreement (Source: Space Review)
Last week, after months of anticipation, United Launch Alliance confirmed what most people in the industry thought would happen when it selected the BE-4 engine from Blue Origin for its Vulcan launch vehicle. Jeff Foust discusses how this agreement entangles two companies who are cooperating and competing simultaneously. Click here. (10/1)
 
The Legal Mandate for a US Space Force (Source: Space Review)
The announcement this summer by President Trump of the creation of a Space Force has raised questions about its legal justification under international law. Mike Lorrey describes how creating a military space force can be linked to the Outer Space Treaty. Click here. (10/1)

Space Florida Brings Commercial Aviation Fuel to Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida has increased capability for its Launch and Landing Facility (LLF), announcing the addition of a fuel farm. For the first time in the LLF’s history, Jet-A fuel will be available for aviation and spacecraft that use the LLF for commercial spaceflight operations and aviation activities. In 2017, Space Florida, through a competitive selection process, awarded the contract for fueling to Eastern Aviation Fuels, Inc. Construction of the Jet-A fuel storage facility was awarded to RUSH Construction, Inc.

The fuel farm, located on the east side of the aircraft ramp, has a 20,000-gallon capacity. Coupled with two 5,000-gallon fueling vehicles, Space Florida’s LLF allows 30,000 gallons on-site to support heavy lift, commercial and government-supported aircraft. The fuel farm meets all Federal Aviation Administration, Air Transport Association, National Fire Protection Agency and Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Using the two 5,000-gallon fuel trucks, Space Florida sold 132,000 gallons of fuel at the LLF between August 2017 to June 2018. Prior to 2017, fueling at the LLF was limited to government aircraft and not available to commercial customers and partners. The LLF is registered as a private-use airfield under Florida Administrative Code 14-60, and permissions from Space Florida are required prior to use. (9/17)