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The article discusses the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA) Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle, examining methods which NASA is using to prevent cost overruns which occurred with the Constellation program. Orion program manager Mark Geyer says that NASA is focusing on high-risk items such as the thermal protection system (TPS), navigation systems, and the crew module. The Exploration Flight Test (ETF-1) and the construction of capsules by Lockheed Martin are examined.

Reports on the development of a Russian spacecraft called Functional Energy Block (FGB) at the Khrunichev Space Center near Moscow. Use of FGB for the International Space Station Alpha jointly launched by the United States and Russia; Scheduled reviews of the project; Features of FGB.

The article presents updates for the large experimental version of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (Vasimir). Power levels for the Vasimir are being adjusted by engineers at Ad Astra Rocket Co., led by seven-time space shuttle astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz. The rocket is intended to be used for various deep-space and near-Earth commercial missions, including a 39-day human Mars travels.

The article reports that engineers at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are using low-fidelity mockups, such as plywood and flexible foam core panels, to get a realistic idea of just how compact they can make lunar-surface crew vehicles. Using these mockups, experts from the Constellation Program Office are beginning to learn how to fit astronauts into the proposed Altair lunar lander, Lunar Electric Rover and various surface-habitat modules that may some day constitute a lunar outpost.

The article focuses on the Russian aerospace industry. The interest of Western companies in Russia stems from several factors including being a source of vital raw material, and for having extensive aerospace engineering talent that is in short supply in the U.S. and Europe. Boeing Commercial Airplanes took a big step in 1998 when it opened the Boeing Design Center in Moscow. Similarly, production factors are emerging as important potential payoffs. EADS has told Russian officials that if all goes well, they could become a full partner in the Airbus A320-family replacement aircraft.

Reports on the development of Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander, two spacecraft designed to study Mars. Mention of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Mars explorer program using Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor; When the spacecraft are scheduled for launch; Comments of Richard Zurek, Mars Surveyor 1998 project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory; What each of the spacecraft is expected to accomplish.

Reports on a change in how aerospace industries approach the development of space launch systems. Effects of the change; Cost; The numerous startup companies developing reusable spacelift systems; The current paradigm of building the systems; What attempts to meet objectives will require in improvements in reusable space vehicle life and operational reliability.

The article offers information on the concept of geosynchronous orbit (GEO) design platform which uses robotic capabilities to assemble, service and reconfigure satellites on orbit. It discusses support from Space Systems Loral (SSL) which will supply commercial satellite bus and robotic arms for development of the spacecraft. It also presents the views of Benjamin Reed, deputy project manager at NASA Goddard, on role of satellite servicing in enhancing resiliency.

The article offers information on development of the Blue Moon lander, a robotic lander capable of delivering a substantial amount of cargo to the Moon in a single trip being developed by Blue Origin, as of March 2017. It states that the lander is intended to carry cargo to a permanent outpost on the rim of the Moon's polar Shackleton Crater, and presents comments from Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos on the project. It cites pertinence of the project to the SpaceX space project.

The article discusses the development of in-space assembly, focusing on U.S. President Donald Trump's space policy, suggesting that it may close the option opened with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS). Development of spacecraft by private sector, to deliver supplies to the space station, is also discussed.

The article discusses the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) planned announcement of its selection of a proposal for its Commercial Crew Program spacecraft development project, with contending bids from aerospace companies Boeing, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Sierra Nevada Corp.

The article focuses on aerospace industries firm Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). The company's display of the design its Dragon v.2 space vehicle suitable for manned space flight is related to competition between it and rivals Boeing Co. and Sierra Nevada Corp. for the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) contract for manned space flights of U.S. astronautics to the International Space Station (ISS).

The article discusses a "broad agency announcement" (BAA) from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for proposals of technology for the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). Topics include the intent to use ARM technology in further missions including to Mars, the BAA's request for sensors to guide vehicles to asteroids, and solar-electric propulsion (SEC) systems.

The article discusses the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA) Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) competition, examining a report in the NASA funding bill from the House Appropriations Committee which tells NASA to fund the development of a single vehicle. The article examines space vehicles which could be used by NASA such as Blue Origin's New Shepherd, the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser, and Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) Dragon.

The article discusses the possibility that the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) will work together on the Orion program to reduce costs. The agencies could cooperate on life-support systems, pressurization systems, and propulsion, using technology from the International Space Station (ISS), the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), and other manned space missions. Aerospace company Lockheed Martin will build a service module.

The article reports on the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) plan to build commercial space taxis for the transportation of astronauts into orbit. Topics include funding from the U.S. Congress, the Russian spacecraft Soyuz, and a progress report of the NASA Commercial Crew Development program.

The article discusses the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program, which will award fixed-price contracts instead of Space Act agreements for its Integrated Design Phase. Phil McAlister of NASA says that contracts are necessary since the government intends to purchase integrated systems with spacecraft, launch vehicles, and mission control which will transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

The article discusses the 2013 budget of the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), examining programs including the Space Launch System (SLS) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). A report by the consultant Booz Allen Hamilton indicates that NASA cost estimates were overly optimistic, and Jacob Lew of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has ordered federal agencies to calculate cuts in discretionary spending. Delays in the SLS program are examined.

The article discusses manned spaceflight and rocket launcher programs in Russia. A proposed crew transport vehicle could be able to carry more passengers and cargo and would lessen g-forces on those who were on board, while a medium-class launcher has been proposed which, according to Ravil Akhmetov of the Samara Space Center, would not duplicate or compete with the Angara launcher. The Soyuz-2-1B spacecraft is also examined.

The article reports that the aerospace industries company Lockheed Martin has reduced its workforce on the Orion spacecraft project by 20 percent. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed altering the Orion from a manned space craft to a rescue vehicle for crews of the International Space Station.

The article discusses the company OHB Technology, Germany's second-largest space contractor, and an agreement OHB made with the Spanish communication satellite group Hispasat to build a geostationary telecommunications satellite. The satellite will operate using a bus conductor called Luxor, also designed by OHB. An OHB contract to build the Hispasat AG1 spacecraft also is discussed.

The article discusses the Composite Crew Module (CCM) research project developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) in Virginia. It is said that some companies sought to capitalize on such project in anticipation of the agency's possible shift toward commercial crew transportation to orbit. The CCM team created a pressure vessel by utilizing a carbon-fiber device from Janicki Industries. Some composite design elements were used by the Orion crew exploration vehicle for its metallic version.

The author comments on the efforts of Boeing Co. to protect trade secrets associated with the development of the CST-100 Starliner for flight to the International Space Station. He explains that the company provided the media a look at its control panel simulators with astronauts Eric Boe and Suni Williams and mentions that Boe and Williams will also have access to Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s (SpaceX) Red Dragon unmanned spacecraft.

The article reports that the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA) Orion deep-space crew capsule development program has received 1.27 billion dollars in a new funding measure. Mike Hawes, contractor Lockheed Martin's Orion program manager, says the program planned its schedule on the lower funding level, and is looking for ways to use the extra funds to gain ground on second exploration mission (EM-2).

The article discusses a report prepared by France's agencies for space, defense procurement and nuclear for Prime Minister Francoise Fillon, which urged Europe to conduct the definition studies to initiate an Ariane 6 development program. The report, which expect completion of the proposed program in 2020-25, also proposed a Soyuz replacement and changes to the Vega small launcher. According to Jean-Yves Le Gall, chief executive officer (CEO) of Arianespace, the study reflects interest in conducting work on the next generation of rockets.

This section offers news briefs in the U.S. aerospace industry. The first two spacecraft in the series of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-R) would be built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. A partnership between EADS and Lockheed Martin was formed to build a helicopter for the U.S. Army. Bell Helicopter would work with the Army for its Life Support 2020 program to extend the service life of the Kiowa Warrior OH-58D helicopters.

The article reports that China will send its first orbital station as the national space program's testbed for automatic docking. The small, short-life space station, called Tiangong 1, will be launched in 2010 and has increased its mass from the previously stated 8 metric tons to 8.5 tons. The increased mass is still within the capability of Long March 2 and 3 family of rockets. The later large station will be based on a core module of about 20 tons and would be matched to Chinese Long March 5 rocket's 25-ton capability.

The article reports on the preparations being undertaken by the European Space Agency to begin development work on the first three spacecraft for its Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) system. The agency is gearing up for a second-phase expansion plan that is expected to more than double the initial fleet. Thales Alenia Space was awarded a €305-million contract for Sentinel 3, the second of five dedicated Sentinel satellites that will form the backbone of the space segment of GMES.

The article presents information on Space Exploration Technologies, which had a rough start with the loss of its first Falcon 1 rocket on March 24, 2006 because of fire, but its future customers are hanging in with the low-cost launch company. Engineers believe they know the reason for the accident. The accident was caused by a fuel fire in the first-stage engine bay that burned through a pressurized helium line. According to the CEO of the company, Elon Musk, fire is probably related to one little process error in final launch preparation and not connected with a design or manufacturing flaw. Another major change is to greatly increase the number of conditions that will trigger a pre-launch abort, consciously accepting more false aborts to prevent false launches.

The article offers global aerospace industry news briefs as of August 10-14, 2015. Topics include the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA) graduate award in 2014-2015 university engineering design challenge was given to Tom Neuman of the Georgia Institute of Technology; designing of robotic flying vehicles by the NASA for space missions; and a study by Russia's Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute on a configuration for supersonic business jet.

The article reports that Europe's mission JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (Juice) spacecraft to the Jupiter system undertaken by the European Space Agency (ESA) is expected to begin work in 2016 summers in partnership with aerospace company Airbus Defense and Space. It informs that the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) will contribute 100 million dollars of fund to the project through 2033.

The article focuses on views of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the reported inflight breakup of the SpaceShipTwo that took place on October 31, 2014. It states that according to NTSB the accident took place due to earlier unlocking of the feathering tail mechanism by the co-pilot, and mentions the alleged fault of the vehicle manufacturer Scaled Composites. It cites the alleged lack of proper training procedure and design error associated with the accident.

The article offers aviation industry news briefs from the U.S. as of March 2015. Topics discussed include loosening restriction by the U.S. Congress on purchases of Russian-made RD-180 rocket engines, push for reauthorization by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on modernizing the U.S. air-traffic control systems, and rescheduling of the design reviews of next-generation human spaceflight systems by the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA).

Focuses on the United States National Aeronautics & Space Administration's development of the Crew/Cargo Transfer Vehicle (CCTV), a manned spacecraft to supplement the space shuttle. Concern about overreliance on Russian launches for backup support to the International Space Station; Goal of defining an eventual replacement for the shuttle.

Predicts that airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) could be installed in space vehicles and satellites. Efforts by United States Pentagon officials to have AWACS sensors on board satellites by 2025; The problem this creates for planners; Cost; Need to develop a moving target indicator (MTI); Comments of a Boeing Co. official.

Focuses on the solar upper stage orbit transfer vehicle being designed by the Boeing Co. for the United States Air Force. Application as a thermal rocket; Planned use for launchers to produce electricity via thermionic converters in space; Testing of an integrated solar upper-stage engine; Other techniques to scale up power for large space payloads; Features; Costs.

Reports on the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's evaluation of 28 proposals for innovative, low-cost planetary science missions for the Discovery program. Construction of spacecraft bound for other bodies in the solar system; Requirements on spacecraft development; Framework of the Discovery program.

Reports on the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's ordering of Martin Marietta to replace Wind and Polar spacecraft components because of concerns about their design and workmanship. Description of spacecrafts; Objective in solar-terrestrial physics; Component problems of spacecrafts.

Reports on Lockheed's development of a design for a launch cost-efficient unmanned aeroballistic spacecraft. Linear plugged nozzle propulsion; Payload; Thrust weight ratio; Lift to drag ratio at hypersonic speeds; Vertical twin fins.

Covers the recent Capital Metals and Materials Forum at which aerospace industry officials said development of advanced materials and minimizing costs are essential to the design of a successful high-speed civil transport (HSCT). Materials' aging; Weight savings; Reasonable operating costs.

In this article the author discusses flight test of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's crew space capsule Orion. Topics discussed include selection of companies for the designing work of capsule two of them include SpaceX dragon and Boeing CST-100, hiring of Christopher J. Ferguson by aerospace company to direct development of the autonomous capsule and presents views of John P. Mulholland, vice president at Boeing, on need of funding for continuation of the project.

The article examines the design of space vehicles for manned space flight by aerospace industries firms Boeing Co. and Sierra Nevada Corp. as part of the competition for the Commercial Crew Transportation Capacity contracts issued by the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration.

The article focuses on the complexity and cost of spacecraft engineering meant for space exploration. Topics include the creation of the Dove spacecraft by the aeronautics company Planet Labs, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the international cooperation in the research and development of spacecraft.

The article reports that the Dutch nonprofit organization Mars One has employed aerospace industries firms Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Surrey Satellite Technologies Ltd. to conduct studies on the construction of unmanned space vehicles which could conduct flights to Mars by 2018. The financing of Mars One through crowd funding, merchandise sales and charitable donations and the organization's goal of colonizing Mars with human beings are discussed.

The article discusses efforts by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and space industry experts to develop a plan to deflect a near-Earth asteroid. Topics include NASA's Asteroid Retrieval Mission (ARM), NASA's 2014 budget for the development of a robotic spacecraft to maneuver near-Earth objects, and NASA's call for innovative answers in deep-space exploration through the Asteroid Initiative Idea Synthesis workshop.

The article focuses on YaYu Monica Hew, an aerospace engineering and physics graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington. Topics discussed include her research on sensing systems in spacecraft delivering people to space, her research's dependence on the Microgravity University Program of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and her space exploration forecasts. Also mentioned is her proficiency in fencing, badminton, and scuba diving.

The article reports on the five-year spacecraft development and launch costs to be incurred by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The article reports that spacecraft manufacturers Thales Alenia Space of France and Italy, and Space Systems/Loral (SSL) in the U.S. have been chosen to build commercial spacecraft for Brazil. Topics discussed include Brazil's projected investment of 2 billion dollars on civilian and military space programs from 2012-2015 and the launching of a broadband communications satellite for Brazil's Geostationary Satellite Defense and Strategic Communications (SGDC) system by 2015.

The article considers research on and testing of the Dream Chaser reusable space vehicle created by the aerospace industries company Sierra Nevada Corp. The Dream Chaser's lifting-body design in which it uses the lift generated by its airframe shape rather than wings for atmospheric re-entry and landing is discussed.

The article reports that the aerospace industries new business enterprise Swiss Space Systems (SE) has a proposed design for an air-launched reusable unmanned space shuttle for launching artificial satellites.