Tag: Commercial Spaceflight Federation
Praise for NASA’s Commercial Cargo Contract Awards
Commercial Spaceflight Federation
NASA announced three cargo contract awards to ensure robust and affordable transportation of critical supplies, scientific experiments and commercial payloads to and from the International Space Station (ISS) through at least 2024. NASA selected Orbital ATK, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and SpaceX to continue and expand upon its successful public-private partnerships with American companies to obtain reliable cargo resupply services for the ISS.
FAA AST Responds to NTSB Recommendations in SpaceShipTwo Accident Report
The Federal Aviation Administration Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA AST) has submitted formal responses to the eight recommendations the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made in its report on the loss of SpaceShipTwo in October 2014.
All the responses are dated Oct. 30, 2015 — one day short of the one year anniversary of the crash. The responses are all identified as being from FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta.
Commercial Spaceflight Federation Praises Passage of Space Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CSF PR) – Last night the Senate passed the bi-partisan U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (CSLCA, or H.R. 2262 as amended), which represents one of the most significant modernizations of commercial space policy and regulatory legislation since the original Commercial Space Launch Act (CSLA) was enacted in 1984. CSF applauds Senators John Thune (R-SD), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tom Udall (D-NM) for their leadership and vision in authoring and co-sponsoring this much-needed and comprehensive legislation.
CSLA was last updated in 2004, creating a regulatory framework for commercial human spaceflight that resulted in a wave of investment, innovation, jobs and economic growth for the U.S. This new legislation sets the stage for the continued growth and expansion of the space transportation industry, while enabling rapid advances in safety for spaceflight participants. It also promotes investments in new commercial space applications, promising future spaceflight capabilities that will benefit all Americans.
“The members of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation commend Senators Thune, Nelson, Cruz, Peters, as well as all their cosponsors, for their leadership and perseverance in passing this critical piece of bipartisan legislation to ensure that America remains the leader in space,” CSF President Eric Stallmer said. “CSF looks forward to quick action on this bill in the House of Representatives when it returns next week.”
Battle Brewing Over Extending Commercial Spaceflight Learning Period
By Douglas Messier
Managing Editor
A battle is brewing over whether to extend the learning period for the commercial spaceflight industry, with Congress needing to make a decision before October on when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be allowed to regulate an industry still struggling to get off the ground.
On one side are FAA officials, who believe they can begin to craft basic safety regulations based on more than 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Industry figures dispute this, saying they still don’t have enough experience with their varied vehicles to begin the process.
Commercial Spaceflight Federation Gets New President
Space News reports that Eric Stallmer will replace outgoing Commercial Spaceflight Federation President Michael Lopez-Alegria in September.
Stallmer has served as vice president government affairs at Analytical Graphics since 2001. Previous to that position, Stallmer had served as president of the Space Transportation Association.
UPDATE: Here’s the Federation’s press release:
Washington D.C. – The Commercial Spaceflight Federation is pleased to announce that Eric Stallmer has been named as its next President. Stallmer will join CSF staff in September and will assume the position of President following the departure of Michael Lopez-Alegria.
(more…)
Commercial Spaceflight Federation Adds 3 Members
Washington, D.C. (CSF PR) – The Commercial Spaceflight Federation is pleased to announce the addition of three new organizations to its membership. BRPH, The Robert A. & Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust, and Swiss Space Systems’ S3 USA Holdings have each joined as Associate Members.
“The addition of these three members is a testament to the diversity, continued growth and development of the commercial spaceflight sector,” stated CSF President Michael Lopez-Alegria. “Each new member represents a unique area within our industry; I look forward to having their expertise as a part of our membership.”
Commercial Spaceflight Federation Opposes Putting Commercial Space Vehicles on USML
WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — The Commercial Spaceflight Federation submitted the following comments to the State Department regarding the interim Category XV rule of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Via E-Mail ([email protected])
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy
U.S. Department of State
PM/DDTC, SA-1, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-0112
ATTN: Regulatory Change, USML Category XV
RIN: 1400–AD33
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is an industry association comprised of leading businesses and organizations working to make commercial spaceflight a reality. Our mission is to promote the development of commercial spaceflight, pursue ever higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. The CSF commends the Administration for its efforts on export control reform, especially in relation to Category XV, which will reinforce the competiveness of the U.S. satellite industry in the global market. The modernization of Category XV will help bolster the growth of the domestic commercial space sector while enhancing national security by allowing the government to focus its scarce resources on sensitive military technologies.
While we applaud the progress that has been made, there is still more work to be done. As commercial space companies continue to test and develop their vehicles, it is vital to have an export control regime that will not illegitimately inhibit the potential of this growing industry. Steps should be taken to further investigate how to modernize the USML to appropriately move these vehicles to the Commerce Control List (CCL). Again, the CSF commends the State Department on its export control reform efforts to date as well as its outreach to industry, and we hope to continue to work together to determine the appropriate controls for commercial spacecraft.
Although the State Department did not request comment on this matter in its May 13, 2014 rule, the CSF will submit further detailed comments to the State Department along with our submission to the Department of Commerce in response to their request for comments on the continued application of USML controls to commercial space launch vehicles and human spaceflight.
Michael Lopez-Alegria
President
BLAST OFF Event Set for Explorers Club in New York
BLAST OFF: The Future of Spaceflight
Thursday, May 1st at 7 p.m.
The Explorers Club
New York City
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation and the Explorers Club will be celebrating a night of commercial spaceflight, showcasing the technology and advancement made by companies in this exciting sector. The event will be attended by representatives from CSF’s membership including Blue Origin, Penn State’s Lunar Lion team, Masten Space Systems, Mojave, NASTAR, Orbital Outfitters, Planetary Resources, Sierra Nevada Space Systems, Space Adventures, SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, World View Inc., and XCOR Aerospace. The event will provide a great opportunity to network with company representatives and learn more about the exciting progress the companies are making towards commercial space exploration.
Hosted at the historic headquarters of the Explorers Club, there will be ongoing presentations and photo opportunities throughout the evening, with a pre-event VIP reception hosted by veteran astronauts.
For more information, click here.
BLAST OFF: The Future of Spaceflight will be held on Thursday, May 1st beginning at 7:00pm ET.
The Explorers Club, 46 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021.
About the Commercial Spaceflight Federation
The mission of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation’s member companies, which include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, spaceports, suppliers, and service providers, are creating thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide, working to preserve American leadership in aerospace through technology innovation, and inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and engineering. For more information please visit commercialspaceflight.org or contact Sirisha Bandla at [email protected] or at 202.347.1418.
About the Explorers Club
The Explorers Club is an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Since its inception in 1904, the Club has served as a meeting point and unifying force for explorers and scientists worldwide. Based out of New York City, the Explorers Club promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club’s members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: First to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, first to the surface of the moon. For more information please visit explorers.org.
CSF Adds Six New Members
Washington D.C. (CSF PR) – The Commercial Spaceflight Federation is pleased to announce the addition of six new member organizations. Bigelow Aerospace and Orbital Outfitters have joined as new Executive Members and Moon Express has moved up from Associate to Executive Membership. ASRC Federal, Spaceport Sweden, and World View Enterprises have joined as Associate Members.
“The CSF membership is representative of all facets of space exploration,” said CSF President Michael Lopez-Alegria. “This diversity is indicative of a growing, thriving sector, with each company contributing to the overarching success of the commercial space exploration industry.”
CSF Praises Resurgence in U.S. Commercial Launch Industry
Washington D.C. (CSF PR) -– The Commercial Spaceflight Federation congratulates SpaceX for the successful launch of their Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and for the deployment of the SES-8 telecommunications satellite in its intended geostationary orbit. This was the seventh consecutive launch of the Falcon 9 family, the second launch of the upgraded Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket, and SpaceX’s first communications satellite payload. SpaceX currently has over 40 missions on manifest representing many of the world’s largest commercial satellite companies, and intends to launch its next commercial satellite, Thaicom 6, later this month. Another U.S. launch provider – United Launch Alliance – has recently been engaged to launch Mexico’s Morelos-3 satellite. These missions herald the return of the commercial launch market to the United States.
“The U.S. launch industry has been increasingly winning launch contracts from American as well as international satellite companies in the last three years,” said CSF President Michael Lopez-Alegria. “The renewed U.S. competitiveness in this multi-billion dollar market will continue to create high-tech jobs at home and will drive down the cost of access to space for technology and research applications all over the world.”
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ISPCS: Alan Ladwig Talk
Keynote Address
Alan Ladwig
Chief, To Orbit Productions
Back from lunch at #ISPCS with @SpaceArtAl talking about risks and rewards of commercial spaceflight industry. (Jeff Foust @jeff_foust)
Alan Ladwig says he’s consulting with a new, as yet unannounced group that plans to do comm’l spaceflight participant training. (Jeff Foust @jeff_foust)
#ISPCS – Alan Ladwig – is he holding back? No, Alan has been set free to tell us what he really thinks! (Wayne Hale @waynehale )
CSF President to Appear on Reddit’s Ask Me Anything
Washington D.C. (CSF PR) — On October 7th starting at 2pm ET, in the spirit of World Space Week, CSF President Michael Lopez-Alegria will answer questions in the popular interview series “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit, a site with 50 million visitors a month. AMA subjects have run the gamut from celebrities such as Woody Harrelson and Seth MacFarlane to political leaders such as President Obama. Community members are encouraged to submit any questions for Michael Lopez-Alegria regarding his career as an astronaut, his extensive time on the International Space Station, and his goals for the future of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. Michael will begin answering questions live at 2pm ET at www.reddit.com/r/iAMA.
Praise for Success of Cygnus Mission
Commercial Spaceflight Federation
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation applauds the hard work of the teams at NASA, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Aerojet Rocketdyne and all of the many contractors involved on the success of their second COTS demonstration mission. On September 18, an Aerojet Rocketdyne dual AJ26 engine system successfully boosted Orbital’s Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft. Today, Cygnus successfully berthed with the International Space Station and delivered approximately 1,300 lb. of cargo.
Planetary Resources Joins CSF Executive Membership
Washington D.C. (CSF PR) – The Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is proud to announce that Planetary Resources, Inc., the asteroid mining company, has joined CSF’s Executive Membership. The company had been an Associate Member since January 2012. Planetary Resources’ President and Chief Engineer Chris Lewicki will be the newest addition to CSF’s Board of Directors.
Commercial Spaceflight Federation Taking All-Astronaut Panel to Twitter
Washington D.C. (CSF PR) — Commercial Spaceflight Federation President Michael Lopez-Alegria will be moderating an all-astronaut panel on Wednesday, September 4th at 5PM CDT as part of a three-day long meeting of commercial space industry leaders in the Houston area. The Director of Aviation for the City of Houston, Mario Diaz, will be opening the panel with remarks on the progress of establishing Ellington Airport as a spaceport. The panel will take place at Space Center Houston and will be webcast live from http://www.commercialspaceflight.org. The event is open to public in Houston and tweeted questions will be taken from space enthusiasts around the world.
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