NASA Awards Launch Contract To SpaceX

WASHINGTON, DC - NASA has awarded Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, a NASA Launch Services contract for the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles.

The NASA Launch Services contracts are multiple awards to multiple launch service providers. Twice per year, there is an opportunity for existing and emerging domestic launch service providers to submit proposals if their vehicles meet the minimum contract requirements.

The contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract where NASA may order launch services through June 30, 2010, for launches to occur through December 2012. Under the NASA Launch Services IDIQ contracts, the potential total contract value is between $20,000 and $1 billion, depending on the number of missions awarded.

The contract seeks a launch capability for payloads weighing 551 pounds or heavier into a circular orbit of 124 miles at an orbital inclination of 28.5 degrees. Payloads would be launched to support three NASA mission directorates: Science, Space Operations and Exploration Systems.
Because an IDIQ contract has been awarded to SpaceX, it can compete for NASA missions using the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles as specified by the NASA Launch Services contract process.

NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is responsible for program management. This award to SpaceX adds to the stable of launch vehicles available to NASA under previously awarded contracts.

The original request for proposal was issued in 1999.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/

NASA Deputy Speaks At 50th Anniversary Future Forum In Miami

MIAMI, FL - NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist discussed Friday how space exploration gives Floridians a more competitive economy and better quality of life during a NASA Future Forum at the University of Miami.

As an example, Crist used the event to announce a partnership between state-funded Space Florida and SPACEHAB of Webster, Texas. They plan to use the International Space Station's national laboratory designation and the Space Life Sciences Lab at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. to carry out space-based biomedical and biotech research.

NASA Approves March 11 Launch For Shuttle Endeavour

Following the two-day Flight Readiness Review, NASA's senior space shuttle program managers set Friday, March 11 at 2:28 a.m. EDT is the official launch time for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission. Approval to press ahead with launch preparations came at the conclusion of a very smooth review of the readiness of the shuttle, flight crew and payload for the next flight to the International Space Station.

"It was a very thorough review, we covered lots information, lots of data," Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations. "The teams are truly ready." He added that there are very few issues being worked and the shuttle is ready to go. "It's a tribute to the teams that they worked so well with the vehicle... they've done a phenomenal job," said Gerstenmaier.

Read the full story and watch the readiness press conference here:

http://www.spacearium.com/article.php?story=20080302172118832

This Week In Space, February 27, 2008

This week we look at some events that will affect the space industry in Florida. A partnership between the state and Google Lunar x-Prize, Orbital Sciences Corp. wining the NASA COTS contract and a proposal from Kennedy Space Center to bulid two new launch pads at KSC for private launch providers.


Space Florida has partnered with Google and the X Prize Foundation to add $2 million to the $200 million Google Lunar X Prize. The incentive is for companies to launch their prize entries from Florida. If the winner launches from Florida, they will get the additional $2 million. Orbital Science Corporation won the second of NASa's 2 Phase 1 COTS demonstration contracts. They plan to launch from Virginia, which is not good new s for Florida, although their operational flights might take off from the Space Coast of Florida. Kennedy Space Center has started the process for possibly building two new launch pads on KSC property which would be leased out to a private operator who would then market them to private companies in the launch business and who could launch their vehicles from the new complexes. The local community isn't thrilled about it, believe it or not. Fish seem to be more important to the local residents of the SPACE COAST.


Listen: http://www.thisweekinspace.com/programs/thisweekinspace_022708.mp3

Proposed Commercial Vertical Launch Complex (CVLC) at J. F. Kennedy Space Center

NASA is proposing a project which would allow for the development and operation of a Commercial Vertical Launch Complex (CVLC) on approximately 200 acres of Kennedy Space Center. The land use agreement would be with a non- NASA entity. This web page provides a brief description of the proposed project and the associated Environmental Assessment, links to more in-depth information, and correspondence contact information.

http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/projects/ksc-cvlc.htm

Giuliani Wants Funding Increase For NASA

Republican Presidential candidate has announced his intention to seek a funding increase for NASA if elected President. His remarks come in a guest column published in Florida Today:

"We will maintain America's technological advantage in space. We will send Americans back to the moon and onto the next great frontier in human space exploration: Mars.

"We will support the Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems Program to stimulate important private entrepreneurial efforts in spaceflight.

"We will expand private-sector access to Cape Canaveral launch pads. To help prepare astronauts for longer stays in space, we will fund the Space Life Sciences Lab.

"NASA currently receives less than 1 percent of the federal budget -- six-tenths of 1 percent, to be more exact. An increase would do wonders without affecting 99 percent of the federal budget. That's the fiscally conservative approach: getting a good return on your dollar."

Giuliani is fighting for his political life in Florida right now. Polls in the state show him continuing to slide while McCain and Romney make gains. In the latest polling data, he is now fourth, behind McCain and Romney (virtually tied) and Huckabee.

Perhaps his remarks are an effort to drum up support along the Space Coast, but he seemed genuinely concerned about the time it will take to bring Orion online after the space shuttle retires. At a roundtable visit to Cape Canaveral, he voiced conern for the lag and, at the time, called it unacceptable. Today's statements represent his followup to that visit and a first look at a possible Giuliani space policy.

If nothing else, these are words that supporters of space exploration rarely hear from a Presidential candidate and so should be welcome.

Giuliani has a visit scheduled today, Jan. 27, at Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.

Coincidentally. this is the 41-year anniversary of the tragic Apollo 1 fire.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/COLUMNISTS0205/801260311/1138/OPINION

Space Coast Loses A Vital Ally In Washington

It was bound to happen. U.S. Representative Dave Weldon announced he is going to retire and return to private life. NASA and the Space Coast will be losing a valuable ally in Washington.

Weldon, in his 7th term, holds a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee. His position has enabled him to fight for space issues during critical times leading up to the initial assembly of the space station, during the aftermath of the Columbia accident and work to position Kennedy Space Center to move forward with Constellation.

His efforts have resulted in the preservation of necessary funding for the space center. He helped KSC secure the role as the site for final assembly of the Orion spacecraft. More recently, he proposed legislation to give NASA a $10 billion increase in funding in order to eliminate the now-infamous "gap" in human launch capability between the shuttle and Orion.

A number of Republicans have expressed interest in running for Weldon's seat, and most of them are supporters of space exploration. Unfortunately, regardless of how supportive any freshman Congressman may be, the Space Coast will lose Weldon's seniority, and influence, during the most critical time for NASA and the space industry since the early 1970's.

Read more: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS01/801260345/-1/archives

Rep. Weldon's SPACE Act: http://weldon.house.gov/space_act/