Report: Commercial Human Spaceflight Safety Regulatory Framework (TAC 2022)

This report presents a recommended framework for commercial human spaceflight safety based on an analysis of other transportation sectors, identification of common safety components, and a roadmap that leads to an ideal future where human spaceflight is a common practice. This takes into consideration current and future commercial activities regardless of the development status of individual spaceflight companies. The developed safety framework is flexible in order to recognize new developments, new transportation mechanisms, and new spaceflight destinations as they emerge.

Report: NASA’s Management of the Space Launch System Booster and Engine Contracts (NASA 2023)

NASA continues to experience significant scope growth, cost increases, and schedule delays on its booster and RS-25 engine contracts, resulting in approximately $6 billion in cost increases and over 6 years in schedule delays above NASA’s original projections.

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The Skylab Program: Pioneering NASA’s Human Spaceflight

The Skylab Program, announced by NASA in 1970, marked a significant chapter in the history of human spaceflight. It was America’s first experimental space station, designed for humans to live and work in for extended periods. The program’s ambitious scope aimed to expand our understanding of life in space; and ultimately ended up establishing the foundation for future international space stations.

Market Dynamics in the Emergent Space Tourism Market

Originally posted on February 15, 2022 @ 5:49 pm

Virgin Galactic’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)

Virgin Galactic has significant opportunity for growth, but at the same time has significant weaknesses and threats.

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Time in Space: A Review of Typical Milestones and NET/NLT Designations in Space Projects

Timing is paramount, particularly in the sphere of space exploration. Each mission can be likened to a complex puzzle, requiring each piece to slot perfectly into place for the broader picture to emerge. To ensure all parts align just right, there are two significant types of checkpoints used: ‘No Earlier Than’ (NET) and ‘No Later Than’ (NLT). These terms effectively bracket the ‘earliest’ and ‘latest’ dates for task completion. This article reviews these critical markers relative to their importance in maintaining the timely progression of space missions and ensuring the successful attainment of their objectives.

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The International Space Station National Laboratory: A Unique Orbiting Research Facility

This article provides an overview of the ISS National Laboratory and associated research opportunities.

A Concise Guide To Virgin Galactic’s Sales Strategy

This article provides an overview of the Virgin Galactic sales strategy. The analysis is based upon SEC filings, sales collateral, media interviews, and other publicly available information.

Space Tourism Market Size (2001 to 2021)

Originally posted on February 12, 2022 @ 11:14 pmThis article provides an overview of space tourism customer demand activity over the past 20 years. Customer demand activity is represented by: paid customer spaceflights; ticket reservations with associated deposits; public ticket auction registered bidders; and inbound customer requests for additional information regarding private astronauts flights. A […]

Space Tourism Market Overview

Originally posted on February 12, 2022 @ 9:32 pm

Into the Unknown Together: The DOD, NASA, and Early Spaceflight – Free e-book

Published by Air University 2005

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US Air Force Manned Orbital Laboratory: The Best of the Declassified Materials

This article is not an analytic piece; it is a guide, offering a curated selection of the most significant declassified materials from the MOL program. As such, this article serves as a compass, pointing you towards the most illuminating declassified documents, drawings, and photographs from the MOL program.

Practical Market Size Estimates For Space Tourism

Practical market size estimates for Space Tourism. Lots of details…

Human Spaceflight Launch Service Providers 2022

This article provides an overview of the launch technology used by SpaceX, Roscosmos, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic; specifically focusing on spaceflight systems and flight profiles.

Report: Blue Origin Selection Statement (NASA 2023)

Overview of NASA RFP selection process and rationale for selection of Blue Origin.

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Space Tourism Market Analysis

This article provides an analysis of the space tourism market from the context of customer demand, business sustainability, and market dynamics.

Press Release: NASA Selects Blue Origin as Second Artemis Lunar Lander Provider

To develop a human landing system for the agency’s Artemis V mission to the Moon, NASA has selected Blue Origin of Kent, Washington. Through Artemis, NASA will explore more of the Moon than ever before, uncovering more scientific discoveries, and preparing for future astronaut missions to Mars.

Press Release: May 22 Event – NASA Begins Feedback Process for Moon to Mars Architecture

May 22, 2023 event hosted by NASA

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Project Dyna-Soar: A Leap into Hypersonic Technology

The Dyna-Soar program, also known as Dynamic Soarer or X-20, was an ambitious space project launched by the United States Air Force (USAF) in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Intended to be the first manned spaceplane, it was a pioneering endeavor in the field of hypersonic flight and reusable spacecraft.

NACA to NASA to Now: The Frontiers of Air and Space in the American Century – Free e-book

NACA to NASA to Now: The Frontiers of Air and Space in the American Century tells the story of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and its successor, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The NACA and NASA facilitated the advance of technology for flight in air and space throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. This book explores how and why aerospace technology took the course it did, discusses some of the key people who drove aerospace science and technology development, and examines the political, economic, managerial, international, and cultural contexts in which the events of flight have unfolded.

Report: ISS Transition (NASA 2022)

This report is an update to the “International Space Station Transition Report,” dated March 30, 2018. This version updates the plan to transition the LEO activities of United States Government agencies, ISS International Partners, ISS National Laboratory (ISSNL) users, researchers, industry, academia, and other ISS commercial partners off the ISS and onto Commercial LEO Destinations (CLDs) by 2030. It details the goals for the next decade of ISS operations leading to a smooth transition to commercial services, the steps being taken to develop both the supply and demand side of the LEO commercial economy, and the technical steps and budget required for ISS transition.

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The Fusion of Entertainment and the Space Economy

The entertainment industry within the space economy is a multifaceted sector that merges technology, innovation, and creative storytelling to deliver entertaining content related to space activities and exploration. It is an emerging market segment, providing audiences worldwide with an array of experiences and knowledge about the universe beyond our planet. This article explores several key aspects of the space economy’s impact on the entertainment industry.

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First Feature Film Shot in Space Has Been Released: “The Challenge”

The first feature film shot in space was the Russian movie titled “Challenge”. In October 2021, Russian actress Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko traveled to the ISS to shoot scenes for the movie. The plot of “Challenge” involves a surgeon (played by Peresild) who has to operate on a sick cosmonaut in space because the cosmonaut’s medical condition prevents him from returning to Earth to be treated. The movie was released in April 2023.

When Could Virgin Galactic Run Out Of Money?

Sooner than you may think…

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The US Air Force Manned Orbital Laboratory: A Legacy of Innovation

The Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL), an ambitious project by the U.S. Air Force, remains an important footnote in the history of human space exploration. This program, which ran from 1963 to 1969, aimed to develop a manned space station with a dual purpose: scientific research and military reconnaissance. Although the MOL never reached operational status, its advances and the human capital it developed made significant contributions to America’s subsequent space endeavors.

Is This What the Future of Space Tourism Looks Like?

Is it possible that space tourism is overly focused on the physical experience and completely overlooking the potential value of cyber-tourism travel?