Space Revolution News: Updates

I've seriously neglected my job of letting everyone at Dailykos to know whats going on in the NewSpace industry, and its high time I did that.  A lot of cool stuff has come out, and is happening, and I think its time that I remedy that

XCOR

XCOR had a big announcement back in March, which I had intended to cover, but real life has really kept me busy.  Anyway, XCOR announced that they were working on and developing the Lynx.  I could describe it to you, but I think the Youtube video does a much better job than I can

Some points of interest

1.  The engines are already tested (or rather being tested) for the Lynx

2.  While it won't go into space, it will go to near space - 61 km (38 miles) and can reach up to Mach 2

3.  Planning has already begun on Lynx mark 2, which will go into space

4.  The Lynx will have 1 passenger.  While the passenger won't float around, he/she will ride right next to the pilot, and seee everything straight on.

5.  The ticket price is $100,000 which is less than that of Virgin Galactic, but since this wont' go into space, a reduction in price isn't surprising.

This obviously superceeds the Xerus

Rocket Racing League
On Monday, the Rocket Racing League held a press conference, to announce a number of developments -

1.  The first race will happen this year, August 1st, at the Oshkosh air show.

2.  Rocket Racing League has acquired Velocity Aircraft, which manufactures the X-Racer Airframe

3.  In addition to the engine being developed by XCOR, Armadillo Aerospace is also developing an engine, for the X-Racer, so that there will be a choice of 2 engines.

4.  In addition, they are working with Armadillo Aerospace to develop Vertical Drag racing.

5.  They are moving towards using environmentally friendly fuels.

6.  They are very focused on safety

There were a lot of other things covered during the press conference, and I suggest you check out Clark Linsdey's complete coverage.

You can also see a video of the X-Racer flying.

SpaceX

SpaceX continues to move forward.  Much like the rest of the industry, it has continues to make progress in bits in pieces.  For example, they remain on track to deliver the Dragon as a cargo vehicle to the station (and, if option D is exercised, as a crew vehicle), and also have a new customer, as well as other things.  Feel free to check their website for more details.

And there was the little test they did - with 3 Merlin engines on the Falcon 9.

BTW, for the skeptics - that noise your hearing?  Its called cheap access, and its not just coming from SpaceX.

Armadillo Aerospace
Armadillo Aerospace continues to move forward also.  They have their monthly updates.  Of particular interest is the completion of the 4 mod vehicle.

And now we begin to see the real basis for their first commerical manned vehicle - introducing, the 6-pack

The fishbowl view has got to be spectacular.  Anyway, feel free to check out the monthly update, and of particular interest you can read John's take on his competitors in this months update.

Anyway, that gives you an idea, and other things happened, that continue to move the industry forward, despite the fact that I haven't been providing the updates quite as much as I'd like (and as much as you'd like).  However, hopefully I will have time and start the weekly stories back up.

ESA's ATV
Earlier this year, the first European ATV, also named the Jules Verne, launched into space and is now docked to the station.  The ATV provides significant cargo up to the station.  

Here is a video talking about the ATV - if you want to see actual docking maneuvers, search youtube - there are a lot there, but its kind of slow going.  

SpacePort America

Perhaps the biggest news for Spaceport America is something that hasn't happened yet - that is the vote for a tax increase by Sierra County residents.  While early voting is ongoing, the main vote takes place next week, on Tuesday.  However, in the mean time, many people are beginning to position themselves to take advantage of Spaceport America.  Lockheed Martin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to do testing at the spaceport (you can see a test flight they did by clicking here).  And Microgravity Enterprises has "made a commitment to the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) to designate Spaceport America their primary base of operations."  Full details can be read here.  Finally, UP Aerospace has committed to a 10 year deal to use SpacePort America.  

Hopefully the vote will pass - I'll try and diary about on Tuesday next week, but I have exams that day, so it might not happen.  

Anyway, that should give you an idea about how things are progressing forward, although there are a lot of stories and events that I haven't covered.  Hopefully I can restart SRWN in its entirety, soon.  

EDIT - I forgot to add, ISDC is coming up at the end of may, in DC.  I hope to see some of you there