There’s a new space-race brewing, but this time it’s not between nuclear armed superpowers. The race is on between traditional aerospace manufacturers and start up newspace firms for a slice of the potentially lucrative space tourism and government funded space pie.

Boeing, well known for its line of jumbo jets and innovative experimental aircraft, has taken [...]]]>

There’s a new space-race brewing, but this time it’s not between nuclear armed superpowers. The race is on between traditional aerospace manufacturers and start up newspace firms for a slice of the potentially lucrative space tourism and government funded space pie.

Boeing, well known for its line of jumbo jets and innovative experimental aircraft, has taken the plunge into the commercial space market with a new joint enterprise with Space Adventures. An artists conception of the Boeing spacecraft, designated the CST-100, produced for promotional purposes is shown left. The entrance of a traditional aerospace contractor into the emerging commercial crew industry is considered a vote of confidence for the newspace industry and the plan for NASA to take advantage of the emerging industry:

Boeing said Wednesday that it was entering the space tourism business, an announcement that could bolster the Obama administration’s efforts to transform the National Aeronautics and Space Administration into an agency that focuses less on building rockets and more on nurturing a commercial space industry.

(source)

Two missions remain in the Space Shuttle Program – STS-133 currently scheduled for [...]]]> United Space Alliance announced today that the company will layoff about 15 percent of its current Space Shuttle workforce, effective October 1, 2010, in order to align the workforce level with the company’s Space Shuttle Program Operations Contract work scope and current budget.

Two missions remain in the Space Shuttle Program – STS-133 currently scheduled for no earlier than November 1, 2010, and STS-134 set for February 26, 2011.

USA employs approximately 8,100 employees at its Florida, Texas and Alabama sites. The reduction in force will affect multiple disciplines and multiple organizations across the company. It is expected to impact about 800-1000 employees in Florida, about 300-400 employees in Texas, and about 10 Alabama.

(source)