University of the West of England Home Page - AMRC Research - SEEDS Research - Peter Hale Home Page
University of the West of England Home Page - AMRC Research - SEEDS Research - Peter Hale Home Page
Directions and Map of Campus - Multimap zoomable map - Microsoft Live Local - used as part of the FOLD project.
| Aerospace | Aerospace Modelling and Visualisation | Astronomy | Rockets and Spacecraft | Satellites | Space Missions | Space Planes | Space Tourism, Investment and Economics | Conferences |
Rockets and Spacecraft - http://www.cems.uwe.ac.uk/amrc/rocketsandspacecraft.htm.
Space Tourism Investment and Economics - http://www.cems.uwe.ac.uk/amrc/spacetourism.htm.
Dr Chris Toomer, Deputy Director CPDA, UWE & Laurent Dala, UWE
CPDA (Continuing Professional Development Aerospace) - Airways Newsletter - Summer 2008 - PDF - Page 9 - Space Toursim CPDA Adobe PDF - The Bristol and the South-West of England region has a tradition of excellence in aviation, and a part of that legacy there has been a small but strong link to space technology through expertise in space-systems, spaceplane aerothermodynamics, propulsion, robotics, aeromanufacturing, communications, remote sensing and atmospheric science. - In the CPDA's Universities, academics have been involved with space research for many years. The University of the West of England's space research concentrates on computational aerothermodynamics and vehicle design; new materials and novel manufacturing; cost modelling and public understanding of space science/technology. The University of Bristol has a long standing involvement in the Skylon spaceplane concept, from detailed technology research to investigating its role in orbital tourism, this has been part of an overall research interest in the infrastructure that supports all space activity.
CPDA Airways Magazine - Virgin Galactica Photo
I meant to make this available for 6 months so am adding the poll again -
"New Business Opportunities in Space". One-day space conference. Organised by the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF).
Tuesday 24 July 2007 at Exeter, Devon
Details http://www.weaf.co.uk
Space is a fast-growing business. Data from satellites of various kinds is finding ever wider applications. ESA and NASA have ambitious plans for new programmes involving human spaceflight. Space tourism is within sight of becoming a serious business. - WEAF is offering its members an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in this one-day conference. - The major players of the space industry will outline new opportunities, SMEs will be able to market themselves, and space tourism companies will outline their plans. - This is a conference for both aviation and space companies, because space tourism blends current space technology with carrying passengers safely, and this requires aviation skills and experience.
The New Space Age - Presentation to WEAF Space Conference - 24 July 2007 by David Ashford, Bristol Spaceplanes Limited and - Fabian Eilingsfeld, Price Systems.
SME Presentation - Scisys - with a focus on Space Exploration... - Presentation to WEAF Space Conference - July 2007 - Chris Lee, SciSys Space - Chair of UKspace Space Science Industrial Committee.
SME Presentation - IGG Components - Roger Buckley - IGG - ALTER Technology Group.
SME Presentation - SEA - Making a living in space - perspectives from the viewpoint of a South-West SME - Dr Chris P Chaloner - Business Development Executive, Aero-Space Division.
Definition from Space Politics - http://www.spacepolitics.com/2007/07/20/spaceplanes-vs-lunar-footprints/ "spaceplane" refers to any launch vehicle with aircraft-like characteristics (reusability, high flight rate, low cost per flight, high reliability), regardless of whether the vehicle is winged or not.
Back to the Moon. - Buzz Aldrin - ShareSpace Foundation and StarCraft Booster Inc - http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Back+to+the+Moon.-a066357769 - The Free Library By Farlex.
BBC Radio 4 - In Business - http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/inbusiness/inbusiness_20070503.shtml - Over the Moon - Journeys into space are catching the attention of a new bunch of private entrepreneurs. They have big ambitions but they insist they can do it cheaper than governments can. Peter Day asks if space travel is really rocket science. - Peter Day - 3 May 2007.
BBC Science/Technology News - Amazon boss shows off spacecraft - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6230245.stm - 4 January 2007 - The billionaire founder of Amazon.com has released the first images of the launch of a private spacecraft that could bring space travel to the masses.
BBC Science/Technology News - Branson unveils space tourism jet - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7529978.stm - The British business tycoon, Richard Branson, has unveiled an aircraft in the US that will be used for his project to launch tourists into space. - The high-altitude jet will act as the mothership for a spacecraft, releasing it in mid-air to take two crew and six passengers on sub-orbital flights. - More than 250 people have already paid $200,000 (£100,000) each to be among the first making the tourist trips. - Mr Branson predicts the maiden space voyage will take place in 18 months. - 28 July 2008. - BBC Science/Technology News - In pictures: Space tourism jet - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7530070.stm - British businessman Richard Branson has unveiled an aircraft designed for his company's project to launch tourists into space. - 28 July 2008.
Source BBC News - Branson unveils space tourism jet
BBC Science/Technology News - Branson unveils Virgin spaceship - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5388482.stm - 28th September 2006.
BBC Science/Technology News - Entrepreneurs rally for new space age - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7024873.stm - It was no accident that aircraft designer Burt Rutan chose to make history on the anniversary of Sputnik. - By Irene Klotz - Cape Canaveral, Florida - 2 October 2007.
BBC Science/Technology News - Europe could get manned spaceship - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7398517.stm - By Jonathan Amos Science reporter, BBC News - A plan for a manned spacecraft has been announced by the European firm EADS. - Its Astrium division has designed a variant of its space station freighter that could also transport astronauts. - Limited details were released in Bremen, Germany, on Tuesday; further information and a mock-up are expected at the Berlin Air Show this month. - 13 May 2008.
BBC Science/Technology News - Firm rockets into space tourism - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6749873.stm - The European aerospace giant EADS is going into the space tourism business. - 13 June 2007.
BBC Science/Technology News - First private mission set for ISS - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7449261.stm - The first private manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is set to go ahead in 2011, a US space tourism company has announced. - The mission has been agreed between the company Space Adventures and the Russian federal space agency. - A Soyuz spacecraft will be specially manufactured for this mission. - Space Adventures has so far bought seats on Soyuz missions to the ISS for five clients, with the price of a seat costing upwards of $20m (£10m). - 12 June 2007.
BBC Science/Technology News - Hypersonic passenger jet designed - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7228341.stm - A British firm claims to have designed a hypersonic passenger plane that could one day fly between Europe and Australia in less than five hours. - The A2 aeroplane, designed by Reaction Engines in Oxfordshire, would carry 300 passengers at a top speed of 4,000mph. - The company said the aircraft, which is still at the concept stage, could be operating within 25 years. - 5 February 2008. - http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/.
BBC Science/Technology News - In pictures: Space tourism jet - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7530070.stm - British businessman Richard Branson has unveiled an aircraft designed for his company's project to launch tourists into space. - 28 July 2008. - BBC Science/Technology News - Branson unveils space tourism jet - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7529978.stm - The British business tycoon, Richard Branson, has unveiled an aircraft in the US that will be used for his project to launch tourists into space. - The high-altitude jet will act as the mothership for a spacecraft, releasing it in mid-air to take two crew and six passengers on sub-orbital flights. - More than 250 people have already paid $200,000 (£100,000) each to be among the first making the tourist trips. - Mr Branson predicts the maiden space voyage will take place in 18 months. - 28 July 2008.
BBC Science/Technology News - Private rocket rides into space - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6474021.stm - Privateer Elon Musk has launched his budget rocket, Falcon-1, from the Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific. - 21 March 2007.
BBC Science/Technology News - Nasa 'to support UK Moon mission' - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7143197.stm - By Pallab Ghosh Science Correspondent, BBC News - Nasa is very likely to support plans to send a British probe to the Moon, BBC News has learned. - 14 December 2007.
BBC Science/Technology News - Rocket planes seek market share - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7315430.stm - California-based company XCOR has released details of the rocket plane it hopes will capture a sizeable share of the future space tourism market. - The Lynx vehicle will carry one pilot and a ticketed passenger above 60km. - It will be competing with Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and aerospace giant EADS Astrium - both of whom have designs on the emerging niche market. - 26 March 2008.
BBC Science/Technology News - Solar plane makes record flight - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7577493.stm - By Jonathan Amos Science reporter, BBC News - A UK-built solar-powered plane has set an unofficial world endurance record for a flight by an unmanned aircraft. - The Zephyr-6, as it is known, stayed aloft for more than three days, running through the night on batteries it had recharged in sunlight. - The flight was a demonstration for the US military, which is looking for new types of technology to support its troops on the ground. - Craft like Zephyr might make ideal platforms for reconnaissance. - They could also be used to relay battlefield communications. - 24 August 2008.
Altitude infographic NOT TO SCALE (BBC)
BBC Science/Technology News - Space planes 'to meet big demand' - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7298511.stm - By Jonathan Amos Science reporter, BBC News - Aerospace giant EADS says it will need a production line of rocket planes to satisfy the space tourism market. - The European company's Astrium division, makers of the Ariane rocket, has plans for a commercial vehicle to take ticketed passengers above 100km. - Its market assessment suggests there would be 15,000 people a year prepared to part with some 200,000 euros (£160,000) for the ride of a lifetime. - 17 March 2008 - Institution of Engineering and Technology - From Satellites to Space Tourism Project - IET Kelvin Lecture 2008 - http://www.iet.tv/search/index.html?spres=5991&autoplay=5991. - Robert Laine - Presentation from Savoy Place, London, UK - Speaker: Robert Laine, Chief Technical Officer, EADS SPACE - 13 Mar 2008 Technology - Transport.
Space plane flight simulation - 
Source BBC News and EADS Astrium - Fly a simulated mission on the Astrium rocket plane
Source BBC News and EADS Astrium - Space plane - pictures
Source BBC News and Virgin Galactic - Space plane
BBC Science/Technology News - UK 'needs clear space strategy' - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6901835.stm - The UK government needs to develop a more coherent strategy on space, or risk falling behind other countries, a House of Commons committee has warned. - By Paul Rincon - Science reporter, BBC News - 17 July 2007.
BBC Science/Technology News - UK should 'reverse astronaut ban' - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4351688.stm - The UK should rethink its policy ban on astronauts, a report written for the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) says.
BBC Science/Technology News - Virgin unveils spaceship designs - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7205445.stm - Virgin Galactic has released the final design of the launch system that will take fare-paying passengers into space. - It is based on the X-Prize-winning SpaceShipOne concept - a rocket ship that is lifted initially by a carrier plane before blasting skywards. - The Virgin system is essentially a refinement, but has been increased in size to take eight people at a time on a sub-orbital trip, starting in 2010. - Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the space business had huge potential. - "I think it's very important that we make a genuine commercial success of this project," he told a news conference in New York. - 23 January 2008.
Blast off: the WhiteKnightTwo mothership - http://news.uk.msn.com/virgin-galactic-mothership-unveiled.aspx - MSN Special Report - Fewer than 500 people have gone to space. Out of those 500, most have been highly trained astronauts or scientists, but now commercial space travel has taken another step toward making a trip to space commonplace. - With the unveiling of its new WhiteKnightTwo mothership, Virgin Galactic reveals to the world the high-altitude ship that begins the process of flying people up to play near the planets. MSN UK brings you a first glimpse of the mothership, and its construction, before paying £100,000 and queuing up can make anyone an astronaut. - Kelsey Proud, Reporter, MSN UK News - July 28 2008.
MSN - In pictures: the WhiteKnightTwo mothership (click to read)
Bristol Spaceplanes - http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/ - Bristol Spaceplanes Limited, based in Bristol, England, was formed in 1991 to provide technical assistance and consultancy to commercial organisations and aerospace companies interested in commercial opportunities in space. Since then it has prepared plans to develop the Ascender sub-orbital spaceplane, designed in-house from off-the-shelf technology by our experienced design team. Ascender operates like an aeroplane, however its rocket motor propels it to an altitude of 100km. During your Ascender flight, you will experience several minutes of weightlessness, see the earth below you, and bright stars against a black sky: a truly transforming experience.
Bristol Spaceplanes - Ascender - 
- http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/.
Bristol Spaceplanes - Ascender Image Gallery - http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/gallery.shtml.
Ascender Modesl and Computer Generated Images
Bristol Spaceplanes MD wins Orbit Award - http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/news/orbitaward.shtml - David Ashford, Managing Director of Bristol Spaceplanes Ltd., was the recipient of an ORBIT award at the inaugural Space Tourism Pioneer Awards Show, presented by the Space Tourism Society on April 27th 2002 in Santa Monica.
Bristol Spaceplanes - Projects - http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/projects.shtml - Ascender is a small sub-orbital spaceplane intended for use as a reusable sounding rocket and for carrying passengers on space experience flights. - Spacecab is an enlarged and refined Ascender air launched from a supersonic carrier aeroplane. It uses proven materials and existing engines. It is designed to launch small satellites, transport supplies and crew to space stations, and to pioneer orbital space tourism. - Spacebus is and enlarged and mature development of Spacecab, which should have a cost per person to orbit of around $10,000. This could be achieved in about fifteen years.
Bristol Spaceplanes Talk to The Space Fellowship about the X-Prize, the Ascender and the plan for orbital flights. - The Space Fellowship - September 25th, 2007 - Lately we have noticed that there has still been quite a bit of interest in the original Ansari X-Prize teams. Questions have been asked such as who is still active, are they still progressing and will they be entering into any other competitions in the foreseeable future? - I remember when I first heard about the Ansari X-Prize, a fair while ago. My first thoughts were to look for British Teams and see if they were making progress at all. After seeing a documentary on Starchaser Industries on the Discovery Channel I started to read about Bristol Spaceplanes. I was happily surprised to see a company willing to try and win the prize being under an hour from my home.
Bristol Spaceplanes - Tomorrow's World Live '99 - These photos are of the 1/3rd scale exhibition model of Ascender on display at the Tomorrow's World Live Show that took place in Earl's Court, London, UK, from June 30th to July 4th, 1999.
Tomorrow's World Live '99 - photos of the 1/3rd scale exhibition model of Ascender
British Interplanetary Society - Events - Next Steps for Space Infrastructure - http://www.bis-spaceflight.com/sitesia.aspx/page/196/id/1669/l/en-gb - BIS HQ, 27/29 South Lambeth Rd, London SW8 1SZ - 23/Apr/2008 - 9.30 am 4.30 pm. - With the decommissioning of the Space Shuttle and the completion of the build phase of the International Space Station it is timely for consideration of the next steps. NASA has returned to expendable launch systems and simple capsules, but Europe and other space fairing nations are still considering their next developments in launch systems and in orbit facilities. This symposium will provide a forum for consideration of what new capabilities are required and how they may be best met.
British Interplanetary Society - Events - Space-Based Solar Power for Peace, Prosperity and Survival - http://www.bis-spaceflight.com/sitesia.aspx/page/196/id/1687/l/en-gb - Speaker: Col. Coyote Smith - Venue: BIS Conference Room, 27/29 South Lambeth Rd, London, SW8 1SZ - 7/May/2008 - 7.00 - 8.30 pm. - The director of the recent Pentagon study on space-based solar power will discuss their findings indicating that such a capability can provide the world with another safe source of abundant clean energy and how this can avert wars, generate wealth, and help reduce the global carbon footprint.
David Ashford presents Barnwell Lecture at RAeS Bristol - On May 26, 2005 David Ashford delivered the Barnwell Lecture to the Bristol Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society on the subject of Spaceflight Revolution. The Barnwell Lecture is the main event of the Branch year. More details (including a two-page article about the lecture) can be found in the Branch newsletter [PDF] - http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/library/RAeS_BB_Newsletter_June05.pdf.
ESA - European Space Agency - Lapcat - http://ec.europa.eu/comm/space/news/article_3846_en.html - 16 February 2006 - The EU-funded 'LAPCAT' project is focusing on advanced hypersonic propulsion concepts for long-distance, suborbital air transport. The project, coordinated by the European Space Agency (ESA), promises faster and easier access to all world destinations. LAPCAT (Long-term advanced propulsion concepts and technologies) is a 'Specific Targeted Research Project' (STREP), funded by the European Commission under its Sixth Framework Programme. The project is focusing on some of the world's most advanced aerospace propulsion technologies for suborbital air vehicles. "Once the technology is established, people will have easier and faster access to all world destinations," says Johan Steelant of ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. "Asia, Australia, South America, shall be reachable from Europe within two to four hours, based on these advanced propulsion and vehicle concepts.".
HobbySpace - Lynx Notes - http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=5849 - Some observations about the Lynx project debut - 26th March 2008.
HobbySpace - Lynx update - http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=5846 - Lynx is seen by XCOR Aerospace as one piece of a larger roadmap of vehicles - a start small and then add performance approach - eventually culminating in a piloted orbital system, Greason said. "We've selected the basket of technologies ... technologies that we believe position us very well for the suborbital market, but also put us on the road for later, higher-performance systems," he explained. - 26th March 2008.
HobbySpace - XCOR unveils Lynx rocketplane plans - http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=5832 - Andy Pasztor gives a full report here on the XCOR announcement tomorrow about the Lynx rocketplane project. - 26th March 2008.
Institution of Engineering and Technology - From Satellites to Space Tourism Project - IET Kelvin Lecture 2008 - http://www.iet.tv/search/index.html?spres=5991&autoplay=5991. - Robert Laine - Presentation from Savoy Place, London, UK - Speaker: Robert Laine, Chief Technical Officer, EADS SPACE - 13 Mar 2008 Technology - Transport.
James Benson - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Benson - Having earned a reputation as a successful computer and space technology innovator and entrepreneur for more than two decades, Jim Benson announced on September 28, 2006 that he had launch an ambitious new venture focused on commercial space tourism, Benson Space Company (BSC).
Myasishchev plans large space tourist vehicle [Update] - http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=6317 - A Russian news article reports on a large suborbital space tourist vehicle in development by the Myasishchev Design Bureau (MDB): First private tourist spacecraft is being designed in Russia - Interfax (via spacetoday.net). - Hobbyspace - 1st May 2008.
Narowing the Space Flight Gap - Will the Private Sector Come to NASA's Rescue? - The space shuttle's day is nearly over, but Orion won't get going until 2015. Mark Whittington talks about how NASA will close up that gap. - AC - Associated Content - Dec 07, 2007.
NASA Centennial Challenges - http://centennialchallenges.nasa.gov/ - Centennial Challenges is NASA's program of prize contests to stimulate innovation and competition in solar system exploration and ongoing NASA mission areas. By making awards based on actual achievements, instead of proposals, Centennial Challenges seeks novel solutions to NASA's mission challenges from non-traditional sources of innovation in academia, industry and the public. Current and past Centennial Challenges competition events are listed below.
NASA - Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) projects - http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esmd/ccc/ - The Commercial Crew/Cargo Program Office at JSC manages the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) projects. COTS is an effort by NASA to stimulate, and then take advantage of, a robust commercial market for spaceflight services.
National Space Society Kicks Off Space Ambassadors Program with Virgin Galactic - http://www.newvoyagenews.com/?p=334 - NewVoyageNews - May 29th, 2008 - The National Space Society (NSS) and Virgin Galactic announced today the NSS Space Ambassadors Program, which for one person will lead to a trip to space on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo. - Space Ambassadors will be trained to deliver an eye-opening new presentation designed to educate and inspire the public about the practical and humanitarian benefits of exploration and research in space.
New Commercial Opportunities in Space - http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/new_opportunities_in_commercial_space.shtml - D M Ashford, 2007, The Aeronautical Journal, February 2007 - Bristol Spaceplanes Limited Bristol, UK.
New Voyage News - http://www.newvoyagenews.com/?p=342 - Space Adventures, Ltd., the only company that provides human space missions to the world marketplace, announced today the Space Adventures’ Orbital Mission Explorers Circle. This program allows individuals to reserve seats on future orbital spaceflights. They have the option to fly to orbit as their schedule allows with preferential access to mission seats or they can opt to sell their seat to another private astronaut. - Google Co-Founder Makes Investment Towards Future Orbital Space Flight - 11th June 2008.
Next Big Future - http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/06/top-ten-near-term-developments-for.html - Top Ten Near Term Developments for Vastly Improved Capabilities in Space - June 9th 2008.
Next Big Future - Spaceshiptwo at apogee
Personal Spaceflight - http://www.personalspaceflight.info/ - Space tourism, public space travel, and the beginnings of a new industry.
Personal Spaceflight - http://www.personalspaceflight.info/2007/09/20/nm-spaceport-office-needs-more-money/ - A little-noticed article from last week: the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, which is overseeing development of Spaceport America, needs additional state funding for its office. 20th September 2007.
Personal Spaceflight - The high cost of going into space - http://www.personalspaceflight.info/2007/07/19/the-high-cost-of-going-into-space/ - Space tourism, public space travel, and the beginnings of a new industry - Yesterday Space Adventures announced that they have finalized the contracts for the next two tourists to visit the ISS. The company didn't disclose the names of the tourists, saying only that more details would be released "in the coming weeks". - 19th July 2007.
Peter Diamandis on the Future of the X Prize Cup - http://popsci.typepad.com/popsci/2007/10/peter-diamandis.html - Popular Science Blog 6th November 2007.
Popular Mechanics - http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4221979.html?series=35 - Private Space Companies - David Noland - September 2007 issue.
RAeS Space Group - MISSION VIRGIN GALACTIC - http://www.acc.co.uk/raes/space/mission.htm - THE UK'S FIRST OUT OF THIS WORLD NATIONAL SCHOOLS COMPETITION - London, Tuesday 29 April 2008: - Today The Royal Aeronautical Society, The Royal Air Force and Virgin Galactic launched 'MISSION VIRGIN GALACTIC' a truly innovative National Schools Competition. - Mission Virgin Galactic will be open to all 11 - 14 year old students (Key Stage 3) across the UK and has been designed with the backing of education experts to fit within and complement the national curriculum. The aim of the competition is to inspire pupils in the areas of science, maths, technology and engineering in a fun and exciting way. - Working in teams of four to six pupils, the challenge is to design a marketable product that demonstrates one or more of the science, technology or engineering principles used in the Virgin Galactic space tourism programme. - http://www.missionvirgingalactic.com/.
RAeS Space Group - Royal Aeronautical Society - http://www.raes.org.uk/space/ - The Space Group is the specialist group within The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) charged with promoting the interests of the Society and its members in astronautics and its component scientific and engineering disciplines.
RAeS Space Group - Royal Aeronautical Society - http://www.acc.co.uk/raes/space/Humans_in_space.htm - Discussion paper on "Humans in space - UK policy" - In late 2005 the RAeS Space Group Committee published a discussion paper on "Humans in space - UK policy" with a view to sparking debate on that subject.
RAeS Space Group - Royal Aeronautical Society - Events - http://www.raes.org.uk/space/ - Tuesday 03 June at RAeS, London "The Key to Economic Hypersonic Flight and Access to Space: Hydrogen fuelled pre-cooled jet engines". Skylon and LAPCAT A2: the UK lead in hypersonic and launcher propulsion. Evening lecture by Alan Bond, Managing Director, Reaction Engines Limited. Organised by the RAeS Space Group and RAeS Propulsion Group. Refreshments: 17:30, start 18:00.
Reaction Engines Ltd - http://www.reactionengines.co.uk - Designers and Developers of Advanced Space Transportation and Propulsion.
Reaction Engines Ltd - LAPCAT - Configuration A2 Mach 5 Civil Transport - http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/lapcat.html - Reaction Engines is presently engaged on an EU 50% funded project as part of Framework 6. This study is to examine the propulsion concepts and technologies required - Reaction Engines Ltd.
Reaction Engines Ltd - The Skylon Vehicle - http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/skylon_overview.html - Skylon is an unpiloted, reuseable spaceplane intended to provide inexpensive and reliable access to space. Currently in proof-of-concept phase, the vehicle will take approximately 10 years to develop and will be capable of transporting 12 tonnes of cargo into space.
Scaled Composites - http://www.scaled.com/ - SpaceShipOne.
Scaled Composites Videos - http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/video.htm - SpaceShipOne and Scaled Composite Videos.
Space 4 Companies - http://www.space4companies.co.uk/index.php?view=events - EMPOWERMENT THROUGH TEAMWORK - Business and leadership professionals agree that effective communication skills, leadership ability and the desire to succeed as part of a team are at the core of any productive workforce. - Companies demand of their employees an awareness of their personal capabilities together with the confidence to contribute these effectively towards a good team dynamic. It's these skills that Starchaser aims to bring out in your workforce.
Space 4 Schools - http://www.space4schools.co.uk/ - BLAST OFF on a learning journey through space - Expand your educational experience by taking advantage of these fantastic and varied programmes, covering subjects ranging from space travel to the exploration of our Solar System. These immersive educational packages have direct links to the National Curriculum.
Space.com - The Future of Flight - http://www.space.com/futureofflight/ - Space Travel Technology for the Next 100 Years.
Spaceflight Revolution - David Ashford Published 2002. Imperial College Press. ISBN 1-86094-325-X - http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/library/spaceflight_revolution.shtml - It is becoming increasingly clear that the main obstacle to low-cost spaceplanes and space tourism is simply that very few people appreciate the possibilities. There is a great need for public education. The aim of this book is to help with that.
SPACEFLIGHT REVOLUTION - http://www.acc.co.uk/raes/space/spaceflight_revolution.htm - by David M Ashford - Managing Director, Bristol Spaceplanes Limited - based on the lecture to the Royal Aeronautical Society Space Group and the Tourism Society on Tuesday 20 May 2003.
Space Future - http://www.spacefuture.com/ - Welcome to Space Future. This site is for everyone who wants to go to space. - Here you can learn about Space Tourism, see some of the proposed Space Vehicles, find out about the legal, medical, and environmental aspects of our Space Habitat, or discover the potential of Space Power.
Spaceplanes vs. lunar footprints - http://www.spacepolitics.com/2007/07/20/spaceplanes-vs-lunar-footprints/ - Charles Miller in his opening remarks at the "Commercial-Military Spaceplane Day" during the NewSpace 2007 conference in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday:July 20 2007.
Space Pragmatism - http://www.spacepragmatism.com/ - Whats in the news in public and private space programs.
Spaceport America - Spaceport America Design Concepts - Spaceport America News Release - September 04, 2007 LAS CRUCES, NM - A team of U.S. and British architects and designers, accompanied by officials from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) and Virgin Galactic, will unveil the design renderings of Spaceport America at a press conference Tuesday, September 4, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Construction on the 100,000 square-foot hangar and terminal facility is scheduled to begin in 2008.
SpaceShipOne - Video of it winning the X-Prize - http://robot_guy.blogspot.com/2007/07/space-video-of-day-070731.html - Robut Guy - July 31 2007.
Space Tourism - A Reality for Europe? - http://www.vega-group.com/newsroom/whitepapers/ - Author: Dr Sam Adlen, VEGA - Currently, space tourism activity is predominantly in the US, but Europe has a number of options regarding increased involvement in the private spaceflight industry.
Space Tourism: Exploring a New Industry - http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/space_tourism_exploring_a_new_industry.shtml - Barbara A Stone - Access to space has to date been limited to a select few individuals. When the frontiers of space are truly opened it will become a place where people live, work and, ultimately, choose as a tourist destination. This paper provides a broad overview of the concept of public access to space in the context of today's economic and technical environment. A survey of current initiatives to make space tourism a reality is presented, along with a discussion of the present issues related to the subject.
Space Transport News - http://www.spacetransportnews.com/ - web site to reach out to members of the general public who are interested in space but don't actively pursue that interest. I believe this is because they are simply unaware that fun and captivating space-related activities exist for regular folk and not just for rocket scientists.
Space Tourism - The Key to Low Cost Access to Space - http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/space_tourism_the_key_to_low_cost_access_to_space.shtml - ABSTRACT - Low cost access to orbit requires reusable launch vehicles with long life, short turn-around time and low maintenance cost. If maturity comparable with airliners can be achieved, the cost per person to orbit would be reduced to around 10,000 Euros, some 1000 times less expensive than the cost today. Aerospace history suggests that a technology matures some ten years after its first operational use. Prototype spaceplanes are now under development that could enter service in about five years. Thus it may be possible to achieve the 1000 times launch cost reduction within about fifteen years. This would require a large commercial demand in order to fund the continuous product improvement from prototype to maturity. Space tourism is the future use of space most likely to provide this commercial demand. Sub-orbital tourism flights could start in about seven years. - David M Ashford - October 1998, "Space Tourism - The Key to Low Cost Access to Space", invited speech to EXPLOSPACE Workshop.
Starbooster - Summary - Starcraft Boosters, Inc. has taken a novel approach to reducing the cost of space access. - http://www.spaceandtech.com/spacedata/rlvs/starbooster_sum.shtml - Space and Tech.
Starchaser Industries - http://www.starchaser.co.uk/ - Commercial Space Access.
The Granddaddy of Space Colonization? - http://discovermagazine.com/2007/oct/the-granddaddy-of-space-colonization - Discover Magazine - Fifty years after Sputnik, Burt Rutan leads a new space race. - by By Jack Hitt. - 8th October 2007.
The Imminent Space Revolution - How the UK Can Take the Lead - http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/the_imminent_space_revolution_how_the_uk_can_take_the_lead.shtml - David Ashford - Abstract - A revolution in the way we operate in space is imminent. Within the limitations of technical forecasting, it is highly likely that passenger flights to space will start within a decade. The cost of operating space stations and of sending people to orbit will be reduced by about one thousand times within 15 years. - The revolution will involve replacing launchers based on ballistic missiles by those based on aeroplanes. Ballistic missiles have the major disadvantage that they can fly once only. This is the fundamental cause of the high cost and risk of present spaceflight. Spaceplanes could have entered service some twenty five years ago, but NASA had alternative priorities. Technology is now such that a sub-orbital spaceplane is within the scope of a small aerospace company. - The logic behind these forecasts is simple and robust. It has been well publicised and is supported by a growing number of people in the field. It is not widely appreciated because it is not in line with the present policies of NASA and ESA. - The paper explains the arguments behind these predictions, and describes a straightforward project that would enable the UK to take the lead in setting up the new spaceplane industry. - Presented to the Institution of Incorporated Engineers, 27 October 1998.
The Space Fellowship - http://spacefellowship.com - The Space Fellowship is an international news and information network dedicated to the development of the aerospace industry. - Formerly known as X PRIZE Forums (xprize.org/Forum) the X PRIZE News (xprizenews.org) and for a short while as the Space Race News (spaceracenews.com). - The website was original created to provide up-to-date news on the X PRIZE and the teams competing for it.
Universe Today - A Match Made in Space - Written by Nancy Atkinson - Rocketplane XP spaceplane. Credit: Rocketplane - Rocketplane Global has announced they will be offering the opportunity for people to get married in space. On their upcoming planned suborbital flights, the space tourism company is making available specialty charter flights that include space wedding ceremonies. - July 17th, 2008.
A Match Made in Space - Artists Impression - Rocketplane XP Spaceplane - Universe Today
Universe Today - Astrium Unveils New Spaceship Plans (Video Simulation & Pictures) - Written by Ian O'Neill - Europe's leading spacecraft manufacturer EADS Astrium, the builders of the Ariane rocket (that launches many of Europe's space missions), has announced plans to mass produce the next generation of space planes. Developing the design of a single-stage "rocket plane", the company believes there will be a demand for 10 spacecraft per year when the space tourism idea "takes off". Astrium won't be running tourist trips themselves; they will simply supply the hardware to space tourism companies predicting the industry will progress along the same lines of a classical aeronautical business model. Astrium has even released an excellent and inspiring (and realistic!) promotional video simulation of the spacecraft launch and view of space... - March 18th, 2008.
Universe Today - Branson Wants to Fly Space Tourists into the Northern Lights - For his next big plan for the private space industry, Richard Branson is thinking up new ways to excite affluent space tourists: flying them into the biggest lightshow on Earth, the Aurora Borealis. - Written by Ian James O'Neill - January 7th, 2008.
Universe Today - British Engineers Design Hypersonic Passenger Jet - Written by Ian O'Neill - A British engineering company has stepped into the commercial spaceflight arena with an ambitious and inspiring design of a possible airliner of the future. The A2, the design behind the Long-Term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies (LAPCAT) project, will carry 300 passengers, will have a range of 20,000 km and will be capable of travelling twice the speed of Concorde - that's a sustained velocity of Mach 5. It will also be capable of atmospheric and space flight leading to the exciting possibility of becoming a large vehicle shuttling passengers, astronauts and payloads into orbit. - February 5th, 2008.
Universe Today - Building an Engine that Can Throttle Down - A variable acceleration rocket would tremendously useful for landing on the Moon. Instead of firing the landing rockets in short bursts, astronauts could throttle down for a nice smooth landing. But building an engine like this is harder than it sounds. - July 16th, 2007.
Universe Today - Carnival of Space #50 - This week the Carnival of Space moves to another new home, the blog for KentuckySat (KySat). We've got some interesting stories this week: news on the Rocket Racing League. - April 17th, 2008 - http://kysat.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/carnival-of-s-1.html - KentuckySat (KySat). - New Frontiers - Monday, April 14, 2008 - http://newfrontiersblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/rocket-racing-league-exhibition-race.html - Rocket Racing League Exhibition Race Date Set. - HobbySpace - http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=6097 - Air vs rocket races - April 15th 2008.
Universe Today - European Space Jet Unveiled - The European aerospace firm EADS Astrium revealed its plans for space tourism on Wednesday at a special event in Paris. The company also showed plans for a new space plane that it hopes will take customers up to space as early as 2012. June 14th, 2007.
Universe Today - "Fusionman" Soars the Skies - Written by Nancy Atkinson - A Swiss adventurer who calls himself Fusionman tried out a new jet powered carbon wing, and successfully flew for 5 minutes on May 15 before landing with a parachute. Yves Rossy, a 48-year-old former air force pilot lit the jets on his wing and then jumped from a plane over Bex, Switzerland. He is the world's first man to fly with jet powered wings. - May 15th, 2008.
Universe Today - Lunar Missions Postponed by US Military X-37B Spaceplane Launch - Written by Ian O'Neill - It looks like a US Air Force robotic orbiter will push back the planned launch date of NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS). The double satellite launch, originally set for November this year, will now take place sometime early 2009. They will make way for the test flight of the orbital Boeing X-37B spaceplane, commandeering the Atlas V rocket flight originally intended for NASA. According to the Air Force, the November X-37B test flight will be a study into "risk reduction, experimentation, and operational concept development for reusable space vehicle technologies." (There might also be some urgency due to the Shuttle decommissioning in 2010...) - August 1st, 2008.
Universe Today - New Engine Could Let Spacecraft Do More with Less Fuel - One of the main problems with spacecraft is the cost to get them into orbit. For every kilogram you can shave off their weight, you get additional cost savings in launch expenses. A team of researchers from Georgia Tech think they have a solution to help spacecraft operate with 40% less fuel. - December 4th, 2006.
Universe Today - New Mexico Spaceport Design Unveiled - Written by Fraser Cain - The world's first commercial spaceport took the next step today, releasing new plans and illustrations to the public today. With a building that looks like the Millennium Falcon with wings, the spaceport, and its main tenant, Virgin Galactic, are taking this whole "space is cool" concept very, very seriously. - September 5th, 2007 - You can check out a full image gallery of the here - Original Source: Spaceport America News Release.
Universe Today - Prototype Blended Wing Aircraft Tested - The flying wing is an old design, but NASA aerospace engineers think it might be just what the airline industry needs. - July 30th, 2007.
Universe Today - Rocketplane Gets a New Pilot - Written by Nancy Atkinson - The commercial space company Rocketplane Global announced today that Paul Metz has joined the company as Vice President and Chief Test Pilot. Metz fills the spot vacated by former NASA astronaut John Herrington, who left Rocketplane at the end of last year. Perhaps things are looking up for Rocketplane. - March 21st, 2008.
Universe Today - Space Flight.
Universe Today - SpaceX's Falcon-1 Briefly Reaches Space - Falcon-1 is a two stage rocket running liquid oxygen and kerosene. The first stage is designed to be reusable, returning to Earth by parachute. SpaceX's primary goal is to undercut traditional launch expenses, offering flights as cheaply as $7 million. - March 22nd, 2007.
Universe Today - The Mars Landing Approach: Getting Large Payloads to the Surface of the Red Planet - Some proponents of human missions to Mars say we have the technology today to send people to the Red Planet. But do we? Rob Manning of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory discusses the intricacies of entry, descent and landing and what needs to be done to make humans on Mars a reality - July 17th, 2007.
Universe Today - Under Construction: SpaceShipTwo, on Course for 2009 Testflight (Pictures) - Written by Ian O'Neill - It is really taking shape. The future of Virgin Galactic's fleet of space tourism rockets is currently forming in a non-descript factory in the Mojave Desert, California. As if to prove that the Scaled Composite-design is not a pipe dream, pictures of the first commercial spaceflight vehicle have been released. It looks fairly crude and welded together, but this forms the bare bones of the worlds first viable hi-tech space tourism vehicle. All it needs now are some windows, seats, wings and an engine and we're good to go!. - February 10th, 2008del
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Universe Today - Under Construction: SpaceShipTwo, on Course for 2009 Testflight (Pictures)
Universe Today - Virgin Galactic Considering Hypersonic Airline Travel - Flightglobal.com is reporting that NASA and Virgin Galactic have signed a memorandum of understanding to work on commercial spaceflight and hypersonic airline travel. - February 21st, 2007.
Universe Today - Virgin Galactic Unveils SpaceShipTwo - Written by Fraser Cain - Your trip to space is just around the corner now. In the next step in its goal of sending regular folk to space, Virgin Galactic today unveiled the vehicle that's going to take them there: SpaceShipTwo. The announcement was made today at a press conference at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. - Actually, there were two vehicles revealed today: SpaceShipTwo, which will carry passengers on a suborbital trip into space, and the WhiteKnightTwo carrier. - January 23rd, 2008.
Universe Today - Virgin Galactic Updates on Plans For SpaceShipTwo - June 16th 2006.
Universe Today - Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo Sees Sunlight for the First Time (Gallery) - Written by Ian O'Neill - Early this morning in the Californian Mojave Desert, Richard Branson and Burt Rutan unveiled the completed Virgin Galactic Mothership "Eve," the first time this highly secretive project has seen the light of day. This is a significant moment for both Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites, the company that built Eve, as it shows space tourism is only a heartbeat away. Now we await the completion of SpaceShipTwo that is expected to begin test flights with Eve by 2009. - July 28th, 2008.
Universe Today - XCOR: Economy Class Space Tourism? - Written by Nancy Atkinson - XCOR Aerospace has thrown its hat into the space tourism ring, unveiling its two-seat suborbital spaceship, the Lynx. With its first flights scheduled for 2010, XCOR’s projected price per ticket will be half of what other suborbital companies like Virgin Galactic and Rocketplane are charging. But the Lynx’s flight will also be about half the duration and about two-thirds the altitude of the other companies. At $100,000, a seat on the Lynx is not exactly cheap, but its possible this lower price could cause a price war with the other space tourism companies, which is good news for anyone considering taking a suborbital flight. - March 26th, 2008.
UWE - Russian professor collaborates with aerospace researchers - http://www.cems.uwe.ac.uk/amrc/russianprofessorcollaborates.html - Professor Igor Lipatov, Head of the Theoretical Research Department, Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute, Moscow, recently visited UWE to meet with Dr Chris Toomer and Dr Laurent Dala, both Senior Lecturers and Researchers in Aerospace. The purpose of the visit was to discuss two main areas of collaborative research for the next generation of commercial aircraft - February 2007.
Virgin Galactic - http://www.virgingalactic.com/.
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo plans held up by testing accident - http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/10/09/217949/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-plans-held-up-by-testing-accident.html - Launch aircraft development continues while suborbital ship awaits investigation into fatal explosion in California - By Rob Coppinger - Launch aircraft development continues while suborbital ship awaits investigation into fatal explosion in California - 9th October 2007 - When will Virgin Galactic begin service? - http://www.personalspaceflight.info/2007/10/11/when-will-virgin-galactic-begin-service/ - 11th October 2007 - Personal Spaceflight.
What is Needed to Extend Life Permanently Beyond Earth?
by Elon Musk, Owner and CEO, SpaceX
** SPECIAL EVENT **
Lecture Theatre at 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ.
Public open lecture - All visitors welcome - No admission fee - No tickets required - Doors open 5:30pm
A personal message from Elon Musk
"For the first time in the four billion year history of Earth, there exists the possibility of extending life beyond Earth to other planets. It is difficult to predict how long that window will remain open. I will talk about why this goal should be considered important and why we should seek to fulfil it this century".
"Commercial space transport companies, including possibly SpaceX, are needed to make this happen, as the commercial sector is best suited to optimizing both the cost and reliability of access to space, just as the commercial air and ground transport companies did in their sectors. I believe we will need at least an order (perhaps two orders) of magnitude reduction in present day space launch costs and flight failures to achieve the above goal of becoming a multi-planetary species. This lecture will describe how SpaceX intends to make progress in that direction with the Falcon 1, Falcon 9 and Dragon".
SpaceX
In an era when most technology based products follow a path of ever-increasing capability and reliability while simultaneously reducing costs, launch vehicles today are little changed from those of 40 years ago. Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) aims to change this paradigm by developing a family of launch vehicles which will ultimately reduce the cost and increase the reliability of space access by a factor of ten. Coupled with the newly emerging market for private and commercial space transport, this new model will re-ignite humanity's efforts to explore and develop Space.
SpaceX is based on the philosophy that simplicity, low-cost, and reliability can go hand in hand. By eliminating the traditional layers of management internally, and sub-contractors externally, costs are reduced while speeding decision making and delivery. Likewise, by keeping the vast majority of manufacturing in house, costs are again reduced keeping tighter control of quality and ensuring a tight feedback loop between the design and manufacturing teams. And by focusing on simple, proven designs with a primary focus on reliability, SpaceX reduce the costs associated with complex systems operating at the margin.
Wikipedia - Spaceplane - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceplane - A spaceplane is a rocket plane designed to pass the edge of space. It combines some of the features of an aircraft and some of a spacecraft. Typically, it takes the form of a spacecraft equipped with wings.
Win a flight on SpaceShipTwo - http://www.aerosociety.com/galactic/ - A truly unforgettable experience - Register your interest now.
MSNBC - CLIFFHANGER AT ROCKET FEST - http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/27/435088.aspx - Cosmic Log - October 27, 2007 9:55 PM by Alan Boyle - Armadillo Aerospace provided a fresh demonstration of how alluring rocket science is - and how damnably difficult it can be - on the first day of this year's X Prize Cup at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Spaceports Blog - http://spaceports.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post.html - Orbital Outfitters showed off their new prototype commercial pilot spacesuit. - October 27, 2007.
Video of Armadillo Aerospace's - unsuccessful attempt to win the first lunar prize. - Personal Spaceflight 27 October 2007.
Wired Science - http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/blow-by-blow-on.html - Blow-by-blow on Mod's crash - October 27, 2007.
X PRIZE - Revolution through Competition.
XPrize Cup Images.
Your Spaceflight Manual How You Could be a Tourist in Space Within Twenty Years - http://www.bristolspaceplanes.com/library/your_spaceflight_manual.shtml - David Ashford and Patrick Collins Published 1990. - This book, of which the first edition was published in 1990, was the first book to seriously discuss the vital importance of space tourism for generating commercial revenues from crewed space activities, and so for opening the space frontier to humanity. As of 1998 it remains the only book on the subject, although space tourism is likely to become one of the largest commercial activities in space. - Being selected as the leading reference in NASA's first ever report on this subject is perhaps the start of this book's achieving full recognition as the pioneering document that it is. With the recent growth of interest in low-cost reusable launch vehicles, the sub-title's prediction for 2010 is still on target!
Implementation based on Space Horizons - http://www.cems.uwe.ac.uk/amrc/JANS/spacehorizons/ - Project for Information Technology Management for Business - Year 2.
Yahoo Pipes RSS Feed for these space plane stories - http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=2b0a5f394ae4325f5e1ea5b155d73126.
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