The space tourism firm will launch “earlier than most people expect” according to the tycoon, and has advance bookings from 800 passengers. The billionaire said: “The rockets are ready and the fundamental boxes have now been ticked, so I am hopeful we’ve got a nice surprise for those people coming.
“It’s the most exciting company we’ve ever launched and one day we’re going to be competing with British Airways point-to-point via space. “It could become one of the most profitable firms we have ever launched.” (10/26)
Novel Rocket Design Flight Tested (Source: Los Alamos National Lab)
Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists recently flight tested a new rocket design that includes a high-energy fuel and a motor design that also delivers a high degree of safety. Conventional solid-fuel rocket motors work by combining a fuel and an oxidizer, a material usually rich in oxygen, to enhance the burning of the fuel. In higher-energy fuels this mixture can be somewhat unstable, and can contain sensitive high explosives that can detonate under high shock loads, high temperatures, or other conditions.
The new rocket fuel and motor design adds a higher degree of safety by separating the fuel from the oxidizer, both novel formulations that are, by themselves, not able to detonate. After years of development and bench-top static tests, the new rocket design was recently flight tested at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center's Socorro launch site, part of New Mexico Tech. Click here. (10/26)
KSC Business Expo Planned on Tuesday (Source: KSC)
The NASA KSC Women-Owned Small Business Industry Day and EXPO trade show is sponsored by NASA/KSC Prime Contractor Board, 45th Space Wing, and the Port Canaveral Authority, and features approximately 150 businesses and government exhibits.
Exhibitors include businesses providing a variety of products & services. Representatives of NASA, the 45th Space Wing, prime contractors and other government agencies will be available to answer specific questions about doing business with their respective organizations. Matchmaking sessions will be available for those interested. Additional information will be available during the Opening Ceremony. Click here. (10/27)
Decatur Daily Endorses Marshall Engineer Bray to Unseat Mo Brooks (Source: Decatur Daily)
The rhetoric of U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, has caused enough harm to Alabama and the Fifth District. Mark Bray, I-Huntsville, is a political newcomer, but he represents needed change. North Alabama has endured the inflammatory rhetoric of U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks for too long. We endorse Mark Bray, I-Huntsville, for the Fifth District seat of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The contrast between incumbent Brooks and his predecessors is depressingly stark. The template for past representatives provided huge benefits for north Alabama. Former Reps. Ronnie Flippo and Bud Cramer were behind-the-scenes players. They created alliances that benefited their districts while pushing legislation that their constituents favored. What they did not do is make spectacles of themselves.
Like his predecessors, Brooks is an intelligent man. Unlike his predecessors, he devotes that intelligence to finding the spotlight. He is a darling of the national media, not because of his incisive commentary, but because of his inflammatory comments. Bray is a political unknown. He campaigns as a conservative, but he advocates practical solutions rather than ideological ones. As an engineer for NASA, he understands the importance of the federal government to north Alabama. (10/26)
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