human spaceflight
Op-ed | Protecting the Health, Safety, and Comfort Of Civilians in the Commercialization of Space
Until recently, with several exceptions, the only travelers in space have been career astronauts. Most stakeholders envision that space will be populated in the coming decades by average civilians who will travel, live and work in space.
Sierra Space to start astronaut training program
Sierra Space is creating an astronaut training program led by a company executive and former NASA astronaut as another step in developing a crewed version of its Dream Chaser vehicle and a commercial space station.
Shenzhou-13 astronauts return to Earth after 182-day mission
Three astronauts safely returned to Earth April 15 after spending a national record 182 days in orbit, completing China’s second crewed space station mission.
ESA to set up committee to study human space exploration options
The European Space Agency will establish a committee with representatives from both inside and outside the space industry to develop options for a European human space exploration program.
NASA safety panel watching human spaceflight reorganization
NASA’s safety advisers say they’re closely watching a planned reorganization of the agency’s human spaceflight directorate to ensure it doesn’t adversely affect safety.
ESA looks to space summit to endorse human spaceflight efforts
The head of the European Space Agency says he hopes an upcoming space summit provides a political endorsement for major European space initiatives, including a human space exploration program.
U.A.E. examining options for future human spaceflight missions
The space center responsible for the United Arab Emirates’ human spaceflight program is looking at a range of flight options for its astronaut corps.
Op-ed | An Orbital Address for All
For the sake of Earth and humanity, it’s time for private enterprise and governments to co-invest to expand human activity in low Earth orbit, writes space architect and Blue Origin executive Brent Sherwood.
Op-Ed | It’s Time to Rescind the Moratorium on Regulation of Commercial Spaceflight
As commercial human spaceflight enjoys a breakout 2021, it doesn't make sense for Congress to keep safety regulators handcuffed through 2023, argues the author of "Bringing Columbia Home."
Is Netflix’s Inspiration4 docuseries a new era in Space Age media relations?
While the exclusive footage and the interviews were fascinating, Netflix's "Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space" docuseries lacks drama. By the time the final episode was released, the crew had been safely back for a week and a half.
Op-ed | Private industry spacesuit advancements are the solution to OIG report findings
The recent Office of Inspector General report that concluded NASA's spacesuit program is out of sync with with a 2024 lunar landing excluded any consideration of the substantial privately led work that has already been accomplished by industry.
Op-ed | The Last Shuttle Flight — A 10-Year Lesson
July not only saw the successful launch of two private industry human spaceflight operations. It also marked the 10th anniversary of the last space shuttle flight.
Europe considering concepts for human spaceflight
A bumper crop of applications for the European Space Agency’s astronaut corps is providing a boost to proposals for Europe to develop its own human spaceflight capability.
Op-ed | Honor Our Fallen Space Pioneers This Memorial Day
This Memorial Day, as we remember American servicemen and women who gave their lives for their country, we should also recognize another group of patriots who also paid the ultimate price in service to the nation — our fallen astronauts.
Op-ed | Build a Robot Base on Mars
The triumphant landing of the Perseverance rover has inspired all Americans, and indeed much of the world. President Biden should follow it up by launching the program to send humans to Mars.
Op-ed | Artemis will accelerate the commercial space sector
“The critics of NASA’s Artemis program are correct about one thing,” writes Christian Zur of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “the commercial space sector is an emerging juggernaut. However...the economic growth will come once new capabilities become cost effective and accessible.”
‘Parastronaut’ sought as ESA recruits its first new astronauts in more than a decade
The European Space Agency announced Feb. 16 that its first call for new astronauts in more than a decade will be open to candidates with physical disabilities.
Commentary | A critical mission for human spaceflight: a quest for value
The next goals for human spaceflight should be industrialization and settlement, writes aerospace engineer Gary Oleson.
NASA human spaceflight directorate reorganization on hold
A planned reorganization of the NASA mission directorate responsible for human spaceflight programs has been put on hold after its leader abruptly resigned last month.
NASA’s new human spaceflight chief is determined to make 2024 deadline
In this excerpt from a “fireside chat” at the third annual SpaceNews Awards for Excellence & Innovation Dec. 10, Doug Loverro discusses why he took on this new challenge and Jim Bridenstine explains why he believes Loverro is the right person for the job.
