Lifeboat Foundation

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has arrived in California for final assembly in preparation for launch in 2019.

The two halves of the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) arrived at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems’ Space Park facility in Redondo Beach, California, on Feb. 2, after being transported from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, according to a statement from NASA. Later this summer, the optical telescope and integrated science instrument module (OTIS) will be combined with the Telescope’s spacecraft element; together they will officially become the Webb observatory.

Could single-person spacecraft replace individual spacesuits in the future? One company is working on a design for such a craft.

The impact next week’s flight could have.

Space Solar Power Initiative (SSPI) is a multi-year research in the field of Space Solar Power Initiative conducted by Caltech team in collaboration with Northrop Grumman (NG) Aerospace and Mission Systems division.

SSPI approach: • Enabling technologies developed at Caltech • Ultra-light deployable space structures • High efficiency ultra-light photovoltaic (PV) • Phased Array and Power Transmission • Integration of concentrating PV, radiators, MW power conversion and antennas in single cell unit • Localized electronics and control for system robustness, electronic beam steering • Identical spacecraft flying in formation • Target is specific power over 2000 Watts per kilogram. This would cost competitive with ground-based power.

Continue reading “Caltech and Grumman partner on Space Based Solar Power Initiative” »

Let’s go to the moon again, y’all.

New technology, investment, and policy are helping to boost smaller companies like Rocket Lab into the stratosphere. Their founders share some advice.

SpaceX test-fires 27 engines in its powerful new Falcon Heavy rocket in key milestone.

And it’s changing everything from art to space exploration. http://cnn.it/2hPFph3

A spacecraft was used to “drop” two objects and test their rate of fall. The new, super-precise findings confirm objects will fall at the same rate (in the absence of air resistance) — and that when it comes defining the effects of gravity, Einstein got it right.