NASA + Virgin Galactic cooperation

docm · Feb 21, 2007

NASA's signing these deals all over the place; SpaceRef article <blockquote>In reply to:<hr />NASA, Virgin Galactic to Explore Future cooperation PRESS RELEASE Date Released: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Source: Ames Research Center MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. - NASA officials signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday with a U.S. company, Virgin Galactic, LLC, to explore the potential for collaborations on the development of space suits, heat shields for spaceships, hybrid rocket motors and hypersonic vehicles capable of traveling five or more times the speed of sound. Under the terms of the memorandum, NASA Ames Research Center, located in California's Silicon Valley, and Virgin Galactic LLC, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, will explore possible collaborations in several technical areas employing capabilities and facilities of NASA's Ames Research Center. "As we constantly seek to build upon the advances made by explorers who have come before us, we now embark upon an exciting time in space exploration history that realizes the unlimited opportunities presented by a commercial space economy," said Shana Dale, NASA's deputy administrator. "By encouraging such potential collaborations, NASA supports the development of greater commercial collaboration and applications that will serve to strengthen and enhance the future benefits of space exploration for all of mankind." Dale is a longtime supporter of commercial space development. As the former staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, she was instrumental in the passage of the Commercial Space Act of 1998. This legislation encourages commercial space development in a variety of areas, including launch vehicles, th</blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Swampcat · Feb 21, 2007

I had read somewhere that something like this was being discussed. It's good to see it actually happen. Thanks for pointing it out. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

Swampcat · Feb 22, 2007

Some more info concerning NASA/VG MOU from flightglobal.com... <center>Virgin Galactic and NASA to research hypersonic point to point travel <blockquote>Virgin Galactic has signed a memorandum of understanding with NASA to carry out feasibility studies into commercial spaceflight systems and hypersonic intercontinental travel with the help of the US space agency's Ames Research Center./p> [We] are really looking forward to exploring opportunities for the future and making hypersonic point to point travel possible,” says Virgin Galactic chief operating officer Alex Tai./p></blockquote></center> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

solarspot · Feb 23, 2007

I just hope all this agreement / contract signing lately doesen't end up making a whole bunch more NASA contractors and a big nothing in terms real space commertialization...

docm · Feb 23, 2007

We'll see, but IMO we're better off with it than without it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Swampcat · Feb 24, 2007

"We'll see, but IMO we're better off with it than without it." I agree. From what I'm reading, it appears that Mike Griffin understands that NASA cannot do all the things everyone wants them to do and is actively pressing to help the development of private enterprise to the point where they can take over some of the more routine functions, leaving NASA to handle the leading edge stuff. This is a major paradigm shift for NASA and is long overdue. Those who have complained that NASA doesn't do enough to foster the private space industry (beyond LM and Boeing) should see this as a step in the right direction. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

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