Calling the Space Privateers

Today, I’d like to offer a rejoinder to Michael Hanlon’s article from The Telegraph a couple of weeks back, entitled, “There’s only one question for NASA: Is anybody out there?” In it, Hanlon offers an argument against regular human space exploration in favor of dedicated robotic missions devoted exclusively to astrobiology research. Whether via orbiters, landers, rovers, or […]

NASTAR: Follow-up videos

For those interested in something a little more full-motion, I submit to you a quick post today pointing toward what civilian commercial scientist-astronaut training, (i.e., non-NASA) looks like. Courtesy of Keith Cowing (of nasawatch.com, spaceref.com, and a phalanx of other space industry sites fame,) the video of our high-g centrifuge training at the NASTAR Center […]

NASTAR: Day 1 – Sky High

[[NOTE: I apologize for the 1-day lag. It’s also finals week in grad school.]] Today was truly extraordinary – the training more utilitarian than I could have imagined. I’m still attempting to process it all. The day began with general introductions and a tour of the NASTAR Center along with the extensive onsite manufacturing facilities […]

Introducing Astrowright Spaceflight Consulting LLC

This has been nearly impossible for me to keep under my hat for so long, but after nearly a year of preliminary work, I am thrilled to announce that Astrowright Spaceflight Consulting LLC is open for business (www.astrowright.com). So, what is the venture specifically? The firm offers a suite of spaceflight-related services, including orbital and […]

Personal orbital spacecraft within reach

Though few may realize it now, the stage is set for the first time in human history to enable someone or a small venture (with considerable financial backing) to assemble his or her own spacecraft using private, commercially-available, “off-the-shelf” spacecraft and equipment. And I want to fly one. The reality is that all of the current […]