Governmental Aerospace Programs
The Federal Aviation Administration, air mail, space programs and military aviation
Replicators Have Arrived
Three-dimensional printing technology can be used in conjunction with the material and energy resources of the Moon to build new space faring capabilities.
October 24, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
The World’s First Warplane
One hundred years ago this Sunday, on October 23, 1911, Captain Carlo Piazza climbed onto his spindly Blériot XI and made military history.
October 21, 2011 |
By Rebecca Maksel
X-37 Still Aloft, May Look to Carry Astronauts
While the "secret-ish" X-37 space plane continues to perform well at over 200 days in orbit, Boeing finally talks details, including a possible human-rated version.
October 14, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
Lightning on Deck
The Marine Corps version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is undergoing sea trials this week and next, and already has chalked up a milestone: the first vertical landing of the F-35B at sea.
October 05, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
China’s Next Step: A “Heavenly Palace”
With China building its own space station, a veteran U.S. astronaut says it’s time for NASA and its partners to extend an invitation.
October 05, 2011 |
By Leroy Chiao
The Taikonauts’ Sons
Pretty much all of the Chinese high school students who attended Space Camp last month were exceptional, but two of the 16-year-olds stood out even in select company.
September 26, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Brave Archivist Rifles Through Clinton’s Stuff, Rewarded
Among the list of things one expects to find while sifting through former President Bill Clinton's stuff, a lost moon rock might be low on the list.
September 23, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
F-22 Pilots Breathing Easier?
We'll find out soon enough. After four months on the ground, the F-22 Raptor was cleared by the U.S. Air Force to resume operations this week.
September 21, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
Let’s Argue About The Right Things
We seem to be in one of those periods in which basic reasons for doing what we do as a nation are called into question.
September 17, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
A New Angle on a Space Shuttle Launch
What's a better way to get a new view of a space shuttle launch than using a "whole-sky lens"?
September 13, 2011 |
By Heather Goss
X-47 on Deck, Kind Of
This summer the X-47B unmanned combat aircraft made its first arrested landing on the USS Eisenhower. Well, actually it was an F/A-18D Hornet (left) operating as a surrogate, using the software and [...]
September 12, 2011 |
By Roger Mola
The Astronauts’ Ride
Strange days for NASA's astronauts. Their numbers are down—from a peak of 150 in 2000 to just over 60 today. And they just lost their main vehicle, the space shuttle. [...]
September 09, 2011 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Going Once….The 1920 Pulitzer Race Trophy
From the Chicago Daily Tribune, November 28, 1920: "At last the pride of the Army air service, the Verville-Packard chasse biplane, has established its worth by romping ahead of thirty-four starters in the first Pulitzer...
September 02, 2011 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Destination: Moon or Asteroid? Part III: Resource Utilization Considerations
Part III: Resource Utilization Considerations In Part I and Part II of this series, I examined some of the operational and scientific issues associated with a human mission to a near Earth asteroid (NEO) and contrasted them with the simpler operations and greater scientific return of a mission to the Moon. To continue the discussion [...]
September 02, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Destination: Moon or Asteroid? Part II: Scientific Considerations
Part II: Scientific Considerations In my last post, I examined some of the operational considerations associated with a human mission to a near Earth asteroid and how it contrasted with the simpler, easier operations of lunar return. Here, I want to consider what we might do at this destination by focusing on the scientific activities [...]
September 01, 2011 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Pirates Ready to Board the Space Station
Ahoy there, Matey! Lately it seems that everywhere you turn, there’s a pirate. There are pirate-themed children’s books: Do Pirates Take Baths? and Pirates Don’t Change Diapers (honey, they don’t even change socks). There’s “International Talk Like a Pirate Day” on September 19, founded by Cap’n Slappy and Ol’ Chumbucket. Your car can sport a [...]
September 01, 2011 |
By Rebecca Maksel
The Changing of the Guard
Ten years after 9/11, what life is like in an Air National Guard unit.
September 2011 |
By Ed Darack
The Raiders Remember
In an annual ceremony, the last of the Doolittle Raiders recall their part in victory over Japan.
September 2011 |
By Paul Hoversten
Stranded
Four aircraft, 12 airmen, 25 days, 40 below zero, in the middle of nowhere.
September 2011 |
By Edward Farmer
Heroes in the Tower
Stories about air traffic controllers that you probably didn’t see on the evening news.
September 2011 |
By Michael Klesius
