Category Archives: Commercial Space

Why Not Just Fund the Program of Record?

Posted on December 14, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

Amid all the recent discussion of the Augustine Committee’s results, Mark Whittington asks a question that a lot of people in Congress seem to be asking: “Why not just pay for the current program since any new program is going … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, COTS, ESAS, International Space Collaboration, Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA, NEOs, Politics, Space Development, Space Policy | 31 Comments

Comment on Brett Alexander’s Congressional Testimony

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

I didn’t have a chance to watch either of the House subcommittee hearings today, so I’m grateful that Clark linked to the testimonies of the various witnesses.  I really enjoyed reading Brett’s testimony, and thought one of his points in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bigelow Aerospace, Commercial Space, COTS, ESAS, Launch Vehicles, NASA, SpaceX | 13 Comments

Skribit Housecleaning: Virtual SSTO w/ Drop Tanks, Biamese Vehicles, and Sea Dragon

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

I want to clean out some of the Skribit suggestions that I’ve been neglecting for a while. Some of these may end up somewhat brief, but I wanted to at least try to be responsive. Drop Tanks to Enable SSTO? … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, Launch Vehicles, Space Transportation, Thrust Augmented Nozzles | 38 Comments

Random Thoughts: CAM in a Can?

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

One of the more interesting modules that was originally going to be part of ISS was the Japanese-built Centrifuge Accomodations Module (CAM).  The CAM was designed to provide the facilities for testing the impact of reduced and hypergravity–over a range … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, International Space Collaboration, Space Development, Technology | 18 Comments

Depot-Centric Human Spaceflight

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

In light of how well today went at the Augustine Committee, I felt that it would be worthwhile to post the propellant depot white paper that a group of us submitted last week. I was originally planning a much longer … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, Launch Vehicles, Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, Propellant Depots, RLV Markets, Space Transportation | 17 Comments

One of the Most Amazing 25 Minutes in (Recent) NASA History [Updated]

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

Or at least that’s how Stephen Flemming put it on Twitter regarding Jeff Greason’s presentation at the Augustine Committee meeting today in Florida. To be fair, the rest of the subgroup also did an amazing job, especially Chris Chyba’s wrapup … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, COTS, ESAS, International Space Collaboration, International Space Competition, Launch Vehicles, Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA, Propellant Depots, Space Policy, Space Transportation, Technology | 8 Comments

Shameless Self-Promotion: Depot Article on New Scientist

Posted on July 29, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

Last week, right after I finished sending my propellant depot white paper in to the Augustine Committee, I got contacted by David Shiga of New Scientist with some questions for an article he was writing.  The article is now available … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, NASA, Propellant Depots, RLV Markets | 3 Comments

File Under: “Couldn’t Have Said It Better Myself”

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

Mr X over at ChairForce Engineer has one of the best Apollo retrospectives I’ve seen this week (which is only helped by linking to one of my other favorites from this week, by Reason’s Ron Bailey).  Their points are well-taken.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA | 7 Comments

Random Thoughts: Pre-Depot 2-Launch Manned Missions Using L2 Swingby

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

Ok, two weeks ago, I mentioned that the “pre-depot” dual EELV launch concept my friend had passed to me could be adapted to do manned lunar missions.  Lunar missions are a lot easier to close if you assume a depot … Continue reading →

Posted in Bigelow Aerospace, Commercial Space, ESAS, Launch Vehicles, Lunar Commerce, Lunar Exploration and Development, MSS, NASA, Propellant Depots, Space Transportation, SpaceX | 13 Comments

Quick Notes: Debunking The PLF Volume Argument for HLVs

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Jonathan Goff

I noticed during the DIRECT presentation at today’s HSF public meeting, that they were asked why they would need an HLV if they had depots.  Now, I didn’t hear the exact question, since I had a phone call come in … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Space, ESAS, Launch Vehicles, Lunar Exploration and Development, NASA, Propellant Depots, Space Transportation | 17 Comments