Why Do DoD National Security Space Launch Programs Costs Keep Rising?

On March 5, 2014, the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee held a hearing about National Security Space Launch Programs. The hearing was a session with SpaceX’s Elon Musk, and the United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Michael Gass concerning the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program and contract with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the program’s rising […]

This is Why Space Matters: Aircraft Tracking

According to this GPS World post, Harris Corporation intends to make it easier to track aircraft around the world. How? Simple–by using GPS and Iridium NEXT satellites. “Wait,” you might interject, “Don’t airplanes already use GPS?” Well, yes they do, but this is why Iridium NEXT is important, too. The point of GPS has almost […]

What’s Old Is New Again

From childhood, I’ve had this weird fascination with dirigibles. Not blimps, but dirigibles. The kind of airships people associate with the words, “Oh, the humanity!!” In spite of the horrific Hindenburg episode, I always thought the zeppelins produced in Friedrichshafen, Germany, were always majestic in movement. It also looked like a relaxing and luxurious way […]

Space Tourism, the Costly Frontier

In previous articles I’ve talked about cheap small satellites for the general public to buy and even use in orbit. But what if you want something more? What if you want to be, if only for a few minutes, an astronaut? “Space tourism is too expensive!” you say? Maybe, if you only follow Virgin Galactic’s sub-orbital efforts […]

“New Space” Companies Might Equal New Jobs? Even for Vets?

This is another of my Clearancejobs.com posts about the possible jobs the new generation and start-ups of space launch and satellite companies might offer. But, are all of them really accepting of old military space operators into their baby-faced ranks? If you’re interested, please read: “Going from Government or Military to Space Startups.”