Ad Support : Nano Technology Netbook Technology News Computer Software
(H/T to Alfin and space.com for summarizing the competing new space companies and the names of their space craft.
Orbital Sciences
Orbital has conducted 55 space launch missions since 1990 using the
Pegasus (air launched system) for 40 of the launches. Pegasus can launch up to 1000 lbs into low earth orbit.
Orbital Science Taurus rocket has launched 8 times with up to 3500lbs to low earth orbit.
Orbital Science also has Minotaur rockets for about 580-800 kg to low earth orbit.
Blue Origin’s (Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com company) is planning a suborbital New Shepard vehicle to compete with Virgin Galactic.
Astronautix has coverage of the New Shepard.
California-based SpaceDev is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corp. (which acquired it in 2008) and has been developing the reusable Dream Chaser space plane to launch crew and cargo into space at an Atlas 5 rocket.
In February, Sierra Nevada won $20 million in NASA funds to continue the Dream Chaser’s development. The spacecraft’s design is based on the HL-20 lifting body tested by NASA and aims to launch on a rocket and land on a conventional runway, for quick turnaround and reuse.
Virgin Galactic
Company: Virgin Galactic
Spaceship Name: SpaceShipTwo
Plans to Launch into Space: end of 2011 or early 2012
Number of Passengers: 6 passengers, 2 pilots
The only air-launched vehicle in the group, Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo vehicle is still just a suborbital vehicle designed for space tourism jaunts into space. The company envisions launching paying passengers on suborbital thrill rides for about $200,000 per seat. However, the spacecraft’s mother ship – the huge WhiteKnightTwo aircraft – could be modified to launch small rockets or satellites for NASA or other users.
If you liked this article, please give it a quick review on Reddit, or StumbleUpon. Thanks
Supporting Advertising
Business Success
How to Make Money
Executive Jobs
Paid Surveys
Thank You
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.