The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) has released the third iteration of its Global Exploration Roadmap with some important changes including the moon as an important step and the increased role of the private sector.
Read More »MDA Issues Unprecedented RFI to Support a Canadian Next Generation Robotic Manipulator System
In anticipation of a contribution to a future international mission beyond low Earth orbit, MDA has issued an unprecedented Request for Information (RFI). As far as I can recall, this is the first time MDA has issued an RFI of this nature.
Read More »Landing Site Selection for Commercial Missions to the Moon
This past week at the Lunar Science for Landed Missions Workshop, two commercial landing opportunities panels were organized that included representatives from Moon Express, Astrobotic, Blue Origin, iSpace, Masten Space, PT Scientists, Team Indus, Masten and Ceres Robotics.
Read More »Canada Taking Next Steps to Continue Leadership of Robotic Manipulators for Future Space Missions
The Canadian Space Agency has released a request for proposals (RFP) that would continue work on robotic manipulators that could eventually be used in future deep space missions, on other planets, the moon and closer to home for satellite servicing and even possibly on commercial space stations.
Read More »There May Not Be a Google Lunar X Prize Winner but Winners Have Already Emerged
The Google Lunar X Prize has a final hard date of March 31, 2018. If none of the finalists have completed their mission to the moon by that date then no one will win. Even so, it’s clear now that the spirit of the competition has been met.
Read More »Minister Bains Highlights Robotic and Lunar Technology Contributions to Canada’s Space Program
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, made a stop today at MDA’s Brampton robotic facility to highlight some of the governments contributions to the space program over the last few months.
Read More »U.S. Space Policy Now Officially Includes a Human Return to the Moon
With his signature on what is now known as Space Policy Directive 1, President Trump made it official, the U.S. is sending humans back to the moon. Now comes the hard work.
Read More »Japan Sets its Sights on Lunar Resources
Today’s podcast was recorded at the Canadian Space Society’s annual Space Summit in Ottawa on November 21st . I spoke with Dr. Kazuya Yoshida of Tohoku University in Japan.
Read More »The Keith Cowing Interview: Jim Bridenstine and NASA, Elon Musk and SpaceX, Lockheed Martin and Mars
My guest this week is none other than my business partner Keith Cowing. Keith and I co-founded SpaceRef 18 years ago.
Read More »The Moon is Almost Open for Business
In his opening statement at the Subcommittee on Space Hearing on Private Sector Lunar Exploration, Brian Babin (R-Texas), Chair of the Subcommittee said “will space be the next sector to lead economic growth?” His answer, ” I don’t know.” It’s an important question and his answer was right.
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