Aerospace Group:

NASA Launches Competition for Smaller, More Affordable Rockets

Monday, May 11th, 2015

SHARE:

NASA Launches Competition for Smaller, More Affordable Rockets

A recent Atlas V launch for the MUOS-3 program from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Photo: ULA.

NASA has launched a competition to find a more affordable way to launch small satellites into space, freeing up funding for the science the spacecraft are designed to perform once in orbit.A draft request for proposals (RFP) was issued May 7 for what NASA calls the Venture Class Launches Services (VCLS) program, which would be the smallest class of rockets used by NASA. VCLS is envisioned as a commercial launch vehicle that can affordably launch small satellites, often called CubeSats,…

Unmanned Systems

In Response To Flag Concerns, DoD Looks To Reduce Drone Prices, As Order for 30,000 Looms

The Pentagon is bargain shopping for Group 1 drones, as other countries, including Ukraine and China, have taken advantage of consumer electronics-level prices to bolster their stables. “In last spring’s […]

Pentagon

Amid Questions On Weapons Stockpiles, Caine Says U.S. Has ‘Sufficient’ Munitions For Iran Operation

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over the rate at which the U.S. is employing critical munitions in its military strike campaign against Iran, with lawmakers also pressing […]

Congress

SASC Leaders Criticize Trump’s Defense Strategy, Press Colby On Policy Shifts

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) leadership on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and pressed the Pentagon’s top policy official to explain the document’s priorities. SASC […]

Congress

Wicker Wants Legislation On DoD’s Equity Investments In Minerals Supply Chain

Legislation regarding equity investments by the Defense Department in critical mineral supply chains is needed to strengthen the larger defense industrial base and demonstrate to the “free market” that the […]