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A good year for space programs

2006, December 30 - 4:49pm — Greg Kontos
Features: Current EventsCritical Path Innovation: Space Based Projects, Private Space Travel, Popular Perception of Space Travel, People, Projects, Groups and InstitutionsInstitutions: NASA, Space Adventures, Bigelow Aerospace, International Launch Services, Arianespace, United Launch Services, SpaceX, Rocketplane Kistler, Lockheed Martin, Northrup GrummanProjects: OrionSites in Space: Enceladus, MarsSpacecraft: SS-18

It was a good year for the Earth's space programs. So good, that I jumped on the bandwagon. This article contains a lot of great information about the highlights of space exploration in 2006.

    Here are a few of the big ones.
  • Aceize is founded, 150 year business plan set in motion.
  • Bigelow Aerospace launches their first inflatable module onboard a Russian SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missle
  • Anousheh Ansari travels to space. The deal was brokers by Virginia Based 'Space Adventures'
  • Several launch services promote international cooperation including; International Launch Services (a U.S.-Russian venture), and Europe’s Arianespace and United Launch Alliance.
  • SpaceX and Rocketplane Kistler receive grants of almost $500 million from NASA for development of craft that can resupply the spacestation
  • Lockheed Martin receives the contract for the Orion exploration vehicle
  • NASA launches it's moon base strategy
  • Armadillo Aerospace makes a good run at creating a lunar lander for a Northrop Grumman prize
  • Ice geysers spotted on Saturn's moon, Enceladus
  • Signs of Liquid water spotted on Mars
  • India and China are improving their space programs, both are planning lunar orbiters in the coming years
  • Both Martian land rovers are still operational after 3 years
  • Aceize is founded