Airbus C295 Clean Sky 2 demonstrator takes flight
A newly designed C295 testbed has made its maiden flight.
NASA chief reportedly in talks with companies about running ISS
The head of the US space agency NASA is in talks with several global companies about taking over day-to-day operations at the International Space Station (ISS) in the coming years, US media said on 5 June.
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine made the comments in an interview with the Washington Post.
Bridenstine, the former Oklahoma congressman who was sworn in as leader of the space agency in April 2018, said: ‘We're in a position now where there are people out there that can do commercial management of the International Space Station. I've talked to many large corporations that are interested in getting involved in that through a consortium, if you will.’
He did not reveal which companies he has spoken with.
The White House said earlier in 2018 that it would end direct funding of the orbiting outpost by 2025, a position that raised fierce opposition among some lawmakers.
The annual US investment in the space lab ranges from $3 to $4 billion.
The football-field-sized space lab – which includes Russia, Japan, Canada and European partners –has been continuously occupied by astronauts since 2000.
It cost $100 billion to build and orbits some 400km above the Earth.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Airbus C295 Clean Sky 2 demonstrator takes flight]()
-
![US FTC blocks Lockheed Martin $4.4 billion acquisition]()
US FTC blocks Lockheed Martin $4.4 billion acquisition
Lockheed Martin has responded to the news that the US FTC is suing to block its acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings.
-
US service chiefs fear effects of funding impasse
The US armed forces have been funded under a Continuing Resolution that will expire on 18 February —and service chiefs fear that a failure to approve a spending plan for the current fiscal year will adversely affect their ability to progress with modernisation efforts.
-
![West bolsters Ukrainian arsenal as Russian threat looms]()
West bolsters Ukrainian arsenal as Russian threat looms
Kiev has received a range of weapons, from next-generation light anti-tank weapons (NLAW) to Javelin and Stinger missiles.
-
![Leonardo claims ‘no evidence of issues’ on Kuwaiti Eurofighter deal]()
Leonardo claims ‘no evidence of issues’ on Kuwaiti Eurofighter deal
Following reports of two individuals being referred for prosecution due to allegedly misusing public funds, linked to an order for 28 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, Leonardo has said it is not subject to a judicial investigation.
-
![Artemis and AIMS-ISR integrate for cellular location]()
Artemis and AIMS-ISR integrate for cellular location
CarteNav and Smith Myers have turned mobile phones into rescue beacons through Artemis and AIMS-ISR software integration.
