Space Adventures has signed a $20 million firm contract with the Russian space agency for an unidentified space tourist to fly aboard a Soyuz TMA orbital flight in 2004-5 on a regular mission to the International Space Station. The US company has also tentatively booked a TMA mission for two space tourists on a flight with a Russian commander.
Source: Flight International
Orbital launch pioneer SpaceX is being contracted by the American space agency NASA to develop a so-called “US Deorbit Vehicle” that can safely return the International Space Station to Earth via controlled re-entry.
BAE Systems has completed its acquisition of Ball Aerospace, with the move further strengthening its US business presence.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has retired its Mars helicopter Ingenuity after the craft suffered damage upon landing.
