Space colonies, with their promise of paradises beyond Earth, have many parallels with utopian literature about the New World centuries ago. (credit: NASA/Ames)
Could commercial crew become less commercial?
---
A proposed change in how NASA will contract for the next round of its commercial crew development program has generated considerable opposition from industry. Jeff Foust reports on the planned change and concerns it could be the first step to more significant changes in the program.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1898/1
High expectations: Utopianism and cornucopianism in the early modern era and the Space Age
---
Many aspects of space exploration, from the language of the Outer Space Treaty to concepts for space colonies, implied a future where space was free of national interests and sovereignty. John Hickman argues that such approaches are as doomed as the utopian visions of the New World centuries ago.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1897/1
VASIMR and a new war of the currents
---
The utility, or lack thereof, of a proposed electric propulsion system to enable Mars missions has been a major point of contention for some Mars exploration enthusiasts and will be discussed again at the Mars Society conference this week. Chuck Black finds a historical analogue to this debate.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1896/1
Another look: Falling Back to Earth
---
Lou Friedman offers his perspective on the book "Falling Back to Earth" about the space policy of the George H. W. Bush Administration and its lessons for today.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1895/1
Current strategies towards air-breathing space launch vehicles
---
A long-term vision for many aerospace engineers and others in the space community has been the development of a reusable launch vehicle that use atmospheric oxygen for some phases of its flight. John K. Strickland examines the current state of research and the potential future directions in this area.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1894/1
My dear friend
---
Dwayne Day discovers an unusual consequence of, and financial opportunity associated with, the retirement of the Space Shuttle.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1893/1
If you missed it, here's what we published in our previous issue:
Wheels stop
---
When the shuttle Atlantis landed Thursday morning, it was more than just the end of the Space Shuttle program. Jeff Foust discusses how it represents an end of a much longer era in human spaceflight, as the momentum built up from the original race to the Moon is finally exhausted.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1892/1
The best of spacecraft, the worst of spacecraft
---
The Space Shuttle's legacy has been widely debated as the program reaches its end: despite all its accomplishments, it failed to achieve its original goals of cost reduction. Andre Bormanis argues that the shuttle should best be remembered for taking a step on the path towards better and less expensive space access.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1891/1
The beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?
---
The end of the Space Shuttle program marks a profound change for NASA, in more ways than one. Roger Handberg warns that in the post-shuttle era the political environment for NASA may become more difficult and partisan.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1890/1
Lost space
---
A magazine planning to chronicle the emerging NewSpace industry has run into financial problems. Dwayne Day examines the intersection between the uncertainties of the space and publishing industries.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1889/1
Review: Burt Rutan's Race to Space
---
This week the EAA AirVenture convention in Oshkosh will honor Burt Rutan for his lifetime of achievement in aerospace design. Jeff Foust reviews a book that explores that history of design, from Rutan's earliest homebuilt airplanes to SpaceShipOne and SpaceShipTwo.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1888/1
Until next week,
Provided by The Space Review
