New EO Aims to Speed Up Commercial Space Launches
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to boost competition in the U.S. commercial space industry by cutting red tape, streamlining approvals and speeding up launches. “It is imperative that we build on the far-reaching actions taken by my Administration during my first term to ensure that new space-based industries, space exploration capabilities, and
Aerospace’s John Plumb: Resurrected Space Council Brings Value When Harnessed as ‘Whole-of-Government’ Approach
President Joe Biden’s administration has decided to renew and continue the National Space Council, which was established in 1989, disbanded and then reestablished in 2017 by the Trump administration. Politico first reported on the current administration’s decision March 29, citing a response from the National Security Council that read: “At a time of unprecedented activity
Avantus Federal Announces New Space Team Hires
Avantus Federal announced it has hired Doug McCobb, Taylor Edwards and Scott Anderson to the company’s space team. “Our space domain is at a critical point,” said CEO Andy Maner. “In order to enable success in this domain, we need to have the best and brightest talent on board. Doug, Taylor and Scott’s expertise will
ManTech’s Rick Wagner and Matt Tait Discuss Investments in Space Mission
ManTech International is making “big investments” in its work supporting the U.S. space mission. “We have the capabilities, and we’re investing big time,” said Rick Wagner, president of Mission, Cyber & Intelligence Solutions. “I can’t disclose all the details, but I’ll give you two words: SpaceX and BlueOrigin. Stay tuned.” Wagner and Matt Tait, president
Boeing Rolls out Core Stage for NASA Space Launch System
Boeing Co. announced it has delivered the core stage of NASA’s first Space Launch System deep space exploration rocket. Moving the core stage out of the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to the agency’s Pegasus barge marks the first time a completed rocket stage has shipped out of Michoud since the end of
An Astronaut’s Life in Space: Zero Gravity and Shuttle Launches
Over 3,000 students, parents, teachers, industry leaders, government techies and academics gathered this spring at the Nysmith School for the Gifted to attend the sixth annual K-12 STEM Symposium — and to hear from someone who sees the world from quite literally a unique perspective. In her “STEM in Space” presentation, keynote speaker, Dr. Sandy
Air Force, Raytheon to Overhaul Space Command and Control System
The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and a host of tech firms led by Raytheon have come together to revamp the legacy Space Defense Operations Center, which tracks and monitors space junk. The Air Force plans to replace the SPADOC system with upgrades that will overhaul operations and provide greater space situational awareness and collision
Pentagon Needs to Adopt Space-as-a-Service, Says Report
While the U.S. has a thriving commercial space industry and relies on space for national security and economic strength, Russia and China are upping their counterspace capabilities and space assets — and now U.S. policymakers must act, a new report concludes. Titled “Securing the Highest Ground,” the new report from the Center for the Study
SAIC Awarded $255M Space Contract
SAIC has won a $255 million contract to provide systems engineering and technical assurance work that supports various space-related activities. This work will be performed primarily in the continental U.S. “SAIC has supported space missions for more than 45 years,” said Mark Escobar, SAIC senior vice president and general manager of the National Security Customer Group.
STEM Symposium Highlights: A Surprise Visit from Sally Ride
Benjamin Franklin wasn’t the STEM Symposium’s only blast from the past. Sally Ride (1951-2012), the first American woman in space, also stopped by. With her helmet in hand, Ride told students all about her two space flights in 1983 and 1984. Ride was training for her third mission in 1986 when the Challenger exploded, and was subsequently assigned to
K-12 STEM Symposium Video: Workforce Needs and Solutions
Eric Schierling of Vencore and Tina Harrington of SIGNT and NRO spoke at the 2016 K-12 STEM Symposium with moderator Ed Swallows of The Aerospace Corporation. Tina explained her interest in STEM throughout her elementary and high school years, how she began working at The Aerospace Corporation as an intern in college, and how she
2017 K-12 STEM Symposium Speaker Spotlight: Ed Swallow, Vice President of Vaeros, a Division of The Aerospace Corporation
Ed Swallow, vice president of Vaeros, an division of the Aerospace Corp., will be joining WashingtonExec’s K-12 STEM Symposium March 25 to discuss the importance of STEM in the career opportunities for the upcoming generation. Swallow directs all civil, commercial and international business at Aerospace and is responsible for contracts valued at over $90 million annually. Key customers
K-12 STEM Symposium Video: Astronaut Dr. Sandy Magnus and Donald James of NASA
Astronaut Dr. Sandy Magnus and Donald James of NASA spoke about their STEM backgrounds and opportunities for students at the 2016 K-12 STEM Symposium. Magnus explained how her interests in physics and electrical engineering eventually led her to become an astronaut. James talked about chemistry, experiments and how he ended up working at NASA. Both spoke
Pooja Chandrashekar, Harvard Freshman and Social Entrepreneur, Returns to the 2016 K-12 STEM Symposium on March 12th
Pooja Chandrashekar, a 2015 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) and current freshman at Harvard University, joins the impressive roster of speakers, exhibitors, and students at the 2016 K-12 Stem Symposium: Opportunities in STEM. The daylong event will be held on March 12, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2016 K-12 STEM Symposium Speaker Spotlight: Former Top Gun Pilot Eric Schierling
WashingtonExec will feature former Top Gun pilot Eric Schierling at its 2016 K-12 STEM Symposium on March 12, at the Nysmith School in Herndon, Virginia. Schierling will participate in a discussion on the industry and government perspective for STEM entitled, “Workforce Needs and Solutions.” The Symposium is a free, exciting, and all day forum that provides opportunities for
Vaeros VP Ed Swallow: Inspiring STEM Education Through Space
What’s the next great frontier in technology innovation? For Ed Swallow, the answer comes down to two words: Space. And STEM. “The marketplaces have changed radically, especially in the space industry,” says Swallow, vice president of Vaeros, a division of The Aerospace Corporation. “New entrants in space launch, multiple smallsat constellations with plans to provide
Former NASA Astronaut Dr. Sandy Magnus Enourages Kids to Dream Big, Remain Curious at STEM Symposium
Despite the suggestion in the hit movie “Gravity” that space can be an incredibly scary place, astronaut Dr. Sandra Magnus assured the audience at Saturday’s STEM Symposium, that space has been nothing but fun and adventurous for her. As a nod to Ellen Degeneres’ now-famous Celebrity Oscar selfie, Rob Zitz, Senior Vice President at Leidos,
Intelligent Decisions Officially Announces Opening Of Huntsville Office For DoD Contract
Intelligent Decisions announced last week that it’s Huntsville, Alabama office will continue its goal of better serving the DoD with focused research and development efforts in the space and missile defense community. The Huntsville office will work to mirror the success of other ID offices opened across the nation, most recently in Orlando and Tampa,
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