AmericaSpace

AmericaSpace was founded in 2009 by two former aerospace engineers. Since then, this site has been dedicated to reporting on the state of America’s space and aerospace efforts, which for many have been, and remain, synonymous of America’s willingness, indeed enthusiasm, to reach new horizons. As America’s human space flight program transitions from the Shuttle program to one focused on beyond earth exploration, AmericaSpace will continue to cover this evolution in spaceflight while expanding our coverage of aeronautics, milspace, and planetary exploration. We do this for one simple reason… Because America is a nation that explores.

Latest

The sheer size of the 15,000-pound Leasat-3 satellite is illustrated in this view of James “Ox” van Hoften manhandling it into space on Mission 51I (Credits: NASA).

Extravehicular Activities

‘If Something Happens’: Mission 51I and the End of an Era, Part 2

By AmericaSpace on August 29, 2013

Continued from Part 1. For Dick Covey, the pilot of Mission 51I, the instant that Space Shuttle Discovery broke the shackles of Earth on the cusp of... Read more →

In a triumphant ending to a triumphant space salvage, James “Ox” van Hoften strikes a Charles Atlas pose on the end of the shuttle’s RMS mechanical arm, seemingly hoisting the world on his shoulders (Credits: NASA).

Extravehicular Activities

‘Crankin’ APUs’: Mission 51I and NASA’s ‘Can-Do’ Spirit, Part 1

By AmericaSpace on August 28, 2013

When Space Shuttle Discovery touched down in Florida on 19 April 1985—suffering seized brakes and enduring a burst tire in the process—she left... Read more →

Launch

Fuel Leak Scrubs India’s GSLV Return to Flight Mission

By AmericaSpace on August 20, 2013

The first operational flight of India’s Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)—and its first successful mission—took place in September... Read more →

Skylab

Nostalgia for an Age Yet To Come, Skylab 40th Anniversary

By AmericaSpace on July 31, 2013

This weekend, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation remembered the United States’ first space station – Skylab (Credits: NASA). In an episode... Read more →

Luca Parmitano works on the routing of data and Ethernet cables during EVA-23 (Credits: NASA).

Extravehicular Activities

NASA Team Formed to Investigate EVA-23 Incident

By AmericaSpace on July 24, 2013

Chris Cassidy works outside the International Space Station on 16 July. His 6.5-hour EVA with Luca Parmitano was cut short after just 92 minutes by... Read more →

Skylab

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation to Celebrate Skylab’s 40th Anniversary

By AmericaSpace on July 9, 2013

Skylab, as seen by its second crew in 1973. America’s first space station celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and will be honored at an... Read more →

Jean-Loup Chretien (right) waves to well-wishers in the aftermath of his safe landing. Commander Vladimir Dzhanibekov (center) reports by telephone the flight’s successful completion, whilst Aleksandr Ivanchenkov looks on (Credits: SpaceFacts.de/Joachim Becker).

Space and International Relations

Premier Vol Habité: The Story of France’s First Man in Space (Part 2)

By AmericaSpace on July 2, 2013

By Ben Evans. Read Part 1 here. Its descent slowed by a main parachute and its touchdown cushioned by the ignition of solid-fueled rockets,... Read more →

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opened its $100 million Atlantis Exhibit to the public Saturday, June 29. It was attended by astronauts who flew on each of the orbiter’s 33 missions, NASA and other officials, and thousands of guests (Credits: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com).

Press Releases

Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Opens at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

By AmericaSpace on July 1, 2013

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla — The operators of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts (DNC), pulled... Read more →

France’s first man in space, Jean-Loup Chretien, releases a flare during Black Sea training for his June 1982 mission. (Credits: SpaceFacts.de/Joachim Becker).

Space and International Relations

Premier Vol Habité: The Story of France’s First Man in Space (Part 1)

By AmericaSpace on July 1, 2013

France’s first man in space, Jean-Loup Chretien, releases a flare during Black Sea training for his June 1982 mission. (Credits:... Read more →

NASA’s 2013 Astronaut Candidate Class. Top left to right: Josh A. Cassada, Ph. D.; Victor J. Glover, Lt. Commander, U.S. Navy; Tyler N. Hague (Nick), Lt. Colonel, U.S. Air Force; Christina M. Hammock, NOAA Station Chief. Bottom left to right: Nicole Aunapu Mann, Major, U.S. Marine Corps; Anne C. McClain, Major, U.S. Army; Jessica U. Meir, Ph.D.; Andrew R. Morgan, M.D., Major, U.S. Army (Credits: NASA)

Press Releases

NASA Announces Eight New Astronaut Candidates

By AmericaSpace on June 19, 2013

NASA’s 2013 Astronaut Candidate Class. Top left to right: Josh A. Cassada, Ph.D.; Victor J. Glover, Lt. Commander, U.S. Navy; Tyler N. Hague... Read more →