NASA
Composite Spacecraft Shell Passes Simulated Spaceflight.
The Newport News (VA) Daily Press (3/11, Nealon) reports on the interior shell for a spaceship module that was recently developed out of carbon-graphite as part of the Constellation program. "NASA centers from across the country helped design and develop the part," which was sent to the Langley Research Center for testing last summer. Michael Kirsch led the testing that simulated traveling through space. "The module surpassed expectations, Kirsch said." Kirsch noted that the module may not be used because of its weight and because Constellation was recently canceled, as "announced" by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "The technology is ready for the private sector which, under Bolden's plan, would assume a larger role in space travel, Kirsch said. The only question left is what to do with the part, which is encased in a canary-colored cage in a Langley warehouse."
