The Indian Space research Organization announced Sunday that it has conducted the longest test to date of an indigenously-developed cryogenic engine. The engine, which uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants, ran for 1,000 seconds during the September 14 test. The engine is being developed for the upper stage of India’s GSLV vehicle, where it will have to operate for 700 seconds.
NASA is expected to make a decision in the near future regarding the future of a long-awaited computer upgrade at the Kennedy Space Center. The Checkout and Launch Control System (CLCS) has cost double its original $200 million budget and will not be ready until mid-2005, four and a half years late. Rumors have been floating around since last month that CLCS may be greatly restructured, if not canceled.
NASA may establish a venture capital (VC) fund to support the private development of key technologies, the Huntsville Times reported. NASA associate administrator Scott Pace said such a fund could more effectively promote new technologies than the existing Small Business Innovative Research grants. The CIA currently funds a similar VC effort, In-Q-Tel.
