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NASA’s New Horizons explores Ultima Thule in the Kuiper Belt

Tuesday, January 1 NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft flew past Ultima Thule in the Kuiper Belt out beyond Pluto. Ultima Thule is the farthest from Earth that a spacecraft has ever transmitted pictures. NASA scientists believe that Ultima Thule is one of the oldest objects in the solar system, predating the planets. “Congratulations to NASA’s New … Continued
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January 3, 2019

NASA 2018 highlights

NASA had an eventful 2018, which the agency highlighted in a press release. The agency welcomed a new administrator, Jim Bridenstine, deputy administrator, Jim Morhard, and chief financial officer, Jeff DeWit, in 2018. “Our agency’s accomplishments in 2018 are breathtaking,” Bridenstine said in a statement. “We’ve inspired the world and created incredible new capabilities for … Continued
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December 28, 2018

OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft arrives at Bennu Asteroid

NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft completed its 1.2 billion-mile journey to arrive at the asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft executed a maneuver that transitioned it from flying toward Bennu to operating around the asteroid. The spacecraft is now about 11.8 miles or 19 kilometers from Bennu’s Sun-facing surface. OSIRIS-REx will begin … Continued
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December 4, 2018

NASA’s Bridenstine visits United Launch Alliance rocket factory in Decatur

NASA Administrator James Frederick “Jim” Bridenstine held a roundtable discussion Thursday with United Launch Alliance (ULA) and NASA officials after touring ULA’s massive rocket factory in Decatur. Bridenstine then addressed the media. Reporters asked about the Space Launch System. “We are not going to abandon it,” Bridenstine said. “We are behind schedule and over cost; … Continued
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October 26, 2018

United Launch Alliance selects Alabama-built BE-4 rocket engine for next-generation rocket

Thursday, Alabama Governor Ivey (R) welcomed the news that United Launch Alliance (ULA) has selected Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine to power ULA’s next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket. Ivey said the announcement will provide a major boost to Alabama’s aerospace industry and extend the state’s leadership position in rocketry. ULA produces Atlas V and Delta IV rockets … Continued
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September 28, 2018

NASA Administrator Bridenstine selects Jody Singer as new Marshall director

Thursday, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has selected Jody Singer of Hartselle as the new director of NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville. “Jody Singer is an excellent choice to lead Marshall Spaceflight Center,” said Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama). “Her deep understanding of the Space Launch System and other critical NASA projects, along with her … Continued
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September 14, 2018

Committee passes Brooks Amendment

Tuesday, Congressman Mo Brooks’, R-Huntsville, bipartisan amendment was approved by a committee. The amendment passed a substitute to S. 141, the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee in a voice vote. Rep. Brooks partnered with Congressman Ed Perlmutter, D-Colorado, to offer this amendment, which replaces and Brooks … Continued
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July 27, 2018

Governor Ivey applauds President’s space policy directive

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Monday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said that President Donald Trump’s new Space Policy Directive will lead to humans colonies on the moon and a human mission to Mars. Trump signed the President Space Policy Directive 1 (SPD-1) on Monday. According to SPD-1, NASA will lead an innovative and sustainable … Continued
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December 12, 2017

Aerojet Rocketdyne begins construction on new plant

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey attended the official groundbreaking ceremony of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s new 136,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Huntsville. “This is not only an exciting day for Aerojet Rocketdyne and the city of Huntsville, it’s an exciting day for the entire state of Alabama,” Gov. Ivey stated. She said … Continued
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October 26, 2017

Brooks is founding member of new NASA Caucus

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Friday, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, announced that he was a founding member of the establishment of the bipartisan House National Aeronautics and Space Administration Caucus led by Rep. Steve Knight, R-Calif., and Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Oh. The stated mission of the caucus is to bring attention to NASA’s … Continued
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October 16, 2017