Spacevidcast provides a video update on the STS-132, Atlantis, which will fly the second Kentucky-built NanoRacks Platform to the International Space Station inside the Russian Mini Payload Module. See this picture of the module recently posted.

The launch countdown has begun for the scheduled May 14 launch.

Wayne

The Canadian-focused space blog Commercial Space describes how the restrictive International Traffic in Arms Regulation, or ITAR, has "put the United States 'in a position where it is now rapidly losing clout in the space market.'"

Wayne

Discussing the research possibilities in microgravity at the international biotech conference, "BIO," are (left to right): Kris Kimel, Kentucky Space; Jeffrey Manber, NanoRacks LLC; Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear; and Dr. Jim Lumpp, University of Kentucky.

Atlantis, where the second NanoRacks Platform is stowed for delivery to the International Space Station, has been cleared for a May 14th launch. Each platform can host 16 individual plug and play microlabs, called CubeLabs^tm, the standard for affordable, repeatable micro-G research.

Flight readiness review for STS-132 underway today. The current target date for launch of NanoRacks and Kentucky Space hardware is May 14.

In other news, the managing partner for NanoRacks, Jeffrey Manber, recently participated in question and answer with the "SciGuy" at the Houston Chronicle, Eric Berger. Give it a read.

As the Kentucky Space blog transitions to the new web site, you may want to use this feed URL to get the latest blog posts. The old feed URL will no longer be updating. Kentucky Space is also @KySpace on Twitter.

Wayne