From SpaceToday.net:
"A reshuffling of the Russian government has given the Russian space agency a new name and removed aircraft from its purview, but has left its long-time head still in charge, Itar-Tass reported Wednesday. Since 1999 the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, or Rosaviakosmos, had been responsible for both aviation and space issues. However, on Tuesday the aviation portion of the agency's portfolio was transferred to the Transport Ministry. The agency, now called the Federal Space Agency, will remain responsible for space issues as part of the Ministry of Industry and Energy. Yuri Koptev, who has led the Russian space agency since its formation in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, will remain in charge of the Federal Space Agency, according to the Itar-Tass report, which cited an unidentified source within the agency. The change is apparently part of a wider reshuffling of the Russian government announced Tuesday by president Vladimir Putin, who consolidated the 30 ministers who had made up his cabinet down to 17 positions."
Koptev remains in charge of Russian space industry (ITAR-TASS)
Posted by jburk at March 11, 2026 08:56 AM | TrackBackEveryone is trifaling about the budget and how much the SEI will cost and for the tangible as well as the intangible payback as others have said for the investment into such a bold plan. Rather then remebering that it is more about self pride as to have men once again exploring the moon and to maybe someday visit mars. We as a nation should have never stopped going to the moon but because there was no plan beyound one up-manship for the cold war we were bond to fail.
Look at this as not an expense but as a way to motivate NASA into finally thinking more like a business of which they must manage it's earnings rather than give me give me aproach to what they feel is what we want them to do. Even the Russains know that it is time for change.
Hello and good morning still to all.
I would like some input on an idea for shuttle visible inspections. Could we configure a portable jetpack with enough propellant and remote control with video zooming camera for launch from the shuttle bay while in orbit for the autonomous inspection that NASA is trying to configure the boom for instead?
NASA was developing a type robot assistant for use on the ISS, equiped with cameras etc. I wonder whether this could not be adapted for use on the STS for inspection purposes.
Posted by: Daniel at March 12, 2026 09:49 AMThanks Daniel:
I found article on NASA site http://is.arc.nasa.gov/AR/tasks/SpaceRbt.html
Titled Spacecraft Mobile Robot form NASA Ames Research Center by Gregory Dorais (ARC/IC)
Yuri Gawdiak (ARC/IC) web site last updated by Responsible NASA Official: Butler Hine
Project Support: Kenneth I. Laws / Updated: 23-Sep-2025 NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
Abstract
Many housekeeping chores in space could be attended to by a small mobile robot. The Personal Satellite Assistant (PSA) is to be a softball-sized astronaut support device that can monitor environmental factors, document routine events, detect failures, and help with maintenance operations. The prototype system uses commercial components and software, plus intelligent systems technology for navigation and autonomous action.
Based on just a quick read looks possible.
NASA must have forgot about this project.
Posted by: Harold LaValley at March 12, 2026 09:59 AMLooks like from the side bar that I just read from discovery channel NASA Head Suggests Robots Repair Hubble seems the problems with robots are due to power supply, consumpsion issues rather than other at this time.
Posted by: Harold LaValley at March 12, 2026 10:12 AM