News Summaries for January 9

Britain Could Mount Solo Moon Missions (Source: AP)
Britain could launch a program to send probes to the Moon by 2010 without the backing of Europe's space agency, according to a funding body report. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council has produced outline plans for two solo moon missions, claiming the falling costs of technology make the proposals viable. Britain has carried out all previous space exploration — including the ill-fated attempt to land the Beagle 2 probe on Mars in December 2003 — in conjunction with the European Space Agency or NASA.

Japan Readying Commercial Launch Activity (Source: Yomiuri Shimbun)
Last year saw a series of good news stories regarding Japan's space program, including the successful launch of four H-2A rockets. Launches are expected to be made ahead of schedule this year, but there remain problems to be resolved. On Feb. 15, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch an H-2A rocket to carry an intelligence-gathering satellite into orbit. If successfully launched, it will become nation's fourth such satellite. Responsibility for the launch of the H-2A rocket will be transferred from JAXA--that is, the state--to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., a private company, in April. The month will see the nation enter the international market for commercial satellite launches, a goal the government has been aiming at for about 20 years and the reason for using taxpayers' money to develop rocket technology.

NASA Picks Finalists for 2011 Mars Mission (Source: SpaceToday.net)
NASA has selected two spacecraft as finalists for a 2011 mission to Mars as part of the agency's Mars Scout program. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission would study the planet's upper atmosphere and ionosphere to seek clues about the planet's climate and habitability. The Great Escape mission would also study the planet's upper atmosphere to understand its dynamics and evolution, as well as look for traces of potentially biogenic compounds like methane in the atmosphere. NASA will select one of the two missions in late 2007 for launch in 2011. The mission will be the second in the Mars Scout program of relatively low-cost Mars missions, with a cost cap of $475 million. The first Mars Scout mission, the Phoenix lander, is scheduled for launch this August.

NASA Invites Academia and Industry to Lunar Dust Workshop (Source: NASA)
The NASA Engineering and Safety Center will sponsor a Lunar Dust Workshop Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. The three-day workshop will focus on the effects of lunar dust for human and robotic missions to the moon, as well as procedures and technologies to protect astronauts and vehicles.

Delta 4-Heavy Rocket Takes its Place Atop Launch Pad (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
A massive Delta 4-Heavy rocket stood up on its Cape Canaveral launch pad Thursday morning to begin a three-month campaign of testing and preparations for blastoff carrying a critical military surveillance spacecraft. Having been assembled horizontally in a nearby hangar, the 170-foot long vehicle was driven to pad 37B last week. The triple-wide rocket, creating a unique sight, traveled along the half-mile roadway and the curved incline to the pad overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Space Florida Plans Meetings (Source: Space Florida)
The Space Florida board of directors and two of its standing committees will conduct public meetings in January and February. The Spaceport Operations Committee will meet via teleconference on Jan. 22 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. The Business Development Advisory Committee will meet via teleconference on Jan. 19 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. And the full board will meet in Tallahassee on Feb. 12. Visit http://www.spaceflorida.gov for information.