Arianespace To Build On The Success Of 2007 (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Arianespace will retain its industry leadership in 2008, relying on a three-pronged strategy of meeting the company's on-time mission commitments to customers, utilizing Ariane 5 launchers that are built to a standardized configuration, and maintaining a clearly defined commercial/industrial organization for its Service and Solutions offer. Speaking to journalists at its traditional New Year's press conference today in Paris, Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said the launch marketplace continues to recognize Arianespace's quality and performance, expanding the order book to record levels - which is being met by a continued ramp-up in mission rate.
Yet Another Plan for Strengthening U.S. Competitiveness (Source: SGPB)
The Alliance for Science and Technology Research in America (ASTRA) released a plan to strengthen America’s global competitiveness by increasing funds for scientific research. The plan’s fourteen recommendations fall into three broad categories: increasing funding for Federal R&D, especially in leading edge sectors like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and high-performance computing; improving the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels of the educational system; and creating a business environment that supports innovation and competitiveness. See the report, Riding the Rising Tide: A 21st Century Strategy for US Competitiveness and Prosperity at http://www.usinnovation.org/pdf/ASTRARisingTide121107.pdf.
National Academies Sponsors Tallahassee Space Research Forum (Source: ERAU)
Tallahassee's Challenger Learning Center will be the site of a Jan. 16 symposium titled: Forging the Future of Space Science - The Next 50 Years. The event is one of many planned nationwide. This one will include an evening lecture by NASA Astronaut Carl Walz, who is also Director, Advanced Capabilities, for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. The lecture will be preceded by a panel discussion led by space scientists from Florida State University and Florida A&M University. Visit http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ssb/IGY_Tallahassee_event.html for information.
Space Florida Continues "Out Of This World" Education (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida announced today its second year of commitment to Florida schools and universities by sponsoring microgravity flights that promote content knowledge of physics and space while advocating aerospace and science education statewide. Space Florida's first student-designed, microgravity research payloads will fly on the next scheduled flight. The microgravity educational and research experiences demonstrate to Florida teachers and students 'real world' processes used by NASA scientists as they prepare scientific research for Space Shuttle missions and on board the International Space Station. Visit http://www.spaceflorida.gov/news/01-07-07_future-space.php to view the news release.
Russia Says it is Ahead in Race to Put Man on Mars (Source: AFP)
Russia is leading the race to complete a manned mission to Mars and could land a Russian on the Red Planet by 2025, a leading scientist was quoted as saying on Tuesday. "We have something of a head start in this race as we have the most experience in piloted space flight," the director of the prestigious Space Research Institute, Lev Zelyony, said. The goal of becoming the first country to land a human on Mars is "technically and economically achievable" by 2025, he said. Mars is the most prestigious prize for the Russian space industry if it wants to boost the country's "scientific and political prestige" through manned space flight, he said. "We lost the race to the moon," Zelyony said.
Eutelsat, ViaSat Order Ka-band Satellites (Source: SpaceToday.net)
Satellite operators Eutelsat and ViaSat each announced the order of Ka-band broadband satellites Monday as part of a cooperative venture. Eutelsat ordered its KA-SAT spacecraft from EADS Astrium for launch in 2010. ViaSat ordered its ViaSat-1 satellite from Loral for launch in 2011. Eutelsat and ViaSat are cooperating in the development of these systems, using ViaSat networking hardware and a common business model to sell broadband satellite capacity on a wholesale basis to companies that want to provide TV and Internet services.
MDA Selling Space Assets To ATK (Source: Satellite Today)
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) has agreed to sell its space businesses to ATK for $1.3 billion. The transaction has been approved by each company's board and is expected to close early in the second quarter subject to shareholder approval and U.S. and Canadian regulatory approvals. ATK will create a separate business group, ATK Space Systems, which will include the operations being acquired from MDA as well as other synergistic business assets of ATK. The new group is expected to produce revenues of about $900 million in the company's 2009 fiscal year. Carl Marchetto will lead the formation of ATK Space Systems as president of the group. Marchetto most recently was executive vice president of Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Space Systems Group.
Microgravity Enterprises Inc. Expands Availability of Antimatter (Source: MEI)
Microgravity Enterprises, Inc. (MEI) announced an expansion of their distribution network with the addition of two new partners, Zero Infinity, LLC and Badger Enterprises, LLC. This expands the availability of Antimatter(TM) Energy Drink and Space2O(TM) Purified Water to include New Mexico, West Texas, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. "Antimatter(TM) energy drink represents the finest in quality and most innovative process for formula creation in the world," said J. Conrad Grant of Zero Infinity, LLC.
ASRC Aerospace Contributes to NASA’s Constellation System (Source: ASRC)
ASRC Aerospace Corp. is providing design and development engineering, systems engineering, configuration management, three dimensional modeling and visualization, and project management services to NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD), Constellation Program (CxP) Ground Operations (GO) Project for processing the Ares 1/Orion vehicles at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). NASA recently awarded ASRC Aerospace a three-year extension to the original five-year University-affiliated Spaceport Technology Development Contract (USTDC). As part of this contract ASRC Aerospace is contributing to the design, development and activation of NASA’s ground support equipment and systems used for processing the Constellation Program elements at KSC.
Scout Mission Slips: Are Future Mars Plans on a Slippery Slope? (Source: Planetary Society)
On December 21, the day after Congress recessed for three weeks, NASA announced the delay of the 2011 Mars Scout selection due to a potential conflict of interest with a member of the review panel. NASA officials were advised to start the proposal process over to avoid a long, contentious process of protest. The extended selection process means the launch will slip to 2013. Congress has demonstrated strong support for robotic Mars exploration, and in fact, just one day earlier, Congress reasserted its view that Mars missions should be launched at every Mars opportunity -- approximately every two years. Now, we are going to miss the 2011 opportunity altogether.
US Shuttle Glitches May Delay Hubble Mission (Source: AFP)
A US shuttle mission to repair the Hubble space telescope this year could be delayed due to the postponement of last month's Atlantis launch, a NASA official said. Astronauts on Atlantis are scheduled to repair and modernize Hubble in August. But technical glitches that have delayed the shuttle's current mission since early December may also put the August operation on hold, associate administrator Alan Stern told reporters.
Patricia Grace Smith Leaving FAA (Source: Space News)
Patricia Grace Smith, the Federal Aviation Administration's point person for the regulation of commercial space, is retiring effective Feb. 3, FAA spokesman Jim Stasny confirmed Jan. 8.
Boeing, Lockheed Get T-Sat Contract Extensions; Program Could Slow Down (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Air Force awarded $75 million contract modifications to Lockheed Martin and Boeing to extend their respective work on a new generation of laser-linked communications satellites, according to a Pentagon contract announcement dated Jan. 7.
Major Upgrade for Hubble Telescope (Source: UPI)
U.S. space officials said the Hubble Space Telescope will receive a major tuneup and upgrade this year. The work will be begin in August when space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift off with a crew of seven astronauts and a cargo of equipment, tools and new instruments. The shuttle also will carry an IMAX camera to record the mission for a movie scheduled for release in 2010. NASA said the Hubble servicing mission will equip the orbiting observatory with far greater capabilities.
New Risk to Earth Found in Supernova Explosions (Source: Space.com)
An explosive star within our galaxy is showing signs of an impending eruption, at least in a cosmic time frame, and has for quite some time. From 1838 to 1858, the star called Eta Carinae brightened to rival the light of Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and then faded to a dim star. Since 1940 it has been brightening again, and scientists think Eta Carinae will detonate in 10,000 to 20,000 years. Fortunately, Eta Carinae is far away, at least 7,500 light-years from Earth. If it explodes, most of its energy will be scattered or absorbed in the vast emptiness of space. It also happens to be tilted about 45 degrees from the line of sight to Earth, so any type of gamma-ray burst, a high-energy outburst expected with this star's eventual eruption, would miss the Earth. Cosmic rays would be diffused by magnetic fields, and most of the damaging light would not affect life on Earth.
In general, threats to life on Earth from supernovae are extremely small, for all except the nearest explosions — those 30 light-years away or closer. But what if a supernova were 100 times brighter than usual? Would there be any risk to life on Earth then? Astronomers found such a record-breaking supernova last year. Visit http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/080108-eta-carinae.html to view the article.
China Flexes Muscle in Space (Source:: Reuters)
China is to launch 15 rockets, 17 satellites and its third manned mission in 2008, flexing its muscle in space in a year in which it will host the summer Olympics. State media have said China plans to launch its third manned mission, Shenzhou VII, into space in October involving a space walk, and it will mount a joint effort with Russia to explore Mars in 2009.
NASA Funding Bill Could Hinder Space Exploration (Source: Discovery Channel)
A manned mission to Mars may be history before it's even had a chance to become reality, according the Mars Society - the world's largest Mars exploration advocacy group. The culprit is the NASA portion of the recently-enacted Congressional Omnibus Appropriations Bill; it contains language that would prohibit "funding of any research, development, or demonstration activities related exclusively to human exploration of Mars." While it provides support for science missions - including exploration of Mars - the bill fails to adequately fund NASA's plans to return to the Moon and then send humans to Mars. Furthermore, its critics argue that these elements are a regression from the NASA Authorization bill that Congress overwhelmingly approved in 2005. (In that bill, Congress approved NASA's plans to send humans to Mars and supported the expenditures necessary to get them there.)
India Explores Russian Help for New Manned Spacecraft (Source: Flight International)
India and Russia may collaborate to develop a reusable manned spacecraft - if talks expected to start early this year bear fruit. Energia Rocket and Space Corporation - best known as a designer of heavy lift vehicles - would be the Russian focal point for any joint project. Last November the two countries sealed a 10-year deal to jointly develop and launch a robotic Moon rover mission during 2011-12, to follow India's Chandrayaan-I probe which is scheduled to launch this April. For Chandrayaan-II, aimed at studying lunar mineral resources, Russia will provide a new generation, 400kg (880lb) Lunokhod unmanned rover and India a flight module and launch support.
Earlier collaboration included assistance from the former Soviet Union to develop and launch India's first satellite, Aryabhata, in April 1975. India is a partner in Russia's Glonass satellite navigation system and has been granted access to the defence segment of this spacecraft constellation. India's three-stage Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is expected to launch two Glonass-K satellites before the end of this decade.
Mars Rover Finds Possible Hot Springs Deposits (Source: Earth & Sky)
NASA scientists have taken ‘the most significant step’ forward in finding evidence for former conditions on Mars suitable for life. That’s according to Steve Squyres, the principal investigator for the Mars Exploration Rovers, called Spirit and Opportunity. Squyres said that a rock split open by the wheels of the Spirit rover revealed that it, and those surrounding it, were made of more than 90 percent silica. He said that these silica-rich rocks might be deposits from former hot springs on Mars, similar to hot springs found in places on Earth such as at Yellowstone National Park.
Florida Aerospace Special - Space Industry Still Key (Source: Flight International)
Once the gateway to the Moon, Florida's role as a spaceport is changing - but NASA and its support industry are still key. Almost half a century ago, Florida was chosen as the launch pad for America's space ambitions. Today, around 380 businesses in the state serve the space and related aeronautics sectors, many based on the so-called Space Coast, east of Orlando. NASA dominates the landscape, literally and figuratively, with its giant Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, 15,500 employees and a budget of $1.65 billion, much of it spent in the state with these suppliers.
Other space-related government sites include the US Air Force's 45th Space Wing based at Patrick AFB, just north of Cape Canaveral AFB. The combined civilian and military personnel at these bases totals 3,600. Around 7,000 people are employed in manufacturing in the space and related sectors, such as missiles. Disciplines include propulsion, vehicle and parts manufacturing, research and technology and satellite communications.
NASA's decision to axe the Space Shuttle in 2010 have required a reorganization of the state's aerospace industry support bodies. The end of the Space Shuttle could see up to 5,000 jobs lost. The implications of the Shuttle's retirement led to the creation of Space Florida, an industry/state government body that brings together Florida's previous space-related bodies. It has drawn up a strategic plan to help local industry cope with the NASA changes, the latest version of which was published last March. It sets out a series of goals, which include capturing a larger share of the space vehicle supply market, hastening the integration of space and aviation, and tapping into an emerging market for suborbital flights and commercial cargo.
Candidate Calls for Diversified Space Industry (Source: ERAU)
Among the candidates seeking to replace state Rep. Bob Allen in representing Florida's "Space Coast" district #32 is former Cocoa Beach City Commissioner Tony Sasso. In recent remarks, Sasso suggested that Florida could do more to diversify its space industry beyond its present reliance on rocket launch programs, including investing in university R&D projects that would prepare the state for a greater role in exploration science and technology initiatives, and commercial spaceflight programs.
NASA Gets Full Budget But COTS Suffers 30% Cut (Source: Flight International)
NASA has been given $49 million more than it requested for the development of its Constellation programme's Ares I crew launch vehicle (CLV) for its late fiscal year 2008 budget but has seen a deep cut in funding for its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) demonstration program. NASA's exploration systems mission directorate (ESMD) was designated $950.8 million in President Bush's FY2008 budget request for its Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV) and $1.175 billion for the CEV's CLV boooster. The Congress-amended FY2008 budget appropriations bill, signed into law by Bush on 26 December 2007, has given NASA the $17.3 billion that was requested for the agency as a whole but has cut $81.8 million from the ESMD budget - providing the directorate with $3.84 billion instead of the $3.92 billion wanted.
Despite the appropriated FY2008 budget matching the requested figure, the delay to NASA's Ares/Orion first flight date to March 2015 will remain and not advance to September 2014 or earlier, unless its FY2009/10 budget appropriations provide substantially more funding to reverse the delays incurred by 15 months of 2006-level finances resulting in a $600 million shortfall in FY2007. COTS suffered the bulk of the $81.8 million cut to FY2008 funding with a $76 million reduction, leaving it with $160 million. NASA's remaining COTS phase one space act agreement partner, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), has told Flight that the program's appropriated funding will "be more than sufficient for SpaceX's FY2008 [COTS] activities".
By Edward Ellegood
LinkedIn Group
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