March 25 News Items

NASA Deputy Administrator Talks Space Benefits with Missouri Lt. Governor (Source: NASA)
ST. LOUIS - NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder discussed how space exploration gives Missourians a more competitive economy and better quality of life Tuesday during a NASA Future Forum in St. Louis. The event, which was part of a yearlong series of events across the country marking NASA's 50th anniversary, took place at the Saint Louis Science Center. (3/25)

Florida's 'Space Coast' Looks Beyond the Shuttle (Source: NPR)
After Endeavour returns to Earth, there will be just 11 missions left to complete before the end of the space shuttle program in 2010. Along Florida's "Space Coast," people are worrying about what the end of the shuttle program will mean for workers and the region's economy. In the area near Cape Canaveral along Florida's Atlantic Coast, there's a sense a deja vu in the air. For many here, the looming end of the space shuttle brings back memories of the 1970s. Al Koller was working at NASA when, quite abruptly, word came down that the Apollo program was being cancelled. The workforce at the Kennedy Space Center was cut from 25,000 employees to less than half that. The ripple effects from those layoffs, Koller recalls, devastated Florida communities from Titusville to Melbourne.

For nearly 50 years, launch operations are what the Kennedy Space Center has been known for. But it now has competition — both internationally and in the United States, where some private space companies say they may go elsewhere for their launches. Lynda Weatherman, of the area's economic development commission, says it's important that Florida's Space Coast diversify its aerospace industry and the role it plays in the nation's space program. "We don't want to rely on launch. We can't afford to rely on launch," she says. (3/25)

Sales are Rocketing at Virgin Galactic (Source: Flight International)
Few companies can boast revenues worth tens of millions of dollars before actually delivering the "ultimate experience" promised - but that is what Virgin Galactic has achieved with its sales pitch that fulfils the dreams of the Apollo generation's wealthier members to carry them beyond the Earth. That tantalising dream of travelling above the 100km (62 mile) boundary separating the Earth from space has seen 250 customers, mostly in their forties and fifties, sign up for a trip through direct contact and a new network of 90 agents worldwide, generating $35 million in full ticket purchases and deposits, all of which is held in escrow. (3/25)

India Seeks Russia's Help in Space Pilot Training (Source: RIA Novosti)
India is considering sending one of its citizens into space on board a Russian spacecraft to acquire the skills necessary for future manned space missions. ISRO had been in talks on the issue with the Russian Federal Space Agency and "received a positive response." India sent its first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, into space with the Soviet Intercosmos program aboard the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft on April 2, 1984. (3/25)

Station Chief Gives Update on Joint Problem (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
Analysis of metallic contamination from a solar array rotary joint on the space station indicates a "high-friction event" of some sort has chewed up and damaged one of the surfaces of a 10-foot-wide gear and bearing race. A definitive answer to what caused extensive damage is not yet complete, so NASA has not yet decided what repairs might be needed fix the joint. Program Manager Mike Suffredini said an analysis shows the station's solar arrays can generate enough power for near-normal station operations through the rest of this year and early next with the right side solar alpha rotary joint, or SARJ, locked in place or only occasionally moved to improve power generation. "We may have to manage how we do research, but we should be able to do the research that we planned," he said. (3/25)

NASA: Mars Rovers Won't Be Cut (Source: Florida Today)
NASA says it has absolutely no plan to turn off either of the Mars Rovers because of budget cuts. NASA is saying Tuesday that it has rescinded a letter that recommended budget cuts in the Mars Rover program to cover the cost of a next-generation rover on the Red Planet. The move comes a day after scientists at the agency's robotics center said they would need to hibernate one of the twin Mars robots and limit the duties of the other because their budget was being cut by $4 million. (3/25)

Europe's Cargo Vehicle Prepares for First Docking to Station (Source: NASA)
Less than three weeks after its maiden launch, Europe's Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is set to begin a series of automated approaches and make an eventual docking with the Space Station. NASA will broadcast the most critical maneuvers on March 31 and April 3. During the docking, the spacecraft will be controlled by engineers in France, working with flight controllers near Moscow and in Texas. A series of engine firings will bring the ATV to within 36 feet of the station before the crew sends an abort command to move the ATV away from the complex for its final approach three days later. These maneuvers will test all of the ATV's vital systems. (3/25)

Zero-G Bails on Brevard, Bound for Virginia (Source: Florida Today)
Virginia-based Space Adventures Ltd. has purchased Zero Gravity Corp., taking from Florida the headquarters of a space-tourism company the state has agreed to pay about $1 million for teacher flights over two years. Since 2007, Space Florida has had a nearly $500,000-a-year contract with Zero-G to fly 120 teachers a year at a cost of more than $3,500 per passenger. Company officials said the Zero-G plane will remain in Fort Lauderdale, where Zero-G previously was based. Zero-G anticipates about 100 flights this year, and about a third of which would continue to originate from Florida.

Space Adventures President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Anderson said the Virginia tax break is welcomed, although it did not influence his decision to buy the company. In addition to the tax breaks from Virginia and the state contract with Space Florida, Zero-G in January landed a $5 million-a-year contract with NASA to provide microgravity flights the agency now flies with its own planes.

State officials say the purpose of the contract with Space Florida is to encourage science education while supporting a fledgling space tourism company. "We see it as a viable tool," Space Florida President Steve Kohler said. Space Florida will fund four more teacher flights this year. NASA contracted with Zero-G to begin a commercialization policy. Their contract includes up to 20 weeks of service. NASA already operates two planes to fly microgravity missions, but the Zero-G 727 can accommodate up to 35 researchers, compared with 20 on NASA's C-9 during each flight. (3/25)