December 1 News Items

Why Australia Should Have a Military Space Policy (Source: On Line Opinion)
The Senate Economics Committee has just released a report recommending that Australia adopt a space policy. It categorically states, "The Australian government should have a space policy and, like most other comparable countries, an agency to implement it". One of the interesting aspects of the report was its comments on Australia and the militarization of space. The Committee firmly "opposes any moves toward militarizing space".

EOne may well argue that Australia should have a space policy that looks favorably upon the militarization of space. A case could be made for a two-pronged approach, namely developing indigenous military intelligence and communication capabilities and supporting a global arms control regime covering space. This would equate to support for the militarization of space while opposing the weaponization of space. The problem with the Senate Committee conclusion is the rather muddled conceptual analysis upon which it is based. (12/1)

U.S. Firm Planning Space Theme Parks in Gulf Region (Source: World Tribune)
The United States is planning the development of space centers in the Middle East. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center has been working with entities in the Gulf and North Africa for the establishment of space centers. The centers were meant to attract tourists interested in space and aviation. Organizers said the first space center would be established in the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai-based Space Investment Co. has signed an agreement with the UAE's Ras Al Khaimah government to build a $100 million space center in the emirate. The center was expected to eventually attract one million visitors per year. (12/1)

PPP Model Mooted for Cheaper Space Travel (Source: Business Standard)
Space exploration, which is mostly research and development, needs a very small number of vehicles. As a result, when it comes in space exploration, the cost per head is very high. Hence, you have space tourists now shelling out some $200,000 for traveling into space. On the other hand, more vehicles would be required for space tourism and hence, costs would be driven down.

For sustainable space exploration, there should be minimum of tax funding and maximum of private funding. Hence, scientists and those keen on space exploration and those mooting space tourism are mooting public-private partnership model to make space travel and space exploration more inclusive. In future, with experts speaking of some five launches every day, the cost of travel could be down to just around $10,000 per head for one trip to space and back.

Outer space should not be a monopoly of the state, to ensure we are able to bring down the cost of space travel, said Susmita Mohanty, managing partner, Earth2Orbit (E2O), which operates in this supply-demand environment by allocating launch demand to launch supply. E2O is in nascent stage of working on a space tourism programme. Through its partnership with Antrix, the marketing arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), E2O offers access to frequent orbital launches. (12/1)

Alliant Gets $26 Million Air Force Contract (Source: AP)
Alliant Techsystems has received a $26.1 million Air Force contract for work on a system that can be used to simulate space. The system, known as the Space Threat Assessment Testbed, is expected to allow agencies such as the Defense Department and the National Reconnaissance Office to test equipment in an environment simulating orbits around the Earth. Alliant Techsystems says the system can also be used to evaluate responses to man-made threats from space. Work on the project will be performed at ATK facilities in Utah, Tennessee and California. The work is expected to be finished by 2013. (12/1)

China Launches Remote Sensing Satellite (Source: SpaceToday.net)
A Long March rocket placed a Chinese remote sensing satellite into orbit on Monday, lifting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China with the Yaogan 4 satellite. Few details about the spacecraft were released, other than that it will be used for scientific research, resource surveying, and disaster monitoring. There was no advance notice of the launch, and some Western analysts speculate the spacecraft may also be used for military applications. (12/1)

Big Island Could Take Lead in Space Projects (Source: Honolulu Advertiser)
The Big Island may become the center of the universe for U.S. space projects. At least that is the vision of the director of a space research program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Frank Schowengerdt, director of Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, or PISCES, said the Big Island is the ideal spot on Earth for kick-starting NASA's plans to put men and women on the moon and Mars permanently. "We're going back (to the moon) and we're going back to stay by 2018 or 2020," he said. "We want a permanent presence on the moon and PISCES has a permanent place on the Big Island." (12/1)

Stimulus Can Help NASA Reach Goal (Source: Houston Chronicle)
Much has happened on the way to carrying out the Vision for Space Exploration, the Bush plan to retire the shuttle and build the next vehicles that will return us to the Moon and go on to Mars, and as a result the Vision may be delayed or severely sidetracked. Most notable among these events is the presidential election that will usher in a new administration at a precarious time in the development of Constellation, the program charged with building the nation's next generation of space-faring vehicles.

There has been no shortage of advice on how best to proceed, with views that diverge from the current path NASA is pursuing. In short order, the Obama team will need to make strategic choices and difficult funding decisions that will impact the future of space exploration and the direction that NASA will take over the next four years and beyond. However, opportunities may exist if these decisions are placed in a broader context and seen as a complement to addressing the financial crisis the nation is now facing. One of the first orders of business for Congress and our new president will be to take up a new stimulus plan in the next session that could rival the cost of the recent $700 billion financial bailout. Click here to view the article. (12/1)

With Vintage Satellites Still in Orbit, Sales are Grounded (Source: Los Angeles Times)
If only cars could last so long. This month, a satellite resembling a shiny spinning drum and orbiting 21,156 miles above Earth celebrated its 41st birthday, astounding engineers and scientists, some of them the children of those who built it. For years, the satellite has served as an emergency communications link for rescue operations, including the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and the 1980 Mt. St. Helens volcanic eruption. It was supposed to live for only three years when it was launched in 1967.

But the spacecraft, known as ATS 3, isn't alone. Many satellites are operating well past their life expectancy, so much so that manufacturers are hurting from lack of demand for new, replacement satellites. And those who are buying are asking for guarantees that the new satellites, which can cost as much as $300 million each, will last two to three times as long as the early birds. 'It's a mixed blessing,' said John S. Edwards, a space industry analyst for Forecast International. 'It says great things about your product, but the satellite-making business is floundering because there are hardly any sales.' (12/1)

Advanced Technology Investments Can Prevent Spaceflight Program Cost Overruns (Source: Space Review)
One of NASA's major problems has been significant cost overruns on many programs, an issue that has recently been described as a "cancer" on the agency. John Mankins explains how this cancer can be prevented through more investment in advanced technology research and development. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1262/1 to view the article. (12/1)

ESA: The Odd Man Out (Source: Space Review)
A new European space policy calls for a greater military role for civilian space entities like ESA. Taylor Dinerman states that this puts Europe at odds with nations that seek to differentiate civil and military space activities. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1260/1 to view the article. (12/1)

The Uphill Battle for Export Control Reform (Source: Space Review)
A new administration and a new Congress are raising hopes in the space industry that long-awaited export control reform may be in the offing. Jeff Foust reports that some are more skeptical about the prospects for major changes. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1259/1 to view the article. (12/1)

Air Force Braces for Tighter Budget Amid Crisis (Source: Wall Street Journal)
The Air Force's top officer warned last week that his service must be ready to weather cuts to weapons programs and other budget areas as the incoming administration confronts the growing tab for the financial crisis. Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz said in an interview that he is prepared for tough choices. "I can foresee there's going to be additional pressure and, frankly, I don't think that's a bad thing," he said.

The Air Force will have to decide whether to continue production of a mainstay jet transport, Boeing Co.'s C-17 Globemaster. Air Force Braces for Tighter Budget Air Force Braces for Tighter Budget. "Our role is to make our best argument to what the right mix is, from fighters to big airplanes to satellites," he said. The Air Force's budget authority for fiscal 2009, which started Oct. 1, is about $143 billion, with about $35 billion for procurement of aircraft, satellites and other systems. (12/1)