January 21 News Items

China's Military Awaits New Satellites (Source: Asia Times)
China wants to become the next big player in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology. China is moving quickly to transform its small regional navsat system into a full GNSS constellation capable of performing in much the same way as the United States's Global Positioning System (GPS), and Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). Compass should be available well ahead of the European Union's Galileo System in the coming decade, although China remains a partner in Galileo, too. "A successful Compass constellation, combined with a fuller constellation of imaging and communication satellites, will serve as much a military enabler for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as it has for the US military." (1/21)

University Researchers Cooking Up New Gelled Rocket Fuels (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Engineers and food scientists are teaming up to develop a new type of gelled fuel the consistency of orange marmalade designed to improve the safety, performance and range of rockets for space and military applications. "This is a very multidisciplinary project," said Stephen Heister, the Purdue University professor of aeronautics and astronautics who is leading one of two teams on the project, which is funded by the U.S. Army Research Office.

Gels are inherently safer than liquids because they don't leak, and they also would allow the military to better control rockets than is possible with solid fuels now used. Motors running on gelled fuels could be throttled up and down and controlled more precisely than conventional rockets that use solid propellants, Heister said. "You can turn the engine on and off, you can coast, go fast or slow," he said. "You have much greater control, which means more range for missiles. The gelled propellants also tend to have a little more energy than the solid propellants." (1/21)

Russia Says Old Nuclear Satellite Poses No Threat (Source: AP)
Russia's military says an old Soviet-built Cosmos-1818 nuclear-powered satellite has partly disintegrated but its fragments do not threaten the space station or people on Earth. Space Forces chief of staff Gen. Alexander Yakushin said in Wednesday's statement that the satellite's fragments remained on a high orbit far above that of the international space station. (1/21)

Flometrics to Test Launch Biodiesel-Powered Rocket (Source: Biodiesel Magazine)
Carlsbad, Calif.-based Flometrics Inc., an aerospace, medical, and consumer products engineering company, plans to launch a biodiesel-powered unmanned rocket from the Mojave Desert in California later this winter. The company recently tested B100, obtained from a local retail fuel pump, in a RocketDyne LR-101 rocket engine and found the performance of biodiesel to be within 4 percent of RP-1 kerosene rocket fuel, the propellant that the rocket engine originally was designed for. (1/21)

Russia: No More Space Tourists After 2009 (Source: AP)
Russia won't be sending tourists to the international space station after this year because of plans to double the size of the station's crew, the chief of Russia's space agency said. Roscosmos chief Anatoly Anatoly Perminov said U.S. software designer Charles Simonyi — who has already flown to the station — would be the last tourist when he blasts off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in March. The lucrative Russian space tourism program has flown six "private spaceflight participants" since 2001. Participants paid $20 million and up for flights aboard Russian-built Soyuz crafts brokered by U.S.-based Space Adventures Ltd. (1/21)

SSC to Buy Universal Space Network (Source: Space News)
Swedish Space Corp. (SSC) is purchasing 100 percent of its longtime joint-venture partner in satellite operations, Universal Space Network of the United States, in an all-cash transaction that SSC expects will permit it to present a more coherent service offer to customers and open fresh markets to its other divisions. (1/21)

Editorial: Time for NASA to Focus on Environment (Source: Scientific American)
With 21 satellites observing the Earth and the world's largest civilian supercomputer, scientists say NASA could be a major player in the fight to control climate change. Writing in Scientific American, two of those scientists outline nine steps NASA could take, including partnering with "green tech" companies; launching inexpensive spacecraft to monitor Earth's climate; and spearheading efforts to make civil aviation carbon-neutral. (1/21)

Lavasa to Host SpaceWorld, Asia’s First Space Edutainment Center (Source: BusinessWire)
Lavasa Corp. has entered into an agreement with Space Investment Co. (SIC), to build and manage SpaceWorld, Asia's first hi-tech center for space edutainment. The 65-acre SpaceWorld will be operational by the end of 2010. SIC is the partner and licensee of the United States Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) that operates SpaceWorld Arabia in the UAE. The edutainment programs for the SpaceWorld at Lavasa are prepared with inputs from NASA representatives, educators, veteran astronauts and scientists with active assistance from USSRC’s space management experience. The center will offer courses primarily aimed at new technologies and space browsing. These programs will help create understanding of aerospace science in an entertaining way. (1/21)

NASA Identifies Ways to Pay for Mars Science Lab Rover (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
NASA may cut funding aimed at a Mars Sample Return mission and a probe to the solar system's outer planets to help pay for delays of the agency's next Mars rover. Officials proposed the cuts to the NASA Advisory Council's planetary science subcommittee earlier this month.

NASA needs the money to cover extra costs with the Mars Science Laboratory, a car-sized rover that was postponed in December from launching this year until 2011 due to technical problems and production delays. The proposal would draw $353 million from budget line items for a Mars technology development program, studies for an Outer Planets Flagship Mission and a Mars lander in 2016. The funding was slated for use between fiscal years 2010 and 2014. (1/21)

Space Programs Generate Interest Among India's Young (Source: Times of India)
A series of space programs being undertaken across the globe has generated excitement and interest among young people. To experience the thrill and adventure of space exploration, students of RBANMS High School created a landmark by launching rockets on Tuesday. The rocket blasted off from the school playground. (1/20)

South Africa to Establish Space Agency (Source: The South African)
President Kgalema Motlanthe has signed the South African National Space Agency Bill into law, which could see South Africa setting up its own space agency later this year to pull together all space-related activities in the country under one banner. The agency will promote the peaceful use of outer space; foster research in astronomy, earth observation, communications, navigation and space physics; foster international cooperation in space-related activities; and advance scientific, engineering and technological competencies through human capital development and outreach programs. (1/20)

Griffin Predicts 2015 Chinese Moon Mission (Source: Flight Global)
China could attempt a manned circumlunar flight in 2015, said outgoing NASA administrator Michael Griffin. He was asked about the likelihood of the Chinese going to the Moon - and whether that could encourage the US government to increase NASA's funding. Declining to comment on agency funding, Griffin said he could envisage a Chinese Moon mission by 2016 that uses the country's new Long March 5 rocket in a double-launch scenario. This would see China send a manned Shenzhou spacecraft with an improved lunar return-capable heatshield and an Earth departure stage into low Earth orbit on separate rockets. They would dock in LEO and the Earth departure stage would send the Shenzhou round the Moon. (1/20)

'We Will Have an Indian on the Moon by 2020' (Source: Express Buzz)
The director of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), on Sunday interacted with school students on various aspects of space science, importance of space programs and ambitions. He predicted that an Indian would be put on the moon by 2020, the project director of India’s first mission to moon patiently explained to the students all about Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. He made the students understand with immense interest and involvement why it was important to explore the moon. (1/20)

University of Florida Alumnus Works on New NASA Spacecraft (Source: UF)
Duane Chin wouldn’t be a good candidate for space flight — he gets motion sickness. But it doesn’t stop him from working with NASA. Chin, a University of Florida graduate, works as a biomedical engineer for NASA. His current project concerns NASA’s Constellation Program. Chin is helping develop the Orion spacecraft’s crew compartment for the program. He works as a crew health integrations specialist, developing ways the crew can stay healthy in space while living in a small area. (1/20)

Future of US Space Industry in Obama's Hands (Source: Flight Global)
Space funding will be a key early decision for the Barack Obama administration as industry challenges the new president to commit to a more stable funding stream or risk falling behind other countries. If steady funding is not provided at what it calls a critical juncture, the AIA warns that gaps in capability will quickly develop and the USA could be unseated as the world's spaceflight leader. "The chances are good the next boots on the Moon will be others, probably the Chinese," Blakey says. "These are issues that need to be addressed." (1/20)

Sea Launch Selected to Launch Intelsat 17 (Source: Sea Launch)
Sea Launch will launch the Intelsat 17 communications satellite in late 2010, as the first of five missions on the Sea Launch system in a previously announced multiple launch services contract with Intelsat, Ltd., the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services. Built by Loral, the 1300-series Intelsat 17 (IS-17) communications satellite will replace Intelsat 704. (1/19)

If There IS Life on Mars, This is Where it Lives (Source: Daily Mail)
If there is life on Mars as NASA scientists speculate, this is where it lives. This extraordinarily detailed picture shows exactly where the most methane, taken as an indication of life, can be found. Appropriately enough for the sphere dubbed the Red Planet , the scarlet areas are the places where scientists have detected the most of the gas. Click here to view the photo and article. (1/19)

Satellite Firm's Acquisition Boosts Competitiveness (Source: Space News)
Small-satellite specialist Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) on Jan. 13 formally became a subsidiary of Astrium Satellites, a division of European aerospace conglomerate EADS. SSTL officials have said the company's former owner, the University of Surrey, would not be able to keep up with capital requirements as SSTL, once limited to very small satellites whose purpose was to train engineers in satellite manufacturing, now is competing for commercial and government projects worldwide - occasionally against Astrium. (1/19)

$3.6 Million Cut From Florida Aerospace Propulsion Center (Source: Tallahassee Democrat)
With considerable fanfare, Florida State University launched the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion in November. The center, a high-tech research and academic consortium charged with reinvigorating the state's aerospace industry, was created by the Legislature. It was given $13.5 million in seed money. Needless to say, there wasn't an official event last week when FCAAP's budget took a $3.6 million hit during the Legislature's special session. (1/19)

Heinlein Trust and SpaceX Announce Microgravity Research Competition (Source: Heinlein Trust)
The Heinlein Prize Trust announces the Microgravity Research Competition to reward innovation in the use of microgravity to advance biotech, nanotech, combustion, metallurgy, and other fields. Sponsored by the Trust and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the competition offers a $25,000 prize and transportation to and from Low Earth Orbit for the winning experiment aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Visit http://www.labflight.com/html/microgravity_research_competit.html for information. (1/19)

China to Have Global Satellite Navigation System by 2015 (Source: Xinhua)
China plans to complete its independent global satellite navigation system by launching about 30 more orbiters before 2015. China plans to send 10 navigation satellites into the space in 2009 and 2010, said Zhang Xiaojin, director of astronautics department with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The plan is to establish a global navigation system consisting of more than 30 satellites by the year of 2015. The system will shake off the dependence on foreign systems, Zhang said. (1/19)

The Ongoing Saga of DSP Flight 23 (Source: Space Review)
Last fall a US missile early warning satellite suddenly failed and started to drift through a crowded orbit. Brian Weeden examines what is known about the spacecraft's failure and explains why the US government needs to be more open about what happened. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1290/1 to view the article. (1/19)

Contract Protests: A Growing Cancer on the Space Industry (Source: Space Review)
Last week PlanetSpace announced its plans to protest the award of ISS cargo resupply contracts to two other companies. Taylor Dinerman warns this is the latest sign of a disturbing trend in the industry. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1289/1 to view the article. (1/19)

How to Ensure "Change You Can Believe In" For the Space Program (Source: Space Review)
What's the key for making serious, positive change to NASA in the new administration? Derek Webber argues that what's needed is a shift from cost-plus to fixed-price contracts. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1288/1 to view the article. (1/19)

Launch Failures: Two Thors, One Problem (Source: Space Review)
Launch vehicles are complex systems that have to be carefully integrated to be successful. Wayne Eleazer looks at a couple of cases where a lack of end-to-end testing doomed missions. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1287/1 to view the article. (1/19)

The Mars Consortium Approach (Source: Space Review)
Governments seem unwilling to open their pocketbooks to fund human missions to Mars, and private sources of funding are insufficient for such efforts. Frank Stratford proposes a concept that attempts to combine the strengths of both public and private approaches to accelerate human exploration and settlement of Mars. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1286/1 to view the article. (1/19)

Study: Mars Polar Water is Pure (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
A large ice cap found at Mars' northern pole is "of a very high degree of purity," according to an international study reported on Tuesday by French researchers. Radar data sent back by the US Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) point to 95 percent purity in this deposit, France's National Institute of Sciences of the Universe (Insu) said. (1/21)

NASA Adds Prizes To 2009 Rice Business Plan Competition (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) of Rice University is pleased to announce the addition of three awards of $20,000 each sponsored by NASA to be presented at the 2009 Rice Business Plan Competition. The three new NASA Earth/Space Engineering Innovation Prizes will be awarded by NASA for the best business plans that represent an engineering technology which has applications to both the NASA space program and to Earth-based activities. These awards will be in addition to the $20,000 NASA Earth/Space Life Sciences Innovation Award, for a total of $80,000 in cash to be awarded by NASA. (1/21)

Japan Resets H2A Launch To Jan 23 (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency were scheduled to launch the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 15 (H-IIA F15) on January 22, 2009 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center; however, we decided to reschedule the launch date to January 23 (JST) as an excessive volume of clouds including a freezing layer are expected to cover the launch site around the launch time on the 22nd. (1/21)

Satellite Antenna Enables Discovery Of Buried Glaciers On Mars (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Antenna technology designed and built by Northrop Grumman made it possible for a radar sounder instrument aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) to detect huge glaciers on the Red Planet covered by a layer of dust and rocks. The antenna was developed by Astro Aerospace, a business unit of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector, for the Italian Space Agency's SHAllow RADar (SHARAD) instrument. SHARAD probes below the Martian surface using radar waves in the 15-25 MHz frequency band for high-depth resolution. (1/20)

The Moon Still Beckons (Source: RIA Novosti)
Like 50 years ago, the Moon continues to attract the world's leading space agencies. In 2009, an impatient NASA will move to reinstate its Saturn V moon-rocket launch facility in order to repeat the triumphant July 1969 lunar landing. Objectively speaking, the Soviet Union was the first country to launch an automated probe called Mechta (Dream) on January 2, 1959. The probe flew 6,000 km above the lunar surface. On January 4, Mechta overcame terrestrial gravity and later became the first man-made spacecraft to circle the Sun. It also attained escape velocity for the first time in history and provided data on terrestrial and cosmic radiation belts. Click here to view the article. (1/20)