October 21 News Items

Boeing Loses $1.5 Billion for Quarter (Source: Financial Times)
Boeing reported a quarterly net loss of more than $1.5 billion, missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations and slashed its annual profit forecast by more than half. The third-quarter net loss of $1.56 billion, compared with net income of $695 million a year earlier. Revenue climbed 9 percent to $16.7 billion. Boeing will also fall short of its goal of eliminating 10,000 jobs by the end of the year. But the final tally would exceed that goal in 2010. Boeing’s workforce stood at just over 158,000 at the end of September. (10/21)

NRO Director Decries State of U.S. Launch Industry (Source: Space News)
Two of the biggest concerns today at the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) are a steep decline in funding for science and technology development projects and the state of the U.S. space launch industry, Director Bruce Carlson said. He said change is required to fix the policies that have left the United States with a single heavy-lift launch provider and only two sites from which to launch satellites that are critical to national security. Part of the solution is more NASA involvement in launch efforts, he said.

“The business of launch and the state of launch is not very good,” Carlson said. “Many of you out there have packages ready to go. That’s a dickens of a way to have a space program. You wouldn’t go to a rental car place if it had people standing around waiting to rent a car.”

Carlson also said the NRO’s budget for science and technology programs has shrunk by 50 percent during the last five years. “That is the seed corn for the future,” he said. “That’s what keeps our young scientists and engineers excited to come to work every day to work on these kinds of projects." (10/21)

Nelson Makes Push for Space Exploration Funding (Source: Florida Today)
Sen. Bill Nelson is making a late push for additional funding for space exploration. From breakthroughs in cancer research to automated robot vacuums, a Senate panel took testimony promoting the value of NASA at a critical juncture in the agency’s future. "The realization of these benefits is not a given without presidential leadership," Nelson said during the hearing.

Nelson has been advocating an increase in funding for NASA of about $3 billion a year so that it can continue putting people in space. The $3 billion annual increase is expected to be included in Thursday’s final recommendation from the committee chaired by Norman Augustine. (10/21)

Shelby Lashes Out at Augustine Panel (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Republican Senator Richard Shelby launched a preemptive strike on President Barack Obama's blue ribbon space panel ther day before its due to release its final report, calling the committee's findings "worthless." Shelby, a staunch defender of NASA's Marshal Space Flight Center In Huntsville, Alabama, said in a Senate floor speech that the committee failed to consider safety when it ranked various rocket options for the White House to consider. "Without an honest and thorough examination of the safety and reliability aspects of the various designs and options for manned space flight, the findings of this report are worthless," said Shelby." (10/21)

Florida Project Wins NASA Steckler Space Grant (Source: NASA)
NASA has chosen 18 proposals from universities around the country to receive up to $70,000 for Phase One of the NASA Ralph Steckler Space Grant Colonization Research and Technology Development Opportunity. The UCF-based Florida Space Grant Consortium is among the Phase One grantees.

The purpose of Phase One is to establish the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of a proposed innovation, research, or technology development effort that could enable space colonization or settlement. Primary exploration elements include habitation, rovers, surface power, communications and extravehicular activity systems. Phase Two, which lasts two years, will provide a maximum of $250,000 each to four of the most promising Phase One projects through a competitive selection based on scientific and technical merit. (10/21)

California Project Wins NASA Steckler Space Grant (Source: NASA)
NASA has chosen 18 proposals from universities around the country to receive up to $70,000 for Phase One of the NASA Ralph Steckler Space Grant Colonization Research and Technology Development Opportunity. The University of California in San Diego is among the Phase One grantees.

The purpose of Phase One is to establish the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of a proposed innovation, research, or technology development effort that could enable space colonization or settlement. Primary exploration elements include habitation, rovers, surface power, communications and extravehicular activity systems. Phase Two, which lasts two years, will provide a maximum of $250,000 each to four of the most promising Phase One projects through a competitive selection based on scientific and technical merit. (10/21)

Florida Project Wins NASA Climate Change Education Grant (Source: NASA)
NASA has awarded $6.1 million in cooperative agreements to 15 organizations across the US to enhance learning through the use of NASA's Earth Science resources. The selected organizations include colleges and universities, nonprofit groups, museums, science centers and a school district. The awards have up to a three-year period of performance and range in value from about $170,000 to $650,000. The University of South Florida is among the winners, for "Global Climate Change Education: Advancing Student Knowledge Through Teacher Education." (10/21)

California Project Wins NASA Climate Change Education Grant (Source: NASA)
NASA has awarded $6.1 million in cooperative agreements to 15 organizations across the US to enhance learning through the use of NASA's Earth Science resources. The selected organizations include colleges and universities, nonprofit groups, museums, science centers and a school district. The awards have up to a three-year period of performance and range in value from about $170,000 to $650,000. The University of California is among the winners, for "Lifelines for High School Climate Change Education." (10/21)

Star Trek’s Next Generation Cast Embarks on Astronaut Autograph Show (Source: ASF)
“Star Trek: The Next Generation” cast will teleport to the already stellar line-up of celebrity astronauts at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s (ASF) Astronaut Autograph and Memorabilia Show at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Nov. 7–8. Visit http://www.AstronautScholarship.org for information. (10/21)

UN Food Agency Offers Free Satellite Monitoring of Forests (Source: AFP)
The UN food agency Tuesday announced a satellite image database on the degradation of the world's forests as part of efforts to reduce global warming caused by greenhouse gases.
The Food and Agriculture Organization will provide high-resolution satellite data free to developing countries in partnership with other organizations including the State University of South Dakota and US Geological Survey in the United States and European Union Joint Research Center. (10/20)

Kosmas and Posey Legislation Would Support University-Led Space Transportation R&D Centers (Source: Rep. Kosmas)
Reps Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) and Bill Posey (R-FL) introduced legislation to help minimize the impact of the impending human spaceflight gap by encouraging the development of the commercial spaceflight industry. The bipartisan bill would establish a competitive Commercial Space Transportation R&D “Centers of Excellence” (COE) program within NASA.

“The U.S. commercial launch industry has reached another crossroads. After almost two decades of decline, the retirement of the Space Shuttle is offering a new opportunity for the U.S. to reclaim its competitiveness in this strategically important enterprise,” said Christina Frederick-Recascino, vice president for research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “With emerging markets for commercial human spaceflight, and new technologies being applied throughout the industry, this is a ripe area for applied research by universities.”

The NASA Commercial Space Transportation Centers of Excellence program is based on the successful Federal Aviation Administration Air Transportation COE program, which, since enactment in 1990, has established eight centers that conduct long- and short-term aviation related research, education and training. Under the program, federal funding is matched by contributions from COE member universities, their affiliates from industry, and other stakeholders. (10/21)

Falcon-9 First Stage Headed to Cape Canaveral for Vehicle Integration (Source: SpaceX)
SpaceX successfully conducted two static firings of the first stage, nine engine cluster for its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The firings took place at SpaceX’s Texas Test Site, a 300-acre structural and propulsion testing facility just outside of Waco, Texas. With completion of these tests, the first stage has now passed both structural and propulsion acceptance testing and will ship to Cape Canaveral in preparation for the first flight of Falcon 9. (10/21)

Northrop Reports Lower Profit, Higher Expectations (Source: AIA)
Higher revenues in all business segments led Northrop Grumman to raise its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday, despite a 4.3% drop in third-quarter earnings attributed to increased pension costs. Northrop's aerospace unit enjoyed 5% revenue growth for the quarter, outpacing gains of 4% in the information division. Overall, Northrop reported a profit of $490 million, down from $512 million in the same quarter last year. (10/21)

Bolden Directs MSFC Special Team to Evaluate HLV Alternatives (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden has asked for a “Special Team” at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to evaluate the Heavy Lift alternatives – including DIRECT’s Jupiter launch vehicle – as a “top priority”. The team has been asked to create a report on their findings in time for Thanksgiving, in an apparent reaction to the final Augustine Commission report – which will be published on Thursday. (10/21)

Is $360 Million Too Much for Ares I-X ? (Source: Florida Today)
The towering Ares I-X test rocket that crawled to its launch pad Tuesday is about the same size, shape and weight as the real thing. Similarities between the test model and the Ares I rocket that NASA hopes will someday launch its new, manned Orion spaceship end there. Differences below the surface are enough to make some critics question the value of the $360 million test flight, set to launch Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center.

"I would say that it doesn't have zero value, but it's certainly not worth the money," said Rand Simberg, a veteran aerospace engineer, analyst and writer. Others say it's worthwhile. "True, the test article differs significantly from the envisioned flight configuration. But, there are things to be learned," said Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut who serves on the presidential panel studying NASA's future. (10/21)

Embry-Riddle Students Plan for Radio Contact with Space Station Alumna (Source: ERAU)
Embry-Riddle alumna/astronaut Nicole Stott is expected to converse with students during a radio linkup from the International Space Station. The event will occur during the week of Nov. 22, with the specific day and time to be determined by NASA. Students are invited to submit questions to mailto:lisa.davids@erau.edu by Oct. 30. (10/21)

House Approves Bill to Extend Commercial Space Transportation Liability Regime (Source: S&T Committee)
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3819, a bill to extend the commercial space transportation liability regime. The liability law was first established by Congress as part of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments of 1988 and has been extended four times since its original enactment. The current liability risk-sharing regime extension expires at the end of the year; H.R. 3819 would extend it for three more years.

“The commercial space transportation liability and insurance regime has worked, has not cost the American taxpayer a single dollar in claims payments to date, has strengthened the U.S. competitiveness in commercial space launch, and is not a blank check since any potential claims payments would be subject to prior Congressional appropriation,” stated Chairman Gordon, who managed the bill and resolutions on the floor. (10/21)

Life's Ingredients Found Around Exoplanet (Source: Astronomy Now)
A gas giant orbiting a sun 150 light years away boasts water, methane and carbon dioxide, the second planet outside our Solar System found to display signs of life's basic building blocks. Although the planet is not inhabitable – it is a torrid gas planet much larger than Jupiter – if these chemical fingerprints were found around a rocky planet it could indicate the presence of life. (10/21)

Lockheed Profit Up, but Outlook Weakens (Source: Washington Post)
Demand for military cargo jets helped boost Lockheed Martin's third-quarter earnings, but the company said it is cautious about 2010 as the Obama administration shifts defense priorities away from some traditional weapons systems. Lockheed reported third-quarter profit of $797 million ($2.07 a share) up from $782 million ($1.92) for the same period last year, beating analysts' expectations. Revenue increased to $11.1 billion for the quarter compared with $10.6 billion last year. (10/21)

EADS Hires Ex-NASA Chief (Source: Financial Times)
EADS, the European aerospace and defence group that owns aircraft maker Airbus, has appointed Sean O'Keefe, a former head of NASA, as chief executive of its North American business. He will start next month. Mr O'Keefe replaces Ralph Crosby at a sensitive time. EADS is competing against Boeing for a contract to replace the US Air Force's ageing fleet of air-refuelling tankers that could be worth up to $50 billion. Mr O'Keefe is regarded as a heavy-hitter in the sector. In addition to running NASA between 2001 and 2005, Mr O'Keefe is a former secretary of the navy and chief financial officer of the defence department. (10/21)

Augustine Panelist Endorses Sticking with Ares 1 (Source: Space News)
Two days before a blue-ribbon panel’s final report on options for the U.S. human spaceflight program is due, a key panelist issued a strong personal endorsement of the NASA’s existing plan to go back to the Moon with the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares family of rockets. “I’m a rocket engineer, a rocket scientist. I’m a big, big believer in the need for rocket technology, so I personally want to see Ares 1 going and the program going as it’s currently structured,” said retired Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles. Lyles, who led the Augustine panel’s subcommittee on interagency and international cooperation, said while it may be prudent to study other options, he would not want to “disrupt” what he considers a successful program. (10/21)

Spaceflight Report Could Send Man to Mars (Source: AIA)
A report on manned spaceflight due out this week could recommend that NASA skips sending man back to the moon and instead sets its sights on Mars. Draft versions of the report currently circulating among White House and NASA officials suggest focusing on asteroid rendezvous and Mars flyby missions and also propose outsourcing International Space Station transport flights to the private sector. "This is an attractive option within NASA," says an agency official. "The question now is funding." (10/20)