NASA Modifies Launch Service Contract to Add Delta-2 Rocket (Source: NASA)
NASA announced the modification of its NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract with United Launch Services to add the Delta-2 rocket launch service in accordance with the contract's on-ramp provision. The modification will enable United Launch Services to offer as many as five Delta-2 rockets. (9/30)
AFCEA Conference Will Address Comm Challenges at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: AFCEA)
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), Cape Canaveral Chapter, will sponsor a conference on Nov. 2-4 focused on "Communications Changes and Challenges on the Florida Spaceport." Click here for registration and information. (9/30)
NASA Space Telescope Finds Fewer Asteroids Near Earth (Source: NASA)
New observations by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, show there are significantly fewer near-Earth asteroids in the mid-size range than previously thought. The findings also indicate NASA has found more than 90 percent of the largest near-Earth asteroids, meeting a goal agreed to with Congress in 1998. (9/30)
USAF Calls For Broad Industry Revamp (Source: Aviation Week)
The U.S. Air Force is looking to the space industry for significant improvements in reducing program complexity, launch costs and development time as it struggles to balance national security space acquisition plans for 2012 through 2016 against a flattening budget. In a lineup of 17 key Air Force investment areas by program executive offices for 2012 to 2016, the planned spending on space programs ranks second at $28.5 billion.
Immediate space acquisition priorities include continuing support of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communications satellite program, the Space-based Infrared System (SBIRS) missile warning constellation and restructuring procurement of Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles.
Speaking about the restructuring of EELV, Van Buren says “we need to focus on the business processes and cost control so that we do not procure one launcher at one particular time. We also have to invest in a new entrant strategy to enable the competitive environment,” he adds, specifically highlighting SpaceX, Orbital Sciences and ATK, all of which are involved in NASA’s commercial crew and space station resupply contracts. “We want to clear a new path and make sure any new entrant can be a continuing supplier.” (9/30)
Bigelow Aerospace Downsizes Dramatically (Source: Space News)
Bigelow Aerospace, which is developing inflatable space habitats for commercial use, laid off some 40 of its 90 employees. “We are proceeding with a core group of fifty plus engineers, managers and support staff,” Mike Gold, Bigelow Aerospace’s director of Washington operations and business growth, said. Bigelow Aerospace employees said the company laid off nearly all of its machinists and that most of the workers retained are associated with the Boeing CCDev effort.
Gold said the layoffs “were caused by a perfect storm of events... We had hoped that by 2014 or 2015 that America would again be able to fly its own astronauts. Unfortunately, the prospect of domestic crew transportation of any kind is apparently going to occur years after the first BA 330 could be ready,” Gold wrote. “For both business and technical reasons, we cannot deploy a BA 330 without a means of transporting crew to and from our station, and the adjustment to our employment levels was necessary to reflect this reality.
“If anything, Bigelow Aerospace has been suffering from its own early success, and we’re years ahead of where the rest of the industry is.” Bigelow Aerospace, founded by motel mogul Robert Bigelow, views space agencies around the world as a key market for its planned space habit. The company has deployed two smaller-scale inflatable test habitats in space using Russian rockets. (9/30)
NASA Modifies USA Contract To Continue Ground Operations Work (Source: NASA)
NASA signed a $49.4 million contract modification for United Space Alliance (USA) to continue maintaining and sustaining the ground operations capabilities at the Kennedy Space Center launch facilities in Florida through Sep. 30, 2012. As a result, these critical systems can be used by future space programs. The programs include potential commercial launch vehicle customers, the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.
USA has provided this support under the Space Program Operations Contract since 2006. The contract outlines the flight and ground processing and operations requirements. The modification also includes requirements for NASA 21st Century Ground Systems modifications to the Crawler Transporter Number 2, Launch Pad 39B life extension and Vehicle Assembly Building life extension. (9/30)
Sierra Nevada Awarded Additional NASA Funding for Dream Chaser (Source: SNC)
NASA will fund optional milestones pre-negotiated as part of its Commercial Crew Development Program Round 2 (CCDev2) Space Act Agreement (SAA) with Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Space Systems. NASA amended Sierra Nevada's SAA to include four additional optional milestones for a total of $25.6 million, bringing the value of Sierra Nevada's CCDev2 SAA to $105.6 million, when all milestones are completed successfully. (9/30)
Arianespace To Launch Mexsat 3 on Soyuz (Source: Space News)
The Mexican Communications and Transport Ministry has contracted with Europe’s Arianespace consortium to launch the Mexsat 3 satellite in late 2012 as a co-passenger aboard a heavy-lift Ariane 5 rocket or as sole passenger on a Europeanized version of Russia’s Soyuz vehicle. (9/30)
Analysts, Panetta Differ Over Job Losses Due to Defense Cuts (Source: Reuters)
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said that unemployment in the U.S. could rise by 1 percentage point if Congress cuts the defense budget by $1 trillion, a possibility under the debt reduction deal struck last month between lawmakers and President Barack Obama. Some analysts and commentators, however, question Panetta's figures. (9/30)
For the Rich and Patient, Space Awaits (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Plenty of Wealthy Travellers Are Lining Up To Voyage Beyond the Earth’s Atmosphere. Private space travel hit a speed bump earlier this month when Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos’s spaceship went off course and had to be destroyed. But according to Virgin Galactic, the interstellar arm of Richard Branson’s holdings, there are plenty of travelers waiting for liftoff.
Only seven people have paid their way into space so far, spending $20 million to $35 million to hitch rides on Russian rockets into low earth orbit. Virgin Galactic, seeking to become the first private space tourism firm to operate regular flights, promises to send flyers, at $200,000 a ticket, on a suborbital hop that features a few minutes in space. "[Launching our first commercial flight] 18 months to two years from now is achievable, but that isn’t to say that we will achieve it. The only thing that will extend that expected timeline is if something comes up during the remainder of the test flight program," said Virgin's Stephen Attenborough. (9/30)
NASA Survey: Chance of Asteroid Armageddon Unlikely ... For Now (Source: Florida Today)
A new NASA census spotted 93 percent of all supersized space rocks zipping through near-Earth orbits. NASA scientists said Thursday that none of the 981 represents a hazard of Hollywood proportions. “We know that there are none that pose any imminent risk of an impact,” said Amy Mainzer. NASA’s Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer spent the past two years scanning the skies with a 16-inch telescope and four infrared detectors 100 times more sensitive than those on predecessor spacecraft.
The robotic sentinel detected hundreds of thousands of asteroids in a main belt between Mars and Jupiter, and it also surveyed those flying in orbits closer to Earth. Tracking space rocks closer to the planet is critical to avoiding the type of cataclysmic impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. (9/30)
NASA Cannot Launch 2016 ExoMars Orbiter (Source: Space News)
The heads of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are scheduled to meet the week of Oct. 3 to determine how much further to reduce their already slimmed-down cooperative mission to Mars following NASA’s latest round of program cuts, the head of ESA science projects said Sept. 30.
NASA officials have told their ESA colleagues in recent weeks that the U.S. agency cannot provide an Atlas 5 rocket as was planned to launch Europe’s Mars telecommunications relay and an atmospheric-descent and landing module. The decision likely will force a cancellation of the 2016 launch if ESA cannot secure a Proton rocket from Russia as part of a barter effort that has not been negotiated, Thomas Passvogel said in an interview. (9/30)
Proton Delivers QuetzSat-1 to Orbit (Source: Space News)
The QuetzSat-1 satellite, which satellite fleet operator SES is counting on to deliver a quick contribution to revenue, was successfully placed into orbit on Sep. 30 aboard an International Launch Services (ILS) Proton rocket. The 5,600-kilogram QuetzSat-1 was built by Loral in California, and was financed through a direct loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The loan, valued at $171.5 million, paid for the satellite’s construction and for a portion of its insurance coverage.
The launch, from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, was the second flight of the Proton M/Breeze M vehicle, but the first ILS commercial flight, since the rocket’s Aug. 18 failure to deliver a large Russian telecommunications satellite, Express AM4, into the correct orbit. The satellite, insured for around $300 million, has been declared a total loss. The failure’s cause has been traced to a flight-programming error. (9/30)
NASA Selects UCF Project as Finalist for Explorer Mission (Source: UCF)
NASA has selected a University of Central Florida space project as a finalist for its Explorer Mission of Opportunity program. The selection fulfills the dream of two UCF scientists who have been researching solar weather – and its affects on our terrestrial technology – for more than five years. If chosen, this project would be the first time UCF would lead a NASA science mission.
UCF’s team was one of five selected from 20 proposals to receive $250,000 toward its work. The team would then present its concept study to NASA, vying for $55 million to develop a launch-ready project by 2016. NASA is interested in the project because the data collected would be first of its kind, and it would help explain how earth’s space environment responds to the sun’s activities, such as solar flares. (9/29)
Senator Irked That N.Y. to Build Museum for Shuttle (Source: Dayton Daily News)
Sen. Sherrod Brown is irritated about a report that New York, which received the decommissioned Enterprise space shuttle under the premise that it would house it in the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, now plans to build a separate museum for the Enterprise. In a story in the New York Times Thursday, museum officials said they plan to use a site now occupied by a bagel shop, a car wash, storage warehouses and a strip club for a new space-themed museum. The museum does not yet own the property.
Dayton had sought to house one of the retired air shuttles at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, but was not selected by NASA. Brown said the story “raises further questions about the thoroughness of NASA’s selection process” and said “I believe NASA should revisit its decision to send the Enterprise to New York.” (9/30)
SpaceX's Future Spaceship Forgets Parachute (Sources: Discovery, Florida Today)
After atmospheric reentry, but before touchdown, conventional logic dictates that the spacecraft you're riding in would deploy a parachute. I mean, that's the only sensible way to safely land a spacecraft with no wings, right? Well, if you were paying attention to Elon Musk's announcement at the National Press Club in New York on Thursday, you'll know that SpaceX isn't necessarily following conventional logic. SpaceX wants to not only land its Dragon spaceship under rocket power alone, they also want to build a two-stage launch system that will -- wait for it -- be 100 percent reusable.
“We have a design that on paper, doing the calculations, doing the simulations, it does work,” Elon Musk, CEO of California-based SpaceX told reporters at the National Press Club on Thursday. “And now we need to make sure that those simulations and reality agree because generally when they don’t, reality wins.” Musk said building the rocket would be “an exciting journey... If it does work, it’ll be pretty huge.” (9/30)
NASA Awards NEXTGEN-Related Contract (Source: SpaceRef.com)
NASA has selected Northwest Research Associates, Inc., for a contract award in support of the NASA Airspace Systems Program's Concepts and Technology Development project at NASA Langley's Aeronautics Research Directorate. The company will be responsible for "Wake Vortex Data Collection for Robust Modeling Validation to Enable Advanced, NextGen, Wake-Conscious, Capacity-Enhancing Concepts." (9/29)
China to Launch Rockets with Larger Thrust (Source: Space Daily)
China started developing modern carrier rockets in 1956, and the Long March rocket series has become the mainstream carriers for launching China's satellites. China is working on the development of a new generation of carrier rockets featuring a larger thrust to cater to the demand of building a space station, a chief rocket engineer said Thursday. (9/29)
SpaceX Video Shows Vision for Reusable Launch Systems (Source: SpaceX)
SpaceX on Thursday unveiled a video showing its concept for a fully reusable multi-stage launch system. The concept includes rocket-powered vertical landings for each stage (and the Dragon Capsule) at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Click here. (9/29)
September 29, 2011
More Than 500 Signed up for NASA Briefing on New Heavy-Lift Contracts (Source: Huntsville Times)
More than 500 businesspeople will be at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Thursday to see if they can grab a piece of NASA's new $18 billion rocket project. Huntsville's Marshall Space Flight Center is leading design and development of the $10 billion heavy-lift rocket that is the foundation of SLS, which also includes a new $6 billion crew capsule called Orion and $2 billion in improvements to Kennedy Space Center launch facilities. (9/29)
German Satellite is Expected to Tumble to Earth in November (Source: Space.com)
Officials at the German Aerospace Center say that one of its decommissioned satellites is expected to fall to Earth in early November. However, it's too early to determine precisely when and where debris from the Roentgen Satellite will land, the officials said. (9/29)
NASA IG Slams Agency on Space Radiation Monitoring (Source: Space Policy Online)
NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) sharply criticized NASA's management of a project to replace space radiation monitoring equipment on the International Space Station (ISS). The OIG asserted that "NASA has poorly managed the development of replacement radiation monitoring instruments" needed aboard the ISS to monitor the level of space radiation to which ISS crewmembers are exposed.
Such instruments were placed on the ISS between 2000 and 2002, but need to be replaced because of age or malfunctions. NASA initiated a project to do so in 2008, but because of its poor management, the replacements "are costing more than expected, are behind schedule, and will not include all planned elements." The OIG also discovered that NASA "has never monitored astronaut exposure to neutrons" as required by the ISS Medical Operations Requirements Document (MORD). (9/29)
Successful Test of Taurus-2 Engine (Source: Aerojet)
Aerojet, NASA and Orbital Sciences Corp. conducted a successful ground test firing of an AJ26-62 flight engine that will power Orbital's Taurus-2 medium-class space launch vehicle. The test was conducted at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Aerojet's AJ26 engine is an oxidizer-rich, staged-combustion LO2/kerosene engine that achieves very high performance in a lightweight compact package. Based on the Russian NK-33 engine, the liquid-fuel AJ26 will provide boost for the first stage of the Taurus-2. (9/29)
Another Russian Launch Failure: Missile Fails Test Launch at Plesetsk (Source: RIA Novosti)
Russia's Space Forces confirmed on Wednesday the failure of a test-firing of a Yars (RS-24) intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Plesetsk spaceport. The launch was the first of a prototype modification of the missile. The test concerned a new warhead bus for the solid-fuel RS-24, according to a military source. Earlier this year, Vladimir Putin announced his government planned to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on weapons modernization by 2020. (9/29)
China Launches Module for Space Station (Source: AP)
China launched an experimental module to lay the groundwork for a future space station on Thursday, underscoring its ambitions to become a major space power. The box car-sized Tiangong-1 module was shot into space from the Jiuquan launch center on the edge of the Gobi Desert aboard a Long March 2FT1 rocket. (9/29)
South Africa to Host Space Talks (Source: IOL)
An upcoming international astronautical congress in Cape Town marks the world s commitment to space projects in Africa, the SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) has said. An upcoming international astronautical congress in Cape Town marks the world’s commitment to space projects in Africa, the SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) has said. The event, to be held on Monday to Wednesday next week, would be the first in Africa in the congress’s 62-year history. (9/29)
China to Perform First Space Docking Mission (Source: CNN)
China's first space laboratory module launched on Thursday, an important milestone in its plan to build a space station. Tiangong-1, which means "heavenly palace" in Chinese, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province, northwest China. (9/29)
Chinese Launch of Space Lab Module Aims to Close Technology Gap With U.S. (Source: Bloomberg)
China's launch of its first space laboratory module is a step toward a manned station orbiting Earth. The Tiangong-1 is also part of a program that aims to put a man on the moon by 2020 and, together with high-speed trains, the Beijing Olympics and the world’s biggest nuclear-power expansion, serves as a marker for the nation’s emergence as a global power. The launch will cement the country’s lead over emerging nations such as India, Iran and South Korea that are pumping money into matching rocket and docking technology pioneered by the Soviet Union and U.S. five decades ago. (9/29)
Proton-M to be Launched From Baikonur (Source: Itar-Tass)
The launch of the Proton-M space rocket with the QuetzSat-1 telecommunications satellite is planned on Thursday from the Baikonur cosmodrome. “The Briz-M upper stage will be used,” the press service said. (9/29)
Russia Confident of Future in Space Travel (Source: Telegraph)
Despite a good past record, recent problems with Russian spacecraft highlight the need for modernization and to recruit younger specialists. This year has been one of the most dramatic for international space exploration in decades. Recent events are reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster. As with any Hollywood blockbuster, triumph followed disaster. Last week, a Proton-M rocket carrying a military satellite was successfully launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome. (9/29)
Debris Threatens Space Station (Source Russia Today)
The International Space Station is preparing to perform an evasion maneuver to avoid a 10 cm fragment of a Russian rocket which will pass close to it on Thursday. The ISS will have to move some five kilometers higher to escape the threat. “Observations show that a fragment of the Tsyklon-3 carrier rocket, which delivered the satellites Interkosmos-26 and Magion-3 into orbit back in 1991, will be passing the station on Tuesday night at a threateningly short distance,” the Russian mission control center said.
The danger was detected in plenty of time and the trajectory of the debris was monitored to determine the risk of a collision. The latest calculations show that if an evasion is not made, the junk would pass within 350 meters of the station, which is deemed to be dangerously close. (9/29)
Ukraine Defense Minister Guarantees $250 Million for Joint Rocket Effort (Source: Parabolic Arc)
On a visit to the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Yezhel Bronislavovych, said that Ukraine is transferring its part of investment in Alcântara Cyclone Space (ACS). “We have the resources of U.S. $250 million to be invested from October. We are also open to transfer technology to a new satellite launcher, the Cyclone 5, which will be produced jointly with Brazil,” he said. The Brazilian Defense Minister, Celso Amorim, said that ACS is a strategic project for Brazil. (9/29)
Wolf Presses White House on Webb Telescope Funding (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
A top Republican from the U.S. House is pressing the White House to offer suggestions on how it would deal with NASA’s troubled James Webb Space Telescope, a program that has broken its budget and schedule and now is expected to cost $8.7 billion and be done by 2018.
U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-VA, asks the Office of Management and Budget to provide examples on what NASA programs the White House would cut to save Webb, which has seen its budget more than double in recent years. Wolf, who heads the House panel with oversight of NASA spending, had proposed canceling Webb earlier this year but relented after pressure from science groups and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-MD, a powerful champion of the program. (9/29)
Safety Team Finalizes Plan for Nuke-Powered Rover Launch (Source: Florida Today)
A team of local and federal emergency management experts said they're ready for the November liftoff of a plutonium-powered Mars rover after a five-year effort to plan how they would handle any launch accident that results in a radiological release. Odds of an accident resulting in the release of radioactive plutonium are remote: 1 in 420.
The Atlas V rocket launching the $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory will be safely away from the Space Coast within 50 seconds of blasting off. Nonetheless, officials say an exhaustive effort was made by NASA, emergency response and safety experts to protect people in the event of an explosion or other emergency. The White House signed off on the launch earlier this month.
The rover will be powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, a device that converts heat from the decay of plutonium-238 into electricity. The plutonium fuel aboard the spacecraft is not the highly explosive material used in nuclear weapons, and it cannot blow up like bomb. (9/29)
SpaceX Puts Falcon 1 On Ice (Source: Aviation Week)
The softness of the small-satellite launch market has forced SpaceX to suspend production of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle pending an upcoming market review. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell says: “We haven’t abandoned it, but we are looking to address the market in a more cost-effective way. We were really hoping the small-sat market would be really robust. However, with Falcon 1 we sold very few vehicles through 2010.”
While the company focuses on development of its larger Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launchers, Shotwell says it will review the Falcon 1 development situation in early 2012. Despite the suspension of Falcon 1 activity, the overall tempo of SpaceX expansion continues unabated as it prepares for a ramp-up in Falcon 9 launches beginning at the end of this year. The company passed the 1,500-employee mark with the induction of new personnel on Sep. 26. (9/29)
Florioda Lt. Gov. Plugs State's Aerospace Potential on D.C. Visit (Source: Sunshine State News)
“Embraer’s substantial investment in Florida is bringing high-valued aerospace industry jobs to Florida’s Space Coast and to U.S. companies in the supply chain,” said Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll in Washington. “And this is much appreciated in light of the end of the space shuttle program.” The governor’s press office noted her itinerary included meetings with Air Force Assistant Secretary Terry Yonkers, Navy Vice Admiral Michael Vitale and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
“These meetings focused on Florida military installations which are vital to the state's economy and the cornerstone of America's defense and aerospace industries, which, combined, employ nearly 1 million Floridians,” wrote Lane Wright, the governor’s press secretary. The talk with Bolden was considered mostly a courtesy discussion.
“The experienced and dedicated Florida work force stands ready to tackle the challenges of building a 21st century space program,” said a NASA official. “From the launch of a new commercial space industry to getting a new heavy-lift launch system off the ground, the administrator and lieutenant governor believe the future of business growth and job opportunities in Florida is bright." Carroll chairs the Space Florida board. (9/29)
Virgin Galactic Nears Spaceship Crew Choice (Source: Aviation Week)
Virgin Galactic is close to finalizing the initial flight crews for its space tourism and science operations. Three pilots will make up the first crew who will fly both the SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle and WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) mother ship. “There were 550 applicants, and we downselected to the finalists this summer,” says Virgin Galactic President and CEO George Whitesides.
He adds that the first announcements are expected “this fall.” The three pilots will fly with Virgin Galactic chief pilot David Mackay, who recently made his first sortie in WK2. Minimum requirements for candidates include graduation from a recognized test pilot school and at least one tour of instruction at a school.
Editor's Note: In the (Congressionally mandated) absence of new FAA regulations for human spaceflight, I believe Virgin Galactic plans to fly without a formal "flight attendant." While it maximizes profit per flight, this also presents a challenge if flyers become disoriented, ill, or unruly as they float within the cabin. They'll have only a short amount of time to strap themselves in before SpaceShipTwo descends, and the two pilots may not be prepared to assist. (9/29)
House Now Nags NASA for Delayed In-Orbit Fuel Depot Documents (Source: Satellite Spotlight)
Poor NASA Administrator Charles Bolden can't catch a break, it seems. Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) is asking NASA to forward over its analysis and conclusions about on-orbit fuel depots – documents he says Bolden promised back in July. Worse yet, he's trying to enlist the help of former NASA Administrator (and current Obama space policy critic) Michael Griffin.
Rohrabacker, a vocal opponent of NASA's heavy lift Space Launch System (SLS), sent a letter dated September 26 to Griffin, an event unearthed by Hobby Space. On-orbit fuel depots were presented in NASA's initial Human Exploration Framework on May 25, 2010, but have now been “dropped,” according to the Congressman. He'd like to know how and why the decision was made. (9/29)
More than 500 businesspeople will be at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Thursday to see if they can grab a piece of NASA's new $18 billion rocket project. Huntsville's Marshall Space Flight Center is leading design and development of the $10 billion heavy-lift rocket that is the foundation of SLS, which also includes a new $6 billion crew capsule called Orion and $2 billion in improvements to Kennedy Space Center launch facilities. (9/29)
German Satellite is Expected to Tumble to Earth in November (Source: Space.com)
Officials at the German Aerospace Center say that one of its decommissioned satellites is expected to fall to Earth in early November. However, it's too early to determine precisely when and where debris from the Roentgen Satellite will land, the officials said. (9/29)
NASA IG Slams Agency on Space Radiation Monitoring (Source: Space Policy Online)
NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) sharply criticized NASA's management of a project to replace space radiation monitoring equipment on the International Space Station (ISS). The OIG asserted that "NASA has poorly managed the development of replacement radiation monitoring instruments" needed aboard the ISS to monitor the level of space radiation to which ISS crewmembers are exposed.
Such instruments were placed on the ISS between 2000 and 2002, but need to be replaced because of age or malfunctions. NASA initiated a project to do so in 2008, but because of its poor management, the replacements "are costing more than expected, are behind schedule, and will not include all planned elements." The OIG also discovered that NASA "has never monitored astronaut exposure to neutrons" as required by the ISS Medical Operations Requirements Document (MORD). (9/29)
Successful Test of Taurus-2 Engine (Source: Aerojet)
Aerojet, NASA and Orbital Sciences Corp. conducted a successful ground test firing of an AJ26-62 flight engine that will power Orbital's Taurus-2 medium-class space launch vehicle. The test was conducted at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Aerojet's AJ26 engine is an oxidizer-rich, staged-combustion LO2/kerosene engine that achieves very high performance in a lightweight compact package. Based on the Russian NK-33 engine, the liquid-fuel AJ26 will provide boost for the first stage of the Taurus-2. (9/29)
Another Russian Launch Failure: Missile Fails Test Launch at Plesetsk (Source: RIA Novosti)
Russia's Space Forces confirmed on Wednesday the failure of a test-firing of a Yars (RS-24) intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Plesetsk spaceport. The launch was the first of a prototype modification of the missile. The test concerned a new warhead bus for the solid-fuel RS-24, according to a military source. Earlier this year, Vladimir Putin announced his government planned to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on weapons modernization by 2020. (9/29)
China Launches Module for Space Station (Source: AP)
China launched an experimental module to lay the groundwork for a future space station on Thursday, underscoring its ambitions to become a major space power. The box car-sized Tiangong-1 module was shot into space from the Jiuquan launch center on the edge of the Gobi Desert aboard a Long March 2FT1 rocket. (9/29)
South Africa to Host Space Talks (Source: IOL)
An upcoming international astronautical congress in Cape Town marks the world s commitment to space projects in Africa, the SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) has said. An upcoming international astronautical congress in Cape Town marks the world’s commitment to space projects in Africa, the SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) has said. The event, to be held on Monday to Wednesday next week, would be the first in Africa in the congress’s 62-year history. (9/29)
China to Perform First Space Docking Mission (Source: CNN)
China's first space laboratory module launched on Thursday, an important milestone in its plan to build a space station. Tiangong-1, which means "heavenly palace" in Chinese, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province, northwest China. (9/29)
Chinese Launch of Space Lab Module Aims to Close Technology Gap With U.S. (Source: Bloomberg)
China's launch of its first space laboratory module is a step toward a manned station orbiting Earth. The Tiangong-1 is also part of a program that aims to put a man on the moon by 2020 and, together with high-speed trains, the Beijing Olympics and the world’s biggest nuclear-power expansion, serves as a marker for the nation’s emergence as a global power. The launch will cement the country’s lead over emerging nations such as India, Iran and South Korea that are pumping money into matching rocket and docking technology pioneered by the Soviet Union and U.S. five decades ago. (9/29)
Proton-M to be Launched From Baikonur (Source: Itar-Tass)
The launch of the Proton-M space rocket with the QuetzSat-1 telecommunications satellite is planned on Thursday from the Baikonur cosmodrome. “The Briz-M upper stage will be used,” the press service said. (9/29)
Russia Confident of Future in Space Travel (Source: Telegraph)
Despite a good past record, recent problems with Russian spacecraft highlight the need for modernization and to recruit younger specialists. This year has been one of the most dramatic for international space exploration in decades. Recent events are reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster. As with any Hollywood blockbuster, triumph followed disaster. Last week, a Proton-M rocket carrying a military satellite was successfully launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome. (9/29)
Debris Threatens Space Station (Source Russia Today)
The International Space Station is preparing to perform an evasion maneuver to avoid a 10 cm fragment of a Russian rocket which will pass close to it on Thursday. The ISS will have to move some five kilometers higher to escape the threat. “Observations show that a fragment of the Tsyklon-3 carrier rocket, which delivered the satellites Interkosmos-26 and Magion-3 into orbit back in 1991, will be passing the station on Tuesday night at a threateningly short distance,” the Russian mission control center said.
The danger was detected in plenty of time and the trajectory of the debris was monitored to determine the risk of a collision. The latest calculations show that if an evasion is not made, the junk would pass within 350 meters of the station, which is deemed to be dangerously close. (9/29)
Ukraine Defense Minister Guarantees $250 Million for Joint Rocket Effort (Source: Parabolic Arc)
On a visit to the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Yezhel Bronislavovych, said that Ukraine is transferring its part of investment in Alcântara Cyclone Space (ACS). “We have the resources of U.S. $250 million to be invested from October. We are also open to transfer technology to a new satellite launcher, the Cyclone 5, which will be produced jointly with Brazil,” he said. The Brazilian Defense Minister, Celso Amorim, said that ACS is a strategic project for Brazil. (9/29)
Wolf Presses White House on Webb Telescope Funding (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
A top Republican from the U.S. House is pressing the White House to offer suggestions on how it would deal with NASA’s troubled James Webb Space Telescope, a program that has broken its budget and schedule and now is expected to cost $8.7 billion and be done by 2018.
U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-VA, asks the Office of Management and Budget to provide examples on what NASA programs the White House would cut to save Webb, which has seen its budget more than double in recent years. Wolf, who heads the House panel with oversight of NASA spending, had proposed canceling Webb earlier this year but relented after pressure from science groups and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-MD, a powerful champion of the program. (9/29)
Safety Team Finalizes Plan for Nuke-Powered Rover Launch (Source: Florida Today)
A team of local and federal emergency management experts said they're ready for the November liftoff of a plutonium-powered Mars rover after a five-year effort to plan how they would handle any launch accident that results in a radiological release. Odds of an accident resulting in the release of radioactive plutonium are remote: 1 in 420.
The Atlas V rocket launching the $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory will be safely away from the Space Coast within 50 seconds of blasting off. Nonetheless, officials say an exhaustive effort was made by NASA, emergency response and safety experts to protect people in the event of an explosion or other emergency. The White House signed off on the launch earlier this month.
The rover will be powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, a device that converts heat from the decay of plutonium-238 into electricity. The plutonium fuel aboard the spacecraft is not the highly explosive material used in nuclear weapons, and it cannot blow up like bomb. (9/29)
SpaceX Puts Falcon 1 On Ice (Source: Aviation Week)
The softness of the small-satellite launch market has forced SpaceX to suspend production of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle pending an upcoming market review. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell says: “We haven’t abandoned it, but we are looking to address the market in a more cost-effective way. We were really hoping the small-sat market would be really robust. However, with Falcon 1 we sold very few vehicles through 2010.”
While the company focuses on development of its larger Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launchers, Shotwell says it will review the Falcon 1 development situation in early 2012. Despite the suspension of Falcon 1 activity, the overall tempo of SpaceX expansion continues unabated as it prepares for a ramp-up in Falcon 9 launches beginning at the end of this year. The company passed the 1,500-employee mark with the induction of new personnel on Sep. 26. (9/29)
Florioda Lt. Gov. Plugs State's Aerospace Potential on D.C. Visit (Source: Sunshine State News)
“Embraer’s substantial investment in Florida is bringing high-valued aerospace industry jobs to Florida’s Space Coast and to U.S. companies in the supply chain,” said Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll in Washington. “And this is much appreciated in light of the end of the space shuttle program.” The governor’s press office noted her itinerary included meetings with Air Force Assistant Secretary Terry Yonkers, Navy Vice Admiral Michael Vitale and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
“These meetings focused on Florida military installations which are vital to the state's economy and the cornerstone of America's defense and aerospace industries, which, combined, employ nearly 1 million Floridians,” wrote Lane Wright, the governor’s press secretary. The talk with Bolden was considered mostly a courtesy discussion.
“The experienced and dedicated Florida work force stands ready to tackle the challenges of building a 21st century space program,” said a NASA official. “From the launch of a new commercial space industry to getting a new heavy-lift launch system off the ground, the administrator and lieutenant governor believe the future of business growth and job opportunities in Florida is bright." Carroll chairs the Space Florida board. (9/29)
Virgin Galactic Nears Spaceship Crew Choice (Source: Aviation Week)
Virgin Galactic is close to finalizing the initial flight crews for its space tourism and science operations. Three pilots will make up the first crew who will fly both the SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle and WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) mother ship. “There were 550 applicants, and we downselected to the finalists this summer,” says Virgin Galactic President and CEO George Whitesides.
He adds that the first announcements are expected “this fall.” The three pilots will fly with Virgin Galactic chief pilot David Mackay, who recently made his first sortie in WK2. Minimum requirements for candidates include graduation from a recognized test pilot school and at least one tour of instruction at a school.
Editor's Note: In the (Congressionally mandated) absence of new FAA regulations for human spaceflight, I believe Virgin Galactic plans to fly without a formal "flight attendant." While it maximizes profit per flight, this also presents a challenge if flyers become disoriented, ill, or unruly as they float within the cabin. They'll have only a short amount of time to strap themselves in before SpaceShipTwo descends, and the two pilots may not be prepared to assist. (9/29)
House Now Nags NASA for Delayed In-Orbit Fuel Depot Documents (Source: Satellite Spotlight)
Poor NASA Administrator Charles Bolden can't catch a break, it seems. Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) is asking NASA to forward over its analysis and conclusions about on-orbit fuel depots – documents he says Bolden promised back in July. Worse yet, he's trying to enlist the help of former NASA Administrator (and current Obama space policy critic) Michael Griffin.
Rohrabacker, a vocal opponent of NASA's heavy lift Space Launch System (SLS), sent a letter dated September 26 to Griffin, an event unearthed by Hobby Space. On-orbit fuel depots were presented in NASA's initial Human Exploration Framework on May 25, 2010, but have now been “dropped,” according to the Congressman. He'd like to know how and why the decision was made. (9/29)
September 28, 2011
KSC Starts Plan for Modernizing Facilities (Soource: Florida Today)
NASA is taking its first steps this week toward converting 50-year-old Kennedy Space Center into a vibrant modern spaceport where both the agency and commercial companies can operate. With a new era of human space exploration and orbital enterprise opening, NASA started architectural design work Tuesday aimed at building a new $200 million to $300 million Central Campus Complex in the KSC Industrial Area.
The landmark NASA Headquarters Building, the Central Instrumentation Facility, several administrative offices and scientific laboratories — all of which played key roles in early U.S. space exploration — ultimately will be torn down while a new pedestrian-friendly hub of green buildings is raised in six phases. The idea is to consolidate work in a central hub of modern, energy-efficient buildings that provide safer environments for engineers, managers and administrative personnel. The footprint of NASA facilities in the area will be reduced to 450,000 square feet from 900,000 square feet, returning 35 percent of the land to green open space. (9/28)
Space Coast Groups Win $2.2 Million for Energy Programs (Source: Space Florida)
Four Brevard County-based economic development organizations – Space Florida, the Space Coast Energy Consortium, Brevard Workforce and the Technological Research and Development Association (TRDA) – have been awarded a total of $2.2 million in Federal grants to further develop a clean energy hub in Central Florida. Programs and services enabled by the grants will provide employment opportunities in this rapidly growing high-tech sector.
$1 million will be used to create a “One-Stop Connector" to connect with state and national resources and help build capacity of clean energy companies in the area; and to create a Space-to-Energy Regional Innovation Center, which will help space-related and traditional energy companies bring clean energy applications to market through trials and demonstrations utilizing the world-class engineering resources resident at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
$1 million will support workforce needs and assist members of the Central Florida community to obtain the training or certification(s) necessary to fill those job opportunities. $150,000 will be used to mentor small businesses as they work through contracting/proposal processes to grow their organizations. Space Florida led the proposal coordination for the Space Coast Clean Energy Jobs Accelerator Team. (9/28)
Orbiting Standards Lab Could Improve Climate Predictions (Source: Physics World)
Policy makers would be much better placed to combat the effects of global warming if scientists had access to accurate measurements of the Earth's radiation balance from a dedicated satellite, claims an international group of physicists. As well as collecting its own data, the spacecraft would also calibrate other Earth-observation satellites. The group estimates that the satellite could cut a decade or more from the time needed to make useful projections of global temperature at the end of the 21st century. (9/28)
China to Intensify International Exchanges, Cooperation in Aerospace (Source: Xinhua)
China will bolster its exchanges and cooperation with other countries to contribute to the exploration and peaceful use of space. "We believe that international exchanges and cooperation in the field of aerospace engineering should be intensified on the basis of mutual benefit, peaceful use and common development," said Wu Ping, a spokeswoman for China's manned space program.
Wu said China has carried out comprehensive cooperation and exchanges with countries such as Russia and Germany, as well as with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), since it started its manned space program in 1992. She said scientists from China and Germany will jointly carry out experiments on space life science at the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft, scheduled for launch in November. (9/28)
Nigeria’s New Satellite Demonstrates Stunning High Resolution Capability (Source: SSTL)
The first high resolution satellite imagery is today released from NigeriaSat-2, as engineers from the Nigerian space agency (NASRDA) and the satellite’s manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) continue in the successful commissioning of the new satellite from NASRDA’s headquarters in Abuja. Testing of all the systems on-board the satellite has been successfully completed, and calibration of the imaging payloads is ongoing with outstanding results already being produced. (9/28)
Tiger Stripe Leaps Point to Enceladus Ocean (Source: USA Today)
Saturn's moon Enceladus likely hides an ocean under its icy crust, suggests an analysis of its geyser crevices. In 2005, the Cassini spacecraft showed that Enceladus, a moon only 318 miles wide, releases geyser-like blasts from its southern half. The finding surprised planetary scientists, who have since debated whether an interior sea fuels the geysers, or if geyser ice simply melts briefly due to gravitational tugs from Saturn. A few have even suggested the entire moon hides an ocean under its icy crust. (9/28)
ISU Works with NASA to Detect Water Contaminants in Astronaut Drinking Water (Source: Iowa State U.)
A team of ISU scientists invented a new way to detect water contaminants in astronauts' drinking water — a process that was funded by NASA. "The general idea is to provide the space station with a means for monitoring their drinking water to make sure that it's safe to drink," said Robert Lipert. After a long development period, the instrument was finally launched for testing two years ago, and was just recently approved for actual use. (9/28)
World's First DNA Astronauts to Launch Into Space (Source: rSPACE)
Have you ever wanted to go to space? Not a multi-millionaire? No problem. rSPACE LLC, a company whose goal is to allow everyone the chance to actively and personally participate in a real rocket launch into outer space, announces the historical formation of the DNA Astronaut Corps. "Now, anyone can enjoy the thrill of space by becoming a DNA Astronaut. Imagine -- this is your chance to join an elite group of people from all over the world on an exciting journey to the unknown and not break the bank!" JP Stevens said. Click here. (9/28)
SpaceX to Build 'Grasshopper' Rocket (Source: Discovery)
SpaceX, the company started by PayPal co-founder and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, is stepping up its pursuit of a reusable rocket with a suborbital craft named "Grasshopper." Based on the company's Falcon rocket, the 106-foot tall launcher will have an extra motor to practice cushioning its return trip to Earth, with the aim of landing on the launch pad, a draft environmental assessment issued by the FAA shows.
From a launch site in Texas, Grasshopper will fly as high as about 11,500 feet above ground, and as often as 70 times a year. In addition to a Falcon 9 first stage and a Merlin engine, Grasshopper would be outfitted with four steel landing legs and a steel support structure, the FAA document shows.
SpaceX declined to disclose details of the Grasshopper program, but rather than developing a new suborbital launch vehicle for sale, Grasshopper most likely is a testbed for SpaceX to chase the elusive holy grail of rocket scientists -- reusable launchers. (9/28)
Space Florida Supports Energy Company Move to KSC (Source: Space Florida)
Cella Energy Limited has received a new round of financing led by a $1 million investment by Space Florida. These funds are part of a larger equity raise by international institutions and other qualified individual investors that will support the development of four proof-of-concept projects for Cella’s new safe, low-cost hydrogen storage technologies. The funds will also be used to expand operations and provide employment opportunities, both in the UK and in Florida.
Cella’s ground breaking technology could lead to lower priced fuel at the pumps, but moreover could improve energy security in the European Union, the United States and throughout NATO. Cella plans to develop its safe, low-cost hydrogen storage materials both at the UK Governments’ prestigious Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC’s) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford, UK and in a new facility at KSC. The KSC location is expected to hire up to 10 new employees by the end of 2011.
Over 30 years NASA-KSC has become one of the largest users of hydrogen, and has built up unique expertise in this area. Cella’s technology allows hydrogen to be stored without high-pressure tanks and other potential safety hazards normally involved with hydrogen gas. Editor's Note: Cella will be housed alongside CASIS (the ISS National Lab manager) in KSC's state-built Space Life Sciences Lab. (9/28)
Time to Reconsider the Nuclear Option for Spaceflight (Source: MSNBC)
For weeks to come, NASA will be working with the aerospace industry on its plans to develop its new super-sized rocket for missions back to the moon, the nearest Lagrangian point, asteroids, Mars and other ports of call in deep space. The agency will be working with the latest technology, as well as innovations yet to be invented. Some even dare to whisper rocketry's N-word: nuclear.
There’s little doubt that NASA can build a heavy-lift rocket to fly astronauts beyond Earth orbit, but can the agency build one that can reach deep-space ports without going nuclear? "Nuclear propulsion should be included when considering deep-space travel," said Princeton physicist Gene H. McCall, retired chief scientist for the Air Force Space Command and a senior scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. "The engines could also be used for years as a power source for establishing a base on the moon or Mars, or any long-term base where gathering power from the sun would be difficult.” (9/28)
NASA is taking its first steps this week toward converting 50-year-old Kennedy Space Center into a vibrant modern spaceport where both the agency and commercial companies can operate. With a new era of human space exploration and orbital enterprise opening, NASA started architectural design work Tuesday aimed at building a new $200 million to $300 million Central Campus Complex in the KSC Industrial Area.
The landmark NASA Headquarters Building, the Central Instrumentation Facility, several administrative offices and scientific laboratories — all of which played key roles in early U.S. space exploration — ultimately will be torn down while a new pedestrian-friendly hub of green buildings is raised in six phases. The idea is to consolidate work in a central hub of modern, energy-efficient buildings that provide safer environments for engineers, managers and administrative personnel. The footprint of NASA facilities in the area will be reduced to 450,000 square feet from 900,000 square feet, returning 35 percent of the land to green open space. (9/28)
Space Coast Groups Win $2.2 Million for Energy Programs (Source: Space Florida)
Four Brevard County-based economic development organizations – Space Florida, the Space Coast Energy Consortium, Brevard Workforce and the Technological Research and Development Association (TRDA) – have been awarded a total of $2.2 million in Federal grants to further develop a clean energy hub in Central Florida. Programs and services enabled by the grants will provide employment opportunities in this rapidly growing high-tech sector.
$1 million will be used to create a “One-Stop Connector" to connect with state and national resources and help build capacity of clean energy companies in the area; and to create a Space-to-Energy Regional Innovation Center, which will help space-related and traditional energy companies bring clean energy applications to market through trials and demonstrations utilizing the world-class engineering resources resident at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
$1 million will support workforce needs and assist members of the Central Florida community to obtain the training or certification(s) necessary to fill those job opportunities. $150,000 will be used to mentor small businesses as they work through contracting/proposal processes to grow their organizations. Space Florida led the proposal coordination for the Space Coast Clean Energy Jobs Accelerator Team. (9/28)
Orbiting Standards Lab Could Improve Climate Predictions (Source: Physics World)
Policy makers would be much better placed to combat the effects of global warming if scientists had access to accurate measurements of the Earth's radiation balance from a dedicated satellite, claims an international group of physicists. As well as collecting its own data, the spacecraft would also calibrate other Earth-observation satellites. The group estimates that the satellite could cut a decade or more from the time needed to make useful projections of global temperature at the end of the 21st century. (9/28)
China to Intensify International Exchanges, Cooperation in Aerospace (Source: Xinhua)
China will bolster its exchanges and cooperation with other countries to contribute to the exploration and peaceful use of space. "We believe that international exchanges and cooperation in the field of aerospace engineering should be intensified on the basis of mutual benefit, peaceful use and common development," said Wu Ping, a spokeswoman for China's manned space program.
Wu said China has carried out comprehensive cooperation and exchanges with countries such as Russia and Germany, as well as with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), since it started its manned space program in 1992. She said scientists from China and Germany will jointly carry out experiments on space life science at the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft, scheduled for launch in November. (9/28)
Nigeria’s New Satellite Demonstrates Stunning High Resolution Capability (Source: SSTL)
The first high resolution satellite imagery is today released from NigeriaSat-2, as engineers from the Nigerian space agency (NASRDA) and the satellite’s manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) continue in the successful commissioning of the new satellite from NASRDA’s headquarters in Abuja. Testing of all the systems on-board the satellite has been successfully completed, and calibration of the imaging payloads is ongoing with outstanding results already being produced. (9/28)
Tiger Stripe Leaps Point to Enceladus Ocean (Source: USA Today)
Saturn's moon Enceladus likely hides an ocean under its icy crust, suggests an analysis of its geyser crevices. In 2005, the Cassini spacecraft showed that Enceladus, a moon only 318 miles wide, releases geyser-like blasts from its southern half. The finding surprised planetary scientists, who have since debated whether an interior sea fuels the geysers, or if geyser ice simply melts briefly due to gravitational tugs from Saturn. A few have even suggested the entire moon hides an ocean under its icy crust. (9/28)
ISU Works with NASA to Detect Water Contaminants in Astronaut Drinking Water (Source: Iowa State U.)
A team of ISU scientists invented a new way to detect water contaminants in astronauts' drinking water — a process that was funded by NASA. "The general idea is to provide the space station with a means for monitoring their drinking water to make sure that it's safe to drink," said Robert Lipert. After a long development period, the instrument was finally launched for testing two years ago, and was just recently approved for actual use. (9/28)
World's First DNA Astronauts to Launch Into Space (Source: rSPACE)
Have you ever wanted to go to space? Not a multi-millionaire? No problem. rSPACE LLC, a company whose goal is to allow everyone the chance to actively and personally participate in a real rocket launch into outer space, announces the historical formation of the DNA Astronaut Corps. "Now, anyone can enjoy the thrill of space by becoming a DNA Astronaut. Imagine -- this is your chance to join an elite group of people from all over the world on an exciting journey to the unknown and not break the bank!" JP Stevens said. Click here. (9/28)
SpaceX to Build 'Grasshopper' Rocket (Source: Discovery)
SpaceX, the company started by PayPal co-founder and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, is stepping up its pursuit of a reusable rocket with a suborbital craft named "Grasshopper." Based on the company's Falcon rocket, the 106-foot tall launcher will have an extra motor to practice cushioning its return trip to Earth, with the aim of landing on the launch pad, a draft environmental assessment issued by the FAA shows.
From a launch site in Texas, Grasshopper will fly as high as about 11,500 feet above ground, and as often as 70 times a year. In addition to a Falcon 9 first stage and a Merlin engine, Grasshopper would be outfitted with four steel landing legs and a steel support structure, the FAA document shows.
SpaceX declined to disclose details of the Grasshopper program, but rather than developing a new suborbital launch vehicle for sale, Grasshopper most likely is a testbed for SpaceX to chase the elusive holy grail of rocket scientists -- reusable launchers. (9/28)
Space Florida Supports Energy Company Move to KSC (Source: Space Florida)
Cella Energy Limited has received a new round of financing led by a $1 million investment by Space Florida. These funds are part of a larger equity raise by international institutions and other qualified individual investors that will support the development of four proof-of-concept projects for Cella’s new safe, low-cost hydrogen storage technologies. The funds will also be used to expand operations and provide employment opportunities, both in the UK and in Florida.
Cella’s ground breaking technology could lead to lower priced fuel at the pumps, but moreover could improve energy security in the European Union, the United States and throughout NATO. Cella plans to develop its safe, low-cost hydrogen storage materials both at the UK Governments’ prestigious Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC’s) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford, UK and in a new facility at KSC. The KSC location is expected to hire up to 10 new employees by the end of 2011.
Over 30 years NASA-KSC has become one of the largest users of hydrogen, and has built up unique expertise in this area. Cella’s technology allows hydrogen to be stored without high-pressure tanks and other potential safety hazards normally involved with hydrogen gas. Editor's Note: Cella will be housed alongside CASIS (the ISS National Lab manager) in KSC's state-built Space Life Sciences Lab. (9/28)
Time to Reconsider the Nuclear Option for Spaceflight (Source: MSNBC)
For weeks to come, NASA will be working with the aerospace industry on its plans to develop its new super-sized rocket for missions back to the moon, the nearest Lagrangian point, asteroids, Mars and other ports of call in deep space. The agency will be working with the latest technology, as well as innovations yet to be invented. Some even dare to whisper rocketry's N-word: nuclear.
There’s little doubt that NASA can build a heavy-lift rocket to fly astronauts beyond Earth orbit, but can the agency build one that can reach deep-space ports without going nuclear? "Nuclear propulsion should be included when considering deep-space travel," said Princeton physicist Gene H. McCall, retired chief scientist for the Air Force Space Command and a senior scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. "The engines could also be used for years as a power source for establishing a base on the moon or Mars, or any long-term base where gathering power from the sun would be difficult.” (9/28)
September 27, 2011
Accelerating Universe and Dark Energy Might Be Illusions (Source: Space.com)
In 1929, cosmologists discovered that the universe is expanding — that space-time, the fabric of the cosmos, is stretching. Then in 1998, light coming from exploding stars called supernovas suggested that the universe is not only expanding, but that it has recently begun expanding faster and faster; its expansion has entered an "accelerating phase." This was bad news for the fate of the cosmos: An accelerating universe is ultimately racing toward a "Big Rip," the moment at which its size will become infinite and, in a flash, everything in it will be torn apart.
The discovery was bad news for the state of cosmology, too. Because gravity pulls stuff inward rather than pushing it out, cosmologists believed that the expansion of the universe ought to be slowing down, as everything in it felt the gravitational tug of everything else. They didn't understand the mechanism that seemed to be opposing the force of gravity, so to explain their observations, they invoked the existence of "dark energy," a mysterious, invisible substance that permeates space and drives its outward expansion.
Now, a new theory suggests that the accelerating expansion of the universe is merely an illusion, akin to a mirage in the desert. The false impression results from the way our particular region of the cosmos is drifting through the rest of space, said Christos Tsagas. Our relative motion makes it look like the universe as a whole is expanding faster and faster, while in actuality, its expansion is slowing down — just as would be expected from what we know about gravity. (9/27)
NASA's Associate Administrator for Science to Retire (Source: NASA)
Ed Weiler, who has worked almost 33 years as a leader in NASA's science exploration programs, will retire from the agency effective Sept. 30. Weiler most recently served as the associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, directing a variety of research and science programs in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science and astrophysics. Chuck Gay, the directorate's deputy associate administrator, will become the acting associate administrator until a permanent replacement is announced. (9/27)
GAO May Be Forced to Look at NASA's SLS Procurement (Source: Hobby Space)
Looks to me like the GAO will have to review the SLS procurement. There are several areas where the rules appear to be violated by the way NASA, under Congressional pressure, has planned the program. As the whitepaper points out, even if the NASA Authorization act pushes NASA towards this type of program, neither that bill nor any other relieves the agency of obeying the CICA restrictions for the SLS program. (9/27)
Piloted Orion/MPCV Test Flight Urged (Source: Aviation Week)
Lockheed Martin is moving out with development, test and production of the Orion/Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) that would lift off atop the evolvable mega-rocket for piloted deep-space missions. A 70-metric-ton version of the eventual, much larger SLS, perhaps fitted with a Boeing Delta 4 upper stage, could sling astronauts around the Moon in 2016, under a test flight scenario that Lockheed Martin has discussed with NASA.
The demonstration mission would accelerate plans for the first human mission of the four-person MPCV by five years. With $6 billion of the agreed-upon total, NASA would ready the capsule for a series of milestone flight tests, beginning with a mid-2013 two-orbit unpiloted mission. Lockheed Martin has reserved a Delta 4 Heavy for the demanding unpiloted flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, though the choice of launchers is under evaluation.
A second test of the Orion/MPCV’s Launch Abort System would follow a year later. Also lofted from Kennedy, the spacecraft would rise atop a Peacekeeper missile first-stage solid-fuel rocket motor to 50,000 ft. for release of the unpiloted capsule in a test of the abort system guidance and navigation controls at maximum aerodynamic pressure. Nationwide, the Orion/MPCV program employs nearly 2,700 workers. Another 300-400 will be added as the test capsule reaches KSC. (9/27)
Space Junk Problem: Is a Solar Sail Ship the Answer? (Source: GCN)
NASA is planning to test one method that could, among other things, be used to clear orbital paths of the kind of space junk that UARS had become. The agency recently announced plans to test a large solar sail as part of its an upcoming round of Technology Demonstration Missions aimed at improving space communications, deep space navigation and in-space propulsion capabilities. Solar sails aren’t new, but this one will be seven times the size of any previously flown, which NASA says will increase its utility for jobs such as deep-space exploration, advanced geostorm warnings and removal of orbital debris. (9/27)
NASA's Planet Hunter Needs Money to Keep Searching for Earth's Twins (Source: The Atlantic)
Other earths - rocky planets with liquid water and a decent atmosphere - would have the raw materials for life as we know it. Kepler can tell us how many of these earth-like planets there are, bringing us one huge step toward answering one of the most profound questions in science: are we alone? If we are, that'll be one stunning answer. If we aren't, that'll be a different kind of stunning answer.
Right now, the drive to find life elsewhere in the universe is in trouble. Two other important exoplanet proposals - The Terrestrial Planet Finder and the Space Interferometer Mission - have been put on permanent hold. The delayed James Webb Space Telescope is eating up more and more of NASA's science budget. And the general budgetary situation in Washington is bleak. Kepler keeps chugging along towards the end of its initial 3.5 year lifespan. But it needs a little more time to complete the work it was sent up to do. Normally, those funds would be easy to come up with, but given the belt tightening in Washington mission managers are getting genuinely nervous. (9/27)
NASA KSC and Space Coast Group Renew Collaboration (Source: SpaceRef)
NASA and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida's Space Coast on Oct. 3 will sign an agreement that continues economic development cooperation to support NASA's current and future missions and projects at the center. (9/27)
Already Unaffordable, SLS May Be In Violation of the Competition in Contracting Act (Source: SFF)
The Space Frontier Foundation voiced its strong support for a U.S. Congressional letter sent last week asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate possible violations of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) in NASA’s plans for buying a new super-heavy lift launch vehicle, frequently called the “Senate Launch System.” The Foundation urged the GAO to issue a “stay” on the project to prevent implementation of any contact modifications, extensions, or other actions until they complete a thorough investigation into the legality of NASA’s acquisition strategy for the Space Launch System. (9/27)
Venting Space Geek Frustration (Source: Daily Kos)
My zeal to explore - and indeed that of millions besides me - drives far beyond what the present state of politics (anywhere in the world) is implementing. I am tired of the endless compromising of the Space Age from a glorious Von Braunian vision of humanity mobilized to seek its destiny in the furthest reaches of the solar system into a poorly-funded, poorly-managed, aimless sideshow where handfuls compete for the rare privilege of spending a few weeks in Earth orbit while one or two robotic probes each decade are sent further. But there is hope - great hope. A hope that, like everything else worthwhile, takes an infuriating time gaining momentum.
I speak of SpaceX, and its leader Elon Musk (my personal hero). Musk is simultaneously using his business acumen and innovative talents to tackle solar energy, electric cars, and making space travel affordable - and he's winning. Slowly - eye-gougingly slowly - he is moving an entire world of immovable objects on the sheer power of daring and an inhuman ability to apparently work without sleep. But the heroic epic unfolding at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, CA is not what I want to focus on here. It is to ask the question, why is this man alone? Click here. (9/27)
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Programs Face Cuts (Source: Aviation Week)
The Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programs expanded dramatically after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A decade later, the Air Force is trying to decide which of the programs it can rein in amid budget cuts. (9/27)
Obama Administration Decides Deeper Defense Cuts are Not an Option (Source: AOL Defense)
The White House had been hinting that it was opposed to cutting the defense budget any further than a planned $450 billion. And now, several areas of the Obama administration have made it clear that further cuts beyond the $450 billion cannot be sustained. (9/27)
Embry-Riddle Will Fly, But is Ineligible to Win Green Flight Challenge (Source: NASA)
NASA is now down to three teams competing for the NASA funded prize purse for the Green Flight Challenge sponsored by Google. They are PhoEnix, Pipistrel-USA, and e-Genius. The team from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) was disqualified for not having the required ballistic parachute installed in their aircraft and not being able to fly with two pilots as required. After being petitioned by ERAU and the other teams, the challenge organizers will allow ERAU to fly the course and collect flight data.
The CAFE board approved their request and everyone appeared pleased. The other teams were very supportive of ERAU. ERAU will be permitted to fly on noninterference basis – tomorrow they will take off on the fuel efficiency flight about 15-20 minutes after the others depart. (9/27)
Minotaur Rocket Launches Military Satellite From Alaska Spaceport (Source: SPACErePORT)
A Minotaur-4 rocket launched a military TacSat 4 satellite from Alaska's spaceport on Kodiak Island. The Minotaur-4 was developed by Orbital Sciences Corp. using elements of decommissioned Peacekeeper missiles. The launch phase of the mission appeared to be a complete success, including faring separation. Faring issues were blamed for the failure of a couple of previous Orbital Sciences Corp. launches. (9/27)
Sunspot 1302 Continues to Turn Toward Earth (Source: NASA)
A strong-to-severe (Kp=8) geomagnetic storm is in progress following the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) at approximately 8:15a.m. EDT (12:15 UT) on Sept. 26. The Goddard Space Weather Lab reported a strong compression of Earth's magnetosphere. Simulations indicate that solar wind plasma has penetrated close to geosynchronous orbit starting at 9am. Geosynchronous satellites could therefore be directly exposed to solar wind plasma and magnetic fields. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall. (9/27)
Beyond a Rocket and a Capsule - What NASA Needs for Deep Space Exploration (Source: Satellite Spotlight)
With the announcement of the heavy lift Space Launch System (SLS), NASA has funding and clear direction to build a big rocket and the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) to carry a crew of four for 28 days. But if you look more closely, the agency needs to flesh out its technology portfolio quite a bit to get into the deep space exploration business. There are a lot of Powerpoint proposals floating around and some trial projects to further develop all the tools needed to go the Moon, an asteroid, or Mars. Click here. (9/27)
Bolden: New Rocket Differs from Constellation Because “It’s Going to be Disciplined” (Source: Houston Chronicle)
Right now the total [expected for exploration from Congress] is $3 billion a year...for the next five years. Inside that amount of money, in order to be affordable, Mark Geyers has got to bring forth a multi-purpose crew vehicle. Mark May at the Marshall Space Flight Center has got to bring together a heavy lift launch vehicle, and then the little pieces that go with it – getting the launch pad ready and everything.
We’ve got to meter the development of those programs so that we get to certain milestones yet to be determined. But we’ve pretty much got a good idea of what they’re going to be and we should be telling you here pretty quickly what those milestones are going to be... What’s going to be different? It’s going be disciplined, it’s going to be the way we do business and things like using students to help us develop modules, which we did not do before … really integrating students and academia into this. (9/27)
Bolden: JSC’s Role Will Stay the Same (Source: Bay Area Citizen)
Look for a leaner, more disciplined NASA in the future. And, look for the Johnson Space Center to continue its same role in the driver’s seat in the years ahead. That was the message NASA Administrator Charles Bolden brought to the Johnson Space Center Monday. But it won’t come without changes, he wanted to make clear. “We have to be affordable and we have to change the way we do business,” he said. “We direct the space program from here, and that’s not going to change. If you go to the Chris Kraft Mission Control Center, that’s where we’ve always controlled human space flight and we will continue to do that.” (9/27)
NASA Wants Internet Access In Space (Source: Information Week)
As space agency plans to send humans further into space, communications is a key challenge. NASA hopes to extend the use of the Internet across the solar system as one of a host of key enabling technologies to help achieve future goals for human space exploration. Among other technologies, a new international exploration plan calls for the expansion of the Internet throughout the solar system by developing advanced communication and space internetworking capabilities.
NASA and other agencies will test the technology by setting up disruptive tolerant networking nodes on the International Space Station to try to figure out how to handle long time delays and communications interruptions that come with deep space communication, according to the document. (9/27)
Vulture UAV Could Replace Downed Satellites (Source: Aviation Week)
The U.S. Navy is showing interest in DARPA’s Vulture solar-powered, ultra-endurance unmanned aircraft as a means of providing communications to carrier strike groups if satellites are knocked out. The Vulture program is developing technology for an unmanned aircraft able to stay aloft for up to five years. Boeing is designing a full-scale demonstrator with 30 days of endurance, which is planned to fly in the first quarter of 2014. (9/27)
Planetary Exploration's Radioactive Decay (Source: Space Review)
NASA's exploration of the outer solar system has been enabled by the use of plutonium-powered RTGs that generate electricity where solar panels would be ineffective. Jeff Foust reports how declining stocks of a plutonium isotope, and policy battles regarding how to fund its production, jeopardize future planetary missions. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1937/1 to view the article. (9/26)
Defending Apollo (Source: Space Review)
The recent movie "Apollo 18" has been panned by many critics, including in the pages of this publication. Dwayne Day argues that this movie does has some redeeming qualities, though, that should not be overlooked. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1936/1 to view the article. (9/26)
Virginia Hits Back at Florida, Seeks Atlas Launches for Wallops (Source: Parabolic Arc)
Virginians are pushing back against Florida efforts to maintain its monopoly on human spaceflight. Jack Kennedy, a board member of the Virginia spaceport authority, sent this email to supporters: "Space Florida is getting really aggressive and negative to the possibility of human commercial space launch from Wallops Island... I strongly urge you to communicate with Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Congressman Frank Wolf and Senator Mark Warner, in particular. Ask that they call upon Boeing to openly pledge to launch the Atlas-V from Virginia under the NASA Commercial Crew program by 2015." (9/26)
Tea Party Praises Congressional Complaint to GAO Against SLS (Source: TPIS)
Tea Party in Space (TPIS) endorsed Congressman Tom McClintock’s (R-CA) letter asking the GAO to investigate NASA’s plans to issue $32 billion in “no bid” contracts for the Space Launch System. “The GAO should stop this anti-competitive plan before it goes any further,” said TPIS President Andrew Gasser. (9/27)
NASA Sets Space Launch System Industry Briefing (Source: Parabolic Arc)
NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, agency procurement officials, and Space Launch System Program managers will meet with contractors and small-business entrepreneurs Sept. 29 for the Space Launch System Industry Day in Huntsville. NASA will brief industry representatives on the agency’s acquisition strategy for the Space Launch System program and provide an overview of the program, its organization and specific vehicle requirements. The event takes place from 7:55 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CDT during the Marshall Space Flight Center’s quarterly Small Business Alliance Meeting. (9/27)
NASA Panel Recommends Rotating Agency Personnel Embedded with Space Firms (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) have recommended that NASA personnel embedded at commercial companies should be rotated, in order to avoid them “going native”, which they fear threatens rule bending as the teams’ working relationship becomes closer over time. (9/27)
SpaceX Awaits Decision on Combining COTS Missions and Secondary Payloads (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
SpaceX is waiting on decision to see if they can combine their next two Dragon COTS missions. A decision is due on whether SpaceX will be allowed to combine the second and third demonstration flights to the ISS, which would result in a full mission through to the arrival at the Station. This decision is believed to be imminent, and will be made via Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Bill Gersteinmaier.
From the NASA side, only one real concern has been noted over recent months, relating to “Secondary Payloads” riding with the Falcon 9 into orbit. SpaceX – working to maximize the cost-effectiveness of their COTS/CRS missions – decided to include multiple ORBCOMM small satellites as passengers on the Falcon 9's second stage, allowing them to be deployed after the Dragon separates from the Falcon 9.
Another source has pointed to a different problem, this time with the “Stakeholders” – notably the Russians, who appear to be unsatisfied with the “performance data” supplied to them from the COTS 1 flight. The scenario points to a potential negative decision resulting in the COTS 2 mission in January, 2012 – which was the latest placeholder for the combined C2/C3 mission. It is likely no decision will be known until it is officially announced by NASA. No date has been set for such an announcement at this time. (9/27)
Ex-Astronauts Caution Congress (Source: Aviation Week)
The U.S. is in danger of losing its primacy in space exploration, and the economy stands to suffer as a result, two legendary moonwalkers told the House Science Committee Sep. 22. Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong and Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan, the first and last men, respectively, to walk on the Moon, told the panel that retiring the space shuttle without an alternative U.S. vehicle will make it harder to interest young students in the difficult math and science courses necessary to sustain the U.S. economy in the competitive global environment. (9/27)
Chinese Spacecraft Ready for Mission (Source: Xinhua)
Last-minute preparations for the launch of the Tiangong-1 spacecraft began at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Monday, meaning the vehicle can soon embark on a mission that will eventually have it dock with a spaceship. That feat, if carried out successfully, will mark the completion of China's first rendezvous and docking mission. At the launch site on Monday afternoon, crews were putting in place pipes and cables that will be used to inject fuel into the rocket that will carry Tiangong-1 into outer space. Without complications from the weather or other causes, the Long March II-F rocket will lift off from the launch center on Thursday or Friday. (9/27)
Bolden on Houston's Orbiter Loss: Embrace Future, Leave Past Behind (Source: Houston Chronicle)
During a visit to Johnson Space Center on Monday NASA administrator Charles Bolden took responsibility for a decision that ultimately denied the city of Houston its request to display a retired shuttle orbiter. A report by NASA Inspector General Paul Martin released in August concluded that a decision by Bolden overturned initial recommendations to award an orbiter to Houston. Bolden changed the process to favor the most heavily trafficked museums in tourist cities.
As a result museums in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and at Florida's Kennedy Space Center won the right to display retired space shuttles. "I'm trying to make sure, as the NASA administrator, that we expose the largest number of people from this country in the ability to see and touch and be close to an orbiter," Bolden said. He added that it's time for the city of Houston to move on, and to embrace its role in the future of NASA, not cling to its past. (9/27)
NASA Scientists Receive Presidential Early Career Awards (Source: NASA)
President Obama has named four NASA scientists as recipients of the 2010 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The NASA recipients and 90 other federal researchers will receive their awards in a ceremony on Oct. 14 in Washington. The PECASE awards represent the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. (9/26)
NOAA Makes Plans For Funding Cuts, Data Gap (Source: Aviation Week)
NOAA is working with the Obama administration to shield its multibillion-dollar weather satellite program from suffering collateral damage in congressional spending wars. And with a gap in polar-orbiting satellite coverage becoming more likely, the agency is also making contingency plans to share data with other nations. (9/27)
NASA Awards Architectural Contract For New Complex at KSC (Source: NASA)
NASA has selected Hunton Brady Architects, P.A. of Orlando to provide design, engineering, and other professional services required to develop a Central Campus Complex at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Central Campus Complex involves consolidating multiple facilities through new construction, the progressive deconstruction of targeted facilities and the potential renovation of existing facilities.
The new indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract begins Sept. 27, with a five-year base ordering period and potentially five, one-year options. The maximum potential value of this contract is $25 million. The Central Campus Complex project will be designed to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Silver status and strive for the highest achievable rating based on life cycle costs. (9/27)
NASA Awards Architectural Contract For Bridge Work at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: NASA)
NASA has selected FIGG Bridge Engineers Inc. of Tallahassee to provide architect engineer studies, designs and other professional services required for replacement bridges and rehabilitation of existing bridges at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (collectively the Cape Canaveral Spaceport) in Florida. The new indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract begins Sep. 27 and has a maximum potential value of $30 million. (9/27)
In 1929, cosmologists discovered that the universe is expanding — that space-time, the fabric of the cosmos, is stretching. Then in 1998, light coming from exploding stars called supernovas suggested that the universe is not only expanding, but that it has recently begun expanding faster and faster; its expansion has entered an "accelerating phase." This was bad news for the fate of the cosmos: An accelerating universe is ultimately racing toward a "Big Rip," the moment at which its size will become infinite and, in a flash, everything in it will be torn apart.
The discovery was bad news for the state of cosmology, too. Because gravity pulls stuff inward rather than pushing it out, cosmologists believed that the expansion of the universe ought to be slowing down, as everything in it felt the gravitational tug of everything else. They didn't understand the mechanism that seemed to be opposing the force of gravity, so to explain their observations, they invoked the existence of "dark energy," a mysterious, invisible substance that permeates space and drives its outward expansion.
Now, a new theory suggests that the accelerating expansion of the universe is merely an illusion, akin to a mirage in the desert. The false impression results from the way our particular region of the cosmos is drifting through the rest of space, said Christos Tsagas. Our relative motion makes it look like the universe as a whole is expanding faster and faster, while in actuality, its expansion is slowing down — just as would be expected from what we know about gravity. (9/27)
NASA's Associate Administrator for Science to Retire (Source: NASA)
Ed Weiler, who has worked almost 33 years as a leader in NASA's science exploration programs, will retire from the agency effective Sept. 30. Weiler most recently served as the associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, directing a variety of research and science programs in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science and astrophysics. Chuck Gay, the directorate's deputy associate administrator, will become the acting associate administrator until a permanent replacement is announced. (9/27)
GAO May Be Forced to Look at NASA's SLS Procurement (Source: Hobby Space)
Looks to me like the GAO will have to review the SLS procurement. There are several areas where the rules appear to be violated by the way NASA, under Congressional pressure, has planned the program. As the whitepaper points out, even if the NASA Authorization act pushes NASA towards this type of program, neither that bill nor any other relieves the agency of obeying the CICA restrictions for the SLS program. (9/27)
Piloted Orion/MPCV Test Flight Urged (Source: Aviation Week)
Lockheed Martin is moving out with development, test and production of the Orion/Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) that would lift off atop the evolvable mega-rocket for piloted deep-space missions. A 70-metric-ton version of the eventual, much larger SLS, perhaps fitted with a Boeing Delta 4 upper stage, could sling astronauts around the Moon in 2016, under a test flight scenario that Lockheed Martin has discussed with NASA.
The demonstration mission would accelerate plans for the first human mission of the four-person MPCV by five years. With $6 billion of the agreed-upon total, NASA would ready the capsule for a series of milestone flight tests, beginning with a mid-2013 two-orbit unpiloted mission. Lockheed Martin has reserved a Delta 4 Heavy for the demanding unpiloted flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, though the choice of launchers is under evaluation.
A second test of the Orion/MPCV’s Launch Abort System would follow a year later. Also lofted from Kennedy, the spacecraft would rise atop a Peacekeeper missile first-stage solid-fuel rocket motor to 50,000 ft. for release of the unpiloted capsule in a test of the abort system guidance and navigation controls at maximum aerodynamic pressure. Nationwide, the Orion/MPCV program employs nearly 2,700 workers. Another 300-400 will be added as the test capsule reaches KSC. (9/27)
Space Junk Problem: Is a Solar Sail Ship the Answer? (Source: GCN)
NASA is planning to test one method that could, among other things, be used to clear orbital paths of the kind of space junk that UARS had become. The agency recently announced plans to test a large solar sail as part of its an upcoming round of Technology Demonstration Missions aimed at improving space communications, deep space navigation and in-space propulsion capabilities. Solar sails aren’t new, but this one will be seven times the size of any previously flown, which NASA says will increase its utility for jobs such as deep-space exploration, advanced geostorm warnings and removal of orbital debris. (9/27)
NASA's Planet Hunter Needs Money to Keep Searching for Earth's Twins (Source: The Atlantic)
Other earths - rocky planets with liquid water and a decent atmosphere - would have the raw materials for life as we know it. Kepler can tell us how many of these earth-like planets there are, bringing us one huge step toward answering one of the most profound questions in science: are we alone? If we are, that'll be one stunning answer. If we aren't, that'll be a different kind of stunning answer.
Right now, the drive to find life elsewhere in the universe is in trouble. Two other important exoplanet proposals - The Terrestrial Planet Finder and the Space Interferometer Mission - have been put on permanent hold. The delayed James Webb Space Telescope is eating up more and more of NASA's science budget. And the general budgetary situation in Washington is bleak. Kepler keeps chugging along towards the end of its initial 3.5 year lifespan. But it needs a little more time to complete the work it was sent up to do. Normally, those funds would be easy to come up with, but given the belt tightening in Washington mission managers are getting genuinely nervous. (9/27)
NASA KSC and Space Coast Group Renew Collaboration (Source: SpaceRef)
NASA and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida's Space Coast on Oct. 3 will sign an agreement that continues economic development cooperation to support NASA's current and future missions and projects at the center. (9/27)
Already Unaffordable, SLS May Be In Violation of the Competition in Contracting Act (Source: SFF)
The Space Frontier Foundation voiced its strong support for a U.S. Congressional letter sent last week asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate possible violations of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) in NASA’s plans for buying a new super-heavy lift launch vehicle, frequently called the “Senate Launch System.” The Foundation urged the GAO to issue a “stay” on the project to prevent implementation of any contact modifications, extensions, or other actions until they complete a thorough investigation into the legality of NASA’s acquisition strategy for the Space Launch System. (9/27)
Venting Space Geek Frustration (Source: Daily Kos)
My zeal to explore - and indeed that of millions besides me - drives far beyond what the present state of politics (anywhere in the world) is implementing. I am tired of the endless compromising of the Space Age from a glorious Von Braunian vision of humanity mobilized to seek its destiny in the furthest reaches of the solar system into a poorly-funded, poorly-managed, aimless sideshow where handfuls compete for the rare privilege of spending a few weeks in Earth orbit while one or two robotic probes each decade are sent further. But there is hope - great hope. A hope that, like everything else worthwhile, takes an infuriating time gaining momentum.
I speak of SpaceX, and its leader Elon Musk (my personal hero). Musk is simultaneously using his business acumen and innovative talents to tackle solar energy, electric cars, and making space travel affordable - and he's winning. Slowly - eye-gougingly slowly - he is moving an entire world of immovable objects on the sheer power of daring and an inhuman ability to apparently work without sleep. But the heroic epic unfolding at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, CA is not what I want to focus on here. It is to ask the question, why is this man alone? Click here. (9/27)
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Programs Face Cuts (Source: Aviation Week)
The Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programs expanded dramatically after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A decade later, the Air Force is trying to decide which of the programs it can rein in amid budget cuts. (9/27)
Obama Administration Decides Deeper Defense Cuts are Not an Option (Source: AOL Defense)
The White House had been hinting that it was opposed to cutting the defense budget any further than a planned $450 billion. And now, several areas of the Obama administration have made it clear that further cuts beyond the $450 billion cannot be sustained. (9/27)
Embry-Riddle Will Fly, But is Ineligible to Win Green Flight Challenge (Source: NASA)
NASA is now down to three teams competing for the NASA funded prize purse for the Green Flight Challenge sponsored by Google. They are PhoEnix, Pipistrel-USA, and e-Genius. The team from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) was disqualified for not having the required ballistic parachute installed in their aircraft and not being able to fly with two pilots as required. After being petitioned by ERAU and the other teams, the challenge organizers will allow ERAU to fly the course and collect flight data.
The CAFE board approved their request and everyone appeared pleased. The other teams were very supportive of ERAU. ERAU will be permitted to fly on noninterference basis – tomorrow they will take off on the fuel efficiency flight about 15-20 minutes after the others depart. (9/27)
Minotaur Rocket Launches Military Satellite From Alaska Spaceport (Source: SPACErePORT)
A Minotaur-4 rocket launched a military TacSat 4 satellite from Alaska's spaceport on Kodiak Island. The Minotaur-4 was developed by Orbital Sciences Corp. using elements of decommissioned Peacekeeper missiles. The launch phase of the mission appeared to be a complete success, including faring separation. Faring issues were blamed for the failure of a couple of previous Orbital Sciences Corp. launches. (9/27)
Sunspot 1302 Continues to Turn Toward Earth (Source: NASA)
A strong-to-severe (Kp=8) geomagnetic storm is in progress following the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) at approximately 8:15a.m. EDT (12:15 UT) on Sept. 26. The Goddard Space Weather Lab reported a strong compression of Earth's magnetosphere. Simulations indicate that solar wind plasma has penetrated close to geosynchronous orbit starting at 9am. Geosynchronous satellites could therefore be directly exposed to solar wind plasma and magnetic fields. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall. (9/27)
Beyond a Rocket and a Capsule - What NASA Needs for Deep Space Exploration (Source: Satellite Spotlight)
With the announcement of the heavy lift Space Launch System (SLS), NASA has funding and clear direction to build a big rocket and the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) to carry a crew of four for 28 days. But if you look more closely, the agency needs to flesh out its technology portfolio quite a bit to get into the deep space exploration business. There are a lot of Powerpoint proposals floating around and some trial projects to further develop all the tools needed to go the Moon, an asteroid, or Mars. Click here. (9/27)
Bolden: New Rocket Differs from Constellation Because “It’s Going to be Disciplined” (Source: Houston Chronicle)
Right now the total [expected for exploration from Congress] is $3 billion a year...for the next five years. Inside that amount of money, in order to be affordable, Mark Geyers has got to bring forth a multi-purpose crew vehicle. Mark May at the Marshall Space Flight Center has got to bring together a heavy lift launch vehicle, and then the little pieces that go with it – getting the launch pad ready and everything.
We’ve got to meter the development of those programs so that we get to certain milestones yet to be determined. But we’ve pretty much got a good idea of what they’re going to be and we should be telling you here pretty quickly what those milestones are going to be... What’s going to be different? It’s going be disciplined, it’s going to be the way we do business and things like using students to help us develop modules, which we did not do before … really integrating students and academia into this. (9/27)
Bolden: JSC’s Role Will Stay the Same (Source: Bay Area Citizen)
Look for a leaner, more disciplined NASA in the future. And, look for the Johnson Space Center to continue its same role in the driver’s seat in the years ahead. That was the message NASA Administrator Charles Bolden brought to the Johnson Space Center Monday. But it won’t come without changes, he wanted to make clear. “We have to be affordable and we have to change the way we do business,” he said. “We direct the space program from here, and that’s not going to change. If you go to the Chris Kraft Mission Control Center, that’s where we’ve always controlled human space flight and we will continue to do that.” (9/27)
NASA Wants Internet Access In Space (Source: Information Week)
As space agency plans to send humans further into space, communications is a key challenge. NASA hopes to extend the use of the Internet across the solar system as one of a host of key enabling technologies to help achieve future goals for human space exploration. Among other technologies, a new international exploration plan calls for the expansion of the Internet throughout the solar system by developing advanced communication and space internetworking capabilities.
NASA and other agencies will test the technology by setting up disruptive tolerant networking nodes on the International Space Station to try to figure out how to handle long time delays and communications interruptions that come with deep space communication, according to the document. (9/27)
Vulture UAV Could Replace Downed Satellites (Source: Aviation Week)
The U.S. Navy is showing interest in DARPA’s Vulture solar-powered, ultra-endurance unmanned aircraft as a means of providing communications to carrier strike groups if satellites are knocked out. The Vulture program is developing technology for an unmanned aircraft able to stay aloft for up to five years. Boeing is designing a full-scale demonstrator with 30 days of endurance, which is planned to fly in the first quarter of 2014. (9/27)
Planetary Exploration's Radioactive Decay (Source: Space Review)
NASA's exploration of the outer solar system has been enabled by the use of plutonium-powered RTGs that generate electricity where solar panels would be ineffective. Jeff Foust reports how declining stocks of a plutonium isotope, and policy battles regarding how to fund its production, jeopardize future planetary missions. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1937/1 to view the article. (9/26)
Defending Apollo (Source: Space Review)
The recent movie "Apollo 18" has been panned by many critics, including in the pages of this publication. Dwayne Day argues that this movie does has some redeeming qualities, though, that should not be overlooked. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1936/1 to view the article. (9/26)
Virginia Hits Back at Florida, Seeks Atlas Launches for Wallops (Source: Parabolic Arc)
Virginians are pushing back against Florida efforts to maintain its monopoly on human spaceflight. Jack Kennedy, a board member of the Virginia spaceport authority, sent this email to supporters: "Space Florida is getting really aggressive and negative to the possibility of human commercial space launch from Wallops Island... I strongly urge you to communicate with Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Congressman Frank Wolf and Senator Mark Warner, in particular. Ask that they call upon Boeing to openly pledge to launch the Atlas-V from Virginia under the NASA Commercial Crew program by 2015." (9/26)
Tea Party Praises Congressional Complaint to GAO Against SLS (Source: TPIS)
Tea Party in Space (TPIS) endorsed Congressman Tom McClintock’s (R-CA) letter asking the GAO to investigate NASA’s plans to issue $32 billion in “no bid” contracts for the Space Launch System. “The GAO should stop this anti-competitive plan before it goes any further,” said TPIS President Andrew Gasser. (9/27)
NASA Sets Space Launch System Industry Briefing (Source: Parabolic Arc)
NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, agency procurement officials, and Space Launch System Program managers will meet with contractors and small-business entrepreneurs Sept. 29 for the Space Launch System Industry Day in Huntsville. NASA will brief industry representatives on the agency’s acquisition strategy for the Space Launch System program and provide an overview of the program, its organization and specific vehicle requirements. The event takes place from 7:55 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CDT during the Marshall Space Flight Center’s quarterly Small Business Alliance Meeting. (9/27)
NASA Panel Recommends Rotating Agency Personnel Embedded with Space Firms (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) have recommended that NASA personnel embedded at commercial companies should be rotated, in order to avoid them “going native”, which they fear threatens rule bending as the teams’ working relationship becomes closer over time. (9/27)
SpaceX Awaits Decision on Combining COTS Missions and Secondary Payloads (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
SpaceX is waiting on decision to see if they can combine their next two Dragon COTS missions. A decision is due on whether SpaceX will be allowed to combine the second and third demonstration flights to the ISS, which would result in a full mission through to the arrival at the Station. This decision is believed to be imminent, and will be made via Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Bill Gersteinmaier.
From the NASA side, only one real concern has been noted over recent months, relating to “Secondary Payloads” riding with the Falcon 9 into orbit. SpaceX – working to maximize the cost-effectiveness of their COTS/CRS missions – decided to include multiple ORBCOMM small satellites as passengers on the Falcon 9's second stage, allowing them to be deployed after the Dragon separates from the Falcon 9.
Another source has pointed to a different problem, this time with the “Stakeholders” – notably the Russians, who appear to be unsatisfied with the “performance data” supplied to them from the COTS 1 flight. The scenario points to a potential negative decision resulting in the COTS 2 mission in January, 2012 – which was the latest placeholder for the combined C2/C3 mission. It is likely no decision will be known until it is officially announced by NASA. No date has been set for such an announcement at this time. (9/27)
Ex-Astronauts Caution Congress (Source: Aviation Week)
The U.S. is in danger of losing its primacy in space exploration, and the economy stands to suffer as a result, two legendary moonwalkers told the House Science Committee Sep. 22. Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong and Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan, the first and last men, respectively, to walk on the Moon, told the panel that retiring the space shuttle without an alternative U.S. vehicle will make it harder to interest young students in the difficult math and science courses necessary to sustain the U.S. economy in the competitive global environment. (9/27)
Chinese Spacecraft Ready for Mission (Source: Xinhua)
Last-minute preparations for the launch of the Tiangong-1 spacecraft began at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Monday, meaning the vehicle can soon embark on a mission that will eventually have it dock with a spaceship. That feat, if carried out successfully, will mark the completion of China's first rendezvous and docking mission. At the launch site on Monday afternoon, crews were putting in place pipes and cables that will be used to inject fuel into the rocket that will carry Tiangong-1 into outer space. Without complications from the weather or other causes, the Long March II-F rocket will lift off from the launch center on Thursday or Friday. (9/27)
Bolden on Houston's Orbiter Loss: Embrace Future, Leave Past Behind (Source: Houston Chronicle)
During a visit to Johnson Space Center on Monday NASA administrator Charles Bolden took responsibility for a decision that ultimately denied the city of Houston its request to display a retired shuttle orbiter. A report by NASA Inspector General Paul Martin released in August concluded that a decision by Bolden overturned initial recommendations to award an orbiter to Houston. Bolden changed the process to favor the most heavily trafficked museums in tourist cities.
As a result museums in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and at Florida's Kennedy Space Center won the right to display retired space shuttles. "I'm trying to make sure, as the NASA administrator, that we expose the largest number of people from this country in the ability to see and touch and be close to an orbiter," Bolden said. He added that it's time for the city of Houston to move on, and to embrace its role in the future of NASA, not cling to its past. (9/27)
NASA Scientists Receive Presidential Early Career Awards (Source: NASA)
President Obama has named four NASA scientists as recipients of the 2010 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The NASA recipients and 90 other federal researchers will receive their awards in a ceremony on Oct. 14 in Washington. The PECASE awards represent the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. (9/26)
NOAA Makes Plans For Funding Cuts, Data Gap (Source: Aviation Week)
NOAA is working with the Obama administration to shield its multibillion-dollar weather satellite program from suffering collateral damage in congressional spending wars. And with a gap in polar-orbiting satellite coverage becoming more likely, the agency is also making contingency plans to share data with other nations. (9/27)
NASA Awards Architectural Contract For New Complex at KSC (Source: NASA)
NASA has selected Hunton Brady Architects, P.A. of Orlando to provide design, engineering, and other professional services required to develop a Central Campus Complex at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Central Campus Complex involves consolidating multiple facilities through new construction, the progressive deconstruction of targeted facilities and the potential renovation of existing facilities.
The new indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract begins Sept. 27, with a five-year base ordering period and potentially five, one-year options. The maximum potential value of this contract is $25 million. The Central Campus Complex project will be designed to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Silver status and strive for the highest achievable rating based on life cycle costs. (9/27)
NASA Awards Architectural Contract For Bridge Work at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: NASA)
NASA has selected FIGG Bridge Engineers Inc. of Tallahassee to provide architect engineer studies, designs and other professional services required for replacement bridges and rehabilitation of existing bridges at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (collectively the Cape Canaveral Spaceport) in Florida. The new indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract begins Sep. 27 and has a maximum potential value of $30 million. (9/27)
September 26, 2011
FAU Physicist Develops Mathematical Method to Find Satellite Galaxies (Source: Space Daily)
Sukanya Chakrabarti, Ph.D., at Florida Atlantic University, has developed a mathematical method called "tidal analysis" to find satellite, or dwarf, galaxies by analyzing the ripples in the hydrogen gas distribution in large spiral galaxies in outer space. Chakrabarti, who specializes in the study of astrophysics, black holes and galaxies, used this method to predict that a dwarf galaxy sat on the opposite side of the Milky Way from Earth earlier this year. This dwarf galaxy has been unseen to date because it is "dark" and obscured by the intervening gas and dust in the galaxy's disc. (9/26)
Florida Fusses Over Wallops Upgrades to Support 'Manned Spaceflight' (Source: Satellite Spotlight)
Florida space leaders are getting fussy about NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, specifically environmental impact documents saying the facility wants to support “manned spaceflight” as it starts upgrading its aging infrastructure. But there's a key word missing from the discussion of Wallops plans and it is “suborbital.”
The key here is the definition of “manned spaceflight.” Florida wants to make sure it retains its preeminence in orbital manned spaceflight operations, while from all indications Wallops is more interested in entertaining suborbital operations -- a state of affairs Florida can live with.
Wallops has only expressed an interest in suborbital manned operations -- but hasn't underlined the “suborbital” part. The facility has had some very preliminary discussions with suborbital firms, according to one NASA exec and Virgin Galactic. Manned suborbital operations with systems such as Virgin's SpaceShipTwo and XCOR's Lynx would take advantage of Wallops 8,000 foot runway, extensive range facilities, and controlled airspace. (9/26)
Space Coast Energy Consortium Plans November Symposium (Source: SCEC)
The Space Coast Energy Consortium is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Space Coast Energy Symposium scheduled for Nov. 17-18 at the Radisson Resort at Port Canaveral. With over 400 business, government and educational leaders throughout Central Florida expected to attend, the goal of the Symposium is to diversify the region’s post-Shuttle economy by sharing ideas on how to develop and attract clean energy enterprises. Click here for information. (9/26)
Changing NASA Mission Has Contractors Readying for New Program (Source: Washington Post)
As NASA’s missions change, the agency is restructuring its contracting program, and contractors are anticipating a new intiative worth millions over nearly 10 years. The initiative, known as the Test and Operations Support Contract or TOSC, covers ground systems work now being done as part of two other contracts, one held by Boeing and the other by the United Space Alliance.
The new program would provide NASA with services related to managing the ground systems used for flight launches, such as maintaining equipment, overseeing landings and performing simulations and experiments — the kinds of services that still will be required for remaining NASA programs and in the case of commercial launches. the agency is set to release a draft of the solicitation by the end of this month, and the final one is expected in December. Under the planned schedule, NASA would receive proposals in February and then make an award in the fall. (9/26)
Northrop Grumman Opens New HQ in Virginia (Source: Washington Business Journal)
Northrop Grumman Corp. officially unveiled its new headquarters Friday, hosting a ribbon-cutting at the Falls Church facility that now houses 500 employees. The ribbon cutting concludes a process that began in April 2010, when Northrop Grumman announced the company’s plan to move its corporate headquarters to Virginia. About 400 corporate employees will share the headquarters with 100 sector employees. Northrop counts nearly 20,000 employees located in the Washington area. (9/26)
Planet Hunters are Losing Count (Source: Sky & Telescope)
At last week's Extreme Solar Systems II conference, the main message I took away is that everybody is losing count as far as extrasolar planets are concerned. Yes, the canonical Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia lists an exact number: 687 confirmed as of Sep. 23. But it changes often now, and in jumps. Francesco Pepe announced the discovery of 16 new super-Earths among 50 new planet discoveries by the European HARPS radial-velocity spectrograph. At the same time, HARPS' team leader mentioned not 16 but 19 new super-Earths, and later that day he revised that number upward to 20.
That same day, Coel Hellier rushed his audience through the discovery of more than 23 new exoplanets found with the WASP-South transit survey (Wide-Angle Search for Planets), which monitors vast numbers of stars across the sky using small telescopes. More dramatically, Natalie Batalha announced well over 500 new exoplanet candidates from Kepler as part of its latest data release. “I think I mentioned a total of 1,781 candidates” from Kepler, she told me later that week, “but there are many more in the pipeline. At the end of the mission, we may easily have found over 3,000 candidates.” (9/26)
Sukanya Chakrabarti, Ph.D., at Florida Atlantic University, has developed a mathematical method called "tidal analysis" to find satellite, or dwarf, galaxies by analyzing the ripples in the hydrogen gas distribution in large spiral galaxies in outer space. Chakrabarti, who specializes in the study of astrophysics, black holes and galaxies, used this method to predict that a dwarf galaxy sat on the opposite side of the Milky Way from Earth earlier this year. This dwarf galaxy has been unseen to date because it is "dark" and obscured by the intervening gas and dust in the galaxy's disc. (9/26)
Florida Fusses Over Wallops Upgrades to Support 'Manned Spaceflight' (Source: Satellite Spotlight)
Florida space leaders are getting fussy about NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, specifically environmental impact documents saying the facility wants to support “manned spaceflight” as it starts upgrading its aging infrastructure. But there's a key word missing from the discussion of Wallops plans and it is “suborbital.”
The key here is the definition of “manned spaceflight.” Florida wants to make sure it retains its preeminence in orbital manned spaceflight operations, while from all indications Wallops is more interested in entertaining suborbital operations -- a state of affairs Florida can live with.
Wallops has only expressed an interest in suborbital manned operations -- but hasn't underlined the “suborbital” part. The facility has had some very preliminary discussions with suborbital firms, according to one NASA exec and Virgin Galactic. Manned suborbital operations with systems such as Virgin's SpaceShipTwo and XCOR's Lynx would take advantage of Wallops 8,000 foot runway, extensive range facilities, and controlled airspace. (9/26)
Space Coast Energy Consortium Plans November Symposium (Source: SCEC)
The Space Coast Energy Consortium is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Space Coast Energy Symposium scheduled for Nov. 17-18 at the Radisson Resort at Port Canaveral. With over 400 business, government and educational leaders throughout Central Florida expected to attend, the goal of the Symposium is to diversify the region’s post-Shuttle economy by sharing ideas on how to develop and attract clean energy enterprises. Click here for information. (9/26)
Changing NASA Mission Has Contractors Readying for New Program (Source: Washington Post)
As NASA’s missions change, the agency is restructuring its contracting program, and contractors are anticipating a new intiative worth millions over nearly 10 years. The initiative, known as the Test and Operations Support Contract or TOSC, covers ground systems work now being done as part of two other contracts, one held by Boeing and the other by the United Space Alliance.
The new program would provide NASA with services related to managing the ground systems used for flight launches, such as maintaining equipment, overseeing landings and performing simulations and experiments — the kinds of services that still will be required for remaining NASA programs and in the case of commercial launches. the agency is set to release a draft of the solicitation by the end of this month, and the final one is expected in December. Under the planned schedule, NASA would receive proposals in February and then make an award in the fall. (9/26)
Northrop Grumman Opens New HQ in Virginia (Source: Washington Business Journal)
Northrop Grumman Corp. officially unveiled its new headquarters Friday, hosting a ribbon-cutting at the Falls Church facility that now houses 500 employees. The ribbon cutting concludes a process that began in April 2010, when Northrop Grumman announced the company’s plan to move its corporate headquarters to Virginia. About 400 corporate employees will share the headquarters with 100 sector employees. Northrop counts nearly 20,000 employees located in the Washington area. (9/26)
Planet Hunters are Losing Count (Source: Sky & Telescope)
At last week's Extreme Solar Systems II conference, the main message I took away is that everybody is losing count as far as extrasolar planets are concerned. Yes, the canonical Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia lists an exact number: 687 confirmed as of Sep. 23. But it changes often now, and in jumps. Francesco Pepe announced the discovery of 16 new super-Earths among 50 new planet discoveries by the European HARPS radial-velocity spectrograph. At the same time, HARPS' team leader mentioned not 16 but 19 new super-Earths, and later that day he revised that number upward to 20.
That same day, Coel Hellier rushed his audience through the discovery of more than 23 new exoplanets found with the WASP-South transit survey (Wide-Angle Search for Planets), which monitors vast numbers of stars across the sky using small telescopes. More dramatically, Natalie Batalha announced well over 500 new exoplanet candidates from Kepler as part of its latest data release. “I think I mentioned a total of 1,781 candidates” from Kepler, she told me later that week, “but there are many more in the pipeline. At the end of the mission, we may easily have found over 3,000 candidates.” (9/26)
September 25, 2011
Privatization's Value Evident in Study (Source: Florida Today)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket would've cost almost three times as much to design, build and fly if it were done the way NASA usually does things. It's no shock that a small private company could field a rocket faster and cheaper, than the big, entangled government space program. It's somewhat surprising, however, to see someone put to paper how much more money it costs taxpayers when the government develops a rocket than when a private company does.
The potential differences in approach could have fundamental implications for the future of U.S. space launch, for both human exploration flights and unmanned missions. Using a sophisticated model developed by the space agency and the Air Force, experts initially determined it would cost a company following a "more commercial development approach" about $1.7 billion to develop the Falcon 9 rocket and build and launch the first rocket. If the rocket's development happened in the "NASA environment/culture," the model predicted the same project would cost about $4 billion.
Follow-up research and a revised estimate -- based on SpaceX's early success with the Falcon 1 rocket and other factors -- led to lower cost figures but the same giant disparity between the privatized model ($443 million) and the NASA way of doing things ($1.4 billion). To be clear, these are not SpaceX numbers. These are figures vetted by NASA and the Air Force. So, a long-standing cry that SpaceX is exaggerating its potential cost savings appears to be ill-founded. Click here. (9/25)
Russian-Ukrainian Rocket Sends European Satellite Into Orbit (Sources: RIA Novosti, Voice of Russia)
A Russian-Ukrainian Zenit carrier rocket has set European Atlantic Bird 7 satellite into orbit. The rocket took off from the Odyssey floating launch platform at the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The satellite’s weight is about 5 tons and its term of operation is 15 years. Its signal coverage includes Middle East, north and north-west of Africa.
This has been the first launch after a two years break in the operation of the Sea Launch consortium, which was set up in 1995 by Russian space corporation Energiya, Norwegian ship building company Aker solutions and a subsidiary of Boeing corporation. Sea Launch announced its bankruptcy in June 2009. In July 2010, Energia subsidiary Energia Overseas Limited (EOL) received 95% in Sea Launch by a bankruptcy court ruling. (9/25)
South African Space Agency to Use Space for the Benefit of All (Source: Times Live)
Sandile Malinga used to visit his only neighbor with a television set to watch Star Trek. Next week, he will introduce South Africa's new space administration to the biggest gathering of the world's space community at the International Astronautical Congress in Cape Town. But while astronauts and rocket scientists talk about ways of getting to Mars, Malinga, newly confirmed head of the South African National Space Agency (Sansa), will be looking for ways to use space to improve mealie fields, mineral finds and math results in rural parts of the country. (9/25)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket would've cost almost three times as much to design, build and fly if it were done the way NASA usually does things. It's no shock that a small private company could field a rocket faster and cheaper, than the big, entangled government space program. It's somewhat surprising, however, to see someone put to paper how much more money it costs taxpayers when the government develops a rocket than when a private company does.
The potential differences in approach could have fundamental implications for the future of U.S. space launch, for both human exploration flights and unmanned missions. Using a sophisticated model developed by the space agency and the Air Force, experts initially determined it would cost a company following a "more commercial development approach" about $1.7 billion to develop the Falcon 9 rocket and build and launch the first rocket. If the rocket's development happened in the "NASA environment/culture," the model predicted the same project would cost about $4 billion.
Follow-up research and a revised estimate -- based on SpaceX's early success with the Falcon 1 rocket and other factors -- led to lower cost figures but the same giant disparity between the privatized model ($443 million) and the NASA way of doing things ($1.4 billion). To be clear, these are not SpaceX numbers. These are figures vetted by NASA and the Air Force. So, a long-standing cry that SpaceX is exaggerating its potential cost savings appears to be ill-founded. Click here. (9/25)
Russian-Ukrainian Rocket Sends European Satellite Into Orbit (Sources: RIA Novosti, Voice of Russia)
A Russian-Ukrainian Zenit carrier rocket has set European Atlantic Bird 7 satellite into orbit. The rocket took off from the Odyssey floating launch platform at the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The satellite’s weight is about 5 tons and its term of operation is 15 years. Its signal coverage includes Middle East, north and north-west of Africa.
This has been the first launch after a two years break in the operation of the Sea Launch consortium, which was set up in 1995 by Russian space corporation Energiya, Norwegian ship building company Aker solutions and a subsidiary of Boeing corporation. Sea Launch announced its bankruptcy in June 2009. In July 2010, Energia subsidiary Energia Overseas Limited (EOL) received 95% in Sea Launch by a bankruptcy court ruling. (9/25)
South African Space Agency to Use Space for the Benefit of All (Source: Times Live)
Sandile Malinga used to visit his only neighbor with a television set to watch Star Trek. Next week, he will introduce South Africa's new space administration to the biggest gathering of the world's space community at the International Astronautical Congress in Cape Town. But while astronauts and rocket scientists talk about ways of getting to Mars, Malinga, newly confirmed head of the South African National Space Agency (Sansa), will be looking for ways to use space to improve mealie fields, mineral finds and math results in rural parts of the country. (9/25)
September 24, 2011
Supervisors Get Tour of Mojave Space Port (Source: Ridgecrest Daily Independent)
The Kern County Board of Supervisors met Thursday in a rather untypical setting – the Mojave Air and Space Port. Supervisor Zack Scrivner planned the special meeting at the location to introduce the Supervisors to Mojave’s high-tech aerospace test center. General Manager Stuart Witt offered a briefing on the history of the Mojave Air and Space Port for the Supervisors and members of the public. He spoke on the airport’s unique location and the assets that carries. Just this week, the space port held a grand opening for its new hangar, housing the newly completed aircraft for Virgin Galactic – the White Knight Two and Spaceship Two. (9/24)
First Phase of Construction at Spaceport America Nearly Complete (Source: KVUE)
The first commercial spaceport is rising in the desert of southern New Mexico. Construction crews are putting the final touches on the futuristic looking terminal and hangar as well as the dome-shaped operations center.
“We’re just about done with phase one,” said Christine Anderson, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. That construction should be completed by the end of the year. (9/24)
Japan Withholds Photos Taken by Expensive Satellites, Citing Security (Source: Mainichi Daily News)
The cost-benefit performance of Information Gathering Satellites (IGSs), which the government has launched at a cost of some 800 billion yen in taxpayers money, remains unclear because the photos they have taken and the details of their operations have been withheld. The government has said that the satellites, which are aimed primarily at monitoring military facilities in North Korea and other countries, also play an important role in gathering information in the event of a massive natural disaster. (9/24)
Editorial: Our Priceless Supremacy in Space (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer)
The recent retirement of the space shuttle brought an important era in American space exploration to a close. But it doesn't have to mean the end of American leadership in space. Just as Apollo led to the shuttle, there is always another chapter to be written in space. Whether America or another nation writes it, however, depends partly on critical decisions that the administration and Congress will make in the coming months.
Space leadership helps us in the near skies as well. Aeronautics advances enabled by space research have made civilian air travel safer and ensured that our air forces are the strongest in the world - as we saw when they helped stop Moammar Gadhafi's forces without a single U.S. casualty. Aerospace also remains one of the strongest U.S. manufacturing sectors, providing hundreds of thousands of high-skill, high-wage jobs. The industry generates exceptional returns in international trade.
America cannot settle for second place in space. And in many ways, the final Atlantis flight opens the door for change and continued growth. Indeed, the post-Atlantis world calls for more leadership, discovery, innovation, and creativity from NASA, not less. Everyone understands that federal funding is scarce. But cutting our commitment to space would sacrifice far more than it would save. (9/24)
Aerojet Expands Office in Alabama (Source: Sacramento Business Journal)
Rocket motor maker Aerojet announced Friday it is expanding its Huntsville, Alabama, office. Aerojet is subsidiary of California-based GenCorp. The office will expand to house up to 40 employees in engineering, business development and program support. Aerojet’s work in Huntsville is concentrated on solid and liquid propulsion for rockets, human spaceflight, specialty metals and warheads. (9/24)
Republican Lawmakers Call for Investigation of LightSquared Case (Source: Space news)
The political controversy over alleged ties between the White House and a company seeking U.S. government approval for a satellite-terrestrial broadband network serving North America widened Sep. 22, as Republican lawmakers called for a formal probe of the matter. Five Republicans on the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee expressed support for an “aggressive investigation” into why LightSquared received regulatory approvals from the FCC despite well-document concerns that its planned network would interfere with GPS applications, including national security. (9/24)
Virginia Spaceport Suggestion a KSC 'Betrayal' (Source: Florida Today)
A proposal by NASA's Wallops Flight Facility to support launches of human spaceflight missions from Virginia may pose a "direct threat" to the economy and workforce on the Space Coast, local leaders say. As part of a comprehensive environmental review of potential new operations, Wallops is considering the impact of infrastructure upgrades needed for unspecified manned missions.
Florida space and economic development officials weighed in with public comments, saying any NASA funding that supports launches of people on orbital flights from Virginia would be a wasteful duplication and further undermine a workforce reeling from the shuttle's retirement. A Wallops spokesman said the facility has no immediate plans to launch people, but its site-wide environmental review is exploring every possible opportunity to avoid additional costly studies down the road.
Weatherman and Space Florida President Frank DiBello say NASA shouldn't commit resources to establish a Wallops-based capability to launch crews to the International Space Station, given the agency's shrinking budget and congressional mandates to improve efficiency and support communities hurt by major program changes. With about 7,000 contractor jobs lost due to the space shuttle's retirement this year, "no community is more egregiously impacted than Florida," DiBello wrote. (9/24)
SpaceX Developing a Reusable Rocket, Plans Launch Tests in Texas (Source: Parabolic Arc)
SpaceX is developing an 106-foot tall reusable vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) rocket called Grasshopper based upon the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. It has applied for an experimental permit to conduct a series of flights up to 11,500 feet at its engine testing facility in McGregor, Texas. Here’s the description of the vehicle and its flight profile from a draft environmental impact assessment released by the FAA earlier this week:
"The Grasshopper RLV consists of a Falcon 9 Stage 1 tank, a Merlin-1D engine, four steel landing legs, and a steel support structure. Carbon overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), which are filled with either nitrogen or helium, are attached to the support structure...The overall height of the Grasshopper RLV is 106 feet, and the tank height is 85 feet."
"The Grasshopper test program expected to be conducted under an experimental permit would consist of three phases of test launches... SpaceX would repeat tests under each phase as necessary until SpaceX is ready to proceed to the next phase. Multiple test launches could occur each day during daytime hours only, and would be consistent with SpaceX’s lease with the City of McGregor. For example, SpaceX is prohibited from conducting engine tests between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. per SpaceX’s lease with the City of McGregor." Click here. (9/24)
Russian Spacecraft Makeover Could be Game Changer (Source: MyFOXHouston)
A spacecraft that what was once old is now new again thanks to a major makeover. And it could be a game changer for space exploration. Commercial aerospace company Excalibur Almaz USA has revamped a Russian spacecraft used in the 1970s and 80s. The company replaced the inside of the spacecraft with new technology. It's now called the re-usable return vehicle. The goal is to provide cargo and transportation to the international space station. There is no launch date set. The company is still fundraising. (9/24)
UARS Down, But Location Unknown (Source: Space Policy Online)
The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) reentered overnight Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, but NASA is not yet certain precisely when or where. (9/24)
The Kern County Board of Supervisors met Thursday in a rather untypical setting – the Mojave Air and Space Port. Supervisor Zack Scrivner planned the special meeting at the location to introduce the Supervisors to Mojave’s high-tech aerospace test center. General Manager Stuart Witt offered a briefing on the history of the Mojave Air and Space Port for the Supervisors and members of the public. He spoke on the airport’s unique location and the assets that carries. Just this week, the space port held a grand opening for its new hangar, housing the newly completed aircraft for Virgin Galactic – the White Knight Two and Spaceship Two. (9/24)
First Phase of Construction at Spaceport America Nearly Complete (Source: KVUE)
The first commercial spaceport is rising in the desert of southern New Mexico. Construction crews are putting the final touches on the futuristic looking terminal and hangar as well as the dome-shaped operations center.
“We’re just about done with phase one,” said Christine Anderson, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. That construction should be completed by the end of the year. (9/24)
Japan Withholds Photos Taken by Expensive Satellites, Citing Security (Source: Mainichi Daily News)
The cost-benefit performance of Information Gathering Satellites (IGSs), which the government has launched at a cost of some 800 billion yen in taxpayers money, remains unclear because the photos they have taken and the details of their operations have been withheld. The government has said that the satellites, which are aimed primarily at monitoring military facilities in North Korea and other countries, also play an important role in gathering information in the event of a massive natural disaster. (9/24)
Editorial: Our Priceless Supremacy in Space (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer)
The recent retirement of the space shuttle brought an important era in American space exploration to a close. But it doesn't have to mean the end of American leadership in space. Just as Apollo led to the shuttle, there is always another chapter to be written in space. Whether America or another nation writes it, however, depends partly on critical decisions that the administration and Congress will make in the coming months.
Space leadership helps us in the near skies as well. Aeronautics advances enabled by space research have made civilian air travel safer and ensured that our air forces are the strongest in the world - as we saw when they helped stop Moammar Gadhafi's forces without a single U.S. casualty. Aerospace also remains one of the strongest U.S. manufacturing sectors, providing hundreds of thousands of high-skill, high-wage jobs. The industry generates exceptional returns in international trade.
America cannot settle for second place in space. And in many ways, the final Atlantis flight opens the door for change and continued growth. Indeed, the post-Atlantis world calls for more leadership, discovery, innovation, and creativity from NASA, not less. Everyone understands that federal funding is scarce. But cutting our commitment to space would sacrifice far more than it would save. (9/24)
Aerojet Expands Office in Alabama (Source: Sacramento Business Journal)
Rocket motor maker Aerojet announced Friday it is expanding its Huntsville, Alabama, office. Aerojet is subsidiary of California-based GenCorp. The office will expand to house up to 40 employees in engineering, business development and program support. Aerojet’s work in Huntsville is concentrated on solid and liquid propulsion for rockets, human spaceflight, specialty metals and warheads. (9/24)
Republican Lawmakers Call for Investigation of LightSquared Case (Source: Space news)
The political controversy over alleged ties between the White House and a company seeking U.S. government approval for a satellite-terrestrial broadband network serving North America widened Sep. 22, as Republican lawmakers called for a formal probe of the matter. Five Republicans on the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee expressed support for an “aggressive investigation” into why LightSquared received regulatory approvals from the FCC despite well-document concerns that its planned network would interfere with GPS applications, including national security. (9/24)
Virginia Spaceport Suggestion a KSC 'Betrayal' (Source: Florida Today)
A proposal by NASA's Wallops Flight Facility to support launches of human spaceflight missions from Virginia may pose a "direct threat" to the economy and workforce on the Space Coast, local leaders say. As part of a comprehensive environmental review of potential new operations, Wallops is considering the impact of infrastructure upgrades needed for unspecified manned missions.
Florida space and economic development officials weighed in with public comments, saying any NASA funding that supports launches of people on orbital flights from Virginia would be a wasteful duplication and further undermine a workforce reeling from the shuttle's retirement. A Wallops spokesman said the facility has no immediate plans to launch people, but its site-wide environmental review is exploring every possible opportunity to avoid additional costly studies down the road.
Weatherman and Space Florida President Frank DiBello say NASA shouldn't commit resources to establish a Wallops-based capability to launch crews to the International Space Station, given the agency's shrinking budget and congressional mandates to improve efficiency and support communities hurt by major program changes. With about 7,000 contractor jobs lost due to the space shuttle's retirement this year, "no community is more egregiously impacted than Florida," DiBello wrote. (9/24)
SpaceX Developing a Reusable Rocket, Plans Launch Tests in Texas (Source: Parabolic Arc)
SpaceX is developing an 106-foot tall reusable vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) rocket called Grasshopper based upon the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. It has applied for an experimental permit to conduct a series of flights up to 11,500 feet at its engine testing facility in McGregor, Texas. Here’s the description of the vehicle and its flight profile from a draft environmental impact assessment released by the FAA earlier this week:
"The Grasshopper RLV consists of a Falcon 9 Stage 1 tank, a Merlin-1D engine, four steel landing legs, and a steel support structure. Carbon overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), which are filled with either nitrogen or helium, are attached to the support structure...The overall height of the Grasshopper RLV is 106 feet, and the tank height is 85 feet."
"The Grasshopper test program expected to be conducted under an experimental permit would consist of three phases of test launches... SpaceX would repeat tests under each phase as necessary until SpaceX is ready to proceed to the next phase. Multiple test launches could occur each day during daytime hours only, and would be consistent with SpaceX’s lease with the City of McGregor. For example, SpaceX is prohibited from conducting engine tests between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. per SpaceX’s lease with the City of McGregor." Click here. (9/24)
Russian Spacecraft Makeover Could be Game Changer (Source: MyFOXHouston)
A spacecraft that what was once old is now new again thanks to a major makeover. And it could be a game changer for space exploration. Commercial aerospace company Excalibur Almaz USA has revamped a Russian spacecraft used in the 1970s and 80s. The company replaced the inside of the spacecraft with new technology. It's now called the re-usable return vehicle. The goal is to provide cargo and transportation to the international space station. There is no launch date set. The company is still fundraising. (9/24)
UARS Down, But Location Unknown (Source: Space Policy Online)
The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) reentered overnight Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, but NASA is not yet certain precisely when or where. (9/24)
September 23, 2011
SpaceX, Roscosmos Cool Their Jets (Source: Aviation Week)
After years of delays, fledgling rocket company SpaceX is ready to launch NASA’s first commercial cargo mission to the International Space Station this fall. But that opportunity may continue to elude SpaceX for a while longer, as a recent Soyuz launch failure could prompt yet another schedule slip. And with less than two months remaining before the planned launch date, Dragon is still undergoing electromagnetic interference testing but is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral Spaceport by the end of September.
In the meantime, Russian investigators are probing the Aug. 24 Soyuz rocket failure that delayed a planned Sept. 21 manned mission to the station until Nov. 12, says Russian space agency Roscosmos. That mission will be preceded by the Oct. 30 launch of another Progress freighter. Gwynne Shotwell says the ISS program could conduct as many as four Russian missions to the space station before the SpaceX demo can occur. NASA is working with Roscosmos and SpaceX to reach a final decision on a target launch date for upcoming Soyuz missions and the COTS test flight. (9/23)
Space Florida Wins Clean Energy Jobs Grant (Source: EDA)
Under a new grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), Space Florida will lead a multi-agency project aimed at accelerating the growth of energy-sector jobs in the Central Florida region. Space Florida will work with NASA KSC, the Space Coast Energy Consortium, Brevard Workforce, and the Technological Research & Development Authority (TRDA). Click here for information. (9/22)
Jeff Bezos: Amazon's Rocket Man Keeps Getting Richer (Source: Forbes)
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos was one of the biggest dollar gainers on this year’s Forbes 400, adding $6.5 billion to his fortune over the past year — and managing to stay just ahead of Mark Zuckerberg, who is hot on his heels. Bezos’ boost comes on the back of an impressive 55% rise in Amazon shares, pegging his net worth at $19.1 billion. He’s now the 13th richest person in the U.S., just behind New York’s Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Bezos has kept quiet about his other big investment: Blue Origin, a highly secretive commercial space company he funds. Bezos has been funneling money into the Texas firm for years in hopes of developing a vertical take-off, vertical landing rocket. He broke with protocol and spoke out in early September when one of Blue Origin’s spacecraft crashed during a test flight. He issued a rare statement on Blue Origin’s blog only after locals told Forbes of the explosion. As Blue Origin works on its next development, so does Amazon — we presume, anyway. Bezos is one billionaire who can keep a secret. (9/23)
Petition Seeks to Reallocate Defense funds to NASA (Source: WhiteHouse.gov)
"Billions and Billions of dollars are thrown at the Military while NASA's budget continues to shrink causing them to cut programs which may actually benefit society unlike the wars we are currently involved in. America needs to wind down these wars and reallocate all that money into our space program and make it the inspiration that it was when Americans first landed on the Moon over 40 years ago. America and Humanity require a permanent presence in Space and no amount of telescopes or rovers are going to meet that requirement. Manned Missions are the only answer but NASA does not the have funds to make this vision a reality. Our President needs to see that investment in space is an investment in Americans, Jobs and the Future of Humanity." Click here to sign the petition. (9/23)
Blame Congress and Pork, Not NASA (Source: National Review)
Rory Cooper’s criticism of the space agency in National Review is notable not so much for what it says, but for what it leaves out of the story. Beyond that, it gets several things factually wrong. The Obama administration has been an ongoing policy disaster on almost every front, but space policy is one of the few things that it has gotten at least partially right. It is also one of the few areas in which it can legitimately say that it inherited a mess that it attempted to fix, in the face of resistance from the porkmeisters on the Hill.
I would also note that while Cooper’s litany of criticism of many of General Bolden’s statements is justified, the fact remains that for all the talk about “Muslim outreach,” there is nothing in the budget for it, and most of the nonsense that comes out of the administrator’s mouth is politically correct lip service, and has nothing to do with what the agency is actually doing. That said, let’s review Mr. Cooper’s misstated and incomplete narrative. Click here to read the article. (9/23)
Bolden: NASA Must Take More Risks to Remain Innovative (Source: Houston Chronicle)
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden says it is imperative for the agency to take risks if it wants to stay at the forefront of aeronautics research and exploration. "I think we actually have to demand more risks. If you want to be innovative, if you want to make advancements, if you want to do big leaps then you have to put some risk in your programs. You have to be willing to take chances and get it wrong every once in a while," Bolden said. "If something's going to go wrong in our world at NASA I want it to be because we're on the edge of the envelope." (9/23)
Rocketry Challenge Winners Come to Washington (Source: OSTP)
Michael Gerritsen, Colt McNally, Landon Fisher, and I visited Washington, DC as ambassadors for the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). We spoke on Capitol Hill on Sep. 14 and met with leaders in the Obama Administration, including his science and technology advisor Dr. John Holdren, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Our team of four competed in the Team America Rocketry Challenge, where students in 7-12th grades design, build, and fly a rocket to reach specific parameters while competing for over $60,000 in scholarships and prizes.
For the 2010-2011 challenge, the rocket entries were required to reach 750 feet in altitude and land in 40 to 45 seconds, all while carrying a raw egg payload. If the egg breaks, or even fractures, the team is disqualified. Over 600 teams from across the nation entered the challenge this past year, and only the top 100 qualifying teams were invited to compete at the national finals located in The Plains, Virginia on May 14. Our team was not only fortunate enough to make the top 100, but also to win the title of national champions. Later we became international champions at the 2011 Paris Airshow. (9/23)
Humans Envisioned On Mars In 25 Years (Source: Aviation Week)
The Global Exploration Roadmap, unveiled by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group on Sep. 22, offers two 25-year human pathways to Mars. One follows the “Asteroid next” approach favored by President Barack Obama, while the other features a “Moon next” gateway more akin to the George W. Bush administration’s scrapped Constellation program.
Representatives from 10 of the agencies met in Kyoto, Japan, on Aug. 30 to sign off on the release of the 45-page document, which will undergo further discussion, leading to a planned revision in 2012. Fluid in its outlook and five years in the making, the roadmap does not come with a price tag. Nor does it require binding agreements from existing participants or exclude newcomers, including the noticeably absent China. (9/23)
FAA Warns Pilots About Falling Satellite (Source: Florida Today)
The FAA is warning pilots flying aircraft today to be on the lookout for falling debris from a defunct NASA satellite that is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere. "It is critical that all pilots/flight crew members report any observed falling debris to the appropriate ATC facility and include position, altitude, time, and direction of debris observed." (9/23)
NASA Takes Next Step in Building New Heavy-Lift Rocket (Source: Huntsville Times)
NASA has taken the next step in building the new heavy-lift rocket that will carry Americans into deep space by posting an overview of how it plans to acquire needed parts and services for the rocket. The acquisition overview was posted Thursday on a federal business opportunities website.
Specifically, the announcement said NASA is planning work in the following areas: boosters, stages, avionics, engines, payload adaptors and farings, advanced development and systems engineering support. The announcement names the contracting officers and gives their contact information. NASA will discuss the acquisition strategy in detail Sep. 29 at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. (9/23)
Space Coast's Advanced Magnet Lab Awarded U.S. Department of Energy Grant (Source: AML)
Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc. (AML) has won a $700,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant to advance next generation wind turbine technology. AML was selected based on a proprietary innovative turbine generator which enables the development of the first fully superconducting direct-drive generator for large offshore wind turbines. These generators are up to 75% lighter, 50% smaller, more efficient and more reliable than systems in use today. This new technology could position the U.S. as a global leader in wind energy technologies, reduce the cost of wind energy, and support thousands of new manufacturing, construction and planning jobs. (9/23)
It's Still Impossible: Researchers Doubt Light-Speed Broken (Source: Cosmos)
Experiments out of CERN recording faster-than-light neutrinos, which arrived at their final destination 60 nanoseconds earlier than light, must be wrong, researchers say. "This is the cosmic speed limit and there are no known exceptions," says Robert Plunkett, a particle physicist at the Fermilab near Chicago. Massive accelerators, like those at CERN, are capable of pushing particles close to the speed of light, but not beyond it - a physical impossibility dictated by the laws that govern our universe. (9/23)
Aerospace Alliance Meets in Florida (Source: NWF Daily News)
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, are working together to improve the region’s multi-billion dollar aerospace industry. The Aerospace Alliance held its first summit Friday at Sandestin to bring together government and business leaders from the four states to discuss ways expand the industry. “We need a collaborative effort to really make things happen,” said Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll.
Carroll said one of the biggest challenges her administration has dealt with is where to go with the space program after the Space Shuttle. The space program is a $65 billion industry in Florida, responsible for about 700,000 jobs, and Carroll was adamant the program wasn’t going away. Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey said the space industry is central to the entire armed forces, but that America’s military advantage will disappear if it is not the leading space power on Earth. “The space program is a disaster,” McCaffrey said. “I would argue right now we’re No. 2 in space. The Russians are in a slight lead. We’ve got to do something about it.”
“We want to be shameless promoters of the resources we have in the area for aerospace because nobody can touch it,” said Gray Swoope, Florida’s secretary of commerce. “Nobody can touch the resources we have in these four states combined in aviation, in space, in the aerospace industry anywhere in the world. We have a unique opportunity together as four states to tell our story.” (9/16)
After UARS, Second Big Satellite Set to Resist Re-Entry Burn-Up (Source: New Scientist)
Even if NASA's 6-tonne UARS satellite does not cause any injury or damage when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere today, there is more space junk headed our way next month. A defunct German space telescope called ROSAT is set to hit the planet at the end of October – and it even is more likely than UARS to cause injury or damage in populated areas. (9/23)
Emptyhanded: Search for Russian Progress Spacecraft Debris in Discontinued (Source: Itar-Tass)
Roscosmos has discontinued the search in the Republic of Altai for the debris of the Progress M-12M cargo craft, which crashed in the region on Aug. 24. The search party, based in the village of Artybash, the Turachak district, for all the time, will return to Moscow. The search for Progress fragments will continue during launch and post-launch operations in the officially designated RP-327 area of fall of used stages of rockets, launched from Baikonur. Editor's Note: Maybe it fell in Peru? (9/23)
No Space Question During Debate, But Gingrich Gets One in Pre-Interview (Source: CFnews13)
Space advocates from Florida and elsewhere struck out in their efforts to add a space-focused question to the Republican presidential candidates' debate in Orlando on Sep. 22. However, CFnews13 conducted a pre-debate interview with Newt Gingrich, where he once again spoke in favor of commercial space development. Here's a video of the interview. The space question is asked toward the end at 5:45. (9/23)
Japan Launches New Spy Satellite to Beef Up Surveillance (Source: Straits Times)
Japan launched a new spy satellite into orbit on Friday, officials said, in its latest effort to beef up surveillance against the threat of North Korean missiles. The Japanese H-2A rocket carrying a new information-gathering optical satellite lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in south-western Japan. (9/23)
Hatchet Job: Obama’s NASA - Leading From Behind (Source: National Review)
President Obama’s NASA unveiled its new rocket system designed to lift man into space sometime after 2021 with no clear mission or objective. This is just the latest in a long string of embarrassments for NASA since Administrator Charles Bolden and Deputy Administrator Lori Garver took over. In Jan. 2010, Bolden labeled NASA an “Earth improvement agency” and said it would essentially scrap manned space exploration and concentrate on “researching and monitoring climate change.” This redefined mission came with additional funding. NASA was going to spend more, and do less.
Then in July 2010, Administrator Bolden announced NASA’s mission as threefold: (1) “re-inspire children”; (2) “expand our international relationships”; and “foremost” (3) “reach out to the Muslim world.” He condescendingly explained that Muslim outreach would help Islamic nations “feel good” about their scientific accomplishments.
In this same interview, Bolden “inspired children” by declaring the United States could never reach beyond low-earth orbit again, as it did alone from 1968–1971, without international help, saying: “We’re not going to go anywhere beyond low earth orbit as a single entity. The United States can’t do it, China can’t do it — no single nation is going to go to a place like Mars alone.” Click here. (9/23)
Surf, Sand & Space: The Astronaut Beach House (Source: Universe Today)
Astronauts preparing to launch into space for the better part of the last four decades have had a welcome refuge – the astronaut beach house. This small two-level structure it is often missed by those that are ferried past it to the nearby launch pads. The astronaut beach house is — for those set to thunder into orbit – a vital place to collect their thoughts before they make history.
Let’s take a look inside, as three astronauts provide Universe Today with a guided tour of this historic and storied house. They include Dr. Sam Durrance (former director of the Florida Space Research Institute), Embry-Riddle alumni Nicole Stott, and Robert Springer. Click here. (9/23)
Rep. Hall Announces Investigation Into Unauthorized NOAA Climate Service (Source: SpaceRef)
House Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX) will initiate a formal Committee investigation into the formation of a "climate service" at NOAA. Hall's announcement follows nearly ten months of Committee inquiry and correspondence related to actions by NOAA to stand up a climate service, triggered by NOAA senior official Tom Karl's statement that the agency is currently performing as if such a service were currently in place.
NOAA is precluded from establishing or implementing a climate service unless explicitly authorized by Congress to do so. Hall has repeatedly called on NOAA to clarify the nature of their Climate Service activities. In recent correspondence to the Committee, NOAA acknowledged that "at times some NOAA staff engaged in climate services activities referred to themselves or their existing teams in shorthand, using terms such as 'NCS' or 'Climate Service'; however NOAA has not changed its organizational structure to establish or implement a Climate Service Line Office." (9/22)
After years of delays, fledgling rocket company SpaceX is ready to launch NASA’s first commercial cargo mission to the International Space Station this fall. But that opportunity may continue to elude SpaceX for a while longer, as a recent Soyuz launch failure could prompt yet another schedule slip. And with less than two months remaining before the planned launch date, Dragon is still undergoing electromagnetic interference testing but is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral Spaceport by the end of September.
In the meantime, Russian investigators are probing the Aug. 24 Soyuz rocket failure that delayed a planned Sept. 21 manned mission to the station until Nov. 12, says Russian space agency Roscosmos. That mission will be preceded by the Oct. 30 launch of another Progress freighter. Gwynne Shotwell says the ISS program could conduct as many as four Russian missions to the space station before the SpaceX demo can occur. NASA is working with Roscosmos and SpaceX to reach a final decision on a target launch date for upcoming Soyuz missions and the COTS test flight. (9/23)
Space Florida Wins Clean Energy Jobs Grant (Source: EDA)
Under a new grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), Space Florida will lead a multi-agency project aimed at accelerating the growth of energy-sector jobs in the Central Florida region. Space Florida will work with NASA KSC, the Space Coast Energy Consortium, Brevard Workforce, and the Technological Research & Development Authority (TRDA). Click here for information. (9/22)
Jeff Bezos: Amazon's Rocket Man Keeps Getting Richer (Source: Forbes)
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos was one of the biggest dollar gainers on this year’s Forbes 400, adding $6.5 billion to his fortune over the past year — and managing to stay just ahead of Mark Zuckerberg, who is hot on his heels. Bezos’ boost comes on the back of an impressive 55% rise in Amazon shares, pegging his net worth at $19.1 billion. He’s now the 13th richest person in the U.S., just behind New York’s Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Bezos has kept quiet about his other big investment: Blue Origin, a highly secretive commercial space company he funds. Bezos has been funneling money into the Texas firm for years in hopes of developing a vertical take-off, vertical landing rocket. He broke with protocol and spoke out in early September when one of Blue Origin’s spacecraft crashed during a test flight. He issued a rare statement on Blue Origin’s blog only after locals told Forbes of the explosion. As Blue Origin works on its next development, so does Amazon — we presume, anyway. Bezos is one billionaire who can keep a secret. (9/23)
Petition Seeks to Reallocate Defense funds to NASA (Source: WhiteHouse.gov)
"Billions and Billions of dollars are thrown at the Military while NASA's budget continues to shrink causing them to cut programs which may actually benefit society unlike the wars we are currently involved in. America needs to wind down these wars and reallocate all that money into our space program and make it the inspiration that it was when Americans first landed on the Moon over 40 years ago. America and Humanity require a permanent presence in Space and no amount of telescopes or rovers are going to meet that requirement. Manned Missions are the only answer but NASA does not the have funds to make this vision a reality. Our President needs to see that investment in space is an investment in Americans, Jobs and the Future of Humanity." Click here to sign the petition. (9/23)
Blame Congress and Pork, Not NASA (Source: National Review)
Rory Cooper’s criticism of the space agency in National Review is notable not so much for what it says, but for what it leaves out of the story. Beyond that, it gets several things factually wrong. The Obama administration has been an ongoing policy disaster on almost every front, but space policy is one of the few things that it has gotten at least partially right. It is also one of the few areas in which it can legitimately say that it inherited a mess that it attempted to fix, in the face of resistance from the porkmeisters on the Hill.
I would also note that while Cooper’s litany of criticism of many of General Bolden’s statements is justified, the fact remains that for all the talk about “Muslim outreach,” there is nothing in the budget for it, and most of the nonsense that comes out of the administrator’s mouth is politically correct lip service, and has nothing to do with what the agency is actually doing. That said, let’s review Mr. Cooper’s misstated and incomplete narrative. Click here to read the article. (9/23)
Bolden: NASA Must Take More Risks to Remain Innovative (Source: Houston Chronicle)
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden says it is imperative for the agency to take risks if it wants to stay at the forefront of aeronautics research and exploration. "I think we actually have to demand more risks. If you want to be innovative, if you want to make advancements, if you want to do big leaps then you have to put some risk in your programs. You have to be willing to take chances and get it wrong every once in a while," Bolden said. "If something's going to go wrong in our world at NASA I want it to be because we're on the edge of the envelope." (9/23)
Rocketry Challenge Winners Come to Washington (Source: OSTP)
Michael Gerritsen, Colt McNally, Landon Fisher, and I visited Washington, DC as ambassadors for the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). We spoke on Capitol Hill on Sep. 14 and met with leaders in the Obama Administration, including his science and technology advisor Dr. John Holdren, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Our team of four competed in the Team America Rocketry Challenge, where students in 7-12th grades design, build, and fly a rocket to reach specific parameters while competing for over $60,000 in scholarships and prizes.
For the 2010-2011 challenge, the rocket entries were required to reach 750 feet in altitude and land in 40 to 45 seconds, all while carrying a raw egg payload. If the egg breaks, or even fractures, the team is disqualified. Over 600 teams from across the nation entered the challenge this past year, and only the top 100 qualifying teams were invited to compete at the national finals located in The Plains, Virginia on May 14. Our team was not only fortunate enough to make the top 100, but also to win the title of national champions. Later we became international champions at the 2011 Paris Airshow. (9/23)
Humans Envisioned On Mars In 25 Years (Source: Aviation Week)
The Global Exploration Roadmap, unveiled by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group on Sep. 22, offers two 25-year human pathways to Mars. One follows the “Asteroid next” approach favored by President Barack Obama, while the other features a “Moon next” gateway more akin to the George W. Bush administration’s scrapped Constellation program.
Representatives from 10 of the agencies met in Kyoto, Japan, on Aug. 30 to sign off on the release of the 45-page document, which will undergo further discussion, leading to a planned revision in 2012. Fluid in its outlook and five years in the making, the roadmap does not come with a price tag. Nor does it require binding agreements from existing participants or exclude newcomers, including the noticeably absent China. (9/23)
FAA Warns Pilots About Falling Satellite (Source: Florida Today)
The FAA is warning pilots flying aircraft today to be on the lookout for falling debris from a defunct NASA satellite that is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere. "It is critical that all pilots/flight crew members report any observed falling debris to the appropriate ATC facility and include position, altitude, time, and direction of debris observed." (9/23)
NASA Takes Next Step in Building New Heavy-Lift Rocket (Source: Huntsville Times)
NASA has taken the next step in building the new heavy-lift rocket that will carry Americans into deep space by posting an overview of how it plans to acquire needed parts and services for the rocket. The acquisition overview was posted Thursday on a federal business opportunities website.
Specifically, the announcement said NASA is planning work in the following areas: boosters, stages, avionics, engines, payload adaptors and farings, advanced development and systems engineering support. The announcement names the contracting officers and gives their contact information. NASA will discuss the acquisition strategy in detail Sep. 29 at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. (9/23)
Space Coast's Advanced Magnet Lab Awarded U.S. Department of Energy Grant (Source: AML)
Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc. (AML) has won a $700,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant to advance next generation wind turbine technology. AML was selected based on a proprietary innovative turbine generator which enables the development of the first fully superconducting direct-drive generator for large offshore wind turbines. These generators are up to 75% lighter, 50% smaller, more efficient and more reliable than systems in use today. This new technology could position the U.S. as a global leader in wind energy technologies, reduce the cost of wind energy, and support thousands of new manufacturing, construction and planning jobs. (9/23)
It's Still Impossible: Researchers Doubt Light-Speed Broken (Source: Cosmos)
Experiments out of CERN recording faster-than-light neutrinos, which arrived at their final destination 60 nanoseconds earlier than light, must be wrong, researchers say. "This is the cosmic speed limit and there are no known exceptions," says Robert Plunkett, a particle physicist at the Fermilab near Chicago. Massive accelerators, like those at CERN, are capable of pushing particles close to the speed of light, but not beyond it - a physical impossibility dictated by the laws that govern our universe. (9/23)
Aerospace Alliance Meets in Florida (Source: NWF Daily News)
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, are working together to improve the region’s multi-billion dollar aerospace industry. The Aerospace Alliance held its first summit Friday at Sandestin to bring together government and business leaders from the four states to discuss ways expand the industry. “We need a collaborative effort to really make things happen,” said Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll.
Carroll said one of the biggest challenges her administration has dealt with is where to go with the space program after the Space Shuttle. The space program is a $65 billion industry in Florida, responsible for about 700,000 jobs, and Carroll was adamant the program wasn’t going away. Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey said the space industry is central to the entire armed forces, but that America’s military advantage will disappear if it is not the leading space power on Earth. “The space program is a disaster,” McCaffrey said. “I would argue right now we’re No. 2 in space. The Russians are in a slight lead. We’ve got to do something about it.”
“We want to be shameless promoters of the resources we have in the area for aerospace because nobody can touch it,” said Gray Swoope, Florida’s secretary of commerce. “Nobody can touch the resources we have in these four states combined in aviation, in space, in the aerospace industry anywhere in the world. We have a unique opportunity together as four states to tell our story.” (9/16)
After UARS, Second Big Satellite Set to Resist Re-Entry Burn-Up (Source: New Scientist)
Even if NASA's 6-tonne UARS satellite does not cause any injury or damage when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere today, there is more space junk headed our way next month. A defunct German space telescope called ROSAT is set to hit the planet at the end of October – and it even is more likely than UARS to cause injury or damage in populated areas. (9/23)
Emptyhanded: Search for Russian Progress Spacecraft Debris in Discontinued (Source: Itar-Tass)
Roscosmos has discontinued the search in the Republic of Altai for the debris of the Progress M-12M cargo craft, which crashed in the region on Aug. 24. The search party, based in the village of Artybash, the Turachak district, for all the time, will return to Moscow. The search for Progress fragments will continue during launch and post-launch operations in the officially designated RP-327 area of fall of used stages of rockets, launched from Baikonur. Editor's Note: Maybe it fell in Peru? (9/23)
No Space Question During Debate, But Gingrich Gets One in Pre-Interview (Source: CFnews13)
Space advocates from Florida and elsewhere struck out in their efforts to add a space-focused question to the Republican presidential candidates' debate in Orlando on Sep. 22. However, CFnews13 conducted a pre-debate interview with Newt Gingrich, where he once again spoke in favor of commercial space development. Here's a video of the interview. The space question is asked toward the end at 5:45. (9/23)
Japan Launches New Spy Satellite to Beef Up Surveillance (Source: Straits Times)
Japan launched a new spy satellite into orbit on Friday, officials said, in its latest effort to beef up surveillance against the threat of North Korean missiles. The Japanese H-2A rocket carrying a new information-gathering optical satellite lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in south-western Japan. (9/23)
Hatchet Job: Obama’s NASA - Leading From Behind (Source: National Review)
President Obama’s NASA unveiled its new rocket system designed to lift man into space sometime after 2021 with no clear mission or objective. This is just the latest in a long string of embarrassments for NASA since Administrator Charles Bolden and Deputy Administrator Lori Garver took over. In Jan. 2010, Bolden labeled NASA an “Earth improvement agency” and said it would essentially scrap manned space exploration and concentrate on “researching and monitoring climate change.” This redefined mission came with additional funding. NASA was going to spend more, and do less.
Then in July 2010, Administrator Bolden announced NASA’s mission as threefold: (1) “re-inspire children”; (2) “expand our international relationships”; and “foremost” (3) “reach out to the Muslim world.” He condescendingly explained that Muslim outreach would help Islamic nations “feel good” about their scientific accomplishments.
In this same interview, Bolden “inspired children” by declaring the United States could never reach beyond low-earth orbit again, as it did alone from 1968–1971, without international help, saying: “We’re not going to go anywhere beyond low earth orbit as a single entity. The United States can’t do it, China can’t do it — no single nation is going to go to a place like Mars alone.” Click here. (9/23)
Surf, Sand & Space: The Astronaut Beach House (Source: Universe Today)
Astronauts preparing to launch into space for the better part of the last four decades have had a welcome refuge – the astronaut beach house. This small two-level structure it is often missed by those that are ferried past it to the nearby launch pads. The astronaut beach house is — for those set to thunder into orbit – a vital place to collect their thoughts before they make history.
Let’s take a look inside, as three astronauts provide Universe Today with a guided tour of this historic and storied house. They include Dr. Sam Durrance (former director of the Florida Space Research Institute), Embry-Riddle alumni Nicole Stott, and Robert Springer. Click here. (9/23)
Rep. Hall Announces Investigation Into Unauthorized NOAA Climate Service (Source: SpaceRef)
House Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX) will initiate a formal Committee investigation into the formation of a "climate service" at NOAA. Hall's announcement follows nearly ten months of Committee inquiry and correspondence related to actions by NOAA to stand up a climate service, triggered by NOAA senior official Tom Karl's statement that the agency is currently performing as if such a service were currently in place.
NOAA is precluded from establishing or implementing a climate service unless explicitly authorized by Congress to do so. Hall has repeatedly called on NOAA to clarify the nature of their Climate Service activities. In recent correspondence to the Committee, NOAA acknowledged that "at times some NOAA staff engaged in climate services activities referred to themselves or their existing teams in shorthand, using terms such as 'NCS' or 'Climate Service'; however NOAA has not changed its organizational structure to establish or implement a Climate Service Line Office." (9/22)
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