Debris Strikes Shuttle, NASA Expects No Serious Damage (Source: AIA)
NASA officials said a piece of debris may have struck Endeavour's nose after the launch on Tuesday. They said the debris probably did not do much damage to the shuttle if it did strike the nose because the shuttle's velocity was relatively slow. Experts are examining a video of the launch to learn where the debris came from.
Atlas 5 Launch Cleared for Thursday (Source: AIA)
Officials have cleared the launch of the Atlas 5 planned for Thursday. The rocket will carry a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office and will launch from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.
ATV Propulsion Glitch Resolved (Source: SpaceToday.net)
European engineers have resolved a problem with the propulsion system on the first ATV cargo spacecraft, keeping the mission on track for a docking with the International Space Station next month. Shortly after its launch early Sunday, spacecraft controllers noticed a problem with the primary propulsion system on the ATV, where a "significant difference" in pressure between the fuel and oxidizer in the primary propulsion system caused computers on the spacecraft to shut it down. Engineers uplinked new commands to the spacecraft's electronics and, after shutting down the spacecraft's entire propulsion system, turned it back on successfully. The ATV performed a series of maneuvers on Tuesday that confirmed the propulsion system was working well. The spacecraft, the first in a series of European robotic cargo spacecraft, is still scheduled to dock with the ISS in early April after performing a number of approach and rendezvous tests after the current shuttle mission.
How to Get to Alpha Centauri (Source: Space.com)
Sending a person to Alpha Centauri within a human lifetime wouldn't be easy. Alpha Centauri is 4.37 light-years away — more than 25.6 trillion miles, or more than 276,000 times the distance from the Earth to the sun. But the lure has never been stronger. Scientists last week said the Alpha Centauri system has the ingredients for an Earth-like planet, and they think they can spot it. Conventional rockets are nowhere near efficient enough. At a maximum speed of about 17,600 mph (about 28,300 kph), it would take the space shuttle, for example, about 165,000 years to reach Alpha Centauri. Visit http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/080313-tw-centauri-travel.html to learn about the various potential technologies to speed the trip.
Starship Troopers: Fleet of the Spacecraft (Source: The Independent)
A fleet of spacecraft is devoted to maintaining and supplying the ISS, delivering new crew-members, bringing astronauts home and ferrying cargo back and forth. These are the private jets, trash cans, trucks and escape modules of space, yet rarely do they attract the attention of the public on the planet below. Rockets may look explosive, but they are just the engines that deliver these craft to the edge of the atmosphere, where the real mission begins. Visit http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/starship-troopers-fleet-of-the-spacecraft-794369.html to view the article.
Cassini to Make Close Pass of Enceladus (Source: SpaceToday.net)
NASA's Cassini spacecraft will pass within 50 kilometers of the surface of the Saturnian moon Enceladus on Wednesday on a flyby that scientists hope will revolutionize their knowledge of the moon. On Cassini's closest approach to Enceladus, the spacecraft will be only 50 kilometers from the surface of the 500-kilometer-diameter moon. The spacecraft will be about 200 kilometers above the surface when it flies above geysers of water ice previously observed on Enceladus. The close flyby poses no risk to the spacecraft, mission official said, even when taking into account the particles of ice and dust ejected from the moon by its geysers. Scientists hope the close approach will help them understand the composition of the geysers.
Lawmakers Use Launch to Pitch NASA (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Space shuttle Endeavour lit up the night sky at Kennedy Space Center early Tuesday as it roared into orbit, thrilling onlookers, including a group of 19 influential members of Congress. The group was led by Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, and Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Texas, a powerful NASA booster in Washington whose district includes Johnson Space Center in Houston. Gordon and Lampson said they hoped to impress the delegation with the spectacle of a night shuttle launch. "We want members to take back the message of the importance of NASA and make them understand the agency has ripple effect throughout the economy," Gordon said.
Station a Sharing Endeavor (Source: Florida Today)
Recent flights of so many international components of the International Space Station gives the appearance the United States is outnumbered in orbit. However, agreements negotiated in the 1990s before construction began give NASA a hold on a big share of the real estate aboard the growing space laboratory. The agreements give the U.S. control of 49 percent of the Europeans' Columbus lab, which was installed last month, as well as 49 percent of Japan's sprawling Kibo complex, the first piece of which will reach the station tonight. International officials and scientists expect constructive collaboration on experiments in areas such as drug testing, growing crystals and counter-acting bone and muscle loss caused by living for long periods of time in microgravity. "We pretty much have a sharing agreement," NASA space operations chief Bill Gerstenmaier said after launch.
NASA Extends Contract for Astronaut Training Facilities (Source: NASA)
NASA has issued a contract extension with a potential value of $78.25 million to Raytheon Technical Services to support facilities and operations for astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center and the Sonny Carter Training Facility in Houston. The contract for operations at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory/Space Vehicle Mockup Facility will continue support to the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Constellation Programs. Work includes supporting astronauts and other subjects in an underwater, neutrally buoyant environment; maintenance and upgrade of mechanical, hydraulic, fluid and electrical systems; design and manufacture of space vehicle mockups; and operation of the two facilities. The contract's current value is $111.51 million.
NSS Chapter Plans Exhibit at KSC All American Picnic on March 29 (Source: NSS)
The National Space Society's Space Coast Chapter will sponsor an exhibit at the annual Kennedy Space Center "All American Picnic" on March 29. The picnic is a celebration open to spaceport workers and their families. Visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/215951main_03-04-08.pdf for information on the event.
China's Recoverable Moon Rover Expected In 2017 (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Beijing (XNA) Mar 12, 2008 - China will have a recoverable moon rover, which will carry back lunar soil samples, by 2017 if technical research "progresses smoothly," said the chief designer of Chang'e-1, the country's first moon probe, here Tuesday. China plans to land a probe on the moon in 2013.
EADS Goes Into Red With Loss of 446 Million Euros (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The European aerospace group EADS, which owns planemaker Airbus, went into the red in 2007 with a net loss of 446 million euros ($684.6 million), caused by delays with its A400M military plane. In 2008 EADS expects to considerably improve its earnings to 1.8 billion euros against 52 million in 2007. Late last month the US awarded an aerial refuelling tanker contract worth $35 billion to EADS and the US group Northrop Grumman, instead of to US group Boeing, which has said it may protest the decision. It was a stunning upset for Boeing, until now the sole supplier of air refueling planes to the US military.
Space Station Will Get Major Robot Arm Upgrade (Source: EE Times)
Space Shuttle Endeavour is carrying a Canadian-built humanoid robotic arm with unprecedented dexterity for a space robot. The Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, or Dextre, was launched as part of a shuttle mission to the International Space Station. The orbiter is also carrying the Japanese Kibo laboratory module. Dextre has has an upper body that pivots at the waist and shoulders that support two identical arms, each with a hand with seven joints. The crew will install and begin testing Dextre, which will become the primary tool for maintaining and servicing the space station.
India to Launch Dedicated Meteorological Satellite (Source: India PR Wire)
India is set to launch an advanced meteorological satellite by the end of this year to boost its weather forecasting capabilities. The satellite INSAT-3D will give 'quantum jump in satellite meteorology', P.S. Goel, secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said. This satellite is almost similar to GOES Satellites of the US and will have six channel imagers. The INSAT-3D data will provide quantitative outputs like vertical profiles of temperature and humidity, atmospheric motion vectors, sea surface temperature, snow cover and other related forecasts.
AIAA Applauds Initiative to Modify Nation's Export Controls (Source: AIAA)
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) welcomes the proposal by the National Security Space Office (NSSO) to prudently but meaningfully modify the federal government's export control regime, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Controls on critical technology are essential to safeguard national security, but any policy must be measured by its actual effect on economic security as well as national security. As currently implemented, ITAR has adversely affected the strength and vibrancy of the domestic space industrial base.
Many other nations are now pursuing their own space programs, from operational control of communications satellites to manned space exploration, challenging U.S. preeminence in commercial and defense space capabilities. AIAA supports the NSSO's view that a targeted, strategic revision of export control policy is needed to ensure continued U.S. leadership in space technology. To that end, a public hearing organized by the Aerospace States Association was held on prospective strategic changes to the national export control regime. Over a dozen entities from industry, academia, government and the media sent representatives.
Brown Scientist Answers How Peruvian Meteorite Made It to Earth (Source: Brown University)
It made news around the world: On Sept. 15, 2007, an object hurtled through the sky and crashed into the Peruvian countryside. Scientists dispatched to the site near the village of Carancas found a gaping hole in the ground. Peter Schultz, professor of geological sciences at Brown University and an expert in extraterrestrial impacts, went to Peru to learn more. What Schultz and his team found is surprising. The object that slammed into a dry riverbed in Peru was a meteorite, and it left a 49-foot-wide crater. Soil ejected from the point of impact was found nearly four football fields away. When Schultz’s team analyzed the soil where the fireball hit, he found “planar deformation features,” or fractured lines in sand grains found in the ground. Scientists think it was traveling at roughly 15,000 miles per hour at the moment of impact.
Scientists have determined the Carancas fireball was a stony meteorite – a fragile type long thought to be ripped into pieces as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere and then leaves little more than a whisper of its journey. Yet the stony meteorite that struck Peru survived its passage mostly intact before impact. “This just isn’t what we expected,” Schultz said. “It was to the point that many thought this was fake. It was completely inconsistent with our understanding how stony meteorites act.” Visit http://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2007-08/07-113.html to view the article.
Europe to Build Lab to Study how Stars Evolve and Elements Form in Cosmos (Source: European Science Foundation)
One of the great ongoing challenges of astrophysics, to find out how stars evolve and die, is to be tackled in an ambitious European research program. This will involve studying in the laboratory over 25 critical nuclear reactions using low-energy stable beams of ions, in order to understand stellar evolution. Although astrophysicists have been studying these questions for half a century, progress has been held back by the experimental difficulties involved. But now there is the opportunity to exploit new technology to build a major laboratory that would propel Europe to the head of the field of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. “We now want to build a state of the art facility to disentangle all these problems,” said an official.
March 11 News Items
Lockheed Bids on $1 Billion Satellite Deal (Source: Washington Post)
Lockheed Martin submitted a bid to NASA to design and build weather satellites in a program valued at more than $1 billion. The contract is scheduled to be awarded by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center late this year and to include two satellites -- with first delivery in 2014 -- and options for two more.
Alabama Officials Successfully Court Aerospace Industry (Source: AIA)
Officials in Mobile, Ala., have made a concerted effort to attract aerospace companies to their city over the past few years. They visited Seattle to get a sense of how the city accommodates large aerospace firms. Their diligence has paid off: European aerospace company EADS has pledged to build refueling tankers and commercial jetliners in Mobile.
Satellite-Based Air Traffic Control Needed to Meet Demand (Source: AIA)
FAA officials on Monday forecast slow passenger growth for carriers in the near term. Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell also noted that long-term demand will only be met if the nation shifts to a satellite-based air traffic control system.
China to Use Jumbo Rocket for Delivery of Lunar Rover, Space Station (Source: Xinhua)
A Chinese space expert said the Long March 5 large-thrust carrier rocket, currently under development and scheduled to be put into service in 2014, will be mainly used for the delivery of lunar rovers, large satellites and space stations. "With a maximum payload capacity up to 25 tons, the jumbo rocket is expected to be able to send lunar rovers, large satellites and space stations into space after 2014," said Liang Xiaohong, vice president of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The rocket's development was approved by the central authorities in 2007 following two decades of feasibility study.
Editorial: Legislators Should Do More to Lure Space Investments (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Florida's long-standing and lucrative title as the nation's space capital could be stolen. As the space-shuttle program winds down and the commercial space industry begins to take off, the Sunshine State will get left on the launch pad unless legislators do more to keep up with the competition. In Florida, space is a $2 billion-a-year industry supporting jobs in 47 of 67 counties -- some of the best jobs in a state still too dependent on low-wage work. NASA is expected to announce soon that 4,000 shuttle jobs will disappear when the program ends.
Legislators representing the Space Coast -- Republicans Bill Posey in the Senate and Thad Altman in the House -- have sponsored a series of proposals that deserve support from other legislators, even in a tight budget year. More high-wage jobs will help Florida recover from this slump and better withstand the next one. One of the legislators' proposals would create an incentive fund to attract space investments -- the same approach Florida has used to land biomedical investments. The money would go further in this case, because unions representing space workers have offered to match state dollars.
Another solid proposal would create a joint effort among universities, businesses, NASA and the military to spur space-related research and development to diversify Florida's space activities beyond launch-related programs. And another proposal would make space investments eligible for the same kind of state tax incentives for which defense-industry investments already qualify. This one's really a no-brainer. These kinds of strategies are critical to keeping the space industry aloft in Florida.
Shuttle Lifts Off on Mission to ISS (Source: SpaceToday.net)
The space shuttle Endeavour lifted off early Tuesday on a mission to deliver a Japanese laboratory module and robotic arm system to the International Space Station. The rare night launch took place with no significant problems reported during the countdown. Endeavour will spend the next 16 days in orbit, 12 of them docked to the ISS. Five spacewalks are planned for the mission, the most for any shuttle mission to the ISS. One member of the STS-123 crew, Garrett Reisman, will remain on the station after the shuttle departs, with ISS crew member Leopold Eyharts returning on the shuttle.
Trump Space Hotels? (Source: Space Cruise News)
Are Trump and Bigelow (sic) making a deal?...It may be TRUMP Space Hotels opening in early 2012. It is rumored that two more billionaires, Robert Bigelow, head of Bigelow Aerospace, developers of the world's first space habitat and Donald J Trump, Real Estate impresario, are close to a deal that will put the TRUMP name on Bigelow's Genesis I and II and perhaps III and more that will host the weary space traveler for the night. The deal, as we understand, would have Trump license Bigelow for an undisclosed amount of cash plus a percentage based on annual revenue. All travelers would indemnify Trump accepting all risks. Lots of details to be worked out but it sound pretty spacey to us! Visit http://www.spacecruisenews.com/ to view the article.
Lockheed Martin submitted a bid to NASA to design and build weather satellites in a program valued at more than $1 billion. The contract is scheduled to be awarded by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center late this year and to include two satellites -- with first delivery in 2014 -- and options for two more.
Alabama Officials Successfully Court Aerospace Industry (Source: AIA)
Officials in Mobile, Ala., have made a concerted effort to attract aerospace companies to their city over the past few years. They visited Seattle to get a sense of how the city accommodates large aerospace firms. Their diligence has paid off: European aerospace company EADS has pledged to build refueling tankers and commercial jetliners in Mobile.
Satellite-Based Air Traffic Control Needed to Meet Demand (Source: AIA)
FAA officials on Monday forecast slow passenger growth for carriers in the near term. Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell also noted that long-term demand will only be met if the nation shifts to a satellite-based air traffic control system.
China to Use Jumbo Rocket for Delivery of Lunar Rover, Space Station (Source: Xinhua)
A Chinese space expert said the Long March 5 large-thrust carrier rocket, currently under development and scheduled to be put into service in 2014, will be mainly used for the delivery of lunar rovers, large satellites and space stations. "With a maximum payload capacity up to 25 tons, the jumbo rocket is expected to be able to send lunar rovers, large satellites and space stations into space after 2014," said Liang Xiaohong, vice president of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The rocket's development was approved by the central authorities in 2007 following two decades of feasibility study.
Editorial: Legislators Should Do More to Lure Space Investments (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Florida's long-standing and lucrative title as the nation's space capital could be stolen. As the space-shuttle program winds down and the commercial space industry begins to take off, the Sunshine State will get left on the launch pad unless legislators do more to keep up with the competition. In Florida, space is a $2 billion-a-year industry supporting jobs in 47 of 67 counties -- some of the best jobs in a state still too dependent on low-wage work. NASA is expected to announce soon that 4,000 shuttle jobs will disappear when the program ends.
Legislators representing the Space Coast -- Republicans Bill Posey in the Senate and Thad Altman in the House -- have sponsored a series of proposals that deserve support from other legislators, even in a tight budget year. More high-wage jobs will help Florida recover from this slump and better withstand the next one. One of the legislators' proposals would create an incentive fund to attract space investments -- the same approach Florida has used to land biomedical investments. The money would go further in this case, because unions representing space workers have offered to match state dollars.
Another solid proposal would create a joint effort among universities, businesses, NASA and the military to spur space-related research and development to diversify Florida's space activities beyond launch-related programs. And another proposal would make space investments eligible for the same kind of state tax incentives for which defense-industry investments already qualify. This one's really a no-brainer. These kinds of strategies are critical to keeping the space industry aloft in Florida.
Shuttle Lifts Off on Mission to ISS (Source: SpaceToday.net)
The space shuttle Endeavour lifted off early Tuesday on a mission to deliver a Japanese laboratory module and robotic arm system to the International Space Station. The rare night launch took place with no significant problems reported during the countdown. Endeavour will spend the next 16 days in orbit, 12 of them docked to the ISS. Five spacewalks are planned for the mission, the most for any shuttle mission to the ISS. One member of the STS-123 crew, Garrett Reisman, will remain on the station after the shuttle departs, with ISS crew member Leopold Eyharts returning on the shuttle.
Trump Space Hotels? (Source: Space Cruise News)
Are Trump and Bigelow (sic) making a deal?...It may be TRUMP Space Hotels opening in early 2012. It is rumored that two more billionaires, Robert Bigelow, head of Bigelow Aerospace, developers of the world's first space habitat and Donald J Trump, Real Estate impresario, are close to a deal that will put the TRUMP name on Bigelow's Genesis I and II and perhaps III and more that will host the weary space traveler for the night. The deal, as we understand, would have Trump license Bigelow for an undisclosed amount of cash plus a percentage based on annual revenue. All travelers would indemnify Trump accepting all risks. Lots of details to be worked out but it sound pretty spacey to us! Visit http://www.spacecruisenews.com/ to view the article.
March 10 News Items
Countdown to Hardship as Shuttle Nears Retirement (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Brevard County officials are counting down to what looks like a dark and troubled future. The county is facing thousands of imminent job losses and unexpected hitches in attracting new space business. According to Washington insiders, NASA -- which until now has refrained from putting numbers on work-force losses -- will announce in two weeks that 4,000 jobs will disappear with the shuttle in 2010. Experts anticipate another few thousand associated jobs will follow suit.
Space advocates say it is unlikely that the new opportunities in commercial space that Florida has been chasing will come close to making up those numbers. Even more worrying: the state is facing increasingly tough competition from other launch sites in the U.S. and around the globe. The news that Orbital might launch its new rocket from Virginia was a huge blow to Florida's assumptions that all NASA-related launch activity would gravitate to the cape.
Florida Space Day Marks Renewed Effort to Boost Industry (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
In recent weeks, Brevard County has hired Wexler & Walker, a big Washington lobbying firm, to press Congress for more space opportunities. County officials and space advocates are also hitting Tallahassee hard. The traditionally festive Space Day at the Capitol was transformed from a purely symbolic event into a series of hurried, closed-door pleas for state incentives. Teams from Lockheed Martin, Space Florida and NASA scrambled to hit all 160 members of the state Legislature.
Their tactics were exhaustive, and so was the wish list. They asked for a new $45 million space incentive fund to lure companies looking to relocate. They also wanted a grab-bag of other financial sweeteners for aviation and aerospace companies willing to do business in Florida. These included extending tax breaks previously offered to defense contractors, and pumping $20 million into a multi-university research and technology center that could cluster space-related brain power.
State budget writers are also being asked to extend work-force retraining dollars for the thousands of soon-to-be unemployed shuttle workers. Legislators have already filed bills to give future commercial space ventures immunity to lawsuits in the event of deaths except in cases of negligence. Visit http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/orl-shuttle1008mar10,0,2450152.story?page=1 to view the article.
Engineers Assess Problem Aboard Jules Verne Craft (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
An electronics box on Europe's first cargo ship shut down a propulsion system command chain responsible for a quarter of the space-age delivery truck's maneuvering thrusters. Officials stationed in a control center in Toulouse, France, are working to analyze the problem. During the propulsion system's activation sequence moments after reaching orbit, Jules Verne's computers noticed a slight pressure difference between the ship's hydrazine fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer being fed through valves. The suspect chain is redundant and controls seven of 28 attitude control jets and one the ship's four main engines.
Investment in Entrepreneurial Innovation: why cooperate? (Source: Space Review)
In the highly competitive world of business, why should companies work together to help develop a new industry? Paul Eckert explains why various companies and organizations are doing just that to help promote the entrepreneurial space sector. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1080/1 to view the article.
Hoping for a Reality Tomorrow (Source: Space Review)
Last week's Goddard Memorial Symposium provided an opportunity not just to look back at the first 50 years of the Space Age, but to also look ahead to the next 50. Jeff Foust reports on what the administrator of NASA and the president's science advisor hope today will be become the reality of tomorrow. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1079/1 to view the article.
Space Weapons Agreements, Treaties, and Politics (Source: Space Review)
Recent events have renewed the debate on the effectiveness of a treaty banning space weapons. Taylor Dinerman discusses the arguments made in opposition to such a treaty made by a senior State Department official last week. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1078/1 to view the article.
South Korea Changes Astronaut for April Mission (Source: SpaceToday.net)
South Korean officials have replaced the man who was scheduled to be the first Korean in space with his alternate after he broke rules during training. Ko San, a 31-year-old technology researcher, was selected in September to fly to the ISS on a Soyuz taxi flight to the ISS next month. However, South Korea's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology replaced him Monday after Russian officials cited two rules violations by Ko: he shipped a training manual back home and also reviewed a manual containing information that he was not authorized to see. Ko will be replaced by his alternate, Yi So-yeon, a 29-year-old biotechnology researcher. The two were named finalists in late 2006 out of 36,000 who participated in a national competition; Yi trained in parallel with Ko after Ko was named to the flight in September. Yi will become only the second Asian woman to fly in space.
SpaceX Contracted to Carry ORS Payload (Source: UPI)
California-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp. says it has been contracted to carry the Operationally Responsive Space Office's first jumpstart mission onboard a June Falcon-one launch. Defense officials say the payload, expected to be decided before the scheduled SpaceX Flight readiness review, could include an Air Force Research Laboratory plug and play satellite bus, SpaceDev Inc. Trailblazer spacecraft bus or an Air Force Office of Scientific Research NanoSat-4, CUSat for the space testing.
Florida Teachers Soar Into Space Lessons (Source: Central Florida 13)
Math and science can be a drag for some students. But as News 13's Tiffany Greene explains, teachers across the state are learning how to make those subjects soar off the page. But before the students in the classroom can lift off with new lesson plans, the teachers have to know what they're talking about. Space Florida is helping educators do just that.
In a recent session, 22 middle school and high school teachers from 12 counties defied gravity, conducted experiments and learned about space shuttle missions. What they are learned is making it easier for them to introduce new topics to their students -- topics like like microgravity research. "Anytime you are able to convey something you have experienced on your own, you are able to articulate it that much better with that much more content knowledge and that much more enthusiasm," said Susan Borland, of the Tallahassee Challenger Learning Center.
GAO IDs Space Acquisitions Woes (Source: Aviation Week)
In testimony before the Senate on March 4, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted that although DOD has made strides in addressing cost overruns and delays in space acquisitions, it continues to face persistent problems. "The majority of major acquisition programs in DOD's space portfolio have experienced problems, resulting in cost growth close to or exceeding 100 percent on some programs," said a GAO official.
GAO cited five notable programs that have incurred "substantial cost growth and schedule delays": the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communications satellite, the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF program. GAO acknowledged that DOD is operating in a challenging environment, pressured "to deliver new, transformational capabilities" while managing "problematic, older satellite programs" that continue to cost money, constrain investment dollars and pose a risk to capabilities.
Brevard County officials are counting down to what looks like a dark and troubled future. The county is facing thousands of imminent job losses and unexpected hitches in attracting new space business. According to Washington insiders, NASA -- which until now has refrained from putting numbers on work-force losses -- will announce in two weeks that 4,000 jobs will disappear with the shuttle in 2010. Experts anticipate another few thousand associated jobs will follow suit.
Space advocates say it is unlikely that the new opportunities in commercial space that Florida has been chasing will come close to making up those numbers. Even more worrying: the state is facing increasingly tough competition from other launch sites in the U.S. and around the globe. The news that Orbital might launch its new rocket from Virginia was a huge blow to Florida's assumptions that all NASA-related launch activity would gravitate to the cape.
Florida Space Day Marks Renewed Effort to Boost Industry (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
In recent weeks, Brevard County has hired Wexler & Walker, a big Washington lobbying firm, to press Congress for more space opportunities. County officials and space advocates are also hitting Tallahassee hard. The traditionally festive Space Day at the Capitol was transformed from a purely symbolic event into a series of hurried, closed-door pleas for state incentives. Teams from Lockheed Martin, Space Florida and NASA scrambled to hit all 160 members of the state Legislature.
Their tactics were exhaustive, and so was the wish list. They asked for a new $45 million space incentive fund to lure companies looking to relocate. They also wanted a grab-bag of other financial sweeteners for aviation and aerospace companies willing to do business in Florida. These included extending tax breaks previously offered to defense contractors, and pumping $20 million into a multi-university research and technology center that could cluster space-related brain power.
State budget writers are also being asked to extend work-force retraining dollars for the thousands of soon-to-be unemployed shuttle workers. Legislators have already filed bills to give future commercial space ventures immunity to lawsuits in the event of deaths except in cases of negligence. Visit http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/orl-shuttle1008mar10,0,2450152.story?page=1 to view the article.
Engineers Assess Problem Aboard Jules Verne Craft (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
An electronics box on Europe's first cargo ship shut down a propulsion system command chain responsible for a quarter of the space-age delivery truck's maneuvering thrusters. Officials stationed in a control center in Toulouse, France, are working to analyze the problem. During the propulsion system's activation sequence moments after reaching orbit, Jules Verne's computers noticed a slight pressure difference between the ship's hydrazine fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer being fed through valves. The suspect chain is redundant and controls seven of 28 attitude control jets and one the ship's four main engines.
Investment in Entrepreneurial Innovation: why cooperate? (Source: Space Review)
In the highly competitive world of business, why should companies work together to help develop a new industry? Paul Eckert explains why various companies and organizations are doing just that to help promote the entrepreneurial space sector. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1080/1 to view the article.
Hoping for a Reality Tomorrow (Source: Space Review)
Last week's Goddard Memorial Symposium provided an opportunity not just to look back at the first 50 years of the Space Age, but to also look ahead to the next 50. Jeff Foust reports on what the administrator of NASA and the president's science advisor hope today will be become the reality of tomorrow. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1079/1 to view the article.
Space Weapons Agreements, Treaties, and Politics (Source: Space Review)
Recent events have renewed the debate on the effectiveness of a treaty banning space weapons. Taylor Dinerman discusses the arguments made in opposition to such a treaty made by a senior State Department official last week. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1078/1 to view the article.
South Korea Changes Astronaut for April Mission (Source: SpaceToday.net)
South Korean officials have replaced the man who was scheduled to be the first Korean in space with his alternate after he broke rules during training. Ko San, a 31-year-old technology researcher, was selected in September to fly to the ISS on a Soyuz taxi flight to the ISS next month. However, South Korea's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology replaced him Monday after Russian officials cited two rules violations by Ko: he shipped a training manual back home and also reviewed a manual containing information that he was not authorized to see. Ko will be replaced by his alternate, Yi So-yeon, a 29-year-old biotechnology researcher. The two were named finalists in late 2006 out of 36,000 who participated in a national competition; Yi trained in parallel with Ko after Ko was named to the flight in September. Yi will become only the second Asian woman to fly in space.
SpaceX Contracted to Carry ORS Payload (Source: UPI)
California-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp. says it has been contracted to carry the Operationally Responsive Space Office's first jumpstart mission onboard a June Falcon-one launch. Defense officials say the payload, expected to be decided before the scheduled SpaceX Flight readiness review, could include an Air Force Research Laboratory plug and play satellite bus, SpaceDev Inc. Trailblazer spacecraft bus or an Air Force Office of Scientific Research NanoSat-4, CUSat for the space testing.
Florida Teachers Soar Into Space Lessons (Source: Central Florida 13)
Math and science can be a drag for some students. But as News 13's Tiffany Greene explains, teachers across the state are learning how to make those subjects soar off the page. But before the students in the classroom can lift off with new lesson plans, the teachers have to know what they're talking about. Space Florida is helping educators do just that.
In a recent session, 22 middle school and high school teachers from 12 counties defied gravity, conducted experiments and learned about space shuttle missions. What they are learned is making it easier for them to introduce new topics to their students -- topics like like microgravity research. "Anytime you are able to convey something you have experienced on your own, you are able to articulate it that much better with that much more content knowledge and that much more enthusiasm," said Susan Borland, of the Tallahassee Challenger Learning Center.
GAO IDs Space Acquisitions Woes (Source: Aviation Week)
In testimony before the Senate on March 4, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted that although DOD has made strides in addressing cost overruns and delays in space acquisitions, it continues to face persistent problems. "The majority of major acquisition programs in DOD's space portfolio have experienced problems, resulting in cost growth close to or exceeding 100 percent on some programs," said a GAO official.
GAO cited five notable programs that have incurred "substantial cost growth and schedule delays": the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communications satellite, the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF program. GAO acknowledged that DOD is operating in a challenging environment, pressured "to deliver new, transformational capabilities" while managing "problematic, older satellite programs" that continue to cost money, constrain investment dollars and pose a risk to capabilities.
March 9 News Items
Hawaiian Spaceport Bill Advances (Sources: Space Politics, Res Communis)
Hawaii's House of Representatives approved unanimously HB-2259, legislation that supports work to develop a commercial spaceport in the state. Specifically, the legislation appropriates an unspecified sum to the state’s Office of Aerospace Development “to conduct feasibility studies for a spaceport and to pay for consultation and other expenses incurred in applying to the FAA for a commercial space transportation license.” The bill now goes to the Hawaii Senate.
Among the bill's findings: "The legislature finds that outer space is the next frontier and an industry in its infancy for the united States. Four decades after the courageous efforts that put human beings on the moon, advances in manufacturing are making it possible for others to experience the thrill and joy of being “weekend astronauts.” Space tourism is a potential billion dollar global industry. As a new industry, it holds tremendous economic potential for Hawaii while preserving our precious environment. Besides expanding our sources of revenue, space tourism will provide Hawaii residents the opportunity of highly skilled aerospace jobs without leaving home for the mainland. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to issue a limited number of licenses for space ports, and accordingly, the legislature finds that it is incumbent on the State to position Hawaii for the economic advantages a license can bring."
Space Tourism: KSC Visitor Complex Wins Attraction Award for Shuttle Experience (Source: KSCVC)
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, operated on behalf of NASA by Delaware North Companies, was honored Saturday with a prestigious Thea Award for its new Shuttle Launch Experience. Shuttle Launch Experience garnered the Thea award from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) for outstanding achievement in the attraction category. TEA lauded Shuttle Launch Experience for "maximizing the power of suggestion, sensory effects, and great storytelling to deliver the heart pounding impression of the journey into space that is experienced by the astronauts." The attraction upholds Kennedy Space Center's tradition of scholarship "through visual communication excellence," TEA said.
Growing Crowd Joins Weldon To Criticize Plan to Cede Space Leadership to Russians and Chinese (Source: SpaceRef.com)
Rep. Dave Weldon has been trumpeting concern and drawing attention to the Bush Administration's disastrous decision to leave America without direct human access to space for years. Now there is a growing chorus of officials who share Weldon's concerns. NASA Administrator Mike Griffin recently admitted that the issue puts the U.S. in a strategically dangerous position and that it is his "greatest regret and concern" that America will be essentially shut out of space for a period of at least five years.
"This is one the biggest strategic blunders I've seen," said Weldon. "While I have supported the Administration on many decisions, this is one of it's worst. Leaving America without access to space for 5 years or more, they have essentially ceded the 'ultimate high ground' to the Russians and Chinese, who have not exactly been our closest allies. We must change course immediately. We can't sit back, make apologies, and hope for the best." Weldon has taken the lead role in urging Congress to close the space gap from both ends by addition funding to (1) extend the Shuttle program on a limited basis to resupply the ISS and (2) bring the Constellation program on line sooner. The SPACE Act, H.R. 4837, authored by Weldon authorizes additional funding to help deliver Orion earlier than the currently planned 2015 date.
Lockheed Martin Addresses Worker Shortage by Funding High School Programs (Source: AIA)
Some companies facing a shortage of workers are paying for materials and lesson plans in high schools as part of a plan to create a pipeline for new workers. Two years ago, Lockheed Martin began funding engineering courses at schools near its aircraft facility in Palmdale, California. "We're already within the window of criticality to get tomorrow's engineers in the classroom today," said Jim Knotts, Lockheed director of corporate citizenship. "We want to address a national need to develop the next generation of engineers -- but with some affinity toward Lockheed Martin."
Europe Launches First ATV to ISS (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The European Space Agency successfully launched its first automated cargo spacecraft, carrying supplies for the International Space Station. An Ariane 5 ES lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana and placed the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), also known as "Jules Verne", into a 260-kilometer orbit. The ATV is the largest and most sophisticated spacecraft built by Europe, capable of carrying several tons of cargo, including food, water, propellant, and other items, to the station. The actual docking of the ATV to the ISS is not planned until early April to avoid conflicting with the STS-123 shuttle mission scheduled for launch on Tuesday as well as to allow for several tests of the spacecraft as it approaches the station prior to making a docking attempt.
Hawaii's House of Representatives approved unanimously HB-2259, legislation that supports work to develop a commercial spaceport in the state. Specifically, the legislation appropriates an unspecified sum to the state’s Office of Aerospace Development “to conduct feasibility studies for a spaceport and to pay for consultation and other expenses incurred in applying to the FAA for a commercial space transportation license.” The bill now goes to the Hawaii Senate.
Among the bill's findings: "The legislature finds that outer space is the next frontier and an industry in its infancy for the united States. Four decades after the courageous efforts that put human beings on the moon, advances in manufacturing are making it possible for others to experience the thrill and joy of being “weekend astronauts.” Space tourism is a potential billion dollar global industry. As a new industry, it holds tremendous economic potential for Hawaii while preserving our precious environment. Besides expanding our sources of revenue, space tourism will provide Hawaii residents the opportunity of highly skilled aerospace jobs without leaving home for the mainland. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to issue a limited number of licenses for space ports, and accordingly, the legislature finds that it is incumbent on the State to position Hawaii for the economic advantages a license can bring."
Space Tourism: KSC Visitor Complex Wins Attraction Award for Shuttle Experience (Source: KSCVC)
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, operated on behalf of NASA by Delaware North Companies, was honored Saturday with a prestigious Thea Award for its new Shuttle Launch Experience. Shuttle Launch Experience garnered the Thea award from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) for outstanding achievement in the attraction category. TEA lauded Shuttle Launch Experience for "maximizing the power of suggestion, sensory effects, and great storytelling to deliver the heart pounding impression of the journey into space that is experienced by the astronauts." The attraction upholds Kennedy Space Center's tradition of scholarship "through visual communication excellence," TEA said.
Growing Crowd Joins Weldon To Criticize Plan to Cede Space Leadership to Russians and Chinese (Source: SpaceRef.com)
Rep. Dave Weldon has been trumpeting concern and drawing attention to the Bush Administration's disastrous decision to leave America without direct human access to space for years. Now there is a growing chorus of officials who share Weldon's concerns. NASA Administrator Mike Griffin recently admitted that the issue puts the U.S. in a strategically dangerous position and that it is his "greatest regret and concern" that America will be essentially shut out of space for a period of at least five years.
"This is one the biggest strategic blunders I've seen," said Weldon. "While I have supported the Administration on many decisions, this is one of it's worst. Leaving America without access to space for 5 years or more, they have essentially ceded the 'ultimate high ground' to the Russians and Chinese, who have not exactly been our closest allies. We must change course immediately. We can't sit back, make apologies, and hope for the best." Weldon has taken the lead role in urging Congress to close the space gap from both ends by addition funding to (1) extend the Shuttle program on a limited basis to resupply the ISS and (2) bring the Constellation program on line sooner. The SPACE Act, H.R. 4837, authored by Weldon authorizes additional funding to help deliver Orion earlier than the currently planned 2015 date.
Lockheed Martin Addresses Worker Shortage by Funding High School Programs (Source: AIA)
Some companies facing a shortage of workers are paying for materials and lesson plans in high schools as part of a plan to create a pipeline for new workers. Two years ago, Lockheed Martin began funding engineering courses at schools near its aircraft facility in Palmdale, California. "We're already within the window of criticality to get tomorrow's engineers in the classroom today," said Jim Knotts, Lockheed director of corporate citizenship. "We want to address a national need to develop the next generation of engineers -- but with some affinity toward Lockheed Martin."
Europe Launches First ATV to ISS (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The European Space Agency successfully launched its first automated cargo spacecraft, carrying supplies for the International Space Station. An Ariane 5 ES lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana and placed the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), also known as "Jules Verne", into a 260-kilometer orbit. The ATV is the largest and most sophisticated spacecraft built by Europe, capable of carrying several tons of cargo, including food, water, propellant, and other items, to the station. The actual docking of the ATV to the ISS is not planned until early April to avoid conflicting with the STS-123 shuttle mission scheduled for launch on Tuesday as well as to allow for several tests of the spacecraft as it approaches the station prior to making a docking attempt.
March 8 News Items
Wanted: Einstein Junior (Source: The Economist)
In the 1840s an astronomer called Urbain Le Verrier noticed there was something wrong with the orbit of Mercury. The main axis of the planet's orbital ellipse shifts each time it goes round the sun. That was well known, and is caused by the gravitational pull of Venus. Le Verrier, however, realised that the orbit was shifting too fast. The excess was a tiny fraction of a degree. But it was a disturbing departure from the purity of Newton's majestic clockwork—-a departure that was explained only 70 years later, when Einstein's general theory of relativity swept Newton away by showing that gravity operates by distorting space itself.
Even Einstein, however, may not have got it right. Modern instruments have shown a departure from his predictions, too. In 1990 mission controllers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, which operates America's unmanned interplanetary space probes, noticed something odd happen to a Jupiter-bound craft, called Galileo. As it was flung around the Earth in what is known as a slingshot maneuver (designed to speed it on its way to the outer solar system), Galileo picked up more velocity than expected. Not much. Four millimetres a second, to be precise. But well within the range that can reliably be detected.
Once might be happenstance. But this strange extra acceleration was seen subsequently with two other craft. So a team from JPL has got together to analyze all of the slingshot maneuvers that have been carried out over the years, to see if they really do involve a small but systematic extra boost. The answer is that they do. Visit http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10804075 to view the article.
Promoters Talk Space at Florida Capitol (Source: Florida Today)
A coalition of about 20 space-related businesses and interests came together Thursday during the annual Space Day in Tallahassee to promote the space industry's value as an economic engine. More than 70 individuals walked House and Senate hallways, buttonholing legislators to make the case that the state needs to step up if Florida is to maintain its role as a national leader in space technology, commercial ventures and exploration. Aerospace industries exist in 46 of the state's 67 counties. About $44 billion is distributed across Florida.
To help keep space industry in Florida, the group is pushing several bills that would help create increased job and workforce training, develop new or improved spaceport infrastructure, recruit and retain related businesses through tax incentives, and fund education programs to provide an employment base. Several of the space-related bills have multi-million dollar price tags attached even though legislators expect deep cuts in next year's spending plans and intense competition for funding. Click here to view the article.
Florida Space Legislation Roundup (Source: ERAU)
The Space Shuttle's upcoming retirement, coupled with aggressive competition from other states, has made space a high-profile topic at this year's Legislative Session in Tallahassee. Among the space-related items before the Florida Legislature this year are the following: a $3.6M space workforce development package; an "informed consent" bill to mitigate spaceflight liability; a space contractor tax refund bill; a space research diversification bill seeking $20.2M over three years; a $45M Space Florida infrastructure, workforce, and education programs bill; a $10M Space Florida operations appropriation; a $20M reusable space vehicle prize bill; a bill and resolution to advance plans for a Governor's School for Space Science and Technology; and a "Mile Marker 1" bill to place a mile marker near the beginning of the highway to space at the Cape Canaveral Spacecport.
Europe's Freighter Makes Maiden Flight to Space Station (Source: Guardian)
The 20-ton ATV robotic space freighter, crammed with fuel, food and spare parts, will deliver much-needed supplies to the international space station more than 200 miles overhead. It is the first spacecraft with a built-in homing system that allows it to find its own way to the space station, without being directed from the ground or by astronauts on board the orbiting station. Once docked, it will be able to re-boost the outpost, which loses altitude over time, or lift it out of the way of dangerous space debris.
The spacecraft is so complex, the operating manual runs to 28 volumes. Named Jules Verne after the visionary French science fiction author, it is the first of many ATVs due to be launched at 18-month intervals until 2015. Each will dock with the space station for up to six months, before being filled up with waste and jettisoned to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. Tucked into the hold of the space freighter is an original 1900 hardback edition of Verne's science fiction novel From the Earth to the Moon, the story of three gun club members who build a giant cannon to blast themselves to the moon. The book will be kept on board the ISS and brought back by a future shuttle mission.
China Manned Space Flight Set for Late 2008 (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The launch of China's third manned space flight, the Shenzhou VII, has been set for late September or early October. "Preparations for the mission are in full swing, and we're confident in its success," Zhang Yulin, director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, said. The mission would include three "taikonauts" or astronauts, who would perform China's first spacewalk, said Zhang, speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing meeting of the National People's Congress, or parliament.
Is Britain Lost in Space? (Source: Guardian)
The British role in the ATV, as with any mission related to human spaceflight, is precisely zero. We played no part in its conception, design or construction, and will gain none of the expertise accrued by engineers in Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere who developed the technology. When I was hunting for anyone in Britain with any meaningful involvement in the ATV, the best I came across were two engineers from Stevenage who helped pump it full of fuel.
Coming to watch the ATV launch feels like crashing someone else's party. While Britain huffs about human spaceflight being unprofitable and cobbles together plans for its own ESA facility, there's an overwhelming feeling here that everyone else is cracking on with the job and learning an enormous amount in the process. Britain could still arrive fashionably late, but we're in danger of turning up to find that all is left are crumbs on the tables. Even if we do turn up before the lights go out, will anyone want to talk to such a chronically uninspiring guest?
Britain's contribution to the European Space Agency will be 265m Euros towards the 2.4bn Euros the agency will receive in contributions from members and other states. It's less than half that given by France and Germany, and about two thirds of the contribution from Italy. The expertise those nations have gained from the ATV, Columbus and other missions will surely boost their chances of securing the plum contracts of the future.
Florida Governor's Space School Study Underway, Workshop Planned (Source: JISER)
The Joint Institute for Space Exploration Research (JISER), a partnership between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Florida Institute of Technology, and Florida State University, has begun a state-sponsored planning effort for the development of a "Governor's School for Space Science & Technology." The school would be a residential high school for gifted students, located in the vicinity of Kennedy Space Center.
As part of the planning effort, JISER will sponsor a 2008 summer workshop/academy at Kennedy Space Center for gifted students in grades 10-12, with support from the KSC Visitor Complex and Space Florida. The academy will provide high-performing students with the opportunity to participate in a residential academy at KSC during June 1-6, and June 29 - July 4, 2008. Students will engage in laboratory activities, scientific experiments and inquiry based learning incorporating high-level science and math curriculum. The academy will support JISER's ongoing planning/design effort for a permanent Governor's School that leverages the state's space space programs at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.
Applications are now being accepted and are available from school districts’ Gifted Coordinators. Please send questions to mailto:flgovschool@comcast.net.
Pentagon: Predicting TSAT Launch Premature (Source: Aerospace Daily)
U.S. defense officials continue to back off any launch date for Transformational Satellites (TSAT) and have told lawmakers they are essentially re-evaluating the program to shore it up. During a March 4 hearing, an Air Force official called any launch prediction “premature.” He said an ongoing analysis through spring is looking at “rephasing ... re-architecting” TSAT to make sure it provides the most important strategic communications capabilities to the most important users first. “That is a new bit of information,” Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said in response.
Alternatives could include buying more Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) spacecraft, a planned predecessor to TSAT, to make up any gaps. A congressional auditor appearing at the same Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing said a TSAT delay could be good to shore up the program. But any reassesment must be done in light of other major defense efforts that would rely on TSAT. Specifically, she noted the Army’s Future Combat Systems – which also faces more potential delays – and said officials there would have to respond in their program to changes to TSAT plans.
NASA Future Forum Planned in Miami on April 18 (Source: NASA)
Join NASA leadership, astronauts, scientists, and engineers along with local business, technology and academic leaders and local, state and federal officials to discuss the role of space exploration in advancing science, engineering, technology, education and the economy that benefits your community and the nation. The program will also feature an exciting preview of NASA’s Constellation Program-—America’s return to the Moon and beyond. Visit http://www.regonline.com/futureforum-miami for information and reservations.
Ancient Lakebed Found on Mars (Source: SpaceToday.net)
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft has taken images of what scientists believe is an ancient lakebed that could have once supported life. Images of Holden Crater show old conglomerations of rocks, called megabreccia, topped by a layer of clay sediment. Planetary scientists believe that the clay was deposited over a period of thousands of years when the crater was a lake; that clay could preserve any evidence of a past habitable environment there. The crater wall was later breached in a flood, exposing those lower layers as well as boulder-strewn upper layers. The crater is one of six candidate landing sites for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover, scheduled for launch in 2009, and could be considered for future sample return missions.
Nearby Star Should Harbor Detectable, Earth-Like Planets (Source: UC Santa Cruz)
A rocky planet similar to Earth may be orbiting one of our nearest stellar neighbors and could be detected using existing techniques, according to a new study led by astronomers at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The closest stars to our Sun are in the three-star system called Alpha Centauri, a popular destination for interstellar travel in works of science fiction. UCSC graduate student Javiera Guedes used computer simulations of planet formation to show that terrestrial planets are likely to have formed around the star Alpha Centauri B and to be orbiting in the "habitable zone" where liquid water can exist on the planet's surface. The researchers then showed that such planets could be observed using a dedicated telescope.
Vinasat Approaching Launch Pad (Source: VietNamNet)
Vietnam's first telecom satellite, Vinasat 1, left the manufacturing site to the launching pad at the Kourou Spaceport in Guyana in South America. The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, and the French launching service provider, Arianespace, will check and test the satellite within 4-5 weeks before it is launched. Vinasat 1 will be launched on April 12.
Editorial: America’s Space Lunacy and Africa’s Poverty (Source: Nigerian Tribune)
Recently, President George Bush made and signed a declaration, saying that hence forth,“America will view with concern the exploration and exploitation of space by countries that are not its allies”. Is this not a brazen display of space imperialism? What gives America the exclusive rights to determine the activities of other nations in space? Who made America the singular sentinel at the gates of space? Is this not space colonization carried too far? Will Russia and China sit idly by? How will the world react and is this America’s coup de grace stroke on the world? Whither Africa? Visit http://www.tribune.com.ng/07032008/opinion.html to view the editorial.
NASA Awards Safety and Mission Assurance Contract at Kennedy (Source: NASA)
NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded Millennium Engineering and Integration Company of Satellite Beach, Fla., a safety and mission assurance support services contract. The cost-plus-award-fee contract is valued approximately $45.2 million during a four-year performance period. The new contract consolidates several contracted activities currently supporting Kennedy's Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate requirements into a single support contract.
ATK Progresses Ares I First-Stage Development (Source: Flight International)
Alliant Techsystem's development work on the first stage of NASA's Ares I crew launch vehicle is progressing, with segments for the ground vibration test article already fabricated. Preparations are under way to ship hardware for the analog test flight Ares I-X to Kennedy Space Center by July. Ares I's first stage is a five-segment solid rocket boster (SRB). For ground vibration testing, ATK is to supply two five-segment stacks: one empty of the solid fuel, the other an inert version of a fuelled stack. These will be tested at Marshall Spaceflight Center in 2010. ATK has produced three of the inert stack's five segments, using them as manufacturing process pathfinders.
Italy and US Agree: European Manned Spaceflight is Needed (Source: Flight International)
Italian and US space agencies have agreed that an autonomous European space access capability with human crews is a necessity for the proposed global lunar exploration strategy. They have also agreed that studies for the in-orbit assembly of a Mars ship and development of its nuclear propulsion are needed. Italian Space Agency (ASI) president Giovanni Fabrizio Bignami has met NASA administrator Michael Griffin to discuss the global exploration strategy, which has been drawn up by 14 of the world's space agencies over the past year.
Sea Launch to Launch U.S. Satellite on March 17 (Source: RIA Novosti)
The launch of a Zenit-3SL carrier rocket with the DirecTV 11 broadcast satellite on board has been scheduled for March 17. The satellite, with mass of approximately 6 metric tons, is designed to deliver national high-definition (HD) programming and local HD channels to subscribers throughout the United States. Lifting off from the Odyssey Launch Platform in the Pacific Ocean, the Zenit-3SL rocket will place the DirecTV 11 satellite, with a designed lifetime of 12 years, into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
One Small Step for Man, one Giant Message to the Universe (Source: PRNewswire)
The world's first ever advert is to be broadcast to extra-terrestrial life, Doritos announced today. Doritos, as part of its new 'You Make It, We Play It' initiative, is asking the British public to shoot a 30-second ad that will be beamed past the Earth's atmosphere and into the Universe, to anyone 'out there' that may be watching. The winning ad will also be aired on the more conventional medium of British television. The Doritos Broadcast Project is being undertaken in association with expert astronomers and academics from Leicester University and is also being supported by EISCAT (The European Incoherent SCATter Scientific Association), which studies solar-planetary interactions and operate a series of radar systems, including the Svalbard based transmitter.
NASA Gets Early Support for More '09 Funds (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
The federal budget process is a long and winding road that usually ends in a flurry of last-minute deals right before Christmas egg nog is passed around. With that in mind, NASA has a small reason to raise a pint on St. Patrick's Day. The Senate Budget Committee today recommended the space agency recieve $18.7 billion in 2009 funding, about $1 billion more than the $17.6 billion advocated by President Bush. Pushed by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., the extra money would be used to partially reimburse NASA for costs it incurred after the 2003 Columbia accident. But don't hold your breath. The committee's proposal is only a guide and NASA's budget still must survive multiple committees and votes. Even then, Congress has killed efforts the last two years to add another $1 billion to NASA's budget.
Congress Comes to KSC (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
In an effort to boost NASA funding, U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Texas, will lead a congressional trip to Kennedy Space Center next week to watch the scheduled launch of space shuttle Endeavour on March 11. A Lampson aide said the congressman had recruited at least 16 members for the trip, including U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, the Tennessee Democrat who heads the House Committee on Science and Technology. Lampson -- whose district includes the Johnson Space Center -- serves as a subcommittee chairman under Gordon.
Lawsuit Could Delay Inmarsat Phone Service in U.S. (Source: Space News)
Inmarsat's plans to introduce a global satellite-telephone service late this year might exclude the United States because of a patent dispute with a small U.S. company, according to Inmarsat and its distribution partner, Stratos Global Corp.
Com Dev Expects Multiple Gains from MDA Sale (Source: Space News)
Satellite-component builder Com Dev of Canada expects to profit from both the sale of Canada's MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of the United States and from the Canadian protests objecting to that same deal, Com Dev Chief Executive John Keating said March 6.
NRO Space Radar Program is Canceled (Source: Space News)
The Space Radar, a U.S. military and NRO satellite surveillance program whose cost estimates have ranged upwards of $20 billion, has been canceled. Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Northrop Grumman Space Technology have been developing competing designs for the Space Radar under contracts that in January 2007 were extended through April 2009. The extensions were worth $49 million apiece. "The Government will continue to vigorously pursue alternatives to meet the DOD and IC requirements for radar capabilities from space," an official said. The House Armed Services Committee was told a new plan for the Space Radar should be ready for presentation to Congress in 45 days.
Plutonium Shortage Could Thwart Future NASA Missions (Source: Space News)
NASA is facing the prospect of having to explore deep space without the aid of the long-lasting nuclear batteries it has relied upon for decades to send spacecraft to destinations where sunlight is in short supply. The United States stopped producing plutonium-238 in 1988 and since then has relied upon a dwindling stockpile supplemented since 1992 by periodic purchases of the material from Russia. Industry sources said they had been told that the United States has a total of just over 11 kilograms on order to meet NASA's projected demand through the middle of the next decade. The U.S. has 4.9 kilograms on order for delivery from Russia this year.
"In the future, in some future year not too far from now, we will have used the last U.S. kilogram of plutonium-238," Griffin said. "And if we want more plutonium-238 we will have to buy it from Russia...I think it's appalling." Russia has advised the United States "that they are down to their last 10 kilograms of plutonium." "We are now foreseeing the end of that Russian line," Griffin said. Griffin said absent a national decision to restart production, NASA's planetary science program "would be severely hampered."
ESA Proposes Public-Private Partnership on Three Data Relay Satellites (Source: Space News)
The European Space Agency (ESA) will begin negotiations in the coming weeks with European satellite operators on a joint investment in three geostationary-orbiting data-relay satellites that also would carry payloads selected by private-sector operators, ESA Telecommunications Director Giuseppe Viriglio said.
Europe Presses for More Info on Chinese Satellite Navigation Project (Source: Space News)
European government officials said they are increasingly frustrated at China's refusal to provide clear information about its Beidou/Compass satellite navigation project, which poses strategic and technical problems for Europe's Galileo system. These officials said they hope China will clarify matters during a scheduled late April visit to Europe by a Chinese government delegation.
NRO Loses Decision Authority on Basic Imaging Satellite Program (Source: Space News)
Senior U.S. defense and intelligence leaders have stripped the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) of its authority to make key decisions on a planned imaging satellite procurement and are poised to do the same for others managed by the spy satellite agency, according to current and former intelligence officials. The step was taken amid concern that the NRO, which has suffered numerous setbacks in recent years including program cancellations and on-orbit failures, was in danger of running afoul of White House policy with a program dubbed BASIC, or Broad Area Satellite Imagery Collection. Questions have been raised about how BASIC, still in the planning stages, squares with a provision in the policy directing the military and intelligence community to rely on commercial satellites for general mapping purposes.
NDIA Sponsors Survey on Security Clearances (Source: NDIA)
The National Defense Industry Association is sponsoring an online survey on security clearances for the industry's workforce. Visit http://is-nri.com/take/?i=126136&h=6KBwXArnKTK4yzqHx3-5VQ to take the confidential survey.
Interorbital Releases Neptune Rocket Design (Source: Interorbital)
Interorbital Systems (IOS) has released the design of its manned orbital launch vehicle, Neptune, and passed a major milestone by completing the propellant tank construction of its Sea Star MSLV (microsatellite launch vehicle). Sea Star is a subscale version of and testbed for the Neptune six-passenger orbital tourism ship. Both vehicles employ a novel modular, pressure-fed, two-stage-and-a-half-to-orbit configuration.
Neptune will be the first of a new generation of low-cost and highly reliable manned orbital launch vehicles. It is designed for minimum cost and maximum reliability. Unnecessary expensive, complex, failure-prone, and sometimes performance-limiting systems such as wings, ignition systems, and turbopumps have been eliminated from the design. Both the Sea Star and Neptune vehicles are partially reusable, and are deployed by a reusable canister ocean-launch system. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr080304-1.pdf for information.
Interorbital Taps Destiny Space to Book Space Tourism and Satellite Launches (Source: CSA)
DestinySpace Enterprises (DSE) has formed a strategic alliance with Mojave-based rocket manufacturer and launch provider Interorbital Systems (IOS) to market IOS’ low-cost commercial orbital space tourism and satellite launch services. DSE’s subsidiary Orbital Expeditions (Orbex) will act as an official booking agent for IOS’ orbital payload launch services and week-long orbital spaceflight expeditions. Augmenting the sales force of Astro Expeditions LLC, IOS’ in-house marketing arm, DSE will provide a ‘reservations portal’ for orbital crew and cargo spaceflight services to a wider customer base. Clients will include government, academia, commercial firms, and space tourists. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr080304-2.pdf for information.
Lockheed Martin Completes Test of First Advanced Military Communications Satellite (Source: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin has successfully completed acoustic testing of the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite. The Advanced EHF system will provide survivable, highly secure, protected, global communications for all warfighters serving under the U.S. Department of Defense. During the test, the fully integrated spacecraft was subjected to the sound and vibration levels expected during launch into orbit. The successful test was conducted at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems facilities in Sunnyvale, California. Click here for information.
International Space Development Conference Planned May 29 - June 1 (Source: CSA)
The National Space Society's 2008 International Space Development Conference will bring together all parts of the space community, from astronauts to entrepreneurs, scientists to policymakers, and professionals to enthusiasts. The conference will present a wide variety of space topics, including civil, commercial and scientific developments and discoveries. Visit http://isdc.nss.org/2008/ for information. Discount Registration to CSA Members!
Northrop, Loral Hook Up To Get U.S. Satellite Work (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Seeking to create a potentially powerful new competitor for building future U.S. government satellites, Northrop Grumman and Loral announced a strategic partnership to share certain technology and production assets. The venture aims to shake up the satellite industry by combining Northrop's history providing advanced sensors and spy-satellite systems to military, intelligence and other federal customers with Loral's track record of manufacturing lower-cost commercial satellites. If successful, the arrangement announced yesterday could cut production costs and make Northrop a more effective rival against Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the perennial top U.S. government satellite suppliers.
NASA Explorer School Opens Doors to Hundreds for Discovery Night on March 12 (Source: NASA)
Edward Harris Jr. Middle School, Elk Grove, California, will transform itself into an epicenter of discovery and science activities next week and invites community members and news media to join the fun. Participants can enjoy building and launching rockets, making "goop," playing math and science games, and entering a raffle for a chance to win prizes." Visit http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24934 for information.
Responsive Access to Space Conference Planned in Ohio on May 19-23 (Source: ERAU)
RASTE 2008 is designed to be the premier forum to meet the challenges of Affordable and Responsive Space Access through technology exchange and collaboration. This will be achieved by bringing together the space access system integrators and sub-system providers to share, exchange and transition the technologies into the next generation space launch vehicles. The RASTE 2008 seeks to accelerate the development of the emerging commercial space launch industry by establishing and continuing an exchange and collaboration between engineers, developers, planners and managers in the community. Visit http://www.usasymposium.com/raste/RASTEexhibitreminder.html for information.
In the 1840s an astronomer called Urbain Le Verrier noticed there was something wrong with the orbit of Mercury. The main axis of the planet's orbital ellipse shifts each time it goes round the sun. That was well known, and is caused by the gravitational pull of Venus. Le Verrier, however, realised that the orbit was shifting too fast. The excess was a tiny fraction of a degree. But it was a disturbing departure from the purity of Newton's majestic clockwork—-a departure that was explained only 70 years later, when Einstein's general theory of relativity swept Newton away by showing that gravity operates by distorting space itself.
Even Einstein, however, may not have got it right. Modern instruments have shown a departure from his predictions, too. In 1990 mission controllers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, which operates America's unmanned interplanetary space probes, noticed something odd happen to a Jupiter-bound craft, called Galileo. As it was flung around the Earth in what is known as a slingshot maneuver (designed to speed it on its way to the outer solar system), Galileo picked up more velocity than expected. Not much. Four millimetres a second, to be precise. But well within the range that can reliably be detected.
Once might be happenstance. But this strange extra acceleration was seen subsequently with two other craft. So a team from JPL has got together to analyze all of the slingshot maneuvers that have been carried out over the years, to see if they really do involve a small but systematic extra boost. The answer is that they do. Visit http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10804075 to view the article.
Promoters Talk Space at Florida Capitol (Source: Florida Today)
A coalition of about 20 space-related businesses and interests came together Thursday during the annual Space Day in Tallahassee to promote the space industry's value as an economic engine. More than 70 individuals walked House and Senate hallways, buttonholing legislators to make the case that the state needs to step up if Florida is to maintain its role as a national leader in space technology, commercial ventures and exploration. Aerospace industries exist in 46 of the state's 67 counties. About $44 billion is distributed across Florida.
To help keep space industry in Florida, the group is pushing several bills that would help create increased job and workforce training, develop new or improved spaceport infrastructure, recruit and retain related businesses through tax incentives, and fund education programs to provide an employment base. Several of the space-related bills have multi-million dollar price tags attached even though legislators expect deep cuts in next year's spending plans and intense competition for funding. Click here to view the article.
Florida Space Legislation Roundup (Source: ERAU)
The Space Shuttle's upcoming retirement, coupled with aggressive competition from other states, has made space a high-profile topic at this year's Legislative Session in Tallahassee. Among the space-related items before the Florida Legislature this year are the following: a $3.6M space workforce development package; an "informed consent" bill to mitigate spaceflight liability; a space contractor tax refund bill; a space research diversification bill seeking $20.2M over three years; a $45M Space Florida infrastructure, workforce, and education programs bill; a $10M Space Florida operations appropriation; a $20M reusable space vehicle prize bill; a bill and resolution to advance plans for a Governor's School for Space Science and Technology; and a "Mile Marker 1" bill to place a mile marker near the beginning of the highway to space at the Cape Canaveral Spacecport.
Europe's Freighter Makes Maiden Flight to Space Station (Source: Guardian)
The 20-ton ATV robotic space freighter, crammed with fuel, food and spare parts, will deliver much-needed supplies to the international space station more than 200 miles overhead. It is the first spacecraft with a built-in homing system that allows it to find its own way to the space station, without being directed from the ground or by astronauts on board the orbiting station. Once docked, it will be able to re-boost the outpost, which loses altitude over time, or lift it out of the way of dangerous space debris.
The spacecraft is so complex, the operating manual runs to 28 volumes. Named Jules Verne after the visionary French science fiction author, it is the first of many ATVs due to be launched at 18-month intervals until 2015. Each will dock with the space station for up to six months, before being filled up with waste and jettisoned to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. Tucked into the hold of the space freighter is an original 1900 hardback edition of Verne's science fiction novel From the Earth to the Moon, the story of three gun club members who build a giant cannon to blast themselves to the moon. The book will be kept on board the ISS and brought back by a future shuttle mission.
China Manned Space Flight Set for Late 2008 (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The launch of China's third manned space flight, the Shenzhou VII, has been set for late September or early October. "Preparations for the mission are in full swing, and we're confident in its success," Zhang Yulin, director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, said. The mission would include three "taikonauts" or astronauts, who would perform China's first spacewalk, said Zhang, speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing meeting of the National People's Congress, or parliament.
Is Britain Lost in Space? (Source: Guardian)
The British role in the ATV, as with any mission related to human spaceflight, is precisely zero. We played no part in its conception, design or construction, and will gain none of the expertise accrued by engineers in Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere who developed the technology. When I was hunting for anyone in Britain with any meaningful involvement in the ATV, the best I came across were two engineers from Stevenage who helped pump it full of fuel.
Coming to watch the ATV launch feels like crashing someone else's party. While Britain huffs about human spaceflight being unprofitable and cobbles together plans for its own ESA facility, there's an overwhelming feeling here that everyone else is cracking on with the job and learning an enormous amount in the process. Britain could still arrive fashionably late, but we're in danger of turning up to find that all is left are crumbs on the tables. Even if we do turn up before the lights go out, will anyone want to talk to such a chronically uninspiring guest?
Britain's contribution to the European Space Agency will be 265m Euros towards the 2.4bn Euros the agency will receive in contributions from members and other states. It's less than half that given by France and Germany, and about two thirds of the contribution from Italy. The expertise those nations have gained from the ATV, Columbus and other missions will surely boost their chances of securing the plum contracts of the future.
Florida Governor's Space School Study Underway, Workshop Planned (Source: JISER)
The Joint Institute for Space Exploration Research (JISER), a partnership between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Florida Institute of Technology, and Florida State University, has begun a state-sponsored planning effort for the development of a "Governor's School for Space Science & Technology." The school would be a residential high school for gifted students, located in the vicinity of Kennedy Space Center.
As part of the planning effort, JISER will sponsor a 2008 summer workshop/academy at Kennedy Space Center for gifted students in grades 10-12, with support from the KSC Visitor Complex and Space Florida. The academy will provide high-performing students with the opportunity to participate in a residential academy at KSC during June 1-6, and June 29 - July 4, 2008. Students will engage in laboratory activities, scientific experiments and inquiry based learning incorporating high-level science and math curriculum. The academy will support JISER's ongoing planning/design effort for a permanent Governor's School that leverages the state's space space programs at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.
Applications are now being accepted and are available from school districts’ Gifted Coordinators. Please send questions to mailto:flgovschool@comcast.net.
Pentagon: Predicting TSAT Launch Premature (Source: Aerospace Daily)
U.S. defense officials continue to back off any launch date for Transformational Satellites (TSAT) and have told lawmakers they are essentially re-evaluating the program to shore it up. During a March 4 hearing, an Air Force official called any launch prediction “premature.” He said an ongoing analysis through spring is looking at “rephasing ... re-architecting” TSAT to make sure it provides the most important strategic communications capabilities to the most important users first. “That is a new bit of information,” Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said in response.
Alternatives could include buying more Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) spacecraft, a planned predecessor to TSAT, to make up any gaps. A congressional auditor appearing at the same Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing said a TSAT delay could be good to shore up the program. But any reassesment must be done in light of other major defense efforts that would rely on TSAT. Specifically, she noted the Army’s Future Combat Systems – which also faces more potential delays – and said officials there would have to respond in their program to changes to TSAT plans.
NASA Future Forum Planned in Miami on April 18 (Source: NASA)
Join NASA leadership, astronauts, scientists, and engineers along with local business, technology and academic leaders and local, state and federal officials to discuss the role of space exploration in advancing science, engineering, technology, education and the economy that benefits your community and the nation. The program will also feature an exciting preview of NASA’s Constellation Program-—America’s return to the Moon and beyond. Visit http://www.regonline.com/futureforum-miami for information and reservations.
Ancient Lakebed Found on Mars (Source: SpaceToday.net)
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft has taken images of what scientists believe is an ancient lakebed that could have once supported life. Images of Holden Crater show old conglomerations of rocks, called megabreccia, topped by a layer of clay sediment. Planetary scientists believe that the clay was deposited over a period of thousands of years when the crater was a lake; that clay could preserve any evidence of a past habitable environment there. The crater wall was later breached in a flood, exposing those lower layers as well as boulder-strewn upper layers. The crater is one of six candidate landing sites for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover, scheduled for launch in 2009, and could be considered for future sample return missions.
Nearby Star Should Harbor Detectable, Earth-Like Planets (Source: UC Santa Cruz)
A rocky planet similar to Earth may be orbiting one of our nearest stellar neighbors and could be detected using existing techniques, according to a new study led by astronomers at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The closest stars to our Sun are in the three-star system called Alpha Centauri, a popular destination for interstellar travel in works of science fiction. UCSC graduate student Javiera Guedes used computer simulations of planet formation to show that terrestrial planets are likely to have formed around the star Alpha Centauri B and to be orbiting in the "habitable zone" where liquid water can exist on the planet's surface. The researchers then showed that such planets could be observed using a dedicated telescope.
Vinasat Approaching Launch Pad (Source: VietNamNet)
Vietnam's first telecom satellite, Vinasat 1, left the manufacturing site to the launching pad at the Kourou Spaceport in Guyana in South America. The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, and the French launching service provider, Arianespace, will check and test the satellite within 4-5 weeks before it is launched. Vinasat 1 will be launched on April 12.
Editorial: America’s Space Lunacy and Africa’s Poverty (Source: Nigerian Tribune)
Recently, President George Bush made and signed a declaration, saying that hence forth,“America will view with concern the exploration and exploitation of space by countries that are not its allies”. Is this not a brazen display of space imperialism? What gives America the exclusive rights to determine the activities of other nations in space? Who made America the singular sentinel at the gates of space? Is this not space colonization carried too far? Will Russia and China sit idly by? How will the world react and is this America’s coup de grace stroke on the world? Whither Africa? Visit http://www.tribune.com.ng/07032008/opinion.html to view the editorial.
NASA Awards Safety and Mission Assurance Contract at Kennedy (Source: NASA)
NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded Millennium Engineering and Integration Company of Satellite Beach, Fla., a safety and mission assurance support services contract. The cost-plus-award-fee contract is valued approximately $45.2 million during a four-year performance period. The new contract consolidates several contracted activities currently supporting Kennedy's Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate requirements into a single support contract.
ATK Progresses Ares I First-Stage Development (Source: Flight International)
Alliant Techsystem's development work on the first stage of NASA's Ares I crew launch vehicle is progressing, with segments for the ground vibration test article already fabricated. Preparations are under way to ship hardware for the analog test flight Ares I-X to Kennedy Space Center by July. Ares I's first stage is a five-segment solid rocket boster (SRB). For ground vibration testing, ATK is to supply two five-segment stacks: one empty of the solid fuel, the other an inert version of a fuelled stack. These will be tested at Marshall Spaceflight Center in 2010. ATK has produced three of the inert stack's five segments, using them as manufacturing process pathfinders.
Italy and US Agree: European Manned Spaceflight is Needed (Source: Flight International)
Italian and US space agencies have agreed that an autonomous European space access capability with human crews is a necessity for the proposed global lunar exploration strategy. They have also agreed that studies for the in-orbit assembly of a Mars ship and development of its nuclear propulsion are needed. Italian Space Agency (ASI) president Giovanni Fabrizio Bignami has met NASA administrator Michael Griffin to discuss the global exploration strategy, which has been drawn up by 14 of the world's space agencies over the past year.
Sea Launch to Launch U.S. Satellite on March 17 (Source: RIA Novosti)
The launch of a Zenit-3SL carrier rocket with the DirecTV 11 broadcast satellite on board has been scheduled for March 17. The satellite, with mass of approximately 6 metric tons, is designed to deliver national high-definition (HD) programming and local HD channels to subscribers throughout the United States. Lifting off from the Odyssey Launch Platform in the Pacific Ocean, the Zenit-3SL rocket will place the DirecTV 11 satellite, with a designed lifetime of 12 years, into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
One Small Step for Man, one Giant Message to the Universe (Source: PRNewswire)
The world's first ever advert is to be broadcast to extra-terrestrial life, Doritos announced today. Doritos, as part of its new 'You Make It, We Play It' initiative, is asking the British public to shoot a 30-second ad that will be beamed past the Earth's atmosphere and into the Universe, to anyone 'out there' that may be watching. The winning ad will also be aired on the more conventional medium of British television. The Doritos Broadcast Project is being undertaken in association with expert astronomers and academics from Leicester University and is also being supported by EISCAT (The European Incoherent SCATter Scientific Association), which studies solar-planetary interactions and operate a series of radar systems, including the Svalbard based transmitter.
NASA Gets Early Support for More '09 Funds (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
The federal budget process is a long and winding road that usually ends in a flurry of last-minute deals right before Christmas egg nog is passed around. With that in mind, NASA has a small reason to raise a pint on St. Patrick's Day. The Senate Budget Committee today recommended the space agency recieve $18.7 billion in 2009 funding, about $1 billion more than the $17.6 billion advocated by President Bush. Pushed by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., the extra money would be used to partially reimburse NASA for costs it incurred after the 2003 Columbia accident. But don't hold your breath. The committee's proposal is only a guide and NASA's budget still must survive multiple committees and votes. Even then, Congress has killed efforts the last two years to add another $1 billion to NASA's budget.
Congress Comes to KSC (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
In an effort to boost NASA funding, U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Texas, will lead a congressional trip to Kennedy Space Center next week to watch the scheduled launch of space shuttle Endeavour on March 11. A Lampson aide said the congressman had recruited at least 16 members for the trip, including U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, the Tennessee Democrat who heads the House Committee on Science and Technology. Lampson -- whose district includes the Johnson Space Center -- serves as a subcommittee chairman under Gordon.
Lawsuit Could Delay Inmarsat Phone Service in U.S. (Source: Space News)
Inmarsat's plans to introduce a global satellite-telephone service late this year might exclude the United States because of a patent dispute with a small U.S. company, according to Inmarsat and its distribution partner, Stratos Global Corp.
Com Dev Expects Multiple Gains from MDA Sale (Source: Space News)
Satellite-component builder Com Dev of Canada expects to profit from both the sale of Canada's MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of the United States and from the Canadian protests objecting to that same deal, Com Dev Chief Executive John Keating said March 6.
NRO Space Radar Program is Canceled (Source: Space News)
The Space Radar, a U.S. military and NRO satellite surveillance program whose cost estimates have ranged upwards of $20 billion, has been canceled. Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Northrop Grumman Space Technology have been developing competing designs for the Space Radar under contracts that in January 2007 were extended through April 2009. The extensions were worth $49 million apiece. "The Government will continue to vigorously pursue alternatives to meet the DOD and IC requirements for radar capabilities from space," an official said. The House Armed Services Committee was told a new plan for the Space Radar should be ready for presentation to Congress in 45 days.
Plutonium Shortage Could Thwart Future NASA Missions (Source: Space News)
NASA is facing the prospect of having to explore deep space without the aid of the long-lasting nuclear batteries it has relied upon for decades to send spacecraft to destinations where sunlight is in short supply. The United States stopped producing plutonium-238 in 1988 and since then has relied upon a dwindling stockpile supplemented since 1992 by periodic purchases of the material from Russia. Industry sources said they had been told that the United States has a total of just over 11 kilograms on order to meet NASA's projected demand through the middle of the next decade. The U.S. has 4.9 kilograms on order for delivery from Russia this year.
"In the future, in some future year not too far from now, we will have used the last U.S. kilogram of plutonium-238," Griffin said. "And if we want more plutonium-238 we will have to buy it from Russia...I think it's appalling." Russia has advised the United States "that they are down to their last 10 kilograms of plutonium." "We are now foreseeing the end of that Russian line," Griffin said. Griffin said absent a national decision to restart production, NASA's planetary science program "would be severely hampered."
ESA Proposes Public-Private Partnership on Three Data Relay Satellites (Source: Space News)
The European Space Agency (ESA) will begin negotiations in the coming weeks with European satellite operators on a joint investment in three geostationary-orbiting data-relay satellites that also would carry payloads selected by private-sector operators, ESA Telecommunications Director Giuseppe Viriglio said.
Europe Presses for More Info on Chinese Satellite Navigation Project (Source: Space News)
European government officials said they are increasingly frustrated at China's refusal to provide clear information about its Beidou/Compass satellite navigation project, which poses strategic and technical problems for Europe's Galileo system. These officials said they hope China will clarify matters during a scheduled late April visit to Europe by a Chinese government delegation.
NRO Loses Decision Authority on Basic Imaging Satellite Program (Source: Space News)
Senior U.S. defense and intelligence leaders have stripped the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) of its authority to make key decisions on a planned imaging satellite procurement and are poised to do the same for others managed by the spy satellite agency, according to current and former intelligence officials. The step was taken amid concern that the NRO, which has suffered numerous setbacks in recent years including program cancellations and on-orbit failures, was in danger of running afoul of White House policy with a program dubbed BASIC, or Broad Area Satellite Imagery Collection. Questions have been raised about how BASIC, still in the planning stages, squares with a provision in the policy directing the military and intelligence community to rely on commercial satellites for general mapping purposes.
NDIA Sponsors Survey on Security Clearances (Source: NDIA)
The National Defense Industry Association is sponsoring an online survey on security clearances for the industry's workforce. Visit http://is-nri.com/take/?i=126136&h=6KBwXArnKTK4yzqHx3-5VQ to take the confidential survey.
Interorbital Releases Neptune Rocket Design (Source: Interorbital)
Interorbital Systems (IOS) has released the design of its manned orbital launch vehicle, Neptune, and passed a major milestone by completing the propellant tank construction of its Sea Star MSLV (microsatellite launch vehicle). Sea Star is a subscale version of and testbed for the Neptune six-passenger orbital tourism ship. Both vehicles employ a novel modular, pressure-fed, two-stage-and-a-half-to-orbit configuration.
Neptune will be the first of a new generation of low-cost and highly reliable manned orbital launch vehicles. It is designed for minimum cost and maximum reliability. Unnecessary expensive, complex, failure-prone, and sometimes performance-limiting systems such as wings, ignition systems, and turbopumps have been eliminated from the design. Both the Sea Star and Neptune vehicles are partially reusable, and are deployed by a reusable canister ocean-launch system. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr080304-1.pdf for information.
Interorbital Taps Destiny Space to Book Space Tourism and Satellite Launches (Source: CSA)
DestinySpace Enterprises (DSE) has formed a strategic alliance with Mojave-based rocket manufacturer and launch provider Interorbital Systems (IOS) to market IOS’ low-cost commercial orbital space tourism and satellite launch services. DSE’s subsidiary Orbital Expeditions (Orbex) will act as an official booking agent for IOS’ orbital payload launch services and week-long orbital spaceflight expeditions. Augmenting the sales force of Astro Expeditions LLC, IOS’ in-house marketing arm, DSE will provide a ‘reservations portal’ for orbital crew and cargo spaceflight services to a wider customer base. Clients will include government, academia, commercial firms, and space tourists. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr080304-2.pdf for information.
Lockheed Martin Completes Test of First Advanced Military Communications Satellite (Source: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin has successfully completed acoustic testing of the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite. The Advanced EHF system will provide survivable, highly secure, protected, global communications for all warfighters serving under the U.S. Department of Defense. During the test, the fully integrated spacecraft was subjected to the sound and vibration levels expected during launch into orbit. The successful test was conducted at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems facilities in Sunnyvale, California. Click here for information.
International Space Development Conference Planned May 29 - June 1 (Source: CSA)
The National Space Society's 2008 International Space Development Conference will bring together all parts of the space community, from astronauts to entrepreneurs, scientists to policymakers, and professionals to enthusiasts. The conference will present a wide variety of space topics, including civil, commercial and scientific developments and discoveries. Visit http://isdc.nss.org/2008/ for information. Discount Registration to CSA Members!
Northrop, Loral Hook Up To Get U.S. Satellite Work (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Seeking to create a potentially powerful new competitor for building future U.S. government satellites, Northrop Grumman and Loral announced a strategic partnership to share certain technology and production assets. The venture aims to shake up the satellite industry by combining Northrop's history providing advanced sensors and spy-satellite systems to military, intelligence and other federal customers with Loral's track record of manufacturing lower-cost commercial satellites. If successful, the arrangement announced yesterday could cut production costs and make Northrop a more effective rival against Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the perennial top U.S. government satellite suppliers.
NASA Explorer School Opens Doors to Hundreds for Discovery Night on March 12 (Source: NASA)
Edward Harris Jr. Middle School, Elk Grove, California, will transform itself into an epicenter of discovery and science activities next week and invites community members and news media to join the fun. Participants can enjoy building and launching rockets, making "goop," playing math and science games, and entering a raffle for a chance to win prizes." Visit http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24934 for information.
Responsive Access to Space Conference Planned in Ohio on May 19-23 (Source: ERAU)
RASTE 2008 is designed to be the premier forum to meet the challenges of Affordable and Responsive Space Access through technology exchange and collaboration. This will be achieved by bringing together the space access system integrators and sub-system providers to share, exchange and transition the technologies into the next generation space launch vehicles. The RASTE 2008 seeks to accelerate the development of the emerging commercial space launch industry by establishing and continuing an exchange and collaboration between engineers, developers, planners and managers in the community. Visit http://www.usasymposium.com/raste/RASTEexhibitreminder.html for information.
March 7 News Items
Boeing to Host Small-Business Supplier Forum for NASA Work (Source: Boeing)
Boeing will host a small-business supplier forum March 19 to attract the best of industry as the company prepares to compete for NASA's Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC). "We are especially interested in those suppliers who are currently supporting NASA's missions operations. This forum creates an opportunity to speak with representatives of small businesses that have innovative and cost-effective solutions and want to do business with Boeing," said a Boeing official. The FDOC is administered by NASA's Johnson Space Center. It includes development, sustaining engineering, operations and maintenance of the training, flight planning, reconfiguration and control-center facilities for human spaceflight programs. The contract also includes developing and maintaining the software applications used in these facilities.
NASA Wary of Relying on Russia as Lone Carrier of Astronauts to Station (Source: Washington Post)
For NASA, the launch of the ESA Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) highlights a stark reality: In 2 1/2 years, just as the station gets fully assembled, the United States will no longer have any spacecraft of its own capable of carrying astronauts and cargo to the station, in which roughly $100 billion is being invested. The three space shuttles will be retired by then, because of their high cost and questionable safety, and NASA will have nothing ready to replace them until 2015 at the earliest.
For five years or more, the United States will be dependent on the technology of others to reach the station, which American taxpayers largely paid for. To complicate things further, the only nation now capable of flying humans to the station is Russia, giving it a strong bargaining position to decide what it wants to charge for the flights at a time when U.S.-Russian relations are becoming increasingly testy.
Florida Aerospace Microgravity Training Program Accepting Applications (Source: SpaceTEC)
The Florida Aerospace Microgravity Training Program is now accepting applications through March 28 for seventy-five currently employed Florida aerospace engineers, technicians and scientists, statewide. Chosen applicants will gain first-hand knowledge of spaceflight working conditions under a new state-sponsored initiative aimed at preparing the workforce for the next-generation of commercial and government space programs. The Microgravity Training Program will include a mix of classroom, web-based, and in-flight training to introduce workers to the challenges of developing and operating systems in the weightless environment of space. Participants will be selected based on eligibility criteria along with the information contained in the application. The program is sponsored by Workforce Florida, Inc. and the Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB). To obtain an application, visit http://www.spacetec.org.
Boeing will host a small-business supplier forum March 19 to attract the best of industry as the company prepares to compete for NASA's Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC). "We are especially interested in those suppliers who are currently supporting NASA's missions operations. This forum creates an opportunity to speak with representatives of small businesses that have innovative and cost-effective solutions and want to do business with Boeing," said a Boeing official. The FDOC is administered by NASA's Johnson Space Center. It includes development, sustaining engineering, operations and maintenance of the training, flight planning, reconfiguration and control-center facilities for human spaceflight programs. The contract also includes developing and maintaining the software applications used in these facilities.
NASA Wary of Relying on Russia as Lone Carrier of Astronauts to Station (Source: Washington Post)
For NASA, the launch of the ESA Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) highlights a stark reality: In 2 1/2 years, just as the station gets fully assembled, the United States will no longer have any spacecraft of its own capable of carrying astronauts and cargo to the station, in which roughly $100 billion is being invested. The three space shuttles will be retired by then, because of their high cost and questionable safety, and NASA will have nothing ready to replace them until 2015 at the earliest.
For five years or more, the United States will be dependent on the technology of others to reach the station, which American taxpayers largely paid for. To complicate things further, the only nation now capable of flying humans to the station is Russia, giving it a strong bargaining position to decide what it wants to charge for the flights at a time when U.S.-Russian relations are becoming increasingly testy.
Florida Aerospace Microgravity Training Program Accepting Applications (Source: SpaceTEC)
The Florida Aerospace Microgravity Training Program is now accepting applications through March 28 for seventy-five currently employed Florida aerospace engineers, technicians and scientists, statewide. Chosen applicants will gain first-hand knowledge of spaceflight working conditions under a new state-sponsored initiative aimed at preparing the workforce for the next-generation of commercial and government space programs. The Microgravity Training Program will include a mix of classroom, web-based, and in-flight training to introduce workers to the challenges of developing and operating systems in the weightless environment of space. Participants will be selected based on eligibility criteria along with the information contained in the application. The program is sponsored by Workforce Florida, Inc. and the Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB). To obtain an application, visit http://www.spacetec.org.
March 6 News Items
NASA Offers Microgravity Rides for SBIR/STTR Projects (Source: Zero Gravity Corp.)
NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) and Strategic Capabilities Assets Program (SCAP) are offering an opportunity for companies with NASA SBIR/STTR Phase I and II contracts to conduct reduced-gravity testing of their technology aboard parabolic aircraft flights. Technologies must be within the TRL 4-6 range and should be ready for microgravity environment testing. This is an initial capability demonstration of parabolic aircraft flights to support technology demonstration activities. The FAST project in IPP will be offering opportunities for technology demonstration subsequent to this activity. Funding has been allocated for one flight week to demonstrate this capability, and there is opportunity during this week for SBIR/STTR technology demonstrations. Therefore, NASA SBIR/STTR companies selected will NOT be responsible for the cost of the parabolic aircraft flights. However, companies will be responsible for all other costs. Responses are due by March 28. Visit http://spacereport.blogspot.com/2008/03/parabolic-flight-opportunity-notice.html for information.
Billionaires In Space (Source: Forbes)
In the world of gamers, Richard Garriott answers to the name "Lord British." But what about in space? Call him a "space tourist," and Garriott will grimace. Instead the lanky, 46-year-old computer gaming tycoon thinks of himself as a "private astronaut"--and he's hoping that hundreds of other people will want to earn the same title, too. Garriott's ambitions stretch beyond merely reaching space. He wants to reinvent the way Americans view and, eventually, experience space travel. "I grew up listening to criticisms of space exploration," says Garriott. "My mission is to show that this is a useful, profitable activity." Click here to view the article.
Virginia Governor Signs Space Tax Incentive (Source: Spaceports Blog)
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed into law the so-called 'Zero Gravity, Zero Tax' measure Monday at the state capitol in Richmond. Virginia will levy no income tax on business earnings that relate to human spaceflight training or actual space flights launched from Virginia. The measure becomes effective July 1, 2008 for the tax year beginning January 1, 2009. Governor Kaine also signed the nation's first Spaceflight Laibility and Immunity law last year. Florida is now seeking to duplicate Virginia's informed consent law with other states expected to follow.
Air Force Reserve Establishes First Space Wing (Source: USAF)
Air Force Reserve Command officials are expanding the critical role reservists play in space operations by establishing AFRC's first space wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Command officials will activate the 310th Space Wing March 7. The new organization is an expansion of the existing 310th Space Group, based at Schriever AFB.
Some House Members Want to Increase NASA's Budget (Source: Daily Press)
House budget writers signaled Wednesday they will try to increase NASA's budget for next year, warning that President Bush's spending request would leave the aerospace agency unable to fully conduct its missions. Democratic and Republican leaders of a key House panel told NASA Administrator Michael Griffin they were uneasy with a budget that they said fails even to keep up with inflation. "You're cash-strapped," said Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA. "The budget is categorized as staying the course. It doesn't seem adequate anymore."
Generation Y Seeks NASA's Embrace (Source: WIRED)
At the recent NASA Next Generation Exploration Conference at NASA Ames, two young NASA employees gave a powerful presentation called "The Gen Y Perspective"-- a set of charts they had delivered to their center management the week before that made it all the way up to the Administrator's desk. Now they were presenting it at a conference of their peers, with special guest moon walker Buzz Aldrin listening. Visit http://images.spaceref.com/news/2008/NASA.gen.y.pdf to view their presentation.
NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) and Strategic Capabilities Assets Program (SCAP) are offering an opportunity for companies with NASA SBIR/STTR Phase I and II contracts to conduct reduced-gravity testing of their technology aboard parabolic aircraft flights. Technologies must be within the TRL 4-6 range and should be ready for microgravity environment testing. This is an initial capability demonstration of parabolic aircraft flights to support technology demonstration activities. The FAST project in IPP will be offering opportunities for technology demonstration subsequent to this activity. Funding has been allocated for one flight week to demonstrate this capability, and there is opportunity during this week for SBIR/STTR technology demonstrations. Therefore, NASA SBIR/STTR companies selected will NOT be responsible for the cost of the parabolic aircraft flights. However, companies will be responsible for all other costs. Responses are due by March 28. Visit http://spacereport.blogspot.com/2008/03/parabolic-flight-opportunity-notice.html for information.
Billionaires In Space (Source: Forbes)
In the world of gamers, Richard Garriott answers to the name "Lord British." But what about in space? Call him a "space tourist," and Garriott will grimace. Instead the lanky, 46-year-old computer gaming tycoon thinks of himself as a "private astronaut"--and he's hoping that hundreds of other people will want to earn the same title, too. Garriott's ambitions stretch beyond merely reaching space. He wants to reinvent the way Americans view and, eventually, experience space travel. "I grew up listening to criticisms of space exploration," says Garriott. "My mission is to show that this is a useful, profitable activity." Click here to view the article.
Virginia Governor Signs Space Tax Incentive (Source: Spaceports Blog)
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed into law the so-called 'Zero Gravity, Zero Tax' measure Monday at the state capitol in Richmond. Virginia will levy no income tax on business earnings that relate to human spaceflight training or actual space flights launched from Virginia. The measure becomes effective July 1, 2008 for the tax year beginning January 1, 2009. Governor Kaine also signed the nation's first Spaceflight Laibility and Immunity law last year. Florida is now seeking to duplicate Virginia's informed consent law with other states expected to follow.
Air Force Reserve Establishes First Space Wing (Source: USAF)
Air Force Reserve Command officials are expanding the critical role reservists play in space operations by establishing AFRC's first space wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Command officials will activate the 310th Space Wing March 7. The new organization is an expansion of the existing 310th Space Group, based at Schriever AFB.
Some House Members Want to Increase NASA's Budget (Source: Daily Press)
House budget writers signaled Wednesday they will try to increase NASA's budget for next year, warning that President Bush's spending request would leave the aerospace agency unable to fully conduct its missions. Democratic and Republican leaders of a key House panel told NASA Administrator Michael Griffin they were uneasy with a budget that they said fails even to keep up with inflation. "You're cash-strapped," said Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA. "The budget is categorized as staying the course. It doesn't seem adequate anymore."
Generation Y Seeks NASA's Embrace (Source: WIRED)
At the recent NASA Next Generation Exploration Conference at NASA Ames, two young NASA employees gave a powerful presentation called "The Gen Y Perspective"-- a set of charts they had delivered to their center management the week before that made it all the way up to the Administrator's desk. Now they were presenting it at a conference of their peers, with special guest moon walker Buzz Aldrin listening. Visit http://images.spaceref.com/news/2008/NASA.gen.y.pdf to view their presentation.
March 5 News Items
Embry-Riddle Leaders Discuss Space in Washington and Tallahassee (Source: ERAU)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University officials, including its president, provost and vice president for research, met in Washington DC last week with alumni from Capitol Hill and various agencies. They held a reception honoring Rep. John Mica, and attended a joint California/Florida Space Week function, and discussed space transportation issues with officials at the FAA. Meanwhile, the university's space policy analyst attended Space Day legislative meetings in Tallahassee during the opening week of the Florida Legislative Session.
NASA May Consider Moon's South Pole for Human Outpost (Source: AIA)
Images of the moon's south pole suggest it might be ideal for a future human landing, NASA scientists say. The images were obtained with a NASA radar based in Goldstone, Calif., and show mountain peaks higher than 20,000 feet near impact craters up to six miles deep.
Telescopes on Moon Would Allow Deep Look Into Universe (Source: AIA)
Washington Post science writer Marc Kaufman recently discussed NASA's preliminary plans to place arrays of radio antennas on the far side of the moon during an online chat with readers. He noted that the radio antennas would allow astronomers to look far back into the past of the universe.
NASA's Latest Lunar Concept Vehicle Features Six-Wheel Drive (Source: AIA)
The latest lunar concept vehicle has six wheels able to turn individually in any direction, a feature that will allow astronauts to drive into a lunar crater sideways. The vehicle, which was built at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, has no seats, doors or windows.
Colorado Expertise Delivers Amazing Mars Avalanche Photos (Source: Rocky Mountain News)
The camera that took the amazing photos of avalanches on Mars was built in Boulder, and the orbiter on which the camera sits was built in Jefferson County. Pictures sent back from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show graphic images of an avalanche carrying snow down what looks like a rocky cliff. The images are among the nation's and the world's favorite Internet downloads today. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was built at Lockheed-Martin's Waterton Canyon facility near Denver. It launched in 2005 on a Lockheed-Martin Atlas Rocket. The camera, called the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, was built in Boulder at Ball Aerospace, and has such high resolution that it can interpret images on the surface that are the size of a small beach ball.
Aerospace Industry Faces Shortage of Workers (Source: AIA)
Some officials in the aerospace industry are concerned that a shortage of new workers could hurt national security or limit the industry's ability to convert military technology into commercial products. Aerospace Industries Association Chief Executive Marion Blakey said the space program could encourage young people to enter the field. "The question is: how do you encourage young kids to think of themselves as potential scientists and engineers," Blakey said. "We hope that a return to the moon and Mars will help inspire them."
Editorial: Shooting for North Carolina's Space Potential (Source: News Observer)
Have you heard of the following companies? Bigelow Aerospace - developing commercial space stations (Imagine the Triangle's universities forming a consortium to buy, own and operate one of these stations. In effect, they would have the world's first orbiting campus.); Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) - manufactures launch vehicles and crew and cargo capsules for commercial delivery to orbital destinations; Virgin Galactic - the world's first commercial "spaceline."
While NASA struggles to field a space shuttle replacement and prepare for its moon and Mars missions, "NewSpace" firms like these are quietly yet steadily becoming a key contributor to the overall U.S. economy. New jobs and economic development await those who look beyond traditional civil and military aerospace and position themselves now to participate in the NewSpace industry. According to a Council on Competitiveness report, the Research Triangle can seize on under-realized potential by developing "... new opportunities at the intersection of clusters, including environmental sciences, biotechnology and information technology, telecommunications and medicine, and biotechnology and agribusiness."
All these clusters intersect with NewSpace. According to reactions I have encountered when giving presentations to students at N.C. State, Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, while some would like to work at NASA, even more would prefer to work at NewSpace companies. Visit http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/982548.html to view the article.
Additional Satellite Pushes Program Over Budget (Source: AIA)
The Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite program is now running 15% over its baseline budget, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said. He cited the DOD's decision to restart the production line and add a fourth spacecraft for the higher costs. Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are running the program.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University officials, including its president, provost and vice president for research, met in Washington DC last week with alumni from Capitol Hill and various agencies. They held a reception honoring Rep. John Mica, and attended a joint California/Florida Space Week function, and discussed space transportation issues with officials at the FAA. Meanwhile, the university's space policy analyst attended Space Day legislative meetings in Tallahassee during the opening week of the Florida Legislative Session.
NASA May Consider Moon's South Pole for Human Outpost (Source: AIA)
Images of the moon's south pole suggest it might be ideal for a future human landing, NASA scientists say. The images were obtained with a NASA radar based in Goldstone, Calif., and show mountain peaks higher than 20,000 feet near impact craters up to six miles deep.
Telescopes on Moon Would Allow Deep Look Into Universe (Source: AIA)
Washington Post science writer Marc Kaufman recently discussed NASA's preliminary plans to place arrays of radio antennas on the far side of the moon during an online chat with readers. He noted that the radio antennas would allow astronomers to look far back into the past of the universe.
NASA's Latest Lunar Concept Vehicle Features Six-Wheel Drive (Source: AIA)
The latest lunar concept vehicle has six wheels able to turn individually in any direction, a feature that will allow astronauts to drive into a lunar crater sideways. The vehicle, which was built at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, has no seats, doors or windows.
Colorado Expertise Delivers Amazing Mars Avalanche Photos (Source: Rocky Mountain News)
The camera that took the amazing photos of avalanches on Mars was built in Boulder, and the orbiter on which the camera sits was built in Jefferson County. Pictures sent back from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show graphic images of an avalanche carrying snow down what looks like a rocky cliff. The images are among the nation's and the world's favorite Internet downloads today. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was built at Lockheed-Martin's Waterton Canyon facility near Denver. It launched in 2005 on a Lockheed-Martin Atlas Rocket. The camera, called the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, was built in Boulder at Ball Aerospace, and has such high resolution that it can interpret images on the surface that are the size of a small beach ball.
Aerospace Industry Faces Shortage of Workers (Source: AIA)
Some officials in the aerospace industry are concerned that a shortage of new workers could hurt national security or limit the industry's ability to convert military technology into commercial products. Aerospace Industries Association Chief Executive Marion Blakey said the space program could encourage young people to enter the field. "The question is: how do you encourage young kids to think of themselves as potential scientists and engineers," Blakey said. "We hope that a return to the moon and Mars will help inspire them."
Editorial: Shooting for North Carolina's Space Potential (Source: News Observer)
Have you heard of the following companies? Bigelow Aerospace - developing commercial space stations (Imagine the Triangle's universities forming a consortium to buy, own and operate one of these stations. In effect, they would have the world's first orbiting campus.); Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) - manufactures launch vehicles and crew and cargo capsules for commercial delivery to orbital destinations; Virgin Galactic - the world's first commercial "spaceline."
While NASA struggles to field a space shuttle replacement and prepare for its moon and Mars missions, "NewSpace" firms like these are quietly yet steadily becoming a key contributor to the overall U.S. economy. New jobs and economic development await those who look beyond traditional civil and military aerospace and position themselves now to participate in the NewSpace industry. According to a Council on Competitiveness report, the Research Triangle can seize on under-realized potential by developing "... new opportunities at the intersection of clusters, including environmental sciences, biotechnology and information technology, telecommunications and medicine, and biotechnology and agribusiness."
All these clusters intersect with NewSpace. According to reactions I have encountered when giving presentations to students at N.C. State, Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, while some would like to work at NASA, even more would prefer to work at NewSpace companies. Visit http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/982548.html to view the article.
Additional Satellite Pushes Program Over Budget (Source: AIA)
The Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite program is now running 15% over its baseline budget, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said. He cited the DOD's decision to restart the production line and add a fourth spacecraft for the higher costs. Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are running the program.
March 4 News Items
The Cadillac of Mars Rovers (Source: LA Times)
Wider than a Hummer, tall enough to roll over boulders and toting a laser "ray gun" that can zap rocks at 30 feet, NASA's next-generation Mars rover looks like something you would paint a skull and crossbones on and enter in a demolition derby. Compared to Sojourner, the dowdy little robot that tooled around on Mars for three months in 1997, the atomic-powered Mars Science Laboratory rover being built at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is an interplanetary beast. "Nothing like this has ever been sent to Mars before," said Joy Crisp, 49, deputy project scientist for the new mission. But then, this new rover has a big job: settling once and for all whether the conditions on ancient Mars were suitable for life. Click here to view the article.
China and the US: space race or miscommunication? (Source: Space Review)
The rise of China as a major space power is seen by some in the US as a threat to American prestige, if not national security. Jeff Foust reports that, for some experts, the real concern is the misperceptions that exist in the two countries about each other's projects and intents. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1075/1 to view the article.
Xtraordinary Adventures Announces "World's First Space Cruise" Week (Source: Xtraordinary Adventures)
Xtraordinary Adventures is bringing a few famous astronauts aboard the yacht Sea Dream to select several passengers for a future sub-orbital spaceflight. Participants will experience weightlessness on a Zero-G flight from the Kennedy Space Center and G forces during space training. The 'Space Cruise' week event will be held in April 2009. According to company Director Mitchell J Schultz, “ninety-six possible participants from around the globe are expected to register and become a part of space history...With chances no greater than one out of sixteen and with a week full of stimulating space related events, participants will thrill to the experience of a lifetime as they schmooze with others of similar interests and mingle with U S Hall of Fame Astronauts that are all part of the festivities.”
In addition, Xtraordinary Adventures will bring participants to Kennedy Space Center for a variety of special events including a chartered Zero-G flight, where each person will receive a personalized flight suit along with photos and a DVD of their experience. Participants will also receive a special two day space training program at NASTAR, near Philadelphia. With costs ranging from $98,000 to $250,000 for a seat, Xtraordinary Adventures has put together a program for $35,000 that Schultz claims “will allow all our participants an opportunity to not only taste the flavors of a space trip...but will also send up to six lucky participants on a future sub-orbital spaceflight with an authorized FAA licensed carrier or provide for a payment of $150,000 to each of the six if there are no scheduled flights or departures by April 30, 2012.” Visit http://www.XtraOrdinaryAdventures.com.
Will Arizona Lose its Role as Space Science Leader? (Source: Arizona Republic)
For example, with broad support from political, business and philanthropic leaders, investments are being made through Science Foundation Arizona to improve our state's competitive position in biosciences, information communication technologies and fields related to sustainability. Largely overlooked in coverage of these exciting developments, however, has been the fact that, in certain areas of science and technology, Arizona is already widely recognized as a national leader. Astronomy and space science are clearly in this category.
Lowell Observatory was founded in Flagstaff in 1894. Then came Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona. Steward populated the mountains around Tucson with telescopes, and the associated UA Astronomy Department has become one of the largest and most respected in the nation. Strong programs also were developed at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. The National Optical Astronomy Observatory and the National Solar Observatory were established in Tucson and built major telescopes on Kitt Peak. The MMT and Whipple Observatories came into being on Mount Hopkins south of Tucson, while the WIYN, MDM and SARA Observatories added to the growing population of telescopes on Kitt Peak.
The UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, the ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) and the USGS Astrogeology Team in Flagstaff have all filled important leadership roles in NASA missions. Tucson's Planetary Science Institute is also a significant contributor. The bottom line: Research in astronomy, planetary science and space science annually brings more than a quarter of a billion dollars and more than 3,300 jobs to Arizona. Visit http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/0302vip-millis0302.html to view the article.
Astronomers: Humans Will Make Contact with Aliens Within Two Decades (Source: Daily Mail)
Mankind will make contact with intelligent alien life within two decades, leading astronomers claim. The recent discovery of Earth-like planets outside our solar system and the launch of a major NASA mission in 2009 has brought extra-terrestrial contact a dramatic step closer. The American astrophysicist Dr Frank Drake said: "Everything has caused us to become more optimistic." The 76-year-old - who founded the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence project (SETI) in 1961 - added: "We really believe that in the next 20 years or so, we are going to learn a great deal more about life beyond Earth and very likely we will have detected that life and perhaps even intelligent life elsewhere in the galaxy."
SpaceX Announces New Manifest, Falcon 9 Delivery to Cape Canaveral On-Schedule (Source: SpaceX)
SpaceX announced its newly revised mission manifest listing twelve flights of its Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles. “We are on track to deliver our first Falcon 9 vehicle to Cape Canaveral by the end of 2008,” said Gwynne Shotwell, Vice President of Business Development for SpaceX. “In addition, we’are very pleased to have signed a significant new US government customer for our next Falcon 1 flight, and will be releasing details shortly.” The full SpaceX mission manifest extends into 2011 and lists nine customers on twelve flights, including three demonstration flights of SpaceX’s new Dragon spacecraft for NASA, as part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) competition. Click here to view the manifest.
Space Society Sponsors Lunar Short Story Contest (Source: SpaceRef.com)
The National Space Society is sponsoring Return to Luna: A Short Story Science Fiction Contest. The contest seeks Science Fiction stories that show the adventure of lunar settlement. We want to feel the romance of life there, the wonder of the lunar frontier, of its magnificent desolation. We prefer near future (50 to 150 years from now), realistic stories about human lunar settlement. We want good characterization and well-written, tight prose. We want to feel what it's like to live on the Moon. Visit http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24910 for information.
Ecliptic Enterprises and NASA Ames Collaboration in Full Swing (Source: Ecliptic)
A collaboration between entrepreneurial space firm Ecliptic Enterprises and the NASA Ames Research Center reached a notable milestone with final acceptance of the Ames-developed science payload for the LCROSS lunar mission and its shipment to Northrop Grumman for integration and testing with the LCROSS spacecraft. Ecliptic supplied the core avionics control unit -- the Data Handling Unit (DHU) -- that will be used during the LCROSS mission to control and route data from all nine onboard remote-sensing science instruments, including one of Ecliptic's RocketCam color video cameras.
Wider than a Hummer, tall enough to roll over boulders and toting a laser "ray gun" that can zap rocks at 30 feet, NASA's next-generation Mars rover looks like something you would paint a skull and crossbones on and enter in a demolition derby. Compared to Sojourner, the dowdy little robot that tooled around on Mars for three months in 1997, the atomic-powered Mars Science Laboratory rover being built at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is an interplanetary beast. "Nothing like this has ever been sent to Mars before," said Joy Crisp, 49, deputy project scientist for the new mission. But then, this new rover has a big job: settling once and for all whether the conditions on ancient Mars were suitable for life. Click here to view the article.
China and the US: space race or miscommunication? (Source: Space Review)
The rise of China as a major space power is seen by some in the US as a threat to American prestige, if not national security. Jeff Foust reports that, for some experts, the real concern is the misperceptions that exist in the two countries about each other's projects and intents. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1075/1 to view the article.
Xtraordinary Adventures Announces "World's First Space Cruise" Week (Source: Xtraordinary Adventures)
Xtraordinary Adventures is bringing a few famous astronauts aboard the yacht Sea Dream to select several passengers for a future sub-orbital spaceflight. Participants will experience weightlessness on a Zero-G flight from the Kennedy Space Center and G forces during space training. The 'Space Cruise' week event will be held in April 2009. According to company Director Mitchell J Schultz, “ninety-six possible participants from around the globe are expected to register and become a part of space history...With chances no greater than one out of sixteen and with a week full of stimulating space related events, participants will thrill to the experience of a lifetime as they schmooze with others of similar interests and mingle with U S Hall of Fame Astronauts that are all part of the festivities.”
In addition, Xtraordinary Adventures will bring participants to Kennedy Space Center for a variety of special events including a chartered Zero-G flight, where each person will receive a personalized flight suit along with photos and a DVD of their experience. Participants will also receive a special two day space training program at NASTAR, near Philadelphia. With costs ranging from $98,000 to $250,000 for a seat, Xtraordinary Adventures has put together a program for $35,000 that Schultz claims “will allow all our participants an opportunity to not only taste the flavors of a space trip...but will also send up to six lucky participants on a future sub-orbital spaceflight with an authorized FAA licensed carrier or provide for a payment of $150,000 to each of the six if there are no scheduled flights or departures by April 30, 2012.” Visit http://www.XtraOrdinaryAdventures.com.
Will Arizona Lose its Role as Space Science Leader? (Source: Arizona Republic)
For example, with broad support from political, business and philanthropic leaders, investments are being made through Science Foundation Arizona to improve our state's competitive position in biosciences, information communication technologies and fields related to sustainability. Largely overlooked in coverage of these exciting developments, however, has been the fact that, in certain areas of science and technology, Arizona is already widely recognized as a national leader. Astronomy and space science are clearly in this category.
Lowell Observatory was founded in Flagstaff in 1894. Then came Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona. Steward populated the mountains around Tucson with telescopes, and the associated UA Astronomy Department has become one of the largest and most respected in the nation. Strong programs also were developed at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. The National Optical Astronomy Observatory and the National Solar Observatory were established in Tucson and built major telescopes on Kitt Peak. The MMT and Whipple Observatories came into being on Mount Hopkins south of Tucson, while the WIYN, MDM and SARA Observatories added to the growing population of telescopes on Kitt Peak.
The UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, the ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) and the USGS Astrogeology Team in Flagstaff have all filled important leadership roles in NASA missions. Tucson's Planetary Science Institute is also a significant contributor. The bottom line: Research in astronomy, planetary science and space science annually brings more than a quarter of a billion dollars and more than 3,300 jobs to Arizona. Visit http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/0302vip-millis0302.html to view the article.
Astronomers: Humans Will Make Contact with Aliens Within Two Decades (Source: Daily Mail)
Mankind will make contact with intelligent alien life within two decades, leading astronomers claim. The recent discovery of Earth-like planets outside our solar system and the launch of a major NASA mission in 2009 has brought extra-terrestrial contact a dramatic step closer. The American astrophysicist Dr Frank Drake said: "Everything has caused us to become more optimistic." The 76-year-old - who founded the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence project (SETI) in 1961 - added: "We really believe that in the next 20 years or so, we are going to learn a great deal more about life beyond Earth and very likely we will have detected that life and perhaps even intelligent life elsewhere in the galaxy."
SpaceX Announces New Manifest, Falcon 9 Delivery to Cape Canaveral On-Schedule (Source: SpaceX)
SpaceX announced its newly revised mission manifest listing twelve flights of its Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles. “We are on track to deliver our first Falcon 9 vehicle to Cape Canaveral by the end of 2008,” said Gwynne Shotwell, Vice President of Business Development for SpaceX. “In addition, we’are very pleased to have signed a significant new US government customer for our next Falcon 1 flight, and will be releasing details shortly.” The full SpaceX mission manifest extends into 2011 and lists nine customers on twelve flights, including three demonstration flights of SpaceX’s new Dragon spacecraft for NASA, as part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) competition. Click here to view the manifest.
Space Society Sponsors Lunar Short Story Contest (Source: SpaceRef.com)
The National Space Society is sponsoring Return to Luna: A Short Story Science Fiction Contest. The contest seeks Science Fiction stories that show the adventure of lunar settlement. We want to feel the romance of life there, the wonder of the lunar frontier, of its magnificent desolation. We prefer near future (50 to 150 years from now), realistic stories about human lunar settlement. We want good characterization and well-written, tight prose. We want to feel what it's like to live on the Moon. Visit http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24910 for information.
Ecliptic Enterprises and NASA Ames Collaboration in Full Swing (Source: Ecliptic)
A collaboration between entrepreneurial space firm Ecliptic Enterprises and the NASA Ames Research Center reached a notable milestone with final acceptance of the Ames-developed science payload for the LCROSS lunar mission and its shipment to Northrop Grumman for integration and testing with the LCROSS spacecraft. Ecliptic supplied the core avionics control unit -- the Data Handling Unit (DHU) -- that will be used during the LCROSS mission to control and route data from all nine onboard remote-sensing science instruments, including one of Ecliptic's RocketCam color video cameras.
March 3 News Items
China May Try to Limit Opponents’ Satellites (Source: MSNBC)
China is developing the ability to limit or prevent the use of satellites by potential adversaries during times of crisis, the Pentagon said Monday in a report to Congress. The report, the latest in a series of annual assessments of China's military power, highlights developments in China's commercial space program and asserts that some can be of military use. And it says Chinese leaders have been silent on the question of a military motivation for their space programs. The Chinese military, known as the People's Liberation Army, is acquiring technologies to improve its ability to operate in space and is "developing the ability to attack an adversary's space assets," the report said. "PLA writings emphasize the necessity of 'destroying, damaging, and interfering with the enemy's reconnaissance/observation and communications satellites,' suggesting that such systems, as well as navigation and early warning satellites, could be among initial targets of attack to 'blind and deafen the enemy," the report said.
Clinton Statement in Support of U.S. Aerospace and Aviation (Source: SpaceRef.com)
"Our aerospace and aviation workforce is the best in the world, powered by hundreds of thousands of workers across the country, including more than 60,000 in Ohio and 180,000 in Texas. American aerospace is a flagship industry - producing an annual positive trade balance of close to $60 billion. Hillary will double NASA's and FAA's aeronautics R&D budgets as part of her plan to reverse the Bush administration's war on science. She will pursue a balanced strategy of robust human spaceflight, expanded robotic spaceflight, and enhanced space and Earth science activities. She will speed development, testing, and deployment of next-generation launch and crew exploration vehicles to replace the aging Space Shuttle program. At the same time, Hillary's innovation agenda calls for stimulating in-house research and commercial development by making the R&D tax credit permanent. She will also double federal investment in basic research, which is critical for ensuring that America is at the forefront of new ideas."
"To meet the aerospace industry's need for scientists, engineers and technicians, Hillary has called for tripling the number of NSF fellowships and other incentives for bringing more people, particularly women and minorities, into the fields of mathematics, science and engineering. Hillary will reward teachers that enter math and science disciplines and strengthen our K-12 education system to ensure we are producing the best future scientists and engineers in the world. Hillary will appoint an FAA director whose chief responsibility will be to speed a smooth transition to a Next Generation Air Transportation System. Hillary sees the Next Generation system as vital to accommodating the growth in air travel, to enhancing the safety and competitiveness of American aviation, and to improving air travel for consumers."
NASA's Popularity Rises as Vote Nears (Source: Houston Chronicle)
In the countdown to Tuesday's Texas primary, the candidates still in the race are positioning themselves as astronauts' best friends — but what they would actually do for manned space travel once elected remains up in the air. Under President Bush's current plan, the space shuttle will be retired in 2010. The new Orion moonship, developed under what is called the Constellation program, won't be ready until 2015, leaving a gap of five years. And with every candidate coming to Texas and professing devotion to NASA, space-watchers are trying to determine what the candidates actually will do when faced with a reeling economy and a record federal debt.
California Spaceport First-Responders Honored in Sacramento (Source: Bakersfield Californian)
There were far more unknowns than knowns when an explosion rocked the Mojave Air & Space Port last summer. They knew two people were dead and others were critically injured. They didn't know whether another explosion would happen. Entering that chaotic situation were employees from Hall Ambulance. They treated and transported the injured and did their jobs like any other call. Those employees, as well as two others who also excelled at emergency responder work throughout the year, were honored at the California Ambulance Association's Stars of Life program at the state Capitol in Sacramento.
Editorial: Russian Space Program Still Plagued by Numerous Problems (Source: RIA Novosti)
The development of Russia's high-tech sector, primarily the national space program, resembles a Camel Trophy race, while official reports do not always reflect the real situation. In late February, Anatoly Perminov, director of the Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) said he positively assessed the results of Russia's space exploration in 2007. He said that all projects had been financed in line with official programs. According to him, successful efforts were made to implement the federal space program until 2006-2015, to deploy the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and to expand national space centers under federal target programs.
With the exception of two mere trifles, the 2007 space program has yielded mostly positive results. In late November, First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who oversees the space program and the high-tech sector, severely criticized the work of Roskosmos. He said the agency had completed all Soviet-era projects and was no longer able to manufacture up-to-date and competitive products. On New Year's Eve, Ivanov told a meeting of the Roskosmos board that the agency had failed to fulfil the GLONASS program. Visit http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080303/100475822.html to view the article.
Water on Mars Theory Debunked? (Source: Discovery News)
With great excitement, scientists in 2006 unveiled photographs of recently carved gullies on Mars, believing that a burst of underground water may have left its mark. Not so, say researchers with the University of Arizona, who have been using topographical data derived from new images of Mars and running them through computer models. In December 2006, Michael Malin, with San Diego-based Malin Space Science Systems, and colleagues published an article in Science theorizing that bright streaks found in two Martian gullies which appeared since 1999 "suggest that liquid water flowed on the surface of Mars in the past decade." Turns out the gullies bear more similarity to channels carved from dry granular debris, such as sand or gravel, said Jon Pelletier, a lead author of a paper on the findings appearing in this month's issue of Geology. "It rules out pure liquid water," Pelletier said.
ATV, Cygnus, and Dragon (Source: Space Review)
The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to launch the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) resupply ship from French Guyana to the International Space Station (ISS) this month. It’s been a long wait. The ATV was once planed to launch towards the end of 2004, but, like so many space projects, has suffered from numerous delays and misjudgments. Once operational, it will be the Rolls Royce of space delivery vans. An ESA press release describes it as “a multi-functional spacecraft, combining the fully automatic capabilities of an unmanned vehicle with the safety requirements of a crewed vehicle.”
Meanwhile NASA's COTS program is moving ahead. SpaceX already has a full-scale engineering model of their Dragon capsule. The early version of the Dragon is designed to carry cargo, both pressurized and unpressurized, to the ISS. The great difference between ATV and Dragon is that, right from the start, the US capsule was designed to be used to carry people into orbit. The Dragon will be able to evolve rapidly and at minimal cost from a purely cargo-carrying system into a human-rated vehicle. This means that while the ATV will come into service years before Dragon, Dragon will be able to carry paying human customers into orbit long before the European vehicle.
A possible newcomer to this competition is Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Cygnus vehicle. Orbital won a COTS award last month to build a Cygnus cargo carrier with similar payload capacity to the Dragon and to be launched from their new Taurus 2 rocket. As far as we know, however, the company has no plans to turn Cygnus into a human-rated system. It’s much too early to know if Orbital’s Cygnus will have any significant advantages over either ATV or Dragon.
Endeavour To Launch March 11 (Source: Aerospace Daily)
NASA has approved space shuttle Endeavour to launch March 11 on STS-123, a 16-day mission that will mark the longest International Space Station (ISS) visit by the orbiter to date. If Endeavour can't launch March 11 or 12, it will have to stand down until March 17 to deconflict with a Delta II rocket launch planned from Cape Canaveral. Complicating the mission somewhat is the expected arrival in orbit of Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is scheduled to launch March 8. Having the shuttle, station and ATV in orbit at once means that each of the vehicles will experience pre-planned communications blackouts while NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) service the others. If necessary, however, the TDRS system could serve all three vehicles at the same time. The ATV will place itself in a parking orbit approximately 2 kilometers from the station and shuttle. It will not approach the station until the end of March, following the shuttle's departure, when it will perform two demonstration dockings and then its first actual docking.
Britain Urged to Become a Satellite Nation (Source: The Guardian)
Britain can play an important role in space exploration by exploiting its skills in the satellite sector rather than joining the competition in manned space flights, according to David Williams, head of Avanti, a satellite communications company. "There aren't unlimited resources - we have to prioritize in areas where we have an economic advantage," he said.
Britain should be creating the communications infrastructure that will be needed as exploration expands deeper into space, he said. Countries such as the US, China, India and Russia, as well as the European Space Agency, are working on deep-space exploration. "If mankind is going to exploit the resources of the solar system, you are going to have to travel over very long distances and you are going to have to communicate over very long distances and you will need a network of data-relay satellites. The UK has a big advantage. We have the opportunity to control the space internet, which is going to be this network of data-relay satellites."
China is developing the ability to limit or prevent the use of satellites by potential adversaries during times of crisis, the Pentagon said Monday in a report to Congress. The report, the latest in a series of annual assessments of China's military power, highlights developments in China's commercial space program and asserts that some can be of military use. And it says Chinese leaders have been silent on the question of a military motivation for their space programs. The Chinese military, known as the People's Liberation Army, is acquiring technologies to improve its ability to operate in space and is "developing the ability to attack an adversary's space assets," the report said. "PLA writings emphasize the necessity of 'destroying, damaging, and interfering with the enemy's reconnaissance/observation and communications satellites,' suggesting that such systems, as well as navigation and early warning satellites, could be among initial targets of attack to 'blind and deafen the enemy," the report said.
Clinton Statement in Support of U.S. Aerospace and Aviation (Source: SpaceRef.com)
"Our aerospace and aviation workforce is the best in the world, powered by hundreds of thousands of workers across the country, including more than 60,000 in Ohio and 180,000 in Texas. American aerospace is a flagship industry - producing an annual positive trade balance of close to $60 billion. Hillary will double NASA's and FAA's aeronautics R&D budgets as part of her plan to reverse the Bush administration's war on science. She will pursue a balanced strategy of robust human spaceflight, expanded robotic spaceflight, and enhanced space and Earth science activities. She will speed development, testing, and deployment of next-generation launch and crew exploration vehicles to replace the aging Space Shuttle program. At the same time, Hillary's innovation agenda calls for stimulating in-house research and commercial development by making the R&D tax credit permanent. She will also double federal investment in basic research, which is critical for ensuring that America is at the forefront of new ideas."
"To meet the aerospace industry's need for scientists, engineers and technicians, Hillary has called for tripling the number of NSF fellowships and other incentives for bringing more people, particularly women and minorities, into the fields of mathematics, science and engineering. Hillary will reward teachers that enter math and science disciplines and strengthen our K-12 education system to ensure we are producing the best future scientists and engineers in the world. Hillary will appoint an FAA director whose chief responsibility will be to speed a smooth transition to a Next Generation Air Transportation System. Hillary sees the Next Generation system as vital to accommodating the growth in air travel, to enhancing the safety and competitiveness of American aviation, and to improving air travel for consumers."
NASA's Popularity Rises as Vote Nears (Source: Houston Chronicle)
In the countdown to Tuesday's Texas primary, the candidates still in the race are positioning themselves as astronauts' best friends — but what they would actually do for manned space travel once elected remains up in the air. Under President Bush's current plan, the space shuttle will be retired in 2010. The new Orion moonship, developed under what is called the Constellation program, won't be ready until 2015, leaving a gap of five years. And with every candidate coming to Texas and professing devotion to NASA, space-watchers are trying to determine what the candidates actually will do when faced with a reeling economy and a record federal debt.
California Spaceport First-Responders Honored in Sacramento (Source: Bakersfield Californian)
There were far more unknowns than knowns when an explosion rocked the Mojave Air & Space Port last summer. They knew two people were dead and others were critically injured. They didn't know whether another explosion would happen. Entering that chaotic situation were employees from Hall Ambulance. They treated and transported the injured and did their jobs like any other call. Those employees, as well as two others who also excelled at emergency responder work throughout the year, were honored at the California Ambulance Association's Stars of Life program at the state Capitol in Sacramento.
Editorial: Russian Space Program Still Plagued by Numerous Problems (Source: RIA Novosti)
The development of Russia's high-tech sector, primarily the national space program, resembles a Camel Trophy race, while official reports do not always reflect the real situation. In late February, Anatoly Perminov, director of the Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) said he positively assessed the results of Russia's space exploration in 2007. He said that all projects had been financed in line with official programs. According to him, successful efforts were made to implement the federal space program until 2006-2015, to deploy the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and to expand national space centers under federal target programs.
With the exception of two mere trifles, the 2007 space program has yielded mostly positive results. In late November, First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who oversees the space program and the high-tech sector, severely criticized the work of Roskosmos. He said the agency had completed all Soviet-era projects and was no longer able to manufacture up-to-date and competitive products. On New Year's Eve, Ivanov told a meeting of the Roskosmos board that the agency had failed to fulfil the GLONASS program. Visit http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080303/100475822.html to view the article.
Water on Mars Theory Debunked? (Source: Discovery News)
With great excitement, scientists in 2006 unveiled photographs of recently carved gullies on Mars, believing that a burst of underground water may have left its mark. Not so, say researchers with the University of Arizona, who have been using topographical data derived from new images of Mars and running them through computer models. In December 2006, Michael Malin, with San Diego-based Malin Space Science Systems, and colleagues published an article in Science theorizing that bright streaks found in two Martian gullies which appeared since 1999 "suggest that liquid water flowed on the surface of Mars in the past decade." Turns out the gullies bear more similarity to channels carved from dry granular debris, such as sand or gravel, said Jon Pelletier, a lead author of a paper on the findings appearing in this month's issue of Geology. "It rules out pure liquid water," Pelletier said.
ATV, Cygnus, and Dragon (Source: Space Review)
The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to launch the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) resupply ship from French Guyana to the International Space Station (ISS) this month. It’s been a long wait. The ATV was once planed to launch towards the end of 2004, but, like so many space projects, has suffered from numerous delays and misjudgments. Once operational, it will be the Rolls Royce of space delivery vans. An ESA press release describes it as “a multi-functional spacecraft, combining the fully automatic capabilities of an unmanned vehicle with the safety requirements of a crewed vehicle.”
Meanwhile NASA's COTS program is moving ahead. SpaceX already has a full-scale engineering model of their Dragon capsule. The early version of the Dragon is designed to carry cargo, both pressurized and unpressurized, to the ISS. The great difference between ATV and Dragon is that, right from the start, the US capsule was designed to be used to carry people into orbit. The Dragon will be able to evolve rapidly and at minimal cost from a purely cargo-carrying system into a human-rated vehicle. This means that while the ATV will come into service years before Dragon, Dragon will be able to carry paying human customers into orbit long before the European vehicle.
A possible newcomer to this competition is Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Cygnus vehicle. Orbital won a COTS award last month to build a Cygnus cargo carrier with similar payload capacity to the Dragon and to be launched from their new Taurus 2 rocket. As far as we know, however, the company has no plans to turn Cygnus into a human-rated system. It’s much too early to know if Orbital’s Cygnus will have any significant advantages over either ATV or Dragon.
Endeavour To Launch March 11 (Source: Aerospace Daily)
NASA has approved space shuttle Endeavour to launch March 11 on STS-123, a 16-day mission that will mark the longest International Space Station (ISS) visit by the orbiter to date. If Endeavour can't launch March 11 or 12, it will have to stand down until March 17 to deconflict with a Delta II rocket launch planned from Cape Canaveral. Complicating the mission somewhat is the expected arrival in orbit of Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is scheduled to launch March 8. Having the shuttle, station and ATV in orbit at once means that each of the vehicles will experience pre-planned communications blackouts while NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) service the others. If necessary, however, the TDRS system could serve all three vehicles at the same time. The ATV will place itself in a parking orbit approximately 2 kilometers from the station and shuttle. It will not approach the station until the end of March, following the shuttle's departure, when it will perform two demonstration dockings and then its first actual docking.
Britain Urged to Become a Satellite Nation (Source: The Guardian)
Britain can play an important role in space exploration by exploiting its skills in the satellite sector rather than joining the competition in manned space flights, according to David Williams, head of Avanti, a satellite communications company. "There aren't unlimited resources - we have to prioritize in areas where we have an economic advantage," he said.
Britain should be creating the communications infrastructure that will be needed as exploration expands deeper into space, he said. Countries such as the US, China, India and Russia, as well as the European Space Agency, are working on deep-space exploration. "If mankind is going to exploit the resources of the solar system, you are going to have to travel over very long distances and you are going to have to communicate over very long distances and you will need a network of data-relay satellites. The UK has a big advantage. We have the opportunity to control the space internet, which is going to be this network of data-relay satellites."
March 2 News Items
Air Force Funds Boeing and Lockheed Martin to Retain EELV Rocket Availability (Source: ERAU)
Boeing and Lockheed Martin will receive contract modifications totaling over $518 million to "maintain uninterrupted support" for the companies' Delta-4 and Atlas-5 launch vehicles. Boeing will receive the majority of the new funding, just under $308 million, with some additional tasks. Boeing will use $20 million for "pre/post mission engineering and critical components...supply chain management and technological improvement tasks" for the Delta-4 launch system.
Candidates' Views Differ on Space Exploration (Source: NPR)
Advocates of NASA's plan to return to the moon are concerned that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he will raid NASA's budget to fund education. While the issue of space exploration hasn't gotten much attention this campaign season, it is a topic on which the candidates do differ. Visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87829747 to hear the radio news segment.
Launch Site Opposition Focuses Mainly on Northern Option (Source: ERAU)
Opponents of NASA's concept for allowing a new commercial launch complex to be built on KSC are most concerned with the northernmost site among the two options identified. The northern site is on relatively undisturbed land and its development and operations would impact public use of the Mosquito Lagoon, a wildlife sanctuary and nearby beaches. The southern site is adjacent to existing Space Shuttle launch pads, is located within KSC's current security area, and would not impact public access to wildlife areas. Advocates hope the strong opposition to the northern site expressed at recent public meetings will not prevent the development of the southern site. Click here to view a map of the two sites.
Florida Legislators Introduce Space Diversification Bill (Source: ERAU)
The Florida Legislative Session begins this week in Tallahassee and multiple space-related bills will be considered. Rep. Thad Altman and Senator Bill Posey (who is seeking Dave Weldon's seat in Congress) have introduced HB-1055 and SB-2526, respectively. The "Space Technology Research and Diversification Initiative Act" would establish a multi-university space initiative.
According to the bills: "The anticipated impacts of NASA's retirement of the Space Shuttle program reveal an underlying lack of diversification in Florida's space industry...resulting in an economic reliance on launch-related programs. The Legislature finds that the state should expand statewide involvement in space research and technology development programs involving multiple universities, industry, NASA, and the military." Visit http://www.myfloridahouse.com/SECTIONS/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=38817& for information.
New Use For NASA's Ceramic Thermal-Protection Tiles Saves Some Jobs at KSC (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Ceramic heat-protection tiles -- for three decades, a fragile symbol of the space-shuttle era -- have gained an unexpected new lease on life. Long assumed to be destined for the engineering garbage can as NASA abandons the shuttle for a new spaceship, the tiles have made a comeback as part of the thermal-protection system of the Orion space capsule that is supposed to return astronauts to the moon in 2020. Even better for the beleaguered workforce at KSC -- which expects to lose thousands of jobs when the shuttle is retired -- the tiles will be manufactured and applied to the sides of the Orion capsule at KSC. But only as few as 10 tile technicians will remain, down from an estimated several hundred today.
Fighting to Launch Cosmic-Ray Detector (Source: New York Times)
In a recent report to Congress, NASA offered two contradictory statements: a $1.5 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) intended for the space station was on track for a 2009 launch, but it had no intention of actually launching AMS into space. Once upon a time the AMS was to be the scientific centerpiece of the space station. The 15,000 pound detector would look for evidence of antimatter or the mysterious dark matter that accounts for 25 percent of creation. The brainchild of MIT physicist and Nobel laureate Sam Ting, the detector was built by a collaboration of scientists from 16 countries, including China and Taiwan.
NASA agreed in 1995 to give it a ride to the space station and then reneged 10 years later after Columbia's loss, saying the remaining flights between now and 2010's shuttle retirement were all spoken for. This dismayed many physicists who thought the space agency should keep its word and was being a bad international partner. “It’s a pity that NASA is living up to its commitment to finish the Space Station, but not to its commitment to use it for something scientifically interesting,” said Steven Weinberg, himself a Nobel physicist. But Dr. Ting has supporters in Congress, including Sen. Bill Nelson, who vowed to file legislation adding a shuttle flight for the detector if NASA did not change its mind. A recent NASA report on the status and prospects of the AMS reveals that NASA has not changed its mind.
In order to fly AMS before Sep. 2010, the shuttle end date, either “critical space station hardware” would have to be bumped from a flight, or an additional flight would have to be booked at a cost of some $300-400 million and additional risk. Extending the shuttle operations into 2011, they said, would cost $3 billion or more and have a “significant negative impact” on NASA’s new exploration program. Moreover, it takes 18 months to get ready for a flight, so the decision to fly the experiment has to be made (and presumably the funds provided) by a year from now.
What about launching the experiment on another unmanned rocket? That could cost as much as $1 billion and couldn’t happen before 2013 or 2014, which raises a final problem: Dr. Ting’s spectrometer is supposed to work for three years, but the money for space station operations, according to the report, is currently scheduled to run out in 2016. Dr. Ting declined to comment on the NASA report. But he said by e-mail that the detector, being assembled at CERN, the European physics laboratory outside Geneva, was now complete.
Editorial: Location, Location, Location (Source: ERAU)
The idea of building a new commercial launch complex on Kennedy Space Center has caused many opponents to suggest locating it on Air Force property. This may be feasible, but it defeats the intent. The two currently proposed sites on KSC may not be perfect, but they have a huge advantage over an Air Force location: no Air Force. The KSC sites would allow a greater role for the FAA and a state- or county-empowered spaceport authority, including streamlined processes for commercial access, and potentially the use of an FAA-approved range safety system instead of the notoriously complex Eastern Range. This airport-like approach was envisioned nearly two decades ago when the state established the Spaceport Florida Authority, but the Air Force never embraced the concept. The Air Force's resistance to change is the reason new commercial--and even new military--launch programs avoid the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Eastern Range.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin will receive contract modifications totaling over $518 million to "maintain uninterrupted support" for the companies' Delta-4 and Atlas-5 launch vehicles. Boeing will receive the majority of the new funding, just under $308 million, with some additional tasks. Boeing will use $20 million for "pre/post mission engineering and critical components...supply chain management and technological improvement tasks" for the Delta-4 launch system.
Candidates' Views Differ on Space Exploration (Source: NPR)
Advocates of NASA's plan to return to the moon are concerned that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he will raid NASA's budget to fund education. While the issue of space exploration hasn't gotten much attention this campaign season, it is a topic on which the candidates do differ. Visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87829747 to hear the radio news segment.
Launch Site Opposition Focuses Mainly on Northern Option (Source: ERAU)
Opponents of NASA's concept for allowing a new commercial launch complex to be built on KSC are most concerned with the northernmost site among the two options identified. The northern site is on relatively undisturbed land and its development and operations would impact public use of the Mosquito Lagoon, a wildlife sanctuary and nearby beaches. The southern site is adjacent to existing Space Shuttle launch pads, is located within KSC's current security area, and would not impact public access to wildlife areas. Advocates hope the strong opposition to the northern site expressed at recent public meetings will not prevent the development of the southern site. Click here to view a map of the two sites.
Florida Legislators Introduce Space Diversification Bill (Source: ERAU)
The Florida Legislative Session begins this week in Tallahassee and multiple space-related bills will be considered. Rep. Thad Altman and Senator Bill Posey (who is seeking Dave Weldon's seat in Congress) have introduced HB-1055 and SB-2526, respectively. The "Space Technology Research and Diversification Initiative Act" would establish a multi-university space initiative.
According to the bills: "The anticipated impacts of NASA's retirement of the Space Shuttle program reveal an underlying lack of diversification in Florida's space industry...resulting in an economic reliance on launch-related programs. The Legislature finds that the state should expand statewide involvement in space research and technology development programs involving multiple universities, industry, NASA, and the military." Visit http://www.myfloridahouse.com/SECTIONS/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=38817& for information.
New Use For NASA's Ceramic Thermal-Protection Tiles Saves Some Jobs at KSC (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Ceramic heat-protection tiles -- for three decades, a fragile symbol of the space-shuttle era -- have gained an unexpected new lease on life. Long assumed to be destined for the engineering garbage can as NASA abandons the shuttle for a new spaceship, the tiles have made a comeback as part of the thermal-protection system of the Orion space capsule that is supposed to return astronauts to the moon in 2020. Even better for the beleaguered workforce at KSC -- which expects to lose thousands of jobs when the shuttle is retired -- the tiles will be manufactured and applied to the sides of the Orion capsule at KSC. But only as few as 10 tile technicians will remain, down from an estimated several hundred today.
Fighting to Launch Cosmic-Ray Detector (Source: New York Times)
In a recent report to Congress, NASA offered two contradictory statements: a $1.5 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) intended for the space station was on track for a 2009 launch, but it had no intention of actually launching AMS into space. Once upon a time the AMS was to be the scientific centerpiece of the space station. The 15,000 pound detector would look for evidence of antimatter or the mysterious dark matter that accounts for 25 percent of creation. The brainchild of MIT physicist and Nobel laureate Sam Ting, the detector was built by a collaboration of scientists from 16 countries, including China and Taiwan.
NASA agreed in 1995 to give it a ride to the space station and then reneged 10 years later after Columbia's loss, saying the remaining flights between now and 2010's shuttle retirement were all spoken for. This dismayed many physicists who thought the space agency should keep its word and was being a bad international partner. “It’s a pity that NASA is living up to its commitment to finish the Space Station, but not to its commitment to use it for something scientifically interesting,” said Steven Weinberg, himself a Nobel physicist. But Dr. Ting has supporters in Congress, including Sen. Bill Nelson, who vowed to file legislation adding a shuttle flight for the detector if NASA did not change its mind. A recent NASA report on the status and prospects of the AMS reveals that NASA has not changed its mind.
In order to fly AMS before Sep. 2010, the shuttle end date, either “critical space station hardware” would have to be bumped from a flight, or an additional flight would have to be booked at a cost of some $300-400 million and additional risk. Extending the shuttle operations into 2011, they said, would cost $3 billion or more and have a “significant negative impact” on NASA’s new exploration program. Moreover, it takes 18 months to get ready for a flight, so the decision to fly the experiment has to be made (and presumably the funds provided) by a year from now.
What about launching the experiment on another unmanned rocket? That could cost as much as $1 billion and couldn’t happen before 2013 or 2014, which raises a final problem: Dr. Ting’s spectrometer is supposed to work for three years, but the money for space station operations, according to the report, is currently scheduled to run out in 2016. Dr. Ting declined to comment on the NASA report. But he said by e-mail that the detector, being assembled at CERN, the European physics laboratory outside Geneva, was now complete.
Editorial: Location, Location, Location (Source: ERAU)
The idea of building a new commercial launch complex on Kennedy Space Center has caused many opponents to suggest locating it on Air Force property. This may be feasible, but it defeats the intent. The two currently proposed sites on KSC may not be perfect, but they have a huge advantage over an Air Force location: no Air Force. The KSC sites would allow a greater role for the FAA and a state- or county-empowered spaceport authority, including streamlined processes for commercial access, and potentially the use of an FAA-approved range safety system instead of the notoriously complex Eastern Range. This airport-like approach was envisioned nearly two decades ago when the state established the Spaceport Florida Authority, but the Air Force never embraced the concept. The Air Force's resistance to change is the reason new commercial--and even new military--launch programs avoid the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Eastern Range.
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