August 31 News Items
Commentary: Insanity Claim Makes NASA Look Inept (Source: Discovery News)
NASA has done its best to distance itself from the drama unfolding in an Orlando courtroom that involves two former astronauts. But with the release on Tuesday that the defendant in the high-profile assault and battery case may plead insanity, the space agency has been placed uncomfortably in the spotlight. In court documents, the lead attorney for ex-astronaut Lisa Nowak outlined several mental conditions which psychiatrists say made her legally insane when she allegedly attacked a romantic rival in an Orlando airport parking lot. At least two of the afflictions, obsessive-compulsive disorder and Asperger syndrome (a neurobiological condition related to autism), typically manifest in childhood or early adulthood.
Nowak, 44, is a flight engineer and Navy captain who passed a thorough psychological screening process and independent review before being accepted into the astronaut corps in 1996. If a jury buys the insanity plea, it could beg the question: Did NASA miss something?
Pennsylvania Firm to Take On Final Frontier (Source: The Intelligencer)
Bucks County could become a hub of commercial space travel, thanks to a partnership between an Upper Southampton company and Virgin Galactic. Virgin, the first commercial spaceflight company, has picked the National Aerospace Training and Research Center, which the company calls the NASTAR Center, to be its sole provider of spaceflight training. The partnership is a huge development for NASTAR's parent company, the Environmental Tectonics Corp., which has struggled with declining sales of its simulation training systems. The $25 million NASTAR facility is at Environmental Tectonics' Upper Southampton headquarters on James Way.
NASTAR's training programs include space launch simulations using a high-performance centrifuge that can simulate the high-gravity forces that are felt both up and down the spine and through the chest. The centrifuge has interchangeable modules to simulate different aircraft. The contract calls for NASTAR to train Virgin Galactic's first 100 passengers. The contract also allows for ongoing training of future Virgin Galactic space travelers and for those who want a Virgin Galactic-branded space flight experience without actually leaving the ground. “This is an exciting opportunity,” Gov. Ed Rendell said in a press release.
A Giant Leap: Robots or Astronauts? (Source: CNN)
Can everyone be an astronomer? It certainly seems that way, especially with some of the latest tools at our fingertips, like Google Sky, which allows Internet users to navigate through a digitized map of space. But some say virtual astronomy is not just for amateurs and should also be the way forward for professional space exploration. A future of virtual astronauts, too. Bob Park, professor of physics at the University of Maryland, believes that virtual space exploration using telerobots (which humans control from the ground) is a better solution than sending astronauts, which he calls a waste of resources.
"We've gone about as far as we can with manned space missions," Park says. "We could go to Mars at enormous expense but what would a human do when he got there? We can't do much locked in a space suit. Park says there is little dissent in the scientific community about which is better for science, although he concedes there is an element of romance lost by using robots. "Sense of adventure is the only thing going for manned space travel," Park says. "But it's time to have a grown-up attitude to adventure. If you want adventure, go bungee jumping."
Spurned by NASA, Russia Plans Its Own Moon Base (Source: CBC News)
Russia plans to send a manned mission to the moon by 2025 and establish a permanent base shortly thereafter, the head of the Russian space agency Roskosmos said Friday. "According to our estimates, we will be ready for a manned flight to the moon in 2025," Roskosmos chief Anatoly Perminov told state news agency RIA Novosti. A station that could be inhabited could be built there between 2027 and 2032, he said. NASA also has plans for an international base camp on one of the moon's poles, permanently staffing it by 2024, four years after astronauts land there. Russia had originally sought to join the U.S. plan. But Perminov said earlier this year the U.S. rebuffed the offer to jointly explore the moon.
Russia Steps Up Space Cooperation with 38 Countries (Source: Itar-Tass)
Federal space agency chief Anatoly Perminov said that of late Russia has boosted its cooperation in space. “At present, Roskosmos cooperates with 38 countries from all over the world,” he said pointing out that it is not only joint projects and contracts on launching services, but also different agreements. On the list of our cooperation projects are remote sensing programs, communication satellites and possible participation of Arab countries in the Glonass global navigation system and in manned space flight programs. Russia launches spaceships for such countries of Latin America as Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
'Swiss Cheese' Universe Challenges Dark Energy (Source: New Scientist)
Dark energy may not be needed to explain why the expansion of space appears to be speeding up. If our universe is like Swiss cheese on large scales – with dense regions of matter and holes with little or no matter – it could at least partly mimic the effects of dark energy, suggests a controversial new model of the universe. Trying to pin down the nature of dark energy has proven extremely difficult. Theories of particle physics suggest that space does have an inherent energy, but this energy is about 10120 times greater than what is actually observed. This has caused some cosmologists to look for alternative explanations. "I don't have anything against dark energy, but we ought to make all possible efforts to see whether we can avoid this exotic component in the universe," says Sabino Matarrese of the University of Padova in Italy.
United Paradyne Wins Vandenberg Spaceport Support Contract (Source: DOD)
United Paradyne Corp. has been awarded a contract modification option for $6,642,874 under their Aerospace Support Services contract with the 30th Space Wing. The contract provides and integrated management entity, the “Aerospace Maintenance Operations Center,” a single point of contact for support to operational programs, including local airfield operations. U.S. Space Lift programs, the Expeditionary Aerospace Force, and future Aerospace Plane and Space Operational Vehicle activities. Additionally, it provides mission support of test aerospace platforms from domestic and foreign Government agencies (NASA, DoD, NRO, etc), as well as private corporations using the Western Range and associated resources at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
InDyne Wins California Spaceport Range Support Contract Extension (Source: DOD)
InDyne Inc., is being awarded a contract option for $55,107,006 for Range Operations, Communications and Information Services required to support the 30th Space Wing mission, including Western Range operations and maintenance, support services, training, command, control, communications, information and computer systems at launch facilities, launch control centers and test facilities. This is the fourth option to be exercised out of seven option periods on this contract.
Space Coast Economic Development Group Wins State Defense Grants (Source: EFI)
The Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast is the recipient of two state grants for defense reinvestment and defense infrastructure investments. A $120,000 Defense Infrastructure Grant will fund a Regional Storm Water Management System Study with the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB. A $140,000 Defense Reinvestment Grant will fund the development of economic diversification strategies in support of, or leveraging, the 45th Space Wing mission.
Eutelsat, Viasat Unveil Plans for Broadband Service (Source: Space News)
Satellite-fleet operator Eutelsat Communications of Paris and broadband satellite-terminal designer ViaSat Inc. of San Diego on Aug. 31 announced that a new consumer-broadband service called Tooway will debut in Germany in late September and in other European countries later this year.
ITT To Build GPS-Based Air Traffic System (Source: Space News)
ITT Corp. bested rivals Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to snare a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contract potentially worth up to $1.8 billion over 18 years to build a GPS-based national air traffic control system.
Scientists Sue NASA, Caltech over Deep New Background Checks (Source: Space News)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists and engineers sued NASA and the California Institute of Technology on Thursday, challenging extensive new background checks that the space exploration center and other federal agencies began requiring in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
Covey to Head United Space Alliance (Source: Space News)
Richard Covey has been named president and chief executive officer of United Space Alliance, the company that helps operate and maintain NASA's space shuttle fleet. He replaces Michael Culley, who is retiring.
Lower Price Helped Boeing Land Ares 1 Upper Stage Contract (Source: Space News)
Boeing's emphasis on lean manufacturing, greater use of small businesses and lower bid price helped it clinch the upper stage production contract for NASA's planned Ares 1 crew launch vehicle, according to a NASA document detailing its choice.
Eighth Continent Project To Integrate Space Business into Global Economy (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The Colorado School of Mines' Eighth Continent Project is the world's most comprehensive effort to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy. "For the first time, government, industry and academia have joined forces with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to forge the next frontier in commercializing space technology and resources," said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. "With our region's unique cluster of businesses, IT infrastructure, research institutions and aerospace workforce, the Eighth Continent Project will position Colorado at the vortex of 'Space 2.0.'"
"'Space 1.0' was astronauts, rocket ships and billion-dollar government projects. 'Space 2.0' is venture-backed entrepreneurs starting new companies with new technologies," said Burke Fort, Eighth Continent Project director. "Eighth Continent will bridge the gap between existing technologies and their commercialization through the industry's first research hub, incubator, venture fund and international chamber of commerce." Initial founding partners and sponsors include: DigitalGlobe, the Keiretsu Forum, CTEK, Broadreach, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, Townsend and Townsend and Crew, the Colorado School of Mines, and the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business Deming Center.
Space Tourism Official Leads Statewide Association (Source: Florida Today)
Steve Geis, director of operations for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the nation's premier space tourism facility, has been elected 2007-08 chairman of the board for the Florida Attractions Association. The Florida Attractions Association represents 90 attractions, working to promote and advance the interests of the attraction industry. Geis joined Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as the director of operations in 1998. He served as a member of the design and implementation team for the new $60 million attraction, Shuttle Launch Experience, which opened in May. Geis also is an active member of committees and charitable organizations, including NASA's Disability Awareness and Action Working Group.
Space Tourism in Florida's Pasco County (Source: TampaBays10.com)
Few would ever guess what’s inside a tiny office building on Grand Boulevard in Pasco County. There is still no sign, but the company which recently opened its doors is called 4Frontiers, a consulting firm specializing in planning for long term habitation in space. “You should have seen when I tried to explain Four Frontiers to Pasco County for our business license,” recalls CEO Mark Homnick. He and a team of experts have been working on plans since 2005 and this year completed a private placement stock offering raising a half million dollars. The firm is currently working with a Madrid company on an orbiting resort to house tourists in space.
“There are a lot of people that have the recourses and strong desire to go out into orbit and they’re looking for people to provide that capability,” Homnick says. The Galatic Suites project is expected to be in orbit by 2014. But plans for 4Frontiers don’t stop there. Long range research focuses on permanent Mars settlement and even mining on asteroids. “It’s going to be just like the gold rush again. People are going to make their fortunes out there,” says Joseph Palaia a MIT graduate who says he couldn’t wait to leave school to start working on space tourism.
Company founders say there are no plans to leave earth’s atmosphere in the next five years. For now research will be conducted here at home. The company is also looking to take advantage of America’s interest in space, with plans for opening a Mars settlement mock up somewhere in central Florida. Visit http://www.4frontierscorp.com/ to view the article.
Strange Martian Feature Not a 'Bottomless' Cave After All (Source: New Scientist)
An extremely dark feature on Mars is probably just a pit – not the entrance to a deep cavern that future astronauts could call home, a new image reveals. The 150- by 157-metre feature was first noticed in an image taken by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Viewed from directly overhead, the dark spot showed no evidence of walls or a floor, leading some HiRISE scientists to suspect it was the opening to a cavern. That would have been exciting, since caves might be good places to search for life, as they offer protection from intense ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Caves could also provide shelter for any future human visitors to Mars. The new image, however, suggests the feature is just a vertical shaft cutting into the surface. Taken from a different angle, a new image reveals a wall on the feature's eastern side. It is not clear how deep the pit is, because its floor has still not been seen. But the HiRISE team says it must be at least 78 metres deep.
Oklahoma's Rocketplane Says Delay Sign of Hard Task (Source: NewsOK)
The wait for a trip to space on a Rocketplane aircraft may not be light-years away — but it doesn't seem to be coming soon. Last week, a company official said Rocketplane will begin test flights on its suborbital vehicle in 2009, with commercial flights beginning in 2010 — a year later than the company reported this spring. This isn't the first time the launch year for the company's XP spacecraft has changed. In 2004, the company reported commercial flights would begin in 2007. The rocket science part is not the only difficult task the aerospace company is dealing with. Although the company has received public funding — the state Legislature granted Rocketplane $15 million in tax credits over five years — funding needs have caused the XP project to be pushed back since its inception.
While Rocketplane works out the details of its anticipated launch, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority is anticipating the arrival of Rocketplane and other companies that will use the Oklahoma Spaceport. Although the spaceport is ready for Rocketplane, Patrick Bahn said the Burns Flat facility is not ready for his company, TGV Rockets. Bahn said the Norman-based launch company will not be able to launch from its home state because of the logistics of the spaceport. "The spaceport authority has consistently declined to put in an operator's license for vertical take off and vertical landing,” said Bahn, chief executive of TGV. "It's closing a door of opportunity that they very much need to open.”
TGV's spacecraft requires vertical landing and take off clearance, unlike Rocketplane's XP, which will fly horizontally like an airplane. Bahn said since TGV Rockets will be unable to launch from Burns Flat, the company will have to go out of state — a move that is costly for the company. An Oklahoma official said the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, not OSIDA, is the agency who decides who can launch from the spaceport. Vehicle manufacturers have to show the FAA they are capable of launching from a particular spaceport.
