August 6 News Items

Diversifying Our Planetary Portfolio (Source: Space Review)
A recent article suggests that humanity has less than a half-century to establish a permanent presence beyond Earth. Nader Elhefnawy argues that a truly self-sufficient space colony will require revisiting the industrial technologies and techniques in common use today. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/927/1 to view the article.

Endeavour Launch Countdown Begins (Source: WESH)
NASA has begun the countdown for the launch of Endeavour after completing one final test to make sure the space shuttle's crew cabin is airtight. NASA test director Stephen Payne said: "The team is ready. Endeavour is ready." Meteorologists are predicting a 70 percent chance of good weather for the early evening launch.

To Infinity and Back (Source: St. Petersburg Times)
As space shuttle astronauts prepare to launch aboard Endeavor on Wednesday, hundreds of regular folks are learning what it feels like to blast off. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex spent three years and $60-million to build the new Shuttle Launch Experience ride to give tourists a deeper understanding of the ferocious power that launches humans into orbit. Visit http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/06/State/To_infinity_and_back.shtml to view the article.

SpaceTEC Puts Space in Reach, Can Help NASA (Source: Florida Today)
When NASA retires its shuttle fleet as expected in 2010, Florida likely will dive into the space tourism market as a way to offset lost jobs -- including possible flights from Cape Canaveral. But will industry be prepared? One of the challenges will be rounding up super-skilled technicians who can tweak the nuts and twist the bolts of the newest space vehicles with speed and accuracy. With the potential of hundreds of civilians heading into the final frontier, space industry experts are saying technicians need to be certified, along the lines of an airline mechanic who is required to meet increasingly tough industry standards.

Enter SpaceTEC, the first and only technician certification program in the country. "We are so far ahead that it will be hard to catch up," said SpaceTEC Program Manager Frank Margiotta. "We're expecting the market to expand -- on a large scale." SpaceTEC is a consortium of 11 colleges [including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University] with hub operations at Brevard Community College. It aims to educate students whose expertise is needed in the construction and processing of spacecraft.

In its new, groundbreaking certification refresher course, students from around the world can brush up on industry requirements and be tested in a three-part exam. For students who need more than a refresher, SpaceTEC and its member colleges offer a two-year aerospace technician program. The program is endorsed by space industry leaders such as NASA, Boeing and Kennedy Space Center, whose experts sit on SpaceTEC's advisory board and help define the needed skills.

Thailand Plans Satellite Launch in November (Source: AFP)
Thailand plans to launch its first environmental satellite in November to help officials survey natural resources, cope with disasters and even fight drug trafficking. The Theos satellite, whose name stands for Thailand Earth Observation Systems, has been under study and construction for two years.

Japanese Satellite to be Launched by Russia in September (Source: Interfax)
A Russian Proton-M rocket will put into orbit the Japanese telecom satellite JCSAT-11 from the Baikonur spaceport on September 6. The satellite belongs to JSAT Corporation. As of July 1, the corporation had eight satellites in orbit. Proton-M rockets will perform six commercial launches this year.