July 10 News Items

Water on the Moon (Source: Guardian)
An analysis of moon rocks collected during the Apollo missions by Brown University researchers has found much higher levels of water than scientists had expected. The study increases the possibility that there are significant deposits of water trapped in rocks at the moon's poles, which would be invaluable for astronauts setting up a future permanent base. Finding water was a surprise because scientists believe the moon formed when a Mars-sized planet collided with the infant Earth. (7/10)

Sea Launch Prepares for Next Launch (Source: AP)
Sea Launch Co.'s oceangoing rocket platform and command ship are en route to the equatorial Pacific to launch a satellite for Dish Network Corp. Long Beach-based Sea Launch says liftoff of the EchoStar 11 satellite is planned for July 15. The satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto, Calif., and is designed to last 15 years. (7/10)

Spacewalkers to Cut Open Soyuz and Remove Pyrobolt (Source: Spaceflight Now)
Cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko are preparing for a dramatic spacewalk Thursday to cut through insulation and remove an explosive bolt from their Soyuz re-entry craft. The goal is to help Russian engineers figure out what caused back-to-back module separation problems during the two most recent Soyuz re-entries - and to make sure the Soyuz now attached to the international space station will work properly when it carries Volkov, Kononenko and U.S. space tourist Richard Garriott back to Earth in October. (7/10)

Mars Lander Runs into Tough Digging (Source: Space.com)
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has hit a roadblock while trying to scoop a sample of dirt into one of its ovens. For the past day, Phoenix has been using its robotic arm to scrape away at a hard icy surface on the red planet, trying to claw enough dirt out to pour into its onboard instrument. So far, it has only accumulated small piles of shavings, which it has not been able to scoop into the oven. (7/10)

KSC Water Safer; Still Below EPA Standard (Source: Florida Today)
The Kennedy Space Center water supply improved to meet Environmental Protection Agency standards during the most recent testing. However, since drinking water standards for total trihalomethanes have not met EPA standards on average for the year, a warning is still required. Exposure to trihalomethanes over long periods can cause problems with the liver, kidneys or central nervous system, and might cause an increased risk of getting cancer. Recent research also shows a possible connection between high levels of these pollutants and pregnancy problems, so NASA advises that women of childbearing age might seek an alternative water source. (7/10)

NASA and ESA Complete Comparative Exploration Architecture Study (Source: NASA)
Over the last 6 months, representatives from NASA and the European Space Agency, or ESA, have been engaged in a detailed assessment of potential programs and technologies that when conducted cooperatively could one day support a human outpost on the moon. Findings from the study included a significant mutual interest in the potential development of lunar cargo landing systems, communication and navigation systems, lunar orbital infrastructures, and lunar surface systems, such as habitats or mobility systems. The study also identified the significant value gained from redundant human crew transportation capability. (7/10)

Pad 39A Repairs on Schedule (Source: Florida Today)
The 25-foot by 70-foot gash in the flame trench has been expanded to make repair easier. The gash in the aging protective wall at Pad 39A was caused by the six million pounds of thrust that came from the shuttle during the last launch. Some 5,200 bricks were blown loose and scattered up to and beyond the 1,800-foot perimeter fence.

A complete segment of the protective wall below the launch pad has been cleared of fire brick. Girders with wire mesh will be attached and a flame retardant material will be sprayed on the wall. NASA officials say the work will be complete well in advance of the launch of Atlantis on a mission to refurbish the Hubble Space Telescope in early October. (7/10)

Swerve Left to Avoid That Satellite (Source: Tel Aviv University)
Think you have trouble getting rid of the clutter in your living room? After more than 50 years of launching rockets and satellites into space, the human race now has to deal with the clutter left behind -- or is it "above"? Dead satellites, spent rocket stages, paint flakes, and coolant from nuclear-powered satellites continue to orbit the Earth at ultrahigh velocities. It's a serious subject. Space debris threatens the lives of astronauts and the launch of new satellites today, says Dr. Noam Eliaz at Tel Aviv University. An expert in materials science and engineering, Dr. Eliaz is working with a team at Soreq NRC to create and test new materials to make the heavens safer for satellites and astronauts alike. (7/10)