October 12 News Items

Japan Maps Lunar Far Side Gravity Field (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Oct 13, 2008 - Astronomers are announcing that the precise gravity field of the lunar far side and the global lunar topography map were obtained by KAGUYA spacecraft. The report is being presented by Dr. Sho Sasaki of National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, in Ithaca, New York, to the 40th annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society. (10/12)

A Strategy For Detecting Earth-Like Planets (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The Exoplanet Task Force of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee has released its report detailing a strategy for obtaining the first detection and characterization of Earth-like planets around other stars within a time frame as short as 15 years. Finding such planets would answer one of the great questions of modern science: are planets like Earth common or rare? The recommendations of the Task Force emphasize immediate investment in technology and space mission development that will lead to discovering and characterizing Earth analogs. Central to the strategy is a two-pronged approach that includes both ground- and space-based techniques. Click here to view the article. (10/12)

Tides Have Major Impact on Planet Habitability (Source: Univ. of Arizona)
Astronomers searching for rocky planets that could support life in other solar systems should look outside, as well as within, the so-called "habitable zone," University of Arizona planetary scientists say. Planets too close to their stars are roasted. Planets too far from their stars are frozen. In between, research models show, there's a habitable zone where planet temperatures approximate Earth's. Any rocky planets in this just-right Goldilocks zone could be awash in liquid water, a requisite for life as we know it, theorists say.

New research by Brian Jackson, Rory Barnes and Richard Greenberg of UA's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory shows that tides can play a major role in heating terrestrial planets, creating hellish conditions on rocky alien worlds that otherwise might be livable. And just the other way, tidal heat can also create conditions favorable to life on planets that would otherwise be unlivable. (10/12)

Florida Leaders Consider Space Priorities (Source: ERAU)
With the retirement of the Space Shuttle fast approaching, Florida's Aerospace Career Development Council (ACDC), a statewide group of industry and government leaders, will meet Tuesday in Brevard County to consider various space-related issues that will require the attention of Florida legislators in Tallahassee next year. Based on the outcome of a space issues forum held two weeks ago in Cocoa, the ACDC will consider workforce, economic expansion, and diversification issues, including a proposed university space research initiative similar to one that nearly was approved by the Legislature in 2008. (10/12)

KSC Business Opportunities Expo Planned on Oct. 21 (Source: NASA)
Are you interested in better understanding how to contract with the government? Then you will not want to miss the Business Opportunities Expo 2008 on Oct. 21, hosted by KSC. Government purchasing agents will attend to learn what local and national vendors have to offer. The Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Cruise Terminal No. 3 at Port Canaveral, Florida. The annual trade show will feature over 150 business and government exhibitors from the local community and across the country. Exhibitors will include vendors from a variety of technical product and service areas, including computer technology, communication equipment/services, construction, and safety products. (10/12)

An Energy Fix Written in the Stars (Source: Washington Post)
You're heading into some rough times as you move into the White House, Mr. Future President, what with the economy in recession, financial markets in turmoil, global warming, terrorism, war and soaring energy prices. But I can offer you a tip for dealing with that last issue, at least: Look to the stars. Solar energy is a favorite of environmentalists, but it works only when the sun is shining. But that's the trick. There is a place where the sun never sets, and a way to use solar energy for power generation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: Put the solar cells in space, in high orbits where they'd be in sunshine all the time.

You do it with the solar power satellite (SPS), a concept invented by Peter Glaser in 1968. The idea is simple: You build large assemblages of solar cells in space, where they convert sunlight into electricity and beam it to receiving stations on the ground. The solar power satellite is the ultimate clean energy source. It doesn't burn an ounce of fuel. And a single SPS could deliver five to 10 gigawatts of energy to the ground continually. Consider that the total electrical-generation capacity of the entire state of California is 4.4 gigawatts. (10/12)

Soyuz Blasts Off With New Station Crew and Tourist (Source:SpaceFlightNow.com)
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft rocketed into orbit and set off after the international space station Sunday, carrying two fresh crew members and a U.S. computer game designer who paid some $30 million for a chance to follow in his astronaut father's footsteps. Mounted on the same launch pad Yuri Gagarin used for the first manned spaceflight nearly five decades ago, the Soyuz TMA-13 vehicle took off and quickly climbed away through a clear afternoon sky at the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan. Nine minutes later, the capsule entered its planned preliminary orbit. (10/12)

University Rocket Test Fizzles (Source: Indiana Herald Bulletin)
The University of Dayton Advanced Rocket Team’s scheduled test of its 23-foot synthetic kerosene-powered rocket was stalled Saturday as the team looked for ways to fix a broken safety valve. The rocket was scheduled to be tested at 9:30 a.m., but as of Saturday afternoon, the team still was looking for ways to fix the valve, which controlled the flow of liquid oxygen to the kerosene, fueling the rocket’s engine. A new launch was planned for around noon Sunday. The problems were good practice for the team, which consists mostly of University of Dayton students majoring in engineering. Many of them will go on to use mechanics similar to the rocket’s in their jobs. (10/12)

Dubai Seen as Ripe for Space Tourism (Source: XPress)
How about having lunch at the bottom of the Arabian Gulf and dinner 100 kilometers above Dubai’s manmade islands? According to international hospitality gurus, tourists in Dubai may get the best of both the worlds within “a working lifetime” since the desert city is not just building the world’s first underwater hotel - the Hydropolis - but is also among the few destinations besides the US to ripen up for space tourism. (10/12)

CSA Mourns Death of Jim Benson (Source: CSA)
The California Space Authority (CSA) is deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Benson, a former member of the CSA Board of Directors, and founder of the California-based space venturing company, SpaceDev. “The space enterprise community lost one of its great visionaries this morning,” stated Andrea Seastrand, Executive Director of CSA. “Jim Benson tested convention and developed cutting edge hybrid propulsion and advanced structural systems. His 30-years of entrepreneurial experience and out-of-the-box thinking will be sadly missed. On behalf of the staff and members of CSA, I send our condolences to the entire Benson family and to all of those who knew and worked with him.” (10/10)

California is First State to Partner in World's Largest Tech Trade Show (Source: CSA)
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced California will be the first state to be the official partner of CeBIT, the world's largest trade fair for digital business solutions and information and communications technology (ICT). In previous years, CeBIT has partnered with other nations including the United States, France, Russia, India and Canada. As the Partner State, California businesses will be highlighted above all others, providing a great opportunity for business matchmaking and networking for California businesses. (10/10)

Lockheed Martin Sponsors 2009 Space Calendar (Source: CSA)
For the eleventh consecutive year, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) is a leading sponsor of "The Year In Space" Desk Calendar, a 144-page full-color weekly calendar for 2009 featuring images and information from the past, present and future of space exploration and astronomical discovery. Through a special arrangement with the publisher, Lockheed Martin employees, retirees and stockholders nationwide are eligible to purchase the calendar at discounts ranging from 25% to 44%. (10/10)

Vandenberg Air Force Base Celebrates its 50th! (Source: CSA)
The California Space Authority (CSA) offers its congratulations to Vandenberg Air Force Base on its fiftieth anniversary. Vandenberg Air Force Base's unique capabilities add to the diversity of California space enterprise," said Andrea Seastrand, Executive Director of the California Space Authority. "Not only do we send our congratulations to Vandenberg AFB for their 50 years of success, but we will also be awarding them at our annual SpotBeam Awards Ceremony with the National Security SpotBeam Award." (10/10)

Quintron Wins NASA Stennis Contract for Communications System (Source: CSA)
Quintron Systems announced that NASA recently awarded them an Indefinite-Delivery-Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a period of performance that will provide for procurement activity through calendar year 2012. The John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC), located in Hancock County Mississippi at the Mississippi/Louisiana border, is NASA's largest rocket engine test facility. The first Task Order issued for the new contract is for a command and control communications system which will be used at the rocket engine test stands at the SSC. This Task Order includes approximately 250 multi-channel communication key sets, of which 160 are certified for use within hazardous fuel areas. (10/10)

California Space Authority Congratulations NASA on 50th Anniversary (Source: CSA)
The California Space Authority (CSA) offers its congratulations to NASA on its 50th anniversary. "The technological discoveries and innovations gained from NASA's programs have been transferred into consumer products around the world," stated Andrea Seastrand, Executive Director of CSA. "This transfer of NASA technology to the consumer market has led to significant improvements in the every day quality of life of ordinary Americans. In fact, in California, NASA has provided valuable assistance in fighting the wildfires we experience every year. NASA contributions enhance our national security and help boost our economy." (10/10)

Lockheed Martin Sensor Aboard for Insterstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) Mission (Source: CSA)
NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission -- the first designed to globally image the extreme edge of our solar system -- is ready for launch on a Pegasus rocket from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, on October 19. The Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center (ATC) has led the development of the IBEX-Lo sensor. IBEX-Lo is one of two sensors on the Small Explorer spacecraft that will measure neutral atoms created by the interaction of the solar wind with the interstellar medium - the gas, dust and radiation environment between the stars. (10/10)