October 4 News Items

Obama Issues Statement today on World Space Week and NASA's 50th Anniversary (Source: Obama Campaign)
“This week, we join more than 50 nations around the world in celebrating World Space Week. And this year, as we mark the 50th anniversary of NASA, our space program is at a crossroads. As other countries are moving forward in space, my opponent’s vision would cause us to fall unacceptably behind. His pledge to freeze all discretionary spending for programs other than veterans and defense would assure the loss of thousands of jobs in Florida, and seriously threaten America’s leadership in space. I have a different vision.

My plan to revitalize our space program will reduce the gap between the Space Shuttle’s retirement and its next-generation replacement; and we’ll increase funding for a robust human space exploration program and research that pushes the very boundaries of discovery. Throughout its history, NASA has united Americans to a common purpose and inspired the world with accomplishments we are still proud of. As President, I will lead NASA down a new path for the 21st century that guarantees our preeminence in space today, tomorrow, and the day NASA celebrates its 100th anniversary.” (10/4)

Bill Clinton: Obama's Space Policy is a "Very Big Deal" (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday praised Sen. Barack Obama’s space policy as being good for Florida and America. “He has a plan to support the space industry, which I think is important not just to Florida but to America. This is a very big deal,” said Clinton during his speech in Orlando. “We have a vested interest in staying on the frontiers of technological change and many of the answers to our environmental and other challenges will be found by continuing the push into space.

The remarks were immediately seized upon by the Obama campaign in Florida .– a key battle ground state and an important space state – as proof that Obama was going to be very bullish on NASA. “President Clinton’s remarks reinforce the view, already expressed by Senator [Bill] Nelson [of Florida] and former Ohio Senator John Glenn, that Senator Obama understands the space program and will lead NASA boldly into the 21st century,” a press release said. According the latest polls, Obama has opened a narrow four-point lead over his Republican rival John McCain. Some strategists believe that coming out strong on space could help cement that lead for Obama. (10/3)

Former Senate Leader Tom Daschle Promotes Obama Space Policy in New Mexico (Source: Alamagordo Daily News)
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, in a visit to New Mexico [which is developing its own commercial spaceport] said Obama has long believed the importance of space cannot be overestimated. “We need the research, progress and the investment to provide worldwide leadership,” Daschle said. “Obama believes that we need space exploration out of necessity.” (10/2)

Presidential Candidates Promising NASA the Moon and Mars (Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer)
With the fortunes of Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Research Center now heavily tied to President Bush’s plan to send astronauts to the moon and Mars, the upcoming election has the center’s employees and supporters watching for hints of the direction either candidate might take the nation’s space program. So far, both Sens. McCain and Obama have staked out positions that sound hopeful for the once-faltering Glenn center, and for the overall American space effort. In unusual detail for a presidential campaign, each candidate has pledged support for the Moon-Mars exploration goal. Obama and McCain have promised, in principle, to provide the billions it will take to build new spacecraft, establish a permanent moon base, and propel astronauts Mars.

But President Obama or President McCain may have trouble delivering on their campaign promises. The space program is facing big technical and political challenges, and NASA, perennially underfunded by Bush even after he launched his ambitious exploration plan in 2004, will have to compete for additional money during a time of war and recession. The proposed $700 billion federal bailout of the financial industry is likely to further restrict money available for space exploration.

In campaign appearances in Florida, a crucial swing state where more than 6,000 jobs will be lost when the shuttle program ends, both McCain and Obama have called for at least one additional shuttle flight. Both candidates also say they want to minimize the flight gap, although neither suggested how to do it, or how to pay for it. The program will cost nearly $230 billion over the next two decades. Obama is a recent Constellation convert, reversing his stance that the program ought to be put on hold five years to pay for education reforms. And while McCain sounds supportive of NASA, he also has said that as president he would freeze discretionary spending, which presumably would affect the space agency. Without additional money, keeping the shuttle flying would force NASA to divert funds intended for Constellation, further delaying its completion. (9/28)

Register for Supply Chain Management Event (Source: CSA)
Registration Closes 10/21/08. Introduction to 21st Century Supply Chain Management, designed to provide a competitive edge and opportunities for aerospace and related industry suppliers, will be offered on October 27-29, 2008 at Boeing Huntington Beach, open to all OEM and agency supply chains at all levels including OEM SCM professionals. The tour and networking session with Boeing SCM and engineering, quality and manufacturing management will be limited to suppliers and training providers only on October 29. A highly-rated session was held at Lockheed Martin on September 2–4. To register, visit http://www.innovatecalifornia.net for information. (10/4)

Yvette Dominguez of Space Systems/Loral Receives SSPI Promise Award (Source: CSA)
The Future Leaders dinner honors young men and women who are making a difference to the satellite industry, as well as executives who have distinguished themselves as mentors. The 3rd annual dinner will be held at the 3 West Club in New York City on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. A portion of the proceeds from the Future Leaders Dinner will go to SSPI's Educational Fund, which works to attract qualified young people from around the world into the industry. (10/4)

Vandenberg MDA Launch "Threads a Needle" (Source: AFA)
Members of the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron successfully launched a Chimera launch vehicle, a modified Minuteman booster, into space on Sept. 23 from Vandenberg AFB Calif., to support a Missile Defense Agency tracking experiment. They succeeded in essentially "threading a needle" by placing the Chimera's third stage up close to the MDA's on-orbit near field infrared experiment so that this research satellite could collect high- and low-resolution images of the boosting rocket. (NFIRE has been in orbit since April 2007.) The satellite's data on the missile's exhaust plume and on differentiating the plume from the rocket's body will help in the design of boost-phase missile defense systems, MDA has said. (10/4)

Mars Comes Alive at Cal Poly Kennedy Library Nov. 7 – Jan. 12 (Source: CSA)
Experience another world in a unique and engaging way with “Mars Within Reach: Arctic Melodies and Science from the Red Planet,” an interactive exhibit scheduled at Cal Poly. The free and public exhibit is scheduled to run Nov. 7 through Jan. 12 in the Kennedy Library Gallery at the Commons. An opening reception is set at the same location for Friday, Nov. 14 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The exhibit will allow visitors to touch, hear, and interact with data from several recent Mars missions. It blends planetary science, engineering, and music to demonstrate scholarship related to the exploration of the Martian Arctic, with special attention to making the content accessible to persons with visual impairments. Visitors will explore Martian volcanoes, valleys, and craters using tactile models, and will be able to touch rock samples that have been drilled into by a rock abrasion tool identical to those found on the arms of the Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. (10/4)

Where Are They Now? The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's Historic Aircraft (Source: CSA)
Want to know where you can see some of the most famous, cutting-edge aerospace vehicles ever flown? Fire-up the afterburner and cruise through this list to see where these historic NASA air and spacecraft have come home to roost. Visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/HistoricAircraft/where_are/index.html. (10/4)

Virtual Space Center Encourages STEM Disciplines (Source: CSA)
The California Space Authority and the
California Space Education and Workforce Institute (CSEWI) have established a virtual California Space Education Center. The California Space Education Center is a web-based research, education and workforce collaboratory that aims to increase interest and show relevance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. It will expose students to steps in the STEM career pipeline, and provide opportunities for students and potential entrepreneurs to become involved in a community of participatory learning focused around STEM careers. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr080903-1.pdf. (10/4)

Space Enthusiasts Inspire the Next Generation of Astronauts (Source: CSA)
The California Space Authority and the California Space Education and Workforce Institute (CSEWI) have established the California Space Enterprise Speakers Bureau. The Speakers Bureau will be a group of individuals comprised of seasoned space professionals and new space professionals from space-related companies, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and academic research programs that act as ambassadors for California Space Enterprise. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr080902-1.pdf for information. (10/4)

SpaceX to Receive SpotBeam Award (Source: CSA)
To recognize Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) for its recent launch and orbit success, the California Space Authority (CSA) will honor the company with a Space Innovation SpotBeam Award at this year’s SpotBeam Awards Dinner and Ceremony. CSA recently announced its 2008 SpotBeam Award recipients and is please to add SpaceX to the list of honorees. The recent launch and orbit success by SpaceX demonstrated the development of a liquid fueled launch vehicle that will compete with existing launch operators and ultimately reduce the cost of space access. (10/4)

Space Center Museum Cuts Hours (Source: Huntsville Times)
Spacesuits, rockets and even the Apollo moonrock at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center museum will be out of bounds to the public on Monday and Tuesday beginning in November. The Space Center museum and Spacedome IMAX movie theater will close on those two days for four months - from Nov. 3 until March 2, 2009 - to save money because of low attendance. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge will not be affected. "Mondays and Tuesdays have always been our slowest days of the week with regards to walk-in traffic," said Space Center CEO Larry Capps. "This will enable us to cut our overhead with the least possible impact on our guests." Capps said the museum will resume seven-day operations "long before the tourist season begins." (10/4)

Northrop Grumman Gets DSP Sustainment Work (Source: Space News)
Northrop Grumman Space Technology of Redondo Beach, Calif., has been awarded a one-year, $38.3 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center for sustainment of the service's Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite constellation. Northrop Grumman built the satellites and the sensors for the missile warning system, which began launching in 1970. The contract includes four one-year options that could increase the value to $206 million. (10/4)

SSTL Says Rocket Choice Sank Galileo Launch Bid (Source: Space News)
The head of British small-satellite manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) said the company's bid to launch 26 Galileo navigation satellites was rejected because it entailed using non-European launch vehicles to get the satellites into orbit. Surrey had proposed using the two-stage Russian-Ukrainian Zenit rocket, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and the U.S. Falcon 9 rocket, which is being developed by SpaceX. Sir Martin said SSTL's bid, made to the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA), was rejected apparently on the sole grounds that neither vehicle is operated from European territory.

The Ariane 5 version proposed for Galileo launches would carry four satellites at a time into orbit. Each Soyuz will be able to carry two Galileo satellites. Galileo managers say budgeting about 50 million euros per Soyuz launch would get all 26 satellites in orbit for 650 million euros. But they concede that securing 13 Soyuz rockets to be operated from the French Guiana site may stretch the Soyuz supply chain, and the capacity of the Guiana Space Center as well. (10/4)

Orbcomm Touts Growth, U.S. Coast Guard Deal (Source: Space News)
Satellite two-way messaging service provider Orbcomm Inc. said its subscriber base increased by a net 21,000 for the three months ending Sept. 30, bringing the total subscriber count to 442,000. The U.S. Coast Guard has selected the high-use option in its contract with Orbcomm to use a recently launched Orbcomm satellite equipped with the Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload. The decision that will result in an additional $500,000 in revenue for Orbcomm in the next 12 months. AIS permits coastal authorities to identify ships in or near U.S. coastal waters. Orbcomm hopes to expand AIS worldwide with its second-generation constellation, to be launched in 2010 and 2011. (10/4)

Nagging SBIRS Software Issue Tempers Optimism on Program (Source: Space News)
Even as the first two sensors in the U.S. Air Force's new missile warning system perform well on orbit, where they are hosted aboard a classified spacecraft, software issues continue to dog the long-troubled program and threaten to further delay the launch of the first dedicated satellite. A new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says the Air Force has only a 50 percent chance of meeting its launch schedule for the first geosynchronous-orbiting Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite. According the congressional watchdog agency, that launch currently is slated for December 2009. (10/4)

Despite Waiver, NASA to Stop Using Russian Cargo Vehicle (Source: Space News)
NASA has no intention of paying Russia to help deliver supplies to the international space station (ISS) beyond 2011 despite winning congressional and presidential approval to do so. "NASA's policy has not changed," NASA spokesman David Steitz said Oct. 2. "NASA will rely on U.S. commercial cargo services to resupply ISS following retirement of the shuttle, and does not intend to purchase Progress cargo services after 2011." (10/4)

Delta 2 Problems Delay Launch of GPS, Other Satellites (Source: Space News)
Technical problems have compounded an already crowded manifest for the Delta 2 rocket, delaying until sometime next year the launch of two U.S. Air Force GPS navigation satellites that were supposed to fly by Sept. 30, and creating a ripple effect that has spread to other military and civil payloads. A timing problem with the third stage of the Delta 2 has left the GPS satellites stranded at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.

The future of the Delta 2, a longtime reliable workhorse for U.S. government and commercial customers, is uncertain. NASA and the Defense Department are phasing out their use of the rocket in favor of the larger Delta 4 and Atlas 5, developed under the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. "We've been saying throughout the year that the Delta 2 launch rate is going to come down," a ULA official said. "We are going to drop from six to eight down to about one or two starting in 2010." (10/4)

Italian Funding Shift Casts Shadow on ESA Initiatives (Source: Space News)
The Italian government is redirecting its space budget to bolster its national program at the expense of its investment in the European Space Agency (ESA), a decision that will affect ESA for years and undermine a multibillion-dollar ESA spending program to be reviewed by European governments in November. But instead of having 60 percent or more of its budget devoted to ESA programs, Italy henceforth will reserve 50 percent for national programs such as a second-generation Cosmo-Skymed radar Earth observation constellation. As ESA's third-largest contributor, after France and Germany, Italy has a key role in most big-ticket ESA missions. (10/4)