March 6 News Items

Moon Base: Location, Location, Location (Source: Christian Science Monitor)
If, as planned, the United States eventually establishes a lunar base in 2020, one of the most tempting patches of moonscape is Shackleton Crater at the south pole. There may be water ice for drinking or converting to rocket fuel, the nearly constant sunlight at the rim is ideal for solar power, and the temperature is relatively bearable. But perhaps the most compelling reason is something far more primal: surviving the lunar night, which lasts 14 Earth days and can hit temperatures so cold that oxygen turns to liquid.

Amid the many challenges that face America’s bid to send four astronauts to inhabit a moon base for 180 days at a stretch, the lunar night is among the hardest to unravel – and for now, scientists think the rim of Shackleton Crater might be the best place to find solutions. “If you want to explore the moon, you have to start with the first requirement: surviving a lunar night,” says James Head III, a planetary geologist at Brown University. (3/6)

Ex-NASA Official Indicted for Ethics Breach (Source: AP)
A former top NASA official has been indicted on charges of steering $9.6 million in agency funds to a consulting client. The U.S. attorney's office announced a three-count indictment on Friday against Courtney Stadd, who had served as NASA's chief of staff and White House liaison. The indictment accuses Stadd of steering money from an earth science appropriation to Mississippi State University, which was paying him as a consultant. Stadd is also accused of lying to NASA ethics officials investigating the matter. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all three charges. Click here to view the article. (3/6)

Japan Reverses Policy Against Independent Manned Space Missions (Source: Daily Mainichi)
Japan's government has decided to reverse the nation's policy against independent manned space missions and moon exploration. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) wants "to have the technology for independent manned missions," President Keiji Tachikawa announced. While not setting any specific time frame, it calls for a review of current policy on manned space missions as part of plans for the proposed Space Solar Power System (SSPS), and a future manned mission to the moon. JAXA hopes to send an astronaut to the moon in the near future, albeit with international assistance. (3/6)

South Africa's National Space Policy Takes to the Skies (Source: BuaNews)
While South Africa's research into space technology and travel was uncoordinated in the past, the South African National Space Policy, launched Friday, will give direction to the country's space agenda. "Space and satellite technology is used in every day life in online banking, cell phones, General Position Satellites (GPS) to help us get around and to watch international sporting events. The Space Affairs Act mandates the minister of trade and industry to draft a space policy to guide the country. Tele-Health and Tele-Education, as well as disaster management can be beefed up through satellite technology. A space policy and program would help modernize South Africa and could significantly bridge the socio-economic disparity in society. The space agenda will improve and further South-South relations with Brazil, India and China. (3/6)

US Export Curbs Driving Away Business (Source: Domain-B)
Extensive and irritating export regulations are pushing the US space and defense-related industries to the wall in a time of recession. When will the Americans learn, asks Radhakrishna Rao. The US could end up destroying its once booming space, defense and high tech industries through the sustained implementation of export control regulations. The so-called International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) managed by the US state department is proving to be an albatross around the neck of these enterprises. (3/6)

California Space Authority Partners with Small Business Administration (Source: CSA)
Expanding its success with the US Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative, the California Space Authority announced it has signed a strategic alliance memorandum with the Small Business Administration (SBA) in Orange County. This alliance will strengthen the offering of business support and assistance programs for the space enterprise. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr090305-1.pdf for information. (3/6)

California Lt. Gov. to Speak at Aerospace States Assn. in Washington on Mar. 9 (Source: CSA)
Lt. Governor John Garamendi will be one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming Aerospace States Association (ASA) hearing on March 9 in Washington DC. The purpose for this hearing is to provide a forum for Congressional members and their staff to hear about aerospace issues taking place in their home states. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr090305-2.pdf for information. (3/6)

Gov. Schwarzenegger Promotes State's Leadership in International Trip (Source: CSA)
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has concluded a successful trip promoting California business and the state’s global leadership in information communications technology at CeBIT 2009 in Hannover, Germany. As the first official state partner with CeBIT, the world’s largest technology trade fair for digital business solutions and information and communications technology (ICT), California companies were spotlighted among over 5,000 exhibitors and half a million attendees. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/html/government_pages/pr090304-1_Governor.html for information. (3/6)

Quintron Receives NASA Award from Ames Research Center (Source: CSA)
Quintron Systems, following a competitive bid process, has received a contract award from NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) for supply of a new Voice-over-IP (VoIP) communications system. This award will provide a new VoIP system to support the ARC Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL). The AOL is a research facility to investigate improved operational techniques for Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/html/press-releasesandletters/pr090304-1_Quintron.html for information. (3/6)