Mars Human Precursor Science Steering Group Decides To Eschew Obfuscation

Those of you who worry if there is a grand plan for human exploration of Mars, relax.

At the behest of NASA's Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) the Mars Human Precursor Science Steering Group has put together a prioritized list of "Things To Do" for Mars exploration.
Reading it is much like reading the small print at the bottom of your credit card statement, but it gives you and idea of what would go into such an expedition.
That's assuming we ever get that far. It seems more and more likely the instructions for getting to Mars and back may need to be written in a language other than English.
Maybe Mandarin would have been a better choice...

XCOR Develops Methane Rocket

Those rocket scientists at XCOR Aerospace (the group that helped create the EZ-Rocket) have done it again, by creating a 50-pound thrust rocket engine fueled by methane and liquid oxygen.

In my opinion, the best part about XCOR is also what makes it an investor's dream come true: They only use non-toxic fuels (kerosene being one of the worst things they use--others are ethane, methane, liquid oxygen, N2O and alcohol.) None of that deadly poisonous rocket fuel just about everyone else uses.

It's also important to note, this company has only been around since 1999 and already has made substantial improvements in rocket engine efficiency, safety, mobility and reliability.
Keep an eye on these people...they are definitely going places.

China Space Program Speeds Up

There are two interesting pieces to this post. The first is this: Is it still old news if nobody paid attention the first time, so therefore the news had to be repeated?

And, am I the only one who thinks it's incredible what the Chinese Space Program (established in 1992) has accomplished in less than 15 years?

You want to discuss a national crisis? How about being marginalized in the exploration of Space? That should give you nightmares....if it doesn't, wake up and smell the cat food.

Katrina Spares Michoud, Not Much Else

Built in a low lying area, the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, suffered only a few feet of flooding Monday, which was mostly gone by Wednesday. A few external fuel tanks got a little wet, but suffered no damage.

In comparison, the city of New Orleans, and the lives of the millions of poverty stricken folks who lived in the surrounding area, will never be the same.

Keep these people in your thoughts. I know I will.

Enceladus Worth Another Look

A strange "hot spot" at the south polar region of Enceladus has scientists postulating all sorts of theories, but none that explains why it's almost 300 degrees warmer there than it should be.
The Cassini spacecraft discovered the unusual anomaly during its third close pass of the Saturnian moon.

Whatever is causing the strange surface formations is definitely worth a closer inspection. It's very possible a liquid ocean could exist beneath the frozen surface of Enceladus much as scientists think exists beneath the surface of Europa.
Just my own personal theory...

After Katrina, Skylab Would Have Proven Beneficial

On paper, Skylab looked like a piece of cake. Once in orbit, however, an emergency Apollo mission would be needed to salvage the languishing craft.
To make a along story short, Skylab 2 was a rousing success, followed by three subsequently successful missions, and was then unceremoniously dropped in favor of the Shuttle.
Like all things to have come from NASA, when Congress deems it necessary to cut funds, what is old usually goes out the window in favor of the next big thing.
Skylab was a simple device, worked exceptionally well and had an almost perfect success rate.
If the United States currently had such a small space station in geo-stationary orbit above the continent, we could monitor disaster areas (of which we seem to have MANY) and help better prepare rescuers and emergency services; In essence, save lives.

To help offset the operating costs of such a station, it could also be used as a research base for private researchers, weather companies or wealthy Space enthusiasts, for that matter.

A permanent presence in orbit is not just a "fun idea" it would have real uses if it were small, simple and placed in a specific location.

Battle Over Grissom's Suit Incomprehensible

Originally it was a battle of Wills between NASA administrators and the family of late Astronaut Gus Grissom. Then Amanda Meyer, 15, of Madison, Connecticut, decided she should intervene and help settle the dispute. Then CNN got a hold of it and before you could say "3,2,1...blastoff!" people from Bangkok to Baltimore were arguing over who should get the suit and why.

Now, it's time for The Space Ace to weigh on. Not that anyone asked, I just say it's time.

Grissom died doing what he loved. It was a horrific accident that claimed also the lives of Astronaut Ed White and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee.
Let's end the horror now. The past is behind us.
NASA, put the suit in Grissom's hometown museum, where it belongs, and everyone else, stop making what was a bad situation worse by gossiping and rumor mongering and putting your noses where they don't belong.

End of story. I hope.

Two Points of View Same Conclusion: Scrap the Shuttle!

So I'm obviously not the only person who feels NASA is wasting money on the Shuttle program. In a recent opinion piece, Retired Space Scientist Jeff Bell makes the point that Allied bombing crews during WWII faced a better chance of survival than our current Shuttle crews.

Starlife Director, Cosmica Network, Hans L.D.G., makes a similar point in his piece, but he takes the Media to task for painting a dismal picture every time there's a Space-based hiccup.
Speaking as a member of the Media I remind Hans, there's no such thing as bad publicity, and therefore any attention NASA gets is probably a good thing.

I believe and I feel certain NASA engineers understand, the odds the Shuttle will complete its mission (constructing the International Space Station) are not very good.
But for those courageous men and women at NASA-- engineers, scientists, administrators and astronauts--it has never been about the odds. It's been about the adventure...
Just ask them.

Hurricane Katrina Latest Threat To Shuttle Program

I have trouble understanding the economic savings gained from building Shuttle parts 1000 miles from where they are used, but who am I to argue with the logic of NASA?

At some point, somebody thought building the external fuel tanks in a lake shore situated, World War II era factory located about six feet below sea level, that needs constant pumping to stay dry even when it's not raining. With logic like that it's a wonder NASA ever made it off the planet.

Anyway, there is an outside chance Katrina (with 150+ mph winds and a 28 foot storm surge) could damage the half-dozen completed fuel tanks at the Michoud Assembly Facility west of Lake Borgne, delaying the Return To Flight even longer. If that were to happen it's possible returning the Shuttle to space could become cost-prohibitive, forcing a complete Space system re-design.
Yes, there is a point that NASA will stop paying, and the Shuttle is fast approaching it.

Let's just hope Katrina misses the mark, or at least produces less rain as it surges inland. And in the future perhaps we should consider building parts for our Spaceships someplace less susceptible to utter devastation by annual weather patterns. It's just a suggestion, but as I already said, who am I to argue with NASA logic?

Plastic Makes Perfect?

I always knew plastic held promise beyond the six-pack holder and Tupperware, now they are beginning to think a new plastic recipe would be better suited for spaceship building than aluminum, currently the preferred material in use by NASA and most other spaceship designers.

Developed by NASA scientists, the new polymer (RXF1) promises to increase radiation protection by 50 percent, has 3x's the tensile strength of aluminum and yet is 2.6 times lighter.

I wish I could also report they are coating the underbelly of the Shuttle with it to prevent damage from scraps of foam breaking free during lift-off, but I can't. Perhaps future craft will be built of the stuff, but for now, the patent is still pending on RXF1.

Malaysians in Space Race Too!

Malaysia is using a large defense equipment purchase to finagle a ride to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft in 2007.
The country is holding open-auditions for its first astronaut right now. If you are 21 years of age or older, hold a university degree or pilot's license and are a citizen of Malaysia you can compete in a series of vigorous physical endurance tests beginning later this month with the completion of a 2.2 mile run in less than 20 minutes.
Since the application process began in 2003 more than 11,000 Malaysians have signed-up. The field will be trimmed to six or eight competitors and then ultimately to just two finalists, one to travel to ISS and the other as a reserve candidate, and both will undergo an 18-month training program in Russia.
What I find interesting is Malaysia's effort to individualize its Space experience: A chef has been commissioned to help design a way to make traditional flat Indian bread called 'roti canai' in Space. Also, the Malaysian astronaut will be wearing traditional batik fabric as part of their uniform.
(Check out all the information at the official Malaysian site, here.)

I say it's about time we see some individuality and artistic creativity in Space. Yes, it's nice that Space can unite us as a planet and as a species, but does everything have to be so drab? Can't we paint cool animal designs on our spacecraft? Or wear cool looking uniforms like they did on the original Star Trek? (not the wedgy-inducing uniforms from STNG)

This is just the beginning of Malaysia's Space endeavors and I wish them great success! Regardless of what they wear or eat while they are up there...!

Does Energia really have the Right Stuff?

I don't know what to believe anymore. One day the Russian space agency can't pay its electric bill and the next day they are building Clippers and processing Helium3 on the Moon. (If you don't know what Helium 3 is, go here, if you don't know what a Clipper is, go here.)
I'd like to think it's all real and they will truly lead us off this planet; the first step in the long march to the Stars. But they're probably hoping some dot-com billionaire with money to burn and a Star Wars fixation will ride to their rescue, just like everyone else in the Space Industry.

Man, I have to shake this funk. I'm starting to sound like a pessimist. No, no, a REAL pessimist.

There is this latest update on the very successful Cassini probe currently gathering reams of data on Titan, a geologically active moon of Titan. The Huygens probe brought us some amazing photos and even wind sounds from its descent to the surface.
Titan is believed to be awash in hydrocarbons. Theories abound concerning possible seas of liquid methane or ethane, but so far, nothing of that sort. With an organically rich atmosphere, global tectonics at work and possible volcanism, it's still a hellish landscape brimming with possibilities!
Now, I'm smiling...

Moon Inhabited!

Ok, so I was down for a while. It's been rough being unemployed, but I'm bouncing back.
So I sat down today looking for something that would make me happy. Something related to Space travel.
I was unsuccessful.
I came to my Blog to try to put into words the disillusionment I was feeling. I put a few words down, became even more depressed and closed with a dagger thrust.
I went back to the Dashboard, looking for something, but what?
Then I saw it, right in front of me, staring back like a beacon. Here.
These words, this simple Blog represents everything about Space that turns me on: Adventure, wonder, excitement, accomplishment and most of all, hope.
Damaris, I salute you! (Might I add, she would be yet another beautiful astronaut--Eat your heart out Story Musgrave--that'll teach you to retire early!)

Too bad NASA is the only game in town though, eh? Oh well, way to go anyway! Then again, perhaps Virgin Galactic will be hiring by the time you finish school.

Same Old Story...

I have a headache. I thought I might check out some positive Space news, but alas, there is very little.
It's mostly same old, same old, you know what I mean? Administrators, bureaucrats, billionares and mad scientist-types are always promising this and promising that. It seems like a never ending offer of "pipe-dreams for everyone."
To coin a phrase, where's the beef?
A Space Elevator by 2010? I'll believe it when I see it.
NASA doing anything to make Space travel easier and within the grasp of commoners like you and I? Not bloody likely, I'll tell you that. I'll admit their new Small Aircraft Transportation System promises to revolutionize the way we travel around the planet, I don't see them doing much for Space travel. They've already spent around $1.2 Billion to fix the Shuttle following the Columbia accident, and have managed to do almost nothing. I saw them patting themselves on the back because they did an orbital flip with Discovery and did an emergency Spacewalk. Was I the only person who felt vomit rising in the back of their throat? This kind of stuff should be old hat for them. What have they been doing for the last three decades?
Think about it: A $1.2 Billion retro fit that doesn't accomplish anything and they're just now trying to fly the damn thing in Space? For $1.2 Billion you could build and launch a dozen Soyuz Spacecraft. You could have the damn things sitting around in a garage, ready to go at a moments notice.

I still have a headache, only now I'm angry too.

I wanted to travel in Space and now it appears that's not likely to happen. I have a daughter. I'm gonna have two daughters in very short order and I want to know they will have the option of traveling in Space.
It's imperative we, as a species, embrace Space travel as a natural expansion of Humankind.
We can't stay on Earth forever. We have to move-on, spread our culture, our races, around the Solar System at the very least. Later we can worry about the stars. But for now, we should at least lay claim to the worlds within our grasp.
I may not have that chance, but I plan to make certain my daughters have it as an option to refuse if that is the case, but at least it'll be an option.

Maybe these people (XCOR) have the answer....who knows. But I'm gonna find out.