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April
28, 2008
Stephen Hawking: Alien But Primitive Life Likely (Source:
AP)
Famed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has been thinking a lot about the
cosmic question, "Are we alone?" The answer is probably not, he says.
If there is life elsewhere in the universe, Hawking asks why haven't we
stumbled onto some alien broadcasts in space, maybe something like
"alien quiz shows?" Hawking's comments were part of a lecture at George Washington University on Monday in honor of
NASA's 50th anniversary. He theorized that there are possible answers
to whether there is extraterrestrial life.
One option is that there likely isn't life elsewhere. Or maybe there is
intelligent life elsewhere, but when it gets smart enough to send
signals into space, it also is smart enough to make destructive nuclear
weapons. Hawking said he prefers the third option: "Primitive life is
very common and intelligent life is fairly rare," he then quickly
added: "Some would say it has yet to occur on earth." Hawking compared
people who don't want to spend money on human space exploration to
those who opposed the journey of Christopher Columbus in 1492. (4/21)
ET Likely Doesn't Exist, Finds Math Model (Source:
Discovery)
Earth-like planets have relatively short windows of opportunity for
life to evolve, making it highly doubtful intelligent beings exist
elsewhere in the universe, according to newly published research based
on a mathematical probability model. Given the amount of time it has
taken for human beings to evolve on Earth and the fact that the planet
will no longer be habitable in a billion years or so when the sun
brightens, Andrew Watson, with the United Kingdom's University of East Anglia in Norwich, says we are probably
alone. Earthlings overcame horrendous odds -- Watson pegs it at less
than 0.01 percent over 4 billion years -- to achieve life. The harsh
reality is that we don't have much time left.
In another billion years or so, the sun will grow hotter and brighter,
toasting our blue world beyond recognition. "Earth's biosphere is now
in its old age," Watson said. "This has implications for our
understanding of the likelihood of complex life and intelligence
arising on any given planet," he added. "It suggests that our evolution
is rather unlikely -- in fact, the timing of events is consistent with
it being very rare indeed." Visit http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/04/21/extra-terrestrial-life.html
to view the article. (4/21)
Station Issues Pointed Out
in Congress
(Source: Florida Today)
“It will be a challenge for NASA to complete the space station by 2010
given the compressed nature of the schedule, maintenance and safety
concerns, as well as events beyond its control such as weather,”
Cristina Chaplain of the GAO told Congress. She said NASA will have a
hard time supplying the station because of the absence of spacecraft
large enough to carry necessary cargo. The agency will be relying
heavily on Russians, and eventually on the Europeans and Japanese, to
supply vehicles that can service the station once the shuttles retire.
But, she noted, none of those vehicles are capable of bringing cargo
back from the station. Chaplain noted that NASA must complete the space
station to expand its scientific research. Currently, she said, most of
the crew’s time is spent maintaining the station, as opposed to
conducting scientific experiments. “According to NASA, the crew spends
no more than three hours per week on science,” she noted. (4/24)
Report: Soyuz Capsule Nearly Burned Up (Source: USA Today)
A Russian news agency says the crew of the Soyuz capsule that landed in
Kazakhstan this weekend after an unexpectedly severe descent was in
serious danger. Interfax quotes an unnamed space official as saying
that the capsule entered the atmosphere improperly, with the hatch
first, instead of with heat shields leading the way. The official says
the hatch suffered significant damage. The official also says the
capsule's antenna burned up during the descent, meaning the crew could
not communicate properly. The crew, which included South Korea's first astronaut,
endured severe gravitational forces because it took a
steeper-than-usual trajectory. (4/22)
Russian Capsule Separation Under Scrutiny (Source:
SpaceFlightNow.com)
The Russian Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft apparently suffered a failure,
possibly involving explosive bolts, that prevented one of two sections
connected to the central crew capsule from separating properly before
re-entry. The capsule apparently entered the atmosphere in an unusual
orientation and was subjected to relatively violent buffeting until the
attached section finally broke away, as planned in such scenarios,
allowing the descent module to settle into a normal heat-shield-down
orientation. The failure of the lower propulsion module to cleanly
separate is believed to have forced the craft into a steep, so-called
ballistic re-entry. Smoke apparently entered the capsule at one point,
but it's not clear what might have caused it.
The timing of major entry events is not yet known, but the spacecraft
landed some 295 miles short of its target. Instead of being met by
flight surgeons and engineers, the crew were initially were assisted by
local residents who were astonished to find the charred spacecraft
resting on its side in their fields. Recovery crews eventually arrived
and flew the crew back to Star City near Moscow. (4/22)
Space Crew’s Hard Landing Raises Hard Questions (Source:
MSNBC)
Last week's safe return of the latest international space station crew
occurred during an anxiety-filled half-hour of official silence that
only later was explained by the cluelessness of Moscow Mission Control
as to the whereabouts (and even the continued existence) of the Soyuz
spacecraft and its three occupants. Although the crew members survived
and were well enough to recount their ordeal on Monday, the landing
raises huge questions about the Russian space effort's competence going
forward. How on earth did the Russians lose track of the descending
spacecraft? Why did alarming details of the landing — including the
ignition of a brush fire that set the collapsed parachute ablaze and
filled the landed spacecraft with smoke — take so long to reach the
public? Visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24243569/
to view the article. (4/21)
Uh-Oh, NASA: Soyuz May Have a Design Flaw (Source: Orlando
Sentinel)
More bad news for NASA’s post-shuttle retirement plans: an article in
the Moscow daily Izvestiya quoted Anatoly Perminov, the head of
Russia’s federal space agency, saying that the Soyuz TMA-11 spaceship
that experienced a perilous landing last weekend may suffer from a
design flaw. According to the report, Perminov complained that the
Soyuz faced what he called a danger of “overload which is 2 or 2.5
times bigger than nominal." The article did not explain further what he
meant. He said he also found it unacceptable that there was a loss of
communication with the Soyuz crew during its final descent for 30
minutes.
"In principle this is a serious situation", he was quoted as saying. “I
will not exclude the possibility of a design defect." The quotes are
likely to raise concern at NASA which will be dependent on the Soyuz to
ferry U.S. astronauts to the
international space station after the space shuttle retires in 2010.
NASA has said that it is waiting for the Russians to analyze data from
the flight before coming to any conclusions about the safety of the
Soyuz. (4/24)
Editorial: Soyuz Mishap Increases Urgency for New U.S. Space
Vehicle (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Chalk up last week's Soyuz space capsule malfunction as another reason
for Congress to find the money to make the gap between the 2010
grounding of shuttles and the launch of NASA's next manned vehicle as
short as possible. At this point, U.S. astronauts have no
options during the gap but Russian spacecraft for trips to and from the
station. Stingy budgets from Congress have stretched the gap to at
least five years. Congress could cut the gap from five to three years
with $2 billion. If a brain drain and losing ground to strategic rivals
isn't enough, what about reducing the risks for U.S. astronauts? (4/26)
NASA Offers $3.1 Billion for Space Station Cargo Supply
(Source: Flight International)
Under NASA's new International Space Station commercial resupply
contracts logistics providers can expect minimum cargo requirements of
20,000kg (44,000lb) and maximum awards of $3.1 billion. But companies
will probably have to provide their own cargo processing facilities
that meet the US space agency's standards.
NASA has opted to procure ISS cargo resupply on a commercial basis
between calendar year 2010 and 2015. NASA's logistics estimate for that
period are an up and down mass total of 82,400kg, based on an ISS crew
of six. On 14 April NASA released its final request for proposals,
setting out the process that will lead to a selection of one or more
resupply contractors on 28 November.
As well as satisfying NASA's flight-operations requirements on paper,
the contractors' spaceships must complete on-orbit tests during the
first delivery mission before docking with the ISS. But the real test
could be whether potential contractors can be competitive and still
provide the cargo processing facility required. (4/21)
NASA Awards Launch Services Contract to SpaceX (Source:
NASA)
NASA has awarded SpaceX a Launch Services contract for the Falcon 1 and
Falcon 9 launch vehicles. NASA has awarded such Indefinite
Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts to multiple launch
providers, allowing the companies to submit proposals if their vehicles
meet the minimum contract requirements. The SpaceX contract allows NASA
to order launch services through June 30,
2010,
for launches to occur through December 2012. The potential total
contract value is between $20,000 and $1 billion, depending on the
number of missions awarded.
The contract seeks a launch capability for payloads weighing 551 pounds
or heavier into a circular orbit of 124 miles at an orbital inclination
of 28.5 degrees. Payloads would be launched to support three NASA
mission directorates: Science, Space Operations and Exploration
Systems. NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is responsible for
program management. (4/22)
NASA: Cosmic Ray Detector
for Station Won't Make Shuttle Manifest (Source: Space News)
There is no room on any upcoming space shuttle flights for the cosmic
ray detector Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), and the addition of two
shuttle flights will not help, a top NASA official said. NASA scrubbed
the AMS mission after the shuttle fleet was grounded for two and half
years following the loss of Columbia. NASA's efforts to win
approval for two "contingency flights" after the eight remaining on the
schedule do not open the door for AMS, said William Gerstenmaier. The
contingency flights are needed to fly spare parts to the space station
that will be too large for cargo launchers after the space shuttle is
retired in 2010. (4/27)
Mars Rovers Digging Data Years After 90-day Life Expectancy
(Source: Florida Today)
The surface of Mars has given up many surprises to rovers Spirit and Opportunity. As of this week, both of
the 384-pound rovers have endured four years past their expected life
of 90 days. The trusty robots have helped humans see the red planet as
a complex world that might hold signs of life, rather than as a
forbidding and barren place. Spirit and Opportunity have survived dust
devils, the extremes of Martian temperature and attempts to cut the
rover program to fund the next Mars exploration mission. Uncovering
opals, water, gas and salt, the rovers have made their discoveries in
an area only a few miles from their landing points, showing scientists
that Mars is far more diverse than anyone imagined. (4/23)
Mars Rover Robotic Arm Jams (Source: SpaceToday.net)
One of the twin Mars Exploration Rovers is suffering from a problem
with its robotic arm that could limit its utility, JPL announced
Wednesday. A motor that controls the side-to-side motion in the
shoulder joint of the arm on the rover Opportunity stalled earlier this
month and is currently being studied by engineers. The motor first
experienced occasional problems in late 2005, but the latest problem
took placed after much less activity than previous problems, suggesting
that the problem is worsening. Engineers believe the problem is
electrical rather than mechanical in nature. Even if the motor could no
longer operate, project officials said the robotic arm could still be
used to perform "some contact science" since motors that control other
joints in the arm are still working. (4/24)
NASA Begins Work to Solve
Lunar Base Boil-Off Problem (Source: Flight
International)
NASA has started the contractor selection process for its lunar surface
thermal control system study that could find a solution to the biggest
hurdle in its plans to return to the Moon: stopping propellant loss.
For rocket engine efficiency and mass savings NASA would prefer to use
cryogenic propellants for its Constellation program's lunar vehicles,
instead of the heavier storable fuels and oxidizers. Keeping hydrogen
or methane and oxygen in their liquid states requires a very low
constant temperature.
But in space the Sun's radiation and heat transmitted through the
spacecraft's own structure can raise temperatures causing propellants
to vaporize. This increases propellant tank pressure, which is reduced
by vapor release. The study will focus on a conceptual lunar lander
ascent module that uses liquid oxygen and methane with gaseous helium,
stored at the liquid methane's temperature, for tank pressurization.
Three thermal control systems will be compared. (4/23)
$100m Moon Mission the Ultimate Holiday Adventure (Source: Emirates
Business 24/7)
A 10-minute suborbital flight into space seems so last season. Now, for
a cool $100 million you can go to the moon. Space Adventures is
offering a two-week vacation to stay at the International Space Station
(ISS) and in the future, even a six-day extension for a trip around the
moon should you fancy. The Lunar Mission, which will be ready for
take-off by 2012, comes at a steep price, but it will certainly
guarantee your name in the history books.
Eric Anderson, President and CEO of Space Adventures, who was in Dubai for this week’s Global
Travel and Tourism Summit, told Emirates Business: “There have been
several unmanned missions to circumnavigate the moon since the 1970s
but our Lunar Mission will be the first of its kind to take a private
citizen on a tour around Earth’s natural satellite. While you will not
actually walk on the surface...you will come within 100 miles (160.9km)
of the lunar surface.”
The company has already commissioned a $265m spaceport in Ras Al
Khaimah to fulfil the growing demand for suborbital flights in the
region. But if it is the moon that fires up your adventurous soul, you
will need to head to a launch site in Kazakhstan. (4/24)
Caterpillar Shoots for the Moon (Source: Peoria
Journal-Star)
Caterpillar Inc. doesn't plan to stop at being the No. 1 construction
equipment maker in the world. It's aiming for the universe, with NASA
as its partner. Caterpillar and NASA are getting closer to having the
right earthmoving - er, moonmoving - equipment available to put on the
moon in less than a decade to build habitats, roads and other
infrastructure that could sustain life on the lunar surface. NASA and
Cat have been working on the "Chariot" project since 2006. Chariot is a
"lunar truck" that uses Caterpillar's robotics technology and NASA's
knowledge of the lunar surface. (4/27)
NASA Offers Educational Online Gaming Opportunity to Developers
(Source: NASA)
Educators soon may be able take the "learning can be fun" adage to
another level using computer-simulation games with new technologies
created by NASA and a yet-to-be-selected game developer. NASA Learning
Technologies sponsored a workshop on its concept of delivering NASA
content through a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) educational game
to interested development partners. Designed to enhance learning in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), such an
online educational game would draw players into a synthetic environment
that can serve as a powerful "hands-on" tool for teaching a range of
complex subjects. (4/21)
Budget Slashed On NASA's Educational Game (Source: WIRED)
Like much of the space program, NASA Learning Technologies (an
education-focused subset of the space agency) is facing budget cuts
that leave the future of the group's previously revealed educational
online game in question. Original budget estimates for the Massively
Multiplayer Online (MMO) game hovered around $3 million over the next
three years, though a recently filed Request for Proposals seeks
developers willing to create and maintain the title under "a
non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement." Assuming the most recent RFP is
the final one, the game would be developed for free, maintained for
free, and the only reimbursement the game's creators could expect would
be the possibility of brand or product placement within the MMO.
Interested parties have until June 18th to submit proposals to NASA.
(4/21)
Editorial: Keep Money on Earth Where it's Needed More
(Source: Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)
Recently, the Senate added $1.1 billion to the NASA budget bill for
2008. The $17.3 billion package, up 7.3 percent over the current year,
would pull ahead of inflation, something NASA Administrator Michael
Griffin promised wouldn't happen. The economy is not in the best shape.
Gas prices are astronomically high, nearing $4 per gallon in New York state. The need for
government assistance is on the rise.
So it is not appropriate for the United States to be spending $17.3
billion on space exploration and research when there are American
citizens living in poverty. In a time when the American dollar has
dipped below Canadian currency in value, the U.S. government should be more
focused on paying down the national debt and restoring America to its former status as
an economic giant. I agree that space exploration is important and
should be a high priority — but not a higher priority than the nation's
economy. We need to take care of the here and now on Earth — rather
than worry more about the future in space. Backed by a strong economy,
manned space missions organized by NASA are a great, visionary idea.
(4/25)
Congressman Advocates ITAR
Changes
(Source: Florida Today)
Congressman Tom Feeney participated on a recent roundtable talk about
how to create policy on international space cooperation. He said the
discussion drove home how crucial it will be for the United States to ease restrictions laid
out in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations - or ITAR. Feeney
said ITAR rules are among the biggest hurdles to cooperating with other
countries on space science programs. (4/25)
Ethics and Space Issues as Dems Try to Unseat Feeney
(Source: AP)
Republican Congressman Tom Feeney wants voters in his district to know
about his work on space issues. Democrats want them to know about his
play on the golf course with a criminal lobbyist. In his first serious
challenge since carving out his own district six years ago, Feeney
believes he will win re-election based on issues, while Democrats are
constantly reminding voters he is linked to a Washington corruption scandal.
Feeney dismisses the attacks, and instead says he has the experience
and knowledge needed to protect the space industry that is so vital to
the district that stretches from Orlando's sprawling eastern
suburbs to the Kennedy Space Center. Democrats are making
Feeney their top Florida target, giving their
backing to Suzanne Kosmas, 64, a former state representative from New Smyrna Beach who owns a real estate
business. Kosmas had already raised $665,000 through the first three
months of this year. That compares to Feeney's $982,000. (4/26)
Obama Picks Up New
Space/Tech Endorsements (Source: WIRED)
The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers,
an AFL-CIO affiliated labor union whose membership includes engineers,
scientists and technicians at the Department of Defense, the Department
of Energy, NASA and Boeing, has endorsed Barack Obama. The
85,000-member organization, represented by its Executive Council voted
without opposition to endorse the Senator.
In Obama's response to the endorsement he said, "I’ll support vigorous
reinvestment in our federal research and development agencies,
including NASA, to maintain America’s leadership in Science
and Technology and to foster economic competitiveness." Obama also
picked up an endorsement today from Super Delegate and Congressman
David Wu (D-OR). Wu represents the "Silicon Forest" area (which includes the
southwest part of Portland) and is the Chair of the
Technology and Innovation Subcommittee as well as a member of the Space
Subcommittee of the House of Representative. This puts Obama at 240
Super Delegates and 291 delegates away from capturing the democratic
nomination.
Many people in the space community are still concerned about Obama's
statements about delaying NASA's Constellation program five years
(sending humans to the moon), a move that could have serious
consequences for the future of human space exploration. Perhaps getting
more people supporting the Obama campaign who support human space
exploration will bring in some new thinking on how the United States can use its human
spaceflight program to support education, the economy, the environment
and help foster international cooperation.
How Clinton, Obama and McCain Could Change U.S. Space Policy
(Source: Popular Mechanics)
With key constituencies in Florida, Texas and the Southwest, all three
presidential contenders have now laid out official platforms on the
next giant leap (or step back) for American space exploration—and none
of them bode well for NASA’s existing plans toward the moon and beyond.
Visit http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4260504.html
for an analysis of the candidates' positions on space. (4/23)
Candidates and the Space
Race
(Source: CNN)
The presidential candidates are not talking about future space
exploration, but some say they should. Click here
to view a CNN report. The initial video is not space-related. Click on
the space video item below the video player.
Whimsical 'N-Prize' To Spur Ultra-Cheap Space Launches
(Source: New Scientist)
The challenge: put a tiny satellite that weighs less than 19.99 grams -
the weight of about two British pound coins or four US quarters - into
orbit on a budget of only £999.99 (about $2000). The satellite must
complete nine orbits around the Earth, and this must somehow be
verifiable from the ground. The prize: £9,999.99 (about $20,000). Your
chance of success: close to zero.
That pretty much sums up a new challenge put forth by Paul Dear, a Cambridge University molecular biologist who
apparently really likes the number 9. Called the N-prize (the "N"
stands for "Nanosatellite" or "Negligible Resources"), the purse will
be awarded to the first person or group to complete the challenge
before 19:19:09 on the 19th September 2011. Importantly, the weight
restriction does not apply to the launch vehicle used to put the
satellite in orbit. Dear gleefully admits that he thinks the task is
"well-nigh impossible." "Your job is to work around that 'almost,'" he
said. (4/21)
New Mexico County Approves
Spaceport Tax (Source: SpaceToday.net)
A county in southern New Mexico overwhelmingly approved a sales tax
increase Tuesday that will help fund the development of a commercial
spaceport in the state. Voters in Sierra County, New Mexico approved a quarter-cent
increase in the county's sales tax by a two-to-one margin in a special
election. The majority of the money from that tax will be used to help
build Spaceport America, a commercial spaceport
planned for southern New Mexico that will be used by
space tourism firm Virgin Galactic and other companies. The approval of
the tax allows the state to create a "tax district" along with a
neighboring county that approved a similar tax last year, allowing tax
revenues to be collected and channeled to the spaceport. (4/23)
Otero County Next in Line for New Mexico Spaceport Tax Vote
(Source: Las Cruces Sun-News)
The state's Spaceport Authority and other supporters of Spaceport
America will now turn their attentions to another source of funding —
Otero County, the third county in a planned spaceport tax district.
Voters in Sierra County on Tuesday overwhelmingly
approved a one-quarter of 1 percent increase. Doña Ana County narrowly approved the
same increase last year. Doña Ana and Sierra would provide about $51.4
million of the $58 million the proposed three-county district would
generate. The state would pitch in another $140 million for the $198
million project. The balance of the $58 million is Otero's share. With
Tuesday's vote, a legal requirement of two counties approving the tax
was fulfilled to create the tax district. Without the district, the tax
could not be collected. (4/24)
What's Next for New Mexico Spaceport Project (Source: Las
Cruces Sun-News)
Spaceport director Steve Landeene said the next steps for the Spaceport
Authority include working to form a spaceport tax district, a political
body that will be made up of representatives from Doña Ana County and
Sierra County. The district is required by state law to be in place
before local spaceport tax dollars can be spent. In addition, he said
he'll focus energy on gaining a Federal Aviation Administration license
for the spaceport and finalizing an operating contract with Virgin
Galactic. (4/23)
Virginia Offers Spaceport
Bonds
(Source: Spaceports Blog)
The Virginia General Assembly adopted a multi-million dollar public
bond package known as the 21st Century Capital Improvement Program
which includes new funding for the Virginia Commercial Space Flight
Authority to make significant infrastructure upgrades to the
Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The spaceport bond package enjoyed
strong bi-partisan support from Governor Tim Kaine and the Legislature.
The funding measure comes on the heels of the Virginia
ZeroGravity-ZeroTax in 2008 and the Space Flight Liability and Immunity
Act in 2007. (4/25)
Defense Firms Expand in Alabama (Source: AIA)
Several defense companies are expanding their operations in Huntsville,
Ala. Lockheed Martin, for example, grew its work force by 9% in 2007.
"From Lockheed Martin's perspective, we recognize that there is a lot
of growth potential here in the community," said John Holly, top
executive for Lockheed Martin Huntsville. (4/21)
Alabama's `Rocket City' Yet to Catch Fever Over
Mars Project
(Source: Florida Times-Union)
Mars fever is hardly an epidemic in the city where America's next manned rocket is
being designed. Some are excited about the Constellation program, which
aims to send astronauts back to the moon by 2020 and on to Mars aboard
a new spacecraft called Ares. The work is a civic booster's dream - it
could mean as many as 2,900 jobs at Marshall Space Flight Center within
five years. But, like elsewhere, the project has hardly captured the
public's imagination the way the race to the moon did in the 1960s,
when Huntsville was a cotton town growing
into a rocketry center.
Samantha McCall, a student at Alabama A&M University, is more interested in
cheap gasoline than a Mars mission. "I don't know anything about it,
and I don't want to know anything about it unless they bring me back
some gas," said McCall, 21. Playing a video game at a state-owned space
museum near Marshall, Josh Morton wasn't too
thrilled about going to Mars, either. "If they really do it I'll be
interested. But right now?" said Morton, 11, of Smyrna, Ga. Right now would be good
for NASA; the first test flight for an Ares prototype is just one year
away. NASA has yet to project a date for the first trip to Mars. (4/21)
Event May Benefit Ohio Aerospace (Source: Dayton Business
Journal)
State economic development organizations and federal organizations are
planning an unprecedented meeting to promote aerospace industry growth
in Ohio. The endgame is "to
create momentum around the idea that we can create not only jobs, but
good jobs to support our aerospace industry in the state," said Joe
Renaud, the ODOD aerospace and defense advisor. Due to its
concentration of aerospace research and expertise, the Dayton region, through the
Dayton Development Coalition and the U.S. Air Force, is being
considered as one of the key cogs of the effort, officials said.
On May 7, representatives from the organizations, as well as industry
and academia, will participate in joint hearings on aerospace with
state leadership, a roundtable discussion with Gov. Ted Strickland and
individual meetings with other state leaders. Dubbed "Ohio Aerospace
Day," the event is the result of collaboration efforts between the Ohio
Aerospace Institute, Ohio Department of Development, the Dayton
Development Coalition, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and the Air Force
Research Laboratory, near Dayton. (4/25)
United Launch Alliance to be Colorado 'Classroom' for Teachers
(Source: Denver Business Journal)
United Launch Alliance and a group of Colorado business and education
leaders say they'll create an internship program at the space company
to prepare high school teachers to train the rocket scientists of
tomorrow. It's a new effort to bring the math and science skills taught
in Colorado schools closer to the
needs of high-tech businesses. ULA and the Denver-based Public
Education & Business Coalition (PEBC) will initiate the program in
2009. Science and math teachers will spend four weeks during the summer
working side by side with ULA's scientists and engineers, giving them a
first-hand look at how those skills come into play at a high-tech
business. (4/26)
Emerging Green Economy
Echoes Industry Demand for Training (Source: CSA)
In a news conference
focused on Earth Day, the California Space Authority (CSA), as part of
the Get Relevance in Education and Learning (GetREAL) Coalition, voiced
its support for a robust career technical education (CTE) system as a
way to ensure economic development within the emerging green economy. Visit
http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/press-releases/pr080423-1_EarthDay.pdf
for information.
Florida Universities Partner in Education Venture (Source:
Florida Flambeau)
Last year, the Florida Legislature awarded Florida State University, in
partnership with the Florida Institute of Technology and Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University, a grant to begin developing plans for a
Governor's School of Space, Science and Technology, which would attract
gifted students from across the state. The school, which would require
students to stay on the campus for a residence of two years, is to be
located near the Kennedy Space Center. (4/22)
Embry-Riddle Students Compete in Transcontinental Air Race
(Source: ERAU)
The Air Race Classic, an annual transcontinental speed competition for
female pilots, is scheduled for June 24-27, with the race originating
in Bozeman, Montana, and finishing in Mansfield, Massachusetts. This is
the second year that an Embry-Riddle team has competed in the race.
This year the pilots are Marisha Falk, an Aeronautical Science student
and a flight instructor, and Amanda Parsons, an Aviation Maintenance
Science student along with Aeronautical Science Student and Instructor
Lindsay Sorg. Their coach is Carolina Lenz, a Flight Department
training manager. The students will be flying the “Riddle-Racer II.”
The university's Flight Department is providing the airplane and fuel,
but the students need to raise money to cover registration fees and
other expenses. For information contact Marisha Falk at:
mailto:falkac8@erau.edu. (4/23)
Embry-Riddle Long Beach Campus Plans Open House on May 7 &
14 (Source: ERAU)
CSA member Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will hold an
informational open house for graduate and undergraduate degree programs
on May 7 and May 14 at its Long Beach campus. The May 7 event is
focused on graduate-degree programs, including Project Management, MBA
and Master of Aeronautical Science. The May 14 event is focused on
undergraduate-degree programs, including Professional Aeronautics,
Aviation Maintenance Management, and Aviation Business Administration.
Two sessions on both days are scheduled, at 11:30
a.m.
and 5 p.m. The campus facility is
located near the Long Beach Airport at 5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach 90815. Please call 562-627-5870
or send an e-mail to la.center@erau.edu
for information and reservations. (4/22)
Navy Limits Applications for Space Program Due to Lack of
Personnel (Source: New York Times)
For what may be the first time since the inception of the American
space program, the Navy is restricting nominations to the astronaut
corps. The move comes nearly 50 years after Alan B. Shepard, a naval
aviator, became the first American in space. The cutback, Navy
officials say, comes as the service tries to retain the expertise it
needs to fulfill its wartime obligations while experiencing an overall
decline in its numbers. A message from Vice Admiral J. C. Harvey Jr.
last month stated that applications for Navy nominations to the space
program from 10 specialties would not be accepted “due to critical
inventory shortfalls and/or priority global war on terrorism skill set
requirements.” (4/27)
Malaysia to Shelve Space Program Due to Lack of Finances
(Source: Earth Times)
Malaysia's fledgling space program will be temporarily shelved due to a
lack of funds, six months after sending its first astronaut to space.
Science Minister Maximus Ongkili said the initial plan to send a second
astronaut to space could not be carried out due to a problem of
budgeting. "There are competing priorities and other social development
needs. We have to ensure that the money spent is worth it," said an
official. The first launch cost the government $25 million, an amount
partly offset by the country's purchase of 18 Russian-made Sukhoi
fighter jets in a 900-million-dollar deal in 2003. (4/22)
Chinese Moon Rover Passes Test (Source: Xinhua)
Shanghai has developed a lunar
rover that it hopes to be chosen for China's first moon landing in
2013. The Shanghai Science and Technology Commission said the key
technology of the rover has passed a technical appraisal by the
government. The technology mainly covers the rover's maneuverability
and detection sensors. The rover can travel at an average speed of 100
meters per hour, is 1.5 meters high and weighs 200 kilograms. It looks
similar to America's "Spirit," which landed
on Mars. Researchers said the rover can climb slopes, and its sensors
can help it avoid bumping into obstacles. (4/24)
Chinese Data Relay Spacecraft Launched Into Orbit (Source:
SpaceFlightNow.com)
China launched a data relay
satellite Friday to serve as a communications link between ground
controllers and the country's next human space mission later this year.
A Long March 3C rocket, boosted by a pair of liquid-fueled strap-on
engines, lifted off from the Xichang spaceport in southwestern China. (4/25)
April 28: India to Launch 10 Satellites (Source: The Hindu)
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will launch ten
satellites, including eight from abroad, which will be carried by
PSLV-C9 on April 28 from the Sriharikota spaceport. The cluster of
satellites to be lifted included Indian satellite Cartosat-2A weighing
690 kg. The vehicle would also carry eight nano satellites of 16 to 27
kg from Canada, Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. "All launches are
important. But, this is for the first time that ISRO is launching ten
satellites together," an ISRO official said. (4/23)
Zenit Launch Planned for Monday (Source: RIA Novosti)
The launch of a modified Zenit rocket with an Israeli communications
satellite from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan has been delayed until
Monday. Russia started preparations for the first launch of a
three-stage Zenit-3SLB rocket from a land-based launch site in October
last year. (4/25)
Land Launch Delay Creates Stir in Israel (Source:
Space.com)
The debut of the Land Launch Zenit-3SLB rocket carrying the Israeli
Amos-3 telecommunications satellite was aborted just 90 seconds before
a planned Thursday liftoff due to a ground equipment glitch at the
Baikonur spaceport. Officials attributed the glitch to a malfunctioning
transporter-erector crane that failed to separate at a sufficiently
safe distance from the three-stage rocket.
The malfunction prompted disappointment and embarrassment in Jerusalem, where Cabinet members,
foreign dignitaries and industry executives had gathered at the home of
Israeli President Shimon Peres to witness the launch. In an
extraordinarily elaborate pre-launch fete organized by Spacecom as part
of Israel's 60th Anniversary
Independence Day celebrations, presidential guests monitoring the live
feed from Kazakhstan were visibly discomfited
by the aborted countdown. (4/24)
Dnepr Launch Operations Could Move Back to Baikonur
(Source: Space News)
The Russian-Ukrainian Dnepr rocket, whose operations were moved from
the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in 2006 to a new site in Russia
to avoid conflicts with authorities in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan over
launch debris, may be forced to return to Baikonur because of similar
issues with neighboring Uzbekistan, according to the Swedish Space
Corp. (SSC). (4/24)
Ruptured Gas Duct Blamed for Russian Proton Launch Failure
(Source: SpaceToday.net)
A Russian commission has concluded that a ruptured gas duct caused the
premature shutdown of the upper stage of a Proton rocket launched last
month. Investigators concluded that the duct, which runs from the gas
generator to a propellant pump turbine in the Breeze M upper stage,
ruptured late in the second burn of the stage on the March 15 launch,
causing the engine to shut down prematurely and ultimately stranding
the AMC-14 payload in a transfer orbit. The duct likely ruptured
because of the combined effects of duct wall erosion, high temperatures
and prolonged low frequency pressure fluctuation in the duct. The
commission identified a number of corrective actions for both that
particular failure as well as steps to improve the reliability of the
Breeze M main engine. (4/22)
Anxious Weekend for Galileo Backers (Source: EE Times)
Teams that have been developing and financing the Giove-B demonstrator
and test satellite for Europe's fledgling satellite navigation project,
Galileo, will have an anxious weekend as the bird is scheduled to be
launched in the early hours of April 27th. The Soyuz launch vehicle
with the satellite on board has already taken up its final launch
position at Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan for putting Giove-B into
its reserved path at 23,000 km. Developed and manufactured by Astrium,
the satellite will carry Galileo's key technologies into space for the
first time, and is a trailblazer for the overall system. (4/25)
EU Galileo Satnav Project Gets Final Greenlight (Source:
SpaceDaily.com)
The European Parliament gave approval on Wednesday to the flag-ship
Galileo satellite navigation project which the EU aims to have up in
space by 2013. In an almost unanimous vote, members of the European
Parliament set in stone the legal basis for the system, which has been
plagued in the past by delays and infighting among EU nations. The
3.4-billion euro ($5.4 billion) budget will be divided into six
segments with contracts for satellites, launchers, computer programs,
ground stations, control stations and the system's operation. (4/23)
Galileo Test Satellite Launched by Russia (Source: EUbusiness.com)
A second experimental Giove-B satellite for the EU's Galileo satellite
navigation project was launched from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan early Sunday. The Soyuz
rocket carrying the satellite into its projected orbit and Giove-B
correctly deployed its solar panels. The satellite, a 500-kilogram cube
constructed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, is to take over from
the first test satellite Giove-A, launched in December 2005. (4/27)
Arianespace Plans Bid to Launch Galileo Satellites
(Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The European commercial space-launch consortium Arianespace will make a
bid to launch 26 satellites from French Guyana to kickstart the
European Union's Galileo satellite navigation program. The European
Parliament signalled its green light for the deployment of Galileo,
seen by space experts as a challenge to the US-administered GPS global
positioning system. To meet ESA requirements for two different launch
systems, Arianespace will offer both Ariane 5 and Soyuz rockets capable
of carrying four and two satellites at a time respectively. Arianespace
seeks to enable the long-delayed Galileo system to be up and running by
2013. (4/27)
U.S. Battles Misconceptions About Management of GPS
(Source: Space News)
U.S. officials traveling in Europe continue to stress, against widely
held public opinion, that the U.S. GPS navigation satellite system is a
dual-use infrastructure under U.S. policy and is managed by a
civil-military management structure. But 12 years after the joint
civil-military management team was installed to oversee GPS, the
network still is viewed as fully controlled by the U.S. Defense
Department, which finances GPS maintenance and modernization. GPS's
military heritage and DoD funding was used to help rally support for
Europe's future Galileo navigation satellite system, which is financed
by European transport ministers with little European military
contribution. (4/27)
Staying in the Orbit of
Satellite Radio (Source: New York Times)
When satellite-radio customers are asked whether they will keep their
subscriptions through the end of the year, they answer differently
depending on whether they have sought out the service or received it
free through radios already installed in new or leased cars. People in
the latter group, by 26 percentage points, are less likely to say they
will “absolutely keep” the service, according to a questionnaire
answered by about 3,510 users who also listen to AM/FM stations, and
prepared by Jacobs Media, a consultancy for broadcast radio.
Both Sirius and XM have worked hard recently to push promotional
subscriptions, which can last just a few months, to car owners.
Together, they added about 3.7 million subscriptions last year,
according to David Bank, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, and some 79
percent of those were from promotions to car buyers or leasers. At XM
last year, 52.7 percent of such customers converted to paying
subscribers. (4/21)
Eutelsat Secures Huge $2.5
Billion Insurance Package (Source: Space News)
Satellite-fleet operator Eutelsat Communications has signed an
insurance package valued at around $2.5 billion covering the launch of
seven telecommunications satellites, plus two options, between 2008 and
2011. The policy gives Eutelsat the option of using China's Long March rocket for
one of the satellites, according to industry officials. In what may be
the biggest single space-insurance package ever signed -- based on the
dollar value -- Eutelsat, of Paris, has retained the flexibility in the
months leading up to a launch to mix different satellites with
different launchers depending on the track record of each rocket. (4/27)
Boeing Hesitates Before Fully Insuring Launch of Satellite
(Source: Space News)
Boeing is seeking insurance for an unnamed satellite launch this year
and may not be able to secure full coverage at acceptable rates. In an
April 23 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
Chicago-based Boeing said it may face a gap of $350 million between
what it ultimately insures and what it is seeking in coverage. (4/27)
SES Negotiating To Sell
AMC-14 To US Government Agency (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
The fate of geostationary satellite AMC-14 that failed to achieve its
desired orbit in March continues to cause problems for the
Luxembourg-based SES group and its underwriters. SpaceDaily has learned
that SES has backtracked on their original plan to ditch the Lockheed
Martin built A2100 satellite, and is trying to offload the spacecraft
to a US government agency before an SES competitor or even one of its
own customers buys it from the underwriters.(4/22)
Orbital Sciences Plans $50M Stock Buyback (Source: AP)
Orbital Sciences Corp. is planning the repurchase of up to $50 million
in stock over the next year. Orbital Sciences has about 60.9 million
shares outstanding. In afternoon trading, the stock rose 81 cents, or 3
percent, to $27.50 after hitting a 52-week high of $27.54. The stock
traded at a year low of $19.19 a year ago. (4/25)
General Dynamics Awarded $116M NASA Spacecraft Contract
(Source: Hemscott)
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has been selected by NASA
to build the spacecraft for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission. Under
the terms of the $116 million order, General Dynamics will be
responsible for designing and manufacturing the spacecraft bus,
integration of the government furnished instruments, satellite-level
testing, on-orbit satellite check-out and continuing on-orbit
engineering support. General Dynamics will also provide a
spacecraft/observatory simulator. The spacecraft will be built at the
company's facility in Gilbert, Arizona. (4/23)
General Dynamics Net Jumps 32% on War, Business Jets
(Source: Bloomberg)
General Dynamics' first- quarter earnings rose 32 percent, beating
analysts' estimates, as the Iraq war lifted sales of ammunition and
troop transports. Net income increased to $572 million, from $434
million a year earlier. Sales climbed 11 percent to $7.01 billion,
aided by increased deliveries of Gulfstream business jets. (4/23)
Arianespace Revenue, Profit Decline in 2007 (Source: Space
News)
Europe's Arianespace launch consortium reported a 6.4 percent decline
in revenue and a 68 percent drop in profit in 2007 compared to 2006 and
continued to be buffeted by the weak dollar despite signing contracts
designed to hedge against the dollar's continued decline versus the
euro, the company said in its annual report. (4/22)
Honeywell Profit Rises 22%, Outlook Is Raised (Source:
Wall Street Journal)
Honeywell International Inc. posted a 22% rise in first-quarter profit,
buoyed by overseas demand and strong profits from its big aerospace
division and its specialty-materials unit that develops refining
technology. The industrial conglomerate also boosted its 2008 sales
outlook and raised the low end of its earnings forecast by five cents.
(4/21)
Boeing Posts Better-Than-Expected Profit (Source: Reuters)
Boeing's first-quarter profit rose, helped by higher deliveries of its
commercial planes. The Chicago-based company, which vies with EADS unit
Airbus in the lucrative jetliner market, reported quarterly profit of
$1.2 billion, compared with $877 million in the year-ago quarter. (4/23)
Lockheed Profit Up for First Quarter (Source: Reuters)
Lockheed Martin's quarterly profit rose a greater-than-expected 6
percent, helped by higher sales of its electronic, information and
space systems. The world's largest defense contractor, which also runs
a host of civil projects for the U.S. government, raised its
full-year profit forecast, chiefly due to better projected margins at
its space unit, but left it slightly below Wall Street's average
forecast. Lockheed reported first-quarter profit of $730 million,
compared with $690 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenue rose 8
percent to $10 billion, helped by higher sales of its electronic and
information systems, but dragged back by a dip at its plane-making
unit. Analysts were expecting $9.68 billion in quarterly sales, on
average. (4/22)
Raytheon Reports Strong First Quarter Results (Source:
Raytheon)
Raytheon reported first quarter 2008 income of $400 million, compared
to $324 million in the first quarter 2007. Net sales for the first
quarter 2008 were $5.4 billion, up 11 percent from $4.8 billion in the
first quarter 2007. (4/24)
Northrop Grumman 1Q Profit Drops 32 Percent (Source: AP)
Northrop Grumman's first-quarter earnings fell 32 percent as the
company was forced to take a charge due to rising costs and delays with
an amphibious assault ship program. The Los Angeles-based company also
lowered its profit estimates for the full year, although it beat Wall
Street estimates for the quarter, boosting its shares. Northrop Grumman
reported net income of $264 million in the quarter ending March 31.
That compares to earnings of $387 million in the year-ago period.
Revenue for the quarter rose 6 percent to $7.72 billion from $7.34
billion. (4/24)
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Event Calendar
IDGA Fourth Annual
Military Satellites Event Planned in Virginia on April 28-30
Discover the latest on
Space Situational Awareness! Gain insight into current space programs
such as TACSAT, ORS, and MUOS. Discover future
government plans for interoperability of space programs.
Achieve net-centricity by learning about space acquisition
programs. Visit http://www.iqpc.com/ShowEvent.aspx?id=71300
RS6 Responsive Space
Conference Planned in Los Angeles on April
28 - May 1
With the creation of the
ORS Office at Kirtland AFB and a Responsive Space budget showing up for
the first time, the RS environment has changed substantially from prior
years. The goal for all of us shifts to how we go about demonstrating
near-term progress and utility and how we convince both ourselves and
Congress that we really can do business differently and create
responsive, near-term missions at low cost. Visit http://www.responsivespace.com
Vandenberg AFB Technology
Expo, May 6
10:00 AM
- 2:00 PM, VAFB Pacific Coast Club
Embry-Riddle Long Beach Campus Plans Open House on May 7 &
14 (Source: ERAU)
CSA member Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will hold an
informational open house for graduate and undergraduate degree programs
on May 7 and May 14 at its Long Beach campus. The May 7 event is
focused on graduate-degree programs, including Project Management, MBA
and Master of Aeronautical Science. The May 14 event is focused on
undergraduate-degree programs, including Professional Aeronautics,
Aviation Maintenance Management, and Aviation Business Administration.
Two sessions on both days are scheduled, at 11:30
a.m.
and 5 p.m. The campus facility is
located near the Long Beach Airport at 5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach 90815. Please call 562-627-5870
or send an e-mail to la.center@erau.edu
for information and reservations. (4/22)
California Space Center Meeting Planned in Santa Maria on May 9
A community update is
planned for the California Space Center project, a multi-purpose,
multi-year community project located on 66 acres outside the front gate
of Vandenberg Air Force Base. The proposed project includes a launch
viewing site, visitors’ center, education complex, conference center,
IMAX-like theatre, and a Vandenberg Air Force Base contractor/mission
support facility. The project will highlight the past, present, and
future of the base, including its residents and activities. The event
is planned for 9:00 a.m. until 11:00
a.m.
at 801 South Broadway, Santa Maria, California. Contact Dianna Minor at
mailto:dianna.minor@californiaspaceauthority.org or 805-349-2633 x110.
JPL Plans Briefing to
Industry on May 13
The Hilton in Glendale will be the site of a May
13 JPL Briefing to Industry, sponsored by the National Space Club West
Coast Committee. This conference provides a forum for the JPL
leadership to engage industry partners by providing insight into future
business opportunities at JPL. It brings JPL decision makers into
direct contact with industry personnel. Register now at http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=151289.
California Space Authority Plans
Space Day in Sacramento on May 13
CSA's twelfth annual Space
Day in Sacramento is planned on May 13. A
morning orientation will be followed by meetings throughout the Capitol
with various legislative leaders. A lunch is also planned with members
of the Governor's Administration and with leaders from NASA
Headquarters. The afternoon will be spent in meetings with more
legislators, followed by a reception in the Governor's Counsel
Chambers. Visit
http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/spacedaysacto2008/registration.html
for information (4/4)
AIAA Aerospace Workforce
Conference Planned in Washington DC on May 13-14
Inside Aerospace—An
International Forum for Aviation and Space Leaders, a conference
focusing on aerospace workforce issues, will be held on May 13-14 in Washington DC. Visit
http://www.aiaa.org/agenda.cfm?lumeetingid=1949&viewcon=agenda&pageview=2&programSeeview=1&formatview=2
for information.
TechHorizons UCR 2008
Planned May 13-14
The University of California, Riverside's Bourns College of
Engineering presents TechHorizons UCR. "Engineering A Sustainable
Future" introduces you to fascinating work now underway in the labs at
the Bourns College of Engineering on May 13 and 14. The college, along
with industry partners, presents current laboratory research programs
with real commercialization potential for your company. The May 14
event includes a briefing on the state's WIRED Interdisciplinary
Innovation Study. Visit www.techhorizons.engr.ucr.edu for information.
NASA Future Forum, San
Jose, May 14
NASA will be holding a
lecture series called Future Forum at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose on May 14. The event
will feature high ranking NASA officials, federal, state and local
officials and industry leaders.
http://www.nasa.gov/50th/future_forums/sanJoseWithGallery.html
NDIA's 5th Annual National
Small Business Conference is planned for May 19-21
The National Defense
Industrial Association (NDIA) plans a small business conference at the
Hyatt Regency La Jolla, in San Diego, on May 19-21. Early-bird
pricing ends May 9. Visit
http://www.ndia.org/Template.cfm?Section=8140&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=20646
for information.
Responsive Access to Space Conference Planned in Dayton on May 19-23
RASTE 2008 is the premier forum to meet the challenges of Affordable
and Responsive Space Access through technology exchange and
collaboration. This will be achieved by bringing together the space
access system integrators and sub-system providers to share, exchange
and transition the technologies into the next generation space launch
vehicles. The RASTE 2008 seeks to accelerate the development of the
emerging commercial space launch industry by establishing and
continuing an exchange and collaboration between engineers, developers,
planners, and managers in the community. Visit http://www.usasymposium.com/raste/RASTEexhibitreminder.html
Planetfest 2008 Planned at
Pasadena Hilton on May 25
Planetfest 2008 is a
one-day live data event with special guests from the space community.
When NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory receives the signal that Phoenix is safely down, people
around the world will stand up and cheer. And when that first picture
of Mars comes down -- I can tell you from personal experience -- people
will still be standing and cheering even louder. Sharing these moments
with others is exciting, memorable, and just plain fun. Phoenix is about to make
exploration history. Celebrate it with us. Come to Planetfest 2008!
Order your tickets today at the Early Bird Special at
http://www.planetary.org/explore/topics/planetfest08/
Berlin International Aerospace
Show Planned May 27 - June 1
With more than 1,000
exhibitors from over 40 countries, more than 115,000 trade visitors and
about 250,000 visitors in total, ILA Berlin Air Show is one of the
world’s largest aerospace trade shows. ILA provides best access to the
EU and particularly to the markets in Central and Eastern Europe. The
El Camino College CITD in partnership with CSA, Hannover Fairs USA, and
the U.S. Commercial Service, is offering a discounted rate for small to
medium size California aerospace companies to
exhibit at the El Camino booth and to take advantage of the online
business matchmaking service. Registration
deadline is May 7. For more information, contact: LeeAnne Haworth,
Manager, International Program and Partnerships, (805) 349-2633, x120.
Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/events/BerlinAirShow-1.pdf
National Contract
Management Association National Education Seminar, May 29
This year's topic is
"Solicitations, Bids, Proposals and Source Selection" at the Santa
Maria Inn with Mark Lumer on Thursday, May 29th. NES Registration
includes the total costs of the venue, food, training, materials and 7
CL points! You must RSVP before May 9th for the discounted registration
fee. For more information:
http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/images/events/event_080422-1_registration.pdf
International Space Development Conference Planned in Washington DC on May 29 - June 1
The theme for ISDC 2008 is "The New Pace of Space." With NASA fully
engaged in building the next generation of space exploration vehicles,
and the commercial space sector beginning to test fly their new
personal spaceships, we have entered the next space age. Visit http://isdc.nss.org/2008/ -.
Discount Registration to CSA Members!
CSA Co-Hosts Satellite
Conference in San Diego on June 10-12
The California Space
Authority is co-hosting a joint conference on satellite communications
on June 10-12 in San Diego. For more information on
the 26th International Communications Satellite Systems Conference
(ICSSC), and the ISCe 2008 satellite & communications conference,
visit http://www.isce.com/.
Teacher Workshops Planned
Near California Spaceport on June 14
NASA and the California
Space Authority encourage teachers to participate in the Delta II
launch of the Jason-2 Satellite: NASA and NOAA’s Ocean Surface
Topography mission. For all interested school educators &
administrators: this is a unique opportunity to learn about realworld
Earth and atmospheric science, rocket science (no previous knowledge
necessary), and OSTM/Jason-2’s cutting-edge satellite instrument
technology. This educational program will provide a general
introduction to the NASA/NOAA OSTM/Jason-2 mission and a variety of
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workshops with
specific science behind the Jason-2 satellite instruments. Visit
http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/ostm.html.
Joint Propulsion
Conference Planned in Connecticut on July 20-23
This is the AIAA's premier
event for engineering and management professionals focused on space
technologies, systems, programs, and policy. Visit
http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1874 for
information.
2008 Regolith Excavation
Challenge Planned at CalPoly on Aug. 2-3
CSA is sponsoring the
Regolith Excavation Challenge on August
2-3, 2008, on the campus of
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Visit
http://regolith.csewi.org/
Navy Gold Coast Conference
Planned on August 27-28
The San Diego Chapter of
NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association) is proud to present the
2008 "Navy Small Business Opportunity Conference." It has also come to
be known as simply the "Gold Coast" Conference. The Navy Co-Sponsors of
this event are NAVSEA, NAVAIR, SPAWAR, NAVSUP, NAVFAC and the Navy's
Office of Small Business Programs. Visit
http://2008goldcoast.ndia-sd.org for information.
APSCC 2008 Satellite
Conference & Exhibition Planned in Korea on Sept. 22-25
The satellite industry's
premier conference for business and networking opportunities in Asia is planned for September 22 - 25, 2008 at the Hotel Lotte, Jeju, Korea. To register visit
http://www.apscc.or.kr/event/apscc2008.asp. Registration Discount to
CSA Members!
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