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May
12, 2008
California Space Authority Plans
Space Day in Sacramento on May 13 (Source: CSA)
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)
Rockets Give Hawthorne, California a Big Lift (Source: DailyBreeze.com)
In a cavernous building where the company president sits in a cubicle
alongside his workers, a rocket manufacturer is fueling an aerospace
renaissance of sorts in Hawthorne. Once home to large-scale
aircraft production that employed thousands of workers, the city was
hit hard by consolidation and workforce shrinkage in the aerospace
industry when the Cold War ended in the early 1990s. Now, with the
October relocation of Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, from
El Segundo, the city is hoping to restore some of the luster that faded
when so many aircraft manufacturing jobs left Hawthorne or disappeared
altogether. SpaceX employs about 450 people, with roughly 400 at the
headquarters in a huge plant where Boeing 747 fuselages used to be
built. (5/5)
San Jose-Area Teachers Needed for 2008 Weightless Program!
(Source: NSS)
Northrop Grumman and the Hawking Center are looking for teachers
to apply for the 2008 Northrop Grumman Weightless Flights of Discovery
professional development program. The 2008 program is accepting
applications from public school teachers in the Chicago; Atlanta; San Jose; and Melbourne, Florida regions. For more
information, please check out the Hawking Center website (www.HawkingCenter.org)
or contact Michelle Peters, Director of Education Programs at the
Zero-G Corp. at mailto:michelle@GoZeroG.com.
(5/5)
California Among Top Six States with
Agency R&D (Sources: SSTI, NSF)
The National Science Foundation found that state Agencies Spent $1.1
billion for R&D in FY 2006. California, Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania were the only states to
exceed $40 million each in spending. Combined, the six states accounted
for 49 percent of the total. Florida was ranked sixth at $42.3
million. The $1.1 billion figure, much lower than many may expect, does
not include direct state appropriations to universities for research
and facilities (which totaled over $3 billion in FY-2006. Visit http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf08309/ for
information. (5/8)
California University-Industry Partnership Results in First
LOX-Methane Rocket Flight (Source: CSA)
In the California desert on April 12 the
first powered flight of a rocket fueled by liquid oxygen and methane
took place. The Prospector 14LM (P-14LM) rocket, built by Garvey
Spacecraft Corporation (GSC) and California State University Long Beach
(CSULB), flew to an altitude of 5,500 feet under 1,000 pounds of
thrust. The P-14LM was recovered after a parachute-aided landing. Visit
http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/html/press-releasesandletters/pr080506-1.html
to view the article. (5/9)
University of Wisconsin Team Soars to Grand Prize in NASA
Contest (Source: Capital Times)
A team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison earned grand prize
honors in the 2008 NASA Means Business competition. The annual
competition, sponsored by NASA and the Coalition for Space Exploration,
enlists college students to help NASA with promotional ideas. This
year, participating teams were challenged to develop a program to help
NASA share the innovation and technologies it creates to spur
developments in research and commerce. The goal was to increase
awareness that the nation's investment in spaceflight technologies can
be used in a variety of fields beyond NASA. (Editor's Note: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University won this competition last
year.) (5/11)
Utah University Team Wins
Four Awards at NASA Event (Source: Utah Statesman)
A group of Utah State University engineering students took home four
awards out of seven at the NASA rocketry competition in Alabama April
19. The students received "Best Manufacturing and Quality Control,"
"Most Innovative Payload Design," "Best Design Documentation and
Presentation" and "Best Team Spirit." The USU team has until May 12 to
submit a final report that includes conclusions from its science
experiment and the overall flight performance. The preliminary design
review, critical design review and flight readiness review are
conducted by panels of scientists and engineers from NASA and from NASA
contactors and external partners. The overall winner of the competition
will be announced on May 26. (5/10)
New Mexico Moves Ahead on Spaceport (Source: Washington Post)
Undaunted by widespread skepticism, New Mexico's effort to build the
world's first commercial spaceport is nearly on schedule to open in
late 2010. Its intended prime tenant, Virgin Galactic, says the startup
will also be ready for business by then, with more than 275 customers
who have already paid $35 million total to book seats on spaceships
that would launch from the high desert site and fly to the edge of
space. Many hurdles remain -- including environmental approvals and
certifying the space-worthiness of Virgin Galactic's radical White
Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo.
The spaceport, to be located just east of the town of Truth or
Consequences, appears to have the jump on other ventures proposing
facilities in Virginia, Oklahoma, California, Alaska, Florida and other
states to support the next generation of air travel. Other nations are
also getting into the act -- with Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Dubai and Sweden all in some stage of
planning spaceports. (5/10)
Florida Launch Industry Increasingly at Risk (Source:
Florida Trend)
Virginia-based Orbital Sciences Corp. is the kind of commercial space
venture Florida officials hope to lure to fill the void when the space
shuttle program ends in 2010. But in February, after winning a coveted
NASA contract to deliver cargo to the Space Station, the company
announced plans to bypass Florida’s spaceport and instead
launch its unmanned Taurus II rockets from the Mid-Atlantic Regional
Spaceport at Wallops Island, Virginia. Orbital Sciences’ choice
showed how quickly the launch business is becoming a commodity where
the low-cost bidder is likely to prevail. Meanwhile, SpaceX likes Florida’s strong workforce and
secure location, but the company was forced to delay the launch of its
SpaceX rocket after security negotiations dragged on.
In addition to Florida, California and Virginia, states such as New
Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Alaska all are vying for a piece
of the launch business. More countries are also offering launch
capabilities, marketing themselves as low-cost alternatives for the
growing number of private firms placing satellites, cargo and tourists
into space. “The launch business has been ours to lose, and we’re doing
a pretty good job losing it,” says state Sen. Bill Posey (R-Rockledge),
a board member of the state’s public/private industry support group
Space Florida.
One persistent conundrum: The Cape Canaveral Spaceport’s infrastructure
is a vital element in Florida’s bid for launch
business. But the state has little control over launch facilities
there. Posey and others criticize the Department of Defense, which
controls the airspace over the Cape Canaveral region, for failing to
embrace the private launch business. Red tape is thick, regulatory
hurdles high, Posey and others complain. Click here
to view the article. (5/11)
Space Florida to Endure Cuts (Source: Florida Today)
The state's primary aerospace economic development agency will lose
almost 43 percent of its budget this year. But officials with Space Florida don't expect layoffs or
pay cuts. Gov. Charlie Crist requested $8.5 million for Space Florida in his 2008-09 spending
plan, which would have been a $1.5 million increase over the agency's
$7 million budget in 2007-08. But the budget passed by the Florida
Legislature last week will funnel only $4 million to Space Florida, an organization created
to promote and develop the state's aerospace industry.
Florida Helps Space Industry (Source: Florida Today)
Before leaving Tallahassee, the state Legislature
enacted three initiatives to try to help the space industry across the
state. Lawmakers approved protections from lawsuits for the nascent
space tourism businesses, tax incentives aimed at helping space
contractors to retain employees as the shuttle program winds down and a
$16.25 million package for investment in infrastructure, job retention,
training and research. “Given how the state is hurting for money, I
think it’s been a good year,” said Pedro Medelius, deputy program
manager, ASRC Aerospace Corp. He organized Space Day in March, when
dozens of representatives from Brevard County lobbied the state
Legislature. “We are still facing the competition from Colorado, California and New Mexico.”
Local lawmakers and industry leaders sold their needs by arguing that
aerospace is not an industry isolated to Central Florida. NASA contractors operate
in 47 of the 67 Florida counties, so broad
support materialized for the space industry, Medelius said. Efforts to
help the space industry drew broad support, including support from the
Associated Industries of Florida, one of the state’s largest business
organizations, said Leigh Holt, government relations manager for Brevard County. “Our entire delegation
worked on this so hard, all of them,” she said. (5/5)
Colorado Man Pushes Creation of
Panel to Prepare City for Space Aliens (Source: Rocky Mountain
News)
Jeff Peckman wants to ask voters to create a commission dealing with
space aliens. "It is important because if you're driving down the
highway and you saw a crash of a small spaceship and a car or a bus
full of kids, you really wouldn't know what to do," Peckman said
Thursday. "Do you wait for the hazardous materials experts to show up
because of potential contaminants from another solar system? What do
you do? People really don't know." Peckman, 54, who is single and lives
with his parents, has submitted to the city a draft of the proposed
ordinance, which would require the creation of an Extraterrestrial
Affairs Commission. As required, the city is holding a "review and
comment" meeting on the proposed ballot initiative with Peckman on
Thursday. (5/2)
Transfer Lunar Ruins to Private Sector (Source: Sarasota
Herald Tribune)
Gotta love the Libertarians: maybe a dozen contenders for the party’s
presidential nomination, from Republican Bob Barr to Democrat Mike
Gravel; a genuine floor fight at the upcoming convention; no rote
ceremonial coronation; no sacred cows. Hell, you can even propose
legalizing marijuana without getting caned. Well, almost no sacred
cows. No foolish UFO talk. That’s the message the Libs recently sent Vero Beach rez Dom Armentano. In
January, Armentano, was terminated from the the Libertarian Cato
Institute for reiterating — in op-ed pieces for a Vero Beach daily that
the feds are withholding UFO data from the taxpayers.
Anyhow, when the Libertarians convene in Denver from May 22-26, they’ll
be — wait, yo, hold up, hold up. Who’s that speaker on the May 23
agenda? Dude. It’s Richard C. Hoagland, co-author of “Dark Mission: The
Secret History of NASA.” According to the program summary, “He
will...reveal — with official NASA imagery — startling scientific
discoveries NASA, by law, has deliberately withheld from the American
people for more than 40 years!” Hoagland will likely lay the whole
thing on 'em: the unified field theory involving the Masons, alien
lunar bases located at the same latitude as the Cydonia face, and
majestic crystal ruins stretching miles above the moon’s surface.
According to one Libertarian congressional candidate: “NASA’s this huge
government bureaucracy standing in the way of [space exploration], and
we think space exploration should be done with private funds." Visit http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080502/BLOG32/911775591/-1/newssitemap
to view the article.
Candidates' Space Ideas Lack Launch Pad (Source:
Marketplace)
As they campaign in the state that is home to Purdue University, which
has graduated 22 astronauts, a look at the candidates' plans for the
final frontier. Plans may be a strong word. Maybe we should go with
initial thoughts. Obama wants to use NASA money "to train engineers and
scientists who are going to be able to take us to those next new
frontiers." McCain has hinted at a continuation of the Bush space
policy, which has been criticized as under-funded. Clinton, according to an advisor
"would encourage more international cooperation, more commercial
development, and if it requires more money, she would support that."
In a campaign that many complain has spent too much time on side issues
and gaffes, space policy now has bigger down-to-earth competition for
the candidates' attention: high food prices, oil prices and foreclosure
rates. It seems those with billions staked on the next president's
space policy will just have to wait and hope. Visit http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/05/space_policy
to view the article. (5/5)
Memo to Next President: Keep Space Free of Weapons
(Source: San Jose Mercury News)
Far from the glare of presidential politics, a serious debate is taking
place on the future of U.S. space policy. At a recent
space conference, Republican Sen. Wayne Allard and Democratic Rep. Mark
Udall agreed that the next president, to quote Allard, "will have to
choose which direction to take."
The options are both stark and clear. Allard is among those who believe
the United States needs missile defense
weapons in space - weapons that also could be turned against other
nations' satellites. Udall, chairman of the congressional subcommittee
that oversees NASA and a candidate to succeed the retiring Allard,
opposes space weapons. "My vision would be that all nations of the
world share the high ground of space," he said, not engage in a new
arms race "that results in the weaponization of space." My view is that
we shouldn't want anybody to dominate space; we should do whatever we
can to ensure that space remains free of weapons. (5/9)
COMPETES Funding Blown Away in Gathering Storm (Source:
What's New)
In 2005 the National Academies rang the alarm: the U.S. was beginning to fall
behind other nations in the physical sciences, even as the world faced
new challenges. The report of the Academies, "Rising Above the
Gathering Storm" was just what the nation needed. Washington science representatives
began working together as never before, passing COMPETES, a $33 billion
authorization bill. The President signed it, and Congress left town for
a vacation after its hard work.
The science policy wonks were throwing each other high fives
celebrating the victory. But when it came time to appropriate money,
the White House sent Jack Marburger to Congress to make the case for
science. Congress just divided up the money into pork-barrel projects.
Who could be surprised? An editorial in this week’s Nature pointed out
that constituents have many pressing issues. Ultimately, science must
persuade the public. (5/10)
Reconciling Space Property Rights with International Treaties
(SMU Journal of Air Law & Commerce)
Property rights in space and other moons or planets have always been
considered a gray area, with conflicting interpretations of
international treaties. Now for the first time a law journal article
argues it is perfectly legal for a privately funded space settlement to
sell deeds to lunar (or Martian) real estate. This is an incredibly
important issue because real estate would be a catalyst for privately
funded space development. Without the ownership of Lunar real estate
there is no economic incentive for private industry to invest the
billions of dollars to get there - and stay there. Visit http://www.space-settlement-institute.org/Articles/jal73-1Wasser.pdf
to view the paper. (5/7)
Aerospace Trade Balance
Surges
(Source: AIA)
Increased exports of aerospace products in the final quarter of 2007
sent the aerospace industry's trade balance into record territory last
year, with a final tally of $60.4 billion. "The sustained growth in
aerospace trade is a good sign not only for our industry, but the U.S. economy as a whole," AIA
President and CEO Marion Blakey said. "Our industry's track record as a
major net export earner for the United States helps to offset the
nation's chronic trade deficit." (5/8)
Aerospace Firms See Strong Growth in Exports (Source: AIA)
The aerospace industry appears to be bucking the trend of outsourcing
prevalent in other areas of the economy. The Aerospace Industries
Association said aerospace industry exports rose 14% in 2007. "The
sustained growth in aerospace trade is a good sign not only for our
industry, but the U.S. economy as a whole," AIA
President Marion Blakey said. "Our industry's track record as a major
net export earner for the United States helps to offset the
nation's chronic trade deficit." (5/6)
Aerospace Trade Group Spent $200,000 to Lobby in 1Q
(Source: AIA)
The Aerospace Industries Association spent $200,000 in the first
quarter to lobby on a range of issues critical to aerospace and defense
sector, according to a disclosure report filed April 18. The trade
group lobbied on NASA funding and legislation to reauthorize the
Federal Aviation Administration. It also represented its members'
stance on security clearance procedures, proposals to overhaul export
control rules and legislation designed to address a coming shortage of
skilled technical workers. AIA represents manufacturers of civil
aircraft and aircraft components as well as defense contractors.
Members include Boeing, BAE Systems, Honeywell, Rockwell, and Lockheed
Martin Corp.
Among those registered to lobby for the organization are the group's
president and chief executive, Marion Blakey, a former FAA
administrator; J.P. Stevens, an aide to former Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio;
Sterling Cord, a former staffer on the Senate Armed Services Committee
and former aide to Sen. John Warner, R-Va.; Patrick McCartan, a former
aide to Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine; and J.J. Gertler, a former staffer
on the House Armed Services Committee. During the first three months of
the year, AIA's lobbying efforts were mostly directed to Congress,
NASA, the White House, the FAA, the Transportation Security
Administration and the departments of Defense, State, Commerce and
Transportation. (5/10)
Space Race Over, But Some Don’t Want to Ask Russians for Ride
(Source: The Hill)
Aerospace companies are using memories of the Cold War and the prospect
of American astronauts having to hitch a ride on a Russian rocket to
push Congress to increase NASA’s budget. Unless lawmakers follow
through, there will be a five-year gap in U.S. manned flight
capabilities after the Space Shuttle is retired. With some irony,
lobbyists note in meetings on Capitol Hill that America’s former communist foe
would have monopolistic powers to charge what it likes to take
astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
The campaign to increase NASA’s budget includes some big players like
Lockheed Martin and Boeing , the co-owners of the joint United Space
Alliance, which operates spacecraft, and some lesser-known companies
like SpaceX. American astronauts have traveled on Russian-built rockets
since 1993. But without any capability to take astronauts on its own,
NASA could lose negotiating power. Russia could conceivably raise
the prices for the trip after the shuttle is retired in 2010. According
to one industry official, the price of outsourcing space flights could
easily reach $1 billion. That figure is based on the current contract
NASA has with Russia, which is valued at $750
million. For that price, NASA astronauts have scheduled slots on 16
launches aboard the Russian-built Soyuz rockets from 2009 to 2011.
SpaceX, meanwhile, is urging Congress to pay for a $308 million
follow-on program that funds an upgrade to its COTS cargo rockets so
they can carry astronauts as well. Not all of that money would have to
be appropriated next year. Click here
to view the article. (5/8)
Senate Hearing Raises Discussion on Ares Alternatives
(Source: Space Politics)
During the May 8 Senate hearing on NASA's reauthorization, AIAA
Executive Director Robert Dickman offered an alternative to closing the
gap involving EELV. “For less than the cost a single space shuttle
mission, they could be human-qualified and...a relatively simple
capsule to go to low Earth orbit could be built” for access to ISS," he
suggested. Sen Nelson (D-FL) pushed back on this idea, seeing it as
something of a threat to Constellation. Gene Kranz stepped in and
described the cost in money and schedule he experienced man-rating the
Atlas and Titan for the Mercury and Gemini programs. “I don’t see how
this helps close the gap,” he concluded, describing it as "a diversion
from the basic plan."
Sen. Vitter (R-LA) asked Kranz whether the future reauthorization bill
should devote any language to studies of alternatives to the proposed
Ares vehicles, including the shuttle-derived “Jupiter-120" concept.
Kranz rejected that suggestion. “I believe it’s important that we don’t
waste too much time looking back,” he said. “I believe NASA has been a
victim, of so many studies that seem to be never-ending that burn up
the resources, delay the schedule, [and] disenchant the people who are
executing them.” Visit http://www.spacepolitics.com/
to view the article. (5/8)
Bipartisan Coalition Seeks $2 Billion More for NASA Programs
(Source: CSA)
A bipartisan group of 30 representatives is urging the House leadership
to add $2 billion in funding for NASA, with a primary goal of closing
the five-year gap in U.S. manned space flight capability between the
planned retirement of the space shuttles and the Ares-Orion replacement
system. Visit http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/html/government_pages/pr080505-1.html
to view the article. (5/9)
Supplemental Includes $200 Million for NASA (Source: Space
News)
U.S. lawmakers have added $200 million for NASA to an emergency
spending measure largely geared toward funding military operations in
Iraq and Afghanistan. (5/9)
The New "Space Nexus": Another Apollo Debacle? (Source:
Space Review)
As Congress gears up to reauthorize NASA, there is a natural debate
about the future and long-term goals for the space agency. Greg
Zsidisin worries that we could be in danger of repeating the same
mistakes made over three decades ago. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1116/1
to view the article. (5/5)
Editorial: NASA's Next Boondoggle Always Best (Source:
Orlando Sentinel)
Six years after finishing the space station, NASA plans to retire it.
Having gotten a whiff of the moon, NASA can't abandon its orbiting
boondoggle fast It will stop shuttle flights as soon as station
construction is completed in 2010. The money for all that grandiose
research we were promised is heading for the moon. Billion-dollar,
next-generation experiments intended for the station are being left on
Earth.
Without the shuttle, we will be at the Russians' mercy in getting to
the station for at least five years, when its successor rocket may or
may not be ready to fly. We will be hard-pressed to maintain this
Tinkertoy, or to bring experiments up and back for analysis. Whereas
once we were sold dreams of cancer cures, now we'll be lucky to get
weightless gerbil sex up there. For the few precious years the facility
will be of any use, we may hardly be able to use it.
It is the same old NASA game of spending as much money as possible as
quickly as possible. So when things go wrong with the new plan, when
the new Ares 1 launcher vibrates like a tuning fork, as now seems to be
the case, you can't turn back because there are too many jobs in too
many congressional districts depending on it. Visit http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-miket1108may11,0,995216.column
to view the article. (5/11)
The Vision for Space Exploration and Retirement of the Baby
Boomers (Source: Space Review)
With budgets likely to be constrained in the years and decades to come,
how can NASA carry out the Vision for Space Exploration and other
efforts? Charles Miller and Jeff Foust argue that the key is the
development of cheap, reliable access to space. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1121/1
to view the article. (5/5)
John Glenn: Keep Shuttles Flying (Source: Florida Today)
Mercury and shuttle astronaut John Glenn says NASA should continue
flying the current fleet beyond its planned retirement in 2010. “The
shuttles may be old, but they’re still the most complex vehicles ever
put together by people, and they’re still working very well,” he said.
Glenn acknowledged that adding more launches to the current schedule
would be expensive. “But it’s also going to be expensive to contract
with the Russians to put our people up in space in Russian vehicles to
our space station and bring us back. Is that the kind of economy the
American people want? I hardly think so,” he said. Glenn also is
pushing for the United States to continue working on
the space station beyond 2015, when the nation plans to pull the plug
on its involvement. (5/6)
Shuttle Destruct Switch...Just in Case (Source: Popular
Mechanics)
Each time the space shuttle rises from its launchpad, an Air Force
officer waits anxiously for the first 2 minutes to pass safely. If the
spaceship were to veer off course and endanger a populated area, this
range safety officer would bear the terrible responsibility of flipping
a pair of switches under a stenciled panel reading “Flight
Termination.” The first switch arms explosives on the shuttle’s two
solid rocket boosters. Flipping the second switch would detonate them,
destroying the shuttle and crew.
But the danger continues as the craft streaks upward. If a spaceship’s
flight controls or engines malfunction, toxic fuel and fast-moving
debris could threaten people below. After about 2 minutes, the spent
solid rocket boosters drop away, taking the charges with them. After
that, problems severe enough to threaten people on the ground would
leave the crew with two options: Enter orbit and fly around the Earth
for a landing at California’s Edwards Air Force Base,
or steer into the ocean. Visit http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4262479.html
to view the article. (5/7)
Should NASA Send Humans on
Satellite Launchers? (Source: New Scientist)
The US could quickly regain its
ability to launch astronauts into space after the 2010 retirement of
the space shuttles by flying them up on rockets normally used to carry
satellites, a Senate committee was told on Wednesday. NASA's current
plan is to buy more Soyuz flights from Russia to transport its
astronauts to the space station during the gap. But at a hearing of a
US Senate committee on space and aeronautics on Wednesday, concerns
were raised about the prices Russia might charge the US for this, and how a
potentially difficult relationship between the two countries in the
future might affect things.
Some people have proposed accelerating the development of Ares and
Orion to narrow the gap, a move that would require an injection of
billions of dollars in extra funding. Click here
to view the article. (5/9)
NASA Marks Ares Progress, Could Delay Orion Review
(Source: Space News)
Even as it faced the possibility of delaying by two months, to
November, the critical design review of its Orion Crew Exploration
Vehicle, NASA reached two milestones on its Ares launcher program: the
completion of an initial round of tests of the J-2X upper-stage engine
and the selection of a contractor to build the mobile launch platform.
The Orion project has been analyzing system design requirements since
an initial architecture was established in November 2007, NASA
spokeswoman Stephanie Schierholz said May 9. "NASA believes it may be
of value to give the design team additional time to further mature this
analysis and prepare the required products for Orion's preliminary
design review," she said. (5/9)
NASA Awards Contract for Ares I Mobile Launcher (Source: NASA)
NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded a contract to
Hensel Phelps of Orlando for the construction of
the Ares I mobile launcher for the Constellation Program. Ares I is the
rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle, its crew
and cargo to low Earth orbit. The contract includes an option for an
additional Ares I mobile launcher. It is a firm fixed-price contract
with a value of $263,735,000, if all options are exercised. (5/9)
NASA to Boost Full-Time
Space Station Crew to Six from Three (Source: AIA)
NASA and its partners will soon staff the International Space Station
with a full-time crew of six people, double the current crew of three.
NASA said the six-person crew will be able to make full use of the
station's laboratories. (5/6)
NASA Life-Hunter Closes In on Mars (Source: Times of
London)
A spaceship capable of detecting the first signs of life on Mars was
this weekend being prepared for the final course corrections before its
touchdown on the red planet. NASA’s Mars Phoenix lander has travelled
420 million miles and now has just 2 million miles and a few final
course adjustments to go before it reaches Vastitas Borealis near the
Martian north pole on May 25. The site was chosen after months of
careful prospecting by spacecraft such as Mars Odyssey, which used a
gamma ray spectrometer to see if there was water underneath. (5/11)
A Manned Mission to Asteroid 2000 SG344? (Source: Daily Galaxy)
There is a lot of discussion as to where man will head next, in its
continuing journey into space. Bush wants us to head back to the Moon
in 2020, and set up a lunar outpost. Some experts want us to forget the
Moon and head straight to Mars. But a new report out of NASA is looking
at sending a two man crew to rendezvous with 2000 SG344, an asteroid
discovered in 1999 and with a diameter of 40 meters. The asteroid has
been identified as a potential landing site for astronauts. However,
more than just the next step in our outward journey, this mission would
also provide experts with invaluable data about long term journeys.
The journey, approximately three months in total, would provide
scientists with information on the psychological effect of a long term
journey. In addition, it would give the astronauts the chance to test
kits to convert subsurface ice in to drinking water, breathable oxygen,
and possibly even hydrogen to top up the rocket fuel. All of these
would greatly benefit NASA in their quest to eventually send man to
Mars. (5/10)
Scientists Test Lunar
Breathing System (Source: NASA)
Imagine yourself hip-to-hip, shoulder-to-shoulder, inside a room the
size of a walk-in closet for eight hours with five people you just met.
Does that make you sweat? Or maybe make your breathing a little more
animated? For three weeks, 23 volunteers dedicated time to do just that
-- sweat and breathe -- inside a test chamber so NASA scientists at
Johnson Space Center in Houston could measure the amount of moisture
and carbon dioxide absorbed by a new system being developed for future
space vehicles. The system is designed to control carbon dioxide and
humidity inside a crew capsule to make air breathable and living space
more comfortable. (5/7)
Shooting for the Moon (Source: Maryland Gazette)
The goal: Be the first company to land a privately funded spaceship on
the moon by 2012. The entrants: 10 teams so far, including one that
includes two Maryland entrepreneurs. Courtney
Stadd insists he’s not joking. The Bethesda businessman and former
NASA executive really is part of a privately funded team working on an
unmanned robotic spaceship with hopes of reaching the moon before the
federal space exploration agency can return a manned craft there. His
company, Quantum3 Ventures — which Stadd founded in January along with
space industry veterans Paul Carliner of Washington, D.C., and Liam
Sarsfield of Deale — is one of 10 entrants from as far away as Romania
and Italy competing for the Google Lunar X Prize. Visit http://www.gazette.net/stories/050908/businew182942_32355.shtml
to view the article. (5/9)
Private Space Station Prototype Hits Orbital Milestone
(Source: Space.com)
A prototype module for a private space station has passed an orbital
milestone after completing its 10,000th trip around the Earth. Genesis
1, an inflatable module built by the Las Vegas, Nev.-based firm Bigelow
Aerospace, passed the 10,000-orbit mark as it nears the beginning of
its third year of unmanned operations. Bigelow Aerospace launched
Genesis 1 atop a converted Russian intercontinental ballistic missile
in 2006 to test its ability to self-inflate and operate in Earth orbit.
Led by businessman Robert Bigelow, owner of the Budget Suites of
America hotel chain and other enterprises, Bigelow Aerospace followed
Genesis 1 with a successor, Genesis 2, in 2007. That module also
continues to function as designed. (5/9)
Point-to-Point Suborbital Transportation: Sounds Good on
Paper, But... (Source: Space Review)
Suborbital point-to-point spaceflight would seem to be a logical step
between the current generation of suborbital vehicles under development
and orbital RLVs. David Hoerr cautions that such vehicles face
considerable technological obstacles to their development. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1118/1
to view the article. (5/5)
Middle Aged Spacemen Needed for Moonshot (Source: CNN)
It may have taken the "right stuff" -- a macho blend of youthful
bravado and reckless adrenaline -- to get the first people into space,
but if you want to be an astronaut today, be warned, it's no longer a
young man's game. "Forty five is the best astronaut age," says Gerhard
Thiele, an experienced spaceman who, as flight operations chief for Europe's answer to NASA, now
commands a team with an average age of 50. While successful candidates
are expected to visit the International Space Station in the near
future -- spending up to six weightless months cruising above Earth's
atmosphere in ESA's new Columbus lab -- they won't fulfill
the ultimate goal of visiting the moon, and eventually Mars, until much
later in their careers. (5/9)
ESA to Fund Re-entry Vehicles Study (Source: Flight
International)
A €500,000 ($786,000), high lift-over-drag configuration for re-entry
vehicles study is to start later this year under the European Space
Agency's general studies program of its human spaceflight directorate's
future human transport and infrastructure division. The work will
examine enhanced re-entry accelerations, localized aero-thermal loading
to reduce thermal protection system acreage and operational
considerations. (5/9)
Europe's Gravity Measuring Satellite Set for Sept. Launch
(Source: Space News)
Europe's Goce satellite to measure Earth's gravity field will be
launched in early September following a Russian commission's decision
to permit an immediate return to flight of the small Rockot launch
vehicle despite Rockot's use of the same upper-stage motor that failed
on the heavy-lift Proton rocket in March, the head of Rockot's
commercial arm said May 8. (5/9)
British Perspectives on Human Spaceflight (Source: Space
Review)
The UK is considering a revision to a national space policy that
currently doesn't support human spaceflight. Jeff Foust reports on
comments made by two prominent British scientists on opposite sides of
the issue. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1117/1
to view the article. (5/5)
Man Executives to Attend Apace School (Source: IOM Today)
In a move aimed at bolstering the Isle of Man's space and technology
industries, the government has established a program to sponsor
executives from Manx companies to attend courses at the International
Space University (ISU). "This will give Manx companies an insight into
the latest developments in various aspects of space technology, key
networking opportunities alongside industry leaders, and valuable
insights into the workings of this vital sector of the Manx and global
economy," said Alex Downie MLC, Treasury Member with responsibility for
the space industry. The Isle of Man has targeted space
industry development and has established a collection of policies and
incentives to support corporations involved in space enterprise. (5/8)
Spain to Buy Imaging
Satellite from EADS-CASA, Astrium (Source: Space News)
The Spanish government, which has been a longtime junior partner to
France in developing optical reconnaissance satellites, has agreed to
purchase a medium-resolution spacecraft from EADS-CASA and Astrium
Satellites as part of its own civil-military national space program.
The contract for the satellite, to be called Ingenio, is expected to be
valued at 115 million euros ($177 million). Procurement management has
been delegated to the 17-nation European Space Agency (ESA) in an
unusual relationship given that only Spanish money is being used to
finance the project. (5/11)
Editorial: Time to Fix the Canadian Space Program (Source:
Globe and Mail)
As a Canadian, and as a principal founder of MacDonald Dettwiler and
Associates some 40 years ago, I have, in recent years, been appalled by
the increasing difficulties of the Canadian Space Agency. It has been
consistently underfunded by a long succession of federal cabinets from
both major parties. It has lacked visionary leadership in recent years
and has seemingly become incapable of making significant decisions due
to restrictions imposed by the cabinet. The Canadian Space Program in
its present state is not capable of sustaining a space capability at
the top level. (5/5)
Canada Officially Rejects
Alliant Tech's Satellite Purchase (Source: Reuters)
Canada confirmed on Friday that
it would block the proposed $1.325 billion sale of sensitive Canadian
satellite technology to U.S. rocket-maker Alliant
Techsystems. Canada initially halted the deal
a month ago but gave Alliant Tech a month to appeal. Industry Minister
Jim Prentice said he still felt the proposed sale by MacDonald
Dettwiler and Associates would not be of "net benefit" to Canada. (5/9)
Canadian Subsidiary Buys L-3 Unit (Source: Space News)
Com Dev USA closed its purchase of L-3 Communications Corp.'s passive
microwave devices business May 9 following approval by the Committee on
Foreign Investments in the United States, which regulates the purchase
of U.S. firms by overseas buyers. Com Dev USA of El Segundo, Calif., a subsidiary of Com Dev
International of Ontario, Canada, paid $12.2 million for the L-3 unit,
which produces circuit components and related products used on
commercial and government satellites and for ground applications. (5/11)
The Race for the Moon: Asia’s Space Race (Source:
Diplomatic Courier)
For the better part of the last half-century Japan has reigned supreme
as the preeminent regional power in Asia. Its world-class economy—the
world’s second largest in terms of GDP—sustained miraculous growth with
little interruption from the 1960’s to the present day, resulting in a
trajectory of development unequaled during that period. Yet, Japan’s influence has been
challenged as of late. With the emergence of other Asian economies,
most notably those of China and India, many have suggested Japan to be losing a grip on
its stronghold of regional power.
In the midst of this power jockeying a new challenge seems to arise.
The past has shown us that space exploration provides a measurable
indicator of earthly influence. The United States outpacing the Soviet Union in the Cold War’s space
race left a vacuum, so to speak, in man’s celestial ambition. As the
sole world power and with no competitive motivation NASA’s programs
seemed to lose global validity. The vacuum is now quickly being filled
by nations that are coming of age developmentally and recognize this
void as an opportunity to demonstrate their maturation. Russia, India, China, and South Korea, all burgeoning economic
forces, have thrown their proverbial hats into this generation’s race
for space. Click here
to view the article. (5/9)
Japan Set to Open Up Defense Use of Space (Source: Reuters)
Japan cleared the way for a law allowing non-aggressive military use of
space on Friday, overturning a decades-old policy of limiting space
development to peaceful uses. The move comes during a visit by Chinese
President Hu Jintao aimed at warming long-fraught bilateral ties. A
lower house committee approved the bill, which is to be submitted to a
full session of parliament in the next few weeks.
Pacifist Japan's space scientists
complain that separation of space development from the military under a
policy maintained since 1969 is one reason why its own technological
progress has been slower than China's. Unlike China, Japan has never attempted a
manned space flight. Tokyo's spy satellites,
launched to keep an eye on neighboring North Korea and controlled by a
government department, provide far poorer resolution than other
governments' military satellites. The new law would allow Japan's military to launch its
own surveillance satellites and an early-warning satellite as part of
the missile defense system it is building in cooperation with its top
ally the United States. (5/9)
Transparency Crucial to Chinese International Space Role
(Source: Aviation Week)
China's secrecy-bound space program, increasingly capable of advanced
operations, risks becoming an impediment to international, cooperative
lunar and planetary exploration unless it becomes far more open, say
top international space policy managers meeting with their Chinese
counterparts here. Control by the People's Liberation Army of virtually
all Chinese space development will be a counterproductive factor "as
the center of gravity for space exploration is beginning to move from
the Atlantic to the Pacific," according to the Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS).
As a result, John Hamre, CSIS chairman, says his organization is
beginning a major initiative to promote better international
coordination of exploration - starting with China, given the growing
Asia-Pacific-region interest in lunar and planetary missions. To that
end, CSIS hosted an invitation-only Global Space Development Summit
here Apr. 23-25 with about 100 participants, half of them top Chinese
officials and half U.S., European and Asian space
policy experts or key managers.
"We hope we can start a discussion that will lead at first to ad hoc
exploration cooperation for missions beyond Earth and ultimately to the
creation of governance structures that will be critical to make
exploration sustainable," says Hamre. Jacques Blamont, a French pioneer
in early planetary mission collaboration, especially between France and
Russia on Venus missions, recommends that a relatively informal
international space governance forum be created to keep pace with new
international mission concepts. (5/5)
China Satellite Navigation System Planned for 2010
(Source: Space News)
Chinese satellite navigation officials say they intend to field an
operational system covering all of Asia by 2010, but they are giving
few details on the deployment plans for their global system. In
addition China has yet to complete
frequency coordination with the United States, Europe, Russia and others. Chinese
officials nonetheless said their global Compass/Beidou system would be
fully compatible with the U.S. GPS, European Galileo and Russian
Glonass global navigation constellations. Like GPS, Galileo and
Glonass, Beidou/Compass would be free of direct user charges but also
feature an encrypted signal for authorized users only, presumably
including the Chinese military. (5/5)
Russia's Energomash to Double Production of Rocket Engines
(Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Khimki, Russia (RIA Novosti) May 07, 2008 - Russia's Energomash is
planning to double the number of engines produced for Atlas and Zenit
launch vehicles in the future, the head of the company said on Tuesday.
Energomash won tenders on the design and production of 101 RD-180
engines for U.S. Atlas carrier rockets and RD-171 engines for
Russian-Ukrainian Zenit rockets in the 1990s. (5/7)
Sea Launch Awaiting Data on Land Launch Mission (Source:
Space News)
Sea Launch Co. is moving forward with plans to loft Intelsat's Galaxy
18 satellite the week of May 19 but will not proceed with the launch
aboard a Zenit 3SL rocket until it reviews credible data on the
performance of the vehicle's Land Launch variant during its inaugural
flight April 28. That performance remains unclear, Sea Launch President
Rob Peckham said May 8. (5/9)
Water and Space (Source: Washington Post)
Of all the things to worry about in a glass of tap water -- rust from
old pipes, giardia and that strange, recurring mossy taste -- perhaps
the last thing that comes to mind is the possibility of rocket fuel and
aircraft-engine cleanser. Yet America's commitment to flight,
space exploration and intercontinental missilery has had a trickle-down
effect. Perchlorate, a major ingredient in rocket fuel, has been found
in the water supply in at least 35 states and in the Colorado River -- a source of irrigation
water for many of America's winter crops.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is holding a hearing
on the chemicals' presence in the water supply, and on the lack of
Environmental Protection Agency standards governing it. The hearing
will take up legislation designed to protect pregnant women and
children from the chemicals, and comes in response to majority staff
concerns that the White House and Pentagon have been pressuring the
EPA, slowing the development of federal safety standards. (5/6)
Report on NASA Ignites Call for Credit Card Crackdown
(Source: Houston Chronicle)
Congressional supporters of a bill meant to curb government credit card
abuse called Monday for stricter sanctions — including termination and
jail time — against employees who misuse the cards at NASA, as well as
other agencies. Texas Congressmen John Culberson and Mike McCaul both
decried purchase card abuse after a Houston Chronicle report Sunday
that revealed potentially inappropriate spending at NASA.
The report showed that NASA employees have at times purchased seemingly
personal items — including iPods, jewelry and a Christmas tree — and
have used the cards in ways that violate competitive bidding rules. The
problems have persisted despite at least five internal reports issued
since 1997. (5/6)
NASA Rolls Out New Artifact Loan Program with Space Shuttle
Tires (Source: NASA)
With the help of the space shuttle program, NASA kicks off a new
artifact loan program for museums, planetariums, and other
organizations. NASA's new Artifact Loan Opportunities Program will help
organizations borrow NASA artifacts for education and outreach
purposes. The first artifacts available are main landing gear tires
from space shuttles. The space shuttle tires, including some flown on
missions, are available to proposing organizations that NASA determines
best meet the agency's education and public outreach goals. For
information visit http://artifacts.nasa.gov. (5/7)
Eight Likeliest Places for Alien Life (Source: MSNBC)
As tantalizing as the prospect of life on Mars is, the Red Planet isn’t
the only place where alien organisms may lurk. The universe contains
septillions of stars (a septillion is 1 followed by 24 zeros), and
scientists suspect any number of them could harbor planets and moons
with the right ingredients for life. Visit
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24470400/?pg=1#ET_science to learn about
seven more relatively nearby targets where scientists believe they
could find E.T. (5/7)
Ancient Asteroid Impact Coated Earth in Blanket of Beads
(Source: Space.com)
The asteroid linked to dinosaurs' demise 65 million years ago slammed
into the Yucatan Peninsula with such force it pulverized Earth's crust.
The result was a veil of airborne carbon beads that blanketed the
planet, a new study finds. Spanning about 124 miles (200 kilometers),
the giant indentation left by the asteroid impact continues to be a
treasure trove of clues for scientists piecing together the wipe-out of
70 percent of life on Earth, including non-avian dinosaurs.
Called the Chicxulub Crater, this CSI-site is located just west of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Geologists generally
agree an asteroid slammed into Earth at the end of the Cretaceous
period; that the catastrophic impact sent molten rock and super-hot ash
airborne; and that as the molten material fell from the sky, it ignited
flammable flora, sparking forest fires. (5/6)
ATK Profit Increases 19% (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Defense and aerospace firm Alliant Techsystems upgraded its forecast
Thursday after reporting fourth quarter earnings that jumped 19
percent, to $64 million, on sales that surpassed $1.1 billion for the
first time. New contracts for NASA's next-generation space shuttle plus
new orders for military ammunition and advanced weapons helped drive
results. For the fiscal year, Alliant earnings rose 23 percent to $226
million. Sales rose 17 percent to $4.17 billion, about $200 million
more than Wall Street predicted. (5/9)
Spacehab Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter
(Source: Business Wire)
Spacehab posted a third quarter fiscal 2008 net loss of $834,000, on
revenue of $6.6 million compared with a third quarter fiscal 2007 net
loss of $1.2 million on revenue of $12.2 million. Spacehab’s net loss
for the nine months ended March 31,
2007
was $34.5 million on revenue of $19.5 million, compared to a net loss
of $3.1 million on revenue of $39.9 million for first nine months of
the prior fiscal year. The Company’s Astrotech Space Operations
subsidiary won three fully funded task orders in support of NASA’s
Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2, Interstellar Boundary
Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft, and the Orbiting Carbon Observatory
mission, all scheduled for launch in 2008. (5/7)
Ball Aerospace Wins Three NASA Research Deals (Source:
Washington Technology)
Ball Aerospace has won three research contracts from NASA totaling $7.1
million to support Earth science programs and studies. On two of the
contracts, Ball will assist the Science Mission Directorate’s
Instrument Incubator Program, which fosters the development of Earth
science instrument subsystem technologies, including flash arrays to
profile vegetation canopies from space, and instruments can accurately
measure global tropospheric winds to improve weather forecasting. Under
the third contract, Ball will assist a study to develop laser
technology for gravity and climate studies. (5/6)
Orbital Wins Contract for Suborbital Launch Vehicle Research
and Engineering (Source: Business Wire)
Orbital Sciences Corp. has won a DOD contract for the Theoretical
Studies and Engineering Services (TSER) program. Orbital will serve as
a prime contractor to support Army, Navy and Air Force R&D programs
managed by White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. The basic term of the
indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) TSER contract is for
five years, with an option for an additional five years. The total
value of the contract is up to $100 million for the full ten-year
period. In addition to the TSER prime contract, Orbital is also a
member of a separate Northrop Grumman TSER team, with company
activities centered at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. (5/6)
ORBCOMM Awards Contract for Next-Generation Satellites
(Source: SpaceToday.net)
Satellite communications company ORBCOMM has signed a $117 million
contract with a Colorado-based MicroSat Systems to develop a new
generation of 18 small satellites to replace its existing system. The
satellites, to be launched in 2010 and 2011, will replace the existing
ORBCOMM satellites that have been in low Earth orbit since the late
1990s; six other replacement satellites, built by OHB-System, are
planned for launch in June. Launch services will be contracted
separately, and MicroSat Systems will choose the communications payload
within the next 30 days from one of two providers. ORBCOMM provides
low-data-rate communications services for asset tracking, messaging,
and related applications. (5/7)
Globalstar Gains Subscribers but Revenue Declines (Source:
Space News)
Mobile satellite services provider Globalstar Inc. reported lower
revenue but an increased overall subscriber count as it offered
cut-rate subscriptions to keep customers until its second-generation
satellite constellation starts coming on line in late 2009 and 2010.
(5/9)
Harris Corp. Explores Options, Including Possible Sale (Source: AIA)
Florida-based Harris Corp. is considering strategic options for the
future, including a sale. Observers say the electronics and defense
company would be an attractive acquisition candidate for several
defense companies. Harris' portfolio includes a mix of
communications-related businesses, which could be attractive to
potential buyers. (5/9)
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Event Calendar
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
University of California Riverside’s Bourns College of
Engineering will present TechHorizons 2008 on May 13-14 which will
examine exciting new research now taking place in UCR labs that will
help us attain energy sustainability. Special focus will be on
alternative energy (including solar), advanced materials and advanced
environmental technologies. This event is a collaboration between UCR
and Japan’s Tohoku University in Riverside’s sister city of Sendai. To register please visit
www.techhorizons.engr.ucr.edu
Embry-Riddle Long Beach
Campus Plans Open House on May 14
CSA member Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will hold an
informational open house for undergraduate degree programs on May 14 at
its Long Beach campus. The event will cover programs including
Professional Aeronautics, Aviation Maintenance Management, and Aviation
Business Administration. Two sessions 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.
Space Angels Network
Official Featured for Next Stanford Webinar on May 19
Burton Lee, Ph.D., of the
Space Angels Network, will be featured on the next Stanford Webinar
Course AA247, Innovation in Aerospace and Space Exploration, at 2:15
p.m.
(PDT). Visit https://stanford.webex.com/stanford/j.php?ED=101371592&UID=1033221317&PW=20cc585c5d5b4d0d4f051c0a.
Meeting
Number: 926 021 322. Meeting Password:
innovation.
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
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/. ISCe is
offering a 10% registration discount to all CSA members (a priority
code will be e-mailed to all CSA members).
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.
AIAA Space 2008 Conference
& Exposition Planned in San Diego Sep. 9-11
The San Diego Convention Center will host Space 2008 on
Sep. 9-11. This AIAA sponsored event will focus on space as an
underpinning our commercial, civil, and military sectors. Three of the
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