NASA aims to ease doubts over private space taxis
WASHINGTON — NASA is reassuring commercial space firms that it will be a supportive customer for privately built space taxis even as it cautions that Congress could stymie efforts to foster development of such vehicles.
During an Aug. 19 industry event at NASA headquarters here, agency officials said 35 companies had responded to a May 21 NASA solicitation seeking input on the fledgling commercial crew initiative that U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed for a $5.8 billion investment over the next five years.
"We believe that we can fund up to four providers with that $5.8 billion," Phil McAlister, NASA's commercial crew planning lead, told an audience of mostly space industry executives and advocates attending the forum. "This is going to be a challenging program for both NASA and the private sector, and if somebody stumbles along the way we would like to have other providers that hopefully we can rely on." [ 6 Companies That Could Launch Humans Into Space]
Commercial space advocates — including the companies aiming to build the private space taxis and launchers NASA says it needs — remain upbeat despite a series of legislative setbacks in the U.S. House and Senate, which pared back Obama's commercial crew request in draft legislation moving through Congress and revived elements of the Moon-bound Constellation program Obama seeks to abandon.
"Of course, there is a lot of discussion here in D.C. and throughout the nation on what this program is going to be going forward," McAlister said. "We are going to adjust if necessary, but this is sort of the baseline program that we are putting together today."
McAlister said if NASA is directed to invest less money in commercial crew than the nearly $6 billion it has requested, it will have to re-evaluate its plans.
"However, competition is a fundamental aspect of the strategy," he said. "I don't want to say exactly what we would do, but we would have to trade schedule for the potential for competition, and I would say competition is a very strong driver."
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
James Cameron Says We 'Live In A Science-Fiction World'
James Cameron Says We 'Live In A Science-Fiction World'
'I don't draw a line between fantasy and reality,' 'Avatar' director says of taking same approach to film and space exploration.
By Kara Warner
With the theatrical re-release of "Avatar" — including a much-discussed nine extra minutes of footage that features an "alien kink" scene — just days away, MTV News recently conducted an interview with the Oscar-winning maestro himself, James Cameron.
So far the director has shared his thoughts on sending 3-D cameras (and people) to Mars, his wish list for future film technologies and revealed what other project might come before an "Avatar" sequel.
Given the filmmaker's unparalleled success in Hollywood and his project with NASA, we wondered if the prospect of changing the history of space exploration carries more weight for him than making the two most successful movies in history.
"I don't draw a line between fantasy and reality," Cameron told us. "To me, I love science fiction, but we kind of live in a science-fiction world right now. And I've done deep-ocean exploration. I've been in situations personally, for real, that I would have considered science fiction when I was younger."
Cameron added that he prefers to blur the lines between fact and fiction when it comes to the relationship between his films and the real world.
"For me, it's just a continuum between cinema, where we know kind of that it's a fantasy world, but it requires a lot of advanced engineering to create it," he said, comparing movies to the "real world of exploration, where it requires equally advanced, but very different technology to go do interesting and new extraordinary things."
Not surprisingly, Cameron said he happily moves between the two realities. "I'm comfortable in both worlds," he said.
'I don't draw a line between fantasy and reality,' 'Avatar' director says of taking same approach to film and space exploration.
By Kara Warner
With the theatrical re-release of "Avatar" — including a much-discussed nine extra minutes of footage that features an "alien kink" scene — just days away, MTV News recently conducted an interview with the Oscar-winning maestro himself, James Cameron.
So far the director has shared his thoughts on sending 3-D cameras (and people) to Mars, his wish list for future film technologies and revealed what other project might come before an "Avatar" sequel.
Given the filmmaker's unparalleled success in Hollywood and his project with NASA, we wondered if the prospect of changing the history of space exploration carries more weight for him than making the two most successful movies in history.
"I don't draw a line between fantasy and reality," Cameron told us. "To me, I love science fiction, but we kind of live in a science-fiction world right now. And I've done deep-ocean exploration. I've been in situations personally, for real, that I would have considered science fiction when I was younger."
Cameron added that he prefers to blur the lines between fact and fiction when it comes to the relationship between his films and the real world.
"For me, it's just a continuum between cinema, where we know kind of that it's a fantasy world, but it requires a lot of advanced engineering to create it," he said, comparing movies to the "real world of exploration, where it requires equally advanced, but very different technology to go do interesting and new extraordinary things."
Not surprisingly, Cameron said he happily moves between the two realities. "I'm comfortable in both worlds," he said.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
New Private Space Capsule Passes Big Drop Test
New Private Space Capsule Passes Big Drop Test
A new private spacecraft designed to carry supplies to the International Space Station has passed a major milestone — a high-altitude drop to its parachutes and ocean splashdown.
The Dragon space capsule built by Hawthorne, Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies survived the Aug. 12 test drop from 14,000 feet (4,240 meters), SpaceX officials have announced. [Video of SpaceX's Dragon drop test.]
The drop marked the last in a series of tests to validate Dragon's parachute and splashdown systems before the spacecraft's maiden launch on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, which is expected later this year.
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www.space-careers.comWhile SpaceX currently plans to use unmanned Dragon capsules to the space station for cargo deliveries, the company said the drop-tested systems that could be used for crewed Dragon vehicles as well.
"By holding the Dragon to stringent standards for manned missions from the start, tests like this will ensure the highest quality and reliability for Dragon over the long term," said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the millionaire co-founder of the Internet payment system PayPal, in a statement. "We are proving, every day, that the future of American missions to space will rely on American-made commercial companies."
SpaceX launched its first Falcon 9 rocket in June from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in a successful test flight of the two-stage booster.
This SPACE.com graphic shows a comparison of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to Russia's Soyuz vehicles and NASA's space shuttles. NASA currently plans to rely on American-built commercial spacecraft, when they become available, to ferry supplies and astronauts into low-Earth orbit after its space shuttle fleet retires next year.
The space agency's plans to fly two more scheduled shuttled missions to complete construction of the International Space Station. The addition of a third shuttle mission is under discussion in Congress. Once the shuttles retire, NASA will use Russian, European and Japanese spacecraft to send supplies and astronauts to the station until commercial American vehicles are available.
Big Dragon drop
During the Dragon drop test, SpaceX used a helicopter to drop the space capsule over a target zone about 9 miles (15 km) off the coast of Morro Bay, Calif., about 45 miles (73 km) north of Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Two secondary parachutes deployed to stabilize and slow the space capsule. They were followed by three main chutes — each 116 feet (35 meters) wide — which slowed the vehicle even more during its descent and splashdown into the Pacific Ocean. Recovery ships then returned the craft and its parachutes to shore.
"Data gathered during the drop test will be invaluable as we prepare for the upcoming demonstration flight of the first operational Dragon spacecraft," said Chris Thompson, SpaceX vice president of structures.
Landing of an operational Dragon is a far more precise operation than seen in the drop test. In an actual landing, thrusters will fire during re-entry, ensuring the craft lands less than one mile from its target (winds can push it off target slightly). In low winds, Dragon's landing accuracy will be within a few hundred feet, SpaceX officials said.
Once SpaceX demonstrates the ability to control Dragon's re-entry, the company plans to add deployable landing gear to the craft and use thrusters to bring Dragon down on land.
Next stop: Space
Dragon's parachute test comes close on the heels of the Falcon 9's maiden flight, which took place this past June in Florida. SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 into successful Earth orbit, about 155 miles (250 km) up.
The spacecraft will initially be used to transport cargo to the International Space Station, under a $1.6 billion contract with NASA, with flights slated to begin in 2011.
The gumdrop-shaped space capsules are designed to haul up to 13,228 pounds (6,000 kg) of cargo to low-Earth orbit and return about 6,614 pounds (3,000 kg) to Earth.
The cargo ships are designed to fly near the International Space Station and be grappled and attached to the outpost using the station's robotic arm. Plans for a crew-carrying Dragon spacecraft show the vehicle carrying up to seven astronauts.
Musk and other SpaceX officials have said that a manned version of the Dragon spacecraft could be ready for flights within three years of receiving orders from NASA
A new private spacecraft designed to carry supplies to the International Space Station has passed a major milestone — a high-altitude drop to its parachutes and ocean splashdown.
The Dragon space capsule built by Hawthorne, Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies survived the Aug. 12 test drop from 14,000 feet (4,240 meters), SpaceX officials have announced. [Video of SpaceX's Dragon drop test.]
The drop marked the last in a series of tests to validate Dragon's parachute and splashdown systems before the spacecraft's maiden launch on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, which is expected later this year.
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www.baesystems.com/rad750Managed Data CentersFantastic Special Data Center Rates Over 50 Data Centers (888) 471-1816
www.SungardServices.comSpace JobsWant a job out of this world? We have 100s of space jobs available
www.space-careers.comWhile SpaceX currently plans to use unmanned Dragon capsules to the space station for cargo deliveries, the company said the drop-tested systems that could be used for crewed Dragon vehicles as well.
"By holding the Dragon to stringent standards for manned missions from the start, tests like this will ensure the highest quality and reliability for Dragon over the long term," said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the millionaire co-founder of the Internet payment system PayPal, in a statement. "We are proving, every day, that the future of American missions to space will rely on American-made commercial companies."
SpaceX launched its first Falcon 9 rocket in June from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in a successful test flight of the two-stage booster.
This SPACE.com graphic shows a comparison of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to Russia's Soyuz vehicles and NASA's space shuttles. NASA currently plans to rely on American-built commercial spacecraft, when they become available, to ferry supplies and astronauts into low-Earth orbit after its space shuttle fleet retires next year.
The space agency's plans to fly two more scheduled shuttled missions to complete construction of the International Space Station. The addition of a third shuttle mission is under discussion in Congress. Once the shuttles retire, NASA will use Russian, European and Japanese spacecraft to send supplies and astronauts to the station until commercial American vehicles are available.
Big Dragon drop
During the Dragon drop test, SpaceX used a helicopter to drop the space capsule over a target zone about 9 miles (15 km) off the coast of Morro Bay, Calif., about 45 miles (73 km) north of Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Two secondary parachutes deployed to stabilize and slow the space capsule. They were followed by three main chutes — each 116 feet (35 meters) wide — which slowed the vehicle even more during its descent and splashdown into the Pacific Ocean. Recovery ships then returned the craft and its parachutes to shore.
"Data gathered during the drop test will be invaluable as we prepare for the upcoming demonstration flight of the first operational Dragon spacecraft," said Chris Thompson, SpaceX vice president of structures.
Landing of an operational Dragon is a far more precise operation than seen in the drop test. In an actual landing, thrusters will fire during re-entry, ensuring the craft lands less than one mile from its target (winds can push it off target slightly). In low winds, Dragon's landing accuracy will be within a few hundred feet, SpaceX officials said.
Once SpaceX demonstrates the ability to control Dragon's re-entry, the company plans to add deployable landing gear to the craft and use thrusters to bring Dragon down on land.
Next stop: Space
Dragon's parachute test comes close on the heels of the Falcon 9's maiden flight, which took place this past June in Florida. SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 into successful Earth orbit, about 155 miles (250 km) up.
The spacecraft will initially be used to transport cargo to the International Space Station, under a $1.6 billion contract with NASA, with flights slated to begin in 2011.
The gumdrop-shaped space capsules are designed to haul up to 13,228 pounds (6,000 kg) of cargo to low-Earth orbit and return about 6,614 pounds (3,000 kg) to Earth.
The cargo ships are designed to fly near the International Space Station and be grappled and attached to the outpost using the station's robotic arm. Plans for a crew-carrying Dragon spacecraft show the vehicle carrying up to seven astronauts.
Musk and other SpaceX officials have said that a manned version of the Dragon spacecraft could be ready for flights within three years of receiving orders from NASA
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Our economy needs a robust space program
Houston Chronicle: Our economy needs a robust space program
Our economy needs a robust space program
By SCOTT SPENCER and CHRISTOPHER C. KRAFT JR.
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Aug. 21, 2010, 3:37PM
As the end of the space shuttle program nears, where and how America next travels into space appears unclear. There are no defined missions, destinations or deadlines. With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the first U.S. manned spaceflight — Alan Shepard's Mercury Freedom 7 suborbital flight on May 5, 1961, - America's leadership in space exploration is at risk of being set adrift into an uncertain future, cluttered with program cancellations, budget cuts and conflicting directives for government and commercial spaceflight development.
In addition to the need to retain the unique technical expertise of tens of thousands of workers, the future of the space program is vital to the economic future of our nation. No other government program can match the economic impact of space program spin-offs that include applications in medicine, computer technology, communications, public safety, food, power generation and transportation. Where our economy goes in the future depends on where we go in space now. MRI testing, flat screen TVs, cordless power tools and solar power are examples of the long-term economic benefits of space technology spin-offs.
A robust manned space program, with well defined missions, destinations and deadlines, is essential for NASA and U.S. advancement in science, technology, engineering and medicine. Such advancements inspire continued academic achievement and employment opportunities in these areas for America's youth.
In the midst of the current political debate about NASA and America's future in space, it is easily overlooked that the dangerous endeavor of traveling into space requires purpose and focus on two principles that have been essential to successful U.S. manned space flight for nearly 50 years - proficiency and redundancy.
Keeping the space shuttles flying will be essential to preserve the continuity of 30,000 jobs and maintaining American technical proficiency with regular space missions. The space shuttles also provide the United States with vital space transportation redundancy.
After the final space shuttle flight, scheduled for next year, the United States would need to depend on Russia for transportation to and from space. While this pay-per-ride arrangement has been used successfully to provide some trips to the International Space Station, this would mark the first time in history that our nation would be left with no alternative but to accept the technical and political risks of depending entirely on a foreign nation for access to space.
It would be prudent to keep the space shuttles flying with new missions to maintain a vital back-up contingency, until replacement spacecraft and commercial space transportation achieve reliable operations.
The space shuttle's unique capability to launch heavy payloads into space, or return hardware from orbit, is the only means available of flying critical replacement components to support the $100 billion International Space Station. If the 300-ton space station is ever taken out of service, the space shuttle is the only vehicle in existence that could safely deorbit the massive structure.
No other spacecraft has flown more flights in the last 30 years and carried more passengers into space than the space shuttle. It is the only reusable spacecraft in the world capable of carrying more than a half dozen passengers and school-bus-sized cargo into space. Although designed to fly at least 100 flights each, the three space shuttles have been flown on average only a quarter of their useful lives.
Since the first flight in 1981, the space shuttle fleet has completed more than 100 missions and carried more than 600 passengers into space. The fleet has accumulated more than 2.5 years in orbit and yet has 75 percent of its design life remaining.
After the tragic loss of the Challenger and Columbia crews and shuttles, modifications to the remaining shuttle fleet and improvements to inspections and flight procedures have made the space shuttle the most reliable and capable vehicle in the U.S. rocket stable.
The space shuttles, used in unmanned and manned mode, plus future variations, have the unique capability to transport humans and large payloads. They also have the capability to assemble vehicles to go to any and every destination in this solar system from the International Space Station as a spaceport in Earth orbit or a more efficient low Earth orbit assembly location.
Some have called for skipping return flights to the moon in order to conduct more spectacular missions to asteroids and Mars. However, regular and extended moon missions, utilizing the spacecraft designed for Mars missions, will be necessary to confirm the readiness of spacecraft, astronauts and flight procedures for future Mars missions. In fact, several dress-rehearsal-type missions, simulating a multiyear Mars mission, within the relative safe-return distance between the Earth and the moon, would be vital before attempting to risk the unforgiving demands of sending a manned spacecraft more than 100 million miles to Mars.
We are requesting that President Obama, Congress, NASA and our fellow Americans continue America's leadership in space with a commitment to a space program with the purpose, focus and deadlines to go to the moon and Mars and generate the tremendous economic benefits that space program spin-offs will provide our economy.
Our proposal is for the development of a modular, reusable Planetary Transport Vehicle (PTV) System for manned landings on the moon, Mars and asteroids. The modular components of the PTV spacecraft would be designed to fit in the cargo bay of the space shuttle to be flown to a spaceport at the International Space Station or a more efficient low Earth orbit location for assembly in Earth orbit.
Designed as an exo- atmospheric spacecraft, reusable PTV landers would operate successive missions entirely in space, traveling to the moon and Mars from the Earth orbit spaceport then returning to the spaceport to be serviced for the next mission. Shuttles and commercial spacecraft would ferry crews back and forth to the PTV spaceport in Earth orbit.
Eliminating the need to launch every moon or Mars lander from the surface of the Earth generates considerable savings in fuel. The reusable PTV also eliminates the expense of throwaway spacecraft and rocket boosters. Modular components of the PTV system create the opportunity to realize additional savings by encouraging funding and construction participation from our foreign-nation partners on the space station to share the costs of international planetary exploration.
As a reusable spacecraft, PTV landers will operate with a high degree of service-proven reliability. This will provide the proficiency and redundancy essential for the success of repeated landings on the moon and Mars.
The PTV spacecraft fleet, supported by the space shuttle assembly missions and the return to Earth of PTV modules when needed for repair, refurbishment or replacement, will also create a significant market for commercial spacecraft to ferry crews, supplies and fuel to the PTV spaceport in Earth orbit.
Given the modular simplicity of the PTV spacecraft landers, it is conceivable that our nation could mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with the resumption of lunar flights in 2019. An asteroid flight in 2025, establishing a permanent base on the moon to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday in 2026 and a mission to land on Mars by 2035 would be more feasible goals with the experience gained from utilizing the PTV spacecraft.
This is the course that our country should follow into space for the next decade to the moon, Mars and beyond.
A robust space program with a focus on mission definition, destinations and deadlines is essential to avoid stagnation of leadership, economic progress and the technological achievements of our nation.
Kraft is the former director of NASA's Manned Spaceflight Center in Houston. Spencer is a transportation management consultant in Wilmington, Del.
Our economy needs a robust space program
By SCOTT SPENCER and CHRISTOPHER C. KRAFT JR.
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Aug. 21, 2010, 3:37PM
As the end of the space shuttle program nears, where and how America next travels into space appears unclear. There are no defined missions, destinations or deadlines. With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the first U.S. manned spaceflight — Alan Shepard's Mercury Freedom 7 suborbital flight on May 5, 1961, - America's leadership in space exploration is at risk of being set adrift into an uncertain future, cluttered with program cancellations, budget cuts and conflicting directives for government and commercial spaceflight development.
In addition to the need to retain the unique technical expertise of tens of thousands of workers, the future of the space program is vital to the economic future of our nation. No other government program can match the economic impact of space program spin-offs that include applications in medicine, computer technology, communications, public safety, food, power generation and transportation. Where our economy goes in the future depends on where we go in space now. MRI testing, flat screen TVs, cordless power tools and solar power are examples of the long-term economic benefits of space technology spin-offs.
A robust manned space program, with well defined missions, destinations and deadlines, is essential for NASA and U.S. advancement in science, technology, engineering and medicine. Such advancements inspire continued academic achievement and employment opportunities in these areas for America's youth.
In the midst of the current political debate about NASA and America's future in space, it is easily overlooked that the dangerous endeavor of traveling into space requires purpose and focus on two principles that have been essential to successful U.S. manned space flight for nearly 50 years - proficiency and redundancy.
Keeping the space shuttles flying will be essential to preserve the continuity of 30,000 jobs and maintaining American technical proficiency with regular space missions. The space shuttles also provide the United States with vital space transportation redundancy.
After the final space shuttle flight, scheduled for next year, the United States would need to depend on Russia for transportation to and from space. While this pay-per-ride arrangement has been used successfully to provide some trips to the International Space Station, this would mark the first time in history that our nation would be left with no alternative but to accept the technical and political risks of depending entirely on a foreign nation for access to space.
It would be prudent to keep the space shuttles flying with new missions to maintain a vital back-up contingency, until replacement spacecraft and commercial space transportation achieve reliable operations.
The space shuttle's unique capability to launch heavy payloads into space, or return hardware from orbit, is the only means available of flying critical replacement components to support the $100 billion International Space Station. If the 300-ton space station is ever taken out of service, the space shuttle is the only vehicle in existence that could safely deorbit the massive structure.
No other spacecraft has flown more flights in the last 30 years and carried more passengers into space than the space shuttle. It is the only reusable spacecraft in the world capable of carrying more than a half dozen passengers and school-bus-sized cargo into space. Although designed to fly at least 100 flights each, the three space shuttles have been flown on average only a quarter of their useful lives.
Since the first flight in 1981, the space shuttle fleet has completed more than 100 missions and carried more than 600 passengers into space. The fleet has accumulated more than 2.5 years in orbit and yet has 75 percent of its design life remaining.
After the tragic loss of the Challenger and Columbia crews and shuttles, modifications to the remaining shuttle fleet and improvements to inspections and flight procedures have made the space shuttle the most reliable and capable vehicle in the U.S. rocket stable.
The space shuttles, used in unmanned and manned mode, plus future variations, have the unique capability to transport humans and large payloads. They also have the capability to assemble vehicles to go to any and every destination in this solar system from the International Space Station as a spaceport in Earth orbit or a more efficient low Earth orbit assembly location.
Some have called for skipping return flights to the moon in order to conduct more spectacular missions to asteroids and Mars. However, regular and extended moon missions, utilizing the spacecraft designed for Mars missions, will be necessary to confirm the readiness of spacecraft, astronauts and flight procedures for future Mars missions. In fact, several dress-rehearsal-type missions, simulating a multiyear Mars mission, within the relative safe-return distance between the Earth and the moon, would be vital before attempting to risk the unforgiving demands of sending a manned spacecraft more than 100 million miles to Mars.
We are requesting that President Obama, Congress, NASA and our fellow Americans continue America's leadership in space with a commitment to a space program with the purpose, focus and deadlines to go to the moon and Mars and generate the tremendous economic benefits that space program spin-offs will provide our economy.
Our proposal is for the development of a modular, reusable Planetary Transport Vehicle (PTV) System for manned landings on the moon, Mars and asteroids. The modular components of the PTV spacecraft would be designed to fit in the cargo bay of the space shuttle to be flown to a spaceport at the International Space Station or a more efficient low Earth orbit location for assembly in Earth orbit.
Designed as an exo- atmospheric spacecraft, reusable PTV landers would operate successive missions entirely in space, traveling to the moon and Mars from the Earth orbit spaceport then returning to the spaceport to be serviced for the next mission. Shuttles and commercial spacecraft would ferry crews back and forth to the PTV spaceport in Earth orbit.
Eliminating the need to launch every moon or Mars lander from the surface of the Earth generates considerable savings in fuel. The reusable PTV also eliminates the expense of throwaway spacecraft and rocket boosters. Modular components of the PTV system create the opportunity to realize additional savings by encouraging funding and construction participation from our foreign-nation partners on the space station to share the costs of international planetary exploration.
As a reusable spacecraft, PTV landers will operate with a high degree of service-proven reliability. This will provide the proficiency and redundancy essential for the success of repeated landings on the moon and Mars.
The PTV spacecraft fleet, supported by the space shuttle assembly missions and the return to Earth of PTV modules when needed for repair, refurbishment or replacement, will also create a significant market for commercial spacecraft to ferry crews, supplies and fuel to the PTV spaceport in Earth orbit.
Given the modular simplicity of the PTV spacecraft landers, it is conceivable that our nation could mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with the resumption of lunar flights in 2019. An asteroid flight in 2025, establishing a permanent base on the moon to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday in 2026 and a mission to land on Mars by 2035 would be more feasible goals with the experience gained from utilizing the PTV spacecraft.
This is the course that our country should follow into space for the next decade to the moon, Mars and beyond.
A robust space program with a focus on mission definition, destinations and deadlines is essential to avoid stagnation of leadership, economic progress and the technological achievements of our nation.
Kraft is the former director of NASA's Manned Spaceflight Center in Houston. Spencer is a transportation management consultant in Wilmington, Del.
Friday, August 20, 2010
What Happened in Space News August 20
Viking 1 - USA Mars Orbiter/Lander - 3,399 kg was launched on August 20, 1975.
Both Viking 1 and 2 were designed after the Mariner spacecraft, and consisted of an orbiter (900 kg) and lander (600 kg).
Viking 1 went into orbit about Mars on June 19, 1976. The lander touched down on July 20, 1976 on the western slopes of Chryse Planitia.
Both landers had experiments to search for Martian micro-organism. The results of these experiments are still being debated. The landers provided detailed color panoramic views of the Martian terrain. They also monitored the Martian weather. The orbiters mapped the planet's surface, acquiring over 52,000 images.
The Viking 1 orbiter was deactivate on August 7, 1980 when it ran out of altitude-control propellant.
The Viking 1 lander was accidentally shut down on November 13, 1982, and communication was never regained.
Both Viking 1 and 2 were designed after the Mariner spacecraft, and consisted of an orbiter (900 kg) and lander (600 kg).
Viking 1 went into orbit about Mars on June 19, 1976. The lander touched down on July 20, 1976 on the western slopes of Chryse Planitia.
Both landers had experiments to search for Martian micro-organism. The results of these experiments are still being debated. The landers provided detailed color panoramic views of the Martian terrain. They also monitored the Martian weather. The orbiters mapped the planet's surface, acquiring over 52,000 images.
The Viking 1 orbiter was deactivate on August 7, 1980 when it ran out of altitude-control propellant.
The Viking 1 lander was accidentally shut down on November 13, 1982, and communication was never regained.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Florida Senator Seeks Tax Breaks for Space Ventures
Florida Senator Seeks Tax Breaks for Space Ventures
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, proposed on Tuesday legislation that would introduce tax breaks for investments in commercial space ventures to offset job losses from the end of the U.S. space shuttle program.
Florida, where the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at Cape Canaveral serves as the shuttle launch site, is expected to lose between 8,000 and 9,000 jobs when the NASA space agency transporters are retired after two or three more flights. Jobs in Texas and Alabama will also be lost.
Nelson plans to introduce a bill amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to let investors write off 20 percent of their investments in commercial space firms operating in special enterprise zones.
The bill envisions up to five such zones in the United States, which would be selected by the Department of Commerce in areas impacted by the loss of space jobs.
"What we're doing now is everything we can to ensure KSC's continued importance to our nation's space exploration effort, while also broadening the economic opportunities along our Space Coast," Nelson said in a statement.
The proposal dovetails with an initiative by President Barack Obama's administration to replace NASA-owned and operated launch services with commercial space taxis.
Congress has not yet passed a spending plan for NASA for the year beginning October 1, or decided how to bridge the gap in U.S. human space flight that will open when the shuttles stop flying next year.
Until a replacement vehicle is ready, the United States will be solely dependent on Russia to fly crews to the International Space Station, a $100 billion project involving 16 nations, which has been under construction 220 miles above Earth since 1998.
Russia currently charges NASA about $51 million per seat for a ride on its Soyuz spacecraft. The price goes up to $56 million in 2013.
Obama also wants to spend $40 million in Florida and $60 million elsewhere in the county to soften the upcoming space sector job cuts.
A task force headed by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden submitted a report this week that suggested spending $35 million for a competitive grants program in Florida, and $5 million to staff a new Commercial Spaceflight Technical Center at the Kennedy Space Center.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, proposed on Tuesday legislation that would introduce tax breaks for investments in commercial space ventures to offset job losses from the end of the U.S. space shuttle program.
Florida, where the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at Cape Canaveral serves as the shuttle launch site, is expected to lose between 8,000 and 9,000 jobs when the NASA space agency transporters are retired after two or three more flights. Jobs in Texas and Alabama will also be lost.
Nelson plans to introduce a bill amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to let investors write off 20 percent of their investments in commercial space firms operating in special enterprise zones.
The bill envisions up to five such zones in the United States, which would be selected by the Department of Commerce in areas impacted by the loss of space jobs.
"What we're doing now is everything we can to ensure KSC's continued importance to our nation's space exploration effort, while also broadening the economic opportunities along our Space Coast," Nelson said in a statement.
The proposal dovetails with an initiative by President Barack Obama's administration to replace NASA-owned and operated launch services with commercial space taxis.
Congress has not yet passed a spending plan for NASA for the year beginning October 1, or decided how to bridge the gap in U.S. human space flight that will open when the shuttles stop flying next year.
Until a replacement vehicle is ready, the United States will be solely dependent on Russia to fly crews to the International Space Station, a $100 billion project involving 16 nations, which has been under construction 220 miles above Earth since 1998.
Russia currently charges NASA about $51 million per seat for a ride on its Soyuz spacecraft. The price goes up to $56 million in 2013.
Obama also wants to spend $40 million in Florida and $60 million elsewhere in the county to soften the upcoming space sector job cuts.
A task force headed by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden submitted a report this week that suggested spending $35 million for a competitive grants program in Florida, and $5 million to staff a new Commercial Spaceflight Technical Center at the Kennedy Space Center.
Russia marks 50th anniversary of space dogs flight
Russia marks 50th anniversary of space dogs flight
By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV (AP) – 2 hours ago
MOSCOW — Russia remembered two unlikely national heroes Thursday — a pair of skinny street mutts who moved the Soviet Union into the lead of the space race when they became the first living creatures to circle the Earth and come back alive.
The Aug. 19, 1960 mission by Belka and Strelka was a key step in preparations for the flight of Yuri Gagarin, who became the first human in space about a year later.
It showcased the Soviet lead in space exploration and turned the two dogs into global celebrities. Celebrations of the mission's 50th anniversary topped national newscasts on Thursday.
By 1960, Soviet space engineers had designed a returnable spacecraft capable of carrying a human into orbit, but they needed to run an extensive program of animal tests first and many of the dogs died during tests. Only stray mutts were picked up for such flights — doctors believed they were able to adapt quicker to harsh conditions — and they were all very small so they could fit into the tiny capsules.
Laika became the first dog to orbit Earth in a non-returnable capsule but died of overheating after her 1957 launch. Two other dogs died in a July 1960 launch when their rocket exploded seconds after blastoff.
Boris Chertok, a top engineer in the Soviet space program at the time, recalled the sense of relief space engineers felt when they heard Belka and Strelka barking in orbit and realized they were in good shape.
"They aren't howling, they are barking — that means they will return," Chertok quoted a colleague as saying.
Belka (Squirrel) and Strelka (Little Arrow) were accompanied by mice, rats, flies and some plants and fungi. The spacecraft landed successfully a day after making 17 orbits in more than 25 hours.
"These dogs acted like real pros," said Vladimir Tsvetov, an engineer who took part in the mission, said on Rossiya state television.
Soviet official reports claimed that the dogs felt well throughout the flight, but a participant in the program recalled later that it wasn't completely trouble-free. Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky, who prepared the experiment, said that Belka was very nervous during the flight.
"She was very restless, tossing about and trying to get rid of the belts fixing her and barking," Yazdovsky wrote in his book chronicling the story of Soviet space medicine. However, post-flight medical checkups showed that both dogs were in fine condition without any adverse effects from the flight.
Strelka later had six puppies, one of which, Pushinka (Fluffy), was sent by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to President John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline.
Earlier this year, the dogs' story came to the screen in Russia's first 3D computer-animated movie, "Belka and Strelka: Star Dogs."
By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV (AP) – 2 hours ago
MOSCOW — Russia remembered two unlikely national heroes Thursday — a pair of skinny street mutts who moved the Soviet Union into the lead of the space race when they became the first living creatures to circle the Earth and come back alive.
The Aug. 19, 1960 mission by Belka and Strelka was a key step in preparations for the flight of Yuri Gagarin, who became the first human in space about a year later.
It showcased the Soviet lead in space exploration and turned the two dogs into global celebrities. Celebrations of the mission's 50th anniversary topped national newscasts on Thursday.
By 1960, Soviet space engineers had designed a returnable spacecraft capable of carrying a human into orbit, but they needed to run an extensive program of animal tests first and many of the dogs died during tests. Only stray mutts were picked up for such flights — doctors believed they were able to adapt quicker to harsh conditions — and they were all very small so they could fit into the tiny capsules.
Laika became the first dog to orbit Earth in a non-returnable capsule but died of overheating after her 1957 launch. Two other dogs died in a July 1960 launch when their rocket exploded seconds after blastoff.
Boris Chertok, a top engineer in the Soviet space program at the time, recalled the sense of relief space engineers felt when they heard Belka and Strelka barking in orbit and realized they were in good shape.
"They aren't howling, they are barking — that means they will return," Chertok quoted a colleague as saying.
Belka (Squirrel) and Strelka (Little Arrow) were accompanied by mice, rats, flies and some plants and fungi. The spacecraft landed successfully a day after making 17 orbits in more than 25 hours.
"These dogs acted like real pros," said Vladimir Tsvetov, an engineer who took part in the mission, said on Rossiya state television.
Soviet official reports claimed that the dogs felt well throughout the flight, but a participant in the program recalled later that it wasn't completely trouble-free. Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky, who prepared the experiment, said that Belka was very nervous during the flight.
"She was very restless, tossing about and trying to get rid of the belts fixing her and barking," Yazdovsky wrote in his book chronicling the story of Soviet space medicine. However, post-flight medical checkups showed that both dogs were in fine condition without any adverse effects from the flight.
Strelka later had six puppies, one of which, Pushinka (Fluffy), was sent by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to President John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline.
Earlier this year, the dogs' story came to the screen in Russia's first 3D computer-animated movie, "Belka and Strelka: Star Dogs."
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