Coalition for Space Exploration

NASA’s WISE Mission Identifies Asteroid Threat

markcarreau — Sun, 20 May 2012 20:32:26 +0000

This edge on view of the solar system from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer depicts the numbers of Near-Earth Asteroids and Potentially Hazardous Asteroids. The PHAs are depicted in bright orange, the NEAs in blue and the Earth's orbit in green. Image Credit/NASA

New estimates based on findings from NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Explorer, or WISE mission, reflect a big increase in the number of asteroids that could pose a collision threat to the Earth.

And experts suggest they have found only a third to a half of these potentially worrisome planetary objects.

Botton line: The new count says Earthlings are contending with roughly 4,700 potentially hazardous asteroids, or PHAs. WISE mission scientists suggest their latest estimate is likely off by plus or minus 1,500 PHAs.

PHAs are a subset of a class or planetary bodies known as near-Earth asteroids, or NEAs. Estimates of the numbers of NEAs also vary widely. PHA’s are objects that measure more than 330 feet across, large enough to survive a high velocity plunge into the Earth’s atmosphere to explode in the air or impact causing damage on a regional or wider scale.

Just two years ago, President Obama underscored the value of NEA’s when he directed NASA to develop the technologies to reach an NEA with astronauts by 2025. That mission should be a stepping stone to the future exploration of Mars by humans, the president said.

“NEOWISE analysis shows us we’ve made a good start at finding those objects that truly represent an impact hazard to Earth,”said Lindley Johnson, NASA mission executive for the spacecraft. “But we’ve many more to find, and it will take a concerted effort during the next couple of decades to find all of them that could do serious damage or be a mission destination in the future.”

A surprising number of the PHAs are bright, suggesting they are comprised on metals or granite, informative to scientists as they attempt to characterize how these objects would react as they dive into the Earth’s atmosphere.

The WISE telescope was launched in December 2009, equipped for a six month mission to catalogue dim and difficult to detect objects throughout the universe. As an adjunct, called NEOWISE, the telescope was assigned to hunt for NEAs.

The latest analysis of PHAs also suggests that twice as many as previously thought orbit the sun on a course closely alligned with the Earth’s trajectory.

That suggests they may have originated from a collision between two larger asteroids orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter. The breakup of a third asteroid may have disturbed some of the fragments causing them to drift into orbits that pass close to the Earth.

WISE surveyed the sky from its polar orbit twice before entering hibernation in early 2011. The telescope catalogued hundreds of millions of objects, from super bright galaxies, star forming regions of galaxies as well as closer to Earth asteroids.

The infrared sensors enabled WISE to measure the light, or heat coming from especially dim asteroids. That provided scientists with information that could be converted in size estimates

CSExtra – Friday, May 18, 2012

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:06:47 +0000

To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.

If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@spacecoalition.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Friday’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from around the world. SpaceX and the company’s bid to begin the first U. S. commercial re-supply mission to the International Space Station this weekend will be closely watched. Lift off is scheduled for Saturday at 4:55 a.m., EDT. NASA’s WISE mission finds hundreds of asteroids that could pose a collision hazard to the Earth. How to watch this weekend’s partial solar eclipse. Globally, three satellites are launched over a five hour span. The White House and Congress differ over a “Space Code of Conduct.” Establishing a mailing address for the International Space Station. NASA means billions for Alabama.

1. From the Wall Street Journal: A look at the reasons underpinning NASA fostered commercial cargo and crew space transportation services. Is the motivation to accelerate and lower the cost of efforts to develop a shuttle replacement or to stimulate the economy? NASA’s advisers urge the agency to focus on the fundamentals, of sound engineering and performance. Lift off is scheduled for Saturday at 4:55 a.m., EDT.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303879604577410183399805046.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

A. From the New York Times: SpaceX founder Elon Musk ponders the chances the Dragon mission will succeed. The spacecraft’s cargo includes 15 student experiments sponsored by the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, including one that will examine the wine fermenting process.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/science/space/spacex-is-set-to-send-its-rocket-to-the-space-station.html?_r=2&ref=science

B. From National Public Radio: The upcoming SpaceX mission to the International Space Station promises to usher in a new era of commercial spaceflight. The ISS is just one of the envisioned destinations, according to experts.

http://www.npr.org/2012/05/18/152953776/nasa-spacex-aim-to-launch-private-era-in-orbit

C. From the Christian Science Monitor: While SpaceX bids to become the first U.S. commercial re-supplier to reach the International Space Station, there are five other U. S. companies at work on private sector launch services. NASA has committed nearly $4 billion to the private sector effort so far. The Monitor profiles each.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0517/Beyond-SpaceX-Five-companies-seeking-to-change-space-travel/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corporation-SpaceX

D. From the Orlando Sentinel: A look at the bid by SpaceX to become the first U. S. commercial re-supply mission to the International Space Station. The mission is a test of the Obama administration space policy, the Sentinel reports.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-17/news/os-spacex-launch-advance-20120517_1_dragon-capsule-alan-lindenmoyer-spacex

E. From the Associated Press via the Washington Post: The SpaceX mission signals a new way of doing business at NASA.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/commercially-built-rocket-will-fly-to-the-space-station-new-way-of-doing-business-for-nasa/2012/05/17/gIQAYAXcWU_story.html.

2. From MSNBC and the Cosmic Log: The website offers a primer on viewing this weekend’s partial solar eclipse. For many, the Internet may offer the best, perhaps safest option. Outside, the best viewing in the U.S. will extend along a strip from the California/Oregon border to west Texas.
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/18/11746807-how-to-see-the-eclipse-anywhere?lite

3. From Space.com: NASA’s WISE infrared space telescope aides in a census count of asteroids that may pose a collision threat to the Earth. The count grows to 4,700 of the planetary bodies.
http://www.space.com/15734-dangerous-asteroid-census-nasa-telescope.html

A. From National Geographic: In Spain, astronomers discover an asteroid that is on a course to pass close to the Earth on Feb. 15, 2013. Asteroid 2012 DA14 is about 150 feet across and appears likely to zip past close enough to damage an orbiting satellite, say experts.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/05/120517-asteroid-close-earth-satellites-danger-space-science/

4. From Spaceflightnow.com: Russia launches a Soyuz rocket with a military reconnaissance spy satellite, Kosmos 2472. Globally, three satellites were launched within a five hour span.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1205/17soyuz/

A. From the Wall Street Journal: Japan reaches a milestone in the country’s pursuit of global commercial space revenues, with the launch of its first non-domestic payload. On Friday, a Japanese H-2A launch sends aloft a South Korean Earth observing satellite.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303879604577409933903286576.html

B. From Itar-Tass of Russia: A Russian Proton rocket carries a Canadian communications satellite into orbit.
http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/423356.html

5. From Spacepolitics.com: The White House and Congress find themselves at odds over the wording of a proposed space “Code of Conduct.”

http://www.spacepolitics.com/2012/05/17/house-and-white-house-at-odds-over-code-of-conduct-language-in-defense-bill/

6. From Popular Science: International Space Station resident Don Pettit claims a U. S. Postal Service mailing address aboard the orbiting science laboratory.
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-05/astronaut-don-pettit-creates-first-mailing-address-space

7. From The Huntsville Times: NASA’s economic impact across Alabama is gauged at $2.8 billion in 2011.
http://blog.al.com/space-news/2012/05/nasas_economic_impact_in_alaba.html

Brought to you by the Coalition for Space Exploration, CSExtra is a daily compilation of space industry news selected from hundreds of online media resources. The Coalition is not the author or reporter of any of the stories appearing in CSExtra and does not control and is not responsible for the content of any of these stories. The content available through CSExtra contains links to other websites and domains which are wholly independent of the Coalition, and the Coalition makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information contained in any such site or domain and does not pre-screen or approve any content. The Coalition does not endorse or receive any type of compensation from the included media outlets and is not responsible or liable in any way for any content of CSExtra or for any loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of any content appearing in CSExtra. For information on the Coalition, visit www.spacecoalition.com or contact us via e-mail at Info@spacecoalition.com.

CSExtra – Thursday, May 17, 2012

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:09:07 +0000

To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.

If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@spacecoalition.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Thursday’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from around the world. New U.S. and Russian astronauts dock with the International Space Station. Sunday brings an annular/partial eclipse to much of the U. S. The European Space Agency manages a short reprieve for its financially challenged Exo-Mars program. NASA transfers future operations of its GALEX space telescope mission to Cal Tech. Brownsville, Texas area residents urge the FAA to support a possible SpaceX commercial launch site project. President Obama’s Florida re-election campaign staff calls out a Republican rival on space policy. SETI vet spells out his top candidates for extraterrestrial life. The California Space Museum raises a huge sum for an Endeavour display. Poster start up offers suborbital space ticket. NASA showcases amazing welding technology.

1. From Spaceflightnow.com: Russia’s 30 Soyuz mission successfully docks with the International Space Station early Thursday. The linkup unites newcomers Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, of Russia, and Josesph Acaba of NASA with station commander Oleg Kononenko, NASA’s Don Pettit and the European Space Agency’s Andre Kuipers.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/station/exp31/120517dock/

A. From KJTV of Lubbock, Tex.: New space station astronaut Joseph Acaba has been accepted by Texas Tech University to pursue a doctorate in education. Acaba, a former Florida high and middle school science and math teacher, will pursue the advanced degree under a flexible online study program. Acaba was selected by NASA as an educator astronaut in 2004.
http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/news/local/story/NASA-astronaut-Texas-Tech/z5dyXUQ6D0idpiNMVpLWHA.cspx

B. From Ria Novosti of Russia: Cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin plan a 3-D photo survey of the space station to illustrate life in orbit.
http://en.rian.ru/agency_news/20120516/173491164.html

2. From Astronomy Now: Sunday brings an annular eclipse, as the disc of the moon moves in front of the larger sun and leaves a glowing ring all around. The display will be visible from portions of seven western U. S. states, starting with northern California/southern Oregon and ending with Texas. A partial eclipse will be visible over much of the United States. Observers will need eye protection to avoid damage.
http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n1205/16annulareclipse/

3. From Space News: In Paris, a European Space Agency ruling council agrees to keep its struggling Exo-Mars mission afloat until mid June, when a “Go/No Go” decision looms. Faced with cost concerns of its own, NASA backed out of a partnership for Mars missions in 2016 and 2018. Russia stepped in. But the ambitious mission still faces a cost challenge.
http://www.spacenews.com/civil/120516-exomars-one-month-reprieve.html

4. From Spaceflightnow.com: NASA has arranged for a first ever transfer of a space telescope, the Galaxy Evolution Explorer, to the California Institute of Technology, for continued operations. Launched in 2003 to survey galaxies and stars, GALEX ops were suspended by NASA in order to pursue other missions. Cal Tech plans to fund observations with private donations.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1205/16galex/

5. From the Brownsville, Herald of Texas: Hundreds of supporters attend an FAA-sponsored public hearing as part of plans by SpaceX to construct a commercial rocket complex near the South Texas border town. SpaceX is considering an expansion of its launch operations to sites in Florida and Puerto Rico as well as Texas. SpaceX is developing commercial cargo and crew space transportation systems under NASA initiatives.
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/hearing-140279-hundreds-public.html

6. From Spacepolitics.com: In Florida, President Obama’s re-election campaign calls on Republican Mitt Romney to spell out his space policy plans. Romney has said little on the topic recently. Obama’s commercial space initiatives are facing resistance in Congress.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2012/05/16/obamas-florida-campaign-wants-romney-to-take-a-stand-on-space/

7. From Space.com: A veteran SETI astronomer offers his top candidates for alien life. Much closer than the stars SETI famously eavesdrops on, but still a reach for us Earthlings, his choices hold some surprises.
http://www.space.com/15702-alien-life-solar-system-places.html

8. From the Associated Press via the Houston Chronicle: The California Science Museum reaches the mid way in its pursuit of $200 million in donations for an exhibit to display the shuttle Endeavour.
http://www.chron.com/default/article/CA-museum-gets-big-gift-to-build-shuttle-exhibit-3564296.php

9. From Wired.com: A startup company markets space posters and a chance to win a ticket for a suborbital spaceflight.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/05/suborbital-spaceflight-raffle/

10. From the Huntsville Times: The Alabama home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center hosts a conference on friction stir welding, a technique used to join components made of light weight aluminum alloys. The shuttle program made wide use of a technology that just 20 years ago was considered exotic.
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/05/new_welding_technique_pioneere.html

Soyuz Spacecraft Delivers U.S., Russian Astronauts to International Space Station

markcarreau — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:35:41 +0000

NASA's Joe Acaba confers with Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin prior to Soyuz lift off. Photo Credit/NASA Photo

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft reached the International Space Station early Thursday, safely delivering a pair of cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut to the orbiting science laboratory.

New arrivals Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin and Joseph Acaba were greeted by Expedition 31 commander Oleg Kononeko, NASA’s Don Pettit and Andre Kuipers, of the European Space Agency.

The two craft docked at 12:36 a.m, EDT, as they circled the Earth 250 miles over the Mongolia/Kazakhstan border.

“It’s going great, just beautifully,” Padalka informed Mission Control Moscow moments before what appeared to be a flawless docking.

The new crew will live and work aboard the station for four month, spending much of their time tending and serving as subjects in the more than 200 science experiments and engineering evaluations underway.

Also, they plan to greet the first U. S.commercial re-supply mission spacecraft. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon supply ship is set to lift off early Saturday from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The unpiloted Dragon should reach the station early next week.

Thursday’s linkup coincided with Acaba’s 45^th birthday. The formerFlorida high and middle school science and math teacher joined NASA as an educator astronaut in 2004.

As the Soyuz crew lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan two days ago, Texas Tech University announced that Acaba plans to pursue a doctorate in science education from the school through a flexible online graduate program starting in the fall.

In July, Padalka is expected to become the first person to serve as a space station commander for a third time.

Revin is flying for the first time.

Mars Rover: Back On the Prowl for More Science

leonarddavid — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:51:02 +0000

This image is of Opportunity’s traverse map and shows the entirety of the rover's travels to this point. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell/University of Arizona

NASA’s Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover is on a roll.

The robot had spent some 19 weeks parked in one spot to survive the Martian winter. Due to the setting sun, Opportunity’s solar power was too low for driving.

The winter worksite was on the north slope of an outcrop called Greeley Haven.

Opportunity has used its rear hazard-avoidance camera after nearly completing a May 8 drive, capturing a view looking back at the Greeley Haven.

Landing in the Meridiani region of Mars in January 2004, the rover has far exceeded its 90-day warranty!

Since its touchdown, the robot has wheeled itself over 21 miles of landscape.

Sistership, the Spirit rover, has long been silent after becoming stuck in sand. Spirit stopped communicating in 2010.

But for Opportunity, its Mars trekking continues.

“It’s great to be moving again,” said James Rice, a co-investigator for the Mars Exploration Rover Missions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Opportunity is set to explore the northern region of Cape York for now, Rice said, and then later embark on a grand voyage to Cape Tribulation.

By Leonard David

CSExtra – Wednesday, May 16, 2012

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:05:36 +0000

To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.

If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@spacecoalition.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Wednesday’s CSExtra offers a collection of the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities. China looks to June for the launching of the country’s fourth human spaceflight. In the U.S., policymakers ponder the future of human spaceflight, with tight budgets an influencing factor. Power companies confront an increase in solar activity. Arianespace launches telecommunications satellites for Japan and Vietnam. The Pentagon seeks help from NASA in solving a puzzling problem faced by X-22 pilots. Russia’s 30 Soyuz mission is expected to dock with the International Space Station early Thursday with American Joe Acaba among the three crew members. Why did the former high school teacher bring a small Smokey the Bear figure with him?

1. From Spaceflightnow.com: China looks to June for the launching of the nation’s fourth human spaceflight mission. The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, with a crew of three, will attempt a manual docking with China’s Tiangong 1 space station. The crew may include a woman. The identities of the crew and the length of the mission have not been announced.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1205/14shenzhou9/

2. From Space News: In an op-ed, Chris Carberry tracks the dilemma confronting U. S. space policymakers. It’s shaped by big dreams for the future, but a lack of resources and a leadership confronted with challenges on other fronts. The situation is not much different in Europe, Russia, China and Japan. The best we can do, Carberry writes, may be to keep our sights set on Mars until the environment improves. Gilbert is a visiting scholar at the George Washington University Space Policy Institute.
http://www.spacenews.com/commentaries/120516-space-dreams-into-reality.html

A. From Discovery.com: Is the NASA fostered U. S. commercial space race drawing to a close? The House version of NASA’s commercial crew development initiative raises the possibility.
http://news.discovery.com/space/might-nasa-kill-the-commercial-space-race-120515.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1

B. From Space.com: U. S. aerospace companies ponder their options, as NASA considers who to fund in the initiative to foster U. S. commercial crew transportation services. The agency hopes to award development funding to at least two companies this summer under the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability initiative. SpaceX plans to continue with its development efforts, whether it receives funding or not. Boeing is unsure. Others face the same choice.
http://www.space.com/15700-private-space-taxis-nasa-funding.html

C. From Aviation Week & Space Technology: NASA, adjusting to funding constraints, is unlikely to launch another robot rover to Mars until 2020. NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory, which is headed toward a landing on the red planet in early August and a two year mission, will have to suffice.
http://www.aviationnow.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_05_14_2012_p27-456466.xml

3. From the Wall Street Journal: Power companies brace for an increase in solar activity. An intense solar storm could disrupt power grids, leading to interruptions in service as well as losses in revenues.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303505504577404360076098508.html

4. From NASAspaceflight.com: An Ariane 5 launches communications satellites for Japan and Vietnam from French Guiana.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/ariane-5-eca-jcsat-13-and-vinasat-2-into-orbit/

5. From the Associated Press via the Washington Post: The Pentagon seeks assistance from NASA and Navy experts in solving a puzzling problem with the U. S. Air Force F-22. Some pilots experience dizziness and symptoms of oxygen shortage while flying the high performance stealth fighter. A remedy has eluded the military for months, prompting some pilots to refuse to take to the air.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/panetta-limits-f-22-fighter-to-flights-near-landing-zones-due-to-oxygen-deficit-problems/2012/05/15/gIQAFaabRU_story.html

6. From Collectspace.com: Remember Smokey the Bear?. NASA astronaut Joseph Acaba is carrying a small Smokey figure aboard Russia’s 30 Soyuz mission, which is on its way to a docking with the International Space Station early Thursday.
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-051412a.html

Book Review: Space Chronicles – Facing the Ultimate Frontier

leonarddavid — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:19:31 +0000

Space Chronicles – Facing the Ultimate Frontier by Neil deGrasse Tyson (Edited by Avis Lang); W.W. Norton & Co., New York; $26.95 (hardcover); 2012.

This delightful read comes courtesy of a thoughtful, charismatic astrophysicist and renowned popular speaker – an alien blend that’s refreshing, entertaining and stimulating.

Tyson has written a spirited why, how, and why not account of America’s space exploration future.

“Collectively, the selections in this volume investigate what NASA means to America and what space exploration means to our species,” he writes in the book’s prologue. Moreover, he points out that it’s time for America to invest heavily in space exploration and research.

Tyson is an unabashed advocate for doubling NASA’s budget. The ripple effects from doing so include not only making an investment in tomorrow’s economy, but also an investment in our security.

Space enthusiasts will find great fodder here to sharpen your own skills in promoting NASA and scripting your personal manifesto on the importance of space exploration.

There’s a host of Tyson observations regarding troublesome asteroids, ET, and the value of the Hubble Space Telescope. And there are also reflections on past space epics, such as Apollo 11 and the space shuttle program. But when you’ve completed the read, you’ll have gained a cosmic perspective that encapsulates why these events and still-to-come discoveries matter.

As the director of Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, Tyson has crafted a forceful argument for space exploration – sometimes humorously but engagingly thought-provoking too. The book is peppered with “Space Tweets” – such as: “The entire half-century budget of NASA equals the current two year budget of the U.S. military.”

This is a must-have, easy to read book that anyone caring about NASA, global leadership, and the value of space exploration should own.

Better yet, make sure your representatives in Congress get the message.

For more information on this book, go to:

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/Space-Chronicles/

Note:

Give a listen to “Space Chronicles”: Why Exploring Space Still Matters – a recent Tyson interview on National Public Radio – by going to:

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/27/147351252/space-chronicles-why-exploring-space-still-matters

By Leonard David

CSExtra – Tuesday, May 15, 2012

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:45:00 +0000

To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.

If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@spacecoalition.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Tuesday’s CSExtra offers a collection of the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from around the world. Three U.S. and Russian astronauts lift off late Monday for the International Space Station. SpaceX prepares to demonstrate the commercial sector’s role in future exploration. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, of Florida, takes issue with the House version of NASA’s 2013 budget and its restrictive treatment of commercial crew space transportation. Essays look deeper into the significance of Saturday’s SpaceX launch and supply mission to the space station as well as the value of the station to the future exploration of Mars. One NASA shuttle veteran with roots in the Apollo era is not at all pleased with the nation’s direction in space. The European Space Agency looks to crowd sourcing for a asteroid identification. An asteroid flies close.

1. From Spaceflightnow.com and CBS News: A Soyuz rocket with two Russians and an American lifts off late Monday for the International Space Station. The Soyuz transport carrying Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba is on a course to dock with the station early Thursday.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/station/exp31/120514launch/

2. From The New York Times: SpaceX, one of two companies that has partnered with NASA to initiate commercial re-supply services to the International Space Station, is scheduled to lift off early Saturday on a potentially historic mission. SpaceX founder Elon Musk predicts the commercial sector will be pivotal in humanity’s exploration of Mars.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/science/space/contracts-help-private-sector-edge-deeper-into-space.html?_r=2&ref=science

3. From Spacepolitics.com: U. S. Sen. Bill Nelson, of Florida, predicts the Senate will remove House restrictions on NASA’s efforts to foster U.S. commercial crew space transportation services. The restrictions are included in the House version of NASA’s 2013 budget.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2012/05/14/nelson-early-commercial-crew-downselect-would-be-silliness/

4. Two essays from Monday’s The Space Review assess a) the stakes for SpaceX as the company undertakes its mission to the International Space Station and b) the value of the International Space Station to the future exploration of Mars.

A. In “The big test” TSR editor Jeff Foust offers perspective on The SpaceX launch early Saturday of the first U.S. commercial re-supply mission to the International Space Station. The 18-day Falcon 9/Dragon mission, in every sense an ambitious test flight, promises to be closely watched. If all goes well, confidence in NASA’s strategy of turning orbital cargo and crew missions over to the private sector is likely to grow, Foust writes. The outcome of a setback is more difficult to predict. However, House appropriators are already urging NASA to scale back from four to one the number of commercial crew partners the agency is funding.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2082/1

B. In “Why ISS can advance Mars exploration,” Chris Carberry executive director of Explore Mars Inc., believes a Mars analog mission based from the ISS is essential. Move quickly, Carberry urges, to keep the effort from being politicized. The station can also serve as a test bed for a range of environmental control and crew health equipment that will be needed for the long journey, Carberry writes.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2081/1

5. From the Examiner.com: NASA has no leadership, no goals, says retired NASA shuttle astronaut Story Musgrave, who flew aboard the space shuttle six times.
http://www.examiner.com/article/legendary-astronaut-criticizes-nasa-and-it-s-future-goals

6. From The Coalition for Space Exploration: The European Space Agency enlists amateur astronomers in efforts to catalogue the many asteroids that pass close to the Earth.
http://spacecoalition.com/blog/nasa/amateurs-to-%e2%80%9ccrowdsource%e2%80%9d-asteroids

7. From Space.com: The 40 foot asteroid 2012 JU was the latest of the many near Earth space rocks to pass close to the planet. On Sunday, the asteroid slipped within 120,000 miles of the Earth, well inside the orbit of the moon. http://www.space.com/15676-asteroid-earth-close-flyby-2012ju.html

U. S., Russian Crew Launches to the International Space Station

markcarreau — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:40:42 +0000

Russia's 30 Soyuz mission spacecraft rises from Kazakhstan to begin a two-day trip to the International Space Station with three U. S. and Russian astronauts. Photo Credit/NASA photo

A three-man U. S.and Russian crew successfully lifted off for the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan late Monday.

The Soyuz capsule with Joseph Acaba, of NASA, and cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin departed the Central Asian launch complex at 11:01 p.m., EDT, safely reaching orbit nine minutes later.

Following a series of altitude raising maneuvers, the Soyuz capsule will attempt to dock with the 240 mile high space station on Thursday at 12:39 a.m., EDT.

“Everything is okay on board,” Padalka, the Soyuz commander, radioed Mission Control Moscow as the three-stage Soyuz booster neared orbit late Monday. “We feel good.”

Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin and Joseph Acaba, pictured left to right, will become the International Space Station's newest residents. Photo Credit/NASA Photo

The three men will be greeted by the station’s Expedition 31 commander Oleg Kononenko, of Russia, and flight engineers Don Pettit, of NASA, and Andre Kuipers, of the European Space Agency.

The newcomers will return the space station to six crew operations for the first time since April 27, when three U.S.and Russian fliers returned to Earth after 5.5 months on the orbiting science laboratory.

One of the reconstituted crew’s initial tasks will be the berthing of the first U. S. commercial resupply mission.

The SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon mission is scheduled to lift off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on Saturday at 4:55 a.m., EDT.

After a series of communications and navigation system check outs, the unpiloted Dragon will attempt to rendezvous on May 22, maneuvering close enough for Pettit and Kuipers to grapple the freighter using the station’s Canadarm2. Once Dragon is in the grip of the 58-foot-long robot arm, Pettit and Kuipers will berth the capsule to the station’s U. S. segment for a two week stay.

Acaba is one of NASA’s educator astronauts, a former Florida high and middle school math and science instructor and U. S. Peace Corps volunteer. He participated in a 2009 shuttle space station assembly mission.

Padalka has trained to become the first person to command the space station three times. Prior to station flights in 2009 and 2004, Padalka served as the commander of Russia’s former Mir space station.

Revin, who is flying for the first time, is a flight test engineer from NPO Energia.

The three men expect to remain aboard the station for four months. They will serve as the operators of and test subjects in more than 200 science experiments and engineering evaluations.

Amateurs to “Crowdsource” Asteroids

leonarddavid — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:48:53 +0000

2m Faulkes North Telescope at Haleakalā, Hawaii, USA. Credit: Faulkes Telescope Project

Any attempt to survey and catalog hazardous asteroids faces a number of difficulties.

Coming to aid the effort are amateur astronomers, ready to boost the European Space Agency’s (ESA) asteroid hunt as part of ESA’s Space Situational Awareness program.

A new partnership has been formed between the United Kingdom’s Faulkes Telescope Project and ESA.

ESA is turning to amateur astronomers to ‘crowdsource’ observations as part of Europe’s contribution to the global Near Earth Object (NEO) asteroid hunt. These efforts will add to the follow-up observations already done at ESA’s own telescope on Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Time and patience

At issue: Asteroids are jet black or at least very dark. Also, they can approach rather too close before anyone sees them, and they’re often spotted only once and then disappear before the discovery can be confirmed.

“The wider astronomy community offers a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm, and they have the time and patience to verify new sightings…this helps tremendously,” says Detlef Koschny, Head of NEO activity at ESA’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) program office.

Use of 2 meter-diameter telescopes in Hawaii and Siding Spring, Australia, will greatly enhance asteroid-spotting for the SSA program, enabling fainter object detection and tracking from a global telescope network, adds Nick Howes, Pro-Am Program Manager at the Faulkes Telescope.

This month, the UK’s Faulkes Telescope Project will become the latest team to formally support the SSA program.

The project has a strong record in public education and science outreach, and is a partner of the U.S.-based Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope network, which owns and operates two telescopes. Faulkes supports hundreds of schools across Europe.

By Leonard David