Analysis: News
(SpaceRef) Wise Counsel to Rep. Frank Wolf Regarding NASA FY 2011 Budget
"It makes no more sense to have a NASA with an under-emphasis on human spaceflight than it did to have a NASA with an over-emphasis. The strategic leadership of the United States in a rapidly evolving globalized world, the economic well-being of our people, and the sense in our society that our future is promising, all require a NASA that has breadth in science and technology, and accomplishments in both robotic and human spaceflight.
The burden of proof thus now lies with Congress and NASA to define and to develop a human spaceflight program that does not re-inflict damage on the breadth of NASA's activities and that serves the nation well. It is possible to do this.
It is our hope that all who recognize that a vibrant civil space program is essential to the nation's future will come together and use this opportunity to define and to fund a NASA that through the breadth of its activities and its accomplishments truly befits a great nation."
(NASA Press Release) Endeavor (STS-130) Blasts Off With Last ISS Crew Module Before Completion
The Aurora module allowing crew observations has now been launched to the ISS and is the last crew module to be added before completion. It was a spectacular night launch reminding us that the Space Shuttle is nearing the end of its life.
(Space Calendar) 2 FAA Meetings Highlight Enhanced Role Of Commercial Space In USA Space Policy
"USA commercial space companies stand to play an increasingly important role with the revision of the America space policy. Along with cancelling the Constellation program, President Obama's proposed direction for NASA provides US$6B over 5 years in support of commercially built spaceships to transport NASA astronauts to the ISS. This new plan brings added importance to 2 events this week sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A public meeting will be held in Washington DC on February 9 to discuss the plan to establish a new FAA Center of Excellence (COE) for Commercial Space Transportation (CST). The meeting will include a discussion on the COE Program and CST technical requirements. On Feb 10-11, the FAA Office for Commercial Space Transportation and AIAA will host the '13th FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference' in Arlington VA. Policy makers and technical experts will come together to share insights and discuss developments in the field, while focusing on the theme 'Igniting the Space Economy.' Keynote speakers include FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt (BL) and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (BR). (Credit: AIAA, FAA, SpaceX, NASA)"
(Satnews Publishers) University Cubesats to be Launched by NASA in November '10
"A tiny communications satellite designed and built by University of Colorado at Boulder undergraduates has been selected as one of three university research satellites to be launched into orbit in November as part of a NASA space education initiative. The three Cubesats were built by CU-Boulder, Montana State University and Kentucky Space, which is a consortium of state universities. The satellites are being flown as part of NASA's Educational Launch of Nanosatellite, or ELaNA, mission."
"The goal of the mission is to improve communications systems in tiny satellites through on-orbit testing of a high data-rate system that will allow scientists and engineers to downlink large quantities of information."
(Press Release) Orbitec to provide environmental control and life support for Bigelow's Sundancer
"ORBITEC’s Human Support Systems and Instrumentation Division continues its relationship with Bigelow Aerospace to develop and integrate ORBITEC'S cost-effective environmental control and life support systems, subsystems, and components for Sundancer and commercial space travel and habitation.
Robert Bigelow, President and owner of Bigelow Aerospace stated that “We have had a long standing beneficial relationship with ORBITEC. Their capabilities and commercial business practice mesh well with our company.” Mr. Bigelow also states “My expectation for ORBITEC to provide safe and reliable solutions, to build and deliver on time, and to collaboratively work with my team to provide cost effective product is the reason I have them on the Bigelow team.”
The future of solar belongs to plastic? - University of Alberta
“The University of Alberta and the National Research Council’s National Institute (NINT) for Nanotechnology have engineered an approach that is leading to improved performance of plastic solar cells (hybrid organic solar cells). The development of inexpensive, mass-produced plastic solar panels is a goal of intense interest for many of the world’s scientists and engineers because of the high cost and shortage of the ultra-high purity silicon and other materials normally required.” Advanced technology development of cheaper, more efficient solar cells for Earth applications may well drive new expanded applications in space.
The Real Problem With Commercializing Space
The author, notes on his blog post, that he has spent most of the last 10-15 years working in various parts of the space industry, including five recent years as a contract employee to NASA. This older article is a classic criticism of commercial space and even in this time of greater optimism for this developing market, it is worth reading as a cautionary viewpoint based on insider experience.