Budget (27)
Commissions (61)
Concepts (33)
Editorials (61)
Events (10)
Missions (13)
News Releases (58)
Prometheus (12)
Property Rights (7)
Rumors (6)
Russia (11)
Weblog News (8)
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (which is actually part of CalTech) announced today the creation of a new Exploration Systems and Technology Office, created to better align JPL with NASA's new exploration vision.
"Mike Sander has been appointed manager of the new Exploration Systems and Technology Office. He will be responsible for all JPL activities and missions related to NASA's new Office of Exploration Systems, except the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter. Sander had served as project manager for the upcoming Mars Science Laboratory mission."
Frank Sietzen from UPI gets another exclusive from NASA.
"NASA has begun studies to determine if it will need a new class of powerful super rockets to boost the new moon and Mars spaceships President Bush has proposed as part of a new U.S. space policy.
The studies, experts told United Press International, will help shape a decision by the end of the year on the size and capabilities of the space launching vehicles that will be needed to lift payloads under Bush's plan."
Over the last 2 days there has been a stream of coverage on the views toward space of the remaining Democratic Presidential candidates. Overall, they seem to be interested in continuing the current path that NASA is on, but worry (like many Americans) about the costs associated.
+ AP Article
+ Posts on Space Politics (Jeff Foust's weblog)
+ Post on MSNBC Cosmic Log (Alan Boyle)
+ Article on John Kerry with space quote
Also, John Glenn has endorsed Sen. John Kerry (Cleveland Plain Dealer Article)
MSNBC's Alan Boyle posts about Russia's new Clipper in his Cosmic Log, and links to the Astronautix feature discussing Clipper.
"Wade's accompanying graphic brings the point home. The drawing may not reflect the actual design, but it looks very much like Lockheed Martin's concept for NASA's next-generation Crew Exploration Vehicle. In contrast, the analogous CEV design from the Boeing Co. has more in common with the old Apollo command module. Both of the CEV designs hint at a mostly expendable system like the Soyuz, rather than a mostly reusable system like the shuttle. This would represent an about-face from the trend set two decades ago by the shuttle and its Soviet carbon copy."
I just noticed today that there has been some new information posted to the website of the President's Commission on Moon, Mars and Beyond.
+ Press Release on the upcoming March 3rd-4th hearing in Dayton, OH at the soon-to-be-completed Missile Gallery of the U.S. Air Force Museum.
+ Meeting Minutes for the first public hearing, which had video previously available. The minutes provide a good summary of the meeting.
+ Meeting Transcript is also now provided if you don't want to watch the video.
Finally, the documents submitted by hearing participants are also on the site now, as well as photos of the event.
I'm pretty impressed with the comprehensiveness of this information, albeit somewhat delayed in its release.
This Russian webpage includes a image showing the current conceptual design of Clipper.
Using a poor translation, provided by Altavista's Babelfish engine, there are some more details. The words in brackets are my best guess at what is being said.
"New ship will be able to [fall] under any space program: from [orbital] to [lunar] to Mars. In the comparison with working "Soyuz", the [new ship] will be more convenient and [spacious?]. Developers say that it absorbs [many new ideas?], which have been created in our country in the space sphere. The project is called "Clipper".
The overall length of the spacecraft is more than 10 meters. It will be able to deliver 6 crewmembers and 700 kilograms of load to orbit. At its basis, much is taken from "Soyuz". "Buran" will give to the new ship a unique navigation system and experience in reusable heat shielding. The weight of the spacecraft is 14.5 tons. Its [placement] into orbit will be [done by] a new launch vehicle "Onega" from the base of the rocket utilized now "Soyuz". RKK Energia indicates that if we [presumably the Russian public] ensure the project has federal support, [they can] build the rocket in 5 years."
NASA's new Exploration Systems office, headed by retired Navy Admiral Craig E. Steidle, will hold a press briefing on Wednesday, March 3rd at 10:00am Eastern.
The widely-acclaimed space information site Astronautix.com recently posted an overview of the new Russian "Clipper" spacecraft and its "Onega" launch vehicle.
"It was revealed that RKK Energia had begun the work on the design in 2020, at the request of the Russian Space Agency. The result was a brief outline of the proposed design. However, although it was said that the vehicle 'may' replace the Soyuz by 2011, it was also said that their was no substantive funding for the project and any major work would be dependent on enabling resolutions (and funds) from the office of the Russian President and the Russian government."
"Lockheed Martin has formed a new organization to manage the Corporation's efforts in support of NASA's space exploration initiative. The organization, which will be called Space Exploration, will be led by John C. Karas and be headquartered in Denver, Colo., as part of the Space Systems Company."
This article mentions China's construction of Shenzhou 6 (which will launch a crew of 2 next year) as well as more details on Russia's new "Clipper" 6-person spacecraft.
"The Clipper designs have been in development since 2020 with planed 10-day orbital capability and taking aloft 700kg of payload. It is a next generation design from the once-flown Soviet Space Shuttle Braun [sic] back in the early 1980's.
Space experts expect the European Space Agency to become actively involved with the development of the Russian Clipper Space Shuttle in funding, European comosnauts, and science payloads.
If succesful, the Russian Clipper will fill the void between 2011 and 2015 when the United States will not have human-to-orbit lift capabilities as now envisoned with the shuttle fleet retirement."
An article from the Russian Information Agency reveals more details of the new 6-person spacecraft under development, which is tentatively named "Clipper". It could replace Soyuz as Russia's primary orbital vehicles by 2011.
"Clippers will be used for self-contained orbital flights lasting up to 10 days; it will also serve as a base for scientific experiments. In addition, the new spacecraft will have a capacity to carry as many as four "space tourists" (Soyuz can take only one "space tourist" on board)."
Another excellent investigative article from Space.com, discussing NASA's partnership with the U.S. Navy, who has decades of nuclear expertise on active vessels.
Also this tidbit: "NASA and the scientific community are considering adding a Europa lander to JIMO. The high-tech lander could make on-the-spot surface observations at the Jovian satellite. Europa is thought to harbor an ocean under its icy crust."
Great article from Space.com which summarizes NASA's plans to use the 2010 Mars Science Laboratory as a nuclear testbed, as well as other details on Boeing & Lockheed's current activities in this space.
A couple new editorials were printed today, with various views on Bush's new vision for a return to the Moon, and a journey to Mars.
Our Future in Space (The Independent Institute)
By Frederick Giarrusso
"A truly bold vision of the future of space exploration for America would place private space entrepreneurs at the forefront. Like other industries (e.g. semiconductors, biotech, and the internet), the federal government played a significant early role in demonstrating key technologies. But these industries flourished when entrepreneurs stepped in and took the reins. We are now at that point with the exploration of space."
Exploring space worth risks (Florida Today)
by Roy D. Bridges, director of NASA's Langley Research Center
"We live in a marvelous age of invention and discovery. Yet we sometimes fail to see the possibilities for even greater outcomes. The typical argument against investments in aerospace exploration is that we have too many problems here on Earth. Yet the answers to these problems most often come from pushing beyond our current frontiers of knowledge."
You Paid For This? Space Stations on the Moon and Men on Mars!
by Citizens Against Government Waste
This editorial contains yet another use of the $1 trillion figure for the new NASA vision, which is often repeated by detractors but has no basis in fact. NASA's budget over the next 20 years (at present rates) will be ~$300 billion, which is probably the best current guess as to what the program will cost.
The President's Commission on Moon, Mars and Beyond, chaired by Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge, has announced four more public hearings to be held in locations around the country. The hearings will focus on four themes:
* Competitiveness and Prosperity
* Science and Technology
* Management and Sustainability
* Education and Youth
Locations and dates for the public hearings are:
* March 3 and 4, Dayton, Ohio, Air Force Museum.
* March 24 and 25, Atlanta, Georgia, location to be announced.
* April 15 and 16, San Francisco, California, location to be announced.
* May 3 and 4, New York City, location to be announced.
The President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy (Moon, Mars and Beyond) is charged with providing recommendations to the President regarding moon research activities, increasing young people's interest in space science, and bringing in industry and other countries as space partners.
+ Source Article
+ Space commission to meet next month at Air Force Museum (Dayton Daily News)
+ Commission Website
"Russian engineers have begun design work on a new spacecraft that would be twice as big and spacious as the existing Soyuz crew capsules, the nation's top space official said Tuesday. The new craft will be able to carry at least six cosmonauts and have a reusable crew section."
This new design is being developed primarily for orbital use, but may be capable of use in lunar and Mars missions. It will parallel the U.S. efforts under Project Constellation, although the Russian space agency stated they were already farther along with their plans than the U.S.
"A new committee created by the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) is to examine the consequences of the recently announced US space strategy for Europe, it was announced on 16 February."
The committee will determine how European programs will integrate with the new U.S. space vision announced in January, and the consequences of the U.S. plans. They will in particular look at how Europe will utilize the ISS long-term.
A video archive has now been set up on the website of the President's Commission on Moon, Mars and Beyond. For those who missed it, the entire meeting is now available for download/streaming using the RealPlayer format.
This is an article I wrote for a European newsletter. It provides an overview of the events this year regarding Mars exploration, the new NASA vision for Moon/Mars, and the prospects of international cooperation on future human exploration.
"Only six weeks have elapsed in 2024, but already this has turned out to be a landmark year for the exploration of space. Not only are the exciting events due to five separate missions exploring the planet Mars, but also because world space agencies are gearing up like never before for future efforts of human exploration."
A good day-after wrap up article from Aviation Week on the Commission's first public meeting yesterday. It stresses the importance the panel felt about sustaining the support of the public so that the plans can be carried out over the long-term.
"Following their work, the commission plans to offer the president their "top 10" ways of sustaining the space policy, according to Aldridge. One of those ways probably will be convincing the American public that space technology development has a positive impact on their lives, he said."
Also mentioned is the discussion of re-constituting a Space Council chaired by the sitting Vice President, as was done during the first Bush administration.
The President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy held its first public meeting today. After a long day of hearing the opinions of space experts, the group held its first press conference.
+ Commission on Human Flights to Moon, Mars Begins Work (Voice of America)
+ Panel's key word in fulfilling Bush's space mandate: more (Houston Chronicle)
+ AIAA Provides Testimony to New Presidential Commission: International Cooperation is Instrumental (AIAA)
+ Shifts in Political Winds Biggest Challenge to Bush's Space Vision Team (Space.com)
+ Panel Begins Space Exploration Hearings (AP)
+ Commission unsure NASA can generate Bush space plan (Florida Today)
+ Moon-Mars Commission Website
This article from SpaceDaily and press release from Los Alamos National Laboratory describes the technical details of the reactor being considered for the first unmanned mission under Project Prometheus, the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO).
"Los Alamos and NASA-Marshall researchers, working with colleagues from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, have built successively more powerful nuclear electric propulsion reactor components, including a 30-kilowatt reactor core, one-third of a 100-kilowatt system (core plus heat exchanger) and a single module suitable for a 500-kilowatt reactor core. Extensive non-nuclear testing of these and other components continues."
+ Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission (SpaceDaily)
+ Reactor research to power journey to Jupiter's moons (Press Release)
Norman Augustine, who chaired the investigation of the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster, warned the current Presidential Commission today not to cut corners in their recommendations for a manned Mars mission. The warning came at their first public hearing.
"Augustine warned members of Bush's new space exploration commission not to set firm schedule targets or budget limits for the project."
+ Don't Do Mars on the Cheap (Reuters)
+ Expert Warns NASA Can't Afford Mars Plan (AP)
From Reuters:
"The White House has no plans to remove former Pentagon top weapons buyer Edward Aldridge as chairman of a new presidential space commission, despite conflict-of-interest concerns raised by Sen. John McCain."
A Space.com article provides more background on the Presidential Commission which will decide the implementation of the new space policy, and stresses they are hoping for lots of input from the public.
"We view public feedback as an important part of our deliberations," panel member and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said via e-mail today during a break in the panel's first meeting, a private affair. "Every submitted comment to our new commission web site will be read by one or more of us on the commission and supporting staff."
The President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy has launched a new website. On the site, they also refer to themselves as the "President's Commission on Moon, Mars, and Beyond"
This editorial from Space.com discusses the opinion of former Congressman Robert Walker, a member of the Presidential Commission which will decide the implementation of the new space policy.
"I really believe that if we can show that this program will create the base of knowledge off which we will build leadership, off which we will build new products, off which we will build economic dominance...then we've got a chance of having a program that's not just a flash-in-the-pan, but is a program capable of being sustained for 20 or 30 years," Walker said.
This article from Space.com analyzes the restructuring of Project Prometheus, now part of the new Exploration Systems enterprise at NASA, while the science objectives of the first unmanned mission (Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter or JIMO) will remain in the Space Science enterprise.
"The move is more than just a change of location for the program. It also marks a change in the way that NASA has historically gone about developing spacecraft and other major systems. Now, instead of one organization setting the science requirements and developing the spacecraft -- a process that usually entails a spirited tug of war between what scientists want to do and what engineers think can be done -- the two pieces will be split between two organizations."
"On Thursday, February 12th at 10:00 a.m., the Science Committee will hold a hearing to review the President's proposed space exploration initiative, including its goals and potential price tag, and the impact it may have on other NASA programs."
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and President Bush's science advisor Dr. John Marburger will testify.
An interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson, one of the members of the Presidential Commission tasked with implementing the new space policy.
"Neil deGrasse Tyson is not just the sexiest astrophysicist alive, as People magazine concluded a few years back. He is also one of the most publicly visible, as a book author, lecturer, researcher and director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City."
In this article from E4Engineering.com, Boeing's lead engineer for the CEV project talks about their inital concept for a reusable lunar lander vehicle, as well as additional details on the overall Boeing "Crew Exploration System" (CES) concept for a lunar mission.
The common module approach is central to Boeing's CES, which comprises a crew control module, crew living quarters module, resource module and an autonomous cargo vehicle. These modules will travel to the Moon together as the Trans Lunar Insertion (TLI) vehicle, and then separate into an orbiting lunar space station and a Moon base.
On Wednesday, Febuary 11th, the first public meeting of the President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy will occur in Washington, DC. The all-day meeting will be broadcast live on NASA TV and will be followed by a press conference at 5pm Eastern time (2pm Pacific.)
+ Meeting Announcement
+ NASA TV
One of my sources inside the aerospace industry has alerted me to the following (unconfirmed) news: Prior to closeout of the Orbital Space Plane program, NASA is requiring the contractors to complete their Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) on the cancelled designs, so that NASA can apply the knowledge learned to future CEV work.
As might be expected, the workers in the cancelled OSP projects aren't very happy about this--NASA's requirement to complete design reviews on vehicles that will never be built (at least in their present forms.) The motivation to actually do this work at one large firm is described as "quite low".
Lockheed Martin has created a new website which showcases their concepts for the CEV. Apparently not to be outdone by Boeing, who quietly posted some concept art shortly after President Bush's speech.
The new website boasts downloadable posters and also includes more background information on their concepts in the form of a "Marketing Materials" section.
An editorial from Florida Today that warns Congress to give NASA "tough scrutiny" and require "firm assurances" that the necessary reforms required by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board have been carried out before funding the new projects. It also warns that the true costs of a Moon-Mars initiative is not truly reflected in the budget request.
A story from United Press International which goes into detail on NASA's new Aeronautics enterprise, and some of the new projects which are funded in the FY05 budget request.
"The agency previously lumped aeronautics research efforts into its Office of Aerospace Technology, which received $946 million for FY 2024. The president had requested just over $1 billion for the office, but Congress cut more than $50 million to pay for special interest projects."
This article from Aviation Week on the NASA budget request provides more details on the CEV's spiral development approach.
"The CEV will be produced [in] three development blocks: prototype test vehicles, an unmanned Block 1 configuration, and a manned Block II version. Formulation concept studies will take place in FY '04, with preliminary design in FY '05 and FY '06, according to NASA. "
With the recent announcement of Project Constellation as part of President Bush's new space initiative, now is a good time to examine past attempts at building a successor to the Space Shuttle, so that we may maintain a fresh perspective.
[This is an article I wrote that's currently running as the lead feature on the online journal New Mars. It is an expanded version of my previous Project Constellation backgrounder, accessible from the left navigation menu of this site.]
This new Space.com article talks about the focus of new robotic missions in preparation for human landing on the Moon.
"These missions will not be driven by science," said Ed Weiler, associate administrator for the NASAs Office of Space Science. "They will be driven by preparations for human landings."
"This will be the first digital recon mission of the Moon," he said. In addition to high-resolution photographs, the orbiter will likely work to map lunar resources, such as water ice that is suspected of hiding in permanently shadowed craters. Frozen water would be a key resource for any future Moon base, providing drinking water and, when broken down into hydrogen, fuel for return flights or missions beyond the Moon.
NASA has released a new document to supplement its FY 2025 budget. The document, titled "A Vision for Space Exploration", contains more details on future missions and how NASA will transform to fulfill these goals.
+ A Vision for Space Exploration (PDF - High Res)
+ A Vision for Space Exploration (PDF - Low Res)
I just finished this article which provides the latest details on Project Constellation and the emerging concepts for the CEV.
A substantially longer version will appear later this week in the online journal New Mars. The longer version puts the CEV in context with past attempts to develop a worthy successor to the Space Shuttle, and the reasons why they all ended in failure.
A few articles written after today's press briefing on the FY 2025 budget...
+ Budget proposal for NASA blueprint puts emphasis on Mars, beyond (Houston Chronicle)
+ Out-of-this-world costs match exploration vision (Orlando Sentinel)
+ Science in space gets $167M boost from 2025 budget (Huntsville Times)
Today at NASA headquarters, Administrator Sean O'Keefe gave remarks on the FY 2025 budget for NASA, which includes new money for the Crew Exploration Vehicle under Project Constellation. It also refocuses NASA's other programs towards the new space exploration initiative announced two weeks ago by President Bush.
+ NASA FY 2025 Budget (PDF presentation)
+ Transcript of Remarks
The long awaited release includes details on Project Constellation and other NASA projects. NASA will hold a series of detailed briefings tomorrow (Feb 3rd) to discuss the budget.
The budget mentions that Project Constellation will be developed not as a single vehicle (like the Orbital Space Plane) but a series of modular systems to enable manned missions to low earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond.
While comparisons to the Apollo systems will be inevitable, this is truly a new series of spacecraft with 21st century technology, not a simple retooling of Apollo. Current thinking of the shape of the main crew vehicle is indeed an Apollo-style capsule as depicted in the Boeing concept artwork (which I've used for the header graphics on this page.)
Unmanned tests of the new vehicle will begin as soon as 2009, with the first mission to ISS targeted around 2015, and missions to the moon following soon afterwards.
+ NASA Budget Documents (NASA)
+ PDF Budget Document (White House)
+ Overview of NASA's FY 2025 Budget (SpaceRef)