Budget (27)
Commissions (61)
Concepts (33)
Editorials (61)
Events (10)
Missions (13)
News Releases (59)
Prometheus (12)
Property Rights (7)
Rumors (7)
Russia (11)
Weblog News (8)
"Lunar bases that can travel on wheels, or even legs, will increase landing zone safety, provide equipment redundancy and improve the odds of making key discoveries by enabling crews to visit many lunar sites.
A common scenario for exploration of the moon is that one or more astronauts would travel to a remote site in a pressurized or unpressurized 'rover.' An unpressurized rover trip would only last hours because the astronauts would be in spacesuits for the entire trek. A pressurized rover could sustain astronauts for a much longer trip, lasting days or weeks."
+ Read Article (SpaceDaily)
"Russia has suggested that the European Space Agency (ESA) take part in the development of a new manned spaceship, which can be used for both flights to the International Space Station (ISS) and to other planets, Anatoly Perminov, chief of the Federal Space Agency (FSA), has said during an Internet briefing.
"It is a question of a promising general-purpose spaceship, the Clipper, which is being developed by the Energia space rocket corporation," Perminov explained.
The FSA chief said, "The Clipper will take the place of the world's most reliable spaceships from the Soyuz family, which get obsolete in both the duration of the use and in components. The Clipper will make it possible to deliver six people to the ISS, not 2-3, as currently is the case. This constitutes the prospect of developing new-generation spaceships, not a shuttle. The Clipper will be adapted not only for flights to the ISS but also for research into the interplanetary space, and expeditions to other planets, including Mars".
+ Read Article (ITAR-TASS)
"Building the next generation spacecraft that would carry American astronauts back to the moon by 2021 takes a tiny but tangible step forward Monday.
By midnight, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will learn how many U.S. interests intend to bid on the first study contracts under Project Constellation."
+ Read Article (UPI)
Editor's Note: The following two documents were recently released for industry to bid on study contracts for Project Constellation:
NASA Office of Exploration Systems Concept Exploration and Refinement BAA Questions and Answers
NASA Office of Exploration Systems BAA - Concept Exploration and Refinement
"The Aldridge Commission recommended that NASA develop a laundry list of technologies. NASA has shown us that their choices in technology developments have led to a dead end. The federal government should be stripped of all non-functional specification decisions. Technology choices should be removed from the realm of the federal government. Leave standard-setting, skunkworks, innovation, and invention to the private sector."
+ Read Editorial (The Space Review)
"A more relaxed attitude, one that says, “We’ll finish the project when we have the money to do so,” will cause lots of problems for both NASA and for the contractors. Turning the NASA centers into federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) is the key to making it work. This will probably be the hardest part of the program, both from a political point of view and in its institutional aspect."
+ Read Editorial (The Space Review)
"Nothing makes NASA’s real funding needs more glaring than the greatly anticipated report by the President’s Commission on Moon, Mars, and Beyond. This report will act as the blueprint for funding NASA’s new responsibilities and exploration goals. When the President made his announcement in January on the bold new vision for America to embrace regarding space, it was stated then and subsequently that all of the goals could be accomplished by basically shuffling money around. This “robbing Peter to pay Paul” approach to program funding is not realistic. There must be dedicated funding—new monies—for these new specific programs, not funds siphoned off from other cancelled programs. Certainly those within NASA sitting on existing budgets for their own programs will fight tooth and nail to preserve them."
+ Read Editorial (The Space Review)
I got an email from a gentleman at Boeing letting me know about this website and if I could add a link to it: "I thought some of your folks would be interested in our site"
+ Visit Website (Boeing)
I have also updated the links area with two new space weblogs - The New Space Age and Spaceship Summer
This week SpaceShipOne, a private venture, brought a human into space and safely back to Earth. Last week, a presidential commission released a report calling for more private involvement in space exploration -- and a change in how NASA does business. We'll talk about the future of space flight, and the role of private industry in exploring space.
Guests:
Maria Zuber - Member, Moon-Mars Commission
Eligar Sadeh - Space Studies professor, University of North Dakota
Elon Musk - CEO, SpaceX
+ Listen to Interview (RealPlayer required)
I have finished a series of incremental upgrades and changes to ProjectConstellation.US.
You will notice a new banner graphic which now highlights both Boeing and Lockheed Martin concepts for the CEV, as well as including the planet Saturn, which represents the "Beyond" aspect of the new "Moon, Mars, and Beyond" vision for the U.S. space program.
These changes included upgrading the site to Movable Type 3.0D, which provides a faster, more robust, and more secure system, especially regarding comments. Up to now, I have had to do a lot of manual legwork to keep this site free from comment spam. This is currently a common problem among weblogs, and will hopefully be significantly abated for us with this new software upgrade.
I am now rolling out the CEV Concept Gallery which has been in the works for some time. It contains a lot of the available Boeing, Lockheed, and NASA concept artwork for the CEV. You can also help me to maintain the concept gallery by requesting a login using the Contact Me link on the left. All you need is a valid email address.
Also note that the About this Weblog page has been revised to reflect the charter of this weblog. A new page called Introducing the CEV has been added for new readers of the site; its content was updated from a previous CEV overview I wrote. A web-based email form has been added to the Contact Me page.
To comment on the site now, you will need to either: have posted a comment in the past, in which case the system should be able to recognize you (let me know otherwise); or, get a TypeKey login which you can use on this site and many other weblogs; or, submit your comment (with a valid email address) for moderation -- then I will need to approve your comment myself before it is viewable to others.
On a personal note, creating and maintaining ProjectConstellation.US has been a very positive experience for me, and I will continue to work hard to bring you news, opinion, and special features as time goes on. I personally can't wait to see astronauts return to the Moon and travel to Mars, and the act of creating information resources like this weblog is how (I believe) I can best help to make the new space vision a reality.
Thanks for visiting ProjectConstellation.US and don't hesitate to contact me with your questions & comments.
A couple of articles posted today regarding yesterday's NASA transformation announcements. If you see any others, post a comment.
NASA Begins to Transform Itself (SpaceRef.com)
NASA Announces Changes (NWTX.com)
This review of the Moon-Mars Report from Universe Today mostly supports the conclusions of the report. The author was repeatedly "nodding his head in agreement".
+ Read Article (Universe Today)
Editor's Note: Now that the site upgrades are done, I will post my take on the Moon-Mars report this weekend. In short, I feel the Moon-Mars report's conclusions are excellent, but the report itself allows too much wiggle-room for NASA and is not strong enough to force NASA to comply.
An article by James Burk, Editor of ProjectConstellation.US
Here's my overview of the new space race between US & other nations, and between NASA & the private sector. Heavily hyperlinked and suitable for mass consumption! :)
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe spoke today to NASA employees and held a press conference on the plan for "transformation" of the agency.
The transformation streamlines NASA into four Mission Directorates: Science, Space Operations, Exploration Systems, and Aeronautics.
Courtesy of Rocketforge
The Weblog "A Voyage to Arcturus" has a good summary of the various editorials reacting to the SpaceShipOne flight.
"The [Moon-Mars] report recommended advancing private investment in space exploration through such actions as tax incentives, for example a tax exemption until a space firm makes five times its original investment in profit; regulatory relief such as relaxing federal risk standards for people willing to go into space; and clearing up currently murky international private property rights for anything made in space.
SpaceShipOne is the biggest step so far in the privatization of our exploration of space. But it's just the first step of many.
[snip]
You can be very sure that Mr. Allen watched every penny being spent by Rutan, and doubtless said "No" to requests for more money more than once. And who do you suppose is Allen's counterpart in Washington, D.C., watching every penny of NASA's budget? That would be Congress. What a joke."
+ Read Editorial (Daily Press)
"The glaring defect in the panel's report was its failure to provide any thoughtful analysis or detailed justification for its proposals. The 60-page document amounts to a pep talk that is too skimpy to be persuasive."
+ Read Editorial (NY Times)
The Aldridge report did not go nearly far enough especially in the recommendations even as it provided sound justification for more immediate and effective policy in the supporting pages.
Here is a Dinkin Commission report, consisting of one member and zero people consulted, on how the President can be remembered in 2504 as Queen Isabella is today.
+ Read Article (The Space Review)
Editor's Note: I am also working on a comprehensive review/rebuttal to the Aldridge Commission report that you will be able to read here within the next couple of days.
"The first non-governmental rocket ship flew to the edge of space today and was piloted to a safe landing on a desert airport runway here.
Civilian test pilot, now turned astronaut Mike Melvill brought SpaceShipOne down to the Mojave Airport tarmac after flying to 100 kilometers (62 miles) in altitude, leaving the Earths atmosphere during his history-making sub-orbital space ride."
Editor's Note: A big win for the privatization of space!
"Converting Kennedy Space Center into a university-run research facility won't work, Florida lawmakers said Thursday.
"Kennedy is an operational center," Rep. Dave Weldon said. "It's not going to be workable."
Weldon and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, said they would oppose any such move at Kennedy Space Center if it involved shuttle and launch operations, currently carried out for the most part by United Space Alliance, a private, for-profit consortium.
+ Read Article (Florida Today)
Editor's Note: Also this tidbit: Brownback said his legislation also would call on the space agency to speed development of a robotic mission to the moon so that could be accomplished by 2008, two years earlier than NASA's current plan.
"This is the time to have a national debate, focusing on the economic benefits, the technology benefits, and the education objectives that are all part of what were doing here." In addition, OKeefe says, he wants to hear from space supporters, including those in the scientific and aerospace communities, whose voices have not been heard.
+ Read Article (Space.com)
Relevant statement: The Commission's recommendations will be reviewed and considered, and NASA will accelerate the transformation it has begun.
+ Read Entire Statement (WhiteHouse.gov)
Editor's Note: Perhaps I am reading into it too much, but I am dismayed by the "we'll take it under consideration" attitude that both the President & NASA Administrator have shown us today.
I will post detailed comments later, but so far I am very impressed and excited about the report and hope that NASA adheres to its recommendations.
Aldridge Says NASA HQ Overhaul; Approval of Agency Budget Top Priorities (Space.com)
Moon-Mars Commission Urges NASA to Change (AP)
Commission suggests elevating NASA to Cabinet status (GovExec.com)
Bush commission urges Nasa reform (BBC)
Private Sector Should Help NASA Get to Moon -Report (Reuters)
Plan for New NASA Unveiled (Discovery.com)
To Mars on a private enterprise starship (Reuters)
White House receives space vision report (CNN)
Commission: NASA Needs To Change (Wired News)
Shooting for the moon or Mars? Think young (USA Today)
Kerry Criticizes Bush for Space Vision (Space.com)
Weblog Commentary:
Overall View Of The Report (Rocketforge)
Aldridge Commission Report is Out (Terrestrial Musings)
Statements by Space Groups:
National Space Society Statement on Aldridge Commission Report (NSS.org)
Planetary Society Statement Concerning the Report (The Planetary Society)
Planetary Society Urges More Focus on International Cooperation and Building Political Consensus (The Planetary Society)
Coalition Praises Aldridge Commission Final Report (Coalition for Space Exploration)
The Final Report is now available from the Moon-Mars Commission. It contains a total of 8 findings and 14 recommendations, meant to transform NASA, focus the government on space exploration, and bolster the private sector to assist with space activities.
+ Download Final Report (PDF)
+ Report Local Mirror (Alternate Download)
The Commission's press conference just wrapped up. NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe will also hold a briefing today at Noon Eastern. NASA TV will likely replay the Moon-Mars Commission press conference later.
Editor's Note: I am reading the report now and will post comments later today. Initially I have a very positive impression of the report and its recommendations, especially regarding the transforming of NASA Centers into FFRDCs and the bolstering of the private sector. I do have questions about how this will actually be done, which I hope will be addressed at the O'Keefe briefing and later releases from NASA.
Commission Urges NASA to Widen Role for Businesses (NY Times)
Panel Suggests Changes at NASA / Report Encourages Some Privatization (Washington Post)
Panel Wants Bigger Corporate Role in Space (AP)
Boeing and NASA push for Bush's space plan (Bloomberg News)
Panel to call for bigger private role in space (Newsday)
Editor's Note: This is just the beginning of a storm of coverage that will continue over the next few days. I saw a blurb already on CNN Headline News about the pending release of the report, that it calls for NASA to seek private sector support, and that the CAIB criticized NASA for its use of private contractors (implying that the CAIB and Moon-Mars reports conflict in their recommendations & need some reconciliation)
Please post a comment if you see any other articles out there... I will do my best to log them on ProjectConstellation.US. I will also attempt to mirror the report here once it's released tomorrow (depending on its download size)
It is, for reasons both pragmatic and poetic. NASA is at a crossroads. At the end of the decade, the space shuttles will have to either be re-certified or retired. Going into the solar system will bring great wealth and human enrichment. The earth will eventually run out of resources; it will eventually be hit by a civilization-destroying asteroid; it will eventually be burned to a cinder by the sun. But space exploration is more than an escape strategy, more than an opportunity for economic gain. Space travel is also about the soul, about the aspiration of the human sprit.
+ Read Editorial (Tech Station Central)
NASA has released the first set of requirements which flesh out the new space vision. Much of this restates the President's agenda from last January, but it is in black & white for NASA bureaucrats to digest. Worth a read.
Mission Statement: NASA shall advance U.S. Scientific, technological, security, and economic interests through a robust human and robotic space exploration program.
+ Read News Release (NASA)
Scientists and the exploration vision (The Space Review)
Report: Business of space must shift / Group to unveil plans this week (Florida Today)
NASA awaits moon panel's recommendations (Daily Press)
The Commission believes that commercialization of space should become the primary focus of the vision, and that the creation of a space-based industry will be one of the principal benefits of this journey, the report states. Today an independent space industry does not really exist. Instead, we have various government funded space programs and their vendors. Over the next several decades -- if the exploration vision is implemented to encourage this -- an entirely new set of businesses can emerge that will seek profit in space.
+ Read Article (Space.com)
Editor's Note: This is AWESOME news! I can't wait to read the report on Wednesday. Still out of town but now I have some internet access & will post the report as soon as it's released.
The final report of the Moon-Mars commission has been delayed until June 16th. I will post it here as soon as it is released.
I will be going out of the country with limited Internet access. Please use this thread to post & discuss any breaking news regarding Project Constellation.
I will try to get online when the Moon-Mars report is released to offer my comments.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Press Conference Announcing Commission Report
WHERE: George Washington University
Jack Morton Auditorium
805 21st Street N.W.
Washington D.C. 20052
WHEN: Thursday, June 10, 2024
9:30 AM embargoed Report available for accredited media review on site
11:00 AM Press Conference
Report will be posted to the Commission Web site, at 11:00 AM on Thursday, 10 Jun 04.
by James Burk
An Article from the Editor of ProjectConstellation.US
The Moon-Mars Commission will release their final report within a few days. In my humble opinion, this is what it should say if we want the new space vision to succeed.
"Congress unlikely to boost budget for 2025 following pitch to send astronauts to moon again and then to Mars. When President John F. Kennedy proposed in May 1961 that Americans land on the moon within the decade, Congress responded quickly, giving NASA an 89 percent budget increase two months later. "
+ Read Article (Newsday.com)
"The director of a Florida research center will lead a study to help NASA determine how to conduct future space exploration, including President Bush's initiative for manned flights to the moon and Mars.
Ken Ford will chair the $592,000, nine-month study, NASA said. Researchers will examine technologies and types of materials that could be used on future space missions, rocket propulsion and communications, said Ford."
+ Read News Release (AP)
Editor's Note: I'm not sure what this study will add that isn't being covered by the Moon-Mars commission and NASA's Office of Exploration; it would be nice for NASA to clarify that. Also, the amount of time & money allocated spawns questions; one could read it as both too high (do we need ANOTHER study, do we need to wait 9 months for it?) or too low (9 months & a somewhat small budget is all they need to determine future space tech?)
"A privately-developed rocket plane will launch into history on June 21 on a mission to become the world's first commercial manned space vehicle. Investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen and aviation legend Burt Rutan have teamed to create the program, which will attempt the first non-governmental flight to leave the earth's atmosphere."
+ Read News Release (Scaled.com)
"The bad news is NASA is getting out of the RLV business. The good news is NASA is getting out of the RLV business. Whatever the reasons, the failed X-30, X-33, X-34, 2nd generation RLV, OSP, and NGLT programs indicate that there is little sustained interest in the NASA culture for building Earth-to-orbit vehicles. The best thing for everyone involved is for NASA, in the future, to stick to its own exploration knitting and leave rocket science to those who are really interested in it."
+ Read Article (The Space Review)
"A Chinese space official has refuted a Western press report from 10 days ago that alleged that financial considerations had forced China to abandon plans to land astronauts on the Moon. That Reuters report from Beijing was widely circulated in the West as evidence that new NASA plans for American astronauts to fly back to the Moon would not be justified as part of some new Space Race, this time between the U.S. and China."
+ Read Article (MSNBC)
Editor's Note: This is in the rumors category because I consider everything that Chinese officials say as rumor. (I'm also not a big fan of the self-serving Oberg.) The Chinese frequently contradict each other about the goals & timelines of their space program, as this story further evidences. Personally, I would never write anything off about the Chinese going back to the Moon and onto Mars, nor would I write off Russia, Japan, India, Brazil, or Europe. This is a new century with many nations full of dreams for the future, and if America is not able to maintain the current momentum of exploring the solar system, others will surely claim the lead.