End of Conspiracy Theories? Spacecraft Snoops Apollo Moon Sites

A European spacecraft now orbiting the Moon could turn out to be a time machine of sorts as it photographs old landing sites of Soviet robotic probes and the areas where American Apollo crews set down and explored.

New imagery of old Apollo touchdown spots, from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) SMART-1 probe, might put to rest conspiratorial thoughts that U.S. astronauts didn’t go the distance and scuff up the lunar landscape. NASA carried out six piloted landings on the Moon in the time period 1969 through 1972.

+ Read Article (Space.com)

At the Moon Again! SMART-1 Returns First Close-Ups

The European Space Agency's SMART-1 spacecraft has sent back the first close-up pictures of the Moon taken in more than five years.

The test observations show three views of ancient impact craters on the pockmarked lunar surface.

SMART-1, Europe's first Moon mission, used a high-tech ion engine to gradually escape Earth's gravity after launch on Sept. 27, 2023. The slow-and-steady propulsion system makes for a cheaper mission compared to conventional rocketry. The craft spiraled outward for months, then entered a wide lunar orbit on Nov. 15 after the longest trip to the Moon ever made. It has been circling closer and closer to the Moon the past two months.

+ Read Article (Space.com)

Huygens lands on Titan

A European probe has landed on Saturn's moon Titan a mysterious satellite that has perplexed astronomers for decades. The probe's landing is the farthest touchdown for any human-built object to set land on another world.

Space.com Mission Coverage

Cassini Snaps Closest Images Ever of Saturn's Moon Titan

NASA released some of the best pictures ever made of Saturn's moon Titan as the Cassini spacecraft begins a close-up inspection of the satellite today. Cassini made the nearest flyby ever of the smog-shrouded moon.

+ Read Article (Space.com)

Privately Funded Falcon-1 Rocket Nears First Flight

"Time is drawing closer for the maiden liftoff of the privately financed Falcon 1 launch vehicle, built by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of El Segundo, California.

But the march to the launch pad has not been easy. The firm has encountered engine troubles, supplier problems, mounds of regulatory paperwork and other costly woes requiring far more money to be spent than initially projected.

The SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket is headed for a September delivery to Launch Complex 3 West at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Once in position, the launcher will undergo an on-the-pad firing of its main engine, leading to a potential first flight towards the end of November.

+ Read Article (Space.com)

Manned mission likely in 7-8 years: ISRO

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair today indicated that the Country can launch a manned mission to Space in seven to eight years timeframe.

Talking to newspersons here, he said a National debate should be carried out whether India should go in for such an expensive programme, which might cost the Exchequer around Rs 10,000 crore.

+ Read Article (The Hindu)

Editor's Note: Also coming out today is an AP Story which basically says the exact opposite. Seems like the chinese all of the sudden with conflicting statements... so it would be foolish to count them out, I think.

Cosmos 1, The World's First Solar Sail Spacecraft

"With the delivery of all electronic systems, Cosmos 1 -- the world's first solar sail craft -- achieved a critical milestone today in its countdown towards its launch later this year or early in 2025."

+ Read Press Release (The Planetary Society)

Editor's Note: Been following this for a few years. It's great to see this finally approaching launch.

NASA begins moon return effort

"Inside NASA, planners have begun to assemble teams that are looking deep inside President George W. Bush's new vision of space exploration. Their goal: define the characteristics of the first new piloted spaceship since the space shuttle, and establish the initial steps and stages by which these new craft will attempt a series of moon landings.

Inside NASA's Exploration Mission Directorate, a requirements group is busily working to put substance into the new assault on the moon."

+ Read Article (UPI)

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission Takes Shape

NASA engineers are hard at work on a lunar spacecraft expected to be the first in a wave of robotic probes that will pave the way for future human missions.

The spacecraft, called the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), is the first mission out of the gate under NASA’s space vision of sending more robot and human explorers beyond Earth orbit.

+ Read Article (Space.com)

SpaceShipOne Makes History: First Manned Private Spaceflight

"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 Earth’s atmosphere during his history-making sub-orbital space ride."

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Editor's Note: A big win for the privatization of space!

A New 'Constellation' At NASA

"NASA's headquarters in Washington, D.C., are now bustling with activity in the wake of President George W. Bush's plan, announced last Jan. 14, to revitalize the U.S. space program. Just as Project Apollo encompassed the attempt to reach the moon in the 1960s, the agency has named its new effort.
...
NASA is developing 15 White Papers -- a series of in-depth trade studies that would give detailed attention to each element of the Bush space plan -- moonships, Mars craft, new space boosters, advanced robots, new power technologies to run bases on the moon and expeditions out into deeper space venues."

+ Read Article (UPI)

Editor's Note: This article contains mention of the official logo for Project Constellation: "Three spheres --Earth, the moon and Mars -- are arrayed in sequence, with the streak of a rocket passing through each. A Latin inscription on the emblem says "Audentes Fortuna Juvat," which, translated into English, says "Fortune Favors the Bold."

If anybody comes across this logo, please contact me at jb-at-projectconstellation.us

Report of the NASA Science Definition Team for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter

The Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) affords an exciting and unprecedented opportunity to explore a part of the solar system identified by the National Academy of Sciences as critical in the search for life's origins and the understanding of planetary evolution. The Science Definition Team for JIMO consisted of 38 scientists representing the community interested in the exploration of the Jupiter system, with a focus on Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

+ Read News Release

NASA turns down Russia's request for year-long ISS crews

I am somewhat shocked that NASA turned town this proposal. It was seemingly "right up the alley" for the plans of future long-term human space missions, and while it would have entailed some amount of risk, it would also have advanced the cause. At the same time, it was not a very pioneering proposal, since several Russian cosmonauts (including past ISS crewmember Sergei Krikalev) have already spent over a year in orbit. But at least it would have put the U.S. program in the same class as the Russian's long duration research program.

I think this decision, coupled with the decision not to maintain Hubble, coupled with the lack of concrete CEV plans, coupled with other recent risk-averse policies, coupled with comments made by NASA managers & administrators, shows that NASA is still a risk-averse culture and shows the agency isn't serious about the new initiative to return to the Moon and go on to Mars. If we are to get to these destinations, is new leadership of the U.S. space program in order?

Incidientally, I really hope I'm wrong.

+ NASA Response to Russia's Request to Extend Next ISS Expedition to One Year in Length (NASA Release)
+ NASA says no to 12-month space mission (MSNBC)
+ NASA Rejects Russia Plan for Longer Space Missions (Reuters)

NASA's Moon-Mars Plans Take Shape

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 NASA’s 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.

+ Read Article