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This week in The Space Review… Mars 2021 and the quest for direction in human spaceflightLast week, a Congressional committee held a hearing about whether NASA should adopt a human Mars flyby concept developed last year by Inspiration Mars. Jeff Foust reports on the debate at the hearing about a 2021 Mars flyby mission, and demands from policymakers for more details from NASA about its human space exploration plans in general. The Affording Mars Workshop: background and recommendationsIn December, a team of experts convened in Washington to examine how to carry out “affordable” human missions to Mars in the next two to three decades. Harley Thronson and Chris Carberry discuss the background of the workshop and the recommendations they developed to make such missions feasible. Apollo 9: testing the lunar moduleMonday marks the 45th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 9, an Apollo mission that never left Earth orbit yet was a key step in the journey to the Moon. Anthony Young recounts this mission that provided the first opportunity for astronauts to fly the Lunar Module. Review: MicrolaunchersCan small launch vehicles disrupt the space industry in the same way that microcomputers did to the computing industry decades ago? Jeff Foust reviews a book that makes that argument, but doesn’t necessarily convince the reader. Previous articles:Rocket science on a shoestringNewSpace is often aligned in the minds of many with major companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic. Yet, as James Careless describes, there is plenty of action among much smaller ventures, where people have to learn to creative with small teams and smaller budgets. Shining light on dark matterRoughly a quarter of the universe is made of matter whose gravitational effects can be felt, but which can’t easily be seen. Jeff Foust reports on efforts in space and underground to try and detect the hypothesized particles believed to comprise dark matter. Elon’s elanLike Robert Heinlein’s Delos Harriman, the man in The Man Who Sold the Moon, watching humanity’s progress into space can seem like a narrative primarily about one man. Sam Dinkin tracks Elon Musk’s progress this year toward settling Mars. Orbital debris: resource ladder to the starsThe growing population of orbital debris poses hazards to the satellites that modern society relies upon. However, Al Anzaldua argues that efforts to clean up orbital debris can also develop technologies needed for expanding our economy and our presence into the solar system. Review: Branson: Behind the MaskMany in the space community are growing impatient with Virgin Galactic as development of its SpaceShipTwo program encounters extended delays. Jeff Foust reviews a book about Virgin’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, that offers a sharply critical look at the company, but one that may also be factually flawed. EELV’s era of transitionThe US Air Force announced recently a “bulk buy” of EELV rockets from United Launch Alliance that it claims will save the government billions of dollars. Stewart Money argues that such savings may prove elusive and that the government’s EELV strategy should be reconsidered given the rise of new entrants like SpaceX. Who framed Jade Rabbit?For a time last week, Western media widely reported that China’s Yutu, or “Jade Rabbit,” lunar rover had died, only to have officials sources state that the rover was alive, if not completely well. Jeff Foust examines both the faults in the erroneous media coverage and the lack of official information about the mission. “The All-American Boy”: Walt Cunningham speaks on Apollo 7 and moreHe may have flown only once in space, but Apollo astronaut Walt Cunningham remains one of the better-known figures of that era and beyond. Shane Hannon interviews Cunningham about both Apollo 7 and more contemporary topics, including his thoughts on the future of human space exploration. Review: The MartianThere have been, over the years, many science fiction stories of human Mars mission gone awry. Jeff Foust reviews a new book that offers a different but compelling take on that, a “hard” science fiction story of one astronaut’s quest to survive after being left behind on Mars. A decadal survey for human scientific exploration of space: a focus on discoveryWinning broad support for human space exploration efforts, be they to the Moon, asteroids, or Mars, has long been challenging. Matt Greenhouse argues its time for human spaceflight at NASA to adopt the approach for choosing missions that has generated considerable success for the agency’s science programs. Balancing safety and cost in commercial human spaceflightAs companies develop commercial spacecraft to carry private citizens and NASA astronauts on suborbital and orbital flights, some worry that safety could be sacrificed to lower costs. Jeff Foust reports on the debate regarding NASA’s commercial crew effort and a proposal to extend a “learning period” for commercial providers that limits FAA regulation. Why not return to the Moon? (part 2)In the second part of his examination of the future of lunar exploration, Anthony Young looks at a new NASA initiative to support commercial robotic lunar landers and the role it could play in stimulating later human missions back to the Moon. Review: X-15This year, rocket-powered winged vehicles will be flying in the skies above the Mojave Desert, as two commercial ventures test their vehicles. Jeff Foust reviews a book that looks back a half century to a time when another rocketplane flew as high, and far faster, in those same skies. Kepler’s second actLast summer, NASA announced that the Kepler spacecraft could not continue its mission to look for exoplanets because of failed reaction wheels on the spacecraft. Jeff Foust reports on how the project is trying to bring new life to the spacecraft with an alternative mission, as other spacecraft seek to follow in Kepler’s footsteps. Ranger: America’s first successful lunar programAs China’s ongoing lunar mission, Chang’e-3, struggled with problems with its rover, it’s worth remembering the problems early American lunar missions encountered. Andrew LePage examines the failure of a Ranger mission 50 years ago, and how it paved the way for successful missions that followed. Why not return to the Moon? (part 1)Four years ago, NASA set aside plans for a human return to the Moon in the foreseeable future in favor of expeditions to asteroids and Mars. In the first of a two-part article, Anthony Young reexamines the potential scientific, geopolitical, and commercial benefits of reconsidering human lunar exploration. Review: Challenger: An American TragedyMore than a quarter of a century after the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger, is there anything more that can be written about that fatal accident? Jeff Foust reviews a short ebook that does offer a new perspective from the person who was the voice of launch control. Commercial crew’s critical yearNASA’s commercial crew program is facing an important year in 2014, as it selects one or more companies for the next phase of development. Jeff Foust reports on the budgetary pressures the program is facing and one company’s redoubled efforts to remain a part of the program. Achieving cheap access to space: the foundation of commercialization (part 2)In the concluding section of his book excerpt, Charles Miller discusses how competition and public private partnerships, key to early aviation a century ago, can help the US achieve cheap access to space. A brief look at the legal and political implications of Japan’s space debris removal plansJapan is planning to demonstrate in orbit in the coming weeks an electromagnetic tether that could be used to help remove space debris. Michael Listner examines some of the legal and political issues associated with that effort that could pose challenges as great as any technical ones. Celebrating spaceThis week is a somber one for many in the space community, given the confluence of the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia anniversaries. Ken Murphy describes how the rest the the year offers more upbeat opportunities to commemorate and celebrate spaceflight. Review: Wheels StopTwo and a half years after the end of the last Space Shuttle mission, the program is firmly in NASA’s past, even if it still casts a shadow on the agency today. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines the history of the Shuttle program post-Challenger, with interviews of many of the astronauts who flew on those missions. Achieving cheap access to space: the foundation of commercialization (part 1)Many people agree that low-cost space access is important to the future of spaceflight, but there’s no consensus about how to achieve it. In the first of a two-part excerpt from a new book, Charles Miller looks back to the early history of aviation for lessons that can be applied to spaceflight. A blurred vision, but a persistent goalAs many in the space community celebrated the final 2014 NASA budget last week, they overlooked a very different milestone: the tenth anniversary of the presidential speech announcing the Vision for Space Exploration. Jeff Foust looks back on than anniversary and how some are carrying on a goal that survived the Vision’s demise: sending humans to Mars. Launch failures: normal, healthy paranoiaTo outsiders, those involved with launch campaigns can appeared obsessed with details to the point of paranoia. Wayne Eleazer discusses how this is a normal and even healthy attitude to take, given the hard lessons companies have learned over the years. Review: Safe Is Not an OptionNASA officials and others frequently emphasize the priority safety has in human spaceflight. Jeff Foust reviews a book that makes the argument that safety is, in fact, being overemphasized at the expense of making significant progress in space exploration. Four more years: The US seeks to extend the ISS, but will its partners join?Last week, the White House and NASA announced that the US wants to operate the International Space Station to at least 2024, four years later than previously planned. Jeff Foust reports on the reaction to those plans both in the US and among the international partners, who have yet to agree to such an extension. Why greens should be pro-spaceA recent op-ed criticized space tourism for being environmentally unfriendly, with a carbon footprint per person much larger than for commercial aviation. Joe Mascaro makes the case that environmentalists should actually embrace the growing opportunities of commercial spaceflight. Doing the right thing when it’s steamboat timeMuch of the criticism regarding the Space Launch System has been about its large size and cost. John Strickland argues that the true root of the SLS’s costs is not that it’s large, but that it is expendable, and thus unaffordable. The International Lunar DecadeAs more nations and companies show an interest in going to the Moon and making use of its resources, a regime to effectively govern access to those resources may be needed. Vid Beldavs discusses a proposal to study those resources and develop technologies to access them within the framework of an existing treaty. What’s a space exploration program for?As heads of space agencies meet in Washington this week for a space exploration conference, some in the US call for a change in direction in NASA’s human spaceflight program. Jeff Foust reports on several views of what NASA should be doing, as proposed in a new book. Shooting the news from low Earth orbit: An interview with Mark E. Brender, Executive Director of the DigitalGlobe FoundationThe news media has become one of the major users of imagery from commercial satellites. Dwayne Day interviews one of the pioneers of such use of commercial imagery, offering his perspectives as someone who worked first in the media and then for one of the commercial remote sensing companies. GSLV-D5 success: A major “booster” to India’s space programOn Sunday, India launched successfully for the first time a version of its large GSLV rocket with an indigenously-developed cryogenic upper stage. Ajey Lele discusses the significance of this milestone for India’s space program and its future plans. First west, then eastGovernment agencies and companies have struggled for decades to develop feasible one- or two-stage reusable launch vehicles (RLVs). Ronald Menich describes how a three-stage RLV, while seemingly more complex, could be done today without any major technological breakthroughs. US citizens: demand maximum support for NASA’s Commercial Crew ProgramThis is a key year for NASA’s commercial crew efforts, and funding decisions in the coming weeks could determine the future of the program. Rick Boozer argues why the program deserves full funding. Arrival of the “New Era” in US space policyA confluence of several events, including activities inside and outside the United States, threatens to reshape national space policy. Roger Handberg argues these events are the latest evidence of a new era in space policy that further distances the country from the Apollo paradigm. Can Gravity attract attention to the orbital debris problem?Nearly three months after its release, the film Gravity is collecting accolades and award nominations, but can the movie’s success translate to greater interest in the real problem of orbital debris? Jeff Foust reports on a recent panel session that examined how well the movie matched up with reality when it comes to orbital debris. A legal regime for lunar peaks of eternal lightSome of the most valuable real estate in the solar system beyond Earth may turn out to be peaks in the lunar polar regions that get near-continuous sunlight. Babak Shakouri examines the legal issues associated with access to those regions and proposes a solution to make them as freely available as possible. Sweating the small stuff in space policyThe space community frequently focuses only on big-picture issues, from the size of the NASA budget to the direction of its exploration program. Jeff Foust examines several lesser-known policy issues that are also critical to government and commercial space activities. Apollo 8: humanity’s first voyage to the MoonAs China returns to the Moon this month, the US remembers the anniversary of another major milestone in lunar exploration. Anthony Young recounts the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon, which launched 45 years ago this week. A small step for Mars settlement, but a giant leap of funding requiredMars One, the private venture with plans to settle Mars in the 2020s, announced last week plans to develop a precursor robotic mission for launch in 2018. Jeff Foust reports on the announcement and the challenges the venture faces beyond building spacecraft hardware. Review: From Dust to LifeThe formation of the solar system from a cloud of dust and gas turns out to be far more complicated than what even recent models suggested. Jeff Foust reviews a book that provides a detailed overview of the formation of the planets, moons, and other bodies that comprise the solar system. It’s not bragging if you do itChina’s successful launch of its Chang’e-3 lunar lander mission do more for the country than the science alone the spacecraft will perform. Dwayne Day examines the potential “soft power” benefits of the mission, and its limitations as well. Blue Origin takes another small step towards human spaceflightBlue Origin, the commercial space company funded by Jeff Bezos, has developed a reputation as a secretive company, but even it sometimes wants to share its progress. Jeff Foust reports on the company’s announcement of a engine development milestone and what it means for its suborbital and orbital vehicle plans. How to form the Lunar Development Corporation to implement the Moon TreatyThe issue of property rights in space remains a major obstacle to commercial development on the Moon and beyond. Vid Beldavs proposes a solution that could promote commercial lunar activities while working within the framework of an existing, and controversial, treaty. Reviews: creative approaches to space booksWhile space-related books follow some familiar themes, there’s room for some creativity when talking about history, science, or other topics. Jeff Foust reviews three books that offer a twist on conventional space-related books. As China goes to the Moon, prize teams stay in the raceThe launch Sunday of China’s first lunar lander mission is a setback for the private teams in the Google Lunar X PRIZE competition, who hoped they, and not China, would be the next to land a spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. Jeff Foust reports on how some teams are taking different approaches to continue their efforts to win the prize, as the rules for winning the prize are tweaked again. Red Moon, Blue MoonAs China sends its first lander and rover to the Moon, NASA has no firm plans to carry out a similar mission, although there is no shortage of mission concepts. Dwayne Day examines some of the proposals for networks of landers and sample return missions that are seeking funding from the space agency. Aligning forces to reawaken the American DreamPolitical gridlock and tight budgets in a tough economy have made it difficult for NASA and other research agencies of the government to win additional funding for their programs. Eric Hedman argues for a combined effort by space advocates and others to win increased R&D funding for NASA and others that, in the long run, will help the economy and national standing. Review: Two books on astrobiologyAstrobiology is a relatively new and diverse field that provides plenty of topics for discussion. Jeff Foust reviews two new books on the topic, one focused on the search for habitable worlds and the other examining the ethical issues of encountering life, primitive or intelligent, elsewhere in the universe. Burning thunderAs NASA works on the initial version of its Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket, companies are working on concepts to increase the SLS’s capabilities. Dwayne Day describes one effort that makes use of a version of the F-1 rocket developed for the Saturn V. Inspiration Mars: from nonprofit venture to space policy adventureWhen Inspiration Mars first announced their plans for a human Mars flyby mission in February, their plan was to fund it philanthropically. Now, Jeff Foust reports, the foundation is seeking NASA support, and funding, to make the mission a reality, a challenge as daunting as any technical issue their mission faces. The Obligation and the vision of space settlementLong-time space settlement advocate Vidvuds Beldavs discusses his history in space advocacy and how a new novel rekindled his vision of humans working and living in space. Review: To Orbit and Back AgainThe Space Shuttles have been retired, but there remains fascination about how these very capable, but very complex, vehicles flew. Jeff Foust reviews a book that dives deep into the technical details about the shuttles and their operations. Life after COTSLast week, as NASA celebrated the successful end of its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, it said it was looking to apply the COTS model to other programs. Jeff Foust reports on those concepts, from the ongoing commercial crew program to one company’s proposal to apply COTS to cislunar human spaceflight. For NASA, the best of times and the worst of timesWhile many of NASA’s human spaceflight programs appear to be making good progress, all is not necessarily well. Douglas Messier warns that funding crunches could jeopardize the overall future of NASA’s human spaceflight efforts. “Hey, we’re going to Mars!”: MAVEN prepares for launchNASA’s MAVEN Mars mission is scheduled for launch Monday afternoon, weather permitting. Jeff Foust provides an update on launch preparations and how the mission fits into NASA’s broader Mars plans. Space in the Lone Star StateSpace activity in Texas has traditionally been most closely linked to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, but commercial space is changing that. Jonathan Coopersmith examines those changes as discussed at a conference in the state last month. Review: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on EarthChris Hadfield became a celebrity during his time on the space station earlier this year, thanks in large part to his use of social media. Jeff Foust reviews Hadfield’s switch to conventional media: a book that is as much a memoir as it a guide to helping readers achieve their own goals. Red isotopesChina’s upcoming Chang’e-3 mission, besides being that country’s first lunar rover, will also make use of radioisotopes for the first time. Dwayne Day examines what’s known about Chinese efforts to develop plutonium systems to heat and possibly power spacecraft. More missions than moneySpace science is in a golden age today thanks in large part to the fleet of NASA missions studying the solar system and the universe. However, Jeff Foust reports that NASA budgets, squeezed ever tighter by sequestration and other policy decisions, could force NASA to soon make some tough decisions about what missions it can afford to continue operating. India’s Mars Mission: the media converts science to a soap operaIndia’s first mission to Mars met with criticism inside and outside of India, as many saw it as a sign of misplaced priorities by the government. Ajey Lele addresses those criticisms and makes the case that India can carry out a space exploration program while improving the quality of life for its citizens. To Mars with no ambiguity of purposeLast week India successfully launched its first mission to Mars, at a cost a fraction of NASA and other Western efforts. Bee Thakore argues this is evidence of India’s innovative approach to spaceflight that can benefit both India and other nations. Review: Alien UniverseAlthough the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has turned up empty-handed so far, there’s been no shortage of speculation, in science and fiction, of what alien civilizations might be like. Jeff Foust reviews a book that looks at how society has perceived what “Aliens” might be like versus the best ideas of science. In search of other EarthsScientists are meeting in California this week for the Second Kepler Science Conference. Jeff Foust reports on some recent discoveries that are bringing astronomers to the goal of the mission: determining how frequent planets like the Earth are in the galaxy. Re-thinking the National Security Space Strategy: Chinese vs. American perceptions of space deterrenceMost people associate a launch vehicle with a rocket, but that’s not necessarily the case. Jeff Foust reports on a new venture that plans high-altitude passenger balloon flights with a system newly classified as a launch vehicle by the FAA. Plagiarism in several space history articlesRobert Kennedy and Dwayne Day investigate several serious cases of plagiarism of space history articles by one writer. Review: GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to SmartphonesSatellite navigation systems are, today, almost taken for granted as they’re incorporated into many aspects of our life. William Mellberg reviews a book that examines the history of the development of the Global Positioning System and its evolution from a secret military initiative to a modern-day public utility. Visit the Archive for additional articles. |
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