Monday, October 15, 2018

Waking Up to China’s Space Dream

In such a future, where China establishes space dominance, it is likely that we will see the establishment of China-driven “specially managed zones” and China-led adjudication courts to settle disputes. It is highly likely that China will establish dispute mechanisms for space once it establishes “specially managed zones,” say on the lunar surface, or establishes a permanent space presence. That has been the trajectory of its international initiatives here on earth, to include its behavior in the Antarctic.

Imperialism

A space-based survey, not luck, must be our plan against hazardous asteroids
Beta, Wildside, Israeli Trio Team On Drama ‘German Moon’ About NASA Space Mission
HOW WILL NASA TRANSFORM BY JOINING FORCES WITH PRIVATE SPACE TRAVEL
Sino-Dutch team claim cleaner coal-to-liquid fuel conversion

SpaceIL's spacecraft in a series of environmental tests on its way to th...





Israel shoots for the moon.

Friday, October 12, 2018

Russian Soyuz rocket failure leaves NASA with no ride to International Space Station

NASA and the Roscosmos, the Russian state enterprise that handles spaceflight for that country, now has a big problem on their hands.

A Soyuz spacecraft headed for the International Space Station experienced a launch failure early Thursday. The good news is that the two passengers, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin have landed safe and have been picked up by a search and rescue helicopter. The bad news is that there is now no reliable means of taking crew to and from the ISS.

Israel’s first mission to the moon – to launch on a Falcon 9 – delayed a few weeks
Moon matters: Why NASA, SpaceX and others are aiming for lunar missions
18,000 Pages Of NASA Archives Uncover JFK's Speech Strategy That Inspired The Moon Landing
Japanese startup ispace is tapping Apollo-era expertise to build lunar landers for NASA
So Can We Terraform Mars or Not?
Update on Opportunity Rover after Martian Dust Storm

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Europa or Enceladus? If NASA switches from SLS to Falcon Heavy, it won’t have to choose

However, a way may be found to do both. The Europa Clipper and Europa Lander are envisioned to be launched to Jupiter space by NASA’s planned heavy-lift Space Launch System. The SLS will be able to lob huge payloads toward Jupiter on a direct flight path, avoiding the time-consuming gravity assist maneuvers that previous probes to the outer planets have had to use.

The problem with the Space Launch System is that it is a fully expendable rocket that could cost between $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion to launch. NASA is struggling to make the SLS more affordable to operate, but the sad fact is that using the heavy-lift rocket is a great expense for the missions to Europa. NASA does have the option of using a commercial rocket, say the SpaceX Falcon Heavy, to launch the twin missions to Europa.

Draper bids on NASA commercial lunar lander competition
Defying Henry VIII And you thought Trump was not a man to be crossed.
There’s a new report on SLS rocket management, and it’s pretty brutal Apparently Boeing has screwed the pooch on this one.
Hubble Space Telescope Malfunction Won't Last Long, NASA Says
The Universe Has A Speed Limit, And It Isn't The Speed Of Light
Scientists connect 3 actual human brains
How to avoid a bloated Space Force

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Children of Apollo (3 Book Series) July, 1969, the crew of Apollo 11 has triumphantly returned to Earth. In this alternate history thriller, President Richard Nixon puts into a motion a scheme to ramp up the space race to pressure the Soviets into making diplomatic and military concessions. Thus begins a story of high adventure on the final frontier and of low intrigue in the corridors of power back on Earth. It will prove to be the fulfillment of a dream for Wendy Pendleton to be the first woman to walk on the moon. It will be a nightmare for Cal Lauren, a political operative determined to stop the space race at all costs to fund the social programs he holds dear. A science fiction alternate history like none other.
Richard Branson says Virgin Galactic will be in space for test flights 'in weeks not months'
Japan space tourist says moon training 'shouldn't be too hard'
Democrats Are Losing Because They Believe Their Own Press
Europa Lander Could be Greeted by Massive Ice Spikes
The 7 Wild Energy Technologies That Just Got a Billion-Dollar Boost

Thursday, October 04, 2018

ASTROBOTIC ANNOUNCES JOINT 
ECUADORIAN-COLOMBIAN PAYLOAD PARTNERSHIP TO THE MOON
Jeff Bezos explains why Blue Origin is 'the most important work I'm doing'
A shadowy op-ed campaign is now smearing SpaceX in space cities
U.K.'s Healthcare Horror Stories Ought To Curb Dems' Enthusiasm for Single-Payer
Most ambitious Mercury mission yet will explore mysteries of innermost planet
FLY ME TO THE MOON: NASA BOOST FOR FIRST ISRAELI LUNAR LANDER
In a 'significant step,' Blue Origin is building a second facility on the Space Coast
'Moon Race' Backed by Blue Origin, Airbus Aims for 2024 Lunar Flight

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

NASA telethons? PBS model should be fundraising moonshot

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine recently suggested that the space agency seek corporate sponsorships to help augment the meager appropriations Congress grants it to do everything from exploring the solar system to operating the International Space Station. Ideas range from selling naming rights to spacecraft to allowing astronauts to endorse products in exchange for advertising fees.

A Brother on the Moon or what if Major Robert Lawrence had lived?
First Man is the moon landing experience my generation is missing Related: Children of Apollo
THE PHYSICS OF LAUNCHING A LUNAR LANDER FROM THE MOON'S SURFACE
Amazon Raises Minimum Wage to $15 for All U.S. Employees, Including Full-Time, Part-Time, Temporary, and Seasonal
Beto O’Rourke Apologizes for Comment About ‘Phenomenally Large Breasts and Tight Buttocks’
NASA needs to return to ‘pushing our boundaries,’ says Neil Armstrong’s son
Hundreds of People Have Died Taking Selfies, Study Says
Why NASA's manned Mars missions start with the moon

Monday, October 01, 2018

The Moon Race - Introduction





Moon Race
Robert ‘Beto’ O’Rourke is doing surprisingly well in Texas

One of the most astonishing political developments of the 2018 midterm elections is the race between Rep. Robert “Beto” O’Rourke, a Democrat, and Sen. Ted Cruz, the Republican incumbent, for a United States Senate seat in Texas. While O’Rourke has never led Cruz in any poll, he has been unexpectedly close in some, especially considering that Texas is a deep red state. O’Rourke has been as close as one point in the Emerson Poll, but the most recent poll performed by Quinnipiac has him nine points back. Nevertheless, Real Clear Politics has judged the race a tossup.

Would Trump’s “Space Force” Patrol the Moon?
Sex Crimes Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell COMPLETELY EXONERATES Judge Kavanaugh in NEW REPORT
The first “social network” of brains lets three people transmit thoughts to each other’s heads
U.S. reaches trade deal with Canada and Mexico, providing Trump a crucial win
Is NASA getting its mojo back?
Moon Express raises $12.5 million