CSExtra – Monday, November 22, 2010

Nov 22, 2010 | Blog, Coalition News, CSExtra

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Monday’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space activities from around the world, including a look back at weekend events. The Air Force launches a new U.S. reconnaissance satellite. Details on remarks from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden on his recent trip to China. The International Academy of Astronautics offers a road map for wider cooperation in human and robotic exploration, Earth observation and disaster response. NASA software improves medical imaging. Women make gains in the aerospace profession. Photographs from astronauts aboard the International Space Station reveal the Earth in a new light. More on one-way trips to Mars.

1. From  Spaceflightnow.com, Nov. 21: A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy launched a National Reconnaissance Office payload Sunday night. The classified satellite is reported to be among the largest spacecraft ever launched. A large antenna enables the spacecraft to intercept communications signals.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d351/

2. From Space News, Nov. 19: In an address to employees at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center,  NASA Administrator Charles  Bolden discusses future cooperation in space, following his visit to China in October. The head of China’s civilian and anti-satellite programs informed the NASA chief that neither nation needs to cooperate to make space strides. How Bolden notes that by working together the two powers could accomplish great things.  The conditions for cooperation include transparency in actions; a spirit of reciprocity; and an exchange of mutual benefits, says Bolden. Bolden’s Nov. 16 remarks at Marshall were off limits to reporters.
 
3. From Spacepolicyonline.com, Nov. 19: The current budget Continuing Resolution for a large number of federal agencies, including NASA, expires on Dec. 3. What the lame duck Congress will do next, another CR or a $1.1 trillion omnibus appropriations bill for 2011, is unclear.  The Omnibus includes changes for NASA negotiated between the Congress and the Administration this year, including Constellation’s termination, a new heavy lift rocket and work on a capsule for human deep space exploration. The web sites offers a summary of the debate.
http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1227:outlook-for-fy2011-appropriations-remains-murky&catid=67:news&Itemid=27
 
4. From Space News, Nov. 19: NASA Administrator Charles Bolden makes the case for an additional space shuttle mission using Atlantis in mid-2011. The supply mission to the International Space Station can help fill a gap between an anticipated delay in the launch of supplies using new NASA fostered commercial space transportation systems. From Bolden’s Nov. 16 remarks to Marshall Space Flight Center employees.
 
5. From Spacepolicyonline.com, Nov. 20: Twenty-eight nations, gathered under the banner of the International Academy of Astronautics in Washington on Nov. 17, discuss future cooperation in four areas, human and robotic exploration, climate change and disaster management.  They suggest the safe and responsible use of space will be accomplished  through confidence, trust, transparency and best practices.
http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1230:space-agency-heads-endorse-declaration-for-more-international-cooperation&catid=91:news&Itemid=84

 

6. From Discovery.com, Nov. 21:  Using software developed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to study the Earth with satellites, imaging expert James Tilton develops an application for use in medical MRIs, mammograms, ultra sound and digital x-rays. “It’s like going from standard display to high definition display,” explains Tilton. The work, which has been under way since 1993, adds color and new definition to imagery used to make medical diagnosis.
http://news.discovery.com/space/nasa-software-imaging-hospitals.html

 7. From the Denver Post, Nov. 21:  Women are on the rise in the aerospace profession, Nov. 21.  More enrolling in engineering schools, gaining visibility in executive positions.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_16664239
 
 8. From The Coalition for Space Exploration, Nov. 19: Scientists use new CubeSats, small satellites, to examine what happens when satellites are struck and damaged by interstellar dust.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/blog/cubesat-canopy-experiment-dealing-with-interplanetary-flyspecks

 

9. From Space.com, Nov. 20:  On Nov. 16, a 10-foot wide asteroid, 2010WA, sped within 24,000 miles of the Earth. Too small to pose a hazard, the close pass nonetheless illustrates the threat the Earth faces from near Earth objects.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/scienceastronomy/tiny-asteroid-passing-earth-spins-fast-101120.html

10. From Space.com, Nov. 19: A low cost Minotaur 4 rocket lifts off late Nov. 19 with four satellites including a solar sail experiment. The $170 million mission was sponsored by the Air Force Space Test Program. The Orbital Sciences Corp rocket lifted off from the Alaska Aerospace Corp Kodiak Launch Complex.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/missionlaunches/rocket-launches-solar-sail-satellites-from-alaska-101119.html

11. From the Associated Press via the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Florida Today and others, Nov. 19-20:  Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are using Twitter and other social media to shower Earthlings with dazzling photos of the Earth.  The strategy of showing the Earth in a new light is working.
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/wire/sns-ap-us-sci-earth-from-space,0,3968222.story

12. From Florida Today, Nov. 21:  A revived debate over one-way trips to Mars by early explorers is legitimate, according to Florida Today space columnist John Kelly.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101121/COLUMNISTS0405/11210317/1086/John+Kelly++Astronauts+are+true+explorers

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