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Thursday’s CSExtra offers a roundup of the latest reporting on space activities from around the world: In Washington, Congress adjourns leaving most of the federal government working under a budgetary Continuing Resolution that will remain in effect through March 4. At NASA, that means sorting through which programs it can and can’t pursue under a combination of legislation governing activities for 2010 as well as 2011. A look at the top space stories for 2010. NASA unveils its top spin offs. A fresh look at the merits of a human lunar base. More scrutiny of NASA’s arsenic loving bacteria announcement. One astute astronomer’s views on how the universe ends.
1. From Space News: A look at the activities NASA can pursue under the budget Continuing Resolution adopted by the House and Senate earlier this week and signed into law by President Obama on Wednesday. The measure, which is in effect through March 4, allows NASA to prepare for an additional shuttle mission in mid-2011 using Atlantis and work on an Orion-like multi-purpose crew vehicle. However, the CR appears to restrict work on the commercial cargo and crew initiative that NASA is pursuing to support the International Space Station, following the shuttle program’s retirement, according to Space News.
http://www.spacenews.com/policy/10122-cogress-approves-cr.html
A. From Spacepolitics.com: NASA’s budget outlook appears muddled until a new Congress convenes.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2010/12/22/wait-till-next-year/
B. From Spacepolicyonline.com: The latest Continuing Resolution will put the brakes on new Earth science initiatives. The new Congress may attempt to constrain future spending to cut the deficit.
http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1296:its-over-the-111th-congress-draws-to-a-close&catid=67:news&Itemid=27
2. From Discovery.com: A look at the major space news stories of 2010.
http://news.discovery.com/space/top-10-space-stories-2010-readers-choice-101223.html
3. From the Coalition for Space Exploration: NASA releases Spin off 2010, an annual report on spin off technologies with roots in the space program. Since 1976, NASA has compiled 1,700 examples in fields ranging from health and medicine to computer technology, and consumer products.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/blog/benefits-of-space-exploration/space-spinoffs-benefit-all-walks-of-life
4. From the Air and Space Museum Magazine: Lunar Scientist Paul Spudis re-examines the Bush Administration’s Vision for Space Exploration, and offers a strategy for establishing a lunar base at a measured pace. The purpose would be to demonstrate techniques for the extraction of water and production of rocket propellant — resources that could be used to expand the economic sphere and explore new destinations.
http://blogs.airspacemag.com/moon/2010/12/21/can-we-afford-to-return-to-the-moon/
5. From Space.com: How does the solar system end? Astronomer Chris Impey examines the possibilities and discusses their consequences in a question and answer format.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/scienceastronomy/how-universe-ends-chris-impey-101222.html
6. From the Los Angeles Times: A deeper look at the controversy surrounding Felisa Wolfe-Simon’s recent study of arsenic loving bacteria and the implications for extra-terrestrial life. NASA may have helped to over hype the claims, according to one expert. Another says the debate that is swirling over the claim is just part of the scientific method.
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-arsenic-bacteria-lessons-20101222,0,7347052.story
7. From the Washington Post: Another look at this week’s full eclipse of the moon, one with the shuttle Discovery in the foreground.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2010/12/recess.html
Brought to you by the Coalition for Space Exploration, CSExtra is a daily compilation of space industry news selected from hundreds of online media resources. The Coalition is not the author or reporter of any of the stories appearing in CSExtra and does not control and is not responsible for the content of any of these stories. The content available through CSExtra contains links to other websites and domains which are wholly independent of the Coalition, and the Coalition makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information contained in any such site or domain and does not pre-screen or approve any content. The Coalition does not endorse or receive any type of compensation from the included media outlets and is not responsible or liable in any way for any content of CSExtra or for any loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of any content appearing in CSExtra. For information on the Coalition, visit www.space.com or contact us via e-mail at Info@space.com.