Thursday, October 3, 2013

Fwd: NASA News Summary for Thursday, October 3, 2013



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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: October 3, 2013 7:09:18 AM GMT-06:00
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA News Summary for Thursday, October 3, 2013

 

 

Hope you can join us at Hibachi Grill today at 11:30 for our monthly NASA Retirees Luncheon.

 

 

TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEADING THE NEWS

• NASA Has Furloughed The Largest Percentage Of Its Employees.

NASA Has Furloughed The Largest Percentage Of Its Employees.

In continuing coverage of the effects of the government shutdown, articles continue to focus on what is and is not affected. The majority of the articles just briefly note how NASA's ISS operations remain open. Another major theme is how the MAVEN spacecraft launch could be delayed. As with previous coverage, typically any commentary laments how NASA work has been suspended.

        The AP (10/3, Borenstein) reports NASA has furloughed the "largest percentage" of its employees of any government agency because it is "not essential." The article calls this the "real indicator of importance" in Washington, DC. According to the article, "before he was deemed nonessential," NASA spokesperson Bob Jacobs said the number of people about to be furloughed "doesn't mean (NASA) isn't important by any stretch."

        The Washington Post (10/2, Achenbach, 4.28M) reports that the US' "sprawling scientific and technological machinery" has been shut down. For NASA, with exceptions like the ISS, most programs have shut down. The article notes that this could have consequences for projects like the MAVEN mission to Mars, because its launch date is "governed not by bureaucrats but by astronomical realities." The article notes there may also be a "ripple effect" in research in general as those processing grants are now at home.

        NPR (10/3, Brumfiel, 465K) reports the shutdown's "far-reaching consequences" are affecting space missions, as NASA is "among the hardest hit agencies." Even as astronauts are still working at the ISS, some missions like the Hubble telescope continue since they are run by "outside institutions," although those could be affected if the shutdown lasts long enough or problems arise. According to the article, the shutdown is "hardest" on the unmanned missions like MAVEN that have not launched yet.

       

Ross Delivers Talk In Indiana.

The WPTA-TV Fort Wayne, IN (10/3, Dutkiewicz, 4K) website reports NASA astronaut Jerry Ross visited Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne Wednesday night to discuss his participation in seven space missions. Ross last flew in 2002 on a mission to help build the International Space Station. Ross told students, "I had this sensation that I was doing exactly what God had designed me to do. It was a great feeling, great confirmation that I'd made right decisions throughout my life."

        The Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette (10/3, 172K) reports Ross told the students that NASA has lost "a tremendous amount of talent" with the end of the shuttle, and was critical about the end of the Constellation program. He also "dismisses" the concept of commercial spaceflight, warning that if there was an accident on these "less safe" vehicles, the company would likely go out of business.

        WPTA-TV Fort Wayne, IN (10/2, 11:02 p.m. ET, 4K) and two other local TV broadcasts cover Ross' talk.

China Said To Be Far From Overtaking US In Space.

In an op-ed for the Diplomat (JPN) (10/2), Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan and Arvind K. John of the Observer Research Foundation wrote that while China has had "impressive" growth in space, it will need "sweeping reforms" if it ever hopes to take over the US' leadership position because the country does not have the "massive private-sector investment in R&D" that the US does. While China does copy Russian technology, allowing it to catch up to others, the country does not "innovate" as it needs to. The authors credit NASA for already working with private industry to field new replacements for the shuttle, and for how it is "revolutionizing manufacturing techniques" with 3D printing at the ISS, not to mention the "thousands of hours" NASA astronauts logged in space. Therefore, China is a "long way" from overtaking the US.

Demand For Space Lawyers Expected To Rise.

The International Business Times (10/2, Clark, 237K) reported there is expected to be an increase in "demand" for lawyers with knowledge of space law as more companies like SpaceX, which launches to the ISS, and Virgin Galactic enter the fields. Areas that are expected to need litigation in the future include "whether space tourists should be considered astronauts, where air ends and space begins and whether space mining is permissible when an international treaty forbids sovereignty in space." The article notes some space lawyers already work for NASA, the FAA, and NOAA, and the expected demand is driving the creation of degrees at law schools.

ISS' Orbit Raised.

RIA Novosti (RUS) (10/3, 4K) reports the European ATV cargo spacecraft raised the orbit of the ISS yesterday "to compensate for Earth's gravity and to ensure successful dockings."

        Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (10/3, 1K) also covers the story.

NASA's History With Nikon Cameras Detailed.

In an feature article for Reviewed Cameras (10/3), Tyler Wells Lynch details Nikon's "long history" with NASA, as its cameras have been used since the Cold War, and are now "scattered about" the ISS today. Lynch noted that Spiegel magazine showed photos from the ISS, including one of astronaut Don Pettit "surrounded" by Nikon equipment. According to Lynch, photography technology is "often overlooked," as more people focus on the "breathtaking" images.

Wolf Says Time In Space A "Magical" Experience.

Ahead of a visit to The Children's Museum today, the Indianapolis Monthly (10/3, Brar, 702) interviews astronaut David Wolf. He said it was a "magical" experience helping to build the ISS. When it comes to spacewalks, he notes that there is such "intense" training that even when issues arise, it "overcomes" any doubt and worry.

Researchers Test How Well Plants Grow In Mars-Like Soil.

The Euronews (10/3, 25K) reports Wageningen University researchers are using soil provided by NASA similar to that found at Mars to see how plants grow in it. The research was tied to the Mars One project, which aims to privately send settlers to Mars. Wieger Wamelink, who took part in the study, said he was "surprised" to find that the soil produced "better plants" than those grown in typical Earth soil.

Hadfield To Visit Surrey.

The Surrey (CAN) Now (10/3, Zillich) reports Canadian astronaut and former ISS commander Chris Hadfield will be signing his book in Surrey as part of a "national tour." The article noted he "captivated the world" while at the station.

Arizona Student One Of 90 Women In NASA WISH Program.

The Ahwatukee Foothills (AZ) News (10/3, DiBona, 82K) reports on the Women in Stem High School Aerospace Scholars project held at Johnson Space Center, in which local student Manu Kondapi participated. The program oversaw "90 female high school students from 41 states." Kondapi "planned a robotics and radiation mission and experienced life as an engineer and scientist." According to the article, "NASA sponsored two six-day summer camps for rising high school seniors during late June and early July. The young women worked in teams with female NASA mentors to develop a radiation and robotics mission," resulting in mock-up vehicles for a Mars landing, developed within a budget.

KSC Visitor Complex Makes List Of Space Enthusiast Destinations.

CNN (10/2, O'Shea, 14.53M) reports on various exhibits and programs for adult attendees with an interest in space exploration. The article lists the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama, New York City's Hayden Palnetarium, New Mexico's International UFO Museum and Research Center and Spaceport America, the Kennedy Space Center, and the Trekcetera Museum in Canada. CNN describes the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as "an essential destination for space enthusiasts," adding that "the biggest exhibit these days is the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction, which includes not only the craft itself, but landing and docking simulators." Regarding the Space & Rocket Center, CNN says the adult camp gives "attendees a chance to experience elements of astronaut training, rocket construction and mission control." Meanwhile, the article cites Canadaian Hadfield's "Space Oddity," made while at the ISS, as an example of how interest in space has not waned because of the end of the shuttle.

Congress Called On To Fully Fund Commercial Crew.

In an article for Forbes (10/2, 6.03M), Greg Autry of the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Marshall School of Business and Laura Huang of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Write that the government shutdown has "overshadowed" the successful weekend milestones by SpaceX, with its Falcon 9 launch, and Orbital Sciences, with its Cygnus spacecraft docking to the ISS. They praise NASA's "visionary programs" for stimulating these companies. The pair note that Congress is "curiously disdainful" of how US companies now can provide services that have recently been provided only by foreign governments. The authors now want Congress to fully fund the Commercial Crew program so it can have similar success. Fully funding the program at the Administration's level needs to be a "priority," in their opinion.

Portion Of Sunjammer Unfurls Successfully In Test.

Elizabeth Howell at Universe Today (10/3, 25K) writes that in a successful test, a quarter of the Sunjammer solar sail "under Earth gravity conditions." Howell notes that the Sunjammer, which will be the "largest solar sail ever," will now launch in January 2015 instead of November 2014, a "slight delay." The test was important because these condition were "tougher" than what the sail will experience in space.

Ivins Says Gravity "Hard To Watch" Because Of Her Experience.

At the Time (10/2, 13.4M) "Ideas" blog, astronaut Marsha Ivins writes that she was not thrilled by the movie "Gravity." While she took issues with some of the details, she did note that the movie "got some things very right," like how a Soyuz spacecraft would undock from the ISS. However, she found it "hard to watch" because it made her recall the Columbia tragedy. While it has "beautiful moments," Ivins notes that having worked on the shuttle and the ISS, she may not be able to give a "truly objective review."

Military Space Activities Not Expected To Be Impacted By Government Shutdown.

Space News (10/3, Gruss, Subscription Publication, 481) reports how the US Air Force has "reiterated" that most military space activities will not be affected by the government shutdown. Capt. Adam Gregory, a spokesman for the secretary of the Air Force, said in an email that satellite operations, launches, and developmental programs would likely continue as is or not experience any "significant impacts."

Shutdown Scrubs UP Aerospace Launch From Spaceport America.

Albuquerque (NM) Business First (10/2, Mayfield) reports UP Aerospace's launch of five payloads from Spaceport America were canceled due to the government shutdown. UP Aerospace President Jerry Larson said, "the people at the air traffic center that manages the air space, and the White Sands Missile Range folks are not in their offices." As a result of the shutdown, no one could receive and process a restricted air space notice on Wednesday, although Spaceport America is open. UP's missions include a test of using Twitter in space in addition to missions from: the "New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; one from New Mexico State University; one from the Department of Defense and Kirtland Air Force Base; and a test payload for a new transponder from the FAA." Larson said, "We're hoping that we can take a new date with two week's notice."

SES Wants Briefing On Issues During Last Falcon 9 Rocket Launch.

The Space News (10/3, De Selding, Subscription Publication, 481) reports SES wants a "detailed briefing" on why the SpaceX Falcon 9's upper stage failed to reignite during last Sunday's launch, as this feature is "crucial" for when its SES-8 satellite is launched into a geostationary transfer orbit. SES spokesman Yves Feltes said the company's desire for an explanation of the issue does not mean it does not expect to be on the next rocket launch.

        NASASpaceFlight (10/3, Bergin, 305) notes the satellite is on its way to Florida for the launch on November 1. The article notes that the government shutdown did impact this trip, although arrangements were made to overcome the issues.

       

Russia Plans Four More Proton Rocket Launches After September Success.

RIA Novosti (RUS) (10/2, 4K) reports Russia's successful September launch of a Proton rocket will lead to four more launches before the end of the year, according to Roscosmos. The next launches are scheduled for October 20, November 5, December 8, and December 26.

Miley Cyrus Claims Connections At Virgin Can Get Her Into Space.

Blogging for NewSpace Journal (10/2), Jeff Foust wrote about music celebrity Miley Cyrus' ambitions to fly into space with Virgin Galactic. Cyrus claims to know a friend who invested in the company and can move her up on the schedule. Foust writes, "Virgin has primarily been financed internally, with the exception of a stake in the company purchased by Aabar Investments of the UAE four years ago." Foust also writes that Cyrus has an affinity for high-altitude adventures, as she has recently gone skydiving.



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