Fwd: NASA News Summary for Thursday, October 10, 2013

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From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: October 10, 2013 7:49:39 AM GMT-06:00
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA News Summary for Thursday, October 10, 2013

 

Furloughed Workers Worry About Shutdown's Cost.         USA Today (10/10, Bello, Bacon, 5.82M) reports how the number of employees affected by the shutdown is "shrinking" as more agencies recall their employees, although there is no guarantee of payment. Nick Schwellenbach of the Center for Effective Government speculated that while astronauts aboard the ISS are still working, NASA will likely have to wait to bring back its employees until after the shutdown ends.         The Houston Business Journal (10/10, Ryan, Subscription Publication, 91K) "Nuts And Bolts" blog reports that because the "bulk" of Johnson Space Center employees and some contractors are now furloughed, George Abbey of Rice University's Baker Institute for public policy predicts there will be a delay in Orion spacecraft flights. He said it was "almost impossible" for the program to continue, noting that the shutdown is "accelerating" the process of people leaving for the oil and gas industry.         The Aerospace Daily and Defense Report (10/9, Carreau) similarly reported there is will be an "accelerating drop-off" of contractors at JSC if the furlough continues, according to Robert Mitchell, president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. Mitchell warned it may "hinder" the development of new technologies and preparations for the ISS. Mitchell said NASA should have done more to include contractors in essential personnel, although he does blame Congress and the White House for the situation.         In contrast to other articles, the WHNT-TV Huntsville, AL (10/10, Perallon, 38K) website reports that David Smith, vice president for Victory Solutions, said at the Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium that his company and other contractors working at the Marshall Space Flight Center have not been affected that much so far, but will be if the government shutdown lasts awhile. According to the article, people like Smith are looking for those who can "excite" interest in space, like keynote speaker Dennis Tito, who was the first private citizen to travel to the ISS. Smith added if there was "national will," people could be sent to Mars in the coming decade. WHNT-TV Huntsville, AL (10/10, 11:04 p.m. ET, 38K) also has a broadcast of the report.                HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS         Ball Aerospace Donates Rare Von Braun Photo To Space & Rocket Center. The Huntsville (AL) Times (10/10, Berry, 127K) reports on a rare photograph depicting Wernher von Braun, the "father of rocket science," donated to the US Space & Rocket Center by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation. The photo was taken in 1968 during a visit by von Braun "while he was working as the center director for Marshall Space Flight Center." Ball Aerospace's executives noted von Braun worked with Marshall engineers to design science instruments for Skylab, which "paved the way for the International Space Station, launched in May 1973." SCIENCE Juno Spacecraft In Safe Mode Following Earth Flyby. The AP (10/10, Chang) reports the Juno spacecraft flew by the Earth on Wednesday, but exited the Earth's shadow in safe mode. The spacecraft had been in "excellent health" before the encounter. However, operators are now trying to determine what caused the problem that required the spacecraft to enter this mode. Rick Nybakken of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory said even with this issue, "we believe we are on track as planned to Jupiter." Nybakken added there is a "a moderate level of concern" over the problem.                 SPACE TECHNOLOGY WHNT-TV To Broadcast Report On 3D Printing. The WHNT-TV Huntsville, AL (10/10, Johnson, 38K) website reports that it will broadcast a report on 3D printing in space tonight. Regarding work underway now at NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center Engineer Ken Cooper said, "We're qualifying parts to go in rocket engines on the ground now, but it's going to revolutionize the way things are made for space." Astronaut T. J. Creamer added, "It takes us the shortest amount of time to get something to Mars, six months duration, and that's only if the planets are aligned correctly. ... So, if we're going to send somebody to Mars, you really want them to re-supply themselves right there." The article notes the upcoming broadcast will examine what can "really" be made using 3D printing and if the parts can work at places like the ISS. BLOGS Last ATV Spacecraft Stats Trip To Launch Site. Ben Evans at AmericaSpace (10/10) writes that "Europe's fifth and final Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-5)" has started its trek for the Guiana Space Center where it will launch to the ISS on an Ariane 5 rocket eight months from now. The spacecraft's cargo is also now heading to the launch site. Evans notes the ATV-4 is still at the ISS, but is scheduled to leave later this month. That spacecraft is noted for delivering the "largest amount of dry cargo ever" by a European spacecraft. AEROSPACE NEWS Falcon 9 Launch Assessment Delayed By Shutdown. The Aerospace Daily and Defense Report (10/10, Butler) reports the government shutdown is delaying the US Air Force's assessment on whether the latest Falcon 9 rocket launch will count towards SpaceX's "requirements" to be qualified to launch military satellites. The Aerospace Corp. is conducting the assessment, but this work was not deemed essential enough to continue during the shutdown. The article notes that SpaceX says that despite a reignition issue during the launch, the mission still counts towards the three consecutive successful launches the company needs to meet the USAF's standards. Ben Evans at AmericaSpace (10/9) wrote how Arianespace has begun assembling the Ariane 5 rocket for the launch of the Amazonas 4A and Astra 5B satellites in December. According to Evans, it has been a "busy year" for the company, with four Ariane 5 launches this year so far.  "Afronauts" Exhibit Melds Photographic Art With Zambian Space Program History. SPACE (10/10, Kramer, 186K) reports on a traveling photography exhibition entitled "The Afronauts," depicting found artifacts and photographs inspired by the "short-lived" Zambian space program started in 1964. The exhibit features actual news articles along with newly-taken photos inspired by the news or doctored photographs. One of the training events referenced in the articles involved "rolling the would-be spacefarers downhill in a 40-gallon oil drum to simulate the experience of spaceflight." The exhibit was put together by Cristina De Middel.