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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Fwd: NASA News Summary for Tuesday, October 8, 2013



Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: October 8, 2013 6:34:09 AM GMT-06:00
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA News Summary for Tuesday, October 8, 2013

 

 

NASA Centers, Employees Still Affected By Shutdown.

The KIAH-TV Houston (10/7, 2K) website reports even though ISS operations and Mission Control is operations, some people from the Johnson Space Center spent their "forced time-off" visiting the office of Rep. Steve Stockman.

        The Delmarva (MD) Daily Times (10/7, Watterson, 26K) reports how the government shutdown is affecting Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island with the closure of national refuges. The article also notes that because the Wallops Flight Facility is closed, corporate travelers have canceled their trips, thus affecting local hotel owners. The

        Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Californian (10/8, Mayer, 140K) notes that even with orders for military workers to return to work, it is "clear" the Dryden Flight Research Center is not operational.

        USA Today (10/8, Bacon, 5.82M) profiles how some Federal employees are spending their days when furloughed. Erek Allen of the Marshall Space Flight Center is "relaxing," although he wants to get back to work "soon."

        Bloomberg News (10/8, Bykowicz, Crawford, 1.91M) reports that with Goddard Space Flight Center employee's off, John and Carol Mattimore are planning what to do if those parents pull their children from their daycare. Carol Mattimore said the Goddard employees are "extremely stressed" by the situation.

        The MSNBC (10/3, 7.96M) website interviews Darryl Francis, a contractor for the Glenn Research Center, who said he is "effectively" on furlough even though he is not a government employee. The article cites Francis as an example of how the shutdown has "disrupted lives" of those who can least afford it.

        Safety May be Reason Websites Are Down. FOX News (10/7, 6.72M) examines why US websites are down, even though some are criticizing it would be cheaper to keep them up. Lance Ulanoff, editor in chief of Mashable, countered that the "redirect" now on the sites like NASA.gov is actually pretty inexpensive. Tech analyst Rob Enderle said the main reason may be security, as no one is around that can respond to attacks.

       

        Op-Eds Compare Orbital, SpaceX Success To Government's Actions. In an op-ed for USA Today (10/8, 5.82M), Glenn Harlan Reynolds of the University of Tennessee contrasts the dysfunction of the Federal government with the achievements of companies like Orbital Sciences and SpaceX in reaching the ISS commercially. Reynolds criticizes government in general from never learning from mistakes while companies like these must always perform or suffer.

       

        Blog Coverage.

        Meanwhile, in a blog for The Nation (10/7, 518K), Allison Kilkenny wrote how some workers, including those from NASA, are working now without compensation. NASA's Bridget Broussard-Guidry was among those protesting the shutdown, noting, "If we didn't do our job, we would be fired."

       .

       

Stofan: Sequestration Harmful To NASA's Long-Term Health.

Space News (10/8, Werner, Subscription Publication, 481) interviews NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan about her new position at NASA. She warned how the sequestration is making NASA's work "extremely difficult" as "it's harmful to the long-term health of the agency." She does note that sometimes, working under these conditions make people "really innovative," but it does limit what NASA can do. When asked about the development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG), she did say that was "critical" for certain missions because of how "efficient" they are and how little plutonium they use. Stofan concluded that so far in her new role, she has found that speaking with people at NASA has been "awe-inspiring." and she hope to do more work inspiring children in the classroom.

Greenhouse: Manned, Unmanned Spaceflight Goals Need To Align.

In an article for the Space Review (10/7), Matt Greenhouse of the Goddard Space Flight Center wrote that future of space astrophysics is "dim" as long as it divorces itself from manned spaceflight. He believes the "lack of synergy" between manned and unmanned spaceflight hurts both, especially in this budgetary environment. Greenhouse cites the Hubble Space Telescope as an example of how the combination of the two results in "stunning achievement" that cannot be reproduced today. However, by aligning goals, a very "cost-efficient way" into deep space results, one that continues the "legacy of Hubble and Apollo achievements."

Sykes: NASA Should Avoid "Stunt" Missions For Those With Long-Term Prospects.

In an op-ed for Space News (10/8, Subscription Publication, 481), Mark V. Sykes, director of the Planetary Science Institute, writes that NASA's manned spaceflight program is in trouble, with its asteroid redirect mission already "dead" even if NASA will not admit it. Sykes wants the US to avoid "stunt" missions, and instead focus on long-term missions by launching a habitat to the L1 Lagrange point between Earth and the moon so that astronauts could conduct investigations. He also wants the US to look into by developing resource utilization techniques, like through experiments at the ISS. Listing other projects, Sykes noted that none of these require "Apollo-like infusion of dollars," and instead could be funded as the economy dictates while producing an "open-ended future" that can be inspirational.

Ivins Discusses Space Myths In New Zealand.

Stuff (NZL) (10/8, Greenhill, 37K) reports on astronaut Marsha Ivins' visit to Christchurch, New Zealand. Ivins will deliver public talk at the University of Canterbury, as well as serve as keynote speaker at the Starlight Festival in Tekapo this weekend. Ivins reportedly aimed to debunk the myth of a NASA zero-gravity chamber, as well as the idea that the Great Wall of China is visible from space.

Apollo 9 Astronaut Warns Of Meteor Threat To Earth.

The Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram (10/7, Woods, 194K) reports on a presentation by Apollo astronaut Rusty Schweickart, who warned about the possibility of future meteor and asteroid threats. "We can predict them and stop them yet nothing is being done," Schweickart, an astronaut on Apollo 9, said at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. He showed images from the impact and effects of the February 15 Chelyabisnk meteor explosion. Scheweickart's presentation accompanied the presentation of a $10,000 scholarship to Harvey Mudd senior Joshua Edelman, who has interned at the Marshall Space Flight Center

Astronauts, Experts Critique The Realism Of "Gravity."

ABC News (10/8, Curry, 671K) reports astronaut Dan Barry said collisions and debris are a concern for those at the ISS, even if astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said the direction it would be traveling was the "exact opposite" of what was depicted. Barry also said astronauts are "really careful" when conducting spacewalks not to become untethered.

       

Minor Issues At ISS Providing Benefits For Future Spacecraft Designs.

NASASpaceFlight (10/8, Harding, Bergin, 305) reports how "minor issues" with life support systems at the ISS are providing lessons for the development of future spacecraft. The issues involve a Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) valve and a problem with the ISS' Sabatier system. According to the article, these types of issues are valuable because they teach engineers how to design robust systems for deep space missions "where reliability will be essential." The article stressed that the ISS was designed specifically with this in mind, so the "hard-worn experience" at the ISS has "a direct and tangible benefit" for the coming "decades" of spaceflight.

Russia Could Build Its Own Station If The ISS Is Not Extended Past 2020.

Russia's Interfax (10/7) reports that if the ISS partners decide to shut down the project in 2020, Russia will use some ISS "units," like the Multirole Laboratory Module (MLM), to build its own space station. One unnamed source said that while the MLM has been suffering "certain problems" during development, it will be a "landmark module" for Russia that is expected to last for 30 years.

       

Juno Spacecraft To Fly By Earth Wednesday.

SPACE (10/8, Wall, 186K) reports the Juno spacecraft will "skim just 350 miles (560 kilometers) above Earth's surface on Wednesday" in order to slingshot around the planet and set its course for Jupiter. Southwest Research Institute principal investigator Scott Bolton says, "When Juno launched, there was not an available rocket powerful enough to send such a heavy spacecraft directly to Jupiter, so the flyby maneuver is an essential part of the mission." Bolton also says the shutdown has not affected flyby preparations, but it does affect public affairs events. SPACE notes Juno is expected to arrive in Jupiter's Jovian system in July 2016.

Student's Beer Experiment Heading To The ISS.

The Denver Post (10/8, O'Connor, 949K) reports eleven-year-old Michal Bodzianowski was won of the winners of a Student Spaceflight Experiments Program competition with his essay on whether it is possible to create beer in microgravity. His experiment, which will examine whether yeast can react with other ingredients, will now be launched into space this December. Eleven experiments in all were chosen.

Fusion-Driven Rocket Could Send People To Mars In 90 Days.

SPACE (10/8, Wall, 186K) reported in a presentation to NASA's Future In-Space Operations working group last month, Anthony Pancotti of MSNW said it should be possible to develop a "fusion-driven rocket" that brings people to mars in 90 days. The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program is already funding Pancotti's work because fast travel to Mars is a "chief goal" for NASA. Pancotti stressed the "fundamental physics" have been shown in the lab already, so a prototype device could be built with "off-the-shelf components."

Ohio Students Participate In Reduced Gravity Student Flight Program.

The Sandusky (OH) Register (10/8, Ouriel, 82K) reports on local students attending Baldwin Wallace University, Sarah Rospert and Logan Siriline, who were selected by NASA to participate in the Reduce Gravity Student Flight Program. According to the article, experiments aboard the Weightless Wonder in Houston "allowed Rospert, Sirline and several others to test liquid bridges in hopes of better understanding mechanical bridge stability." The article notes the research can also contribute to medical techniques in addressing spinal cord injuries.

NASA Looks Into "Snakebot" For Traveling Across Mars.

The Christian Science Monitor (10/7, Amelia Pak-Harvey, 540K) reports on MIT's "M-blocks," or "self-assembling cube robots" that have no exterior moving parts but can align using magnets, moving through the use of a flywheel. The article notes that NASA has looked into something similar with a "Snakebot" that could go to places on Mars where a "stiff" rover couldn't, but that has a "fixed" geometry whereas the M-blocks can have multiple.

Hangar Collapse Damages Worldwide Aeros Prototype Dirigible.

The AP (10/8) reports that a hangar's "partial collapse" damaged Worldwide Aeros' prototype dirigible, which NASA and the Department of Defense has funded in order to develop a vehicle that can "carry more cargo than any other aircraft to disaster zones and military bases." Spokesman John Kiehle said the dirigible can be repaired.

Lockheed Reduces Number Of Employees It Will Furlough.

The AP (10/8) reports Lockheed Martin will still furlough workers, but announced Monday it will only furlough 2,400 instead of the original 3,000 now that the Defense Department is calling back civilian employees. Most of those furloughed work on "civilian agency programs."

        The Wall Street Journal (10/8, Cameron, Subscription Publication, 5.91M) reports that while Lockheed scaled back furloughs, Aerospace Corp. announced it furloughed 2,000 of its 3,500 workers. According to the article, the full effect of the shutdown won't be known until quarterly earnings are announced.

        Bloomberg News (10/8, Miller, Ivory, 1.91M) notes that United Technologies is the only company to "completely backtrack" on its decision to furlough employees.

        Defense News (10/7, 1K) reports that at BAE Systems, 1,000 people have been told not to report for work.

       

Russian Media Reports Roskosmos Will Have New Head.

Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (10/8, 1K) reports that Russia's Kommersant daily is reporting that there will be new head for Roskosmos and the Unified Rocket and Space Corporation (ORKK). Deputy Defense Minister Oleg Ostapenko reportedly is expected to be the next head of the Russian space agency. According to the article, Vladimir Popovkin will be "relieved of his duties" because he does not agree with the directions of reforms in the country following several launch failures. His resignation is expected as early as today, according to Kommersant.

       

Hawaii, Alaska Sign Aerospace Agreement.

The AP (10/8, McAvoy) reports that at the 2013 Hawaii Aerospace Summit, Alaska and Hawaii have signed an agreement for universities in their states to jointly work on "satellites, rockets and other aspects of space launches." The article notes how Hawaii is on the "leading edge" of CubeSat development, while Alaska has its own launch site.

FAA Shutdown Preventing Approval Of Intended XCOR Spaceport.

The Midland (TX) Reporter-Telegram (10/8, Basco, 44K) reports the city of Midland, Texas is still waiting for a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration, a process that has been interrupted by the government shutdown. City director of airports Marv Esterly predicts the license may be granted in February 2014 at the earliest. The spaceport was built in Midland after an agreement for XCOR to move from Mojave, California to Texas. The move has not occurred after the deal was struck in July 2012, but an XCOR executive says the company still intends to move to Midland.

Spaceport Colorado Lands First International Commitment.

The Denver Post (10/8, Painter, 949K) reports that Swiss Space Systems has chosen Spaceport Colorado as the location for their North American headquarters. This is the first foreign company to commit to the spaceport. The Post explains that Spaceport Colorado is an effort to create an aerospace hub to attract commercial space development and the creation of a launch pad in the state. However, the enterprise is still undergoing feasibility and environmental studies and must get approval from the FAA when its applies for a license at the end of the year.

China Reducing Dependence On GPS By Using Beidou System.

The South China Morning Post (10/8, Chan, 7K) reports Chinese engineers were able to use the Beiodu navigation system, developed by Beijing Changfeng Microelectronics Technology, to collect upper-atmosphere weather data, which the Post described as "another step towards ending the country's dependence on US-controlled GPS technology." According to Beijing Changfeng, using both GPS data and Beidou data produced more accurate data than relying on GPS alone. The article reports Beidou "helps pinpoint the location of radiosonde equipment on weather balloons, allowing for accurate meteorological analysis without using foreign systems."

Starship Congress Presenter Suggests Shell Worlds Could Be Used For Terraforming.

SPACE (10/8, Kramer, 186K) reports on a presentation by engineer Ken Roy at the Starship Congress centered around the concept of using "shell worlds" to terraform alien planets. Humans would "literally encase the alien world inside of a protective shell made from Kevlar, dirt and steel" allowing for the creation of an atmosphere that exists "between the shell and the central world," without changing the planets' gravity and with the outer part of the shell being "essentially a vacuum." According to Roy, "large amounts of nitrogen and water would need to be imported or produced on the planet, and the construction of a shell itself would be a vast undertaking." He says Mars or Pluto are potential candidates for a shelling process.



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