Fwd: NASA and Human Spaceflight News - Wednesday - October 1, 2014 and JSC Today

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From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: October 1, 2014 10:14:58 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA and Human Spaceflight News - Wednesday - October 1, 2014 and JSC Today

 

 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

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JSC TODAY CATEGORIES Headlines -  Live From Space! Follow @Space_Station on Twitter -  Pumpkin Perfection: the Fall Roundup -  Space Station Research Stands Up to Cancer -  National Cybersecurity Awareness Month -  Safety and Health Day is Near - Oct. 9 -  Self-Identification of Disability -  Recent JSC Announcement Organizations/Social -  HERG Congratulates Bara Reyna and Robert Trevino -  Reminder: Learn Spanish With Loteria -  Domestic Violence Awareness -  2014 NCMA Fall Training Conference -  The JSC Safety and Health Action Team (JSAT) Says -  Starport Youth Karate Classes - Free Class Oct. 4 -  Parent's Night Out at Starport - Oct. 17 -  Latin Dance Introduction: Oct. 17, 8 to 9 p.m. -  Beginners Ballroom Dance: Oct. 21 & 23 Jobs and Training -  Centerwide Trial Access to Web of Science -  Russian Phase One Language Course - for Beginners -  Phase Two Russian Language - 2014 Fall Quarter -  RLLS Portal Training for October - Via WebEx Community -  George Observatory 25th Anniversary

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Headlines Live From Space! Follow @Space_Station on Twitter The International Space Station was "jello" of the @NASA_Orion account, so they made their own! Follow @Space_Station on Twitter for updates from the space station, including live tweeting of mission operations, images of our Earth, time-lapse videos of space, science on the station and much more. https://twitter.com/Space_Station JSC External Relations x35111 https://twitter.com/Space_Station [top] Pumpkin Perfection: the Fall Roundup What's pumpkin-colored and vaguely pumpkin-shaped? Mars, of course! This fall's Roundup focuses on our favorite pumpkiny planet and JSC's journey to get there. Read about the hardy little space travelers that could colonize Mars; the Evolvable Mars Campaign, in which JSC has a starring role; JSC experts working on the Mars 2020 robotic mission; our next stop in deep space; NEEMO 19's lessons as part of an exploration curriculum; the world's most powerful rocket; Shanna DeLeon, an Orion flight controller; and find out—bottom line—if #ImOnBoard. Well, actually, if you are. And that's not even all in this awesome autumn edition. Check it out here. Subscribe to the Roundup, and get notified of online editions before all your friends. JSC External Relations, Roundup Office x35111 [top] Space Station Research Stands Up to Cancer This month, we are recognizing the potential of the International Space Station to contribute to cancer research. Microgravity provides physical conditions that are not possible on Earth. As it turns out, those conditions may be ripe for studying cancer and other diseases. Stay tuned for Web stories, videos and social media content about how our space station is standing up to cancer. Liz Warren x35548 [top] National Cybersecurity Awareness Month October 2014 marks the 11th Annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The NASA Office of the Chief Information Officer is encouraging all NASA personnel to "Stop. Think. Connect." Protect and safeguard NASA's information and assets. STOP: Before you use the Internet, take time to understand the risks involved and learn how to spot potential problems. THINK: Watch for warning signs and consider how your actions online could impact you and your NASA family's safety. CONNECT: Enjoy the Internet with greater confidence. On Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to noon, JSC will kick off the month with a discussion on the Consolidated Logging System in the Building 3 Collaboration Center. On Oct. 3 from 1 to 2 p.m., detective David Nettles from the Webster Police Department will be discussing "Crimes Against Children" in Building 1, Room 360. Throughout the month of October, JSC will be conducting various activities to celebrate National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. JSC-IT-Security x37682 http://ird.jsc.nasa.gov/ITSecurity/training/default.aspx [top] Safety and Health Day is Near - Oct. 9 JSC's Safety and Health Day committee has planned an informative and interesting half-day event to enlighten the JSC team about the safety and health matters that mean the most to each of us. Our theme for this 2014 is: Dare to be Aware Topics will include fire, safety, health and disability issues. Kick off the day by joining us in Teague Auditorium at 9 a.m. as Dr. Aaron Chapa discusses "Find Your Footing—How to See Through the Clutter."  Chapa will show you how to acquire habits that eliminate brain fog, triple your energy and give you a reason to live at your highest level. Activities in the mall/pond area and Teague lobby include distracted driving and drunk-driving simulators, exercise demonstrations and flu shots. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Oct. 9. We sincerely hope you will find Safety and Health Day both interesting and helpful. Event Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014   Event Start Time:9:00 AM   Event End Time:5:00 PM Event Location: Teague Auditorium, JSC Mall Area, Gilruth Add to Calendar Suprecia Franklin/Angel Plaza x37817/x37305 http://sthday.jsc.nasa.gov/ [top] Self-Identification of Disability Please take a moment to update your disability status quickly and easily in Employee Express. NASA uses aggregate information about individuals with disabilities for reporting purposes and to determine how to provide assistive resources that can benefit the entire workforce. Ensuring accurate information takes a matter of minutes. Log into Employee Express, and from the main menu click on "Disability Update" to identify current disability status. Disability status is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. Data entered into Employee Express is secure, and will be uploaded directly into NASA's Federal Personnel and Payroll System. It can be accessed only by NASA officials with a "need to know," such as Equal Employment Opportunity staff. Questions regarding data collection requirements can be directed to the Disability Program Manager, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, at 281-483-7504. David H. Powell x42905 [top] Recent JSC Announcement Please visit the JSC Announcements (JSCA) Web page to view the newly posted announcement: JSCA 14-026: Key Personnel Assignment - Stephen Koerner Archived announcements are also available on the JSCA Web page. Linda Turnbough x36246 http://ird.jsc.nasa.gov/DocumentManagement/announcements/default.aspx [top]    Organizations/Social HERG Congratulates Bara Reyna and Robert Trevino The Hispanic Employee Resource Group (HERG) would like to congratulate two of its outstanding members for being selected for Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation (HENAAC) awards. These outstanding role models in science, technology, engineering and mathematics will be recognized at the 26th Annual HENAAC Conference, "The Quest for Competitive Greatness," in New Orleans from Oct. 2 to 4. Robert Trevino is being presented with the HENAAC Lifetime Achievement Award. Baraquiel Reyna is being presented with the HENAAC Most Promising Engineer/Scientist Award. Check out the Great Minds in STEM website for more information on the annual HENAAC Conference and these prestigious awards. HERG http://www.greatmindsinstem.org/professionals/award-winners-2014 [top] Reminder: Learn Spanish With Loteria As part of Hispanic Heritage Month/Mes de la Herencia Hispana, the Hispanic Employee Resource Group is hosting Learn Spanish with Loteria! La escalera, el pajaro, el mundo, la araña. If you don't know what these words mean in English, then you should make plans to attend. Come and network with other employees, take part in a popular Hispanic game and brush up on some basic Spanish. Prizes will be given to the employees with the most Loteria wins! Event Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2014   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:12:30 PM Event Location: B3 Collaboration Center Add to Calendar HERG [top] Domestic Violence Awareness Did you know that 7 percent of all Texans indicate that they, a family member and/or a friend or coworker have experienced some form of domestic violence (physical, sexual or verbal) in their lifetime? You might also be surprised to learn that abusive partners harass 74 percent of employed battered partners at work. Because of this fact, we will learn the signs of battering and what to do if you suspect a coworker is being battered. It is important to highlight the need not to place the responsibility or blame on the abused. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we will explore ways to support, identify and discuss the importance of family violence. Please join Anika Isaac, MS, LPC, LMFT, NCC, CEAP, of JSC's Employee Assistance Program, for a presentation on "Domestic Violence Awareness." Event Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2014   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM Event Location: Building 30 Auditorium Add to Calendar Lorrie Bennett, Employee Assistance Program, Occupational Health Branch x36130 [top] 2014 NCMA Fall Training Conference The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Fall Training Conference topic is "Doing Business Differently: Embracing Change and Expanding Opportunities." Registration is open to both technical and business personnel (civil servants and contractors). Banquet: Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Training Conference: Thursday, Nov. 6, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost of attendance: NCMA members - $220 Non-members - $225 For registration, click here. Event Date: Thursday, November 6, 2014   Event Start Time:7:30 AM   Event End Time:4:00 PM Event Location: Gilruth Center Add to Calendar Bermuda Brittingham x46972 http://www.ncmaspacecity.org [top] The JSC Safety and Health Action Team (JSAT) Says "Safety—believe it. Achieve it!" Congratulations to the Information Technology and Multimedia Services (ITAMS) Safety Action Forum on the ITAMS contract for submitting the winning slogan for October 2014. Any JSAT member (all JSC contractor and civil servant employees) may submit a slogan for consideration to JSAT Secretary Reese Squires. Submissions for November are due by Tuesday, Oct. 14. Keep those great submissions coming—you may be the next JSAT Says winner! Reese Squires x37776 http://www6.jsc.nasa.gov/ja/apps/news/newsfiles/3496.pptx [top] Starport Youth Karate Classes - Free Class Oct. 4 Let Starport introduce your child to the exciting art of Youth Karate. Youth Karate will teach your child the skills of self-defense, self-discipline and self-confidence. The class will also focus on leadership, healthy competition and sportsmanship. Try a free class on Oct. 4! Please call the Gilruth Center front desk to sign your child up for the free class (only 25 available spots). Five-week session: Oct. 11 to Nov. 8 Saturdays: 10:15 to 11 a.m. Ages: 6 to 12 Cost: $75 | $20 drop-in rate Register online or at the Gilruth Center. Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/familyyouth-programs/youth-karate [top] Parent's Night Out at Starport - Oct. 17 Enjoy a night out on the town while your kids enjoy a night with Starport. We will entertain your children with a night of games, crafts, a bounce house, pizza, a movie, dessert and loads of fun! When: Friday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 10 p.m. Where: Gilruth Center Ages: 5 to 12 Cost: $20/first child and $10/each additional sibling if registered by the Wednesday prior to event. If registered after Wednesday, the fee is $25/first child and $15/additional sibling. Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/familyyouth-programs/parents-n... [top] Latin Dance Introduction: Oct. 17, 8 to 9 p.m. This class is mostly an introduction to Salsa, but it also touches on other popular Latin dances found in social settings: Merengue, Bachata, and even a little bit of Cha-Cha-Cha. Emphasis is on Salsa and then Bachata. For the first-time student or those who want a refresher course. You will go over basic steps with variations and build them into sequences. Discounted registration: $40 per person (ends Oct. 3) Regular registration: $50 per person (Oct. 4 to Oct. 17) Salsa Intermediate: Oct. 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This class continues teaching Salsa beyond what is taught in the introduction class. You should be comfortable and confident with the material from the introduction class before moving on to the intermediate class. This is a multi-level class where students may be broken up into groups based on class experience. Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/recreation-programs/salsalatin... [top] Beginners Ballroom Dance: Oct. 21 & 23 Do you feel like you have two left feet? Well, Starport has the perfect program for you: Beginners Ballroom Dance! This eight-week class introduces you to the various types of ballroom dance. Students will learn the secrets of a good lead and following, as well as the ability to identify the beat of the music. This class is easy, and we have fun as we learn. JSC friends and family are welcome. Discounted registration: $90 per couple (ends Oct. 10) Regular registration: $110 per couple (Oct. 11 to Oct. 23) Two class sessions are available: Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. - starting Oct. 21 Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. - starting Oct. 23 All classes are taught in the Gilruth Center dance studio (Group Ex studio). Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/recreation-programs/ballroom-d... [top]    Jobs and Training Centerwide Trial Access to Web of Science Join the JSC Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Center for a Web of Science (WoS) online demonstration today from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. CDT. Whether you're familiar with WoS or are hearing about it for the first time, we'd like to help you learn more about the database and show you what's available during the trial period. Thomson Reuters' representatives will walk through some of the features and search capabilities of WoS. Librarians from each of the NASA center libraries will be available to answer questions as well. To attend the online demonstration, go here for WebEx access information. For information about the content available in the WoS trial, visit the STI Center website. Trial access is available until Nov. 28. Event Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2014   Event Start Time:12:30 PM   Event End Time:1:30 PM Event Location: Online Add to Calendar Scientific and Technical Information Center x34245 http://library.jsc.nasa.gov [top] Russian Phase One Language Course - for Beginners Russian Phase One is an introductory course designed to acquaint the novice student with certain elementary aspects of the Russian language and provide a brief outline of Russian history and culture. Our goal is to introduce students to skills and strategies necessary for successful foreign language study that they can apply immediately in the classroom. The linguistic component of this class consists of learning the Cyrillic alphabet and a very limited number of simple words and phrases, which will serve as a foundation for further language study. Dates: Oct. 6 to Nov. 6 When: Monday through Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. Where: Building 12, Room 158Q Please register in SATERN by Oct. 2. Natalia Rostova 281-851-3745 [top] Phase Two Russian Language - 2014 Fall Quarter The JSC Language Education Center announces Phase Two Russian Language course offerings for the 2014 fall quarter (Oct. 6 to Dec. 24). Only the following classes will be offered this quarter: 2A, 2B and 2C. Registration for all courses is now conducted exclusively through NASA's SATERN system. Continuing students, both JSC contractors and civil servants who have approval of their supervisor and training coordinator, can enroll in the appropriate-level group class through SATERN. Enrollment preference is, however, given to civil servants. Students new to the program and who've had previous Russian language training, or students who are resuming their Russian language training after a break of two or more quarters, should contact Dr. Anthony Vanchu at 281-483-0644 or via email to schedule a placement interview to determine the most appropriate level class for them to join. Natalia Rostova 281-851-3745 [top] RLLS Portal Training for October - Via WebEx The October Monthly RLLS Portal Education Series - via WebEx sessions: Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. CDT, Translation Support Module Training Oct. 9 at 2:30 p.m. CDT, Meeting Support Module Training Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. CDT, Telecom Support Training Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. CDT, Flight Arrival Departure Module Training These 30-minute training sessions are computer-based WebEx sessions, offering individuals the convenience to join from their own workstation. The training will cover the following: System login Locating support modules Locating downloadable instructions Creating support requests Submittal requirements Submitting on behalf of another Adding attachments Selecting special requirements Submitting a request Status of a request Ending each session are Q&A opportunities. Please remember that TTI will no longer accept requests for U.S.-performed services unless they are submitted through the RLLS Portal. Email or call 281-335-8565 to sign up. James Welty 281-467-1533 https://www.tti-portal.com [top]    Community George Observatory 25th Anniversary The George Observatory will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on Oct. 11 and 12! Our 36-inch telescope will be open and back in service with a brand-new coating on the mirror. Stop by and check out the telescope and celebrate our 25th anniversary! Additionally, on Oct. 11 there will be a Family Space Day Mission to the Moon. To get tickets for the Mission to the Moon, visit this website. Note: Park entrance fees apply at $7 per person for everyone over 12 years old. Megan Hashier 281-226-4179 http://www.hmns.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=673&Ite... [top]

 

JSC Today is compiled periodically as a service to JSC employees on an as-submitted basis. Any JSC organization or employee may submit articles. Disclaimer: Accuracy and content of these notes are the responsibility of the submitters.

 

 

NASA and Human Spaceflight News

Wednesday – October 1, 2014

 

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION:

October is breast cancer awareness month. In respect to that theme, this month we are recognizing the potential of the International Space Station to contribute to cancer research. Microgravity provides physical conditions that are not possible on Earth, and as it turns out, those conditions may be ripe for studying cancer and other diseases. Follow updates on @ISS_Research.

 

 

HEADLINES AND LEADS

NASA, India's Space Agency to Collaborate on Mars and Earth-Study Missions

 

Erik Derr – Latin Post

 

Not even a week after India wowed the world by not only placing an orbiter around Mars on the first try, but doing it one a shoestring budget, the country's space agency has been asked to play with the big boys.

 

 

Sierra Nevada unveils new plan for Dream Chaser at 65th International Astronautical Congress 2014

 

Jason Rhian - SpaceflightInsider.com

 

Fresh off the announcement that the Dream Chaser spacecraft would not proceed to the Commercial Crew transportation Capability (CCtCap) phase of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), Dream Chaser's manufacturer announced it will be offering up mini shuttle to other investors. The company recently unveiled its Global Project spaceflight program at the 65th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Toronto. The concept behind the plan is something that others, most notably the Golden Spike Company, have posted before and could mark a turning point in who is able to carry out orbital missions.

 

 

Protest halts Nasa spaceflight plans

 

Clive Simpson – BBC News

 

Nasa's plans to work on two new commercial spacecraft face a delay following a formal protest about the contract award process. The complaint has been filed by an eliminated contender. Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said the protest had been lodged by Sierra Nevada Corporation in relation to its Dreamchaser spaceplane proposal.

 

 

Space Station Partners in No Rush To Decide on Extension

 

Jeff Foust – Space News

 

TORONTO — The heads of three space agencies said Sept. 29 that their governments may not make decisions until 2016 on whether to continue to participate in the international space station beyond 2020. In a "Heads of Agencies" panel session that kicked off the 65th International Astronautical Congress here, and a press conference that followed, the leaders of the Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said they had near-term priorities to address first, including maximizing the current use of the ISS, before considering the extension proposed by the United States earlier this year.

 

 

NASA begins new mission of Earth science abroad International Space Station

 

James Tutten – WESH-TV Orlando

 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. —NASA is embarking on a new mission to utilize the International Space Station as a science platform for studying the Earth. The $150 billion ISS gives scientists and engineers a unique vantage point to use Earth-observing instruments to collect data. NASA currently plans to mount six Earth science instruments to the ISS by the end of this decade.

 

 

Lattes in Space! Espresso Machine Will Launch to Space Station

 

Elizabeth Howell – Space.com

 

TORONTO — Moments after David Avino turned on an espresso machine in the middle of the International Astronomical Congress exhibition floor here Monday (Sept. 29), more than a dozen bystanders stopped in their tracks to watch it brew. The machine — called ISSpresso — is a prototype similar to one that will fly to the International Space Station in April 2015 aboard Orbital Sciences' robotic Cygnus cargo vessel. It will take astronauts only minutes to set up ISSpresso on the orbiting lab — all they'll need to do is take out the box, secure the machine to the wall with bungee cords and get some water in a standard pouch. And then astronauts can enjoy some espresso with their space food.

 

 

Commercial Space Dominates IAC2014 Day Two

 

Day 2 of the 2014 International Astronautical Congress (IAC2014) kicked off with a plenary session on commercial space followed by a technical session on the same topic.  Both played to packed houses, a change from the past where commercial space sessions were often among the most lightly attended.   Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) was particularly in the limelight, with technical papers and press events highlighting Dream Chaser's versatility and a range of partnerships including a new "Global Project" to globalize Dream Chaser's business base.

 

 

 

COMPLETE STORIES

 

NASA, India's Space Agency to Collaborate on Mars and Earth-Study Missions

 

Erik Derr – Latin Post

 

Not even a week after India wowed the world by not only placing an orbiter around Mars on the first try, but doing it one a shoestring budget, the country's space agency has been asked to play with the big boys.

 

In a meeting Tuesday in Toronto, K. Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, Charles Bolden, administartor of the United States' national Aeronautics and Space Administration, signed two documents to initiate between the two agencies a joint satellite mission to observe Earth, as well as open a path for future joint missions to Mars, according to a NASA news release

 

India's Mars Orbiting Mission, also known as Mangalyaan, or, Mars-craft, was successfully inserted into orbit around the Red Planet on Sept. 24, for a cost of about $74-million.

 

Two days before, NASA inserted into orbit its own latest Mars probe, MAVEN, designed to study, similarly to the Indian craft, the rust-colored world's atmosphere.

 

"The signing of these two documents reflects the strong commitment NASA and ISRO have to advancing science and improving life on Earth," Bolden said in the release. "This partnership will yield tangible benefits to both our countries and the world."

 

Signed while the two leaders attended the International Astronautical Congress, a charter between the two space agencies establishes the NASA-ISRO Mars Working Group for exploring enhanced cooperation between the two countries in Mars exploration.

 

Also signed was an international agreement that details how the two agencies will work together on the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, set for launch in 2020.

 

The joint Mars Working Group will seek to identify and implement scientific, programmatic and technological goals that NASA and ISRO have in common regarding Mars exploration. The group will meet once a year to plan cooperative activities, including potential NASA-ISRO cooperation on future missions to Mars.

 

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, targeted to launch in 2020, will make global measurements of the causes and consequences of a variety of land surface changes on Earth.

 

"NASA and Indian scientists have a long history of collaboration in space science," said John Grunsfeld, NASA associate administrator for science. "These new agreements between NASA and ISRO in Earth science and Mars exploration will significantly strengthen our ties and the science that we will be able to produce as a result."

 

NASA and ISRO have been cooperating under the terms of a framework agreement signed in 2008.

 

 

Sierra Nevada unveils new plan for Dream Chaser at 65th International Astronautical Congress 2014

 

Jason Rhian - SpaceflightInsider.com

 

Fresh off the announcement that the Dream Chaser spacecraft would not proceed to the Commercial Crew transportation Capability (CCtCap) phase of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), Dream Chaser's manufacturer announced it will be offering up mini shuttle to other investors. The company recently unveiled its Global Project spaceflight program at the 65th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Toronto. The concept behind the plan is something that others, most notably the Golden Spike Company, have posted before and could mark a turning point in who is able to carry out orbital missions.

 

Under the Global Project, Dream Chaser would be offered up to clients who might not be able to develop a similar system on their own. Freed of the prohibitive costs involved with fielding a crewed mission, these entities could, in essence, gain a manned space program – with all the trimmings. Customers (likely smaller and less-developed nations) would be able to "customize" the Dream Chaser to suit the needs of the particular mission that they want to carry out.

 

"The SNC Global Project provides, for the first time in history, an unprecedented and unique set of spaceflight opportunities for clients around the world," said John Roth, vice president of business development for SNC's Space Systems.

 

Along with developing, testing and producing the spacecraft, other costs involved in having a manned space program include the infrastructure involved with maintaining the launch vehicles, facilities and ground support systems.  SNC is offering a training program, one based off of NASA's certification standards. Given that Dream Chaser has been developed and tested by NASA, the company should be able to potentially provide clients with services that meet if not exceed similar programs.

 

The Colorado-based firm has included elements that are meant to handle crewed flights, payload and vehicle safety operations as well as other elements critical to conducting orbital missions. SNC has stated crews that would fly on Dream Chaser under the firm's Global Project would be trained at SNC's Dream Chaser Training Facility and Space Operations Center.

 

These future Dream Chaser crews would be required to complete training involving pre-flight, ground, payload and mission control aspects of their specific missions. Clients can also be provided with assistance in establishing training programs.

 

Based off of NASA's HL-20 lifting body design, Dream Chaser, like the other competitors under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Boeing's CST-100 and SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft – has yet to launch any crew to orbit. Dream Chaser stood out from the other offerings under CCP as being the only winged spacecraft which is designed to conduct a controlled landing on a runway. Dream Chaser is described as being capable of either crewed or autonomous flight. On Sept. 16, NASA announced that SNC's offering had not been selected under CCtCap. The company has since filed a protest.

 

Even though it was not selected by NASA, SNC has already announced that both the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency have expressed interest in Dream Chaser.

 

As noted, Sierra Nevada's Global Project, bears some resemblance to the business model of the Golden Spike Company which has stated it will provide transportation services to the surface of the Moon for nations that would not otherwise have the infrastructure or ability to do so on their own. Under SNC's new initiative, Dream Chaser would serve as the baseline for an array of commercial, government or academic missions. According to SNC, these flights could either be crewed or uncrewed and could constitute a single flight – or a series of missions.

 

"SNC is offering access to crewed or uncrewed space missions that include an optionally-piloted space vehicle, a launch vehicle or choice of launch vehicles, and the supporting infrastructure and systems required for such a valuable program. The Global Project offers a client the opportunity to leverage and expand its local technology and industrial base by engaging government research and development laboratories, aerospace industry and universities in developing payloads, vehicle modifications, and ground processing capabilities in support of the selected LEO missions. This program will literally make space accessible to people all over the world, enabling those who have only dreamed about going to space to finally achieve it," Roth said.

 

 

Protest halts Nasa spaceflight plans

 

Clive Simpson – BBC News

 

Nasa's plans to work on two new commercial spacecraft face a delay following a formal protest about the contract award process.

 

The complaint has been filed by an eliminated contender.

 

Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said the protest had been lodged by Sierra Nevada Corporation in relation to its Dreamchaser spaceplane proposal.

 

He was speaking in Toronto at the opening of the week-long International Astronautical Congress (IAC).

 

The issue will keep the agency from moving forward with the next phase of its commercial crew programme until the issue has been resolved.

 

Nasa has 30 days to respond and the US government accountability office is expected to issue its ruling in early January 2015.

 

Just two weeks ago, the US space agency awarded a $4.2bn contract to The Boeing Corporation and $2.6bn to Elon Musk's SpaceX company to pursue its space capsule designs.

 

Both firms must meet specified technical milestones to qualify for stage payments and have stated their seven-person crew ships could be ready to launch astronauts by late 2017.

 

The contracts will be used to complete design, build and test phases before flying crews on up to six operational missions to the space station 260 miles (418 km) above Earth.

 

They are the culmination of a four-year programme to restore US-based human spaceflight capability following the retirement of the last of the three remaining space shuttles in 2011.

 

SpaceX

Elon Musk's SpaceX company - along with Boeing - was awarded contract to pursue its capsule designs

Since then, Nasa has been dependent on Russia to fly its nationals to the space station, a service that currently costs the US about $70 million per seat.

 

Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) issued a formal protest on Friday, saying its proposal would cost $900 million less than Boeing's.

 

The company cited "serious questions and inconsistencies in the source selection process" as its reason for filing the legal challenge.

 

"SNC's filing seeks a further detailed review and evaluation of the submitted proposals and capabilities," the company said in a statement .

 

"SNC takes the nation's human spaceflight capability and taxpayer's money very seriously. SNC believes the result of further evaluation of the proposals submitted will be that America ends up with a more capable vehicle, at a much lower cost, with a robust and sustainable future."

 

The company described its Dream Chaser design as offering a wider range of capabilities and value, including "preserving the heritage" of the space shuttle programme through its design as a piloted, reusable, lifting-body spacecraft.

 

Its ship looks more like a mini space shuttle than a conical capsule and - like the space shuttle - would glide back to Earth to land on a runway.

 

Bolden said the protest precluded him from making any kind of further comment as to why the Dream Chaser proposal was not selected.

 

 

Space Station Partners in No Rush To Decide on Extension

 

Jeff Foust – Space News

 

TORONTO — The heads of three space agencies said Sept. 29 that their governments may not make decisions until 2016 on whether to continue to participate in the international space station beyond 2020.

 

In a "Heads of Agencies" panel session that kicked off the 65th International Astronautical Congress here, and a press conference that followed, the leaders of the Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said they had near-term priorities to address first, including maximizing the current use of the ISS, before considering the extension proposed by the United States earlier this year.

 

"In Japan, the government hasn't decided to join in this program after 2020," said Naoki Okumura, president of JAXA, when asked about the government's support for an extension during the panel session. He said discussion would continue within the government until a 2016 meeting of the ISS partners in Japan.

 

One factor in that decision, he suggested, was finding ways to reduce costs of running the station's Kibo laboratory module. "We have to tackle that," he said.

 

At a press conference after the panel, Okamura's Canadian and European counterparts also said they were not planning an immediate decision on an extension to at least 2024. ESA director general Jean-Jacques Dordain said his "number one" priority regarding ISS at the agency's ministerial meeting in December is funding Europe's contribution to the ISS to 2020.

 

"We are preparing some principal decisions for what's next after 2020, but there will not be any funding commitment," he added. "The member states will be invited to give their views on what's after 2020."

 

"Our focus is to maximize the use of the international space Station," said Walter Natynczyk, president of the Canadian Space Agency. "And then, we will have a look at the entire value proposition when we put a case [for an extension] before the government of Canada."

 

In January, the White House and NASA announced that the United States would seek an extension of ISS operations from 2020 to at least 2024. Agency officials have indicated that, from a technical standpoint, the ISS could continue operating to 2028.

 

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who was also present at the panel session and press conference, did not comment on the statements by his counterparts. In a speech at a Federal Aviation Administration commercial space transportation conference in February, William Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations, said he expected the international partners would take "several years" to decide on the proposed extension, but would eventually approve it.

 

Geopolitical tensions this year involving Russia, while not affecting near-term ISS operations, have cast a shadow on the station's long-term future. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said earlier this year that Russia would end its participation in the ISS in 2020, although since then Roscosmos has indicated they are considering plans for an extension beyond 2020.

 

Denis Lyskov, deputy head of Roscosmos, was scheduled to appear on the panel at the conference. However, he was one of a number of Russian and Chinese delegates who were unable to attend because of visa problems.

 

 

NASA begins new mission of Earth science abroad International Space Station

 

James Tutten – WESH-TV Orlando

 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. —NASA is embarking on a new mission to utilize the International Space Station as a science platform for studying the Earth.

 

The $150 billion ISS gives scientists and engineers a unique vantage point to use Earth-observing instruments to collect data.

 

NASA currently plans to mount six Earth science instruments to the ISS by the end of this decade.

 

"We're seeing the space station come into its own as an Earth-observing platform," said Julie Robinson, chief scientist for the International Space Station Program in a statement. "It has a different orbit than other Earth-observing satellites. It's closer to Earth, and it sees Earth at different times of day with a different schedule."

 

Astronauts working aboard the ISS have observed and photographed several phenomena that typical orbiting satellites were unable to get. One example is detailed images of a massive ash plume from the fresh eruption of the Pavlof Volcano in May 2013.

 

The first instrument used for this new decade of discovery is ISS-RapidScat, which was launched on Sept. 20 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station by Space Exploration Technologies.

 

ISS-RapidScat will monitor the changes in direction and velocity of ocean winds, which will directly impact the accuracy of hurricane predictions around the world, officials said.

 

The next Earth science instrument to launch to the ISS in December will be the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System. It will monitor airborne particles such as pollution, mineral dust, and smoke with a laser radar.

 

"With the space station we don't have to build a whole new spacecraft to gather new data -- it's already there," said Stephen Volz, associate director of flight programs in the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters. "Designing instruments for the space station also gives us a chance to do high-risk, high-return instruments in a relatively economical way."

 

 

Lattes in Space! Espresso Machine Will Launch to Space Station

 

Elizabeth Howell – Space.com

 

TORONTO — Moments after David Avino turned on an espresso machine in the middle of the International Astronomical Congress exhibition floor here Monday (Sept. 29), more than a dozen bystanders stopped in their tracks to watch it brew.

 

The machine — called ISSpresso — is a prototype similar to one that will fly to the International Space Station in April 2015 aboard Orbital Sciences' robotic Cygnus cargo vessel. It will take astronauts only minutes to set up ISSpresso on the orbiting lab — all they'll need to do is take out the box, secure the machine to the wall with bungee cords and get some water in a standard pouch. And then astronauts can enjoy some espresso with their space food.

 

Avino, managing director of Italian engineering and software firm Argotec, inserted a standard Lavazza espresso capsule into the top of the device. He placed a water pouch in the bottom and put in a second, smaller pouch to collect the coffee. [Watch a video about the space station espresso machine]

 

Only a minute after Avino turned on the machine, coffee began filtering into the pouch. When the pouch was full, Avino offered samples for people to sip. Beside him, Lavazza USA CEO Ennio Ranaboldo said the machine is already attracting attention at NASA, even from Administrator Charles Bolden, who stopped by the exhibition floor earlier Monday — which was, appropriately enough, International Coffee Day.

 

"People were dragging him away," Ranaboldo joked.

 

Space modifications

 

ISSPresso, a joint Argotec-Lavazza-Italian Space Agency project, was already underway last year when Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano said in an interview that the thing he missed most in space was a good cup of coffee.

 

"I was calling people, asking, 'Were you talking to Luca?'" Avino said.

 

Argotec modeled ISSPresso after a previously existing espresso machine. That process saved a great deal of development time; it took 1.5 years to get the machine ready, compared to about six years to design and build an espresso maker from scratch, company representatives said.

 

But Argotec did make some changes to the existing design, altering the brewing system to make it leak-free in orbit. (The exact changes are not being released for proprietary reasons.) The space-bound machine is so different, in fact, that only three parameters are the same as Earth-based espresso makers: the capsule of coffee, the brewing temperature of 167 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius) and the water pressure.

 

The inside was revamped to fit standard water pouches on the space station, and attachments were added to the outside so bungee cords could be used to secure the machine to a wall.

Future work

 

If the machine makes it to orbit on time aboard the Cygnus spacecraft, another Italian astronaut — Samantha Cristoforetti — will be there to try out the espresso for herself. Avino said the machine is getting attention not only with her, but also with the rest of the astronaut corps.

 

If the machine works as expected in orbit, the companies think it could also be used to rehydrate food and to brew other drinks, such as tea.

 

Lavazza plans to send regular shipments of its coffee on cargo runs to the International Space Station, making sure to send enough so the astronauts don't run out. The ISSPresso machine has been designed to last several years in orbit (the company did not specify exactly how long) based on a crew of six people having coffee once or twice a day.

 

Commercial Space Dominates IAC2014 Day Two

 

Day 2 of the 2014 International Astronautical Congress (IAC2014) kicked off with a plenary session on commercial space followed by a technical session on the same topic.  Both played to packed houses, a change from the past where commercial space sessions were often among the most lightly attended.   Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) was particularly in the limelight, with technical papers and press events highlighting Dream Chaser's versatility and a range of partnerships including a new "Global Project" to globalize Dream Chaser's business base.

 

SNC is protesting its loss of NASA's Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCAP) contracts and NASA and SNC officials are fervently avoiding answering any questions about CCtCAP.  (NASA officials would not even answer a generic question about whether the 2-6 operational flights in the contracts assume that International Space Station operations will be extended to 2024.)

 

However, SNC is also participating in the current Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCAP) phase.  Following SNC's Global Project press conference, John Olson, SNC Vice President of Space Systems, said that the company is "marching forward" to meet its two remaining CCiCAP milestones and Dream Chaser's first launch (without a crew) aboard an Atlas V remains on schedule for November 2016.   However, the company is awaiting "further dialogue and discourse" with NASA to see if the agency has additional guidance it wants to provide on CCiCAP.

 

Global Project is an "opportunity to change the world," enthused SNC's Cassie Lee by offering Dream Chaser as a "turnkey" system to countries around the world for crewed or uncrewed customized flights.   Dream Chaser is "launch vehicle agnostic" she stressed and while the company has been working with Atlas V for many years, it can be launched from other rockets and land in other places in the world.   She provided no details on cost – it is "not a price per seat or price per pound" she said – or what other launch vehicles are capable of launching it, but Olson explained later that it could be launched by Delta IV, Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy in the United States, or by SNC's European or Japanese partners using Ariane V (ES or ME), possibly Ariane 6, or H-IIB.   Dream Chaser can also land in other countries, Lee said, and is easy to return to a launch site via flatbed truck or cargo aircraft since Dream Chaser is only 30 feet long and the wings and rudder are removable.

 

Later in the day SNC announced another new initiative with Stratolaunch that involves a "scaled version" of Dream Chaser integrated with a Stratolaunch air launch system.  More details will be announced here at IAC2014 tomorrow.

 

Meanwhile, although visa problems prevented China and Russia from participating in yesterday's Heads of Agencies panels, there is some representation from both countries here.   China's space agency has a substantial presence in the exhibit hall (by contrast, NASA does not have an exhibit there at all) and at least one Russian, Alexander Derechin, presented his paper on Russia's space tourism activities. He noted that Sarah Brightman will begin training for her mission next year.  When asked if any wealthy Russians are on the list of future space tourists, he said he had approached four individuals, but there were no takers yet.

 

The IAC is a dizzying array of parallel sessions throughout each day on technical, policy and legal space issues.  Many papers with Russian and Chinese authors are listed in the program and it is not possible to be in every session to keep score of who actually came to Toronto, but it can be said that Russia and China were not completely excluded from the conference.

 

Among today's other tidbits are the following:

 

·         Frank Culbertson of Orbital Sciences Corporation talked about the ability of Orbital's Cygnus spacecraft, now used for cargo flights to the ISS, to accommodate four people for 60 days when berthed to Lockheed Martin's Orion spacecraft, and the possibility of Cygnus serving as a "destination" for Orion in cis-lunar space.  He also said, in response to a question, that the financial investment in Cygnus was two-thirds Orbital and one-third government.

·         SNC and Lockheed Martin gave a joint presentation about how exploration and commercial crew are "natural partners" and how the two companies are teaming together.

·         The session on Humans to Mars (the only other Standing Room Only event we encountered) included a paper from MIT on its simulation of a one-way Mars trip based on the Mars One concept that concluded "crew fatality" after 68 days due to suffocation from low levels of oxygen.

·         SpaceX said that the 20 "moustronauts" delivered to ISS on SpaceX CRS-4 are alive and well.

 

 

END

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