Governor Bill Richardson Endorses Commercial Spaceflight, Obama's New NASA Plan, CSF
 
"In a piece titled "Commercial Spaceflight: Creating 21st Century Jobs" in The Huffington Post, Governor Richardson states, "I am pleased that President Obama and NASA chief Charlie Bolden have decided to promote commercial spaceflight -- let's get to work building this growing industry! The Wright Brothers would be proud." The article can be found here."

A New Exit to Space Readies for Business, NY Times

"President Obama's call last month for fundamental changes in the mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration seemed to open the door, or roof, ever wider to private industry. Some people here interpreted his words to mean that your seat back and tray table should be in their full upright positions, because commercial space travel is about to blast off. And this flat, deserted, mostly rain-free stretch of New Mexico is the perfect location, says Will Whitehorn, the president of Virgin Galactic, the spaceport's anchor tenant. "It is about the closest you get on planet Earth to a Martian landscape," he says."

Spaceships Worthy of the Name, Buzz Aldrin, Huffington post

"In storage at Marshall Spaceflight Center, and elsewhere around the country are spacecraft components from which we can build a true spaceship, one worthy of the name. I've called the Exploration Module, or XM. This vehicle, lifted up to orbit aboard the Space Shuttle in its final missions, would be a true spacecraft that lives only in space. ... My concept for a cycling spaceship, now universally called the Aldrin cycler, could be fashioned out of the XM. All we'd need would be a rocket to attach to it, maybe like the Centaur liquid hydrogen upper stage flown many times aboard many different launchers - and managed by Ohio's Glenn Research Center."

For NASA no easy answer for next space destination, AP

"Former NASA associate administrator Alan Stern said he's waiting to hear what NASA officials outline in the Capitol Hill hearings, but he too has concerns about not having a precise destination. "We need a destination and a timetable and that's really lacking," Stern said. He said that relying on technology to dictate a location "sounds like a program to nowhere." Because human spaceflight is about inspiration, science and international cooperation, Stern said, "you need a specific destination, a proper noun, something that's capitalized."

The NASTAR Suborbital Scientist Training Program provides space flight physiology training for prospective 'Suborbital Scientist-Astronauts' interested in understanding how to take advantage of emerging low-cost, frequent suborbital 'human-in-the-loop' experiments and Research & Education Mission (REM) opportunities.

12 Suborbital Scientists signed up to participate in the inaugural course on January 12-13, 2010 at The National AeroSpace Training And Research (NASTAR) Center, located just outside Philadelphia, PA. The researchers, students and grad students that participated were supported from the following institutions: SwRI, Boston University, the Denver Museum of Natural Sciences (DMNS), the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Central Florida and the University Space Research Association (USRA).

The NASTAR Suborbital Scientist Training Program includes an overview of the commercial space research industry, high altitude training, suborbital space flight training and distraction factor management training. Trainees practice comprehensive Astronaut training techniques and learn how to mentally and physically prepare themselves and their experiment for the extreme environmental conditions experienced during spaceflight.

Courses Available. Contact NASTAR Center at 215-355-9100 or info@nastarcenter.com to sign up or go to http://www.nastarcenter.com for further information on this, or other courses. Video courtesy of NASTAR and Jim Arthurs, Image Shoppe

Embry-Riddle Speech, Homer Hickam

"So, I say to you students of Embry-Riddle, don't be afraid and please don't walk away from a career in aerospace. The nation is depending on you to pry from the tiller of space the hands of those who don't understand what its promise means. The nation is depending on you to rebuild from the wreckage that our present leaders may cause. The nation is depending on you to bring the vigor of youth to aging bureaucracies and to make them all new and bright again. This you can do, this you must do, and this old rocket boy is certain you will do. Now go forth and make me proud."

Unlucky Orion crashing out of the space program as drop test fails, NASASpaceflight.com

"Unfortunately, the Orion Project suffered a failure on one of its tests this week, when a boilerplate Orion crashed to Earth after its "parachutes failed to deploy". However, the problem is not believed to be Orion or the parachute system's fault, with the failure memo citing a problem with the rigging associated with the extraction system - although this is yet to be confirmed, as an investigation will be required. "A quick heads up that the Orion test drop failed. Looks like the extraction system failed to release so the Orion chute system never deployed," noted the memo acquired on Tuesday (the day of the failure) by L2. "Still saving the remains but expecting minimal hardware recovery.""

Keith's 15 Feb note: I cannot find any mention whatsoever of this crash at NASA.gov - not at the main exploration page, at the main Constellation page, at the Constellation blog or anywhere else. Why is ESMD PAO refusing to officialy explain what happened? This is not the first time that ESMD has sat on Orion parachute failure information.

- Why Won't ESMD Release Orion Parachute Test Vehicle Crash Photos?, earlier post
- Orion Crash Photos and Videos Online - Finally, earlier post

Keith's 22 Feb update: Still nothing from ESMD PAO on this. Either they do not want to say anything or they do not know what to say. Probably both.

NASA FY2011 Budget Summary Materials Posted To NASA.Gov

"NASA published its Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Estimates on Monday, providing more information about the president's plan for the agency's future. The material highlights spending plans for program elements for each of the agency's mission directorates, further defining the budget request unveiled Feb. 1. The information provides significant additional detail on the new programs, their goals, and the rationales for NASA's new direction in human space exploration."

Q&A: Plans for NASA would bring significant changes to Space Coast, Florida Today

"Our real concern is Main Street: the guys who are going to see a reduction in their sales because household incomes are going to change. "We've been researching the opportunities and trying to find models of other communities around the country who have gone through similar instances. . . "

ATK supporters dismayed over U.S. space plans, AP

"Current and laid-off workers and promoters of ATK Space Systems say they are discouraged by an apparent drift in U.S. plans for space travel. Clearfield-based ATK Space Systems has laid off 970 workers in Utah since October, citing an uncertain future with the phase-out of the space shuttle and the Minuteman III ballistic missile programs."

Mikulski slips Nelson a note on NASA, Orlando Sentinel

"Earlier this week, Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland sent a two-page letter to Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida that attempts to outline her vision for NASA and notes that it is "more important than ever" that the two lawmakers "work on consultation" to consider the White House plan. The potential alliance is crucial as Mikulski heads the Senate spending subcommittee with oversight of NASA's budget and Nelson oversees the subcommittee that helps define NASA policy. "I thought it might also be helpful to share with you the principles that I will rely on when drafting the fiscal year 2011 funding bill for NASA," she writes."

Bill Nelson: Manned space program isn't dead yet

"The White House made two errors when announcing its plans for NASA, Sen. Bill Nelson said Tuesday. "I think they made two tactical mistakes that gave everybody the wrong impression," the Florida Democrat said. "The first one is that the president didn't set what the goal is, and everybody knows the goal and that's to go to Mars. "The second mistake was that they said they are canceling the Constellation program."

Don't be blinded by the moon, Opinion, Tampa Bay Online

"Nelson is right that space research is not a waste. It has produced useful spinoffs, including communication and weather satellites, GPS and medical advances, including Lasik surgery. But those successes don't make Obama wrong to try to unleash the inventiveness of U.S. profit-motivated entrepreneurs to build faster and cheaper ships. Jobs will be created, but they will be different jobs, possibly in different places."

"Veteran space journalist and NASA Advisory Council member Miles O'Brien will testify on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Feb. 24, regarding what the public thinks of President Obama's space plan and NASA in general. What do you think? We appreciate your participation in this short survey. Thank you." Go here to participate in the survey.

Keith's note: If you'd like to suggest some comments for Miles, post them here. Brevity is encouraged.

Impeach Obama Save NASA Sign @ 1 of busiest Intersections in Houston, CNN iReport

"I was driving by & saw this sign @ one of the busiest intersections in Houston! This photo was taken at the Intersection of Hwy 6 & 59. Kesha Rodgers is running for Congress, I guess & had this sign made up & I stopped to take a photo! She asked to Impeach Obama & Save NASA!"

NASA JSC Advanced Planning Office Blog: Pass the Baton or Short Track Speed Skater Push, NASA Blogs

"Therefore for me it is not a question of how do we handoff the responsibility of access to Low Earth Orbit to commercial space but how do we ensure that the commercial space community reaches a speed close to what NASA has obtained over the past 50 years so that NASA can push them off to continue the race? How do we set up the transition so that in the event that commercial space should fall, NASA can tag the fallen and temporarily continue the race? Yes I know, with the completion of the Shuttle program the push off is more of a challenge yet not impossible."

According to NASA: "Space shuttle Endeavour landed at Kennedy Space Center. A post-landing news conference with managers at Kennedy is expected no earlier than midnight ET on NASA TV and http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. The participants will be: Mike Moses, space shuttle launch integration manager, and Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director. A welcome ceremony for the crew's return to Houston will be held at Ellington Field's NASA Hangar 990 at 4 p.m. CT on Monday."

Photos of SpaceX's Falcon 9 Vertical at Cape Canaveral

"SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle is now vertical at Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral. Following its mate to the transporter erector, Falcon 9 was rolled from the integration hangar to the launch pad where final checks of the pad hydraulic and pneumatic systems were completed. Falcon 9 is undergoing a checkout of the critical flight connections including fuel, liquid oxygen, and gas pressure systems."

"Scientists Alan Stern and Dan Durda describe the coming era of suborbital spaceflight and how it will open up great possibilities for researchers, educators, and the public beginning later this year."

Farewell to NASA's Glory Days, opinion, NY Times

"One of the most important attributes of a manned space program is its ability to inspire young people to pursue careers in science. As someone who came to power on a platform of inspiration, President Obama knows about the importance of rekindling hope. Killing NASA's storied manned space program and doing away with a timeline for space travel will snuff out much of inspiration and awe that has come to be associated with NASA's endeavors."

Obama must reconsider space mission, Times Leader

"Rarely have we seen such an about-face on an imperative national initiative. Congressional resuscitation is virtually impossible. Who wants to work for, train for and possibly die for the Moon and Mars when our national leader isn't at your side and doesn't have your back? Perhaps Obama thinks we've done that, been there. Or maybe he's not thinking at all."

Space race no longer being run, Walton Tribune

"American space exploration, however, as funded by the government is essentially gone. Obama - or at least his advisors, because I'm not even sure he remembers there is a NASA -- says the future of manned space travel lies in private industry, which is funny from the man who owns General Motors. Apparently, free enterprise is best condoned when it's something you don't want."

Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference a hit, 2011 follow up conference planned, SwRI

"When we conceived the idea for NSRC last summer, many people were skeptical that such a meeting would generate much interest. Honestly, some thought the research and education communities were simply not interested in suborbital science," says meeting organizer Dr. Alan Stern of Southwest Research Institute. "But people voted with their feet and came to NSRC, over 250 of them, and we heard an amazing variety of proposals to exploit the capabilities of next-gen suborbital spaceflight."

Olson vows to oppose Obama's NASA budget, Houston Chronicle

"During and after the meeting, the U.S. representative whose district includes Johnson Space Center, Republican Pete Olson, vowed to fight the president's plan to dramatically alter NASA human spaceflight plans. "Congress is going to challenge this plan," Olson said."

Senator Richard Shelby on Iran and NASA

"And speaking of our best interest, Senator Shelby plans to fight for the budget of NASA. With budget cuts virtually impacting all areas of our economy, NASA has felt the pinch as well. It's an element of our community that Senator Shelby stands behind. "Mississippi and Alabama are both very involved in NASA and the future of NASA. And we're going to fight that. Senator Cochran is in position in the Appropriations Committee and so am I to fight that. We haven't given up on that yet."

Mikulski slips Nelson a note on NASA, Orlando Sentinel

"Earlier this week, Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland sent a two-page letter to Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida that attempts to outline her vision for NASA and notes that it is "more important than ever" that the two lawmakers "work on consultation" to consider the White House plan."

Shuttle's extension in works, Florida Today

"U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas said a bipartisan plan is in the works in Congress that would call for extending the shuttle program another five years. The plan would require adding another $200 million to the NASA budget for 2010 and $1.5 billion to $2 billion a year starting in the 2011-12 budget year. The goal would be one to two shuttle flights a year through 2015, if it could be done safely."

Moon Dreams - The Americans may still go to the moon before the Chinese, The Economist

"WHEN America's space agency, NASA, announced its spending plans in February, some people worried that its cancellation of the Constellation moon programme had ended any hopes of Americans returning to the Earth's rocky satellite. The next footprints on the lunar regolith were therefore thought likely to be Chinese. Now, though, the private sector is arguing that the new spending plan actually makes it more likely America will return to the moon."

GAO on NASA's management and program challenges, Federal News Radio

"There are lots of changes coming to NASA during the next couple of years. The agency is retiring the space shuttle and taking its manned missions in a new direction. NASA is also struggling with the fact that the International Space Station is almost complete -- but grossly underutilized. GAO recently looked at what NASA is facing, and wrote a report with a number of recommendations."