Mars Science Laboratory is supposed to quicken the pace of searching for life on Mars. A nuclear-powered, 9-foot long rover, MSL has capabilities far exceeding the rovers Spirit and Opportunity. NASA plans to launch MSL next year, but budget overruns may yet scuttle the project.
So far, $1.5 billion has heen spent, which is well over budget. Given today's economic climate, Congress could decide to end the project.
The problem with MSL is illustrative of a historical tug within NASA regarding planetary missions: Do you do fewer big projects capable of doing lots of science, which makes failure disastrous, or do you do several less expensive, more focused missions, which will produce less science but might increase the chances of at least some success? Both approaches have worked in the past. Perhaps the next administration will chart the immediate future.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
MESSENGER Comes Through Again
NASA's MESSENGER is delivering more data on its second flyby of Mercury. Images sent back so far include pictures of impact craters complete with ray systems, similar to lunar impact craters. The rays are made of bright material ejected when the crater was gouged out of the surface. The presence of a ray system suggests the crater at its center is relatively young.
The probe is also building a mosaic of images, which will allow better maps of the surface.
MESSENGER has one more flyby of Mercury after this one before going into orbit around the planet in March, 2011.
The probe is also building a mosaic of images, which will allow better maps of the surface.
MESSENGER has one more flyby of Mercury after this one before going into orbit around the planet in March, 2011.
Monday, October 6, 2008
MESSENGER Returns To Mercury
NASA's MESSENGER probe is currently in its second flyby of the planet Mercury. This one will bring it within 125 miles of Mercury's surface, which is still largely unseen.
Because of Mercury's small size and proximity to the Sun, studying the planet has always been a challenge for Earthbound astronomers. Designers of space missions have found it a tough target, as well. Indeed, it was only with MESSENGER's first flyby several nonths ago that scientists were able to determine Mercury has shield volcanoes.
They hope to see more of the surface during this flyby, and on through the remainder of the MESSENGER mission.
Because of Mercury's small size and proximity to the Sun, studying the planet has always been a challenge for Earthbound astronomers. Designers of space missions have found it a tough target, as well. Indeed, it was only with MESSENGER's first flyby several nonths ago that scientists were able to determine Mercury has shield volcanoes.
They hope to see more of the surface during this flyby, and on through the remainder of the MESSENGER mission.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Little Bang
Just as most cosmologists say the universe was birthed in a Big Bang, a new computer model supports the theory that our solar system started in a Little Bang.
The new model is the first to present a plausible development scenario. It suggests a nearby star exploded in a supernova. The shock waves of that blast condensed parts of a huge cloud of gas and dust. One of those parts became the Sun. A key piece of the case for this theory is the presence of a rare isotope of iron in meteorites and asteroids. That isotope is only created in the cores of huge stars. When such a star goes supernova, the iron is thrown out into space. So, the shock waves from the explosion triggered the formation of the Sun, and the rare iron isotope became part of the new solar system.
The new model is the first to present a plausible development scenario. It suggests a nearby star exploded in a supernova. The shock waves of that blast condensed parts of a huge cloud of gas and dust. One of those parts became the Sun. A key piece of the case for this theory is the presence of a rare isotope of iron in meteorites and asteroids. That isotope is only created in the cores of huge stars. When such a star goes supernova, the iron is thrown out into space. So, the shock waves from the explosion triggered the formation of the Sun, and the rare iron isotope became part of the new solar system.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Bush Okays Soyuz Flights
On September 30, President Bush signed into law the bill giving NASA authority to negotiate with Russia to purchase flights for Western astronauts aboard Soyuz capsules. That will allow NASA access to ISS between the final shuttle flight and the first flight of Orion.
Hopefully, the irony of the necessity of such a deal is not lost on anyone. Forty years after America won the Space Race, NASA has been reduced to buying seats on Soyuz flights to get astronauts into space for three or four years. The American political system has proven unable to develop and execute a long range technological program. That is discouraging in a world that will rely increasingly on high technology.
The Soyuz bill was part of a larger bill that included NASA funding for part of the next fiscal year. Funding will be maintained at current levels, which comes out to just under $ 18 billion a year, or less than one percent of total federal spending.
Hopefully, the irony of the necessity of such a deal is not lost on anyone. Forty years after America won the Space Race, NASA has been reduced to buying seats on Soyuz flights to get astronauts into space for three or four years. The American political system has proven unable to develop and execute a long range technological program. That is discouraging in a world that will rely increasingly on high technology.
The Soyuz bill was part of a larger bill that included NASA funding for part of the next fiscal year. Funding will be maintained at current levels, which comes out to just under $ 18 billion a year, or less than one percent of total federal spending.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Moon First
NASA's Mike Griffin, speaking earlier this week in Scotland, told a gathering of the International Astronomical Union that returning to the Moon is essential before sending people to Mars, citing the complexity of a Mars mission and the capabilities that need to be developed before the attempt is made.
He noted the Apollo astronauts spent a total of 27 days exploring the Moon, which has a surface area equal ro Africa. There is much lunar exploration left to be done, he said. Griffin also argued that before we undertake a Mars mission, we should be confident we could send a crew for a 6- to 9-month stay on ISS, on to the Moon for a similar time, and back to ISS for another 6- to 9-month stay before returning home-- all without resupply. The point would be to simulate a Mars mission in relative safety. Clearly, even a consortium of spacedaring nations would be many years away from being able to carry out even that mission.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the successful Shenzhou 7 mission, a spokesman for the Chinese space program said China plans to send a man to the Moon in the near future. Some experts on China say a person in such an official capacity would not have made such a statement unless China had in fact decided on a lunar mission fairly soon.
Couple government efforts to reach the Moon with the plans of various private organizations, and the next two decades could see the early stage of humanity firmly establishing itself beyond Earth.
He noted the Apollo astronauts spent a total of 27 days exploring the Moon, which has a surface area equal ro Africa. There is much lunar exploration left to be done, he said. Griffin also argued that before we undertake a Mars mission, we should be confident we could send a crew for a 6- to 9-month stay on ISS, on to the Moon for a similar time, and back to ISS for another 6- to 9-month stay before returning home-- all without resupply. The point would be to simulate a Mars mission in relative safety. Clearly, even a consortium of spacedaring nations would be many years away from being able to carry out even that mission.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the successful Shenzhou 7 mission, a spokesman for the Chinese space program said China plans to send a man to the Moon in the near future. Some experts on China say a person in such an official capacity would not have made such a statement unless China had in fact decided on a lunar mission fairly soon.
Couple government efforts to reach the Moon with the plans of various private organizations, and the next two decades could see the early stage of humanity firmly establishing itself beyond Earth.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Space Adventures Sued
A Japanese businessman is suing Space Adventures in U. S. Federal court for $21 million for breach of contract because he was denied a trip to ISS after Russian physicians determined he had kidney stones. SA offers flights to ISS aboard Soyuz capsules.
SA's position on the suit is that the contract their customers sign clearly states that physical requirements must be met. The man suing, it seems, has a history of developing kidney stones. That probably should disqualify him for long duration spaceflights, but the SA flights are only a few days, which potentially could be a different case. The suit also brings up a question: If the man has a history of a physical condition that would preclude spaceflight, why did SA sign a contract with him and take his money in the first place?
SA's position on the suit is that the contract their customers sign clearly states that physical requirements must be met. The man suing, it seems, has a history of developing kidney stones. That probably should disqualify him for long duration spaceflights, but the SA flights are only a few days, which potentially could be a different case. The suit also brings up a question: If the man has a history of a physical condition that would preclude spaceflight, why did SA sign a contract with him and take his money in the first place?
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