Space Adventures, the company that sells tourist trips to the International Space Station aboard Russian Soyuz spacecraft, is now putting together a plan for private lunar flights.
The flights would not go into orbit around the Moon. Rather, the flights will follow a trajectory that will swing the ship around the Moon and bring it back to Earth. Going into lunar orbit would no doubt be a more attractive offering, but it would also be much riskier. A rocket engine would be required to put the ship into and get it out of lunar orbit. If that engine failed either time, the flight would end in disaster,
The Soyuz would be used in the flights. As Space Adventures CEO Eric Anderson points out, the Soyuz was designed to be a lunar craft, even though it has yet to carry anyone beyond low Earth orbit. A lunar flight from SA would have one pilot and two tourists, with each tourist seat costing $100 million. No date for the first lunar flight has been announced, but Anderson (no relation to me) said interest is strong. He also said he is confident the Soyuz would be up to the the flight even without planned upgrades.
Space Adventures is also planning to offer tourists the possibility of a spacewalk, possibly beginning in 2009.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Another Bigelow Launch Success
Bigelow Aerospace has gone two for two in its Russian launches. Earlier today, Bigelow's second experimental spacecraft, Genesis II, was launched into orbit from a Russian base atop a Russian rocket. Last July, Genesis I was launched from Russia, as well, and is still sending back data from orbit.
Genesis I has been a huge success for the company. The key concept Bigelow is trying to introduce into manned spaceflight is the inflatable module. A module that can expand in space will allow the construction of large structures in space-- and eventually on the Moon, on asteroids, and possibly on Mars-- while using the same types of rocket launchers that have always been used. Studies suggest we might be using those same launchers for the next fifty years, so Bigelow's inflatable module approach could be a fundamental, even historic, breakthrough.
Genesis I expanded and deployed its power-producing solar arrays perfectly; it has performed exceedingly well, especially for a first attempt by a new company. Genesis II is closely modeled on its predecessor, but is packed with more sensors and more technology. If all goes well with Genesis II, Bigelow Aerospace will be on course to launch a man-rated inflatable module in 2010. Add that achievement to the private launch companies that intend to be flying tourists on suborbital thrill rides before 2010, and NASA's plan to open the U. S. side of the ISS to some private researchers as it heads back to the Moon to establish a permanent base, and you can argue the next decade has the potential to finally launch phase two of The Space Age.
Genesis I has been a huge success for the company. The key concept Bigelow is trying to introduce into manned spaceflight is the inflatable module. A module that can expand in space will allow the construction of large structures in space-- and eventually on the Moon, on asteroids, and possibly on Mars-- while using the same types of rocket launchers that have always been used. Studies suggest we might be using those same launchers for the next fifty years, so Bigelow's inflatable module approach could be a fundamental, even historic, breakthrough.
Genesis I expanded and deployed its power-producing solar arrays perfectly; it has performed exceedingly well, especially for a first attempt by a new company. Genesis II is closely modeled on its predecessor, but is packed with more sensors and more technology. If all goes well with Genesis II, Bigelow Aerospace will be on course to launch a man-rated inflatable module in 2010. Add that achievement to the private launch companies that intend to be flying tourists on suborbital thrill rides before 2010, and NASA's plan to open the U. S. side of the ISS to some private researchers as it heads back to the Moon to establish a permanent base, and you can argue the next decade has the potential to finally launch phase two of The Space Age.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Martian Dust Storm
According to NASA probes orbiting Mars and amateur astronomers who are not, a large dust storm is developing on the Red Planet. Dust storms are regular features of the Martian climate, and sometimes they reach incredible size. Sometimes, in fact, they envelope the entire planet. The current storm is not presently threatening either NASA rover now operating, but if it envelopes the areas the rovers are exploring, it could hinder rover activity. Because the rovers get their power by collecting sunlight through solar panels significant amounts of dust in the air would cut the power available.
Such huge storms would obviously have an effect on human exploration and settlement of the planet. All equipment would need to be constantly monitored and regularly cleaned. The ideal solution would probably be to completely seal all equipment from the outside environment, but that might not be practical.
Of course, if the terraforming of Mars is successful, soil should some day hold dust to the ground. Huge dust storms would become only an occasional reminder of the planet's wild past.
Such huge storms would obviously have an effect on human exploration and settlement of the planet. All equipment would need to be constantly monitored and regularly cleaned. The ideal solution would probably be to completely seal all equipment from the outside environment, but that might not be practical.
Of course, if the terraforming of Mars is successful, soil should some day hold dust to the ground. Huge dust storms would become only an occasional reminder of the planet's wild past.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Astrology
Humans have always recognized they lived in a dangerous, unpredictable world and sought ways to influence and understand events occurring around them. In today's Western world, most people try to do that by paying attention to work done by experts in various fields, largely through the mass media, and increasingly through the Internet. Religion, cultural values, and political judgments shape personal decisions. Before there were staff meetings, space satellites, and scientific inquiry, however, there was astrology.
Astrology is based on the curious notion that the positions of planets and stars in Earth's sky influence the lives of individuals and the course of human events. Exactly how this influence is manife4sted is unclear. What is clear is that when the principles of astrolgy were laid down, there were seven planets, including the Sun and the Moon, but excluding Uranus and Neptune, and the entire universe consisted of stars that can be seen with the naked eye from Earth-- about six thousand. Now we know the universe is a vastly larger, vastly more complex place. That new and deeper understanding should have buried astrology long ago, but it didn't.
You may notice that Blogger profiles carry the person's astrological sign. I have no idea why. Nor do I understand why people read astrology columns in newspapers, or hire astrologers to do specific charts. The explanation that seems to make the most sense is that people are still desperate to understand a dangerous, unpredictable world.
Astrology is based on the curious notion that the positions of planets and stars in Earth's sky influence the lives of individuals and the course of human events. Exactly how this influence is manife4sted is unclear. What is clear is that when the principles of astrolgy were laid down, there were seven planets, including the Sun and the Moon, but excluding Uranus and Neptune, and the entire universe consisted of stars that can be seen with the naked eye from Earth-- about six thousand. Now we know the universe is a vastly larger, vastly more complex place. That new and deeper understanding should have buried astrology long ago, but it didn't.
You may notice that Blogger profiles carry the person's astrological sign. I have no idea why. Nor do I understand why people read astrology columns in newspapers, or hire astrologers to do specific charts. The explanation that seems to make the most sense is that people are still desperate to understand a dangerous, unpredictable world.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Interstellar Travel on the Cheap
When we think of interstellar travel, we think of powerful starships whizzing through space. Or, perhaps, we think of huge ships-- space arks-- that take centuries to travel between stars. In that case, the people who arrive in the new solar system are the descendants of those who left the old one. Either case presents interstellar travel as dauntingly difficult.
Which, of course, it is. All space travel is difficult and dangerous. That should become less so in the centuries to come, just as sailing the oceans and flying through the air have largely been mastered. If the human economy expands beyond Earth, extraterrestrial resources will be used. That will mean mining asteroids and comets. Such mining could lead to hundreds or thousands of small communities, scattered throughout the Solar System, living on small bodies and constantly on the lookout for new sources of water ice and other volatiles, and metals. The leading edge of that settlement will tend to move farther and farther away from the Sun, deeper into space.
A spherical collection of such bodies that astronomers call the Oort Cloud surrounds the Sun, Some astronomers say the Oort Cloud may extend halfway to the nearest star, which is the Alpha Centauri multiple star system. If Alpha Centauri has its own Oort Cloud-- and some comets almost certainly come in from outside our system-- small bodies orbiting on the edges of the two realms likely intermingle.
Small human communities drifting farther and farther out, in search of economic gain, or new knowledge, or more freedom, or adventure, or simple isolation may eventually ease into the gravitational influence of Alpha Centauri. One of the signal events of human history may occur unnoticed by anyone.
Which, of course, it is. All space travel is difficult and dangerous. That should become less so in the centuries to come, just as sailing the oceans and flying through the air have largely been mastered. If the human economy expands beyond Earth, extraterrestrial resources will be used. That will mean mining asteroids and comets. Such mining could lead to hundreds or thousands of small communities, scattered throughout the Solar System, living on small bodies and constantly on the lookout for new sources of water ice and other volatiles, and metals. The leading edge of that settlement will tend to move farther and farther away from the Sun, deeper into space.
A spherical collection of such bodies that astronomers call the Oort Cloud surrounds the Sun, Some astronomers say the Oort Cloud may extend halfway to the nearest star, which is the Alpha Centauri multiple star system. If Alpha Centauri has its own Oort Cloud-- and some comets almost certainly come in from outside our system-- small bodies orbiting on the edges of the two realms likely intermingle.
Small human communities drifting farther and farther out, in search of economic gain, or new knowledge, or more freedom, or adventure, or simple isolation may eventually ease into the gravitational influence of Alpha Centauri. One of the signal events of human history may occur unnoticed by anyone.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Terraforming Mars
Scientists are often science fiction fans and sometimes their work brings science fiction themes and ideas into reality. In fact, the science fiction community has long argued their literature did not simply predict the future, but helped shape it by stirring the imaginations of young people who grew up to become scientists and engineers. There certainly seems to be something to that position.
Terraforming, at the moment, is still science fiction, but maybe not for much longer. Terraforming is a process by which we would make another planet more Earthlike, and therefore suited to support human life with a minimum of technology being necessary. Mars is the facored first target.
Dr. Chris McKay of NASA Ames is a leading voice within the agency for the manned exploration of Mars sooner rather than later-- and a leading proponent of using terraforming to turn the Red Planet green. Under McKay's plan, the whole process would take centuries. Lowell Wood, a physicist retired from the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, recently argued for a more optimistic date. Under his plan, Mars would be virtually completely transformed by the end of this century. Humanity would have a second home in the Solar System.
Of course, if we discover extant life on Mars, changing the climate to suit ourselves might be deemed unacceptable. There is also a strong possibility that such a massive project will turn out to be more complex than some scientists currently believe. If Professor Wood is correct, however, this century could see the beginning of a multi-world civilization with access to immense resources and the possibility of the creation of incredible wealth and opportunity.
Terraforming, at the moment, is still science fiction, but maybe not for much longer. Terraforming is a process by which we would make another planet more Earthlike, and therefore suited to support human life with a minimum of technology being necessary. Mars is the facored first target.
Dr. Chris McKay of NASA Ames is a leading voice within the agency for the manned exploration of Mars sooner rather than later-- and a leading proponent of using terraforming to turn the Red Planet green. Under McKay's plan, the whole process would take centuries. Lowell Wood, a physicist retired from the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, recently argued for a more optimistic date. Under his plan, Mars would be virtually completely transformed by the end of this century. Humanity would have a second home in the Solar System.
Of course, if we discover extant life on Mars, changing the climate to suit ourselves might be deemed unacceptable. There is also a strong possibility that such a massive project will turn out to be more complex than some scientists currently believe. If Professor Wood is correct, however, this century could see the beginning of a multi-world civilization with access to immense resources and the possibility of the creation of incredible wealth and opportunity.
Friday, June 22, 2007
STS 117 Home
After a mission of accomplishments and jitters, Atlantis landed safely in California this afternoon, successfully ending the STS 117 flight. The shuttle landed at Edwards Air Force Base because of iffy weather at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
The mission dealt with a possibly dangerous torn heat tile on Atlantis that astronauts repaired in a spacewalk. It also dealt with a shutdown of the Russian-built computers on ISS that keep the station properly oriented in space. The Russians were able to get the computers back online, but the software glitch could potentially have rendered the station useless, With that uncertainty surrounding them, however, the astronauts were still able to complete all the major tasks of the mission.
The biggest of those tasks was the installation and activation of another set of solar arrays. That will give ISS more power, and brings the completion of the station-- and the end of the shuttle era-- one step closer.
The mission dealt with a possibly dangerous torn heat tile on Atlantis that astronauts repaired in a spacewalk. It also dealt with a shutdown of the Russian-built computers on ISS that keep the station properly oriented in space. The Russians were able to get the computers back online, but the software glitch could potentially have rendered the station useless, With that uncertainty surrounding them, however, the astronauts were still able to complete all the major tasks of the mission.
The biggest of those tasks was the installation and activation of another set of solar arrays. That will give ISS more power, and brings the completion of the station-- and the end of the shuttle era-- one step closer.
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