Everyone who uses Windows-based software in their Internet accessing devices knows about computer viruses. In July, according to NASA, one such virus infected some of the lap top computers aboard ISS.
The virus involved wasn't the nasty variety; NASA calls it a nuisance. Nor did it get into the command software of the station, so ISS was never in any kind of danger. The virus has been wiped out.
How it got into ISS computers remains a mystery, though. One clue may be that it was the kind of virus that typically attacks online games. Maybe somebody on the ISS crew is a gamer in their free time.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Mars Exploration In 2008
The Mars Phoenix Lander is busy digging even deeper into the arctic ground, trying to find out if the depth it can reach will produce different results from those it has already obtained by digging down about seven inches.
Phoenix, though, is not the only exploration project currently operating on the surface of Mars. Both Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are still hanging tough. Spirit will remain stationary for a few more months as it builds up its power reserves after a long Martian winter, but is taking panoramic photographs of its surroundings in the meantime. Opportunity, on the other hand, is still literally rolling along. It is beginning its climb out of Victioria Crater, which it has been exploring for about the past Earth year.
Add the probes orbiting Mars, and this is a remarkable time for the fourth planet from the Sun's interaction with humanity.
Phoenix, though, is not the only exploration project currently operating on the surface of Mars. Both Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are still hanging tough. Spirit will remain stationary for a few more months as it builds up its power reserves after a long Martian winter, but is taking panoramic photographs of its surroundings in the meantime. Opportunity, on the other hand, is still literally rolling along. It is beginning its climb out of Victioria Crater, which it has been exploring for about the past Earth year.
Add the probes orbiting Mars, and this is a remarkable time for the fourth planet from the Sun's interaction with humanity.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Pushing The Shuttle
Russia's recent invasion of Georgia seems to have an increasing influence on U.S. space policy. Such are the tangled ways of politics. Three Republican senators-- McCain of Arizona, Hutchison of Texas, and Vitter of Louisiana-- have sent President Bush a letter urging him to refrain from any action that wou;d preclude shuttles flying after 2010. Between the shuttle retirement and the first flight of Orion, as things stand now, the only way American astronauts will be able to reach orbit will be aboard a Russian Soyuz. An increasingly aggressive Russia may make that politically difficult.
On the outside side, Semator Obama has expressed support for at least one additional shuttle mission, and his space policy advisors seem to be urging him to go further than that to close the flight gap.
One nasty little question isn't really brought up, though: In trying to squeeze more flights out of spaceships that are pushing thirty years old, what happens if we lose another orbiter, and another crew?
On the outside side, Semator Obama has expressed support for at least one additional shuttle mission, and his space policy advisors seem to be urging him to go further than that to close the flight gap.
One nasty little question isn't really brought up, though: In trying to squeeze more flights out of spaceships that are pushing thirty years old, what happens if we lose another orbiter, and another crew?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
BA On The Uptick
Robert Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace, recently gave SPACENEWS an optimistic interview regarding the future of his company. Given the remarkable success of BA's Genesis series of test modules, establishing the viability of inflatable modules, BA is pushing ahead with building the Sundancer module, its first that will be man-rated. The company plans to have two Sundancers ready to fly by 2011, plus a larger BA 330 ready by 2012. The BA 330 will become the base module for eventual commercial space stations.
Potential tenants for such stations are already contacting BA, among them pharmaceucital and medical research companies. The possibilities for creating new medicines and carrying out basic biological research in microgravity have long held promise for breakthroughs. A commercial space station would seem to be the ideal place to pursue such projects.
BA is already expanding its North Las Vegas manufacturing facilities, and is looking at building plants in other areas of the country. Mr. Bigelow started BA in 1999, prepared to spend $500 million of his personal fortune on it by 2016. So far, he has spent about $150 million. BA looks to be in good shape.
Potential tenants for such stations are already contacting BA, among them pharmaceucital and medical research companies. The possibilities for creating new medicines and carrying out basic biological research in microgravity have long held promise for breakthroughs. A commercial space station would seem to be the ideal place to pursue such projects.
BA is already expanding its North Las Vegas manufacturing facilities, and is looking at building plants in other areas of the country. Mr. Bigelow started BA in 1999, prepared to spend $500 million of his personal fortune on it by 2016. So far, he has spent about $150 million. BA looks to be in good shape.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Mars Society's New Project
One critical problem remaining to be solved before humans can undertake deep space missions lasting months or even years is how to counter the negative effects extended weightlessness has on the human body. Aggressive exercise programs during flight help, but more is probably needed.
The Mars Society, the world's leading advocacy group dedicated to putting humans on Mars, is pursuing a new project aimed at trying to determine how feasible supplying artificial gravity to a Mars ship may actually be. Costing between $250,000 and $500,000-- not a huge sum by any means-- the TEMPO project will give volunteers the opportunity to participate in a real space mission. A small probe will be launched into orbit. Attached to the probe will be a tether; a counterweight will be attached to the other end of the tether. If all goes well, the probe and the counterweight will revolve around their common center of gravity, held together by the tether. Centrifugal force created by the revolving bodies will act as artificial gravity.
If such a system can be shown to work, a long stride towards Mars and beyond will have been taken-- in this case, by private individuals working together.
The Mars Society, the world's leading advocacy group dedicated to putting humans on Mars, is pursuing a new project aimed at trying to determine how feasible supplying artificial gravity to a Mars ship may actually be. Costing between $250,000 and $500,000-- not a huge sum by any means-- the TEMPO project will give volunteers the opportunity to participate in a real space mission. A small probe will be launched into orbit. Attached to the probe will be a tether; a counterweight will be attached to the other end of the tether. If all goes well, the probe and the counterweight will revolve around their common center of gravity, held together by the tether. Centrifugal force created by the revolving bodies will act as artificial gravity.
If such a system can be shown to work, a long stride towards Mars and beyond will have been taken-- in this case, by private individuals working together.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Early Orion Test Fails
Last July 31, an early test of the parachute system that will float the new Orion spacecraft to a safe return to Earth failed, sending a mock-up of the Orion capsule crashing to the surface.
Instead of landing on a runway, like the space shuttle, Orion will come down under parachutes, like Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. That decision was budget driven. Orion will likely usually splashdown, but NASA is looking at the possibility of coming down on land, as Soviet/Russian capsules have always done.
One parachute in a ten parachute system failed in the test. Such failures early on are not uncommon in any technology development program. NASA has until 2014 to get that worked out.
Instead of landing on a runway, like the space shuttle, Orion will come down under parachutes, like Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. That decision was budget driven. Orion will likely usually splashdown, but NASA is looking at the possibility of coming down on land, as Soviet/Russian capsules have always done.
One parachute in a ten parachute system failed in the test. Such failures early on are not uncommon in any technology development program. NASA has until 2014 to get that worked out.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Iran's Space Plans
According to Iranian state television, Iran plans to put a man in space within ten years. The report said a firmer schedule leading to manned spaceflight will be developed over the next year.
Iran, of course, has many worried because of its nuclear ambitions and missile technology, coupled to rising oil revenues and an aggressive foreign policy. Some, indeed, may argue a space program could be used as a cover for the development of more advanced rockets. Iran, however, is already capable of launching small satellites into orbit. That capability is enough to deliver warheads on targets across the Middle East, for example. The ability to put manned spacecraft into orbit would be largely overkill in that regard, though it could lengthen Iran's reach to put targets in Europe and the U.S. within range.
Up to now, putting humans in space has been one confirmation that the nation doing it was a great power. That might be changing. Ten years from now, if everything breaks right, there could be more than one private corporation with that capability. Perhaps Iran is looking at the wrong goal if it wants a robust space program. On the other hand, if Iran wants to gain international respect by pursuing such a complex, peaceful project, this may be at least the beginning signal that Iran wants better relations with the West.
Iran, of course, has many worried because of its nuclear ambitions and missile technology, coupled to rising oil revenues and an aggressive foreign policy. Some, indeed, may argue a space program could be used as a cover for the development of more advanced rockets. Iran, however, is already capable of launching small satellites into orbit. That capability is enough to deliver warheads on targets across the Middle East, for example. The ability to put manned spacecraft into orbit would be largely overkill in that regard, though it could lengthen Iran's reach to put targets in Europe and the U.S. within range.
Up to now, putting humans in space has been one confirmation that the nation doing it was a great power. That might be changing. Ten years from now, if everything breaks right, there could be more than one private corporation with that capability. Perhaps Iran is looking at the wrong goal if it wants a robust space program. On the other hand, if Iran wants to gain international respect by pursuing such a complex, peaceful project, this may be at least the beginning signal that Iran wants better relations with the West.
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