July 2004

Space Watch
Week of June 28 - July 2, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.

If you are interested in receiving a weekly email update version of Space Watch, please send an email to spacewatch@eisenhowerinstitute.org with the word "subscribe" in the subject line. Space Watch will be sent out every Friday.

Civil Space

US and EU Finalize Satellite Agreement
The United States and the European Union have finalized an agreement assuring compatibility between American GPS satellites and the European Galileo that is currently in the works. The agreement was made in response to American fears that Galileo would compromise the security of its own satellite transmissions.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040626094838.jljplzlh.html, 6/26/04)

Doubts Arise of Usefulness of China Probe
Some Chinese scientists argue that China's lunar probe, which is still in development, will not be able to add anything meaningful to the study of the moon and will only serve as a redundancy of work done by other nations. However, advocates contend that China's probe will be able to make significant contributions in areas that have not been sufficiently studied by other states.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-04zq.html, 6/28/04)

Aurora's Funding Difficulties Won't Stop Mission
Despite the fact that Europe's Aurora program has again been denied funding by its member countries, the ESA promises that the legal issues surrounding it will be resolved so that funding can be secured. Aurora is a program for exploration of the moon and Mars, similar to NASA's own initiative.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 6/28/04)

Conference Aimed at Furthering 'Space Elevator' Plan
Leading experts in the space technology field met this week in Washington, DC to discuss the feasibility of developing a 'Space Elevator.' The third annual conference on the topic was moderated by Bradley Edwards, Director of the Institute for Scientific Research (ISR), and longtime leading advocate of the elevator concept. Proponents are hailing the elevator as an efficient way to transport both crew and cargo into space.
(Leonard David, http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/space_elevator_040629.html, 6/29/04)

ISS Repairs Completed
In take two of a risky spacewalk at the International Space Station, two astronauts successfully repaired a damaged gyroscope. The astronauts traveled the greatest distance from their hatch ever done in an extravehicular activity (130 feet) and managed to maintain communications the entire time, despite fears to the contrary.
(Tariq Malik, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/exp9_walkwrap_040701.html, 7/1/04)

Cassini Spacecraft Reaches Saturn
NASA's Cassini spacecraft reached orbit around Saturn this week, sending back to Earth stunning pictures of the planet's rings. Since its launch in 1997, Cassini has traveled 2.2 billion miles on its way to Saturn, using both Venus and the Earth as slingshots in order to increase its velocity. Cassini will remain in orbit around Saturn for at least 4 years, taking photographs of the planet and its roughly 31 moons.
(MSNBC, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5333700/, 7/1/04)

 

 

Military Space

MDA to Evaluate Radarsat-2 Capabilities
The Air Force has awarded a contract to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates LTD to evaluate the performance and capabilities of its Radarsat-2 and Eagle Vision (EV) project. EV enables the Department of Defense to receive satellite imagery for use on the battlefield and that can be shared easily with allies.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-04s.html, 6/28/04)

Problems Drive up SBIRS Costs
The Air Force's SBIRS program, which will produce a series of missile detection satellites, continues to exceed its cost estimates. It passed its last justification review for extra funding on the basis of its national security importance and the lack of viable alternatives. Nonetheless, officials are exploring the possibilities of alternative options.
(Jeremy Singer, SpaceNews, 6/28/04)

Missile Shield Will Be Joint Program
Eventually, the US Missile Defense Agency plans to turn over the territorial missile shield program to a Joint office of the three branches of the military. For now, the MDA continues to have control over the program due to issues of operational authority and funding among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
(Gopal Ratnam and Jason Sherman, SpaceNews, 6/28/04)

 

Commercial Space

Asian Commercial Satellites to Observe Earth
Five Asian firms have announced plans to launch an Earth Observation satellite, the continent's first such commercial venture. The launch is expected to occur sometime in 2008 or later, and the system should cover nearly the earth's entire surface.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040626043351.yba789oh.html, 6/26/04)

FCC Sets Debris Regulations
The Federal Communications Commission has set hard rules to govern its licensed satellites at the end of their lives. The FCC now requires that all satellites launched after March 18, 2002, must be placed 200 to 300 kilometers above the geostationary arc to lessen the problem of space debris. This move by the FCC is expected to set a precedent that other countries will also follow.
(Peter de Selding, http://space.com/spacenews/businessmonday_040628.html, 6/28/04)

NASA Prize Program a No-Go
Congress has denied NASA's request to reallocate $2 million of its budget towards the funding of cash prizes. The agency had planned to offer the prizes as incentives for private citizens to make their own innovations in the space field, but the plan will now have to be reworked.
(SpaceNews, 6/28/04)

 

Credits

Compiled by Jackie McClester and Mark Puskar
Edited by Kristin Wedding

 

Space Watch
Week of July 5 - July 9, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.

If you are interested in receiving a weekly email update version of Space Watch, please send an email to spacewatch@eisenhowerinstitute.org with the word "subscribe" in the subject line. Space Watch will be sent out every Friday.

Civil Space

NASA's New Science Directorate to Combine Earth and Space
As part of its recent major restructuring initiative, NASA has eliminated its separate Earth Science and Space Science divisions and merged them into a broader Science Mission Directorate. This change is expected to benefit both fields, as studies in space of other planets and moons are also informative for the study of the Earth's origin and evolution.
(Brian Berger, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

NASA Introduces Smart Satellite
NASA has begun testing software in its satellites that will allow the satellites to make their own decisions to study and image unexpected phenomena that they may encounter over the course of their missions. The software has already been used by the EO-1 spacecraft, which detected an active volcano and shifted course to examine it more closely. Previously, satellites would have to communicate to ground control, which would then have to study the findings before directing the satellite to make more observations, at which point the opportunity was often gone.
(Jason Bates, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

Brazil Plans 2006 Rocket Launch
Just one year after a fatal accident involving Brazil's VLS rocket, the country is planning to make another attempt at a rocket launch in 2006. Brazilian President Lula de Silva has approved $12 million extra in funding for his country's space agency in preparation for the launch. The new director of the Brazilian space program, Sergio Guadenzi, said that the rocket will be used to launch satellites that will be used to examine weather and agricultural resources.
(http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/americas/07/06/brazil.space.ap/index.html, 7/6/04)

China Plans Moon Mission Within 3 Years
In an interview with the BBC, the director of China's space agency, Sun Laiyan, claimed that China plans to send an unmanned spacecraft to the moon within 3 years. The craft would be designed to land on the moon's surface, send back data and move around on the surface. Mr. Sun also said that China was interested in constructing an Earth-orbiting space station and an planned an eventual manned mission to the moon.
(Richard Black, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3874419.stm, 7/7/04)

NASA Developing Automated Docking System
NASA is ready to test a system that will allow spacecraft to automatically dock with the International Space Station (ISS). The DART system, Demonstration for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology, is nearing completion and will soon be tested by NASA and Orbital Sciences Corporation of Virginia. Currently only the Russian Soyuz spacecraft employs an automated docking system.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/astro-navigation-04c.html, 7/7/04)

NASA to Launch 'Aura' Satellite
On Sunday NASA will launch its 'Aura' satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on a mission to study the Earth's atmosphere. The $785 million dollar satellite will circle the earth every 99 minutes from 438 miles above sea level and will analyze the presence of chemicals and pollutants in the atmosphere. Scientists hope that the date will provide valuable insight into the environmental problems posed by air pollution and the deterioration of the ozone layer.
(Amit Asaravala, http://www.wired.com/news/space/0,2697,64141,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_2, 7/9/04)

NASA Documents Cast Doubt on 'Space Station as Safe Haven' Plan
Documents obtained by the New York Times from NASA cast doubt on the agency's plans to use the International Space Station as a safe haven for astronauts in the event of a Space Shuttle accident. According to the documents, the space station is not well equipped enough to host extra astronauts over the period of time that would be needed to implement a rescue plan.
(John Schwartz, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/09/national/nationalspecial/09station.html?pagewanted=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1089388837-BihCHyRBTFAXlzN/T7FwtA, 7/9/04)

Kazakhstan Developing Space Program with Russian Assistance
The central Asian nation of Kazakhstan is looking to develop its own space program with help from Russia, according to Kazakh Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov. A meeting last Friday between a delegation from Russia's Federal Space Agency and the Kazakh government covered the initial draft of the Kazakh program. Plans include the launch of the country's "Angara" space rockets and possible participation in the International Space Station.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1023297&PageNum=0, 7/9/04)

Military Space

Navy's MUOS Funds Put on Hold
The Pentagon wants to redirect more than $100 million of the money budgeted for the Navy's Mobile User Objective System, instead putting the money towards the War on Terror. MUOS will provide better communications to ships at sea and to ground forces in isolated areas; however, the budgeting change will likely push back the first satellite launch until 2010.
(Jeremy Singer, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

Paper Advocates Diplomatic Space Efforts
A recently published paper by Brig. General Simon Worden and Randall Correll expounds on the theory that space could provide a key forum for international relations and diplomatic efforts. Increased cooperation in space could lead to better war prevention and deterrence results.
(Jeremy Singer, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

Unfolding Telescopes to Eliminate Gaps
The US National Reconnaissance Office is exploring the development of telescopes that could unfold in space as a way of using telescopes with larger apertures while still fitting them within the constraints of current spacecraft. These larger satellites would be able to cover as much as a quarter of the earth at one time, eliminating the communication gaps that are left with the smaller satellites, and providing more reliable land surveillance.
(Jeremy Singer, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

US and France Advocate Space Surveillance
Top military officials in both the US and France have cited space surveillance as one of their top priorities, right on par with creating military capabilities. Space surveillance principally is to monitor precisely the behavior of all objects in Earth's orbit, but the US also views it as a vital way to maintain the security of its own space assets.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 7/6/04)

Armed Forces to Develop Constant Communication Tools
The Defense Department is looking to develop satellite technology that will allow for constant communication between troops and their command headquarters, even while they are on the move. Development is underway on several projects, some of which can be mounted on a single humvee, allowing for a great degree of mobility and flexibility of operations.
(Jason Bates, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

Israeli Military Satellite Program Endangered
Budget redirection by Israel's military has put the country's work on military satellites in a much more vulnerable position. Israel has a number of satellite projects in development, mainly to be used for military reconnaissance. However, funding cuts to the programs in favor of more traditional military programs, will delay any further advancement.
(Barbara Opall-Rome, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

Commercial Space

Sea Launch to Begin Inquiry into Launch Malfunction
Sea Launch is opening an inquiry into what caused a June 28 launch of a US telecommunications satellite to fall 14,000 kilometers short of its orbital apogee. Early indicators point to a problem with the upper stage shutting down early, but a more conclusive investigation will be conducted. The satellite, Telstar 18, probably has enough fuel on board to reach its target height and still complete its 13-year agenda.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 7/5/04)

New Firm Created to Produce Ariane Rockets
A successor to Europe's Ariane V rocket will be developed through a joint venture between Finmeccanica of Italy and The European Aeronautic Space and Defense Group. The Ariane V rocket is set to become obsolete by the year 2020, in line with experts' estimation of a 20-year life cycle for a generation of rockets.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040702084521.cfm64iow.html, 7/2/04)

Italy to be Home of European Satellite Control Center
On July 13th, Italy will inaugurate its new European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) Center. The satellite navigation center, Europe's first, will be located at the air traffic control center outside of Rome. EGNOS will use a network of around 40 ground stations and three geostationary satellites to determine precise locations of objects within two miles.
(Ciampino, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-04c.html, 7/7/04)

Russia to Host Launch of Spanish Satellite
Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome will be the site of the launch of a Spanish telecommunications satellite, according to Interfax. The Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Fredkov, accepted the proposal for the satellite's launch specifications.
(http://www2.interfax.ru/eng/news/politics/040708/57505/story.html, 7/8/04)

September Date Set for Official Attempt at Ansari X Prize
The pilot of SpaceShipOne, the first private spacecraft to reach outer space, has set a September date for the official attempt to win the $10 million prize. The official attempt for the prize requires a sixty-day notice and multiple launches within a two week time period. Officials involved with the project believe they have solved the minor problems associated with SpaceShipOne's first launch.
(Alan Boyle, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3217961/, 7/9/04)

Credits

Compiled by Jackie McClester and Mark Puskar
Edited by Kristin Wedding

 

Space Watch
Week of July 12 - July 16, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.

If you are interested in receiving a weekly email update version of Space Watch, please send an email to spacewatch@eisenhowerinstitute.org with the word "subscribe" in the subject line. Space Watch will be sent out every Friday.

Civil Space

India and U.S. Look to Improve Space Ties
After a joint conference on Indo-American space cooperation in Washington, DC, officials from both countries are predicting a new era of cooperation between the two countries' space programs. Tentative plans have been made to place a ground-based station in India to coordinate the U.S. National Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), which is set to launch in the latter part of the decade.
(K.S. Jayarman and Jeremy Singer, SpaceNews, 7/12/04)

Congress Unlikely to Act on NASA Authorization Act
Congressional leaders conceded this week that a bill to fund the initial work on President Bush's space exploration plans is unlikely to be passed this year. According to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), Congress is only scheduled to be in session for five more weeks until the November elections, making it very unlikely that NASA funding will be a priority.
(SpaceNews, 7/12/04)

Cassini Finds Saturn's Rings "Packed with Rock and Mud"
Since arriving in orbit around Saturn, scientists studying images sent from the Cassini spacecraft have described Saturn's rings as being "like gunk in a skating rink." Long thought to consist of only ice and water, observers now realize that the rings are comprised of much more, identifying substances such as rock, dirt, and other organic matter.
(Robert Roy Britt, SpaceNews, 7/12/04)

Nations Have their Sights on Moon Missions
Several nations, including the U.S., Europe, China, Japan, and India are all planning unmanned moon missions sometime over the next ten years. Earlier this year, President Bush announced his plans for the U.S. to return to the moon, identifying it as a stepping stone to a Mars mission. The European Space Agency already has a small spacecraft set to be in lunar orbit in November and the Chinese are developing plans for future missions to the moon.
(Leonard David, SpaceNews, 7/12/04)

Israel to Invest in Galileo
Israel's Minister of Commerce and Industry announced that the country plans to make a substantial investment in Europe's Galileo project, which will create a satellite navigation system. The exact amount has not yet been disclosed, but the Minister expressed Israel's intentions to become active participants in the program.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040713191019.vegmyw6j.html, 7/13/04)

Shuttle Mission to Repair Hubble Still a Possibility
An expert panel has advised NASA not to rule out a manned space shuttle mission to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe had previously said that any mission to repair the telescope would be a robotic one, but so far NASA is not taking any steps that would prohibit a the possibility of using the space shuttle.
(Warren E. Leary, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/14/science/14hubble.html, 7/14/04)

NASA to Examine the Moon
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which is expected to launch in 2008, will provide detailed measurements and maps of the lunar surface. One of the first steps towards putting a man back on the Moon, the LRO will provide scientists with information needed to effectively plan the manned mission.
(Tariq Malik, http://space.com/businesstechnology/lro_apollo_040714.html, 7/14/04)

US, Russia Differ on Water Tastes
A supplier for the International Space Station reports that American and Russian astronauts have separate water supplies aboard the ISS. Different specifications reveal that the Russians prefer more minerals in their drinking water for improved taste.
(http://www.space.com/astronotes/astronotes.html, 7/14/04)

X43-A Going for Mach 10
After a successful test run at Mach 7 in March, NASA's scramjet powered X43-A is going to attempt a historic speed of Mach 10, or ten times the speed of sound. The jet, as part of NASA's Hyper-X program, is a so-called air breathing vehicle in that it takes in atmospheric air rather than using an oxidizer.
(Leonard David, http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/x43a_update_040715.html, 7/15/04)

Aura Finally Takes Off
After several scrapped attempts, NASA's Aura satellite has finally been launched into orbit. Previous delays were caused primarily by problems with the satellite's data recorder and battery system. The satellite will study the Earth's atmosphere, with the first operations beginning in 90 days.
(http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=624&e=1&u=/ap/20040715/ap_on_sc/atmosphere_satellite, 7/15/04)

EU Announces Galileo Subsidy
The European Union has announced plans to subsidize about a third of the operating costs for Europe's Galileo satellite navigation project. The aid will be front loaded, decreasing each year as the venture becomes more profitable to its commercial partners, with an average of 71 million euros a year from 2007-2013.
(http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000100&sid=aAiheUv_OvbI&refer=germany, 7/15/04)

Spain's Don Quixote to Deflect Asteroid
The European Space Agency has announced a Spanish project designed to alter the path of a large asteroid that is heading towards Earth, though a collision is by no means imminent. The two-part Don Quixote project will first orbit the asteroid to gauge and measure it, and then directly collide with it, in an effort to shift its orbit. Spanish officials foresee a launch date between 2010 and 2015.
(Tim Radford, http://www.guardian.co.uk/space/article/0,14493,1262516,00.html, 7/16/04)

 

Military Space

Russia Develops New Rocket
The Russian space forces plan to launch a new space rocket system, Soyez-2, before the end of the year. The commander of the space forces, Vladimir Popovkin, also detailed the space accomplishments of the nation so far this year, which include military spacecraft, ballistic missiles, and early warning equipment.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4589489&startrow=1&date=2004-07-14&do_alert=0, 7/14/04)

No Space Nukes for Russia
Russian Space Forces Commander Vladimir Popovkin announced emphatically that Russia has no plans to launch nuclear weapons into space. He noted that other nations did have this intention, however, and the Russian Space Forces would have to protect against it.
(http://www2.interfax.ru/eng/news/politics/040714/58173/story.html, 7/14/04)

Russia to Continue Use of Baikonur
Russia plans to continue its use of the Baikonur, Kazakhstan cosmodrome for military and dual purposes. It will, however, also be expanding its use of the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russian territory, the use of which therefore does not need to be negotiated.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1038401&PageNum=0, 7/14/04)

Ukraine and Russia Develop Closer Relationship
Russian Strategic Rocket Troops Commander Nikolai Solovtsov announced a closer cooperation planned with Ukrainian rocket-building works. Since most rocket manufacture in the cooperative relationship occurs in Ukraine, the country can expect an economic benefit from the plans.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4597005&startrow=1&date=2004-07-15&do_alert=0, 7/15/04)

Commercial Space

Space Tourist Flight Not Ruled Out
Gregory Olsen, who seeks to be the third so-called space tourist to go into orbit, remains hopeful about his chances of visiting the International Space Station aboard a Russian rocket. Reports have surfaced that Olsen had failed a recent physical, but Space Adventures, who arranged for the flight, report that a final decision has yet to be reached.
(Linda A. Johnson, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/olsen_update_040709.html, 7/9/04)

EADS Lands Billion Euro Contract
The European Aeronautical, Defense, and Space Company announced a contract for the International Space Station that will be worth upwards of a billion euros. EADS will supply six cargo vehicles that will be used to raise the station's altitude and to later to transport waste from the station.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040713174428.qfkcvlt9.html, 7/13/04)

ILS to Launch DirecTV Satellite
International Launch Services, a joint venture between American and Russian companies, will launch DIRECTV-8 in the spring of 2005. The satellite will be launched on a Russian Proton carrier rocket. ILS is a partnership between Lockheed Martin, the Khrunichev Center, and the Energia Corporation.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1036449&PageNum=1, 7/14/04)

Bigelow Develops Inflatable Space Modules
Bigelow Aerospace is doing extensive research into development of an Inflatable Space Module, for proposed use in the space tourism industry. The modules will be made out of Vectran, a strong synthetic fabric that is able to function well at the cold temperatures that will be expected in space.
(Leonard David, http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/techwed_bigelow_hotels_040714.html, 7/16/04)

Credits

Compiled by Jackie McClester and Mark Puskar
Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

Space Watch
Week of July 19 - July 23, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.

If you are interested in receiving a weekly email update version of Space Watch, please send an email to spacewatch@eisenhowerinstitute.org with the word "subscribe" in the subject line. Space Watch will be sent out every Friday.

Civil Space

Indian Space Budget to Increase
In order to fund the country's increasingly ambitious plans for outer space, the budget for India's 2004-2005 space program is set to increase by 20%. Roughly 27.31 billion Rupees have been allocated to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the upcoming fiscal year. The funding will go to everything from the development of a
Geostationary Launch Vehicle to improving satellite technology.
(K.S. Jayaraman, SpaceNews, 7/19/04)

Return of Space Shuttle Flights behind Schedule
According to NASA's space shuttle program manager, continued technical problems threaten the space shuttle's scheduled return to space in March 2005. A flow problem with the shuttle's freon-feed loops is slowing the Space Shuttle Discovery's technical upgrades. NASA employees have vowed to whatever it takes to stick to the March-April timeframe for the shuttle's return to space.
(SpaceNews, 7/19/04)

NASA Still Prefers Robots for Hubble Repair Mission
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe is continuing to push for a robotic mission rather than a manned flight to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. Although NASA has not completely ruled out a manned mission, O'Keefe is reported to have said that the Hubble's servicing needs are not worth risking the lives of astronauts. A final decision is expected to be made in the fall.
(Brian Berger, SpaceNews, 7/19/04)

Committee Report Criticizes U.S. Reliance of Satellites
According to the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee report of intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq, the U.S. relied too heavily on satellite data and imagery in building its case against Saddam Hussein. The report pointed to a disputed interpretation of satellite imagery presented by Secretary of State Colin Powell to the United Nations in February 2003.
(SpaceNews, 7/19/04)

ESA Wants Six-Person Space Station Crews
The European Space Agency (ESA) is advocating that six-person crews serve aboard the International Space Station (ISS). However, the additional crewmembers would require at least two Russian Soyuz spacecraft to be used in case of an evacuation. The Agency is planning to launch its Columbus space station laboratory module sometime within the next two years.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 7/19/04)

Americans Support Space Program
A recent Gallup Survey shows that the majority of Americans think very favorably of plans to continue space exploration through reinvigorating the shuttle program and using the Moon as a stepping-stone to Mars. Most of those surveyed also thought that NASA's budget should be given at least as much funding as it currently has.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04zm.html, 7/20/04)

Galileo Running on Schedule
Europe's Galileo navigation system is progressing, according to its three-phase implementation plan. The project has completed the definition phase and is well into the second, development and in-orbit validation, phase. Full deployment and operations are expected to begin sometime after 2007, when all 27 of the system's satellites will be launched into orbit.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-04e.html, 7/20/04)

House Subcommittee Cuts NASA Budget
The House of Representatives' subcommittee cut NASA's budget by 7 percent for next year, drawing protests from NASA and top Republican officials, including Majority Leader Tom Delay, who could block the bill from reaching the floor. The Senate has yet to make their own version of the bill.
(http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Congress-Spending.html, 7/20/04)

U.S. Marks Apollo 11 Anniversary
On the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins gathered at the U.S. Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC where they were honored for their role in the historic mission. Among those paying homage to the astronauts were NASA officials, including Administrator Sean O'Keefe and the Russian crew of the International Space Station. Armstrong, the first person to set foot on the moon, called the Apollo mission "a mechanism for engendering cooperation among former adversaries" and "an exceptional national investment."
(Alan Boyle, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5470627/, 7/21/04)

Science Minister Advocates Cooperation in Space
Britain's Science Minster, Lord Sainsbury, discussed his thoughts on the role of international cooperation in space at the Farnborough Airshow's first Space Day. Advocating increased cooperation with NASA and the ESA, he also pointed to past achievements such as the Cassini-Huygens project.
(http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMD8CV4QWD_index_0.html, 7/21/04)

European ATV Begins Testing
A European space station supply ship, an Automated Transfer Vehicle named Jules Verne, has arrived at ESTEC in Noordwijk, The Netherlands to undergo extensive testing. Over the next ten year, the ATV fleet will bring supplies to the International Space Station, boost it into higher orbit, and transport waste from the station.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-04zc.html, 7/21/04)

Third Soyuz Seat Up For Grabs
The third seat in the October Soyuz flight to the International Space Station has yet to be filled, after it was left vacant by health problems that barred space tourist Gregory Olson from flight. Contenders for the seat include military officer Yuri Shargin and millionaire Sergei Polonsky. Both men will begin training even before a decision is made.
(James Oberg, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5480996/, 7/22/04)

Space Shuttle's Return Continues to Clear Hurdles
NASA's Return to Flight Task Force, charged with overseeing the needed upgrades to the space shuttle fleet, says that that NASA has passed 2 of the 15 requirements in order for the shuttle to return to space. The task force is asking NASA to provide a plan of how it will meet the rest of the 13 requirements. The panel stated that a March or April return to space is still feasible for the shuttle.
(Warren E. Leary, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/national/nationalspecial/23shuttle.html, 7/23/04)

NASA Celebrates Official Opening Of Propulsion Research Laboratory
On July 29th NASA will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its Propulsion Research Laboratory. The laboratory is a part of the Marshall Space Flight Center and is located on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. The lab consolidates work that had been spread across seven buildings and will also provide a venue for researchers across the United States to conduct experiments in new propulsion technologies. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-04v.html, 7/23/04)

Satellite Experiment Snaps Photos Of Sprites, Jets And Elves
The Imager of Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lighting (ISUAL) satellite, a collaboration between Taiwanese, Japanese and UC Berkeley Scientists, has produced photos of red sprites, blue jets, elves and sprite halos. These phenomena are caused by the discharge of lightning from storm clouds into the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. Scientists see ISUAL as a tool for determining the properties of the global electric circuit.
(Robert Sanders, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/eo-04zzz.html, 7/23/04)

Military Space

Thailand to Launch Spy Satellite
Thailand has announced plans to launch a spy satellite to track rebel separatist groups in the country's southern region. This will be the country's first satellite, and 9 ministries, including the defense ministry, will use its information. The satellite is being built and launched by a French company.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040719125507.vv1ypiea.html, 7/19/04)

Air Force, DoD to Develop Military Space Plane
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory are looking to cooperate on developing a military space plane. The proposed plane, called the Micro-X, would reach altitudes of 76,000 meters and then glide back to the launch site using parachutes to make the final touchdown. Officials from the Air Force believe that the plane's biggest advantage would be its ability for rapid turnaround between flights.
(SpaceNews, 7/19/04)

Russia Launches Kosmos Rocket Carrying Military Satellite
On Thursday, July 22, 2004, Russia launched a Kosmos rocket carrying a military satellite from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This launch marked the fifth time this year that Russia has placed a military satellite in orbit.
(Moscow AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040722185533.r8js0tbq.html, 7/22/04)

Commercial Space

Ariane-5 Launches Biggest Satellite
Anik-2F, he largest telecommunications satellite in orbit to date, was launched Saturday by an Ariane-5 rocket. The satellite built by Boeing and owned by Canada's Telesat, will provide services across North America.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040718014159.58k4b68e.html, 7/18/04)

X-Prize Competition Intensifies
Since Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne made its historic test run earlier this month, the competition for the X-Prize in commercial space flight has been heating up. Despite its early lead, SpaceShipOne has several competitors for the $10 million prize, including Canadian Brian Feeney's da Vinci Project.
(Irene Klotz, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/xprize-04q.html, 7/20/04)

Space Property Law cases presented in U.S. Court of Appeals
On 20 July 2004, the first legal case in Space Property Law was presented in the U.S. Federal Appeals Court of Carson City, NV. On November 3, 2003 Gregory Nemitz filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment in U.S. District Court in Reno, Nevada. The complaint charged the court to resolve the question, "Does the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 preclude private ownership of an asteroid and/or property on celestial bodies, or does it not?" The case was dismissed. Mr. Nemitz, who published a claim of ownership to Asteroid 433 Eros, contends that NASA must pay him parking and storage fees for the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft, which it has permanently stationed on the asteroid. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacelaw-04a.html, 7/23/04)

 

Credits

Compiled by Jackie McClester, Mark Puskar and Alex Gordon
Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

Space Watch
Week of July 26 - July 30, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.

If you are interested in receiving a weekly email update version of Space Watch, please send an email to spacewatch@eisenhowerinstitute.org with the word "subscribe" in the subject line. Space Watch will be sent out every Friday.

Civil Space

House Appropriations Committee cuts funding for NASA
On July 22, 2004, the House Appropriations Committee reduced the Administration's budget request for NASA by $1.1 billion. The OMB has alerted the Appropriations Committee that the funding is insufficient and suggested that the White House would veto the bill if it included the reduced funding.
(Brian Berger, http://www.space.com/news/bush_veto_040723.html, 7/23/04)

Crew of Space Station to Increase, Timeline for Completion Accelerated
The space agencies of Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States have agreed to a plan for completing the space station by 2010. The plan relies on the use of Russian Soyuz spacecraft as a crew transport and rescue vehicle and calls for the expansion of the crew from three to six astronauts in 2009 following the completion of the Japanese and European research modules. If the grounding of US Space Shuttle ends this spring as scheduled, these modules should be launched in 2007.
(Warren E. Leary-New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/24/science/24station.html, 7/24/2004)

China launches Explorer 2 Satellite
On July 25, 2004, China launched the Explorer 2 Satellite into orbit. The satellite is part of the Sino-European DoubleStar Project and is the second satellite placed in orbit. Explorer 1, launched in December, and Explorer 2 have a complimentary orbits providing simultaneous data to scientists.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040725194056.8xurg4m6.html, 7/25/04)

NASA requests $2 million appropriation for Centennial Challenge Contest
NASA has included in its budget request $2 million in prize money that would be awarded for finding solutions to technical problems associated with space travel. There is debate in Congress over the wisdom of funding the request due to some concerns surrounding the time frame in which the funds would be distributed and arguments that funding specific research requests might be more efficient. Law stipulates that funds must be used within two years of being appropriated by Congress.
(Brian Berger, http://www.space.com/spacenews/businessmonday_040726.html, 7/26/04)

India expects launch of astronomical satellite by 2007
The Indian government has stated that it intends to develop and launch an astronomical satellite by 2007. Named ASTROSAT, the satellite will serve as a national tool for astronomical observation. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040726104857.59jrk61b.html, 7/26/2004)

NASA's MESSENGER to observe Mercury
On August 2, 2004, NASA will launch its first mission to Mercury in thirty years. The MESSENGER satellite will provide images of Mercury and data on the composition of the planet's core, crust and polar regions.
(Leslie Mullen for Astrobiology Magazine
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mercury-04h.html, 7/27/04)

New Design for Space Shuttle
NASA has developed a new design for the Shuttle's external fuel tank. The change focused on an improved bi-pod fitting which attaches the external fuel tank to the shuttle during launch. Investigators concluded that the former design played a role in the Columbia tragedy. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-04p.html, 7/27/04)

Development of Russian Segment of ISS
Under the ISS agreement, Russia was tasked with providing eleven Soyuz launches. The tenth launch will take place in October and the eleventh is expected in 2005. Once these launches are complete, Russia intends to make the completion of the Russian segment of the ISS a top priority.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1076079&PageNum=0, 7/27/04)

China plans launch of Second Manned Mission
In 2005 China plans to launch its second manned mission, the Shenzhou VII. The mission is scheduled to last five days and China expects to conduct its first ever space walk.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040727185643.og7higl6.html, 7/27/04)

Study Lunar Material funded by NASA
NASA has awarded Dr. Jonathan Whitlow a grant of $50,000 to advance research on the possibility of manufacturing propellants from the lunar rock mantle. Dr. Whitlow, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Florida Tech, will develop predictive computer models outlining strategies for resource recovery on the moon.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/lunar-04zf.html, 7/29/04)

NASA and New Technologies
This week a NASA Broad Agency Announcement included requests for new artificial gravity technologies and inflatable habitats and systems that would enable astronauts to process and use planetary resources while visiting celestial bodies. Notices of intent for participation in the projects are due August 13 and proposals must be submitted by September 24.
(Leonard David, http://www.space.com/news/moon_mars_040729.html, 7/29/04)

NASA moves forward with Advanced Electric Propulsion Technologies
NASA has selected two Research and Development teams to research advanced electric propulsion technologies. Northrop Grumman Space Technology has been awarded $3 million to research a nuclear electric pulsed inductive thruster system. Princeton University received $4 million to work on a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic thruster system. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-04w.html, 7/30/04)

Commercial Space

SpaceShipOne seeks X-Prize, Launch Scheduled
The X-Prize Foundation has announced that the first launch of SpaceShipOne is scheduled for September 29, 2004. The competition, which has a $10 million prize, requires the launch of a three seat space vehicle 100km into sub-orbital space. Two successful launches must be made within a two week period. The second launch is scheduled for October 13, 2004.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/xprize-04r.html, 7/27/04)

Shortage of Launch Slots
Even though some analysts report that the commercial launch services industry has excess capacity, it has been difficult for U.S. companies to schedule launches. Two satellite operators, for example, have been unable to schedule launches in 2005.
(SpaceNews, 7/26/04)

Surrey Satellite developing small, inexpensive spacecraft
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. has focused its business strategy on building small, affordable satellites. Its first geostationary-orbiting telecommunications satellite, NigeriaSat-1, is scheduled for launch in 2006. The company is also working with the U.S. Department of Energy's Los Alamos Laboratory to develop a high resolution optical Earth observation satellite.
(SpaceNews, 7/26/04)

Military Space

Congress cuts budget for T-Sat and Space Based Radar
Congress has passed a 2005 Defense Appropriations Bill which contains large cuts in spending for the Air Force's T-Sat and Space Based Radar Project. The Air Force had requested $775 million for the T-Sat project and received $475 million. In the case of the Space Based Radar program, Congress appropriated $75 million compared with a request of $327 million. (Spacenews, 7/26/04)

British Military Space Strategy stresses strong relations with USA
Britain, which has decided not to participate in the European Program designed to harmonize military space needs among European defense forces, has reiterated the important role that the transatlantic relationship plays in its space program. At present, through bilateral agreements, Britain has access to space resources that are unavailable to other members of the European Union. (Peter B. de Selding, Space News, 7/26/04)

 

Credits

Compiled by Alex Gordon
Edited by Suzanne Vogel