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October 2004
Space Watch
Week of October 4 - 8, 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
Future of ISS to Be Discussed In Canada
The future of the International Space Station will be put in the hands of the Russian Federal Space Agency Director Anatoly Perminov, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and the European Space Agency Director General Jean Jacques Dordain. The three will get together in Vancouver, Canada during the 55th session of the International Astronautical Congress. Perminov is hoping to hear that NASA will resume shuttle flights, which halted after the Columbia shuttle crashed in February 2003. O'Keefe has said that NASA will send a shuttle into space by next March. These three, along with other countries who are involved with the ISS, will also discuss other issues pertaining to the station.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1308070&PageNum=1, 10/3/04)
NGA Awards Orbimage $500 Million Contract
The U.S. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) awarded Orbimage Inc. the NextView contract for $500 million to conduct high-resolution satellite imagery. Orbimage has just recuperated from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was filed earlier in 2004. This contract assures Orbimage solid business for a decade. Spectrum Astro, a division of General Dynamics C4 Systems, has already started to work on the OrbView-5 satellite, which is scheduled to launch early in 2007. This satellite is equipped to take images with a ground resolution as high as 41 centimeters. $237 million of the contract money will go towards OrbView-5; the rest will be used for imagery purchases. Orbimage stated that it will need $265 million more than the contract offers, and will raise the money through stock offerings, private debt placement and current business. The NextView contract will last until 2008, and then Orbimage will have to compete again for further business.
(Jason Bates, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
French Satellite Will Not Contain Parts On State Department's List
Both French government and industry officials said that the new satellites being built by EADS Astrium and Alcatel Space will not contain components that are on the U.S. State Department's list of satellite technologies necessitating special export licenses. The new French Pleiades system satellites, which will be used for both military and commercial purposes, are scheduled to begin launching in 2008. Weighing in at 1,000 kilograms, these satellites have a ground resolution of 70 centimeters, a swath width of 20 kilometers and a high degree of agility.
(SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
Italy Leads Funding Of the Aurora Program
On September 30, most members of the European Space Agency (ESA) came together to fund the Aurora Program for another 18 months. The Italian government, followed by the UK, has taken the reigns for this European Mars program. Aurora is a ten-year program that endeavors to send robotic missions to the moon and Mars, conduct a Mars sample-return, and eventually send astronauts to the moon and Mars. With the Aurora funds now total 30 million euros, Aurora managers can finish up preliminary studies for the next 18 months and supply the ESA with a long-term proposal, said Daniel Sacotte, ESA's director of manned space programs. France, with its own national space budget burdens, and Germany, who is primarily interested in the launch of an European habitable laboratory module, have been reluctant to fund Aurora any further than their 2002 commitments.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
New Horizons Pluto Probe to Launch In 2006
After considering postponement, NASA is now hoping to keep its January 2006 launch date for the New Horizons Pluto probe. NASA had previously considering postponing the mission due to a plutonium-238 shortage. However, the US Department of Energy has now stated that it could provide 80 percent of the nuclear fuel needed to power the radioisotope thermal generator in the spacecraft for its 10-year mission. This is the minimum requirement for a successful mission to Pluto. But unless the DOE is able to provide 90 percent, which is still in the realm of possibility, the spacecraft will probably not be able to explore the Kuiper Belt -a major objective for NASA researchers. The spacecraft is to be shipped from the John Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. to the Kennedy Space Center in late 2005. The spacecraft is expected to reach Pluto by 2015.
(Brian Berger, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
NASA Looking At Restructuring Advisory Council
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe is planning to split the NASA Advisory Council into two separate bodies. One will focus primarily on space policy and the other on science and technology. The new setup is modeled after the Defense Policy Board and the Defense Science board, two independent advisory panels that the Pentagon, and at times the White House, turn to for important weapon and policy matters. The restructuring of the Advisory Council is just one part of O'Keefe's larger changes to NASA bureaucracy. It is hoped that the two new advisory boards will first meet in December. The NASA Advisory Council was created in 1977, and was designed to provide input on varying issues -from Earth science to education to space flight and even planetary protection. It consists of 17 members, and is supported by nine standing committees.
(Brian Berger, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
Regulatory Changes Help Indo-US Strategic Space Partnership Grow
New regulatory changes will make it easier for U.S. companies to export certain dual-use items to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). ISRO officials are not quite as jubilant as the US about the new regulations, since sensitive space technologies are still controlled by the US State Department. But regardless, K.R. Sridharamurthi, a chief executive of Antrix Corp., the commercial wing of ISRO, stated, "It is a welcome step albeit a small one." Some in ISRO see the changes as largely political rather than having a real practical impact. The regulations came through the Department of Commerce, when they removed ISRO from the Entity List, which registers organizations with weapons proliferation concerns. With this removal, US firms can now ship "low-level" dual-use items to the ISRO without an export license. The new changes are meant to send a message to hesitant US companies that the US government now approves of space trade and business with India. It is hoped that these new changes are just the beginning of many steps to increasing the strategic alliance between the US and India.
(K.S. Jayaraman and Warren Ferster, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
The White House Plans to Release New Space Transportation Policy
Bretton Alexander, a senior policy analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, announced that the White House is planning to release a new space transportation policy within the next few weeks. While not going into specific details, he did state that the policy will cover heavy-lift launches, assured access to space, next-generation space transportation, in-space transportation, commercial activities and the space launch industrial base.
(SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications Gains Its 25th Member
The Republic of Azerbaijan joined the Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications, by signing the Operating Agreement of Intersputnik on September 27, 2004. Established in 1971 and headquartered in Moscow, the Organization is an intergovernmental institute working to strengthen and develop economic, scientific, technical and cultural relations among its members. It concentrates on building communications, radio and television broadcasting via satellites, and is hoping to advance an international satellite communications system through coordinating efforts. With Azerbaijan joining the Organization, it is hoped that satellite communications development will grow in both the country and the Caspian region.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-04zzzzzzzm.html, 10/4/04)
Russians will send Italian Astronaut into space
The Russian Federal Space Agency has announced that Russia has made a preliminary agreement to send Italian Astronaut Roberto Vittori up on a Soyuz in the future. (http://www2.interfax.ru/eng/news/politics/041006/69533/story.html, 10/06/04)
Arianespace Plans to Commemorate Sputnik
The French company, Arianespace, announced its plan to send 50 nanosatellites into orbit in 2007 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sputnik. The tiny satellites will orbit for at least two years. Arianespace and the Russian Space Agency are collaborating on this project.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-04o.html, 10/6/04)
Russian's plan to finish ISS segment by 2011
In a speech made at the 55th International Aeronautics Congress meeting, Russian Anatoly Perminov, spoke about Russia's future plans and present progress. Perminov revealed Russia's hope to complete a large segment onto the International Space Station (ISS) by the year 2011. This segment, currently under construction will be central in fulfilling their goals of sending future manned flights to the Moon and Mars. Perminov went on to inform listeners that currently Russia boasts 112 commercial and non-commercial enterprises in the space industry. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4940145&startrow=11%20, 10/07/04)
NASA's New Mission - Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer
NASA announced its approval of a new mission, which is titled Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. For this new mission, a space-based telescope will be launched into space to scan the sky with infrared detectors. The expected data collected from the scans will consist of millions of images of stars, space objects and galaxies. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is managing the mission, which will cost an estimated $208 million, and plans to launch the telescope in 2008.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/telescopes-04ze.html, 10/7/04)
Iran will launch its first own low orbit satellite
As early as March, Iranian military officials announced that they would be launching their first domestically produced satellite. Orbiting between 100 to 400 kilometers above earth, the satellite will showcase the country's advancing space industry. Since 1998, Iran has made large strides in improving technology in missile production, shifting from short range to long range surface to surface missiles. It will not be long, according to Defense Minister for Space Affairs Nasser Maliki, before Iran enters the "international space club."
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-04p.html, 10/07/04)
Commercial Space
SpaceShipOne Wins Ansari X Prize
The Ansari X Prize competition came to an end as SpaceShipOne touched ground on October 4. The spacecraft soared past the internationally recognized entry point of space (62 miles) and broke past records, when it reached an altitude of 377,591 feet or 71.4 miles. The Ansari X Prize was an international competition created in 1996 to help spur civilian space growth. By successfully completing its second mission this week, the team of SpaceShipOne won the $10 million prize. Brian Binnie, SpaceShipOne's pilot and the second person in history to earn his commercial astronaut wings, reached Mach 3 speeds and then successfully landed in Mojave Desert, CA. Paul Allen, who financed the project, Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic for commercial space tourism and Burt Rutan, who is responsible for SpaceShipOne, are all working together. Branson announced a deal to license the SpaceShipOne technology to create more commercial spacecrafts, and is hoping to make civilian space travel a reality.
(Michael Coren, http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/04/spaceshipone.attempt.cnn/index.html, 10/4/04)
NASA Contracts Lockheed for Possible Hubble Repair Mission
Lockheed Martin Space Systems beat out Boeing for a $330 million NASA contract to create a spacecraft to service the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA has not yet issued a press release, as it is uncertain of whether it will be able to get the necessary funding for such a mission. If this robotic repair mission were to take place, The Aerospace Corp. estimated it could cost up to $2.4 billion and take up to five years in preparations. The Goddard team, optimistically, and perhaps unrealistically, stated that they could get the job done by December 2007 for $1.3 billion. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a $300 million emergency fund to service Hubble, but it has yet to pass through the House. With both NASA and the Congress strapped for cash, Hubble may not get the service needed to replace the telescope's gyroscopes and batteries and also install two new instruments. It is predicted that Hubble's batteries will last until 2009, and the gyroscopes will give out sometime in 2007 or 2008. Unless NASA comes up with the funding, or eases up on its reluctance to let astronauts service the telescope, the Hubble telescope may have to be let go.
(Brian Berger, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
Space Tourism with SpaceShipTwo
The winners of the Ansari X Prize competition and creators of SpaceShipOne have announced plans to develop SpaceShipTwo for Virgin Galactic. The new space ship will be a five-passenger sub-orbital vessel intended for space tourism. Virgin Galactic will be charging about $190,000 for a ride on SpaceShipTwo into space. Virgin Galactic plans to build five more vessels in the next three years.
(Irene Mona Klotz, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-04g.html, 10/5/04)
X Prize has Jumpstarted Space Tourism
Following the privately owned spacecraft SpaceShipOne's success in reaching space twice last week, confidence in future commercial space industry has risen. What once seemed like a distant dream to many is expected to materialize by the year 2007, with the planned launch of the first commercial spaceline. Already roughly 125 people have bought a ticket costing 100,000 dollars, reserving themselves a seat in Virgin Galatic's future spaceliner. The trip is expected to last roughly 90 minutes, 15 of which will actually be spent in outer space. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041005214532.oq3ffak2.html, 10/05/04)
Russia has lost opportunity to be first in space tourism
With the privately owned ShaceShipOne successfully "peeping" into space twice over the last 7 days, Russia reflects upon its prior claim that they would be the first to launch a spaceship for space tourism. In 2002, scientists at the Myasishchev Experimental Plant in the Moscow region, constructed and tested a M-55 Geofizika aircraft. Over 100 people joined a waiting list to ride inside the 60-70 million dollar spaceship. Unfortunately, the ship failed to launch on time (March 2004) due to a lack of funds. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4943820&startrow=1&%20, 10/07/04)
Private space flight safety legislation stalls in Congress
The achievements of SpaceShipOne have brought promising excitement to the space flight industry, but the Senate's inability to agree upon FAA regulations and level of involvement might hinder advancements in the industry. Because of the inclusion of excessive regulations in the bill, just one day before a congressional hearing was scheduled to end, the bills largest proponent, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, decided to with draw it and deal with a fresh new bill next year. Controversy has arisen over the specific wording in the bill. Private space industry leaders fear the bill allows for the FAA to impose unattainable safety standards.
(Alan Boyle, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6201543/, 10/7/04)
Military Space
New Missile Warning Satellites May Not Launch Until 2008
Last spring, the US Air Force estimated that their new missile warning satellites would begin launching in 2007, but it now looks like the launches may not take place until fall 2008. The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High Program was originally estimated to cost $2 billion, but is now projected to cost $9.9 billion and could increase due to the latest software problems. These software problems have affected an onboard signal processor and may affect the ground segment as well, noted Joseph Davidson, a spokesman for the Air Force. When launched, the SBIRS High constellation will consist of four satellites in geosynchronous orbit, two infrared sensors hosted by classified satellites and ground equipment.
(SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
Higher Orbits for Optical Reconnaissance Satellites May Help French Army
The French Military is considering higher orbits for optical reconnaissance satellites. They are primarily focusing on satellites reaching 3,000 kilometers in altitude, but are even considering geostationary orbit. Higher orbits may assure more-frequent coverage of areas and are also cheaper than launching satellite constellations. Low orbit satellites produce images with a ground resolution of several centimeters, however, they do not cover an area as often as some in the military would like. The hope is to get higher orbit satellites to have both good ground resolution and coverage. Phillipe Goyut, director of optical and radar instruments at Alcatel Space of Paris, said that it might not be until 2020 before images with 1-meter resolution can be produced by high-orbit satellites, a resolution that is required for some military purposes. Sylvian Equilbec, a satellite-reconaissance program manager at DGA, the French arms-procurement agency, stated that this project is a follow up to Helios 2 and Pleiades. There are two Helios 2 satellites; the first is to be launched this December. The Pleiades satellites are set to launch in 2008.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
France's Essaim Satellites Are Ready For December Launch
France's four Essaim signals-intelligence satellites are getting ready for their launch in December. They will enter into low Earth orbit aboard the European Ariane 5, along with the main payload Helios 2A, which is an optical and infrared reconnaissance satellite. The Essaim system uses the new Myriade satellite platform, and is a continuation of a series of French steps taken to broaden European military space technologies. During the mission, tests will take place to check the satellites' ability to collect communications intelligence in several frequency bands in target areas. French defense officials stated that they are hoping to use the system for some operational uses as well.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
France to Settle For an Unfavorable Orbit
The DGA, France's arms procurement agency, will have to settle for an unfavorable orbit of their two Spirale satellites due to budgetary and technological constraints. The two satellites are part of a missile-warning experiment, and are set to launch in 2007 or 2008 on an Ariane 5 rocket. Instead of reaching a circular, geostationary orbit, the satellites will operate in an elliptical, transfer orbit due to a lack of fuel. While the transfer orbit is not ideal, it is the least expensive option and also has its advantages - global coverage and large range of image resolutions. The main mission of the Spirale satellites is to distinguish missile launches from other heat flashes on the Earth's surface. This demonstrator system is to help the French defense, and perhaps European defense officials, build a fully operational early-warning system sometime in the future.
(Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/4/04)
Monday Declared the Day of Russian Space Troops
October 4 will be the Day of Russian Space Troops, the same date that, in 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial Earth satellite into outer space. On June 1, 2001, the Russian Space Troops took over the space missile defense troops and the space military forces in protecting Russia's space security. The Russian Space Troops were formed to provide a missile early-warning system, secure Moscow's anti-missile defense, control outer space and create and maintain various space satellites.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1309520&PageNum=0, 10/4/04)
Russia Wants To Increase Its Space Program
Vladimir Senkevich, President of the Russian Tsiolkovsky Academy of Cosmonautics (RAKTs), stated at a press conference on Monday that Russia should increase its activity in space. He pointed out that of the 800 spaceships currently in orbit, almost 400 belong to the US, while only about 100 belong to Russia. "Since we ranked the world's second in financing the national space activity, we have rolled down to the ninth place," he said. "We now lag behind Japan, China and the European Space Agency (ESA)." Officials at RAKTs want to take existing spacecrafts and expand their use to aid the Armed Forces. They claim that such information from space could be useful to soldiers.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1311644&PageNum=0, 10/4/04)
Chinese Officials Worried about Taiwanese Satellite
Chinese officials worry that the research satellite launched by Taiwan may be used for military purposes. Specifically, China is concerned that Taiwan may develop a ballistic missile defense system. The Taiwan government claims the satellite is intended to monitor the island's land mass and surrounding waters and observe atmospheric conditions.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041005081131.3cwrapk5.html, 10/5/04)
Credits
Compiled by Kavitha Giridhar, Sarah Antos and Priscilla Wong
Edited by Suzanne Vogel
Space Watch
Week of October 11 - 15, 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
Soyuz-2 Getting Ready For First Test Flight
The Soyuz-2, Russia's latest carrier rocket, has been brought to the Plesetsk cosmodrome. The first test flight is scheduled for October 29th. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4956837&startrow=11&date=2004-10-11&do_alert=0, 10/11/04)
Russia and Algeria Come Together In Space Pact
Russian Space Agency deputy director, Georgy Polishchuk, and Algerian Space Agency general director, Azeddine Oussedik, signed a space agreement in Algeria on October 9th. The agreement outlines the two countries' mutual understanding and cooperation in space technologies and their application. (http://www2.interfax.ru/eng/news/politics/041011/70183/story.html, 10/11/04)
US And Russia Discuss Manned Flights At The 55th International Astronautics Congress
NASA Director, Sean O'Keefe, and head of Roskosmos, Anatoly Perminov, discussed the Space Council's work related to manned flights at the 55th International Astronautics Congress in Vancouver. They spoke much about the US resuming shuttle flights and of the planned visit by a Roskosmos director to visit the Kennedy Space Center to see US progress. Both NASA and Roskosmos were happy with the work of Gennady Padalka and Mike Finke, and look forward to their return later this month. The ISS partnership agencies will meet again early in 2005 in Canada. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4957022&startrow=1&date=2004-10-11&do_alert=0, 10/11/04)
NASA Disagreements Between Government And Industry Officials Delay Galileo
The Galileo Joint Undertaking, a government body overseeing Galileo, has pushed its selection of an industry consortium to run the project from October 1st to January. The Joint Undertaking has received two bids to run the Galileo system concession, one from the iNavsat consortium led by EADS Space and Thales and Inmarsat, and the other from the Eurely consortium led by Vinci Concessions, Alcatel Space and Finmeccanica. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Galileo Industries S.A. consortium are also unable to come to an agreement. Galileo Industries is the prime contractor for the in-orbit validation phase of the project and wants 1.2 billion euros for the job, but the ESA's contract ceiling is 900 million euros ($1.1 billion). Galileo Industries is expected to put out a new proposal sometime during the week of October 11. European governmental officials feel that Galileo Industries are driving up prices due to their monopolization of the industry. However, the corporate members of Galileo Industries said that they have stated ESA estimates were too low from the very beginning. Galileo's in-service date is set for 2008, but program specialists believe at the earliest it will be 2010. (Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/11/04)
NASA Officials Less Worried About ISS Shortages
NASA officials said they are less worried about the International Space Station's food and supply shortages and the oxygen generator's problems than they were two weeks ago. The oxygen-generator aboard the ISS, Elektron, is now working part time which means the crew will not face an oxygen shortage by the end of this year. Food supplies will have to be monitored until a shipment arrives on December 25th. (Guy Gugliotta, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25313-2004Oct11.html?nav=hcmodule, 10/12/04)
Major Training Commences For The Space Shuttle Discovery Voyage
Adrenaline was pumping today as the crew, trainers and mission control team underwent their first 8 hour space fight stimulation rehearsal. During the session, a wide range of realistic problems were thrown at crewmembers by planners and their reactions were then scrutinized. The team repeatedly mimicked a pitch maneuver which they hope will allow them to photograph the ISS's heat shielding tiles as they rendezvous. During next few weeks all facets of the flight will be rehearsed and footage of the practices will be broadcasted daily on NASA TV at 11 am EDT. (Melissa Mathews and Kelly Humphries, http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/oct/HQ_04343_RTF_sims.html, 10/13/04)
Substitute Crew Is Heading Towards ISS
On October 14th the new crew successfully launched from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome abroad a Soyuz aircraft heading to the International Space Station (ISS). Early Saturday the crew, consisting of American Leroy Chiao and Russian Salizhan Sharipov, is expected to arrive. Their arrival will replenish food supplies and relieve existing NASA astronauts, Gennady Padalka and Mike Fincke, of their duties. (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/14/science/14shuttle.html, 10/14/04)
As Scientists Study Genesis Crash Landing Reason, Remains Are Found Valuable
On September 8, 2004, the Genesis' parachute failed to open in time, causing a crash landing. Immediately scientists salvaged the remains and investigated the cause of the crash. The Mishap Investigation Board has now identified that the parachutes failure to deploy was due to a design error involving the orientation of its gravity switch devices. Why such a design error was not noticed during testing is still under investigation. Regardless of design failure, scientists remain excited over the recovery of more than 3,000 of containers from the ship wreckage. Each container holds a number of atoms from the solar winds of deep space. For now, scientists are busy cleaning, examining and distributing the containers for further review.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/genesis-04v.html, 10/15/04)
Commercial Space
Canada's Da Vinci Project Plans To Go Ahead With Launch
The da Vinci Project team of Toronto, Canada hopes to launch the second private spaceship in the near future. Their rocket was schedule to launch on October 2, but was cancelled due to a missing part that was not delivered on time. Despite SpaceShipOne's win of the X Prize, the team said they would still go ahead with their plans. David Grossman, the team leader of ground operations, will visit the launch site in Kindersley, Saskatoon this week. (Calgary Herald, http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/news/story.html?id=fb236024-ab63-41ee-8a78-3275bd1942a1, 10/11/04)
The Space Tourism Initiative Will Begin Holding Annual Meetings In 2005
The Space Tourism Initiative, a newly founded organization to oversee the developing space tourism industry, announced that starting in 2005 it will begin holding an annual Space Tourism Summit and Space Tourism Conference. The conferences will serve Space Tourism Initiative's two major goals: producing trade events and bringing together potential space tourists with space travel companies. The Space Tourism Summit will bring space travel businessmen together with state and federal governments to discuss the emerging new industry. The Space Tourism Conference, on the other hand, will bring together potential space travelers and space travel companies to discuss the opportunities that exist now and in the near future for space travel. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-04h.html, 10/12/04)
Engineers Hope Elevators Advance Into Space
Last month at a Seattle robotics exhibition Michael Laine, President of the Liftport Group, presented a robot named Squeak who could climb up ten feet of plastic webbing. Laine's presentation excited many with the prospect of robots, such as Squeak, being able to service balloon-based platforms, wireless Internet, or provide aerial surveillance in the near future. In the more distant future, following technological advancements in material strength, power sources, and robotic speed, Laine envisions elevators reaching space on a nanotube ribbon. But for now, scientists and engineers in the elevator industry are trying to collect funding for R&D and establish public awareness through possible competitions like Elevator: 2010. (Alan Boyle, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6227455/, 10/12/04)
Moving Vehicles Will Soon Have Broadband Internet Access
C-COM Satellite systems will soon be able to provide its customers broadband internet access while they drive their car by linking the technology of the new iNetVu Mobile Platform with the iDirect Technologies NetModem II. In less than 3 minutes people who are in a mobile vehicle will be able to chose a satellite and connect to it at 18Mbps. iNetVu has already been successfully utilized by another communications system, VSAT, during relief aid efforts in the hurricane ravaged areas of Florida. In the future C-COM Satellite systems hopes to provide government agencies, film production companies, energy resource exploration and utility companies with their services.(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/vsat-04zzi.html, 10/14/04)
New Uses For Space Plastics On Earth
On October 27th, the ESA will provide the public with a display of innovative plastic products used in space and then illustrate how they will benefit sports. The presentation will be held in Dbsseldorf, as part of a weeklong convention for the plastics and rubber industry called the K 2004 Trade Fair. Representatives of the ESA hope to describe to visitors how the new plastic material they are developing for space, which is highly resistant to extreme conditions, can enhance athletic performance. Examples will be the use of novel plastics in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Rossignol's new speed ski, and Formula 1 cooling suits for drivers. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?msg_id=4969309, 10/14/04)
RADSTAR 2 Receives Pre-Launch Commitments
On October 14th, the government of Finland agreed to soon replace its use of RADSTAR 1 with the future information from RADSTAR 2. Following the launch of the more technologically advanced RADSTAR 2, Finland will hopefully be able to improve their charting and mapping abilities. ImageOne, a Japanese satellite image and service company, has also announced its plans to raise public awareness of RADSTAR 2. ImageOne hopes that the new satellite will provide desirable and valuable images for the Japanese consumer market. The total value of both commitments is estimated to equal 4.3 million dollars. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/radar-04t.html, 10/15/04)
Military Space
US Air Force Counter Enemy Satellite Ready For Use
The US Air Force ended work on the Counter Surveillance Reconnaissance System (CSRS) which, if developed, would have been able to temporarily disrupt imaging satellites used by adversaries in battle. But with the end of this project, the Air Force also announced that the Counter Communications System (CounterCom) was operational. CounterCom can temporarily jam adversary communications satellites. Over the past few years, the US military has greatly emphasized US space superiority, along with the protection of US space assets. There has been some confusion over the cause of the cancellation of CSRS. The Senate and House Appropriations Committees did not fund the project, saying the Air Force cut the project shortly after it submitted its proposal. A spokeswoman for the Air Force Command, Capt. Angie Blair, stated that the program was cut due to competing priorities. Space Command officials stated that the CounterCom project cost $22 million to develop and is expected to cost $53 million from 2004-2009. (Jeremy Singer, SpaceNews, 10/11/04)
An EU Military Space System Not Likely To Be Built Any Time Soon
During the September 30th conference on "Space Imagery in the Service of Defense and Security" put on by the Foundation of Strategic Research, officials said that one common European military space system operated by the European Union would not be likely, at least not in the foreseeable future. Much of this is due to sovereignty issues; if the 25 member states agreed to such a system, they still want independent national satellite access. Col. Yves Blin, deputy head of the space office in the French joint defense staff, has been crucial in writing Common Operational Requirements, or BOC. BOC is a document emphasizing the importance of an integrated space-based defense system. A half-dozen EU member states have signed the document, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain. But Blin acknowledges that such a system is at least a decade away. French, Germany and Italy -once Italy's Cosmo Skymed radar satellites are launched in 2007 -have agreed to share access to each other's military satellite assets. (Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/11/04)
Navstars New GPS Unit Brings Much Improvement To Military
Just 11 years after introducing its first handheld GPS unit, the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR), Navstar has created a new and improved Defense Advanced GPS Reciever (DAGR). The DAGR boast such a slew of upgrades that the Army plans to begin DAGR field and equipment training with its Special Operations Units next month. The DAGR is much easier to carry because it is not only significantly lighter (roughly 60 percent lighter) but is also more compact, with an internal antenna. The battery the DAGR's new graphical interface runs on is also considerably smaller and cheaper. But probably the most important improvement is the enhanced security and reliability the unit offers with advanced encryption codes and a low vulnerability to signal jamming. (LaTonya Lofton-Collins, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-04zzzzb.html, 10/14/04)
Air Force Is Adjusting Their Attitude Towards Protection Of Space
Last year when anti-coalition forces in Iraq began to jam the GPS signals the US were using to guide weapons, the US Air Force faced the new task of protecting its GPS signals. Although the attack came as no great surprise to the US Air Force, it was the first direct attack the US has faced in space. Now Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche reflects upon how the attack has placed greater emphasis on the need for space protection efforts if the US wishes to maintain space superiority. Roche announced that, "we have to think of space not as something where we acquire hardware, launch it and make it work, but that we have to protect it." (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-04zzzza.html, 10/14/04)
As Russia Expands Satellite Industry It Promises To Keep Peaceful
Soon Russia is scheduled to complete its satellite constellation upgrade, with an additional nine spacecrafts and six rockets. Such a substantial improvement has been spurred by increasing concern that space dominance will be essential in achieving national security. Regardless of space force expansion Russia still shows no sign of wanting to deploy weapons into space. Since the 2002 Conference of Disarmament, Russia has promised that it would only deploy weapons into space in retaliation. On October 5, 2004 Russia recently reiterated its stance, promising to the UN that it would not be the first to deploy weapons into space. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?msg_id=4969309, 10/14/04)
US Space Squadron No Longer Support British Satellites
Since 1990, the United States' 3rd Space Operations Squadron has assisted the British in controlling the NATO IV and Skynet 4 satellite constellations. Last week, this 14 year job came to an end, as two members of the 3rd SOPS operational staff, 1st Lt. Jen Phifer and Airman 1st Class Jose Bernal, delivered the last command. For a 23 day period in 2003, the British trusted the Americans to maintain complete control over their communication satellite operations. After 23 days, 3rd SOPS boasted a 99.9 percent success rate. Such low error level achieved by the 3rd SOPS proves the benefits of cooperation and trust between countries in the satellite industry. The 3rd SOPS next task is the controlling of the new Wideband Gapfiller System (WGS). (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-comms-04zzh.html, 10/14/04)
Credits
Compiled by Kavitha Giridhar, Sarah Antos and Priscilla Wong
Edited by Suzanne Vogel
Space Watch
Week of October 18 - 22, 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
Roskosmos and NASA Enter Into Barter Service Plan for ISS
Roskosmos and NASA have prepared a barter cooperation plan for servicing the International Space Station. Alexei Krasnov, the head of the manned programs department of the Federal Space Agency (Roskomos) said that, "The heads of the two agencies signed the document early in October. It provides for a barter scheme of servicing the ISS until April 2006. We will discuss cooperation prospects for 2006-2010 in mid-November."
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1354855&PageNum=0, 10/16/04)
New ISS Crew Barely Avoids Docking Crash
The new International Space Station crew of Russian cosmonauts Salizhan Sharipov and Yuri Shargin and US astronaut Leroy Chiao braked just in time to avoid crashing into the station this past Saturday. This was the tenth docking of the ISS, and was completed manually. After several hours, the crew broke the hermetic seals and entered the station to meet their comrades. Russia's Gennady Padalka and American Michael Fincke have been living aboard the ISS since April. The two will go home on October 24 along with Shargin. Sharipov and Chiao will stay onboard for the next 180 days to conduct 41 scientific, medical, biological, and technical experiments. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041016113320.23n5ho93.html, 10/16/04)
Village House Hit By a Chinese Satellite
A Chinese satellite crashed into a village house in southwestern Sichuan province, ruining the house but not causing any injuries or deaths. The capsule was part of a scientific probe conducting experiments in space. After 18 days in space the capsule accidentally crashed into the civilian home. The capsule was in remarkably good shape. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041017053809.dz6f3oy4.html, 10/17/04)
South Koreans To Enter Space By 2007
South Korea will start screening for its first two astronauts this December. In January, 200 applicants will be selected to go on to take mental and physical health tests, along with written exams and other steps. 30 applicants will then have to undergo more testing, which will narrow the pool down to 10. Finally, in May 2005, the lucky two will be chosen. They will then go on to train at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia from July 2005 to March 2007. In October 2007 will they will board a Russian Soyuz for a 10-day stay in the Russian module of the International Space Station. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-04zzk.html, 10/17/04)
ESA Member Governments Pledge 300 Million Euros Short Of Expected Budget
There is a large gap between the price of European Space Agency (ESA) commitments and pledged funds by ESA member governments. ESA officials have estimated that total spending in 2005 will be 3 billion Euros, however, member governments have stated they will contribute 2.7 billion Euros. Franco Bonacina, an ESA spokesman, said that the agency has been asked to cut 2005 spending that is not under contract with the industry, which could save 45 million Euros. To cover the rest of the expenses, the ESA may have to take out a multi-year loan. Some member governments are concerned that the Galileo satellite-navigation project, the new version of the Ariane 5 rocket and the International Space Station may be more expensive then previously estimated. (Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/18/04)
Representatives of the Bush and Kerry Campaign Debate Candidates' Views on Space
On October 14, about 100 members of the civil space community looked on as Lori Garver, former NASA associate administrator for policy and plans, debated Frank Sietzen, an aerospace journalist. Much of the debate centered on whether space exploration should dominate NASA's agenda. Garver, who represented Senator John Kerry, said that if Kerry were elected he would adopt a "strong and balanced" approach toward space exploration and other NASA missions. Siezten, representing President George Bush, said that if Bush won there would be "an unprecedented opportunity for change and new opportunities in space." Garver went on to say that a Kerry administration would boost research and development funding and would also "depoliticize space." Garver was a little more hesitant on whether Kerry would uphold the Bush vision for a manned mission to the moon by 2020, followed by a venture to Mars. Garver criticized Bush for a lack of cooperation with international partners. Sietzen stressed that international cooperation was a part of Bush's policy; in fact "70 discussions were under way around the world." He then pointed out that Kerry had voted repeatedly to end the International Space Station and never mentioned space on the campaign trail. Both sides, however, agreed that NASA needed to do a better job of educating and exciting the public about the importance and achievements of NASA. (Colin Clark, SpaceNews, 10/18/04)
Brazil and Russia Expand Space Cooperatives
Brazil and Russia recently signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the two countries' cooperation in space. The memorandum calls for the joint development and production of launch vehicles, the launch of geostationary satellites, and the joint development and utilization of Brazil's Alcantara Launch Center. If Russia decides to launch a rocket from the Alcantara Launch Center, it would be only the second time that a Russian rocket launched from somewhere other than Baikonur in Kazakhstan or Plesetsk. The two countries have been working together on space initiatives for sometime now, but the recent agreement greatly expands the scope of such cooperatives. (Frank Braun, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-04zt.html, 10/18/04)
China Joins European GPS Venture
China has stated that it would provide 200 million Euros for the European Galileo project, making it China's largest scientific project with foreign countries. On October 10, China officially signed an agreement with the European Union to join the European global positioning system. The Galileo project originally began through ESA and the European Committee. The new Galileo satellites are expected to enter space in 2008, and will provide more precise information and cover a larger area than the current system. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-04i.html, 10/18/04)
US Astronaut To Vote From Space
Leroy Chiao, who just boarded the International Space Station this Saturday, hopes to vote in the upcoming presidential elections. With the help of NASA, Chiao will be able to use a secure e-mail connection to cast his ballot; a similar method was used earlier when a Russian astronaut voted on Russia's Mir space station. Under then-Governor George W. Bush, Texas passed a bill to allow US astronauts, who mostly live around Houston, to vote from space. Chiao stated that he is going to take full advantage of that right. (http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/astronaut_vote_041018.html, 10/18/04)
Other Countries Asked To Join Russian Project
Russia has asked the US and other governmental space programs to join the Kosmoport project to send flights to the Moon and Mars. "The construction of the Kosmoport will make it possible to use launching vehicles in interplanetary travel and exploration of the solar system's planets" Vyacheslav Davidenko, press secretary of the Russian Federal Space Agency, told Interfax on Monday. "The most important missions in the project will be a manned flight to Mars and the construction of a lunar space base," he said. (http://www2.interfax.ru/eng/news/politics/041018/71193/story.html, 10/18/04)
Four Teams Awarded By NASA To Conduct Electric Propulsion Studies
As part of Vision for Space Exploration, NASA has chosen four teams to conduct research of electric propulsion. It is hoped that these studies of electric propulsion will lead the way to lighter, longer-lasting, and more cost-effective fuels. The awards total $6 million and cover a three-year period. The four teams are from NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland; NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.; Northrop Grumman Space Technology, Redondo Beach, Calif.; and University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio. Each have their own specific electric propulsion project that they are researching. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-04zk.html, 10/19/04)
Smart-1 Comes Closer To Moon Capture Point
From October 10-14, the European Space Agency's Smart-1 carried out a continuous thrust maneuver to bring it closer to the Moon's capture point on November 13. Smart-1 has been spiraling away from the Earth since September 2003 and has covered 80 million kilometers. With this last ion engine thrust, Smart-1 will make two more orbits around the Earth. In November, lunar gravity will pull the satellite into the moon's orbit. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/lunar-04zp.html, 10/19/04)
China Launches Meteorological Satellite
On Wednesday China launched a new satellite that will monitor natural disasters. The No.2 Fengyun C satellite, which was constructed in China, weighs 1.38 tons and has an observation scope that covers one-third of the Earth's surface. Scientists also mentioned that the satellite will help track natural disasters, while monitoring other natural phenomenon.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041020033734.9tmmt5bb.html, 10/20/04)
Hubble Re-entry May Pose Danger
Experts are calculating the risks and problems that may develop when NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (HST) reenters the Earth's atmosphere around 2020. The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office has calculated that if the HST enters the atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner, the risk posed to the human population would be 1:250. NASA's anticipation of potential dangers has prompted studies, such as robotic technology, that may decrease the expected problems.
(Leonard David, http://space.com/scienceastronomy/hst_safety_041021.html, 10/21/04)
ESA Negotiating Six-Month Stay at ISS
The European Space Agency (ESA) is negotiating with the Russian Space Agency on a six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS). ESA wants to send one of its own astronauts, Jorg E. Feustel-Buechl, to the ISS with Russian cosmonauts. According to Feustel-Buechl, this potential mission would be paid for by the ESA, and not by specific member states of the ESA.
(Peter B. de Selding, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/esa_russia_041020.html, 10/20/04)
Jim Garvin Appointed NASA's New Chief Scientist
NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe named Dr. James B. Garvin the new Chief Scientist in charge of the Mars and lunar exploration programs. Garvin will replace John Grunsfeld as NASA's Chief Scientist. Grunsfeld, a veteran astronaut, is to begin training for a long-duration NASA mission to be announced at a later date. Garvin has played a significant role in the Mars rover projects. O'Keefe praises Garvin and expects that he will help to further NASA's Vision for Space Exploration program.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nasa-04zo.html, 10/22/04)
NASA Plans to Examine Comet with Force
NASA announced a plan to launch the Deep Impact Spacecraft toward the Tempel 1 comet. The spacecraft would release an "impactor" to smash into Temple1 with a speed of 23,800 miles per hour. The planned collision would allow scientists to examine the internal components of the comet. The experiment may also provide knowledge on how to prevent space rocks from hitting the Earth. The collision is planned for July 4, 2005.
(Deborah Zabarenko,http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=607324§ion=news, 10/21/04)
Commercial Space
Austria and China Agree to Satellite Parts Trade
Austrian Aerospace stated that it will provide the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST) with solar-array dampers. The dampers will be used to reduce shock to the spring-laded mechanisms used to deploy solar arrays in China's DHF-4 telecommunications satellite. The technology was developed by Austrian Aerospace under an ESA contract, and has now opened the doors to industrial cooperation with China's space market. (Warren Fester, SpaceNews, 10/18/04)
A Possible New Alliance for Space Propulsion
EADS Space, a European aeronautics group, and Snecma, a French aero-engine company, are considering an alliance in the area of space propulsion. Snecma stated that forming a partnership would be in the pursuit of strengthening European space capability, technically and industrially. Both companies have successfully worked together on projects in the past.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041020090121.r8qj3guz.html, 10/20/04)
Pump-Fed Rocket Program Advances
XCOR Aerospace announced that it made a significant advancement in the Pump-Fed Rocket Program by successfully pumping liquid oxygen through an XCOR-developed cryogenic liquid oxygen pump. This advancement marks XCOR'S completion of phase II of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sponsored project to develop a low cost, highly operational alternative to turbo pumps for high propulsion systems.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-04zl.html, 10/21/04)
Military Space
US Navy Transfers Control of Fence Space-Surveillance to the Air Force
On October 1, 2004, the US Navy formally transferred control of the Fence to the US Air Force. The Fence is a ground-based network of space surveillance radars which the Navy controlled for 43 years from Dahlgren, VA. The Navy had transferred the responsibility of funding Fence to the Air Force in October 2003, but the Air Force had asked the Navy to continue operating the system until September 2004. The Air Force will continue to operate at Dahlgren under the newly created 20th Space Control Squadron Detachment 1 -which is composed of about 60 former Navy civilian employees and 11 uniformed Air Force personnel. (SpaceNews, 10/18/04)
US Officials Try To Calm European Concerns Over "Space Dominance" Doctrine
Many European allies were concerned over the new US doctrine of "space dominance" that was touted by the US Air Force. US Air Force officials stressed that the US will abide by international agreements and that trans-Atlantic cooperation in military space is still a priority. However, they did mention that the growing technology gap and low European investment in defense technologies could make cooperation more difficult. Maj. Gen. C. Robert Kehler, director of the National Security Space Office of the Undersecretary of the Air Force, pointed out that the US is rapidly advancing in this arena of technology and it is imperative that NATO and other allies understand how to use these new systems. It is uncertain whether space superiority means the deployment of weapons in space, but what it does mean, as Maj. Gen Michael A. Hamel, commander of the 14th Air Force Space Command, stated, is "confidence [that] we can deploy our space assets when and where they are needed. It is very directly analogous to air superiority and maritime superiority." (Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/18/04)
Details of a Potential EU Space Security Program To Be Released Soon
By the end of this year, the European Commission will have the details of a European Union space security program. Officials of both European governments and the industry said that the proposed European Security Research Program will be incorporated into a larger European space policy. This integration depends on adequate funding by member governments and the industry. The commission stated that it expects to have a better understanding of the resources needed for the security policy by the middle of 2005. The report is part of an ESA effort to become a more influential player in the European Union's space military effort. The first EU-ESA space summit will take place on November 26. Space military policy is new territory for the ESA, which has traditionally focused on civil space policy. As the dynamics between the two sectors are changing, "the distinction between civil and military policy for space programs no longer makes sense," stated Gerhard Brauer, head of ESA's newly created security office. ESA officials did, however, state that they would not become involved in setting military policy, but will only provide technical advice and contract oversight. (Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 10/18/04)
National Security Space Institute Will Help Teach And Train Space Professionals
The Defense Department's National Security Space Institute (NSSI) will become the new focal point for space education and training. Along with other space institutes, such as the Air University, the Naval Postgraduate School and the Air Force Institute of Technology, NSSI will educate young space professionals and maintain the US advantage in space. It is expected that 2500 students will attend annually. NSSI will incorporate the current programs provided by the Space Operations School, and, in later years, will expand to include other space-related activities of the Defense Department.
(Capt. Johnny Rea, http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123008957, 10/18/04)
Credits
Compiled by Kavitha Giridhar and Priscilla Wong
Edited by Suzanne Vogel
Space Watch
Week of October 23 - 29, 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
China and Brazil to Put Third Satellite in Space
China and Brazil are hoping to construct a third Earth observation satellite. The Cbers-2B (Sino-Brazilian Earth Resources Satellite) is an exact replicate of Cbers-2, which was launched from China one year ago and is set to expire in 2005. Cbers-2B is set to launch in 2006 and replace Cbers-2. Brazil will pick up 30 percent of the construction costs, which is about 35-45 million dollars. China and Brazil have been working together on Earth observation satellites since 1998.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041022202645.frww1262.html, 10/22/04)
China to Launch Largest, Most Advanced Telescope of Its Kind
China announced a plan to launch a space solar telescope in 2008. The telescope, which is set to study the solar magnetic field and the surface of the sun over a three-year span, is said to be the largest and most advanced of its kind. The cost of the entire project is estimated to cost 1 billion Yuan (120 million US dollars).
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041023134449.1m05lvp5.html, 10/23/04)
Brazil Launches First Rocket Into Space
VSB-30 or the Brazilian Exploration Vehicle was successfully launched Saturday, October 23 from the Alcantara launch site in Maranhao, Brazil. The success was of special importance to the agency after the devastating explosion of the VLS-1 VO3, which killed 21 space agency employees in August 2003. This incident was one of three failures of the space agency, but the only one with any fatalities. With the success of this launch, the reputation of Brazil's space program is restored, allowing Brazil to follow through with its plans to export rockets to the European Space Agency. (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=624&e=4&u=/ap/20041024/ap_on_sc/brazil_rocket_launch, 10/23/04)
Padalka and Fincke Return to Earth
On October 23, American astronaut, Lt. Col. E. Michael Fincke, and Russian cosmonaut, Col. Gennady I. Padalka, landed in Kazakhstan after spending six months aboard the International Space Station. The Soyuz also brought back Yuri G. Shargin, a Russian space forces lieutenant colonel, who went with the replacement crew to spend a week on the ISS. Leroy Chiao, a NASA astronaut, and Col. Salizhan Sharipov, a Cosmonaut, replaced Fincke and Padalka and will spend the next 180 days aboard the ISS. (Stefano S. Coledan, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/24/science/space/24soyuz.html?oref=login, 10/24/04)
ESA Microsat Completes Third Year in Space
The European Space Agency's first microsatellite, Proba (Project for On-Board Autonomy) recently finished its third year in space. Proba provides incredible pictures of Earth and was launched to demonstrate new European space technologies. Proba basically runs itself; scientists provide the latitude, longitude and altitude of a target site, and the microsat delivers the image. Proba has provided more than 10,000 images from its two onboard imaging instruments: the Compact High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (CHRIS) and the black and white High Resolution Camera (HRC).
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-04q.html, 10/25/04)
US And Russia to Negotiate the ISS Flight Situation
US and Russian negotiators will meet in Houston this November to try and work out an agreement that would allow US astronauts to continue flying on Russian spacecrafts, which are currently the only means of transportation to and from the ISS. The US has not sent a space shuttle to the station since February 2003 -the date of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. NASA is hoping to resume space shuttle flights by mid-2005, but would like to continue using the Soyuz since it serves as the ISS's only emergency escape spacecraft. In late September, the US and Russia reached an agreement that Russia will provide rides for US astronauts until the end of 2005. There had been talks of the US footing some of the bill, but currently these Russian demands have been put aside. The agreement, an addendum to the 1996 agreement, was signed by both NASA's Sean O'Keefe and Roskosmos' Anatoly Perminov. Negotiations could be complicated, however, by the Iran Non-Proliferation Act, which prohibits NASA from spending money on Soyuz vehicles unless the US President can certify that Russian firms have stopped aiding Iran missile efforts or a waiver is obtained by congress.
(Brian Berger and Simon Saradzhyan, SpaceNews, 10/25/04)
Kennedy Space Center Implements Additional Security Measures for Election Day
NASA has increased security measures at Kennedy Space Center due to fears that terrorists may attack the US during elections. Cal Burch, the chief of the Protective Services Office at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration center in Cape Canaveral, could not confirm a specific threat, but stated that the center is a highly visible target and thus the Center should be prepared for a possible attack. (http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/florida/news-article.aspx?storyid=26455, 10/26/04)
Plesetsk Cosmodrome Applies For Enhanced Launch Complex
Anatoli Perminov, head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, warned Wednesday that the Plesetsk Cosmodrome is in danger of becoming a "second-rate facility" if its launch complex was not improved. The warning has come at a time when the Russian Academy of Sciences has also announced their need for help. The Academy has just drafted a proposal, which they will send to the Russian cabinet of Ministers in December, which outlines their desire to create new extensions onto the ISS, improve launch technology, and update land infrastructure. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5018496&startrow=1&date=2004-10-27&do_alert=0, 10/27/04)
Russians Will Construct a Launch Pad in South Korea
By 2007, the Russian space group Krunichev hopes to have built a rocket launch pad in South Korea. Once complete, the pad will be used for both civilian and state exploration. If all goes as planned and the 16 partners of the ISS approve, South Korea will have its first cosmonaut launched into space and welcomed aboard the ISS by 2007. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041027160739.qfq7b3cx.html, 10/27/04)
NASA Officials Speculate On Retirement of Space Shuttle Fleet
In the wake of the tragic Columbia disaster, NASA is reportedly reevaluating their long term plans to send 28 more flights up to the ISS. Currently the three major tasks left in completing the ISS are: delivering a centrifuge module, and observation module, and a power platform with additional trusses and solar rays. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board has advised a complete overhaul of a large percentage of NASA equipment - a task many believe to be fiscally impossible. Due to such expenses, NASA is reviewing lower cost alternatives like replacing 11 scheduled manned flights with unmanned flights. International use of the ISS is expected to continue as scheduled, with Russia frequently sending astronauts and cosmonauts to the ISS aboard Soyuz vehicles. (James Oberg, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6357772/, 10/28/04)
Russian Soyuz-2 Test Launch Delayed
On Friday the Soyuz-2 was scheduled to launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, but due to technical problems with the onboard computer, the flight has been delayed. Officials announced that such glitches were to be expected when testing new equipment and were not sure upon the date of a new launch time. Meanwhile, the booster is still scheduled to be used at other launch sites in Kazakhstan and French Guiana. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5018496&startrow=1&date=2004-10-27&do_alert=0, 10/28/04)
NASA Acknowledges the Value of Public's Opinion on Safety
At NASA's Risk Management Conference 2004, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe emphasized to the crowd the importance of public support as NASA attempts to revitalize its many of its shuttles to flight status in the near future. The first of many NASA launches will be the shuttle Discovery in May 2005. In order to gain public confidence and support, O'Keefe plans to establish an Independent Technical Engineering Authority, which will evaluate the mission's safety issues autonomously.
(Tariq Malik, http://space.com/missionlaunches/risk_okeefe_041028.html, 10/28/04)
Saturn's Moon Titan Is Given a Closer Look
The Cassini spacecraft has provided scientists with new ground-breaking images of Saturn's moon, Titan. The extremely detailed pictures are forcing scientists to reassess their assumptions about the moon's atmospheric composition. A large cloud, which covers the moon's south pole, had been identified long ago as methane, but Cassini's new pictures prove otherwise. It was thought that, in the cold atmosphere of Titan, methane, when heated by the southern sunrays, forms clouds much like how water forms clouds on Earth. But these new images reveal that the cloud particles are too large to be methane, and all hypothesized alternatives (such as ethane, or polystyrene foam balls) seem to create only more questions. Over the next week, all of the data from Cassini's VIMS (Visual and Infared Mapping Spectrometer) will be analyzed and hopefully the mystery will be solved.
(Henry Bortman, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cassini-04zzzr.html, 10/28/04)
Commercial Space
American Launch Industry Seeks Renewal of Insurance Legislation
At the end of 2004, the current law which limits the liability of launch operators in case of an accident expires, and the American launch industry is actively lobbying Congress for its renewal. Under the current law, the U.S. government requires that launch operators purchase insurance to cover the first $500 million in any third-party claims due to a launch accident, and the government, if necessary, will cover further damages and claims up to $1.5 billion. Without government indemnification, the launch industry will have to spend a significant amount more on insurance. Since the indemnification bill has not been renewed as a result of Senate and House disputes, House Representatives Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) and Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) quickly submitted a stand alone bill that would extend the satellite launch indemnification regulations for five more years. The "To extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space transportation industry" bill (H.R. 5245), introduced on Oct. 7, passed the House by unanimous consent and currently sits in the Senate. (Brian Berger, SpaceNews, 10/25/04)
X-34 Spacecraft's Technology Is Being Revived
In 1996, NASA began researching and developing a small spacecraft that would launch three passengers into low-orbit. Due to budget cuts and progress delays, NASA abandoned the project in 2001 after investing $ 205 million. Today the small company called SpaceDev Inc. has decided to purchase some of the advanced propulsion techniques developed by NASA for X-34. The company hopes to use these techniques in constructing the Dream Catcher spaceplane. SpaceDev CEO Jim Benson announced that by 2008 they hope that the Dream Chaser will be carrying humans routinely into altitudes of 100 miles and back at Mach 8 speeds.
(Todd Halvorson, http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/spacestoryN1027DREAM.htm, 10/27/04)
Launch of Vietnamese Satellite Postponed
Originally, the Vietnamese satellite was scheduled for launch in late 2004, but due to several parties' inability to agree upon the coordination of frequencies, the satellite will remain grounded. The International Telecommunication Union in Geneva had offered the satellite multiple locations in orbit, and the position 132E was chosen. Unfortunately, Japan has a satellite in this position and efforts to coordinate transmission frequencies have failed. Multiple media conglomerates are also battling over the satellite's maintenance contract. A new launch date has not been announced, and if the satellite is not sent into orbit by February 2006, its reservation of the 132E position will expire. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041029044215.ygiujvyj.html, 10/29/04)
Military Space
US Concerned About China's Decision To Join Galileo
The US has voiced its concern over China's decision to join the Galileo program. Galileo is a joint project being undertaken by the European Union and European Space Agency. It is made up of 30 satellites and ground stations, and greatly resembles the US Global Positioning System (GPS). China recently joined the project, which hopes to begin operating in 2008. The US is concerned that a hostile nation, such as China, could use Galileo "to attack American forces with precision" as Peter Teets, under-secretary of the US Air Force, wrote in a leaked US Air Force document written in August. The US said it would attack the satellite system if it were used by China during wartime. The US has been hesitant about Galileo from its conception, believing it could compete with the US GPS.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-04zc.html, 10/24/04)
Bush Administration Is Rethinking Outer Space Treaty Commitments
President Bush is considering whether or not the US should continue to participate in the 1967 United Nations Treaty on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The treaty bans nuclear weapons from space, stating that space should be maintained for peaceful purposes. It further states that no nation can declare sovereignty over any extraterrestrial body. Frank Sietzen, who represented President Bush in a recent space debate, stated that the Bush administration has some reservations about the recent treaty proposals to ban all kinds of weapons in space. The Administration does not agree with additional prohibitions on non-WMD weapons and military activities.
(Beth Dickey, http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1004/102504bd1.htm, 10/25/04)
U.S. Air Force Requesting RAIDRS Bids Soon
The U.S. Air Force is set to request formal bids for the Rapid Attack Identification Detection and Reporting System (RAIDRS) contract by the end of October 2004. The RAIDRS is a ground-based system that will identify and locate sources of radio-frequency interference, deliberate or otherwise, to U.S. military and commercial satellites. The U.S. Air Force plans on spending about $16 million in 2005; $16.4 million in 2006; $12.1 million in 2007; $12.4 million in 2008, and $66.6 million in 2009 on the RAIDRS program. In 2009, the Air Force plans to award more contracts for more sophisticated RAIDRS systems, such as satellite-based sensors for interference detection and source-location. Today, the Air Force is directing the RAIDRS contract to small businesses. The three likely companies expected to submit competitive bids are: Arrowhead Global Communications, Integral Systems, and Innovative Technology Systems.
(Jeremy Singer and Jason Bates, SpaceNews, 10/25/04)
China Responds To US: Galileo Will Not Be Used For Military Purposes
China quickly responded to reports that the US might shoot down the Galileo satellites during wartime. Foreign ministry spokeswoman, Zhang Qiyue, stated, "As for reports that this plan will be devoted to military use, I think this kind of accusation is quite absurd and ridiculous." China joined the Galileo project, a European venture of 30 satellites and ground states due to launch in 2008, last month. Galileo could help provide communication services for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but also has the potential to be used for strategic military means. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/041026103647.ahbwkm8v.html, 10/26/04)
All Russian Military Satellites To Be Launched From Plesetsk
From now on, all Russian military satellites will be launched from the Plesetsk comodrome, stated Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. However, all manned flights and launches of heavy rockets will continue to launch from Baikonur.
(http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1388382&PageNum=0, 10/26/04)
Credits
Compiled by Kavitha Giridhar, Sarah Antos and Priscilla Wong
Edited by Suzanne Vogel