September 2004

Space Watch
Week of August 30 - September 3, 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 Launches Short-Term Scientific Satellite
A scientific satellite to be used for land surveying, mapping and other scientific experiments, was launched from an isolated desert area of China on a Long March 2C rocket. It will only orbit for a few days, then return to Earth.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040829095458.e2lqi0oq.html, 8/29/04)

Genesis Aims For Utah
The Genesis spacecraft, carrying solar wind particles it has collected over the course of its mission, has altered its trajectory to aim for the US Air Force's Utah Test and Training Range, its intended drop zone. There will be one more trajectory maneuver this weekend, 52 hours before reentry. The precision of Genesis's reentry is so important because NASA plans to catch its sample return capsule in midair by helicopter to protect the sample from the possible damage of a ground landing.
(Leonard David, http://space.com/missionlaunches/genesis_update_040831.html, 8/31/04)

GAO To Audit NASA
The US General Accountability Office (GAO) plans to conduct a series of audits into NASA's fiscal practices. They are particularly interested in speaking with NASA employees who have concerns with NASA's spending practices or dealings with contractors. Senators have expressed concerns that NASA has not properly managed the oversight of its finances with respect to fraud and wasteful spending.
(Tariq Malik, http://space.com/news/nasa_gao_040831.html, 8/31/04)

Discovery of Three New Planets Gives Scientists Hope of Life Beyond Earth
Three separate teams of scientists announced the discovery of a trio of new planets orbiting nearby stars. These planets are particularly remarkable in that their size is much closer to Earth than previously discovered planets, which have been at least 50 times the size of Earth and comprised of highly-pressure gases at exceptionally high temperatures. The newly discovered planets are between 14 and 20 times the size of Earth, and, although too close to their stars to support life, encourage scientists to hope that more planets like Earth are out there to be discovered.
(Dennis Overbye, http://nytimes.com/2004/09/01/national/01planet.html, 9/1/04)

China Opens the Doors to Its Space Program
In an exceptional moment of openness, China allowed foreign journalists to tour Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located in a remote area of northwest China. Due to the isolation of the center, and the 15,000 people that live there, Jiuquan has turned into a small city, with schools, a movie theater and a hospital.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040902034214.foetk9dm.html, 9/2/04)

Launch Scheduled For First Soyuz-2 Carrier Rocket
The date of October 29th has been set for the launch of the first Soyuz-2 carrier rocket for Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch will be a flight test for the rocket with a mock-up cargo payload. Soyuz-2 is intended to increase payload capacity and orbital range available to the payload.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4795046&startrow=21&date=2004-09-02&do_alert=0, 9/2/04)

Iran to Launch First Satellite in April 2005
Iran has announced that it will launch its first satellite in April 2005, which it describes as being purely civil in nature. The Iranian press has stated that the satellite, called Mesbah, meaning lantern, will aid in the identification of natural resources and possibly for communications and crisis management.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040902084238.7tlw4kbq.html, 9/2/04)

Belarus and Russia to Cooperate in Space
In October, the Belarussian National Academy of Sciences and the Russian Aviation and Space Agency will begin to implement a joint project meant to share and enhance space communications systems for both countries. They also plan to cooperate on developing instruments to measure the ozone layer.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4796085&startrow=1&find=space, 9/2/04)

Commercial Space

The Final Launch of Atlas 2
After several delays, the last Atlas 2 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral carrying a satellite from the National Reconnaissance Office. The Atlas 2 has been in service for 13 years and has had a 100% success rate. After the retirement of the Atlas 2 rocket family, International Launch services will rely on the Atlas 3 and Atlas 5 series of rockets and the Russian Proton rocket.
(Tariq Malik, http://space.com/missionlaunches/atlas2as_launch_040831.html, 8/31/04)

Virtual Astronauts?
Peter Plantec, an expert on virtual human design, has suggested the employment of virtual astronauts for long-term space missions to monitor complicated systems and alleviate some of the more mundane tasks of astronauts.
(Leonard David, http://space.com/businesstechnology/virtual_astronauts_040901.html, 9/1/2004)

 

Credits

Compiled and Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

Space Watch
Week of September 6 - 10, 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

Space Station Maintenance
On Sept. 3, 2004, Gennady Padalka and Michael Fincke completed a space walk on the International Space Station. Padalka, the space station's commander, and Fincke, a flight engineer, successfully replaced a new coolant system and three antennas for future unmanned dockings during their five-hour 21- minute space walk (William Harwood,http://www.spaceflightnow.com/station/exp9/040903spacewalk.html, 9/3/04)

Sen. Brownback Is Worried About The Costs Of The Shuttle
Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan) is concerned about the cost of returning the Shuttle to flight. Although Kansas residents stand to lose money if the shuttle does not take flight, Brownback feels that there need to be other options for US spaceflight. (David Dinell,http://wichita.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2004/09/06/daily15.html, 9/8/04)

Kennedy Space Center Damaged By Frances
Hurricane Frances caused severe damage to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. KSC now needs to reevaluate its ability to return the Shuttle to flight in the current timeframe. It was originally scheduled for launch for Spring 2005. (Jefferson Morris, http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_aerospacedaily_story.jsp?id=news/hur09084.xml, 9/8/04)

Russian Space Program Underfunded
The Russian space program for fiscal year 2005 will amount to USD $786 million, which is reportedly 20 times less than NASA's budget. The new budget indicates that the space program will focus on Russian-specific projects and not the much needed construction work on the International Space Station. (http://www.mosnews.com/money/2004/09/08/spacebudget.shtml, 9/8/04)

Britain's Smart-1 To Study The Moon
Britain plans for an extensive study of the moon. On November 15, 2004, Britain's satellite, Smart-1, will be launched to the moon, where it will collect data on the moon's mineral composition and craters. British scientists hope that the research will reveal how the moon and Earth were formed.
(Tim Radford, http://www.guardian.co.uk/space/article/0,14493,1299361,00.html, 9/8/04)

Russia And Brazil Unite For Next Space Launch
Brazil's defense Minister Jose Viegas Filho recently commented on the collaboration between Russia and Brazil on their space programs. Since 1980, Brazil has made three unsuccessful attempts to launch its own satellite into space. After the third and last attempt disastrously ended in the death of 21 people, Brazil turned to Russia for assistance. Brazil now hopes that with joint cooperation, they will be able to not only make rocket launching safer, but also successfully send a rocket into space in 2006.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4821210&startrow=1&find=space, 9/8/04)

Genesis (Return) Landing A Failure
After spending over two years in space collecting data on Sun particles, the space probe Genesis crash landed in Utah when its parachutes failed to deploy, allowing it to be caught midair by a helicopter. Although there is severe damage to Genesis, researchers are optimistic that the data recovered will be usable. An investigation team will be formed to examine the crash. (Kenneth Chang, http://nytimes.com/2004/09/09/science/space/09catch.html, 9/9/04)

NASA Scrambles To Retrieve Solar Dust
After the crash landing of the Genesis space probe last Wednesday, scientists rushed to the site to retrieve sample canisters of what they hoped would contain stardust. Unfortunately the canisters had been ripped open in the failed landing. Nonetheless, scientists remain optimistic, arguing that these canisters were built to withstand such an impact and probably still contain implanted remnants of cosmic material. If nothing is salvageable, NASA will face an even larger public relations hurdle when it attempts to restart its desired space shuttle program.
(Pascal Barollier, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/genesis-04m.html, 9/9/04)

Two More Scientific Satellites For China
Early Thursday, China launched two scientific satellites for an intended two-year mission. The mission is centered on collecting data on the effects of radiation. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040909020959.r6kbw2h3.html, 9/9/04)

ISS Oxygen Generator Needs Fixing
On Friday the crewmembers of the International Space Station plan on repairing their oxygen generator. Even though the generator failed on them two days ago, officials remain calm, claiming they could use oxygen tablets or balloons if needed.
(http://www2.interfax.ru/eng/news/politics/040910/65982/story.html, 9/10/04)

Jordan Soon To Send A Spaceman To Train In Moscow
The Cosmonaut training center near Moscow will soon be receiving a Jordanian pupil. Although the name of the future spaceman was not publicized, the local Jordanian newspaper, Al Dustor, reported that King Abdullah II of Jordan made the spaceman's arrangements himself during a recent trip to Russia.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4819108&startrow=1&find=space, 9/10/04)

Commercial Space

NASA Grants Raytheon Lunar Contract
Raytheon Missile Systems won an estimated $1 million contract from NASA to design and develop technologies to help humans get to the moon. NASA assigned Raytheon to research human lunar exploration for the Project Constellation Moon-to-Mars program.
(Romano Cedillos,http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0907raytheon07.html, 9/7/04)

NASA Grants Contracts For New Missions
Last week NASA announced contracts worth $27 million for new Moon-Mars missions. NASA's plan to restructure operations, resulting in excess 2004 fiscal year budget allocations, tentatively secured funding for these contracts. However, NASA funding remains uncertain until Congress passes pending appropriations bills.
(Frank Sietzen Jr.,http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04zx.html, 9/8/04)

Swedish Corporation In Talks With Dutch Regarding Orbital Recovery
The Swedish Space Corporation is currently negotiating with Dutch Space of The Netherlands to form a team that will be responsible for financing the design and development of Orbital Recovery's ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle space tug. The space tug would primarily be used to extend the use of telecommunication satellites already in orbit. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/salvage-04d.html, 9/8/04)

International Effort To Develop Cube Satellites
Cube satellites, commonly referred to as CubeSats, are small, cube-shaped satellites that are cost-efficient and easier to launch into orbit. The CubeSat initiative is comprised of universities and private firms worldwide geared toward promoting the uses of small satellite technology. Another main goal of the campaign is to garner more support or interest in the miniaturization of space technology and experiments.
(Leonard David, http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/cube_sats_040908.html, 9/8/04)

NASA and MIT In Moon-Mars Partnership
NASA is partnering with MIT and Draper Laboratories to design and develop new technologies for travel to the Moon and Mars. Over the next year, MIT students and faculty will be working on developing a vehicle strong enough to sustain long periods of time on the Moon and Mars. NASA is reportedly providing $3 million to the collaboration.
(Casey Ross,http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=43449, 9/9/04)

European Company To Launch Three New Communication Satellites
Arianespace, a European satellite launch company, won new contracts to launch three American communication satellites. Two of the satellites will be launched for DIRECTV and the other satellite for PanAmSat. Arianespace currently holds 36 satellite launch contracts. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040909070511.4okaw68o.html, 9/9/04)

Military Space

Israeli Intelligence Satellite Fails
Israel's most recent attempt to launch a satellite into orbit failed, costing the government an estimated $100 million. The satellite, Ofek-6, was intended to provide Israel with intelligence on "third tier" countries, such as Iran. Moreover, the failure of Ofek-6 will likely stunt the development of Israeli security plans. The Shavit rocket being used malfunctioned at the third stage, and failed to launch Ofek-6 into orbit. (Amnon, Barzilai, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/474463.html, 9/7/04)

 

 

Credits

Compiled by Priscilla Wong and Sarah Antos
Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

Space Watch
Week of September 13 - 17, 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

Direct Laser Links Could Be Future of Space Communications
NASA and MIT Lincoln Laboratory researchers are working on an interplanetary laser communication system that would send data out ten times faster than current radio communication systems. The new technology could be used not only to communicate with astronauts but with robotic spacecrafts as well. The first test of the Mars Laser Communication Demonstration (MCLD) is set to take place in 2010. (http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/9184, 8/30/04)

Battery Failure May Have Led To The Fall Of Genesis
The crash of Genesis may have been due to a battery malfunction. Originally, Genesis was supposed to have slowed down enough to allow for a mid-air helicopter recovery. It is believed, however, that the battery onboard Genesis failed in starting a series of explosive charges, which would have deployed the parachute system. Other potential causes, such as an electronic glitch in the sample return capsule or a problem with an onboard gravity sensor, are being investigated as well.
(Leonard David, http://www.space.com/news/genesis_reaction_040908.html, 9/8/04)

Dr. Michael Ryschkewitsch Leads Genesis Mishap Investigation Board
Last Friday, Dr. Michael Ryschkewitsch, the Director of the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, was appointed to lead the Genesis Mishap Investigation Board (MIB). The MIB is a response to the failure of Genesis to deploy its parachutes during its descent to Earth on September 8th. The purpose of MIB is to understand both the proximate cause(s) and root cause(s) of the Genesis mishap in order to prevent future accidents.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/genesis-04n.html, 9/13/04)

ISS Oxygen-Generating Device Restarted
Thanks to Commander Gennady Padalka's troubleshooting work, Elektron, the primary oxygen-generating device on board the International Space Station, was restarted September 10. Russian engineers spent this last weekend analyzing both the initial problem and the two later shutdowns of Elektron, which occurred after the troubleshooting. It is believed that modifications of Elektron's software could fix the problem. Despite the generator's irregular performance, Crew 9 has plenty of oxygen on board.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-04zw.html, 9/13/04)

External Tank 120 Is Getting Ready For Launch
External Tank 120, which is to be Space Shuttle Discovery's external tank, was transferred to an assembly building at Michoud Assembly Facility. Workers are to insulate the liquid hydrogen tank-to-intertank flange area with foam. After work is completed, the tank is expected to make its next and final transfer to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-04zb.html, 9/14/04)

Next ISS Crew Delayed
The new ISS crew of Russian Cosmonaut, Salijan Charipov, and US astronaut, Leroy Chiao, were scheduled to replace the current crew stationed on the ISS on October 9, 2004. However, Russian space officials have delayed the launch date due to technical difficulties with the docking system. Although a new launch date has not been rescheduled, officials estimate the delay will be between five to ten days.(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040915165021.ht6eigzy.html, 9/15/04)

Messenger to study Mercury
On August 3, 2004, Messenger, expected to be the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury, was launched toward the planet. Aboard the Messenger are radiation-hardened computers, known as RAD6000, and solid state recorder assemblies that will study the planet's geology, atmosphere, and overall structure. Messenger is expected to reach Mercury in March 2011. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mercury-04n.html, 9/15/04)

ISS Crew Reducing Noise Levels
On Wednesday, the ISS crew installed vibration mounts to reduce vibration and noise level. The ISS has had problems with noise levels from the beginning. The noise and vibrations from the onboard fans have led to crew members sleeping with earplugs. The mounts are expected to significantly reduce noise levels. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4855186&startrow=1&date=2004-09-15&do_alert=0, 9/15/04)

Four Countries Seek Establishment of Common Space Corporation
At the Common Economic Space Summit, the Leaders of the Common Economic Space (CES), which consists of the Presidents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine, called for the establishment of a common rocket space corporation. According to the CES, the establishment of such a corporation would lead to more collaborative hi-tech enterprises and further the development of science and production in the four countries. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4855289&startrow=1&find=space9/15/04)

 

Commercial Space

SpaceShipOne Engine "Beefed Up"
Jim Benson, founding chairman and chief executive of the firm SpaceDev, stated that SpaceShipOne performed "flawlessly" during its June 21st flight. "But we beefed up the engine even more," he stated. The spaceship now performs at 20 percent above its original requirements by holding more propellant and burning the fuel longer. SpaceShipOne plans to re-enter space on September 29th and is hoping to win the coveted Ansari X Prize - an international competition to build and a fly a reusable spacecraft.
(Tariq Malik, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/xprize_sso_engine_040913.html, 9/13/04)

The Average Person Can Now Experience Weightlessness
Through a collaborated effort by Zero Gravity Corp. and Amerijet International, parabolic flights will be made public for the first time in the US. The venture, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, allows for regular citizens to get a taste of weightlessness. For $2950, one can board a modified Boeing 727-200 jet and feel like an astronaut for about 25 seconds at a time. The first commercial flights are set for October 9th and November 6th of this year.
(Alan Boyle, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5992077/, 9/14/04)

Cooperation in the Emerging Global Ballistic Missile Defense Market
Raytheon and EADS Space Transportation have entered into a cooperative agreement to develop and pursue business opportunities in the rising global ballistic missile defense(BMD) market. The agreement is centered on designing BMD interceptor programs. Raytheon has already developed interceptors for the US, and EADS ST is Europe's leader in missile defense technology
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/bmdo-04zb.html, 9/15/04)

Space Plane Technology Transferred Between Government Agencies
NASA announced on Monday that they transferred their X-37 technology, which is a space plane prototype, to another government agency. At this time, the agency taking over the X-37 technology and program remains unidentified, but intends to continue development and testing. In 1998, NASA, Boeing, and the U.S. Air Force collaborated on the X-37 program. However, by 2001, U.S. Air Force stopped funding the program and by 2003, NASA instructed Boeing to stop its work on the program, citing that X-37 was not compatible to the new space agenda. (Brian Berger, http://www.space.com/news/nasa_x37_040914.html, 9/14/04)

 

Military Space

New DOD Report Warns of Space Debris
A new report from the U.S. Defense Department warns that debris from testing space-based missile interceptors may cause damage to the International Space Station, space shuttles, satellites, and Earth. Although missile defense interceptors are not expected to be tested until 2012, the DOD wants the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to account for possible debris problems. The MDA, the agency that will test the interceptors, argues that the space debris threat is unlikely and in case of debris collision, damages would not be severe. (Jeremy Singer, http://www.space.com/spacenews/business_monday_040913.html, 9/16/04)

 

Terrestrial Space

Antarctica's Research Station Getting Space Technology Renovation
The European Space Agency (ESA) has developed a new design and habitat to replace the current Neumayer II Research Station in Antarctica. The Neumayer II will be retired in 2007, and the new SpaceHouse Habitat, Neumayer III, is expected to be ready for habitation. The SpaceHouse design is comprised of materials and energy technologies used for space missions. The new habitat will be more light weight, stronger, larger, and above ground. (Tariq Malik, http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/09/15/antarctic.habitat/index.html, 9/15/04)

Credits

Compiled by Kavitha Giridhar, Priscilla Wong and Sarah Antos
Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

Space Watch
Week of September 20 - 24, 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 Hopes To Build A New, More Powerful Rocket
China's space program is awaiting government approval of a new carrier rocket. If approved, the rocket will be developed over the next eight years to be used for moon exploration. The new rocket is expected to have a higher carrying capacity then the current "Long March" rockets and is also more environmentally friendly.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-04zzh.html, 9/16/04)

Indonesian Satellite To Ride Alongside Indian Satellite
India has agreed to send an Indonesian satellite into space with its own satellite. Indonesia's National Institute of Aeronautics and Space and the Antrix Corporation, a commercial space business in India, signed a contract to launch the Lapan-Tubsat satellite. The launch is scheduled to take place in either late 2005 or early 2006.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-04m.html, 9/17/04)

Second Phase Of Falcon Small Launch Vehicle Program To Begin
Four teams have been awarded funding by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Air Force to begin the second phase of the Falcon Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) program. The funding will go toward preliminary design and development efforts in creating an affordable and responsive space lift capability. Next year DARPA and the Air Force will pick one or more of the teams to move on to Phase IIb, in which detailed design and fabrication of the launch vehicles will take place. Test flights of the launch vehicles are scheduled to take place in 2007.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-04zf.html, 9/20/04)

Water Experiments To Take Place On Ariane 5 ECA
The Sloshsat-FLEVO satellite will be onboard the Ariane 5 ECA when it takes off this October. The Sloshsat-FLEVO, holding 33.5 litres of water, will be used to learn more about the movement of water and fluids in microgravity and its effects on satellites. Sensors will monitor the water's distribution, temperature and fluid velocity along with the spacecraft's motion. This will be the first study of water in space.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-04zg.html, 9/20/04)

Huygens Passes In-flight Checkup
Huygens, a European Space Agency (ESA) probe onboard the Cassini spacecraft, passed its fifteenth in-flight checkup on September 14. The checkup was necessary to make sure Huygens was ready for separation from Cassini. Huygens has been orbiting Saturn with Cassini, but in December it will enter Titan's atmosphere for three weeks.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cassini-04zzza.html, 9/20/04)

EDUSAT To Facilitate Education In India
On Monday, India launched a satellite to help increase education and literacy levels in the country. EDUSAT will connect three universities in Karnataka, Maharashatra and Madya Pradesh, bringing both primary and university education and teacher training to remote areas. In the second phase of the mission, two more states will be added and as many as 1000 classrooms will be connected.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004%20/040920112256.ck1uylxp.html, 9/20/04)

Elektron Oxygen Generator Fails Again
Elektron, the oxygen generator aboard the International Space Station, failed again. Last Friday Gennady Padalka of Russia was able to restart the generator after two weeks of trouble-shooting. Yet this victory was short-lived, as the generator shutdown again over the weekend. Elektron has been malfunctioning since September 8, but Crew 9 still has plenty of oxygen - enough to last 140 days. However, the irregularity of Elektron may prevent a replacement crew from coming to the ISS.
(Amit Asaravala, http://www.wired.com/news/space/0,2697,65026,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_4, 9/20/04)

NASA to Start Testing New Technologies
From September 14-28, NASA will be testing new equipment developed for human exploration of Mars and the moon. Such equipment includes a new spacesuit and helmet, a wireless data network, a two-wheel chariot pulled by an electric tractor and an autonomous robot support vehicle. The tests will provide NASA with important data on the performance levels of such equipment in rough weather and terrain that astronauts may face during space exploration.
(SpaceNews, 9/20/04)

JIMO to Orbit Jupiter's Moons
For the first time, NASA will use nuclear propulsion during a mission, enabling the Prometheus Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) to orbit and thoroughly explore the icy surfaces of three Jupiter moons - Callisto, Ganymede and Europa. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contracted Northrop Grumman Space Technology to co-design the spacecraft. Northrup Grumman and the government will work closely together until 2008, developing preliminary designs and important technologies for the spacecraft.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nuclearspace-04h.html, 9/21/04)

Senate Approved A NASA Budget of $15.6 Billion
The Senate has approved a budget for NASA that is roughly 200 million dollars more than last year's budget, but still 665 million dollars short of what the Bush Administration had proposed. The budget was substantially larger than the budget passed by the House in July, partially due to the last minute request for more money made by Senator Barbara Mikulski and Representative Kay Bailey Hutchinson. If this "emergency" cash remains in the budget, proponents hope that the Shuttle's landing safety will be improved, and that the Hubble Space Telescope will be serviced robotically. (Gwyneth K Shaw, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom/space/orl-asecnasabud22092204sep22,0,1624731.story?coll=orl-home-headlines, 9/22/04)

South Korean President Given Grand Tour of Russian Space Center
On Thursday, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun was lead around the Russian Khrunuchev space center by its general director Alexander Medvedev. The two reviewed a mockup of the Mir orbital cluster, the functional cargo module, FGB-2, (planned for attachment to the ISS in 2007), carrier rockets, acceleration units and new small communication satellites. The visit further signified the two countries' commitment to join together in peaceful research and development of space. By late 2005, Russia hopes to launch a Korean cosmonaut into space. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4886187&startrow=1&date=2004-09-22&do_alert=0, 9/22/04)

Rover's Mission On Mars Lengthened
NASA has just received additional funding for its Mars rovers that will allow Spirit and Opportunity to continue to collect data for another 6 months, providing they continue to perform well. Since last December, the rovers have been traveling on Mars, successfully collecting evidence of historic water activity. Recently, NASA lost all contact with both rovers when the sun came between the Earth and Mars. Two weeks later they reconnected and found that the rovers were still performing flawlessly.
(http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/09/22/mars.rovers.ap/index.html, 9/22/04)

Launch of ISS's New Team Is Slightly Delayed
The next three-person Soyuz crew of Russian Salijan Charipov, American Leroy Chiao and Russian Yuri Chargin, have had their departure date for the International Space Station bumped back two days. Originally, the crew was scheduled to depart for the International Space Station on October 11 on a Russian Soyuz TMA-5 spacecraft, but slight repairs to docking system will mean a later arrival. Regardless of the delay, officials remain confident that the crew will arrive successfully and enable the existing team to return home. Charipov and Chiao will replace the ISS crew; Chargin will return to Earth with the previous crew. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-04zz.html, 9/22/04)

New ISS Crewmembers Help Develop AIDS Vaccine
When Expedition 10 is launched toward the International Space Station (ISS), they will bring with them new medical research to carry out. During a pre-flight press conference in Moscow Thursday, crewmember Salizhan Sharipov announced his team's intentions of conducting anti-AIDS experiments while at the ISS. The tests have already been developed by scientists and consist of the crewmembers mixing temperature sensitive samples and then closely recording their status. (http://www2.interfax.ru/eng/news/politics/040923/67723/story.html, 9/23/04)

General Designers Are Briefed On ISS Related Projects
The General Designers' Review held a meeting at the S.P. Korolev Russian and Space Corporation this week to hear about the progress of Expedition 10 preparations and the results of Expedition 8 and Expedition 9. Chief designers and representatives presented extensive information on the flight readiness of the Soyuz TMA-5 spacecraft, the crewmembers' health status, the scientific experiments they plan to conduct and docking-related activities. Expedition 10 was scheduled to launch October 11, 2004, but has been delayed. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/iss-04zza.html, 9/24/04)

GMES Receives Additional Funding From ESA
The ESA's Earth Observation Program Board has decided to provide the European GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security initiative) with 80 million dollars. The majority of the funding will be directed towards creating a future European Earth Observation System that will closely monitor the environment. The remained funds will be spent examining the benefits of the GMES and creating a better definition of the services the GMES hopes to provide the public. By 2006 the ESA hope that the GMES will be fully underway. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/eo-04zzzzv.html, 9/24/04)

Russians Are Compiling A List Of Threatening Space Objects
Astronomers at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Astronomy have recently begun cataloging any extraterrestrial objects that they believe could harm the Earth. The project began after scientists reexamined some ‘near' meteorite flows, and found larger then expected ‘stones' in them. These stones, composed of gas, ice and dust, measure up to 30 meters in diameter and are now believed to be able to reach earth. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?=1&date=2004-09-24&do_alert=0, 9/24/04)

 

Commercial Space

Satellite Imagery Helps Wine Harvests
European wine harvesters are turning to satellite imagery to a comparative advantage on their competition. Bacchus, a technology produced by the European Space Agency (ESA), can help wine harvesters obtain crucial data needed for a successful yield. Luigi Fusco, who oversees the Bacchus project at ESA's European Space Research Institute, said, "We are helping producers to improve their wine, by identifying better plantation areas, improving irrigation and detecting diseases." Such information could greatly help European wine harvests in the coming years.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/esa-general-4w.html, 9/20/04)

Congress Hopes To Pass Commercial Space Act This Year
The Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act (H.R. 3752), which establishes regulations for an emerging commercial space flight industry, is still under House and Senate negotiations. James Muncy, an aerospace consultant lobbyist, stated that the bill still has a chance to pass this year and would help suborbital launch firms enormously. If differences are worked out within the next couple of weeks, the bill can still pass this year without a floor vote from either chamber.
(Brian Berger, SpaceNews, 9/20/04)

SpaceDev Project Could Pave the Way for Commercial Space Flights
SpaceDev has started to work on the "SpaceDev Dream Chaser," a reusable, piloted, sub-orbital space ship that could possibly take passengers to and from low earth orbit both safely and cost-effectively. SpaceDev's founding chairman and CEO, Jim Benson, said, "This project is one small step for SpaceDev, but could evolve into one giant leap for affordable, commercial human space flight." Benson and Dr. Scott Hubbard, director of the NASA Ames Research Center, just signed a Space Act Memorandum of Understanding, confirming both organizations intent to explore the idea of routine human space access.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04zza.html, 9/21/04)

Brazil and Ukraine Come Together For Satellite-Launch Business
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma signed a commercial treaty to jointly build a launchpad and launch facilities in Brazil for the Ukraine's Cyclone-4 rocket. If approved by Brazil's Senate, it is hoped that a Chinese-Brazilian satellite aboard the Ukrainian rocket will leave the Alcantara launch site sometime after 2007. Brazil is ideal for a launchpad, due to its proximity to the equator. With Ukraine supplying the rockets and Brazil the location, the two countries can finally enter the lucrative satellite-launch business.
(Frank Braun, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-04zh.html, 9/21/04)

Satellites Will Soon Deliver TV and Internet to Planes
Arianespace has just agreed to launch AirTV's first satellite into space by 2007. The satellite, stationed above the North Atlantic, will provide 40Mbps of Internet and 60 plus channels of multilingual television for commercial planes traveling over North America, Europe and the Middle East. In years to come, AirTV hopes to expand their global coverage to reach all planes. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-04zl.html, 9/24/04)

 

 

Military Space

Teets Claims US Space Supremacy Is Necessary
At the Air Force Association's 2004 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition held last week, Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets, who also serves as the director of the National Reconnaissance Office, stressed the need for the US to remain in the forefront of space technology. He stated, ""Even though we have superiority in many aspects of space capability, we don't have space dominance, and we don't have space supremacy. The fact is, we need to reach for that goal. It is the ultimate high ground." As many countries around the world build up their space programs, Teets stated it was necessary for the US to keep its position on the "leading edge."
(Master Sgt. Scott Elliott, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-04z.html, 9/20/04)

GPS Anti-jamming Technology Created
Honeywell Defense and Space Electronic Systems has recently created new hardware that defends the signal received by GPS-guided munitions against radio frequency interference. When placed between the GPS receiver and radio frequency antenna aboard guided weapons, these anti-jamming modules can decrease interference and provide clearer satellite-based guidance signals, said John Messier, the director of missiles and munitions programs at Honeywell.
(SpaceNews, 9/20/04)

Russia Shows Dedication to Prevention of Arms Race in Space
During the 2004 Disarmament Conference held in Geneva, the Russian Foreign Ministry made it clear that Russia was in full support of thwarting an arms race in space. Representatives and delegates of many other nations echoed Russia's position, agreeing that stopping an arms race was a high priority. Unfortunately Russia feels that the Conference was unable to accomplish much be the meeting was disorganized and did not conform to the agenda closely. (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4881301&startrow=1&find=space, 9/21/04)

Russia Launches Two Military Satellites
At 7:07 p.m. Moscow time on Thursday, two military satellites were reported by a Russia Space Troops spokesperson to have been launched successfully. The satellites are expected to arrive at their designated altitude at 8:01 p.m. Moscow time. (http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=10705491, 9/23/04)

 

Credits

Compiled by Kavitha Giridhar and Sarah Antos
Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

Space Watch
Week of September 27 - October 1, 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 Launches Its 20th Scientific Satellite
China launched another scientific satellite on Monday. It is one of 20 recoverable satellites launched for scientific and technological purposes by China. The Xinhau news agency did not say how long the satellite would remain in orbit. The satellite entered into space just as the 19th satellite touched ground last Saturday.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040927092656.wng6l6kp.html, 9/27/04)

Chinese Satellite Touches Ground
After 27 days in orbit, China's 19th recoverable science satellite touched ground on Saturday, September 25. The satellite was launched atop a Long March 2C carrier rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province in late August. The satellite was used for space scientific research, land surveying, mapping and other scientific experiments, said space officials.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-04zzk.html, 9/27/04)

India's Chandrayaan Mission Going Well
Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to the moon, is progressing smoothly, said the country's space agency chief, G. Madhavan Nair. The unmanned mission is set to take place in 2007 or 2008 and costs 3.8 billion Rupees or 83 million US dollars. India ruled out a manned mission due to high costs reaching up to Rs. 100 billion (2.2 billion US dollars).
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/india-04p.html, 9/27/04)

Launching Clusters of Smaller Satellites More Cost-Effective
Scientists are finding that launching smaller satellites that work together in closely coordinated orbits is less expensive than launching one large satellite. This new trend, which is moving forward in Europe, has lent hope to already over-extended space program budgets. Along with the ESA, France, Sweden and Britain are working on smaller satellite projects.
(Peter B. de Selding, http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/business_monday_040927.html, 9/27/04)

ESA Celebrates First Year Anniversary of SMART-1
ESA's SMART-1, which was launched on September 27, 2003, just completed its first year in space. During its first year in space, SMART-1 successfully completed tests on space communications, new laser technologies and the use of solar-electric propulsion. SMART-1 is now preparing for the second phase of its mission, in which it will start orbiting the moon this November.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/lunar-04zn.html, 9/28/04)

Soviet Shuttle Makes Its Way to Germany
The Technical Museum in Sinsheim, Germany will soon receive a prototype of the Russian space shuttle Buran BTS-02. The shuttle will be brought to the museum from Bahrain before the beginning of 2005. With a wingspan of 24 meters, a height of 17.4 meters high and length greater than 36 meters, the Buran will make an impressive exhibit at The Technical Museum.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4907611&startrow=1&date=2004-09-28&do_alert=0, 9/28/04)

Study Discovers Dip in Immunity Linked with Space Flight
NASA announced in a report published in "Brain Behavior, and Immunity" that astronauts are more susceptible to diseases during and following their flight. The main cause is linked to an increase in the white blood cell neutrophil, which can rise to an unhealthy level if prolong stress occurs. Continuing research in this area may help crewmembers create strategies for lower stress levels prior and during their mission. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04zze.html, 9/30/04)

Scientists Excited Over Asteroid's Close Pass by Earth
At 9:35 am ET Wednesday, the large asteroid named 4179 Toutatis came approximately within 1.5 million kilometers of earth. Although that might not seem very close, it is the closest (known to man) an asteroid of that size has come to earth in over 500 years. As it passed by earth, scientists caught a close up view of the 4.6 kilometer long football shaped rocked passing by at approximately 39,600 miles per hour. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/asteroid-04l.html, 9/30/04)

Poland Opens RIMS to Boost GPS Accuracy
A new Ranging and Integrity Monitoring Station (RIMS) was inaugurated in Warsaw Poland this week. The monitoring station will aid the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (ENGOS) by correcting raw GPS signals. By 2005, ENGOS hopes to provide all of Europe with GPS signals that boast 1-2 meters of accuracy (rather than the current 15-20m). With this new accuracy, Poland hopes to provide its agriculture industry with more precise land measurements. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-04h.html, 9/30/04)

LAPAN Successfully Launched Space Rockets
At 7:50 am ET and then 9:35 am ET Wednesday, Indonesia's National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) launched two scientific rockets. LAPAN spokesman, Toto Marnanto, announced that the rockets are planning on recording important atmospheric and climate data for scientists. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-04zn.html, 9/30/04)

Expedition 10 Is Set To Depart On Oct. 14th
The launch of the Expedition 10 on their Soyuz-TMA spacecraft has been rescheduled from October 11th to October 14th, due to a technical glitch. This past week, preparations have included the assembling of the Soyuz-FG booster. The Russian spacecraft will bring Russian Salizhan Sharipov, American Leroy Chiao, and Russian Yury Shargin to the International Space Station (ISS). (http://www.interfax.com/com?item=Kaz&pg=0&id=5758788&req, 9/30/04)

X-43A Test Flight Successful
On Monday, NASA completed its first "captive carry" dress rehearsal for its new X-43A aircraft. The X-43A is a research aircraft that will next attempt record breaking pace of 10 times the speed of sound or Mach 10. The aircraft's engines are powered by an innovative air-breathing supersonic-combustion ramjet - or "scramjet" - engine. During the rehearsal, the crewmember's utilized all of the equipment, minus the engine's ignition, to mimic a real flight. The likely date for the final X-43 flight is in November.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-04zc.html, 9/30/04)

DART Spacecraft Has Successful Test
Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) was successfully ground tested at the Flight Robotics Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Without human intervention, the DART spacecraft was able to reach a target through the use of Global Positioning Systems and an Advanced Video Guidance Sensor. Following the achievement, NASA announced that a DART spacecraft is planning to launch no earlier than October 26, 2004 and rendezvous with its target, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications experimental satellite.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/microsat-04n.html, 10/01/04)

Britain Plans To Be Leader in Mars Mission
A 5 million pound contribution placed Britain as a front-runner in the European Space program, Aurora. As part of a broad and long term program of the European Space Agency to explore the solar system, Aurora is scheduled to land on Mars and collect Martian rock samples as early as 2009. Over the next five years, preparations are expected to cost Britain an additional 35 million pounds a year. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/space/article/0,14493,1317714,00.html, 10/01/04)

 

Commercial Space

Commercial Space Flights May Begin As Early As 2007
Richard Branson, a British billionaire, said that the Virgin Group had joined forces with Paul Allen and Burt Rutan, the financier and designer of SpaceShipOne and would begin offering space flights in 2007 under the name Virgin Galactic. Flights could carry groups of up to five passengers for three hours. For the cost of £110,000 ($198,600), passengers can feel weightlessness at altitudes up to 62 miles above earth. The project could cost as much as $100 million in investment. The company estimates that there will be around 3,000 passengers in the first five years.
(http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/27/news/newsmakers/virgin_space.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes, 9/27/04)

Privately Owned Rocket Ship Reaches Space
A rocket ship owned by Paul G. Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, successfully finished its first of two scheduled attempts to reach space. The flight was part of the X Prize competition, established to encourage privately funded space endeavors. The rocket ship, named SpaceShipOne, left Mojave California at 7:10 am, reportedly reached 337,500 miles in the air, rolled unexpectedly many times, and then glided safely back at 8:34 am. If SpaceShipOne can repeat its performance this Monday October 4th at 7am PT, the team will win 10 million dollars.(John, Schwartz, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/30/science/space/30fly.html,%209/30/04)
(to see a video of the flight, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/mmedia/apdaily/092904-7v.htm)

New Clarity in Pilot Vision Technology
Researchers at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia have developed new technology that provides pilots with a perfect view, regardless of weather conditions. Instead of looking out a window, pilots aboard the Gulfstream GV were able to view an electronic 3-D picture of the terrain that was created by combining Global Positioning System signals with an onboard database. Researchers hope that this new technology will prevent aircraft collisions due to pilots being disoriented in foul weather. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/aerospace-04t.html, 10/01/04)

NASA Looks to Rely More on Private Sector
In a recent plea for help from the aerospace industry, NASA called for companies to describe in detail their current and predicted future ability to provide launch services. In particular NASA paid close attention to launch systems for, ground to low-Earth orbit, ground to interplanetary trajectory, ground to low-Earth-orbit rendezvous and ground to high-Earth-orbit. NASA is hoping that this plea will stimulate competition, and thus innovation, within the private space sector. Seeking increasing amounts of help from the private sector follows Bush's advice to NASA, stated in a January 14th speech. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-04zd.html, 10/01/04)

 

 

Military Space

Lockheed Awarded $3.3 Billion Contract From Navy
Lockheed Martin Corp. won a $3.3 billion contract from the Navy after four years of competition. Under the contract Lockheed will build 5 satellites enabling soldiers in a jungle or sailors in a submarine to receive maps, video and other data as well as speak to command centers through a handheld device, said Leonard Kwiatkowski, vice president of military space at Lockheed. This contract is one of the few still remaining of large military satellite competitions.
(Renae Merle, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48840-2004Sep24.html, 9/25/04)

U.S. Air Force publishes "Space Superiority" Doctrine
In a recently published Counterspace Operations report, the Air Force announced that it is dedicated to maintaining America's "space superiority." This task entails fully comprehending what is occurring in space at all times, being ready to defend against attacks in space and being able to impede an enemy's access to space whenever it is necessary. In order to fulfill this mission, the Air Force admits that it might have to destroy neutral satellites or launch pads if they are expect to be helping an adversary. (http://www.wired.com/news/space/0,2697,65151,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1, 10/01/04)

For the full document referenced in the article, go to: http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/service_pubs/afdd2_2_1.pdf

 

 

Credits

Compiled by Kavitha Giridhar and Sarah Antos
Edited by Suzanne Vogel