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September 2005
Space Watch
Week of September 5 - September 9, 2005
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
Influential Lobbyist Organization Supports INA Amendment
An influential lobbyist organization for the Aerospace industry has decided to support proposed amendments to relax portions of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. The lobbyist organization is expected to support the dismantling of the law which bars NASA from paying for Russian space hardware and services for the International Space Station. The organization, Arlington-based Aerospace Industries Association, is set to lobby Congress as it returns this week to take up the INA amendments. According to officials, the INA amendments take up even greater urgency now that the NASA shuttle mission has been again grounded. The INA, designed to stem the flow of Russian weapons technology to Iran, currently bars NASA from buying any Russian goods and services related to human space flight. The amendment would relax this clause.
(Berger, Brian. Space News. 9/5/05).
Hubble Switches to Two-Gyroscope Mode
In order to keep the Hubble in service into 2008, NASA has shut down one of its three operational gyroscopes. The spacecraft was originally designed to operate on three gyroscopes, and two of the six gyroscopes on board don't work. In the hopes of extending the Hubble's service by shutting down one of the functional gyroscopes, NASA is able to keep two working gyroscopes in reserve to serve as back-ups. NASA had spent several months testing the two-gyroscope scenario in order to make sure the Hubble would continue to function without adversely impacting science operations.
(Briefs, Space News, http://space.com/scienceastronomy/050906_tempel1_update.html, 9/5/05).
Congress Has Much Space Business To Return To
US Lawmakers are set to return from their August recess this week, and the docket is completely full. Among the expected issues to be raised are several space-related matters. Congress is expected to debate whether or not to amend the Iran Nonproliferation Act to allow the US to pay for Russian space goods and services. Congress is also expected to take on NASA's first authorization bill since 2000 along with its 2006 budget request. Aides remain hopeful that all pending NASA legislation will be finished before Congress adjourns for the year in October.
(Berger, Brian. Space News, 9/5/05).
Russia To Launch Brazil's First Astronaut
Russia is preparing to send Brazil's first cosmonaut into space. Marcus Pontes, a Brazilian national, will be flying on board a Soyuz rocket set to launch to the International Space Station in April of next year. Pontes has begun to train at Russia's Star City near Moscow. He had previously taken astronaut training courses at Houston's Space Center in 2002.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/2005/050905215341.new3gts9.html, 9/5/05).
Scientists Still Not Sure About Comet's Composition
Comet Tempel 1, hit in early July by NASA's Deep Impact program, continues to be a mystery for scientists working on the project. The comet was smashed by an 820 pound probe, and several satellites nearby were ready to witness the collision, hoping to get a strong idea of what the comet was composed of. According to Michael A'Hearn, Deep Impact's Principal Investigator, the collision suggests that the outside of the comet is less strong than a snow bank. The inside of the comet suggests an entirely different composition, as a high concentration of organic compounds was found. According to A'Hearn, there is more dust than ice, and it appears to be more of a snowy dirtball, rather than a dirty snowball, which had been the predominant notion prior to the Deep Impact mission. Scientists will be analyzing the data from Deep Impact for years to come.
(Britt, Robert Roy, http://www.space.com/, 9/6/05).
Mars Sand Dunes May Have Water
According to planetary scientists Mary Bourke, there is apparently evidence that at least some of Mars' sand dunes may contain 50% water ice. The ice is one of the only ways available to explain how the sand dunes stay together on Mars' surface. Bouke released her findings at a science conference in Dublin this week. She said that this discovery doesn't necessarily mean that there is more water on Mars, but only that water may be stored in several various locations. The discovery may be rather important for future manned trips to Mars.
(Johnson, Olivia. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4217528.stm, 9/6/05).
Armstrong Thinks Mars Trip Will Be Easier Than Original Apollo Mission
Neil Armstrong suggested that a trip to Mars may ultimately be easier than the obstacles and tasks faced by the original Apollo mission started in 1961. Armstrong said that it will certainly take awhile before NASA can launch someone to the Red Planet and that it will also be extremely expensive. Some have put the price tag to do so at hundreds of billions of dollars. Armstrong also mentioned that scientists would need to develop much stronger shields to block radiation and that he could not envision anything close to this trip for at least twenty years. Armstrong commanded NASA's Apollo 11 Mission in 1969.
(AP, http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/09/06/armstrong.mars.ap/index.html, 9/6/05).
China Set To Launch Next Manned Mission Soon
According to a Chinese state newspaper, China could very well move its second manned space mission up a few months. "The launch time for the Shenzhou VI is around September or October," said Zhang Qingwei, president of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The manned mission is expected to last five or six days as opposed to the short 21 hour trip in October 2003. There are currently fourteen astronauts being trained for the trip, each of whom has taken on seven years of astronaut training. The two astronauts participating in the trip will not be chosen until the launch date. Authorities have refused to admit what would on board with the astronauts, but according to sources, officials do intend to reveal that at some point prior to the launch.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/2005/050907052351.8mjup6le.html, 9/7/05).
India Officially Joins Galileo System Project
Indian and European officials officially signed an agreement in New Delhi this weekend, which cements India's presence on Europe's Galileo program. India becomes the fourth non-EU country to join the program, which is designed to be similar to the US GPS network. Scheduled to go into service in 2008 with 30 satellites eventually orbiting the earth, Galileo has enlisted the help of China, Israel, and the Ukraine. Others involved in the talks are Argentina, Brazil, Morocco, Mexico, Norway, Chile, South Korea, and others. No details of India's financial contribution were made available.
(Reuters, http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.as&archived=False, 9/7/05).
Shuttle Flight Delay Might Go Into Fall 2006
According to an internal memo by a top NASA shuttle official, the next space shuttle flight may actually be pushed back to as late as the fall of 2006. The agency has lately been worried about the negative effects Hurricane Katrina had on certain NASA facilities. Those facilities near New Orleans were the main external tank factories for the shuttle program. The facilities were relatively unscathed by the storm, but most of the program's employees were scattered and left homeless, leaving the site inoperable. The shuttle take-off had originally been scheduled for March 2006, a mark that many in NASA thought would have been a challenge without the recent problems caused by the hurricane. The delay is considered "extremely preliminary" right now, but the memo specifically cites that "launch dates before fall of '06 may not be credible."
(Malik, Tariq. http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/050908_rtf_shuttle_delay.html, 9/8/05).
Russia and China to Cooperate on Space Nuclear Energy
Both Russia and China have formally agreed to develop their cooperation in space nuclear energy. The protocol was signed at the recent 9th session of the Russian-Chinese sub-commission for nuclear issues. The adopted protocol lauds the current successful cooperation between Rosatom and the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics and that the peaceful use of atomic energy will continue to be a priority and a vital area of concern for the two countries.
(RIA Novosti, http://en.rian.ru/russia/20050907/41326624.html, 9/8/05).
Commercial
Small Satellite Operators Feeling Pressure
With last week's Intelsat merger with PanAmSat creating the world's largest satellite communications operator, pressures are beginning to mount on smaller commercial operators to merge with larger corporations. The recent huge merger is likely to spur further consolidation throughout the sector. The current situation has occurred because of market oversupply in communications capacity. Experts are suggesting to existing or potential customers of satellite operators to take steps to ensure long-term availability as many of these smaller operators will likely merge or be acquired by larger corporations over the course of the next decade or so.
(Jacques, Robert. http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2141832/satellite-market-consolidates, 9/5/05).
New Mexico Will Be World's First Operational Commercial Spaceport
According to sources, New Mexican governor Bill Richardson will announce that the state's new Southwest Regional Spaceport will act as one of the first facilities in the world that will be available for regularly scheduled, private space launches. UP Aerospace is set to launch the very first rocket, the SpaceLoft rocket, on a sub-orbital flight in March of next year. The rocket will carry experimental and commercial payloads into orbit. UP Aerospace will have the ability to launch up to 30 space launches per year from the new spaceport.
(Business Wire, http://home.businesswire.com/portal/=en, 9/6/05).
Op-Ed
Op-Ed: Forget the Box
In its recent editorial, Florida Today suggests that Floridian commercial space entities need to think outside the box in order to attract new space businesses to Florida or they may go to another state or even to a foreign country. A panel set up by Jeb Bush to assess the future of space has been convening this week in order to broaden its focus well beyond NASA launches for the state. Some suggestions have been to develop a payload technology center to tap into the lucrative contracts of the Air Force or other federal agencies. Business leaders were also warned to start courting the space-tourism industry and commercial space industry so that they won't be left in the dust from an economic space boon.
(Florida Today, http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050906/OPINION/509060315/1004, 9/6/05).
Credits
Compiled by Chad Kreikemeier
Edited by Suzy Vogel
Space Watch
Week of September 12 - September 16, 2005
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
Russian Cargo Ship Docks at Space Station
A cargo ship carrying food, water, fuel, oxygen, and other supplies successfully docked at the International Space Station on Saturday. The Progress M-54 ship docked automatically, flying on autopilot. The two man crew currently aboard the Space Station will be replaced by two new astronauts in early October. The new astronauts will be joined by American businessman, Gregory Olson, who paid $20 million for a one week stay.
(AP, http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/09/10/russia.space.ap/index.html, 9/10/05)
Japan Hopes New Space Budget will Halt Decline
Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is requesting a 6.7 percent funding increase for space programs in the next year. Past years have seen a decrease in funding for Japan's space initiatives causing setbacks and delays for most programs, including the H-2B heavy-lift rocket whose launch has been postponed a year. The indefinite grounding of NASA space shuttles, which were scheduled to launch with Japanese-built hardware in the near future, has further prevented advancements. Despite stating that a 20 percent increase might be possible, the Finance Ministry warned that it may only be able to provide 97 percent of the funding allocated in 2005. The new budget will be decided by April 2006, the beginning of Japan's fiscal year.
(Kallender, Paul, "Space News," 9/12/05)
Galileo Will Wait until 2011
Europe's 30-satellite constellation, Galileo, is now expected to go into service by 2011, three years later than planned, according to presentations at the World Summit for Satellite Financing held on Sept. 8 in Paris. This date assumes there will no longer be any setbacks or financing problems in the future. The European Space Agency has had continual problems receiving financial support from its governments. A final 200-million euros ($251 million) are necessary to complete the validation phase with ground infrastructure and four initial satellites. A 20-year Galileo concession contract is set to be signed in 2006.
(de Selding, Peter B., "Space News," 9/12/05)
China to Launch Second Manned Space Flight
The Beijing News reported Sunday that China will launch its second manned space craft after the National Day holiday that ends on October 7. The Szenzhou IV will carry two astronauts and will be launched from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center. The flight which will last 5 days, or 119 hours, is momentous compared to China's previous flight in 2003 which lasted only 21 hours.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-05zzzzzzx.html, 9/12/05)
Wind, Rain and Volcanism Found on Titan Moon
Scientists have reported that Saturn's moon Titan is the most Earth-like place in the Solar System. Evidence of rain and tectonic activity, as well as lakes, river channels, and wind patterns have all been found on Titan. Although very similar to Earth, these processes are driven by different chemical reactions. Methane plays a large role on Titan, while on Earth, water drives most processes. Although temperatures of -178 degrees Celsius (-289F) make it too cold for life on the moon's surface, scientists believe that organisms might be present in places like hot springs. These findings are a result of the Cassini spacecraft which launched a probe to explore Titan's surface in December of 2004.
(Rincon, Paul, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4229110.stm, 9/12/05)
Cosmic Explosion Spotted
Satellites and telescopes detected a cosmic blast on furthest edge of the visible universe on Monday. The explosion was most likely caused by the death of a star anywhere from 500 million to 1 billion years ago. Scientists have hypothesized for years that such an event would occur and believe this is the first of many to come. These blasts will help scientists learn about the early universe, how these stars were formed, and what they were made of.
(Reuters, http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/09/12/space.explosion.reut/index.html, 9/12/05)
NASA Deputy Administrator Nominated
The White House has formally nominated Shana Dale for the space agency's number two job on Tuesday. Dale, previously the Chief of Staff and General Counsel at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will replace Fred Gregory who announced his retirement on Sept. 9. Dale graduated from the California Western Law School and served as chancellor for federal relations in the University of Texas system before moving to Washington.
(Berger, Brian, http://www.space.com/news/050914_dale_nomination.html, 9/14/05)
Malaysia to Launch Five Satellites
According to Jamaluddin Jarjis, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia plans to launch five third-generation satellites starting as early as next year. The satellites will provide higher resolution images, data for mapping, and geographical information for companies. The launching, which will be done in the United States, is part of Malaysia's plan to become a developed country by 2020. Jamaluddin said he will arrive in the U.S. next week to inspect the launch site.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-tech-05g.html, 9/14/05)
Malaysians to Vote for First Astronaut by Text Message
In 2007, when the first Malaysian astronaut joins a Russian-led mission into space, the public will help pick who goes. Officials announced Wednesday that when the group of 11,000 potential astronauts is narrowed down to a handful, Malaysians will be able give their input on the final choice through telephone text messages. The program hopes not only to raise public support for the budding space program, but also to raise money to cover costs -- the text messages will not be free.
(AP, http://www.space.com/news/ap_050914_malaysia_astronaut.html, 9/14/05)
Japanese Probe Approaches Asteroid
Japan's Hayabusa probe came within 12 miles of the Itokawa asteroid, located nearly 180 million miles from Earth. If successful, this could be the world's first two-way trip to an asteroid. Launched in May 2003, the Hayabusa is expected to make a brief landing on the asteroid in November to retrieve less than a teaspoon of material. In the mean time, the probe is surveying the asteroid with cameras and infrared imaging equipment.
(AP, http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/09/14/japan.chasing.asteroid.ap/index.html, 9/14/05)
New NASA Budget Passed
The U.S. Senate has approved a new NASA budget that provides the space agency $200 million more than allocated last year. In 2006, NASA will receive $16.4 billion, including $250 million to fund a service mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. This bill also provides enough funding for NASA's new lunar exploration plan to be revealed on Monday. However, this budget must be reconciled with the House of Representative's version, which provided $75 million more for the space agency than the Senate's budget.
(Berger, Brian, http://space.com/news/050915_nasa_budget.html, 9/15/05)
America's Last Free Trip to the Space Station
On Sept. 30th an American astronaut will get the last free ride onboard a Russian shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS). A previous agreement with Russia provided 11 free flights to the ISS, and U.S. astronaut William McArthur will be number 11. With all NASA shuttles grounded following renewed foam-shedding problems during Discovery's flight, a continued U.S. presence on the ISS is looking bleak. Now the U.S. government is hoping to buy Russian space technology and equipment, but this involves amending the 2000 Iran Non-proliferation Act. This act prohibits the U.S. from purchasing Russian technology as long as Russia is exporting nuclear or missile technology to Iran. On Thursday, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar introduced a bill amending the law.
(MosNews, http://www.mosnews.com/money/2005/09/16/nasarussia.shtml, 9/16/05)
Military
Air Force Microsatellite Has First Success
The U.S. Air Force XSS-11 has successfully completed several rendezvous maneuvers with another satellite. The inexpensive satellite was developed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate in New Mexico and cost a total of $82 million. It has managed to come as close as 1,640 feet to the upper stage of the Minotaur satellite. The final goal of the XSS-11 is to reach old satellites or other inactive property in order to complete repairs and tests. The XSS-11, which has been in orbit for six months, is expected to continue working for another year.
(David, Leonard, http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/050912_XXS-11_update.html, 9/12/05)
Cold War Spy Satellite Program Declassified
A statement released on Monday revealed information on a secret satellite program designed to collect radar emissions from Soviet naval vessels. The National Reconnaissance Office, National Security Agency (NSA), and Naval Research Laboratory have declassified the existence of a group of satellites, called POPPY, which orbited from 1962 to 1971. According to the press statement, "POPPY made tremendous contributions to the nation's security during an especially perilous era." The Cold War satellite system helped detect land based radar emitters and supported ocean surveillance. The NSA announced it will permanently display a POPPY model in the National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland in the near future.
(David, Leonard, http://www.space.com/news/050915_nro_spysat.html, 9/15/05)
Commercial
Russians Team Up
On Monday several major spacecraft manufacturers, including the Chief Executive of Energia Inc., agreed to create an association that would encourage cooperation with foreign partners. The group also hopes the association will protect the domestic space industry from unnecessary reform and disintegration. Federal Space Agency Vice President Nikolai Moiseyev confirmed that he and his colleagues approved of the proposal.
(RIA Novosti, http://en.rian.ru/science/20050912/41374404.html, 9/12/05)
NASA Modifies ISS Contract
NASA signed a $68.35 million dollar modification to its contract with The Boeing Company to allow shuttles to dock on the International Space Station for up to four more days. The money provides for the development and completion of The Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) which will be installed in the first shuttle in the spring of 2006. The SSPTS allows a transfer of electrical power from the Station to the shuttle, preserving the shuttle's fuel cells, as well as supplies of hydrogen and oxygen. Shuttles will be able to dock for up to 12 days, allowing more time for space walks, repairs, and other activities.
(NASA, http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0509/12isspower/, 9/12/05)
Falcon 1 Launch Delayed
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has postponed the first launch of its Falcon 1 to late October after problems during a ground test. The launch vehicle's Merlin engine failed during a firing at the SpaceX Texas test site. Officials reported that the problem is most likely a manufacturing defect and not a flaw with the engine design. The extra month will allow time to make minor adjustments to the engine and perform more tests. The Falcon 1, the smallest of three vehicles under development by SpaceX, will carry an Air Force experimental satellite.
(David, Leonard, http://space.com/missionlaunches/050914_spacex_snag.html, 9/14/05)
Orbital Sciences Receives $5 Billion Contract
NASA has awarded Orbital Sciences a Small Class Acquisition contract to extend an existing NASA Launch Services (NLS) contract awarded in 1999. NLS provides to opportunities a year for domestic launch service providers to submit proposals for new launch systems. With this new contract, NASA can order up to 30 missions through Orbital Sciences until June 2010. The minimal contract amount is $100,000, but if NASA orders all available missions the contract value could reach $5 billion.
(SPX, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-05zzzd.html, 9/16/05)
Op-Ed
Op-Ed: Space and Disasters
In its recent editorial, Space News stressed the importance of satellite technology in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. For the first time, the United States invoked the international Charter on Cooperation to Achieve the Coordinated Use of Space in the Event of Natural or Technological Disasters. This allowed the U.S. access to any members' satellite equipment to assess damages and plan recovery initiatives. The editorial notes that with cellular networks mostly destroyed, satellite systems have been the main use of communication in the affected area. The success of satellite technology during this time, the editorial states, should prove to the U.S. government that these tools have "tremendous potential." ("Space News" 9/12/05)
Oddly Enough
Suit Against NASA Begins in Moscow
Russian Astrologer Marina Bay's lawsuit against the U.S. space agency began on Wednesday. She has accused NASA of disturbing the natural state of the universe by hitting a comet with a probe. Bay had previously filed an appeal to stop the probe from colliding with the Tempel-1 comet. After the probe successfully hit the comet on July 4th, she demanded $300 million from NASA for psychological damages. Bay believes the collision altered "the balance of forces in the universe" and interfered with her spiritual and life values system. Physicist Vladimir Fortov stated that the Earth was not affected by the collision, and the orbit of the comet was only altered by 10 cm.
(Ria Novosti, http://en.rian.ru/science/20050914/41390885.html, 9/14/05)
Credits
Compiled by Brita Ericson
Edited by Chad Kreikemeier
Space Watch
Week of September 19 - September 23, 2005
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 Hero" Will Not Man China's Second Space Launch
Yang Liwei, China's first man in space, will not be launching in the country's second manned space mission set for mid-October. Praised as a national hero after circling the Earth 14 times in 2003, Liwei said he spent too much time helping to select and train the 13 astronauts competing for two seats to prepare himself for the trip. The trip will last for five days and will launch from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center. China is only the third country, after the United States and the former Soviet Union, to send a man into space.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-05zzzzzzzc.html, 9/18/05)
Repairs at Michoud Assembly Facility Continue
Three weeks after Hurricane Katrina came ashore, NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans is planning to resume work. Power has been restored to all buildings and temporary repairs have already begun. Because the progress of repairs at the complex has been significantly better than originally expected, NASA will keep its tank work at Michoud instead of moving it to Kennedy Space Center. The main goal now is to provide housing for all NASA employees whose homes were ruined during the storm. NASA has still been unable to contact 76 of more than 2,000 Michoud employees.
(SPX, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-05zzzzn.html, 9/19/05)
Shoreline Spotted on Titan
During a recent flyby of Titan by the Cassini satellite, NASA received images showing evidence of what could be a large shoreline. Scientists, who have been looking for evidence of seas or oceans on the moon for a long period of time, believe that a distinct shoreline is visible, dividing a bright and rough region from a dark and smooth region. This dark area may have been wet at one point, and it could still have liquid present. A network of channels was also visible from the images. Titan is believed to have episodic periods of rainfall. These images came from Cassini's eighth of 45 flybys planned in a four-year tour. The next pass will be on October 26.
(JPL, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/saturn-titan-05z.html, 9/19/05)
U.S. to Return to Moon by 2020
Despite budget worries in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, NASA administrator Michael Griffin announced Monday that four astronauts will be sent to the moon in a new space shuttle that could cost an estimated $104 billion. The new shuttle, which will be similar to Apollo, should be ready by 2012. The planned trip will likely occur in several parts: first a lunar landing capsule would be launched, then the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) with up to six astronauts would blast off. The CEV would then dock with the lunar-lander and begin the journey to the moon. NASA hopes to build a semi-permanent base on the moon, which could potentially be a staging point for manned missions to Mars.
(BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4261522.stm, 9/19/05)
Changes Noted on Mars
Scientists have discovered definite changes on the surface of Mars indicating that the planet is undergoing climatological and geological changes. New images from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft have revealed that carbon dioxide ice deposits have gotten smaller and gullies in a sand dune have formed. A new crater, probably formed in the 1980s, has also been found. Scientists have been comparing these new images to those taken as early as 1976.
(Malik, Tariq, http://space.com/missionlaunches/050920_mgs_update.html, 9/20/05)
New Russian Satellite Set for October Launch
A unique satellite that will be used to monitor the thickness and length of ice sheets will be launched from the Plesetsk Space Center in early October. The 70 million euro satellite will be launched on a Russian Rokot booster from the center, located in the north of European Russia. The mission will not only monitor Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica, but also polar sea zones, mountain glaciers, and changes in the ocean level. The satellite, named CryoSAT, will be in orbit for 3.5 years and is the first to be launched as part of the Living Planet program. This program was initiated by the European Space Agency in 1998, and it hopes to launch 12 missions to examine Earth from space.
(RIA Novosti, http://en.rian.ru/science/20050920/41453182.html, 9/20/05)
New Shuttle Program Manager at NASA
Wayne Hale, formerly the deputy shuttle program manager, has moved into the top NASA position. Former program manager Bill Parsons was reassigned last week to lead the space agency's hurricane recovery project. Hale, a mechanical engineer who has worked for NASA for 27 years, was named Parson's permanent replacement on Tuesday. Parsons is now located at the Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss., which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
(AP, http://www.space.com/astronotes/astronotes.html, 9/21/05)
Senate allows U.S. to Purchase Technology from Russia
The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would allow NASA to buy Russian Soyux vehicles. The bill, which was introduced Sept. 15, provides temporary relief from provisions in the Iran Nonprliferation Act of 2000, which prohibits purchases of Russian space technology as long as Russia aids Iran's nuclear program. This will allow the U.S. to keep its astronauts on the International Space Station beyond this year. A Soyuz space capsule carrying an American astronaut to the Space Station is set to launch on Sept. 30. This is the last free launch Russia is obligated to provide to the U.S. under an earlier agreement.
(Berger, Brian, http://www.space.com/news/050921_senate_soyuz.html, 9/21/05)
India's Space Program Benefits Everyone
The space program in India costs $600 million a year, but it has the capability of directly affecting the lives of its citizens. One crucial way is through a satellite network that provides healthcare for thousands in the rural countryside. The technology called telemedicine allows patients to be treated by doctors hundreds of kilometers away. For example, a 17-day old child suspected to be suffering from a major heart ailment was diagnosed by a doctor on the other end of the satellite hookup. Dr. Pratap Reddy was able to view an X-ray and decide that the patient did not need immediate surgery. India launched its space program 40 years ago and is now preparing to send an Indian-built space craft into orbit in the hope of finding minerals to fuel the countries energy needs.
(Bindra, Satinder, http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/09/22/india.eye.space/index.html, 9/22/05)
Mars Express Mission Prolonged
The mission of the Mars Express orbiter will be extended for 23 months, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced on Thursday. The ESA's Science Program Committee made the decision on Monday to find funding to operate the mission for another Martian year. The spacecraft, which arrived at Mars in 2003, has radar designed to study the upper atmosphere of Mars and look for subsurface water. Despite a malfunction earlier this year, the orbiter has been running well.
(BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4273032.stm, 9/22/05)
Russia Left to Control Space Station
As Hurricane Rita neared the Texas Coast, the Johnson Space Center shutdown and turned control of the International Space Station to Russian flight controllers. The approaching hurricane poses a flood risk to NASA's legendary base. Shuttle simulators, moon rocks and Mission Control are all located in an elevated, windowless buildings designed to withstand winds well over 100 mph. 82 employees of the Johnson Space Center had originally planned to ride out the storm, but that idea was scrapped as the storm intensified. A similar storm in 2002 caused the center to shutdown. If Mission Control is critically damaged during the storm, a team of flight controllers will be sent to Moscow to work from the Russian center.
(AP, http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/09/22/rita.nasa.ap/index.html, 9/22/05)
Military
Katrina Will Affect Air Force Budget
The cost of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts may hurt the U.S. Air Force Space Acquisition Program. Senior Vice President of Air Force systems George Muellner said that budget pressures could cause the Pentagon to forgo work in the transformational system field in order to pursue improvements on existing systems only. The Air Force is already facing cuts to its proposed 2006 budget request to fund the two most expensive unclassified space programs in development, Space Radar and the Transformational Satellite Communications System. The space acquisition budget is expected to hit $10 billion by 2010, according to a September 12 report.
(Singer, Jeremy, http://space.com/spacenews/050919_business_monday.html, 9/19/05)
New Air Force Weather Devices Deployed
According to a September 13 press release, the U.S. Air Force has deployed more than 280 systems to transmit weather information to a variety of stations throughout the world. The systems use the Iridium fleet of satellites to transmit data. Weather sensors will measure precipitation, lightening, visibility and cloud coverage within an 80-kilometer radius. The devices will process, encode, and transmit weather data to a network within an hour, compared to the 72 hour time period allowed before these systems were deployed.
("Space News," 9/19/05)
Classified Satellite Launched
Thursday night a classified Minotaur rocket was launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The "Streak" satellite, which will be placed into a Sun-synchronous orbit, was built by General Dynamics C4 Systems for DARPA. It is believed that the satellite will test responsive space technologies while studying the low Earth orbit environment.
(Ray, Justin, http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/stpr1/, 9/23/05)
Commercial
Orbimage to Purchase Assets of Space Imaging
In an announcement made on Friday, Orbimage confirmed an agreement to purchase all assets of Space Imaging. Orbimage will pay $58.5 million less so that Space Imaging can pay its existing debt before closing. Space Imaging, which launched the first one-meter resolution, commercial Earth imaging satellite in 1999, is a visual information products and services provider. The transaction and merge should be complete before December 31, 2005.
(SPX, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/eo-05zzzzt.html, 9/19/05)
Contractors Prepare to Duke it Out for NASA Contract
Lockheed Martin Corp. and an alliance of Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. are putting the final touches on their proposals for NASA's new space shuttle. NASA announced Monday that the U.S. will return to the moon by 2020 on a completely new space craft modeled on the Apollo missions. The U.S. space agency will probably pick the more inexpensive shuttle design and is expected to choose a winner by March or April. Both Lockheed and Boeing/Northrup Grumman each have more than 50 employees who have been working on the proposals for months.
(Reuters,http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/09/20/nasa.moon.contractors.reut/index.html, 9/20/05)
China Sells Advertising for Second Manned Launch
Chinese media announced Monday that it will sell advertising spots for the live broadcast of the launch and reentry of the country's second manned space mission, Shenzhou 6. Five-second ads will sell for $316,000 while 30-second ads will sell for $1.05 million. The advertising is set to run on three different channels. China's first launch in 2003 was not broadcast at all.
(Interfax, http://www.interfax.cn/showfeature.asp?aid=5942&slug=TV, 9/21/05)
Chinese Company Makes a Bid for Galileo
China Galileo Industries Ltd. (CGI), a state controlled company, announced it will bid for the operation franchise of the Galileo Project in China. The European Union designated CGI as a partner in the Galileo Project, a satellite-navigation system developed in 2002 to offset the U.S. monopoly of global positioning systems (GPS). China, agreeing to invest 200 million euros, was the first country outside of Europe to join the Galileo Project. By 2020, The European Union expects Galileo to provide well over ten billion euros in revenue and tens of thousands of jobs.
(Xinhua News Agency http://www.spacedaily.com/news/gps-euro-05x.html 9/22/05)
Op-Ed
Everett Criticizes DOD Space Programs
In his recent editorial, Republican Representative Terry Everett pointed out four major problem areas of the Department of Defense's Space Acquisition Program. Everett sighted poor cost estimating, lack of expertise, poor subcontractor management, and lack of investment in acquisition professionals as main areas that need attention. With these problems, Everett offered solutions including a reward system for employees, an increased recruitment plan, and a more realistic budget. Everett stated that the Department of Defense has taken small steps in the right direction, but insisted that, "Our investment in space is far too important for our economic and military well-being to take this lightly."
(Everett, Terry, "Space News," 9/19/05)
Lunar Quest Raises Questions
In its recent editorial, the Denver Post reacted to criticism of NASA's new moon exploration plan. After NASA's announcement on Monday, many American's questioned why the U.S. is returning to the moon instead of reaching for Mars. The editorial explained that NASA has too many engineering and physiological problems to solve before taking on Mars. "If we can't figure out how to live on the moon we're not going to be able to exist on Mars or any other far-off planet," the editorial stated. It also addressed funding concerns for the $104 billion project, saying that the amount spread over 13 years is "pocket change to Uncle Sam." However, other NASA projects like global warming research and hurricane prediction will move to the backburner without increased funding. The editorial agrees with critics that "returning to the moon could come at the expense of projects much closer to home."
("Denver Post," http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_3046754, 9/21/05)
Credits
Compiled by Brita Ericson
Edited by Suzy Vogel
Space Watch
Week of September 26- September 30, 2005
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 Sets Date
Chinese media announced on Monday that China's second manned space mission is set to launch on October 13th. The Shenzhou VI and its two astronauts will blast of at 11 a.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base. The mission will last five days, or 119 hours. The astronauts that will man the Shenzhou VI have not been named, but the group of 14 potential men has been narrowed down to three sets of two. Zhai Zhigang and Nie Haisheng, two alternates from China's first mission, were said to be the strongest in the group. China is only the third country to launch a man into space. The first successful mission was in October of 2003.
(Kurtenbach, Elaine, http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/world/12742120.htm, 9/26/05)
GPS Satellite Finally Launched
After being delayed for several months due to technical problems, the Boeing Delta 2 carrying a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) blasted off late Sunday. Built by Lockheed-Martin, the satellite is the first of eight to be launched and should provide a better signal for both military and civilian users. However, more satellites will be needed in orbit before the signal is improved. This year marks the 10 anniversary of the GPS system becoming operational.
(AP, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-, 9/26/05)
Europe's Future Space Programs Limited
The 17-nation European Space Agency (ESA) is expecting to commit its budget to maintaining current projects until 2008. The issue of funding new programs was discussed during a conference organized by Prospace on September 21. Current ventures include the Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher and two new vehicles, including a version of Russia's Soyuz rocket, set to be completed in 2008. Michel Courtois, director of the Estec space technology center in the Netherlands, said, "We need to find a compromise between what we invest in starting new programs, and what we pay to maintain programs already under way." Meanwhile, Europe's completed Space Station components may be grounded indefinitely as they are dependent on U.S. space shuttles launching them to the International Space Station. The ESA is set to meet again in December to discuss increasing the budget.
(de Selding, Peter B., "Space News," 9/26/05)
Johnson Space Center Up and Running
After a quick recovery from Hurricane Rita, the Johnson Space Center in Houston restarted operations on Tuesday. The Houston center was evacuated last week and control of the International Space Station was given to Russia in preparation for the approaching storm. NASA spokesman Kyle Herring reported that the space center was reopened on Tuesday, but not all employees had returned. Hurricane Rita avoided the Houston center, but NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans and Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi are still closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
(Klotz, Irene, http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?tNASA.xml, 9/27/05)
Griffin Calls Space Shuttle A Mistake
NASA Chief Michael Griffin said the International Space Station and the space shuttle program were mistakes for the United States. Since the space shuttle program began in 1971, 14 astronauts have died and NASA has spent approximately $150 billion. Griffin believes that NASA chose the wrong path when it ended its Apollo moon program in the 1970s in order to pursue the Space Station. "Had the decision been mine, we would not have built the space station we're building in the orbit we're building it in," Griffin told USA Today on Tuesday. However, with last week's announcement of a new moon program and a new space craft based on the Apollo, Griffin believes NASA is heading towards a brighter future.
(Watson, Traci, http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20050928/1a_bottomstrip28.art.htm, 9/28/05)
Moscow and Seoul Agree to Create Space Station in South Korea
On Tuesday the two countries signed an agreement to build a space center in South Korea and train a South Korean astronaut to join the International Space Station. The protocol was signed in Moscow by Russian Transportation Minister Igor Levitin and South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Finance and Economy Minister Han Duk-soo. The agreement expects the first South Korean astronaut to complete training by 2007.
(SPX, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/russia-05zn.html, 9/28/05)
Scientists Spot a New Galaxy
Using the Hubble and Spritzer Space Telescopes, NASA astronomers discovered a mature galaxy eight times larger than the Milky Way. The most interesting surprise to astronomers was that the stars seem to have been formed within the galaxy, suggesting the galaxy was formed quickly and wholly a long time ago. This goes against the generally held belief that most galaxies are formed by a merger of other smaller ones. The complete findings will be published in the December 20, 2005 issue of the Astrophysical Journal.
(AFP, http://www.spacedaily.com/2005/050927165842.7fb6hx9t.html, 9/27/05)
Probe will Attempt to Collect Historic Sample
Japan's Hayabusa space craft is moving into position to make two brief touchdowns on the asteroid, Itokawa. In November, the probe will fire two metal pellets into the surface of the comet. After each firing, Hayabusa will race to collect the dust emitted from the comet. Hayabusa will also release a small robotic "hopper" that will take pictures of the surface and temperature readings. If the sample is successfully collected and returned to Earth, scientists will be able to learn more about the raw materials that existed in the early universe.
(BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4291258.stm, 9/29/05)
New Jersey Man Readies for Blast Off
Later today, a New Jersey business man will become the third tourist to visit the International Space Station. Gregory Olson, 60, paid $20 million to ride to the Space Station with two astronauts, one American and one Russian. Scheduled to leave at 11:54 p.m., Olson will spend a week on the Space Station and return with the two astronauts currently manning the Station. Russia had previously suspended tourist trips to the space station after NASA's Columbia space shuttle disintegrated on its return trip. The suspension was lifted last year.
(Bloomberg, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aPUkeKXU1A0k&refer=us, 9/30/05)
Military
U.S. Triples Estimate of Japanese Missile Defense System
The United States told Japan on Monday that a joint missile defense system against possible North Korean attacks would cost more than triple the original estimate. Washington recently extended the development period an extra two years and recalculated the cost based on previous systems, bringing the total estimate to $3 billion. Japan's current missile defense program is set to begin deployment in 2006. The budget for Japanese defense systems has been consistently cut back for the past three years. However, since North Korea launched a missile over Japanese mainland in 1998, Japan has been in a rush to secure its own missile defense system.
(AFP, http://www.spacewar.com/news/abm-05t.html, 9/26/05)
Air Force Space Program Under Review
With many of its programs behind schedule or over budget, the Air Force has begun a review of the entire space initiative, hoping to slow down projects with developing technology. In a statement on Tuesday, Air Force Undersecretary Ron Sega emphasized the importance of satellites in wars abroad and emergency situations like the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes. Congress, noticing the Air Force's recent increased costs and delays in the space programs, is looking to cut funding for at least three space projects by almost $500 million in 2006. The aim of the review is to concentrate on mature technology that is ready for use in the near future.
(Reuters, http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticl-SPACE.xml, 9/27/05)
Commercial
Boeing, Lockheed Join to Save $100 Million
Boeing and Lockheed Martin withdrew their proposals in order to re-file a request to form a joint venture in launch vehicle manufacturing. The plan is to combine the production of Boeing's Delta 4 and Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5 rockets under one roof. This merger could save the U.S. government $100 million to $150 million per year. James Bell, Boeing's chief financial officer, expects United Launch Alliance LLC to receive approval by the end of the year.
("Space News," 9/26/05)
NASA/Ames to Fire 400 Scientists
Approximately 100 contractors from the NASA/Ames Research Center will be leaving for good in the next two weeks, and, within a year, another 300 will be let go. The layoffs come after the agency decided to "refocus its mission." Expecting to receive more than a $200 million budget cut, Ames began downsizing staff in the spring. The Research Center works on projects such as minimizing human error while in orbit, but these projects have recently taken a back burner to space programs involving travel to Mars and the moon.
(Portner, Jessica, http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/12763469.htm, 9/28/05)
NASA and Google Partner Up
Google announced on Wednesday that it plans not only to build a new campus at a NASA center in Florida, but also to work with NASA on several space research projects. The two companies reportedly want to work on researching nanotechnology, large-scale data management, entrepreneurial space industry, and massively distributed computing. Google plans to build a center roughly 1 million square feet in size at the NASA Research Park at Moffet Field. Financial terms have not been released.
(Reuters, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9521247/, 9/28/05)
Op-Ed
Nasa's Fault
In Florida Today's Thursday editorial, the paper responded to NASA Administrator Michael Griffin's recent statement about NASA's failures and errors. "That NASA has been on a one-way street leading to a dead end has been obvious for years," the editorial said. It supports Griffin's accusation that the International Space Shuttle and the entire shuttle program were mistakes. Although the editorial agrees that NASA's new moon plan is an improvement, it wonders where the money to support the $104 billion project will come from. The U.S. is now facing options of abandoning the Space Station and shuttle programs or selling them to Russia, but fierce supporters of both programs remain in Congress. The editorial goes on to say, that if NASA does face a budget crisis, "the agency shouldn't hesitate to concentrate its resources on returning to the moon and jettison the discredited programs."
(Florida Today, http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050929//opinion, 9/29/05)
Credits
Compiled by Brita Ericson
Edited by Chad Kreikemeier