VASIMIR update
Editor’s note: These video clips and pictures show activity surrounding the VAriable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR). The first video shows some of the last shots of the VX-100 showing a few of the plasma diagnostics that Ad Astra Rocket Company uses. The second video shows images of a new vacuum chamber going into the company’s new lab located at Highway 3 and Bay Area Blvd. This link shows a few pictures of John Young and George Abbey firing the last plasma shots of the VX-100.
Videos below.
26 Oct 2007 | 11:41 pm | Cosmoss Rus and Eng | No comments
Palomar Observatory Threatened by Fire?
Volunteer firefighters save mountaintop, SIgn On San Diego
“The top of Palomar Mountain hasn’t burned in recorded history. Today, largely because of tireless volunteer firefighters and relentless air attacks, that still holds true.”
26 Oct 2007 | 3:10 am | Cosmoss Rus and Eng | No comments
Griffin Sets The Record Straight
NASA Internal Memo: Message from the Administrator - October 24, 2007
“I have been made aware that a request from the Associated Press for information from a NASA safety survey of airline pilots was withheld under the Freedom of Information Act. The request was for raw data and other aspects of the ongoing project. In a letter to the news organization, one of the several reasons for denying the request for the data cited concerns for “public confidence” and for the “commercial welfare” of air carriers. This rationale was based on case law, but I do not agree with the way it was written.
(Read the full post about ‘Griffin Sets The Record Straight’…)
26 Oct 2007 | 2:27 am | Cosmoss Rus and Eng | No comments
Today’s YouTube Videos: Astronauts Do Commercials
Videos below.
25 Oct 2007 | 4:31 pm | SPACE | No comments
Risk and Exploration: Earth as a Classroom
CNN’s Miles O’Brien to Speak at LSU’s Upcoming Risk Symposium
“CNN anchor and Emmy winner Miles O’Brien will join an impressive list of speakers at LSU’s upcoming international symposium on risk and exploration, Oct. 28-30. “Risk & Exploration: Earth as a Classroom,” will be held on LSU’s campus and is free and open to the public and the media. O’Brien is scheduled to speak on Monday, Oct. 29, from 9:05 to 9:45 a.m. Central time and will serve as moderator for a panel discussion titled “Risks of Nature: Impact of and Response to Hurricane Katrina,” which is slated for 10:40 a.m.
(Read the full post about ‘Risk and Exploration: Earth as a Classroom’…)
25 Oct 2007 | 10:10 am | SPACE | No comments
Cosmology@Home
Home Computers to Help Researchers Better Undestand Universe, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“Want to help unravel the mysteries of the universe? A new distributed computing project designed by a University of Illinois researcher allows people around the world to participate in cutting-edge cosmology research by donating their unused computing cycles. The project is called Cosmology@Home, and is similar to SETI@Home, a popular program that searches radio telescope data for evidence of extraterrestrial transmissions.”
25 Oct 2007 | 6:02 am | Cosmoss Rus and Eng | No comments
Lisa Porter’s New Action Item
“Sent on behalf of John Sullivan - Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing (Purdue University)
Due to an emerging issue with aviation safety, NASA Administrator, Michael Griffin has asked Dr. Porter to cancel her trip to Purdue to handle this issue. Again, we will work with NASA to re-schedule her visit to campus. Below is the link to the news article regarding this important issue.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/10/22/nasa.air.safety.ap/index.html“
25 Oct 2007 | 4:23 am | Cosmoss Rus and Eng | No comments
What Happens in Vegas - Stays in Space
Editor’s note: Have a look at these images from Genesis II. Either Bigelow Aerospace is going to run a gambling operation in low Earth orbit (”Bigelow Bingo”) or he has lots of little itty bitty numbered satellites he is going to deploy.
Bingo in Soace, Bigelow Aerospace
25 Oct 2007 | 1:13 am | Cosmoss Rus and Eng | No comments
Chang’e Nears Launch
1st moon orbiter likely to be invisible to amateur astronomers, China Daily
Countdown to another leap upward, China Daily
Official: Chang’e launch time confirmed, Shanghai Daily
“China will launch its first lunar orbiter at 6:05pm tomorrow from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, officials confirmed at a news conference this morning.”
Editor’s note: Looks like I will be on CNN Asia on Wednesday evening round 7:30 pm EST to discuss this launch.
25 Oct 2007 | 12:10 am | Cosmoss Rus and Eng | No comments
Lunar Lander Prize Announced
NASA Offers $2 Million Lunar Lander Competition Prize
“During the X PRIZE Cup Oct. 27-28, NASA’s Centennial Challenges Program will offer prizes totaling $2 million if competing teams successfully meet the requirements of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge. The challenge will take place at Holloman Air Force Base, in Alamogordo, N.M.
(Read the full post about ‘Lunar Lander Prize Announced’…)
24 Oct 2007 | 9:11 pm | SPACE | No comments
