Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Fwd: NASA News Summary for Tuesday, October 15, 2013



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From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: October 15, 2013 7:51:50 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA News Summary for Tuesday, October 15, 2013

 

 

 

 

NASA Employees Deal With Shutdown's Effects In Various Ways.

        Furloughed Employees Will Protest Outside Of JSC Today. The KRIV-TV Houston (10/14, Hibberd, 20K) website reports that with the "vast majority" of Johnson Space Center workers furloughed because they are not supporting operations like the ISS, those out of work have decided to protest today outside of the center. NASA's Bridget Broussard-Guidry, the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2284 president, said, "We have about 100 employees out of 3100 that's working...and they're mostly in Mission Control, supporting the mission or Space Station."

        Upcoming ISS Commander Has Been Furloughed. In an interview for CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight (10/14, 9:53 p.m. ET, 393K) on politics in the US, astronaut Mark Kelly notes that his bother, Scott Kelly, who will be the ISS commander in 2015, has been furloughed, adding that NASA "put out information" on how NASA employees like Scott could file for unemployment. The interview was repeated three times over the course of the night.

        NASA Research Stymied By Shutdown. The New York Times (10/12, Gabriel, Shear, Tavernise, Subscription Publication, 9.61M) reported on what could be the "lasting toll" from the shutdown. According to the article, there was no "worse" time for this to take place when it comes to the James Webb Space Telescope as researchers were about to test how its "inner workings" would function in space. Matt Mountain, the director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, said instead of undergoing needed tests, it is "twiddling its thumbs."

 

        Shutdown Affects Spacecraft Development. Space News (10/15, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) reports the effects of the government shutdown on NASA's Commercial Crew Program varies depending on the company. Boeing said that it was not scheduled to get a payment until December, while SpaceX spokesperson Emily Shanklin said so far the effects are "manageable." However, Sierra Nevada has not been able to test its Dream Chaser like it wanted to this month because it is "locked up" at the Dryden Flight Research Center. Mark Sirangelo, vice president of Sierra Nevada Space Systems, said that in the end it will have "no real program consequence" other than delaying the flight. Ed Mango, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, said, "There is no 'penalty' for being delayed. The penalty, if there was one, is that if they take longer to meet that milestone, and if there are any additional costs that they have to incur to meet that milestone, that is on their back. That's why Space Act Agreements ... are really appropriate in this type of environment for the government."

       

        Meanwhile, Space News (10/15, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) reports Lockheed Martin engineers have not been able to continue work preparing the Orion spacecraft for its test flight next year because they also have been locked out of the Kennedy Space Center. Jim Crocker, vice president and general manager for civil space at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, does not think this will have a "significant impact" on the program. Crocker thinks that if the shutdown lasts long enough, his team may get the same exemption MAVEN engineers did in order to prepare that spacecraft for launch. The article notes that at the recent Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium, other contractors working on the Space Launch System discussed how they are proceeding "more or less as usual."

        Boeing May Still Have To Furlough Employees. The Huntsville (AL) Times (10/15, Gore, 127K) "Business" blog reports that despite the recall of workers by the Defense Department, Boeing Defense, Space and Security Unit, which takes part in "work on NASA's International Space Station and the Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense programs," may still need to furlough employees because of "limited access" to facilities and the lack of inspectors.

        University Satellite Team Also Waiting For News On When It Could Launch. The Baton Rouge (LA) Advocate (10/13, Sills, 259K) reports that University of Louisiana-Lafayette's Cajun Advanced Picosatellite Experiment (CAPE)-2 satellite has been unable to launch because of the shutdown's affect on NASA. Team members said that while they know about the delay, they have no idea about how long it was last. It was supposed to launch on the fourth Educational Launch of Nanosatellites mission. The article noted that as the team waits, students are developing a "free-floating buoy" that would transmit data from "to CAPE-2 from the Gulf."

       

       

       

ISS Cited As Example Of Future Ways Countries Could Collaborate.

In an op-ed for the New York Times (10/15, Al-khalili, Subscription Publication, 9.61M), Jim Al-Khalili of the University of Surrey writes on the future of science in the 21st century, and the challenges it faces in overcoming those who are skeptical of results because they think science is part "vast, mysterious, unaccountable operation." Al-Khalili, stressing the need for more political engagement by scientists, notes that in the future, there likely will be more international collaborations because of how "grand and costly" projects are becoming. Al-Khalili cited the ISS as just one example of how science projects are "more international than ever."

       

Kelly: "Gravity" Should Inspire Public To Write To Congress.

In a review for the Washington Post (10/12, 4.28M), astronaut Mark Kelly wrote about the movie "Gravity," calling it "entertaining" but not entirely factual. He noted that while space debris was a real threat, during his mission to the ISS on Discovery back in 2007 his team could avoid debris from an exploded Chinese satellite just by putting "some distance" between the shuttle and the space junk. Kelly does note that these critiques are of little consequence, but he does hope viewers will see then movie and then write to Congress to get NASA employees back to work.

       

Former NASA Officials Argue NASA Needs Increased Budget.

Space News (10/15, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that speaking at the Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium, Doug Cooke, former NASA associate administrator for exploration systems, argued that the space community needs to fight for increasing NASA's budget, "even when budgets are tight." Former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin added that the US could afford to pay NASA more if it truly wanted to, but there is a "willpower-constrained environment." David King, former director of the Marshall Space Flight Center, similarly said that accepting a flat budget is "not healthy" for the agency. However, Mark Bitterman, ULA vice president of Washington operations, said that NASA is unlikely to get any new money, and instead will be stuck with sequestration.

        Poll Shows People Support Increased NASA Budget When Presented With Actual Funding Levels. In an article for the Space Review (10/15), Alan Steinberg of the Sam Houston State University writes on attitudes toward government spending levels for NASA among students at the University of Houston, concluding that celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson's efforts to reverse misperceptions on NASA spending are effective, though they have not reached a large enough amount of people. Steinberg writes that a majority of survey respondents (52.1 percent) initially overestimated NASA's budget as a percentage of the Federal budget "by at least tenfold." with 68.4 percent overestimating by at least double. After being presented with information by deGrasse Tyson on NASA's actual budget, there was a 29 percent mean increase in support for additional NASA spending. Steinberg writes, "While this is just one small test, and the sample is limited to college students, respondents in the sample are demographically representative to the public in regards to income and political leanings."

China's Progress Called A "Mark Contrast" To US Developments.

AFP (10/14, Sonmez) continues coverage how Tuesday is the 10th anniversary of China's first manned space launch, examining the future of the Chinese space program. The article notes there is a "sharp contrast" between the progress in China verses the "uncertain" future of spaceflight in the US. There also is a "symbolic coincidence" that around the time the ISS is scheduled to end, China plans to launch its own space station. Joan Johnson-Freese of the US Naval War College said that will make China the "de facto" leader in space.

              

Glenn Remembers Carpenter After His Passing.

NBC Nightly News (10/11, story 12, 0:30, Williams, 7.86M) continued coverage of the death of Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter. The last Mercury survivor, John Glenn, remembered his colleague by saying "'Godspeed, Scott Carpenter."

       

Mercury Astronauts Helped Make Corvette The "Iconic American Sports Car."

The Houston Chronicle (10/12, McGraw, 2.26M) reported how General Motors gave the Mercury astronauts Chevrolet Corvettes. According to the article, Florida Chevrolet dealer Jim Rathmann considered astronauts the "perfect pitchmen" for the car. As more astronauts bought the car over time, the article noted that NASA was concerned that this could be construed as "official endorsements," which was against the rules. While the relationship was over by 1971, the article noted it did help make the Corvette the "iconic American sports car."

ISS Astronauts See Cloud Caused By Missile Launch.

NBC Nightly News (10/12, story 9, 0:20, Holt, 7.86M) broadcast some "out of this world pictures" taken by ISS astronauts. Mike Hopkins tweeted, "Saw something launch into space today. Not sure what it was. But the cloud it left behind was amazing." The anchor noted it turned out to be a "Russian military missile test."

       

Millions Visited California Science Center Since Arrival Of Endeavour.

The Los Angeles Times (10/12, Mather, 3.07M) continued coverage of on "Endeavour Fest," a three-day event marking the shuttle Endeavour's first year at the California Science Center. Part of the event includes a display involving the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft which sent supplies to the ISS. The article noted that about 2.7 million "probably" will have come to the museum since the shuttle arrived, up from the 1.6 million in the previous year.

        Blog Coverage. Jacob Kastrenakes at The Verge (10/14, 451K) writes how a team led by photographer Scott Andrews have developed "an incredible, time-lapse video" of Endeavour's journey from the Kennedy Space Center to the California Science Center.

       

SpaceX Delays Next Two Launches.

NASASpaceFlight (10/12, Bergin, 305) reported that in order to perform "corrective work" on the upper stage of the Falcon 9 v1.1, SpaceX has delayed the SES-8 and Thaicom-6 satellite launched. The former will now take place "no earlier" than November 12. The article noted that the company's first launch next year will be a mission to the ISS, with possibly three ISS missions total in 2014 and the debut of the Falcon Heavy rocket.

        The Aviation Week (10/14, Sivak, Butler, 3K) reports that while the recent Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket launched "affirmed" SpaceX can launch cargo to the ISS, the idea of an "affordable new" commercial launcher remains a "promise."

US' Reliance On Russian Engines "More Serious" Than Reliance On Spacecraft.

In an article for the Space Review (10/14), Space Review editor Jeff Foust wrote that the "most serious" reliance on the Russian space program is not transportation to the ISS, but the reliance on RD-180 engines for the Atlas V rocket. Speaking at last month's AIAA Space 2013 conference, Andrew Aldrin, a ULA executive, said Russian threats of cutting this supply off are not concerning because they have been made before. In the second half of his piece, Foust goes into how the "high performance" engine, with its oxygen-rich staged combustion, is so valued in the US. Jim Maser, vice president of corporate strategy and development at GenCorp, told the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB) that the US has to make developing a new kerosene and liquid oxygen (kerolox) engine a high priority in order to not fall behind other countries. Maser said this would be part of "an integrated strategy and roadmap" that would be useful in several applications. Foust noted that because of the US' "poor track record" for this kind of strategy, the US may be relying on Russian engines "long after" its reliance on the Soyuz spacecraft.

Steubenville Herald Star: ISS Astronauts Ares Examples Of "Spirit Of Exploration."

The Steubenville (OH) Herald Star (10/14, 32K) editorialized that on Columbus Day, the "spirit of exploration" still exists today. This is "exemplified" by ISS astronauts living and working in space "despite coming from different national backgrounds." The editors also cite the late astronaut Scott Carpenter as someone who follows in the footstep of exploration.

Harrison Discusses ISS Program At School For Start Of World Space Week.

The ABC Newspapers (10/14, Austreng, 1K) reports how University Avenue ACES Elementary School marked the beginning of World Space Week. As part of its program, Abigail Harrison of Minneapolis South High School spoke to the students about her interaction with ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, who now is at the ISS, the ISS program in general, and her desire to one day go to Mars.

Dresser-Rand Challenger Learning Center Purchasing New ISS Simulation.

The Buffalo (NY) News (10/15, 494K) reports the Dresser-Rand Challenger Learning Center is using a new grant to purchase a new "simulated space mission" that takes place aboard the ISS. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade will "perform a variety of hands-on experiments."

KSC Visitor Complex Offering New Deals, Annual Pass Options.

The Tampa Bay (FL) Times (10/12, Wynne, 78K) reported that the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is now giving Florida residents a discount when buying a package of four tickets. The new package allows people to "walk under the largest rocket ever made, touch an actual moon rock, experience the International Space Station and stand face-to-face with the space shuttle Atlantis."

       

Juno Spacecraft No Longer In Safe Mode.

The AP (10/12) reports the Juno spacecraft is no longer in safe mode, so researchers say it is "on target" for its Jupiter arrival in 2016.

       

NASA Predicts Asteroid Could Hit Earth in 2880.

WISH-TV Indianapolis (10/12, 6:56 a.m. EDT, 14K) broadcast that NASA is claiming that the "half mile-wide" asteroid 1950-DA may hit the Earth in 2880. About 20 broadcasts had similar coverage.

Voyager 1 Spacecraft Praised For "Remarkable" Achievement.

In an op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer (10/13, 1.22M), marine biologist and author Thomas Belton praised the Voyager 1 spacecraft for leaving the solar system, a feat "almost too remarkable for words." He thinks it is "amazing" that a spacecraft based on such old technology has made it so far. Belton connected the spacecraft to his own history by noting that when it was launched, he took an astronomy course that made his world both "larger and smaller."

Billings: Public At Fault For NASA's "Terrible State."

At the Houston Chronicle (10/13, 2.26M) "SciGuy" blog, Eric Berger interviewed author Lee Billings about his book "Five Billion Years of Solitude." During the interview, Billings said he was an "unapologetic" fan of NASA, but even then he believes NASA is in a "terrible state." He blames the public's "negligent stewardship." To improve matters, especially when it comes to promoting exoplanet research, Billings thought the public has to vote for candidates that takes science "seriously," and oppose those who do not support "a sustainable human future, whether on this world or others."

       

Proponents Say "Stairway To Mars" Could Be Cheaper Way To Send People.

Alan Boyle at the NBC News (10/12, 6.79M) wrote how the "informal" Space Development Steering Committee, concerned that NASA's plans to get people to Mars will be canceled like the Constellation program, outlined the "Stairway to Mars" concept, which would send people to Mars via "cheaper, smaller spacecraft that can fuel up at 'truck stops along the way." Bruce Pittman, and Ames contractor who is also chairman of the Commercial Space Group at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, outlined the concept at the Wernher von Braun Symposium. Pittman noted the plan would be implemented like the method NASA used to get new cargo spacecraft to the ISS. John Strickland, a member of the National Space Society's board of directors, who is also a proponent of this plan, thought the "Stairway to Mars" would be an order of magnitude cheaper than NASA's plan. Boyle noted that Pittman stressed NASA was "essential" to the plan, because it can "coordinate and synthesize" projects so they can come together.

Companies Developing ISS Equipment On List Of Important New Mexico Employers.

At the Albuquerque (NM) Business First (10/12) "New Mexico Biz Blog," Flo Samuels wrote the publication has listed the companies that have brought in "significant employment" in New Mexico. The list includes companies that are "producing equipment for the International Space Station."

SpaceX Grasshopper Rocket Reaches Its Highest Altitude On Its Final Test.

The Waco (TX) Tribune-Herald (10/13, Abbott, 99K) "Joe Science" blog reported SpaceX conducted another Grasshopper rocket test on October 7. The rocket reached its "highest" altitude ever at 744 meters. SpaceX said this was the last Grasshopper launch, as now it will use a Falcon 9 Reusable (F9R) development vehicle for "low altitude tests" at Spaceport America. According to article, unlike the Grasshopper, which had a "single Merlin 1D engine," this new testbed may involve "a full nine-engine first stage," but that needs to be confirmed by the company.

   

Scaled Composites Wants SpaceShipTwo Supersonic Reentry Using Feathering Braking System.

Aviation Week (10/14, Norris, 3K) reports following two supersonic flight of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo (SS2) that showed the vehicle was "rugged and stable," Scaled Composites is pushing towards "a supersonic reentry using SS2's unique tail-plane feathering braking system." After this milestone, SpaceShipTwo would be turned over to Virgin Galactic for the rest of its certification. Scaled Composites' test pilots, in discussing the flight, also provided "new details" about a stall event back in 2011, which led to a change in the inboard strakes and the "nine-month hiatus in test flights. "

       

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