Fwd: This Week in The Space Review - 2013 October 14

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From: jeff@thespacereview.com (Jeff Foust)
Date: October 14, 2013 11:48:29 AM CDT
Subject: This Week in The Space Review - 2013 October 14
Reply-To: jeff@thespacereview.com

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Welcome to this week's issue of The Space Review:


The case for kerolox
---
A recent report that the Russian government was considering a ban on exports of the RD-180 engine raised concerns in the US, given its use on the workhorse Atlas V rocket. Jeff Foust reports that, while such an export ban appears unlikely, some in government and industry are advocating development of a domestic engine that could potentially replace it.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2384/1

Eyes of the Big Bird
---
For decades, the development of the HEXAGON reconnaissance satellites was cloaked in secrecy, a veil only recently lifted by the NRO. Dwayne Day examines a new book by one of the key people involved in the HEXAGON program that offers a behind-the-scenes account of designing the most complex mechanical device ever flown in space.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2383/1

Testing the Neil deGrasse Tyson Effect
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Much of the general public thinks NASA's budget is much larger than it actually is, and as a result it shapes their willingness to support the space agency's activities. Alan Steinberg describes research he performed to see if adjusting the public's knowledge of NASA's budget increases their support for the agency.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2382/1

Review: Five Billion Years of Solitude
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The last two decades have seen an avalanche of extrasolar planet discoveries, raising hopes that the discovery of a true Earth-like exoplanet is around the corner. Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers an eloquent overview of the state of research and the possibility these discoveries will come to a halt just as we're on the verge of ending our cosmic solitude.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2381/1


If you missed it, here's what we published in our previous issue:



The astronomical community must wake up: the need for synergies between science and exploration
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As NASA plots the future of human spaceflight and exploration, some worry that science, including astrophysics, will be left behind. Matt Greenhouse argues that the exploration and science sides of NASA should come together to develop architectures that use humans to support science missions.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2380/1

The return of the X-vehicle
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Just when it appeared that the US government had all but given up on the development of reusable launch vehicles, DARPA announced plans last month for the Experimental Spaceplane program. Jeff Foust reports on the DARPA effort and what it could mean for lower cost and more frequent space access.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2379/1

The Wizard
---
Albert "Bud" Wheelon, a key figure in the CIA's efforts to develop satellite reconnaissance systems in the 1960s, passed away recently. Dwayne Day examines his life and the contributions he made to several satellite programs.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2378/1

Remembering Apollo 7
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Forty-five years ago this week, the first crewed Apollo mission, Apollo 7, lifted off. Anthony Young looks back at this historic mission and what may be misunderstood about it.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2377/1

"Gravity" and reality
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The new movie "Gravity", about a disaster in space, is proving to be a hit at the box office, but space enthusiasts and professionals are put off by the film's inaccuracies. Jeff Foust examines the issues with the movie and whether it's okay to an enjoy a movie that looks realistic but takes some dramatic license.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2376/1


We appreciate any feedback you may have about these articles as well as
any other questions, comments, or suggestions about The Space Review.
We're also actively soliciting articles to publish in future issues, so
if you have an article or article idea that you think would be of
interest, please email me.

Until next week,

Jeff Foust
Editor, The Space Review
jeff@thespacereview.com
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