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Congress Opposes Human Missions To Mars?
2007-09-30 01:46:00
While NASA prepares itself to once again visit the Moon, it looks as if the US House of Representatives is proposing a bill that would ban all human missions towards Mars .(New Scientist Space) Is there life on Mars? Who knows, but if the US House of Representatives gets its way, no human will be making the trip to find out. Its proposed yearly budget for NASA contains a provision banning the funding of anything related to the human exploration of Mars.NASA is seeking to send humans towards Mars around 2037, although if Congress displays enough apathy, we may end up never funding anything other than hi-tech golf carts to roam its surface.Robert Zubrin, the founder of the Mars Society (which is currently down as of this post) is seeking to overturn this measure, although he may be fighting an uphill battle as Mars is quite literally being out shined by Earth's "lunar brother."Update: Changed Martian photo. Content Copyright 2006-2007 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators...
More About: Human , Missions , Missi

Will Ion Engines Replace Chemical Rockets?
2007-09-30 00:54:00
(Image: Ion Propulsion System Hot Fire Test for Deep Space 1, Credit: NASA / JPL)Probably not, as chemical rockets are the undisputed champions when it comes to launching anything from Earth's surface to beyond the sky. However when it comes to general interplanetary travel, chemical rockets may find themselves taking a back seat towards their "star trek" cousins.(Physorg.com) An ion engine prototype developed at NASA's Glenn Research Center has now accumulated more than 12,000 hours of operation and processed over 245 kilograms of xenon, setting a record for most propellant throughput ever demonstrated by an ion engine.The engine is the critical component of NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) system, which uses xenon gas and solar electric power to drive future robotic science spacecraft to distant asteroids, comets, planets and their moons. ...Today's chemical propulsion systems get their big boost and then coast at constant speed until the next boost. An ion engine ...
More About: Engines , Chemical , Chem , Rockets

India To Put Humans Into Space By 2015
2007-09-30 00:23:00
After previously committing to send its own citizens to orbit above the heavens, India has finally laid out a date for when it will join the space power club.(MSNBC) India plans a manned space mission by 2015, using indigenous systems and technology, a top scientist said Thursday. ..."We are trying to develop the technologies which are required for sending a man to space ... If everything goes all right we will be able to have a manned mission wherein an astronaut will be orbiting the earth within eight years," he said.India still has not laid out any plans on whether or not it will send astronauts to inhabit the Moon. The worlds largest democracy may be hesitant about committing towards lunar colonies in the future until they have proven themselves floating among the stars.Hopefully India will consider revisiting the moon along with the other major space powers, as it would be sad to see such a great nation miss out on owning a piece of the sky. Content Copyright 2006-2007 of Co...
More About: Space , Humans

NASA To Put Humans On Mars In 2037
2007-09-25 02:01:00
(Image: Humans working on Mars . Credit: NASA/Johnson Space Center)NASA is adding the red planet to its "celestial road map" by planning on landing a man on Mars by the year 2037.(Earth Times) 'We are planning many missions. Our long-term game-plan is to put man on Mars by 2037, so that by 2057, when the International Aeronautical Congress (IAC) holds its centenary, we should be celebrating the 20th year of putting man on the red planet,' NASA administrator Michael Griffin told the delegates at the first plenary of the 58th IAC on the inaugural day. ...'We are looking beyond moon and mars into the inter-planetary system, how to make best use of the ISS and how to use solar power to reduce its operational costs. With manned mission to moon from 2020 onwards and Mars a decade later, we want to build a space civilisation for tomorrow and beyond that,' Griffin pointed out.Griffin's road map to Mars is about seven years later than what Buzz Aldrin would have liked, although it is d...
More About: Nasa

Good News: Micro Gravity Great For Dangerous Bacteria
2007-09-25 00:38:00
(Hat Tip: MarsNews .com)Even though building micro gravity space stations may be cheaper in the long run, it may not be the healthiest choice for future colonists.In a cruel twist of fate, it seems that micro gravity not only weakens our immune system, but ironically strengthens the defenses of dangerous bacteria.(Space.com) Bacteria express different sets of genes in different environments to ensure their survival. Inhospitable conditions, for example, can turn on a "master switch" in some bacteria and allow the microbes to form tough spores that can survive the extreme conditions of space.Prior to Nickerson and her team's study, the genetic behavior of Salmonella typhimurium--the main culprit in cases of food poisoning and typhoid fever--was unknown. The microbe poses a significant threat to astronauts during spaceflight, especially because it is resistant to many antibiotic treatments.The researchers' experiment revealed that a genetic switch called "Hfq," which may control more...
More About: Good News , Great , Good

Video: Direct Launcher A Better Alternative To Ares?
2007-09-24 23:39:00
(Hat Tip: Hobby Space, Video below post)It looks like a new rocket is in town, which may not only be able to lift cargo into orbit sooner than Ares I and Ares V rockets (which have yet to be built), but may be much more affordable as well.(Direct Launcher ) DIRECT is an alternative approach to launching missions planned under NASA's new mandate: The Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). DIRECT would replace the separate Ares-I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) and Ares-V Cargo Launch Vehicle (CaLV) with one single "Jupiter" launcher, capable of performing both roles.This change to NASA's architecture completely removes the costs & risks associated with developing and operating a second launcher system, saving NASA $19 Billion in development costs, and a further $16 Billion in operational costs over the next 20 years.DIRECT's single launcher system would use existing Space Transportation System (AKA the Space Shuttle) facilities and hardware to lift over 45 tons (in basic configuration) ...
More About: Alternative , Native

Carnival Of The Space Geeks (Turns 21)
2007-09-24 03:41:00
The Carnival of Space was held by Henry Cate over at Why Homeschooling (the founder of this whole project) and most of the posts focused on the Google X-Prize Lunar Lander Challenge.Some interesting posts include:Brian Wang from Advanced Nanotechnology on how to win the lunar challenge.Brain Dunbar (of Space For Commerce) highlights the three general thoughts regarding the competition in general (with the second being the best, although Henry disagrees).Mr. Anonymous at Cumbrian Sky has thoughts on how the competition will kill off the moon doubters, although he wants the Sea of Tranquility blocked off from the competition for historical reasons.AstroProf highlights the International Lunar Decade and why its important for our global culture.This week's Carnival of Space will be hosted over at Wandering Space.Note: Those desiring to submit a post to the upcoming carnival can visit this link for details. Content Copyright 2006-2007 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (...
More About: Geeks