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Russia Launches Malaysia's First Astronaut In Space
2007-10-10 20:01:00
(Image Credit: CNN)It is a proud day for Mala ysians everywhere, as they are for the first time seeing one of their own journey beyond the sky in order to orbit the heavens above.(Earth Times) Malays ia's first astronaut created national history when he blasted off on board a Russia n rocket into space Wednesday, marking a first for the nation which tuned in to watch the historic event live on television. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor took off for the International Space Station (ISS) on board a Soyuz-FG rocket, adorned with the Malaysian flag, from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. ...At the ISS, Sheikh Muszaphar is to experiment with microbes of tropical diseases and with proteins for a potential HIV vaccine, and study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on cancer cells and human genes.Malaysia is located in the Pacific below Vietnam and Thailand and right above Indonesia. Although predominantly Muslim, Malaysia seems to have a more "liberal" view than its Islamic neigh...

Russia, NASA Team Up In Quest For Space Water
2007-10-08 18:51:00
The head of both Russia and America's space agencies signed an agreement to cooperate as they search both the Moon an Mars in the quest for "liquid gold."(USA Today) The agreements signed by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and Russian Space Agency chief Anatoly Perminov deal with putting Russian instruments on board NASA probes that would be sent to the moon and Mars."These two projects demonstrate the commitment by our countries to continue to look for opportunities where it's mutually beneficial to cooperate," Griffin said. "When these opportunities happen it's our intent to work together to bring them to fruition."This partnership should help out both NASA and Russia, as it will lessen the cost of finding the best locations for a moon base, as any habitation near water is considered prime real estate.This could also help relieve some of the space war rhetoric, as the last thing humanity needs is a cold war in space. Content Copyright 2006-2007 of Colony Worlds. All Rights ...
More About: Team , Water , Quest

Japan's Lunar Orbiter Dances Around The Moon
2007-10-08 18:20:00
(Image Credit: JAXA) The land of the rising sun has a new accomplishment to boast about. Having successfully launched its satellite from Earth to the moon, SELENE now orbits this lunar world in an attempt to better understand Earth's nearest neighbor.(Moon Daily) "The satellite successfully entered the moon's orbit. We are glad that we achieved one of the big challenges in this mission," said Tatsuo Oshima, a spokesman from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). ...Once it gets close to the moon it will start observation of land features and study gravitational fields, the JAXA spokesman said."Our next challenge is a successful launch of observation activities with cameras and radars functioning normally," he said.Hopefully Japan's SELENE satellite will help the island nation (as well as the world) locate fertile grounds for habitation on the Moon. Although they have yet to launch one of their own in space, Japan does have plans to establish a lunar colony in 2030. Con...
More About: Dances , The Moon , Lunar , Bite

The Billion Dollar Question: Can Congress Help NASA?
2007-10-08 17:50:00
After facing grueling budget cuts in 2007, the US Senate is trying to offset the damage done towards NASA by rewarding it with an extra billion dollars in 2008.But with the White House threatening to kill the bill for over spending, one has to wonder whether or not the funds will actually arrive in NASA's pocket.(Chron.com) The Senate approved $1 billion in additional funding for NASA on Thursday, with Democrats and Republicans alike ignoring President Bush's threat to veto any spending bills that exceed his budget proposal. ..."We're thrilled," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, who has been working with Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and other Senate budget writers for the past two years to secure the additional money. "This is a major step in the right direction to ensure that America stays at the forefront of being first in space exploration."With Congress under pressure to reduce spending, it is unlikely that NASA will receive the extra billion dollars for 2008. This ...
More About: Question , Dollar , Nasa , Doll

Video: Happy Space Age Day!
2007-10-05 02:36:00
Today marks the anniversary when humanity first began to wander beyond the sky by the launch of Sputnik 50 years ago.It demonstrated our species ability to send objects above our atmosphere and has spurred our race to find its place among the stars.(Video Hat Tip: Robot Guy)A hundred years from now humanity may celebrate October the 4th as an interplanetary holiday, uniting all cultures throughout our solar system in our quest to conquer the final frontier.Until then our young race must continue to pursue the journey started by our forefathers, in order to pass that same torch towards our children and their children's children.Happy Space Age day to all, and may God bless our fragile world, as well as those living upon it. Content Copyright 2006-2007 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted under national and international laws.

Raising Pigs On Mars
2007-10-03 20:49:00
Orbiting our celestial star at an average distance of around 228 million kilometers, Mars is often romanticized as the next home world for humanity. Scientists and space enthusiasts alike often wonder what would life be like living on the red planet, and dream of the future culture that will emerge there.The first explorers upon Mars will probably rely on supplies previously shipped to the red planet in order to survive upon this harsh world. But in order to settle on this crimson globe, future Martians will need to import fruits, vegetables, grain, trees and pigs--yes pigs.Pigs represent many things to many people on Earth. To some pigs are smelly, ugly, awful creatures that only look half way descent when staring in a children's film. To others they are delicious beasts who fit perfectly into ones personal barbecue.Regardless of the viewpoint, pigs may serve a useful purpose on Mars, and could ultimately determine the fate of not only future colonists, but whether or not Martians...

Video: Carnival Of The Space Geeks (22nd Round)
2007-10-03 06:34:00
Last week's Carnival of space was hosted over at Wandering Space which included some interesting videos from Louise of A Babe In The Universe, as well as several new comers.The first was Brian Dunford who discusses on Riding With Robots his fascination with asteroids, especially Ceres and Vesta.The second is by Steven from the OutsideIn blog. Steven is working on a mini film to help bring space to life on the small screen (and hopefully the large screen as well).Here is a teaser of the trailer below.This is but a sample of the work Steven wants to bring to the world, and if you feel like supporting his efforts, you can make a tax deductible donation to the project over here. Content Copyright 2006-2007 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted under national and international laws.
More About: Video , Geeks , Round

NASA Looking For A Few Good Space Suits
2007-10-02 06:23:00
Fifty years into the future our space born descendants may ponder why their forefathers explored the lunar surface in bulky white suits. With NASA calling out to the private sector for a "space tailor," future suits worn by astronauts may not resemble the outfits worn by the first men on the Moon.(Moon Today) NASA has issued a request for proposals from industry for the design, development and production of a new spacesuit system for Constellation Program voyages to the International Space Station and the moon. ...Prospective contractors are being asked to develop a system that minimizes mass, volume and carry weight; donning time; maintenance requirements; suit logistics; operational overhead; life cycle costs; and operational constraints on the lunar surface in varying geographical, solar and thermal conditions. The same spacesuit system also must maximize pressurized and unpressurized crew comfort, range of motion, reliability and work efficiency throughout multiple suit uses. ...
More About: Good , Suits , Nasa , Suit

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 (...
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