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Radiation Safe Worlds
2008-03-05 06:36:00
Of the 83 colony worlds that dance and prance around our golden star, only six worlds (excluding our home planet) hold the potential of being future homes, nine if you include Mercury, Pluto and Charon.Despite the fact that future technology could eventually open up all of these worlds for human habitation, only a few of them may attract "the masses" after the first person sets foot upon their dusty soil due to the "evil R word"--radiation.Contrary to the various rumors, taking heavy doses of radiation does not turn one into the Hulk, one of the members of the Fantastic Four or Spider Man via a radioactive spider bite.Radiation , whether cosmic or solar has the potential of seriously roasting you alive, if not turning one into a vegetable.Even though humans can tolerate "various degrees" of radiation, our bodies seem to be quite content with the level of background radiation our species receives on planet Earth, which is about 0.35 REM's (aka Roentgen Equivalent Man) a year.Higher d...
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Video: Why Romania May Win The Google Lunar X-Prize
2008-03-03 17:50:00
With almost a dozen teams competing for Google 's Lunar X-Prize, one would probably expect a team located within a major space power to dominate this international space race.While a few teams are presenting innovative ways of landing on the Moon, most have yet to figure out how to leave their home planet without going broke.Ironically their seems to be only one team that has created an inexpensive way of sending their "little rover" beyond our sky--and the fact that this team is located in Romania may humble competing teams in both the US and Canada.(Arca Space) HAAS is an innovative air-launched, 3 stages orbital rocket, preliminary designed in 2006 using the technology developed at ARCA during The Ansari X Prize Competition and The European Private Manned Space Program. The rocket was named after Conrad Haas* (1509-1579) Austrian-Romanian medieval rocket pioneer, the first creator of multiple stages rockets. ...The HAAS rocket will be lifted at 18.000m altitude with the help of...
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Senate Uneasy About NASA Outsourcing To Russians
2008-03-03 16:05:00
With the space shuttle retirement on the horizon, NASA has shifted its focus on not only returning to the Moon, but also on delegating transportation to and from the International Space Station (or ISS) to the Russians .Unfortunately it seems that many Senators are not as comfortable with working with their former foe, especially with tensions heating up between the US and the former Soviet Union.(Government Executive) Senate Commerce Space Subcommittee Chairman Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., trained their sights on what they portrayed as a high-risk reliance on a partner whose ambitions might run counter to U.S. foreign policy goals. ...In the meantime, Nelson said, "there is a realistic political monkey wrench" that could complicate any deal. He said current law forbids any U.S. contract payments to Russia if it continues to support the Iranian nuclear development program, unless the White House requests a waiver and Congress grants it.Even though NASA is conf...
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (43rd Edition)
2008-03-03 14:30:00
Ethan Siegel hosted the 43rd carnival of space over at Starts With A Bang! which featured over 20 excellent posts with an Oscar theme twist.Entertaining articles included solar flares, finding exo-solar rocky worlds, a man who wants to fund his own lunar trip and a play about Galileo and his daughter?A few interesting articles that stood out were:Brian Wang of Next Big Future highlights lunar trucks and mining rovers that NASA may be considering (note: I guess gold is the new black).The Fool over at New Frontiers has an update about Space port America, which will probably attract thousands just from the look alone.Shrubber (the NewSpace's favorite skeptic) is painting another scary image of NASA. Hopefully the problem is not as serious as it seems, as it could easily result in the death of human space flight, especially if Obama becomes president.Pamela and Fraser discuss over at Astronomy Cast where the center of the Universe is located, which may disappoint some politicians (in bo...
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New NASA Web Feature To Make Its Case For Space
2008-02-27 22:06:00
(Image: New NASA web feature highlights influence of space in the average home, city. Credit: NASA)After previously redesigning their website, NASA it seems has gone a step further by making an interactive feature to help the public understand why the space program has significance (outside of cellphones and the weather channel).(Space Travel) The U.S. space agency has added an interactive program to its Web site, allowing users to discover some of the space technologies that now impact daily life. ...[NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale] said the interactive site takes users on an illustrated tour of the commercial technologies and products in their homes and cities that trace their origins to NASA's space and aeronautics research and development..NASA has documented more than 1,500 examples of how its technologies have been used for bettering life on Earth.This web feature should help NASA make its case for space against "nay sayers," who may have the perception that America i...
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Radiation Storm Forecasts Via SOHO
2008-02-27 21:30:00
Video: SOHO's Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) caught this image of a coronal mass ejection. The green static represents the particles that the solar storm projects into space. Credit: NASA.Despite the fact that the majority of the planets, moons and dwarf planets (sorry Pluto) lack a significant atmosphere, future colonists may still tune in to the latest forecast regarding upcoming storms.But instead of storms involving weather, it will be radiation storms that they will be worrying about, a concern that the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) may help us predict.(NASA) Explosive events on the sun can blast particles to high speeds, causing intense radiation storms that can disable spacecraft and cause radiation sickness or cancer in unprotected astronauts. Advance warning of radiation storms could give astronauts time to take cover and allow satellite operators to take protective measures.Scientists are now testing a new method that could do just that. The metho...
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NASA: Can Our Immune System Handle Micro Gravity?
2008-02-27 21:03:00
Even though humans have spent at least a half century orbiting the heavens above, our species still has yet to find a way to adequately survive living "without gravity."Unfortunately for us, micro gravity is not only unfriendly towards our bones, muscles and heart, but can wreck havoc on our immune system.In an attempt to address this issue, NASA is conducting a study in order to help find a way to thwart this semi-major problem.(Space Daily) International Space Station crew members are collecting blood, saliva and urine samples to study their immune function in microgravity.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said while previous research conducted after landing showed dramatic changes in crew members' immune systems, the on-going first-of-its-kind study is the only one to comprehensively monitor the human immune system before, during and after spaceflight.This study is critical if humanity is ever going to live off world, especially since micro gravity gives harmful ...
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Using Lunar Rock For Future Moon Bases
2008-02-26 05:21:00
(Image Credit: NASA)With NASA preparing to send humans once more to the Moon , many people have been envisioning humans creating lunar space bases out of metals either mined from our Earthen cradle or from the asteroids far away.While building with such materials may add to the beauty of a lunar home, it would also add to the cost, raising the price tag of us settling lunar side. In order to help keep costs down (and the vision from being potentially killed) it may be better for humanity to choose lunar rocks and dirt instead.(Universe Today) As it turns out, lunar regolith has many useful properties for construction on the Moon. To complement lunar concrete (as introduced earlier in Part 2), basic building structures may be formed from cast regolith. Cast regolith would be very similar to terrestrial cast basalt. Created by melting regolith in a mold and allowing it to cool slowly would allow a crystalline structure to form, resulting in highly compressive and moderately tensile bui...
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Will Interorbital Dominate The Space Tourism Industry?
2008-02-26 04:23:00
(Hat Tip: Space ports, Image Credit: Interorbital)So far the biggest contender in the upcoming space tourism industry is probably Virgin Galactic, whose early entrance (plus safety features) may give it a "Google" edge over its rivals.However a new entrant to the field is promising to make its rides more attractive by not only offering up to a weeks worth of weightlessness (for $2.5 million) but by also down playing the major players in the upcoming space arena.(Interorbital) Several companies are currently offering seats on manned suborbital joyrides. Some rocketplane developers are advertising two-hour suborbital trips into space. Beware! An actual suborbital rocketplane ride to the edge of space and back lasts only 15 minutes. Most of the two-hour suborbital trip will be spent cramped inside the rocketplane's cockpit being hauled up to launch altitude. And then, after the completion of the 15-minute suborbital roller coaster ride, the passengers will have experienced only a few m...
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (42 And Going Strong)
2008-02-26 03:47:00
Chris Lintott's hosted last weeks Carnival of Space over at Chris Lintott's Universe, featuring articles ranging about Saturns moons to updates about NewSpace to even some back ground info regarding the NASA logo (note: be sure to read the comment section).A few interesting reads include:Paul of Centauri Dreams has a great idea of where to place the worlds most powerful (future) telescope.The Fool of New Frontiers has a great introduction for "newbies" regarding the Orion Crew Vehicle.Ed over at Robot Guy publishes some alarming news regarding NASA's future rocket, which could threaten the entire Vision for Space Exploration (at least on the government side of things).There are plenty of other articles to discover, and if you would like to participate in the next Carnival of Space, a simple trip towards Universe Today would enlighten you on how to enter. Content Copyright 2006-2008 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted under national and...
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NASA Warms Up To NewSpace, Offers Commerical Launchpad
2008-02-20 03:51:00
It looks as if America's one and only space agency is taking aggressive measures to court the private sector (aka NewSpace).(Florida Today) NASA will unveil plans this week that would enable Florida or private companies to build and operate a commercial launch complex at Kennedy Space Center.With shuttle fleet retirement set for 2010, the complex could pave the way for an American company to launch U.S. astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station rather than buying those services from Russia.While there are many space firms seeking to launch American astronauts when NASA retires its shuttle, SpaceX seems to be best positioned to help "fill in the gap" while NASA works on the Orion rocket.This is a smart move by NASA, as outsourcing its transportation to Russia may not be a wise idea, especially with tensions heating up between the two space powers. Content Copyright 2006-2008 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted under natio...
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Bigelow Aerospace: 50 Launches In Five Years?
2008-02-20 02:51:00
(Hat Tip: Space Pragmatism) (Image: Bigelow 's first Space Station, Genesis 1, currently in orbit)If there was any space firm out there turning galactic dreams into reality, it would have to be Bigelow Aerospace. Known mostly for their inflatable space stations, this company is quickly becoming "the Google" of the space industry.After previously teaming up with Lockheed Martin, the future space station corporation is scheduling 50 rocket launches in less than half a decade, a feat most nations could only dream of accomplishing.(Flight Global) Commercial orbital complex developer Bigelow Aerospace is in the final stages of negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to provide a manned capsule and up to 50 Atlas V launches for crew and cargo by 2015. ...In late 2006 Bigelow announced it was in talks with Lockheed and the two are now in firm discussions for a contract for the 2010 and 2011 launches followed by six launches in 2012, 12 in both 2013 and 2014 and then 18 in 2015, in line w...
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (New Frontiers-41)
2008-02-20 01:46:00
The Fool hosted last weeks Carnival of Space , which featured an array of articles ranging from evil carnivorous galaxies to Earth's "other moons," to even ponderings about the lack of space themed TV shows.Of the many posts featured at the Carnival, here are a few that caught this authors attention.Louise of A Babe in the Universe mentions an underground "swimming pool" around the southern pole of Enceladus (a feature future colonists may enjoy)Paul over at Centauri Dreams highlights a bacteria that is able to live off of infrared light, which could enable us to grow genetically altered plants underneath dim sunlight.Clark of RLV and Transport News enlightens everyone regarding the future economics of space tourism (note: middle class now included)Brian Wang on Next Big Future discusses a new magnetic launch concept, which unfortunately no one (with deep pockets) is seriously considering.Flying Singer of Music of the Spheres wonders why NASA is not exciting the public about space, ...
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Japan: We Will Build A Solar Powered Satellite By 2030
2008-02-13 04:18:00
(Hat Tip: Posthuman Blues) Ironically while it seems half the planet is in a space race to either beat their neighbors to the stars, it looks as if Japan is busy figuring out a way to harness the power of one.(Pink Tentacle) JAXA, which plans to have a Space Solar Power System (SSPS) up and running by 2030, envisions a system consisting of giant solar collectors in geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. The satellites convert sunlight into powerful microwave (or laser) beams that are aimed at receiving stations on Earth, where they are converted into electricity.On February 20, JAXA will take a step closer to the goal when they begin testing a microwave power transmission system designed to beam the power from the satellites to Earth. In a series of experiments to be conducted at the Taiki Multi-Purpose Aerospace Park in Hokkaido, the researchers will use a 2.4-meter-diameter transmission antenna to send a microwave beam over 50 meters to a rectenna (rect...
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Is NewSpace Becoming Mainstream?
2008-02-13 03:45:00
Often seen as the weirdo outsiders with too much time (and too little money) on their hands, the private space industry--often called NewSpace--are often marginalized to the side of the "overall space race" with greater emphasis placed upon NASA and their favorite pals Lockheed-Martin and Boeing.But with the Bigelow Aerospace partnering with Lockheed-Martin, Dan Schrimpsher from Space Pragmatism brings up an interesting point regarding this relationship.(Space Pragmatism) It is common among new space folks to talk about traditional aerospace as "dinosaurs" who live off the government and pooh-pooh creativity and innovation. However, what I think this proves it the more correct statement that they are looking for profit.Lockheed builds rockets for the military and NASA because it is a safe way to make money. What the new agreement with Bigelow shows me is that Lockheed Martin sees these stations as a viable way to make money. They don't normally push new ideas because they are risky...

Building A Lunar Base: Problems And Solutions
2008-02-12 23:51:00
Aside from the sun, the celestial object that is the most familiar to kids and adults alike is the Moon.While other planets and moons may offer a more exciting environment, our second journey towards the stars will probably begin with our lunar friend in the sky, in part due towards its distance from Earth.However, if humanity ever decides to dwell upon lunar soils, they will have to figure out a way first to survive upon them.(Universe Today) So where do you start when designing a Lunar Base ? High up on the structural engineers "to do" list would be the damage building materials may face when exposed to a vacuum. Damage from severe temperature variations, high velocity micrometeorite impacts, high outward forces from pressurized habitats, material brittleness at very low temperatures and cumulative abrasion by high energy cosmic rays and solar wind particles will all factor highly in the planning phase. Once all the hazards are outlined, work can begin on the structures themselves....
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Belated: Carnivals Of The Space Geeks (39 And 40)
2008-02-09 02:15:00
After taking a longer than expected hiatus from blogging, it looks like I forgot to mention the previous carnival (not to mention a few other key stories). So in an attempt to "catch up," both space carnivals will be rolled into one post.Carnival of Space 39The 39th Carnival of Space was hosted by Sean Welton of Visual Astronomy who linked to posts ranging from astro-poetry to analysis on the raging Jupiter storms.A few interesting posts readers should check out from the Carnival include:Amanda Bauer of Astropixie gets a little excited about Virgin Galactic's Spaceship Two (note: how could you not get excited?).Brian Wang of Next Big Future discusses the upcoming Space Elevator Games, and their one kilometer challenge (note: I'll have to see if I can book a flight out there in September).Missy Fryer asks whether or not the lunar missions should be replaced with missions towards asteroids.Pamela Gay of Star Stryder lays out the case for the existence of dark energy, a controversial...
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Filtering Space Water (On The Cheap)
2008-01-30 03:28:00
(Hat Tip: IsraGood, Image Credit: Europa.eu)Whenever we hear about water being cited on Mars or any other planet-moon body, one often imagines future colonists drinking clear crystal fresh water as if it came straight from the tap.Unfortunately the chances are that water mined from any foreign world will probably be contaminated with dust particles, making it fairly unhealthy to drink. Filtering this space water will become top priority if we are build cities upon other worlds, let alone conduct research on them.Fortunately it looks as if one companies invention on Earth could enable us to drink water inexpensively off world.(Israel 21st Century) "Desalination is cheaper than melting ice," said Mino Negrin, managing director and founder of Nirosoft, which simulated the environment at the Davis Station in its R&D labs. The company's self-contained desalination unit provides up to 100,000 liters a day of purified, desalinated water. Its Lego-like portability makes it easy to ship by ...
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SpaceX Engine Firings Give New Hope
2008-01-30 02:10:00
(Hat Tip: Commercial Space Watch, Video Below) While most NewSpace companies either dreaming of reaching the stars (or seeking government backing before they can visit the stars), SpaceX is slowly, but surely laying down the foundation for when they will send rockets past Earthen skies.Even though they still have quite a distance to go before they launch humans into space, SpaceX's test multiple engine firings are giving hope that the commercial sector can pick up where the public left off.(SpaceX Press Release) The engines operated at full power, generating over 180,000 pounds of force, equivalent to a Boeing 777 at full power, and consuming 700 lbs per second of fuel and liquid oxygen during the run. "This is a major hardware milestone for our company," said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. "It marks the first time that we have simultaneously fired two engines on the same stage. No significant problems were encountered transitioning from single engine testing in November, which ...
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South Korea To Partner With NASA?
2008-01-30 01:30:00
Often ignored by its larger "Asian brothers," South Korea has been taking small, yet steady strides towards the stars.After cooperating with Russia and constructing its own space base, South Korea is broadening its horizons by signing a promising deal with NASA.(SpaceRef) NASA's Ames Research Center and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, (KAIST) South Korea's premier research and education institution, signed a memorandum for the record on Jan. 26, 2008, an important milestone in a new relationship under development. ..."We are exploring a new partnership with South Korea in future satellite research and development," said Worden. "We are looking forward to working with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology to advance future space exploration," Worden added. "I am delighted with this outcome. This potential collaboration is a historic event for KAIST as well as for NASA Ames," said Suh. Even though the deal mostly involves satellite launches...
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (38)
2008-01-29 22:57:00
Last weeks Carnival Of Space was hosted by Sam Wise of Sorting Out Science.While I encourage everyone to read all of the entries (as Sam presented them in an interesting story like format), a few posts that did catch my eye were:Brian Wang's comparison of Virgin Galactic and NASA over at Next Big Future.Jon Goff's essays regarding Single Stage To Orbit and Two Stage To Orbit (note: these posts are very long).Marko's post about Russian super cockroaches home grown in space.Daily Galaxy wondering if America should ignore the Moon and instead pursue asteroids.This weeks Carnival of Space is coming up quickly, and readers interested in joining our little "space gang" can email Fraser at info [at] universetoday [dot] com for more details, or they can visit this site to see the space carnivals of the past. Content Copyright 2006-2008 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted under national and international laws.
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (Lucky 37)
2008-01-17 07:30:00
Welcome readers (both new and old) to the 37th Carnival of Space !Here you will find a collection of ideas, space highlights and random thoughts ranging from the average (but passionate) citizen to space scientists seeking to break down our complex universe into layman's terms.Starting from the center of our star system is Phil Plait (of Bad Astronomy) who enlightens us regarding those seasonal sun cycles, not to mention a way for the visual impaired to enjoy seeing the universe in a new light.Moving outward it seems that Mercury has regained its lost romance with humanity, with a probe finally being sent by NASA.Stuart Atkinson captures the passion on Cumbrian Sky while Bruce (aka Flying Singer) helps logic lovers understand how these probes can "bounce between the planets" with some cool computer software.Meanwhile I entertain the gruesome thought of turning Mercury into a prison planet.Skipping over Venus we head towards our home world where we find our species still stuck on Ear...
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Welcome To Mercury (The Prison Planet)
2008-01-16 02:42:00
So you want to see the future?To see the glory of tomorrowAnd experience adventureAs well as escape today's sorrowBut every great societyHas to remove the base and vileFrom the rest of humanitySadly casting them into exile~Darnell Clayton, © 2008 With NASA's Messenger probe seeking to map out the entire planet of Mercury , one may ponder whether or not our species may settle upon that sun baked world.Mercury's high density may hint towards an abundance of metallic resources beneath its surface. If so, the cratered crust may rival that of our asteroid belt as far as wealth is concerned.While Mercury may hold the promise of a future colony world, the cratered globe will probably not attract large bodies of people, who may consider it too dangerous to live due its close orbit around the sun (hint: think radiation).Instead of future solar governments "bribing" their citizens to declare the first rock from the sun home, why not populate Mercury with prison colonies?While the common ci...
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Turning Martian Air Into Fuel?
2008-01-13 05:06:00
(Hat Tip: Mars News)(Image Credit: NASA)If humanity is every going to subdue the red planet, then they will need an inexpensive way to transport goods and personal across its crimson deserts.Instead of looking towards the distant sun to energize our future Martian rovers, why not pull fuel from the "abundant" Martian air?(Renewable Energy Access) Using concentrated solar energy to reverse combustion, a research team from Sandia National Laboratories is building a prototype device intended to chemically "reenergize" carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using concentrated solar power. The carbon monoxide could then be used to make hydrogen or serve as a building block to synthesize a liquid combustible fuel, such as methanol or even gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.The prototype device, called the Counter Rotating Ring Receiver Reactor Recuperator (CR5, for short), will break a carbon-oxygen bond in the carbon dioxide to form carbon monoxide and oxygen in two distinct steps. It is a major...
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Barack Obama Becoming Space Friendly?
2008-01-13 04:38:00
(Hat Tip: The Write Stuff) After previously supporting a drastic cut to NASA in order to provide more funds to education, it looks as if Senator Obama is now warming up to the needs of NASA.(Space Ref) Develop the Next-Generation of Space Vehicles: The retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 will leave the United States without manned spaceflight capability until the introduction of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) carried by the Ares I Launch Vehicle. As president, Obama will support the development of this vital new platform to ensure that the United States' reliance on foreign space capabilities is limited to the minimum possible time period. The CEV will be the backbone of future missions, and is being designed with technology that is already proven and available.While this is good news on the space front, his campaign seems to be more or less leaning towards robotic missions, rather than pondering if the US can once again visit the moon (and beyond).Other candidates hav...
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India To Enter Space Tourism Market
2008-01-13 04:08:00
With the space race heating up, several countries are exploring unorthodox ways of keeping their space programs afloat in order to finance their trip to the stars.While other nations depend upon the "generous" donations of tax paying citizens, India is looking towards space tourism to help keep its solar dreams alive.(Hindustan Times) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) seems to be in an expansive mood, the way it proposes to take potential space tourists on short duration sojourns in low earth orbit. The Isro Chairman, G. Madhavan Nair, thought aloud on this the other day and reportedly told the media that “well-heeled tourists” — read immensely rich wannabe astronauts — could go for week-long spins on board an Isro spacecraft in eight years’ time. The idea apparently is to use the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to loft a couple of space tourists into a 400-km orbit around Earth.By India opening up its facilities towards the private sector the go...
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (36th Editon)
2008-01-13 02:22:00
This weeks Carnival of Space was hosted by Steinn Sigurosson over at Dynamics of Cats which held an interesting round of posts varying from space weather to revisiting Mercury.Some interesting posts included:Pradeep's post indicates that India is becoming increasingly busy in the space arena.Jon Goff has a lengthly (but awesome) post regarding an air launched Single Stage To Orbit. Is it possible? The world may never know should consider this option.The Space Cynics are attempting to counter the Space Exploration Alliance to everyone's disappointment (they are lobbying for cheap, reliable access to space)Paul Glister has an interesting article regarding Europa's oceans being oxidised, not to mention the ice mountains of Titan.Those interested in submitting their blog posts (or articles to the carnival of space can visit this page over at Universe Today for the details. Content Copyright 2006-2007 of Colony Worlds. All Rights Reserved. Violators (and hosts) can be prosecuted und...
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John McCain: Go To Mars...Yeah
2008-01-09 06:11:00
(Hat Tip: Space Pragmatism) It looks as if presidential contender John McCain is not only serious about winning the white house (which looks a little closer after he won New Hampshire) but also perhaps Mars as well.(Hobby Space) Today John McCain was at Dartmouth College on a final rally before the primaries in the Granite state There I had the opportunity to ask him this question: "Senator, what is your vision for America's space program?" ...He replied "Sure" then paused, "whats my vision?" he asked as though trying to clarify my question "...go to Mars. Yeah ..."Other presidential candidates from both sides have also given "their blessing" towards space exploration, even if they are at odds with President Bush's Vision for Space Exploration (or VSE).With the presidential primaries heating up, the space community must identify (and support) candidates who desire to spread our civilization beyond our home world, as space has the potential of solving our current energy woes. Con...

Space Tourim To Promote Space Medicine
2008-01-09 05:56:00
One of the great benefits about space tourism is the industry will help reawaken the dream of humans traveling beyond the stars.While the passengers themselves may not be charting out new worlds, their participation may help us navigate the medical arena of space travel.(AMNews) "We're bringing civilian space travel into a different medical paradigm," said Jan Stepanek, MD, MPH, director of the aerospace medicine program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and a physician within Mayo's executive health program. "Are these people going to have problems with coronary artery disease or pulmonary disease that could put them at risk? Something that could lead to an in-flight medical emergency that could compromise the safety of passengers or the safety of the flight?" ...This is why Mayo Clinic in Arizona has joined aerospace experts at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and Wyle Laboratories in Houston to form a medical space tourism program. The trio is offering commercial s...
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NASA To Locate Most Earth Killing Asteroids
2008-01-05 05:02:00
While colonizing the heavens above us is important to our species, defending our home world ranks even higher on the scale.Fortunately NASA (along with China) will be scanning the sky above looking for asteroids that can pose serious threats to our Earth en cradle.(Computer World) By the end of this year, NASA hopes to find about 90% of the largest asteroids that could potentially strike Earth, a blast that could throw dust into the atmosphere and cause firestorms and acid rain. These asteroids can be as large as mountains but are at least 1 kilometer (3,280.8 feet) in diameter. NASA estimates that 900 of these objects are in potentially hazardous range of Earth. Defending our planet from space rocks will probably become a priority long after we expand our presence throughout the solar system.Even if our species were able to send millions of individuals to colonize Mars, Ganymede, Callisto and Saturn's Titan, losing Earth would be devastating for our species, as there is no known wo...
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