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Month: June 2009
Hey JSC: ARC Has A Centrifuge You Can Use (update)

Keith’s 30 June update: This RFI has been cancelled. Funny how these things happen, eh? NASA JSC Solicitation: Request for Information on Human Rated Centrifuge Capabilities “NASA/JSC is hereby soliciting information about potential sources for use of human rated centrifuges that can simulate the Orion spacecraft ascent and entry accelertation environment. Specific information solicited is: The accelerations levels that can be achieved and sustained. The change in acceleration levels (jerk) […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 30, 2009
Downplaying Internal Doubts About Ares

NASA pitches cheaper moon plan, AP “They are hedging their bets,” agreed Keith Cowing, a former NASA engineer who runs the Nasawatch.com web site, which acts as a watchdog on the space agency. “It clearly reflects some doubts among senior agency folks in the overall veracity of their current approach.” NASA spokesman Michael Curie said Shannon was encouraged to make the presentation “in the spirit of sharing the options we’ve […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 30, 2009
Amateur Astronomer Sights LCROSS

Reader note: LCROSS was recorded in the Santa Cruz Mountains in CA last night with an amateur telescope. The animated gif was just posted on their website, http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/ or a direct link to the recording is found here http://www.backyardastronomer.com/lcross/LCROSS-20090629-anim2.gif The ephemeris was found using JPL’s Horizons web server, available to the public at http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/

  • NASA Watch
  • June 30, 2009
Constellation Observatory Servicing RFI On Hold

NASA places RFI NNH09ZDA010L on hold “NASA is placing RFI NNH09ZDA010L (“Feasibility of using Constellation Architecture for Servicing Existing and Future Observatory-Class Scientific Spacecraft”) on hold. The August 10 due date for information in the form of a white paper is cancelled; no new due date is announced at this time. The “Workshop I” described in NNH09ZDA010L will not occur in June; a new date has not been established at […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 30, 2009
Bolden/Garver Confirmation Update

Keith’s 23 June note: From what I have been able to piece together, there is interest in Congress to get to to confirmation hearings for Charlie Bolden and Lori Garver right after the 4th of July (7 and 8 July are dates in play) with the intent that there will be a confirmation vote before the Apollo 11 anniversary. Stay tuned. Keith’s 30 June note: The Senate confirmation hearing will […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 30, 2009
Why the Moon? Here's Why.

Going Beyond The Status Quo In Space, Dennis Wingo, Paul Spudis, and Gordon Woodcock “Why the Moon? While appearing barren, the Moon has the resources upon which to build a prototype space civilization. It is a power-rich environment, permitting initial steps to be undertaken using proven, inexpensive solar power generation technology. The Moon is readily accessible from Earth at almost any time. This accessibility makes it a practical site for […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 29, 2009
NASA Selects New Astronauts

NASA Selects New Astronauts for Future Space Exploration “After reviewing more than 3500 applications, NASA has selected nine men and women for the 2009 astronaut candidate class. They will begin training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, in August. “This is a very talented and diverse group we’ve selected,” said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations. “They will join our current astronauts and play very important roles for […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 29, 2009
Explaining Space Exploration

Lessons for the future of human space flight, Wes Huntress, SpaceReview “Sixth, the rationale for the program must be articulated for the public. A question from the very first public commenter at the Committee’s opening meeting hit the mark. “NASA’s focus is on engineering and vehicles. There has been no explanation of what we are going to do when we get there. What’s the plan and are we going beyond […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 29, 2009
Using Social Media at NASA – An Evolving Concept

7 steps towards social media success, Governing People.com “3. Brace for, and embrace, the unexpected The example of NASA’s online contest to name a new module of the International Space Station is cited as an example of how online participation can produce unexpected results. More than 230.000 people suggested the name Colbert as a result of comedian Stephen Colbert, who used his nightly talk-show to rally audience support for this […]

  • NASA Watch
  • June 29, 2009