July 2, 2009
Ever Wonder Why Some NASA Websites Are Stale?
NASA LaRC Website Policy LMS-CP-5909 Revision: F
"General Note - Web sites shall be reviewed yearly for public web sites and every three years for all other web sites by the RNO for the web site. This review shall be reflected by renewal of web site registrations in AWRS. Policy and content reviews shall be performed yearly for public web sites and every three years for all other web sites by Center subject matter experts tracked by AWRS as required by the Agency and LaRC Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO). Any violations of these policies and content restrictions constitute grounds for removal of the web site from the LaRC Network. The RNO for web sites that do not meet established guidelines will be contacted and informed of necessary changes. Failure to incorporate required changes within 30 days will necessitate removal from the LaRC Network."
Keith's note: Typical NASA: come up with a convoluted multi-step process to develop websites - one that requires many people to complete and approve, tolerates long lag times for compliance, and then allows the websites to sit for years before anyone is required to check to see if they still work.
LRO's First Images Of The Moon
First Moon Images From NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
"NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has transmitted its first images since reaching the moon on June 23. The spacecraft's two cameras, collectively known as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, or LROC, were activated June 30. The cameras are working well and have returned images of a region in the lunar highlands south of Mare Nubium (Sea of Clouds). As the moon rotates beneath LRO, LROC gradually will build up photographic maps of the lunar surface.
"Our first images were taken along the moon's terminator -- the dividing line between day and night -- making us initially unsure of how they would turn out," said LROC Principal Investigator Mark Robinson of Arizona State University in Tempe. "Because of the deep shadowing, subtle topography is exaggerated, suggesting a craggy and inhospitable surface. In reality, the area is similar to the region where the Apollo 16 astronauts safely explored in 1972. While these are magnificent in their own right, the main message is that LROC is nearly ready to begin its mission."
Move An Asteroid 2009 Competition
Last few days remaining to win a scholarship to attend IAC'09 in Korea through SGAC "Move An Asteroid 2009" Competition!
"Move An Asteroid 2009" is an International Student and Young Professional Technical Paper Competition. The competition accepts individuals or team (maximum of 3 individuals) under the age of 33 to submit a 3-10 page technically detailed paper on a unique and innovative concept for deflecting an asteroid/comet with at least 50 metre of diameter.Please visit www.spacegeneration.org/asteroid for more information. The deadline for entries is 26th July 2009. The winner will be sponored to attend IAC and SGC '09 in Daejeon, South Korea. The entries should be send to asteroid@spacegeneration.org"
July 1, 2009
Today's video: Saraychev Peak Eruption As Viewed from the ISS
"Animation of the Sarychev Peak volcano eruption, created from 29 still frames taken by astronauts aboard the ISS."
Video below - you've gotta watch this.
Tawdry Space Soap Headed for ABC
ABC picks up 'Gravity', Hollywood Reporter
"ABC is "Defying Gravity." The network has picked up Fox TV Studios' 13-episode adventure drama starring Ron Livingston. The internationally produced series, also set to air on Canada's CTV, Germany's ProSieben and the BBC, hails from familiar ABC auspices: creator/executive producer James Parriott, who served as an exec producer on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty," and exec producer Michael Edelstein, former exec producer of the network's "Desperate Housewives." "Gravity," whose cast includes Laura Harris, Christina Cox, Malik Yoba and Florentine Lahme, is set in the near future and revolves around eight astronauts from five countries who undertake a mysterious six-year mission through the solar system."
Keith's note: I take my earlier commentary back. Perhaps there is a market for the "writing" that Billy O and "Coll" are trying to market.
Just Go Away - All of You - Please, earlier post
Earth's Biggest Comsat
"The Ariane 5's 31st consecutive mission success was another record-setting flight for this workhorse Arianespace launcher - lofting the world's largest commercial satellite, TerreStar-1, from the Spaceport in French Guiana today."
Va. Firm to Offer Pocket-Size Satellite Phone, Washington Post
"To look at it, you wouldn't know it's a satellite phone -- and that's the idea. Reston-based satellite firm TerreStar Networks is gearing up to launch a smartphone and phone service this year that will combine terrestrial wireless service with its upcoming satellite service."
Senate Action on NASA Budget
AIP FYI #85: Senate FY 2010 NASA Funding Bill
"Taking a different approach to the funding of the human space flight program than did the House, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its report, 111-34, accompanying its FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill. The House has passed its version of this legislation. The House bill deferred a requested increase in the Exploration budget pending the results of the Augustine committee's review, an approach that Senate appropriators did not take.
The FY 2009 appropriation was $17.782 billion.
The Administration's request was $18.686 billion, an increase of 5.1 percent or $903.6 million.
The House appropriations bill recommended $18.203 billion, an increase of 2.4 percent or $420.9 million.
The Senate appropriations bill recommends $18.686 billion, the Administration's request."
What Is Norm Up To?
See What The Committee Is Doing, Augustine Committee
"07.01.2009 - If you were at the June 17 public meeting (or watched it on NASA TV), you heard Chairman Norm Augustine announce that the committee had organized into subgroups in order to accomplish their work. Since that time, we have received several questions about the subgroups. Thus, we have posted a graphic showing the structure and membership of the subgroups.
06.26.2009 - In case you did not notice, we just implemented a major upgrade to our website. Navigation was improved, new icons were introduced, a Facebook link was added, a bunch of photos were added to our Flickr page, and a video file of the committee's first public meeting in Washington DC was posted. In addition, there is much new content on the "Related Documents" page and more answers to your questions on the "Provide a Question, Get an Answer" page. We hope these upgrades enhance your experience with the website. Feel free to drop us a "Comment or Suggestion" if you like."
IFPTE on NASA Budget
IFPTE Applauds Senate Appropriators' NASA Budget, IFPTE
"IFPTE applauds Chairperson Mikulski for recognizing the critical need to fully fund the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA] at President Obama's proposed FY10 level. We also commend Senator Mikulski for her continued leadership in protecting the vitality and independence of NASA's civil-servant workforce; her bill provides legislative text that extends the Reduction-In-Force defund as well as report language that requires much greater transparency in NASA's planned use of term positions in FY10 and in the way NASA accounts for civil-servant salary in its FY11 budget submission. IFPTE expects that this accounting change will begin the dismantling of the full-cost recovery policies of the Bush Administration that have systematically and intentionally harmed NASA employees since 2003. IFPTE strongly supports the effort to reverse this wasteful and destructive Bush accounting practice and will work diligently with the conferees to provide President Obama's new Administrator with targeted authority to initiate the healing process even earlier through the FY10 Operating Plan this fall."
Former ARC Employee Sues Over Denied Access
Scientist sues after being banned from NASA site, AP
"A San Jose scientist who was barred from the NASA research operation in Santa Cruz over security concerns is suing the NASA Ames Research Center and the FBI. In a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Haiping Su claims that his career and reputation were destroyed by what he contends are false accusations of being a "security threat." The 47-year-old Su had been assigned to NASA Ames' research center at UC Santa Cruz, but was barred from the facility after an FBI-led investigation."
Sen. Shelby Gets His Way (Again)
Keith's note: Sen. Shelby and his staff have certainly been busy. They don't like the way that the Obama Administration and NASA have been looking at using stimulus money for commercialization. So, how did he act on this? He threatened to put amendments into legislation that would punish various field centers at NASA (other than MSFC of course) that have been involved in commercialization by stripping them of facilities or programs so as to send a message. Shelby has also talked of putting a hold on the nomination of Bolden and Garver if he did not get his way. Apparently, he has gotten his way and The White House/NASA have compromised on how that stimulus money will be spent - to Shelby's satisfaction. Stay tuned - imagine what Shelby will do if/when the Augustine Commission comes back with suggestions that Ares 1 be cancelled.
June 30, 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) or the rate of acceleration onset that can be achieved. The ability to produce or accommodate vibrations during the runs including magnitude and frequency limitations. This may include a vibration spectrum that the facility is capable of producing; as well as, the vibrations that could be accommodated if the NASA provided seat system were to generate vibrations...."
Keith's 29 June note: Why is JSC putting this notice out in the first place? Are they not aware of the agency's existing capabilities - a prime example being the 20 G centrifuge at NASA ARC? You can find it using Google. Clearly the folks at JSC know where ARC is - they send astronauts there to fly the VMS all the time.
Check the video below and you can even see it spin!
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 studied in the past." But he added: "NASA believes the best plan is to fully fund the current architecture ... This does not indicate a lack of confidence in or support for the current program."
Keith's note: John Shannon's presentation represents more than just what ESAS "studied in the past". If that was the case, then why not just have Shannon use old ESAS charts? Why have people go off and restudy it and make fancy (expensive) new graphics and animations? Shannon's presentation represented a contemporary analysis of the sidemount shuttle option in the light of what progress Ares has made, the problems that it has encountered, and the current funding and political climate NASA finds itself in.
Video: NASA Shuttle-derived Sidemount Heavy Launch Vehicle Concept, previous post
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/
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 this time."
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 be held on 8 July.
June 29, 2009
ISU/Singularity University Live Webcast
Keith's note: The ISU/Singularity University opening ceremonies will be webcast live from Mountain View, CA on 29 June from 6:00 to 7:30pm PDT.
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 such a pioneering development - one that is convenient enough to Earth so as to enable trade, travel and telepresence operation. In contrast, Mars and the inner solar system asteroids have infrequent travel opportunities and comparatively long trip times. They won't work for first steps towards economic development of the solar system. With experience and technology from developing the Moon in hand, Mars can then be settled and the rest of the inner solar system can be developed in a cost effective manner."
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 in the future. In addition to flying in space, astronauts participate in every aspect of human spaceflight, sharing their expertise with engineers and managers across the country. We look forward to working with them as we transcend from the shuttle to our future exploration of space, and continue the important engineering and scientific discoveries aboard the International Space Station."
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 the Moon? You won't get public interest and sustain it until we know these things." NASA has proven itself technically competent but publicly impotent in spite of many studies internal and external that have articulated the imperatives for exploring space. Ironically, the administration's 2004 Vision for Space Exploration did it quite well in very few words. The Committee would serve the nation and its space program well by expressing these imperatives for the public and its representatives in the Congress and the administration."
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 name to be used. NASA did not expect this when they conceived the contest, but it was not necessarily a bad thing. As a result of Colbert's campaign, and the subsequent appearance of a NASA official on his show, NASA received a lot of great publicity. Jeanne Holm, chief knowledge architect at the space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said: "You just have to understand that there will be unexpected 'opportunities' that social media will give you". In the end NASA named the station Tranquility -- in honor of the touchdown site of Apollo 11 -- but gave Colbert's name to an on-station exercise machine."
Keith's note: Jeanne Holm from JPL is representing NASA at the Personal Democracy Forum this week. She is speaking on Day 2 in the session "The Blogging of the Bureaucracy: How to Use Social Media From Inside Government". It would be interesting to hear someone from NASA JPL speaking about this topic when the agency as a whole cannot yet figure out exactly what its policy is with regard to the use of social media - with JSC and ARC at opposite ends of the spectrum on the issue. Perhaps Jeanne will post a transcript of her comments as well as her presentation (hint).
NASA JSC MOD Memo: Policy on Use of Social Media
NASA ARC Internal memo: Message from the Center Director: Social Networking at Ames
NASA Shuttle Commander Tweets, Will Answer Questions from Space
STS-125 Tweetup at NASA HQ
Missing, Lost, and Found Moon Images
The lost NASA tapes: Restoring lunar images after 40 years in the vault, Computerworld
Keith's note: There are three projects outlined in this story - Lunar Orbiter, Apollo (NASA), and Apollo (someone else):
"The most visible of the archeologists is arguably Dennis Wingo, head of Skycorp Inc., a small aerospace engineering firm in Huntsville, Ala. He's the driving force behind the Lunar Orbiter Image Recovery Project, operating out of a decommissioned McDonald's (since dubbed McMoon's) at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif. The project's goal is to recover and enhance as many of the original lunar landing images as possible."
"[Richard] Nafzger is currently preparing a report on the results of the search and cannot discuss them until NASA releases the report, the date of which is uncertain. "But since I am not running down the street waving a flag and shouting 'Eureka!' you can draw your own conclusions. The big picture is that there is an explanation for everything," he says."
"Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Karen Person, head of the Renaissance Entertainment & Media Group, is not waiting for Nafzger's results. She says she has acquired one of the original 2-in. NASA recordings of the broadcast video and is using it as the basis of a documentary titled July Moon, which she hopes to have in theaters for the 40th anniversary of the moon landing on July 20. The video has been transferred to MPEG-4 format and parts have been enhanced, she says."
June 28, 2009
More Ares Woes
Moon rocket test shaky, Orlando Sentinel
"The violent shaking that threatens to destroy the Ares I rocket that NASA hopes will one day return astronauts to the moon is also threatening to delay -- or even cancel -- the first flight of its test version, the Ares I-X. Air Force officials who have safety jurisdiction over all launches from Kennedy Space Center are worried that the rocket's vibrations could knock out the self-destruct mechanism required in case the launch goes awry. If the Ares I-X went out of control during its scheduled launch Aug. 30, and the destruct mechanism failed, the rocket could threaten populated areas along the Space Coast. And the possibility that the $360 million prototype will veer off course is a real risk, according to both the Air Force 45th Space Wing and NASA managers, because the rocket's vibrations could also wreck its steering system, known as the Thrust Vector Control, or TVC."
