Chandrayaan-2, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) Pushing India To Accelerate Space Capabilities, Advance Global Standing As Space Leader; Chandrayaan-2 With Russia Will Be First India Lunar / Planetary Surface Mission, Currently Slated Under 2012-2017 5-Year Plan; Mars Mission Success Would Be 1st For Asian Country, ISRO Addressing Added Mission Complexity Due To Distance & Communication Logistics
Image Credit: ISRO
B-2 Stand At NASA Stennis Space Center Being Renovated In Preparation For 2016 SLS Engine Propellant Fill / Drain Tests & Hot Fire Tests; Site Was Previously Used To Validate Saturn Engines Before They Were Used For Apollo Human Moon Missions; First Test Flight Of SLS Will Send Orion MPCV On Uncrewed Trip Around Moon In 2017, First Crewed Flight Slated For 2021
Image Credit: NASA
Peter Kokh, In April 2013 Edition Of Moon Miners’ Manifesto, Notes PISCES Efforts To Develop Sustainable Basalt Concrete On Hawai`i Island As Example Of “Spin Up” Technology Development: Identifying Profitable Terrestrial Applications For Technologies Needed In Space / Moon To Spur Advancement Of Human Off-World Capabilities; MMM Seeking Ideas For Similar Technology Matches That Could Be Advanced By Private Enterprise
Image Credit: NASA, Moon Society, PISCES
2013 Meeting Of The Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Will Be Held 14-16 Oct 2013 At The Johns Hopkins University / APL In Laurel, MD; The Scientific Questions, Measurement Techniques & Options For Exploring The Moon With Discovery-Class Missions Or With Payloads Flown On International Or Commercial Missions Will Be Discussed And Evaluated At The Meeting; Abstract Deadline 31 July
Image Credit: LEAG, LPI, usra.edu
Bruce Cordell Outlines Thesis That New ‘Maslow Window’ – Era Of Expansive Exploration & Cultural Dynamism – Is Fast Approaching In Recent Space Policy Article & Space Show Episode; Cites Economic & Political Evidence Signaling Approach Of New International Space Age, Also Notes Upswing Of Public Enthusiasm For Moon / Solar System Exploration; New Window, Triggered By JFK-Style Boom By Mid-Decade, Will Likely Include Return To Lunar Surface
Image Credit: 21stcenturywaves.com, NASA
Over 4700 Copies Of 1976 Gerard K. O’Neill Book ‘The High Frontier’ Downloaded During 4-Day Free Promotion Indicating Large-Scale Human Space Settlement Is Still Of Interest To Many; Authoritative Book Details Exciting / Attainable Benefits Of Developing Cislunar Space: Space-Based Solar Power, Mass Drivers For Putting Lunar Resources To Good Use, Large Space & Lunar Habitats
Image Credit: SSI
Human Asteroid Landing Mission Proposed By USA President Obama May Take Place In Lunar Orbit; NASA Expected To Request US$100M In Next Budget To Begin Preparations For 10-Year (~2015-2025) US$2.65B-Robotic Mission To Capture 7-m Diameter, 500,000-kg Asteroid & Tow It To High Lunar Orbit; Spacecraft Would Employ Ion Thrusters, Deploy Massive Inflatable Bag To Envelop Asteroid
Image Credit: NASA
Joint Moon, Mars, Deep Space Missions & Increased Commercial Space Cooperation Agreement Reached By India Ambassador Nirupama Rao & NASA Administrator Bolden; NASA Joins ISRO For Oct 2013 Mangalyaan Mars Mission; Will Continue To Discuss Planetary Science, Policy Issues, New Opportunities For Collaboration; Annual Science & Tech Endowment Fund ~US$2-3M & National Defense Authorization Act Expected To Expedite Space Tech Trade, Promote Innovations
Image Credit: ISRO, NASA, theindiaexpert.com
Chris Hadfield, Since His Work On NEEMO & Statements Encouraging Human Exploration Of Moon / Mars / Beyond, Has Long Been An Advocate Of Pushing Boundaries Of Human Exploration; His Current Tenure On ISS Has Brought Him Icon Status In His Native Canada As Nation & World Delight In His Inspirational Conversations With Last Man On Moon Gene Cernan & William Shatner Of Star Trek, Plus His Debut Of An Earth-Space Duet
Image Credit: NASA, theplanetd.com, extratv.com
Leonardo da Vinci Masterpiece Used For First-Ever One-Way Laser Communication At Planetary Distance; Black & White 152 X 200 Pixel Image, Beamed From NASA Goddard SFC To LRO LOLA Instrument 386,000km Away At Slow Rate Of 300 Bits / Second; Experiment Allowed For Calibration Of Atmospheric Distortion In Preparation For LLCD Experiment On LADEE; Laser Communication Holds Promise Of Bringing Live, HD Video Feeds From Jupiter & Beyond
Image Credit: NASA
