In Part 2 Of IPinSpace Extraterrestrial Property Rights Commentary, Andrew Rush proposes USA Institutes A Unilateral System Of Recognition & Enforcement Of Private Land Claims & Tangible Goods Derived From Space-Based Activities; Author Argues That USA Financial Dominance Will Ensure Stellar Enterprises Need To Conduct Business In USA / Abide By USA Regulations To Make Return On Their Investment
Image Credit: Astrobotic Tech, IPinSpace
Armadillo Aerospace / NASA JSC Confirm Development Of New Morpheus Test Vehicle, To Be Ready For 1st Tethered Tests By Early 2013; Engineers Continue To Gather Data, Learn From Recent Crash; Utilizing “Lean” Development Approach To Quickly Build, Test & Redesign Hardware To Achieve Many Cycles Before Building Flight Unit; Project Has Cost About US$7M Over Last 2.5 Years
Image Credit: NASA
Mars Curiosity Mechanical Systems Lead Adam Steltzner, Also Head Of Now Ebullient Entry Descent and Landing Team, Sets Sights On Europa, Jupiter System For Next Mission, “Most Likely Place In The Solar System To Have Existent Life;” Neil Armstrong, Recovering Well, Reminds Us That Permanent Earth-Moon System Development Should Remain Primary and Immediate Objective For Humanity
Image Credit: NASA, JPL, Orbiter
Galactic Suite / Barcelona Moon Team President Xavier Claramunt Signs Agreement With CGWIC President Yin Liming To Launch Its Lunar Lander / Rover On China Long March 2C Rocket With Upper Stage CTS2 In June 2014; Mission Can Carry 25kg Of Additional Customer Payload Weight; With Launch Contract Team Is Now Among Favorites To Win GLXP, Ranked 3rd In Evadot Scorecard
Image Credit: Barcelona Moon Team, CGWIC
In Space Show Interview Dennis Wingo (TL) Proposes “Mindset Change” To Stimulate Lunar Development: See Moon First For Economic Development, Science As Secondary Objective; Discusses How Emerging Technologies (Orbiting Fuel Depots, IRSU, 3D Printers, Etc.) Make Heavy Lift Rockets Unnecessary; Humans On Moon By 2020; Andrew Rush (BL) Outlines Means Of Enforcing Space Property Rights With Existing Customs Agencies
Image Credit: IPinSpace, Moonandback.com, Mark Maxwell / Dennis Wingo
Scientists From China, USA & Europe Focusing On Theme ‘Changing Perspectives & New Questions’, 6-10 Aug In Beijing China ; Organized By Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Workshop Will Encompass All Aspects Of Moon / Mars Science From Geophysics / Geology To Aeronomy & Solar Wind Interactions; Discussions On Science Questions That Motivate Missions, Rather Than Details Of Spacecraft Investigations
Image Credit: CNSA, CSA, NASA
Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Annual Meeting, 22-24 Oct 2012, To Highlight How Moon Is Necessary Stepping Stone For Mars, Jupiter, Rest Of Solar System, Presentations On Science Objectives, Robotic Human Exploration Strategies / Technologies, Commercial Opportunities, Education & Outreach; Contributed Abstracts Should Be Centered On Plans For Next Decade Of Lunar Exploration
Image Credit: LPI, LEAG, NASA
Now In Extended Mission, LROC has Mapped Entire Moon 33 Times, Each Map With Different Photometric Geometry; About Every Month Spacecraft Makes New Mosaics Of North & South Poles; Found Over 160 Lunar Caves With ‘Skylights’; Project Scientist Richard Vondrak Says LRO Is “Just Getting Started”; Pictured: Recent LROC Oblique View Of Giordano Bruno Crater (35.9°N 102.8°E), Download Video Of Crater Here
Image Credit: NASA
GLXP Team Has 20 Days Left To Raise US$100,000 So They Can Build 200-Square Meter Area To Test Their Asimov Rover Against Harsh Lunar Conditions; Donors Of $12-15 Will Have Opportunity To Remotely Test Drive Rover On Test Site, $500 Donors Receive Build-Yourself Prototype Rover Kit, $7500 Donors Get Pre-Assembled Rover Which Can Be Piloted By Smart Phone App
Image Credit: Part-Time Scientists
Chang’e-3 Moon Rover Will Utilize Nuclear Battery Which Could Last Up To 30 Years, Survive Cold Lunar Nights; Radar Payload Will Scan About 100 Meters Below Lunar Surface; Vehicle Will Hover 4m Above Moon Before Dropping To Surface; China Conducting Tests Of Next-Generation Engine For Long March 5 Rocket Critical For 3rd Stage Of Lunar Exploration Program, Including Chang’e-5 Sample Return
Image Credit: CNSA