Author Archives: LED Editor

Friday / 18 May 2018

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Apollo First Missions To Moon
50th Observations Ready To Launch

Approaching Semicentennial Commemorations, Apollo 8 First Human Mission To The Moon (21-27 Dec 1968) With Astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell And William Anders, Legendary Earthrise Photo Will Be Honored This Year In Rocket Men Book, Documentary Film, Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum ‘Apollo To The Moon‘ Exhibit, And Events Held By NASA / Other Organizations; USA Advancing ~2021 Return To Moon With EM-1, Space Policy Directive 1, Lunar Exploration Campaign; Planning For 50th Observations Of Apollo 11 (July 2019), Apollo 13 (April 2020), Apollo 17 (December 2022)

Credits: NASA, Lockheed Martin Corp.

Wednesday / 16 May 2018

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Astrobotic Readies For New Start On Moon Exploration With Proposed US House Appropriations Bill For NASA

US House Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee Proposes Full Funding Of Robotic & Human Exploration Of The Moon, Including $504M For Lunar Orbital Platform & $117M For Lunar & Surface Capabilities — To Be Marked Up By Full Committee On 17 May; Astrobotic, Moon Express, And Masten Partnering With NASA Through Lunar CATALYST Program To Conduct Science & Exploration Missions; Astrobotic 1st Lander On Moon For 2020 To Carry Lunar Library Microfiche

Pictured: Astrobotic CEO John Thornton; Credits: Astrobotic, Arch Mission Foundation, ME, Masten

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 11-14 May 2018

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LRO Mapping And Monitoring Lunar Surface Supports NASA Return To Moon Plans

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Surpasses 40,000 Orbits Around Moon, Gathering Information On Lunar Temperatures, Geologic Activity, Newly Formed Craters, Topographical Changes; On 23 June Spacecraft With 7 Operating Instruments Will Celebrate 9 Full Years In Orbit; Inertial Measurement Unit Indicates Low Functionality, Will Be Powered Down Except For Lunar Eclipses, Safe Mode Entries; 34th Data Set Release Upcoming, Invaluable Mission Supports International, National, Commercial, Academic Ventures & Research

Credits: NASA

Friday / 11 May 2018

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Moon Village Association (MVA) Building Global Network For Lunar Development Approach

MVA Advancing Various Aspects Of Moon Village Research With 10 Working Groups Including Architecture, Human Factors, Markets / Economy, Data Harmonization – Toward 2018 Annual International MV Workshop Set For 4-5 November In Los Angeles, Following The Inaugural Meeting In Strasbourg; Inclusive Platform, Comprised Of ~150 Members And Institutions In 34 Countries, Envisions Government Programs & Projects, Diverse Array Of Commercial Ventures, Science / Academic Organizations Implementing Sustainable Return To The Moon & Multi World Civilization; MVA President Giuseppe Reibaldi To Keynote At ILOA Galaxy Forum Hainan 4-7 December

Credits: MVA

Wednesday / 9 May 2018

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 Spacetide Conference In Tokyo Propels Private Space Industry

3rd Spacetide Foundation Conference On 10 May At Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall To Draw Over 500 Attendees; Focus On Space Tech Advancement, Growth Impact For Non-Space Industry, Commercial Support, Moon Exploration & Economy, Japan Space Vision 2030 Goals & Lunar Property Rights / Resource Ownership; 29 Panelists, 8 Venture Pitches, 3 Featured Presentations To Include (L-R) Spacetide Founder Masayasu Ishida, JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata, ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada, Space Frontier Foundation Chairman Jeff Feige 

Credits: Spacetide, ispace, JAXA, ISPCS, NASA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 4-7 May 2018

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ILOA / Galaxy Forum 10 Years On

International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) Board Of Directors Meeting 25 May During ISDC In Los Angeles Will Consider 4 Lunar Mission Update Including Project Partners Moon Express & Canadensys, Human Moon Mission, First Women On The Moon Initiative – Highlighted In 2018 Application For IAF 3G Diversity Award, Astronomy From The Moon Major Advancements At Events: NVM2, 232nd AAS, 30th IAU GA, Galaxy Forum Europe – Vienna In Aug, Galaxy Forum Hainan 4-7 Dec China, Galaxy Forum Japan Feb 2019 TBD; ILOA Strategic MMoU Principal Operating Partnership Gaining Momentum Toward Feb 2019 Southeast Asia Benefactors Reception In Singapore

Credits: ILOA, GF, SPC, NASA, Canadensys, ME, ESA, CNSA, ISRO

Friday / 4 May 2018

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Commercial Lunar Payload Services To Build Upon Successes Of Lunar CATALYST, Commercial Resupply / Crew Programs

New NASA Program Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) To Award Contracts To Private Enterprises For Delivering Science And Tech Demonstration Payloads To Moon Surface; Industry Day Being Held At NASA HQ In Washington DC 8 May To Discuss Draft Request For Proposals; Companies Such As Moon Express, Astrobotic, Masten, Past GLXP Contenders Already Developing Lunar Landers In Prime Position To Accelerate USA Return To Moon, Support Space Policy Directive 1; Blue Origin With Vision Of ‘A Trillion People Living & Working In Space’ Planning New Armstrong Rocket, Blue Moon System For 4,500-kg Cargo Deliveries

Credits: Moon Express, Astrobotic, Masten Space Systems, Blue Origin, Bigelow Aerospace

Wednesday / 2 May 2018

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 LunarCubes Workshop Focuses On EM-1 ‘Lucky 13’, Awarded SmallSat Studies, Interactive Design Challenges

7th Annual LunarCubes Workshop 3-4 May In San Luis Obispo CA With 4 Major Design Challenges Include Effective Data Management, Lunar Transportation, CubeSat Paradigm Development Models, Beyond LEO Platform Concepts; Anticipates 30-40 Participants, 8 Presentations Covering Deep Space Concepts PRISM, PROVE, BOLAS, Other Missions From 19 Awarded Studies; NASA JPL CubeSat Development Lab Director Pamela Clark Is Technical Program Chair; 1st CubeSats To Deep Space (MarCO) Set To Launch 5 May To Mars, SLS EM-1 Dec 2019 To Moon Will Carry 13 CubeSats

Credits: NASA, CubeSat

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 27-30 Apr 2018

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Science And Moon Experts Advise Reinstatement Of Resource Prospector Mission

Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Chairs (L-R) Samuel Lawrence And Clive Neal Urge NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine To Reestablish Resource Prospector (RP) Mission Vital For Lunar Economy, Space Exploration; Letter States Cancellation Of NASA Only Polar Lander-Rover Mission A Source Of Incredulity And Dismay To Community; Critical To Provide Strong Leadership As 6 International Lunar Lander Missions Planned Into 2025; International Lunar Observatory Association And Space Age Publishing Company Support RP Reinstatement Within Context of Space Policy Directive 1, Dedication Of Human Return To Moon, First Women On Moon Initiative

Credits: NASA, University of Notre Dame, LEAG, ILOA

Friday / 27 Apr 2018

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China Planning Next Phase Of Astronomy From The Moon With Multipayload Launch May-June

Advanced Lunar Orbiter Queqiao “Bridge Of Magpies” Set To Launch May Or June To Earth-Moon Lagrange Point L2 To Support Chang’e-4 Lander / Rover Mission On Moon Far Side, South Pole / Aitken Basin NET November; Orbiter Launching Via Long March 4C With 2 Microsatellites DSLWP A1 and A2  (Longjiang 1 & 2) Weighing 45 kg Each, Intended For 200 x 9,000-km Lunar Orbit For Low Frequency (1-30 MHz) Radio Astronomy & Interferometry To Observe Energetic Phenomena From Celestial Sources; Will Take Advantage Of Lack Of Atmosphere, Moon Ability To Shield Radio Interference From Earth

Credits: Harbin Institute of Technology, CAST, CCTV / Framegrab, CAS, NAOC, NASA