Category Archives: Cislunar Space Development

Thursday / 13 June 2013

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ILOA – China Collaborate On Moon Telescope Observations

ILOA, China NAOC

ILO-X 180 X 70mm Telescope Built For ILOA Of Hawaii USA By Moon Express Launching To Moon 2015; Will Observe Galaxies, Stars, Planets, Moon, Earth; ILOA MoU With National Astronomical Observatories of China Enables Exchange Of ILO-X Observing Time With Lunar Telescope On Chang’e-3 Launching Late 2013; Also Collaborating With Golden Spike Co For Human Moon Missions (2018-2020); Learn More At Galaxy Forum China 22 Sep ‘Human Moon Missions: Giant Steps Into The Galaxy’

Image Credit: ILOA, NAOC

Wednesday / 12 June 2013

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CRaTER Reveals Plastics Provide Lightweight Radiation Shielding

LED061213

Researchers At University of New Hampshire & SwRI Report That Data From LRO’s CRaTER Validates Computer Models Which Indicate Lightweight Materials Offer Superior Shielding From Radiation; Lead Author Cary Zeitlin Of SwRI Calls Plastics “Pound-For-Pound More Effective For Shielding Against Cosmic Radiation Than Aluminum”; These Lower Mass Alternatives Open The Door To Deep Space Missions & A Permanent Human Presence On The Surface Of The Moon

Image Credit: NASA, SwRI, UNH

Tuesday / 11 June 2013

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USA Moon Missions: Discussions Continue

Lunar Support

Cis-Lunar Development & Human Moon Mission Support Heard At Recent USA House Science, Space & Technology’s Subcommittee Meeting; (Pictured From Left To Right) Lamar Smith (R-TX) & Donna Edwards (D-MD) Say Moon Missions Prepare Us For Mars; Paul Spudis (LPI) Claims Human Moon Missions Can Provide Valuable Research On Space Objects, Material & Energy Resources; Steven Squyres (Cornell) Says Cis-Lunar Space Should Be Developed Next, Regardless Of Asteroid Retrieval Mission Feasibility

Image Credit: NASA, P. Spudis

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 7-10 June 2013

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Morpheus & Mighty Eagle Moon Landers Undergo Advanced Testing

Mighty Eagle, Morpheus

Morpheus Vertical Takeoff & Landing Vehicle Performs Successful 74-Second Tethered Test Flight At JSC In Houston, TX; Next Test Within 1 Week; Mighty Eagle Moon Lander Prototype Undergoing Heat Shield Inspections & System Leak Checks At MSFC In Huntsville, AL; Flight Tests Planned For July To Include Optical Hazard Avoidance – About 200 Tons Of Dirt Will Simulate Lunar Landing Situation, Vehicle To Demonstrate Ability To Detect Hazards

Image Credit: NASA

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 31 May – 3 June 2013

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Japan Lunar Aspirations Highlighted At International Space Symposium

JapanMoon0613

29th International Symposium On Space Technology & Science In Nagoya Japan 2-9 June; Features 3 Sessions On ‘Missions To The Moon’; Sho Sasaki (Inset) Of NAOJ To Present ‘Sciences Of Human Exploration Of Lunar Polar Regions’; Mitsubishi Electric Corp To Present On Lunar Transfer Vehicle Proposal; JAXA Planing Selene-2 Lunar Lander NET 2018 As A Precursor / Technology Demonstrator For Human Moon Exploration

Image Credit: JAXA, ISTS, NAOJ

Friday / 31 May 2013

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Golden Spike Moon Lander Design Concepts Advancing

GSC SP Lunar Lander

Golden Spike Company Conducts Design Reviews In Denver CO With ULA, Paragon, Masten, ILOA, SwRI, Zero Point Frontiers & SpaceX For Human Lunar Lander Systems Studies; Team Considering Benefits Of Human South Pole Landing; Follow Up Lander Study Expected Later This Year, Aug-Sep

Image Credit: GSC, B. Campbell

Weekend Edition / Fri-Tues 24-28 May 2013

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2013 Rising Lunar Tide

JFKandFriends0513

As USA / World Remembers 52nd Anniversary Of JFK Moon Declaration To Congress, New Generation Of Lunar Pioneers Proclaim Intentions / Outline Plans For Sustainable Return To Moon At Prestigious International Events; ISDC 2013 In San Diego CA, Lunar Track Focusing On Human Explorations Of Moon; Galaxy Forum Canada – Vancouver Featuring Alan Stern (CL) Of Golden Spike, Bob Richards (CR) Of Moon Express, Jim Keravala (R) Of Shackleton Energy Co, Steve Durst (L) Of ILOA, More

Image Credit: galaxyforum.org, isdc.nss.org

Thursday / 23 May 2013

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Space Act Agreement May Help Extend Commercial Activity To Cis-Lunar Space

Bigelunar513

‘Media Availability’ Event Today At 13:30 EDT, NASA Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier & Robert Bigelow Discuss Recent Space Act Agreement; Unfunded Study Identifying Common Objectives Between NASA & Private Sector, Companies & Their Potential Contributions To Extend Commercial Activity To All Cis-Lunar Space; If Commercial Interests Demonstrate Capability To Reach / Operate On Moon May Help Cure NASA / Obama Selenophobia

Image Credit: Bigelow Aerospace, NASA

Wednesday / 22 May 2013

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South Korea Looking To Moon & Stars

SKorea2040

2020-2025 Lunar Orbiter & Return Mission Among South Korea Goals For Next Phase Of Space Program Development; KARI President Seung-Jo Kim Presents ‘South Korea 2040 Space Prospect’ To Congress; Plan Also Calls For Advancement Of Indigenous Rocket Technology, Development Of 10-Tonne Crewed Spacecraft, Robotic Mars (2026) & Asteroid (2032) Missions; Country Considering Sea Launch Technology For Equatorial Launches

Image Credit: KARI, JAXA

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 17-20 May 2013

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Harrison Schmitt Headlines Lunar Events At Washington University In St. Louis

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Apollo 17 Moonworker Will Give Seminar On 20 May At WUSTL Entitled ‘Field Geology On Another World’; Schmitt (R) Will Then Participate In ‘Exploratory Forum’ With Students To Discuss Ideas For Future Human Moon Missions; Forum Will Allow WUSTL RASC-AL Team To Refine Presentation Of Their Proposed Investigation Of Potential Landing Sites For Outpost At Lunar South Pole; Tue-Thu Schmitt Will Participate In LROC Science Team Meeting Hosted By Brad Joliff (L)

Image Credit: NASA, WUSTL