Category Archives: Cislunar Space Development

Wednesday / 1 May 2013

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New International Space Age Emerging

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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

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 26-29 Apr 2013

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LiftPort Group Advancing After Kickstarter Success

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US$110,000 Kickstarter Campaign Giving LiftPort Group Renewed Momentum In Lunar Elevator Development; Founder Michael Laine Says Group Initiating Strategic Partnerships In Smaller Countries Including With Iceland Company CCP Games; Bought 7.25km Of Vectran String Rated At 1,500lbs For Initial Tests; LiftPort Business Model To Spin Off Technology Solutions & Commercialize Them While Working To Perfect Lunar Elevator System

Image Credit: LiftPort Group, deviantart.com

Friday / 26 April 2013

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International & National Support For Human Moon Mission

NASA Moon vs Asteroid

US Congress Rep. Lamar Smith (R) States Human Moon Mission Has More Support Than Proposed NASA Asteroid Retrieval Mission; Can Learn More From Moon & Is Better Precursor For Deep Space Exploration; NASA Chief Bolden (L) Says Going To Moon Would Cost 3 Times More Than Asteroid & With US$17.7B 2014 Budget It Is All NASA Can Afford; Solidifying China, Russia, Commercial USA Moon Plans May Induce Another ‘Sputnik Effect’ On NASA In Near Future

Image Credit: house.gov, NASA

Thursday / 25 April 2013

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‘The High Frontier’ Still Inspiring People To Think Big

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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

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 19-22 April 2013

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Increasing Collaboration For Moon Exploration, Development

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Bigelow Aerospace Signs Space Act Agreement With NASA To Develop Systems For Human Habitation Beyond LEO; Includes Bigelow Plans For Lunar Base: Integrated Inflatable Modules Capable Of Propulsive Lunar-Landing & Life Support; Official Alumni Club Stanford On The Moon Considers Expanding Stanford’s Bing Overseas Studies To Antarctica & Moon In 21st Century; Golden Spike Company Panning Commerical Human Moon Mission 2018-2020

Image Credit: Bigelow Aerospace, Anna Cobb, GSC

Thursday / 18 April 2013

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LRO CRaTER Instrument Helping In Development Of Future Spacecraft

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CRaTER Instrument Precisely Measures Potentially Dangerous Radiation In Space & Its Effects On Human Tissue / Electronics; Data Shows High-Mass / High-Energy Cosmic Rays (HZE Particles) Make Up Only 1% Of Radiation Detected, Yet Account For 50% Of Energy Deposited By Radiation; Researchers Also Able To Determine Effects Of Different Types Of Radiation; Findings Helping Researchers Optimize Spacecraft Shielding Without Making Them Too Heavy

Image Credit: NASA

Wednesday / 17 April 2013

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Golden Spike Business Plan: Exploration, Innovation & Entertainment

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Alan Stern Says Golden Spike Company Intends To Begin Construction Of Lunar Transport System In 2015, Commence Uncrewed Test Flights By 2017 Culminating With Lunar Landing In 2019, 2 Or 3 Round Trips To Moon Per Year Thereafter; Can Develop Entire Program For US$5-8B; Company Expects US$13.7B In Revenues By 2022 Through Pre-Paid Customers, Media Rights / Sponsorships Fostered By Creating Worldwide Fan Base For Space Exploration 

Image Credit: Golden Spike Company, NASA, feeblitz.com

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 12-15 April 2013

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USA Congress Advocating Moon Base

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US Rep Bill Posey (R-FL) Reintroduces 2011 Bill Called RE-Asserting American Leadership (REAL) In Space Act Which Tasks NASA To Send Astronauts To Moon By 2022 With Goal Of Establishing Long-Term Settlement; Bill Co-Sponsored By 8 Other Republican & Democrat House Members; Proponents Claim That Clear / Attainable Lunar Goal Will Give Renewed Direction To NASA, Allow For Testing Of Technologies To Master Extraterrestrial Surface Operations

Image Credit: NASA, poseyhouse.gov

Thursday / 11 April 2013

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Russia Moon Plans Setting Up Long-Awaited Human Mission

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Plans For Robotic Moon Missions Demonstrate Russia Space Exploration Priorities; Further Evaluation Of Russia Space Activities / Plans Indicates Russia Intention To Finish What They Started — Land Human On Moon; Igor Mitrofanov Of IKI Says Renewed Robotic Lunar Program Will Enable Human Outpost On Moon; US$25-30B Launch Facility Development Proposal Submitted To Russia Federation Government Would Facilitate Human Moon Mission By 2028  

Image Credit: Eisenhower Institute, IKI

Tuesday / 9 April 2013

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Astrobotic Advancing Autonomous Landing Systems

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Series Of Tests Underway In Astrobotic Contract With NASA To Demonstrate Autonomous Landing System For Moon / Asteroids / Planets; Astrobotic Successfully Flew Sensor Package On Uncrewed Helicopter Operated By Pilot On Ground; Next Step Is To Land Helicopter Autonomously – Without GPS, Then Test System On Astrobotic Griffin Lander; Landing Sensor Uses 2 Cameras, Inertial Measurement Unit, & Scanning Laser

Image Credit: Astrobotic Technology, Inc.