Northrop Grumman Confirms GSC Human Moon Lander Concepts; Evaluated 180 Lander Cases, Established Propulsion Requirements For Lunar Orbit Loiter, Descent / Ascent, Rendezvous; Also Proposes New Concept Called ‘Pumpkin’ Consisting Of Low-Mass Ascent Stage, Minimalistic Pressurized Ascent Pod With Surface Habitat & Storable Propellants Packaged In 5-m Diameter Payload Launch Envelope
Image Credit: Northrop Grumman, GSC, NASA
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
David Weaver (L), NASA Associate Administrator, Says Agency To Conduct Unfunded ‘Initial Planning Phase’ Study With Bigelow Aerospace To Develop Moon Outpost Design, But Has No Human Moon Mission Plans; Bigelow (R) Says Company Has Been Developing Rudimentary Moon Base Plans For Years, Initial Study Will Take 100 Days, Already Planning For 2nd Phase 120-Day Study, Possibly With NASA Funding
Image Credit: NASA, Isaac Hernandez
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
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
Nearly 100 College & High School Teams Will Compete In The NASA Great Moonbuggy Race On 26-27 April In Huntsville, AL, USA; 6-Person Teams Build Their Own Engineering Test Model Of A Moon Rover, Carry Rover To Starting Line Where It Is Assembled Before Taking Course; 1 Female & 1 Male Team Member Then Power Buggy Over Half-Mile Simulated Lunar Course With Time Clock Running
Image Credit: NASA
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
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
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