Chandrayaan-2, Slated For 2014-15 Launch Aboard GSLV Rocket, Will Include Seismometer To Study Causes Of Shallow Moonquakes & Regions Of Their Occurrence; Seismometer Sensors Currently Undergoing Calibration At The National Geophysical Research Institute In Hyderabad, India By Research Team Headed By H V S Satyanarayana; Chandrayaan-2 To Include Orbiter, Lander & Solar-Powered Rover
Image Credit: ISRO, NASA
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
‘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
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
Chandrayaan-2, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) Pushing India To Accelerate Space Capabilities, Advance Global Standing As Space Leader; Chandrayaan-2 With Russia Will Be First India Lunar / Planetary Surface Mission, Currently Slated Under 2012-2017 5-Year Plan; Mars Mission Success Would Be 1st For Asian Country, ISRO Addressing Added Mission Complexity Due To Distance & Communication Logistics
Image Credit: ISRO
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
Moon Astronaut Jim Lovell (R) Joins As Member Of Golden Spike Company Board Of Advisors; Having Flown To Moon Twice, Trained For Lunar Landing & Being 1 Of Only 24 People To Have Flown To Moon, ‘Unique Perspective & Advice Will Be Invaluable’ Says Gerry Griffin (L) Former Apollo Director & Chairman Of GSC BoD; Has Already Consulted On Designs For Crew Module, Other Issues
Image Credit: GSC, Perdue
China Chang’e-3 Moon Lander / Rover Being Prepared For 40 Days Of Thermal Testing; Will Be Tested Together, Then Separately & Exposed To Moon-Like Temperatures Of About -200°C To 150°C In Vacuum Thermal Simulation Tester At China Aerospace Science & Technology Corp. In Beijing; CNSA States Launch To Moon Sinus Iridum “Bay of Rainbows” Still Set For Q3-4 2013
Image Credit: China Space News
Space Entrepreneur Rex Ridenoure (R) Tells All In His Recent Account Of The Salvage Of AsiaSat 3 / HGS-1 Utilizing 2 Lunar Flybys; Ridenoure Brought Together Trajectory Theorist Ed Belbruno (L) With Hughes Space’s Cesar Ocampo & Jerry Salvatore; Team Nominated By Aviation Week For 1998 Best Achievement In Space Award; Ridenoure Points To Enterprise Opportunities In GEO Where About 2/3 Of US$300B Global Space Economy Resides
Image Credit: Space Review, Rex Ridenoure, Orbitalhub.com
Morpheus 1.5 Bravo Moon Robotic Lander With Engine Capable Of 22,000 Newtons Of Thrust Is Now Ready For Flight Test Program At JSC; Completed 50-Second Static Hot Fire Of Main Engine With Thrust Vector Control Demonstration; Will Perform Dynamic Tethered Flights Soon In Preparation For Summer 2013 Return To KSC; 70 Vehicle Upgrades Include Advanced Engine Performance Capabilities, Increased Structural Margins, Mitigated Launch Vibroacoustic Environments
Image Credit: Kris Kehea, NASA