Wednesday / 1 May 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by LED Editor

New International Space Age Emerging

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

Posted on April 26, 2013 by LED Editor

LiftPort Group Advancing After Kickstarter Success

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

Posted on April 25, 2013 by LED Editor

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

Posted on April 24, 2013 by LED Editor

‘The High Frontier’ Still Inspiring People To Think Big

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

Tuesday / 23 April 2013

Posted on April 22, 2013 by LED Editor

Chang’e-3 Coming Into Focus

Oct 2013 Launch Of Chang’e-3 Now Unlikely Despite History & Mission Goals; Service Module, Lander Vehicle & Rover, With Total Mass Of 3,800kg, To Launch Aboard Upgraded CZ-3B Rocket; Landing Vehicle Is First Nuclear-Powered China Spacecraft, Designed For Operational Life Of 12 Lunar Months; Solar-Powered Rover Designed For 90 Lunar Days

Image Credit: CLEP, CNSA

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 19-22 April 2013

Posted on April 19, 2013 by LED Editor

Increasing Collaboration For Moon Exploration, Development

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

Friday / 19 April 2013

Posted on April 18, 2013 by LED Editor

Google Lunar X PRIZE Update

GLXP Update

20 GLXP Teams At Recent Chile Summit Give Updates On Progress: White Label Space Now Solely Based In Japan Will Change Name; Part-Time Scientists Working On COMRAY Project To Provide Communications With In-Space Assets; Independence-X Scoping Out Potential Launch Sites In Malaysia; Barcelona Moon Announces Launch Contract Jun 2014; Astrobotic / SpaceX Has Launch Oct 2015; Omega Envoy & Moon Express Plan 2015 Launches; More Collaborations / Mergers, Publicity Expected

Image Credit: GLXP

Thursday / 18 April 2013

Posted on April 17, 2013 by LED Editor

LRO CRaTER Instrument Helping In Development Of Future Spacecraft

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

Posted on April 16, 2013 by LED Editor

Golden Spike Business Plan: Exploration, Innovation & Entertainment

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

Tuesday / 16 April 2013

Posted on April 15, 2013 by LED Editor

RESOLVE: Ambitious Mission On Tight Budget / Timeline

With US$250M Budget Cap 2017 RESOLVE Mission Needs To Achieve Ambitious Goals Within Challenging Timeline; Unable To Afford Nuclear Power, Solar-Powered RESOLVE Will Be Limited To 5 Active Days On Lunar Pole To Accomplish Mission Goals: Search For Hydrogen, Drill 1 Meter, Analyze Sample, Heat To Extract Liquid Water, Demonstrate How Oxygen Can Be Pulled From Regolith & Mixed With Hydrogen To Produce Water, Help Determine Origin Of Lunar Water