Scientists Using LROC To Identify / Image Lost Moon Probes Notes Leonard David Of Space.com; LROC PI Mark Robinson & Johns Hopkins APL Professor Jeff Plescia (Inset) Searching For Soviet & NASA Luna Probes; Detection Could Help Determine Fate Of Failed Spacecraft Such As Luna 23 & Surveyor 4, Aid In Design Of Heritage Protection Plan
Image Credit: NASA
15-19 July 2013 NASA Lunar Science Forum To Be Broadcast Via Adobe Connect & Telecom Line; Updates On Current & Future NASA Moon Missions, Lunar Geology, Volatiles, Dust, Astrophysics From The Moon; Ben Bussey To Speak On Potential Benefits Of Human Exploration Of Poles; NLSI Will Transition To Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute Later In 2013
Image Credit: NASA, JAXA
Preparations Accelerating For China Chang’e-3 Moon Lander (End 2013); LROC PI Mark Robinson Says It Is “Gratifying To Finally See An Exploration Vehicle Landing On The Moon”, Looks Forward To Imaging China Lander From 100km Above, Notes Moon Is 1st Step For Human Off-World Journey, Hopes NASA Will Also Have Lunar Surface Vehicles Soon; China To Begin Prototype Phase Of Chang’e-5 Sample Return Mission This Year
Image Credit: CNSA, NASA, CLEP
Memorial Service For 1st Person To Establish Humanity As Multi-World Species To Be Held At NASA Johnson Space Center In Houston TX On 20 June, 10:00 CDT; Fellow Apollo 11 Astronauts Buzz Aldrin & Michael Collins, Along With JSC Director Ellen Ochoa, Family Members & Long-Time Associates Will Pay Tribute To Neil Armstrong; Memorial Service Takes Place Exactly One Month Before 44th Anniversary Of Historic Moon Landing; Armstrong Died Aug 2012 At Age 82
Image Credit: NASA
International Lunar Development Corp. Proposed By Buzz Aldrin To Facilitate Unified International, Commercial & Academic Partnerships To Advance Moon Exploration & Settlement; China, India, Russia, Japan, Europe, USA, NewSpace Companies Such As Bigelow, Shackleton Energy, Golden Spike Urged To Implement Step-By-Step Space Plan; Humans Need To Become Multi-World Species For Long-Term Survival, Will & Should Settle On Moon Long Before Mars, Europa, Etc
Image Credit: Bigelow Aerospace, PISCES, Shackleton Energy Co., GSC
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
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
Administrator Charles Bolden Clarifies NASA Stance On Human Moon Missions: US Unable To Orchestrate Lunar Surface Mission With Current Budget / Priorities, Yet Is Willing To Provide Engineering Expertise To Existing Moon Mission In Exchange For Sending American Astronaut As Part Of Crew; Comments Made To Institute Of Medicine Panel Which Is Developing Ethics / Health Guidelines For Future Long-Duration Human Spaceflights
Image Credit: NASA, ESA
LADEE Passes Series Of Qualification Tests Conducted By National Technical Systems Inc At NASA Ames In CA; Spacecraft Subjected To High Levels Of Acoustics, Vibration & Shock Mimicking Launch / Space Travel, Is Now One Step Closer To 5 Sep 2013 Launch; Mission Will Utilize 3 Science Instruments To Gather Data On Lunar Atmosphere / Dust Environment From 50-Km Retrograde Equatorial Orbit
Image Credit: NASA, NTS
LRO LEND Instrument Provides Definitive Map Of Water Ice Deposits Across Moon Surface, Including South Pole (L) – Likely Destination Of Future Missions / Human Lunar Build-Out; Data From GRAIL Probes Explain Cause Of Lunar Mascons: Ancient Asteroid Impacts Melted Mantle, Caused It To Collapse Inward Creating Denser More Concentrated Areas, Subsequently Causing Gravitational Anomalies
Image Credit: NASA, FIAAA