Category Archives: Solar System Exploration

Friday / 27 July 2012

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China Lunar Exploration Program Advancing With Chang’e-2,3,4,5

China Chief Lunar Scientist Ziyuan Ouyang Provides Update On Chang’e Program; Chang’e-2 Has Left L2 After 235 Days Of Solar Observation, Now Heading For Rendezvous With Asteroid 4179, Will Arrive To Monitor / Explore Asteroid Around 1 March 2013; Chang’e-3 Lunar Rover Will Feature Atomic Fuel Cells, Radar To Explore 100m Below Surface; Chang’e-5 Sample Return Mission To Be Launched By Long March 5 Rocket Currently Under Development

Image Credit: CLEP, CNSA, CCTV

Thursday / 26 July 2012

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Team Phoenicia Helping To Facilitate Lunar Nanosat Missions

Team Phoenicia Agrees With Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems LLC & Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo To Collaborate On Lunar & Interplanetary Small Satellite Launch Opportunities; Cal Poly / Tyvak Will Utilize Team Phoenicia Excess Launch Capacity On GLXP & Future Lunar Missions; With Projected Costs Between US$5-10M, First Interplanetary NanoSat Missions Could Spark Revolution With Hundreds Of Missions To Moon, Asteroids, Mars & Beyond 

Image Credit: Team Phoenicia, Tyvak, CalPoly, NASA

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 20-23 July 2012

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Lunar Science Institute Broadening Focus

Speaking At Lunar Science Forum, NASA Planetary Sciences Division Director Jim Green Says Science & Human Exploration Sectors Will Get Closer As Exploration Moves Out From Earth Orbit; Rechartered Lunar Science Institute Will Have ‘Flexible Path’ Focus On Moon, Mars, NEOs; Human Spaceflight Architecture Team Outlines Importance Of Cis-Lunar Space In Future Global Space Exploration 

Image Credit: NASA

Weekend Edition – Fri-Mon / 6-9 July 2012

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Near-Term Orion Cislunar Operations Advocacy Advancing

First Test Flight Of Orion / MPCV In 2014 To Cislunar Space, Return To Earth At Speed 80% Of Lunar Return; NASA Managers Considering Using Recycled ISS Module As Way-Station At Earth-Moon Lagrange Point Or Lunar Orbit; Lockheed Martin Space Systems VP John Karas Says Cislunar Space Operations With No Landings Provide “Affordable Step-Wise Push To Mars”, Tele-Operating Lunar Robots From L2 Base Effective Analog For Deimos-Mars Operations 

Image Credit: NASA, Space News

Weekend Edition / Sat-Mon 16-18 June 2012

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Plan For L2-Based Space Station Gaining Momentum Within NASA

‘Exploration Gateway / Platform’ Concept Emerging As Preferred Direction For NASA Human Architecture Team; Plan Involves Launch Of Several International Modules For Construction At ISS Using Existing Hardware & Launch Vehicles, Transported To EML2 By 25-40kW Solar Electric Propulsion Vehicle; Provides Immediate Deep Space Destination For Astronauts, Excellent Way-Station For Moon, Rest Of Solar System

Image Credit: NASA

Weekend Edition / 12-14 May 2012

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Call For A United Vision For Space

Preeminent Space Advocate Rick Tumlinson Says Human Space Development & Solar System Settlement Must Be Shared Goal / Direction Of USA Space Program; Enabled By Infrastructure, Ingenuity & Economic Drive Of Commercial Space; Country Must Harness Space Agency, Industrial Base, New Generation All In Need Of Purpose

Image Credit: distantgalaxy.com, NASA, SFF

Wednesday / 9 May 2012

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‘Triway’ Approach To Solar System Exploration

Peter Kokh & Al Anzaldua Call For Union / Cooperation From Proponents Of Moon, Mars & Asteroid Exploration; Antagonistic Attitude Between Groups Leads To Apathetic Public Support, Undependable Funding; Focus On Comprehensive, Integrated Missions & Technologies That Facilitate Reaching All 3 Destinations, Enabled By Private Sector / Government Partnerships

Image Credit: NASA, visions2200.com, dailygalaxy.com