NASA Views Landing Site Through Eyes of Future Moon Crew

NASA Views Landing Site Through Eyes of Future Moon Crew
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/moon-20080227.html
Copied the above press release below.
- LRK -

How about that, the link is live and much more information.
Check out the link for a number of animations.
- LRK -
--------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html

Libration Movie
The moon's orbit is not perfectly circular its rotation axis is tilted
with respect to Earth allowing scientists to image slightly different
parts of the Moon during a its 28 day long lunar day. This movie shows
the portion of the Moon visible to the Earth over several months
around the time when radar data of the south polar region of the Moon
was collected.

Earth Moon Contact
Radar signals from the Goldstone Solar system Radar are reflected back
to Earth and received at two antennas separated by 13 kilometers. By
receiving at the two antennas, three dimensional topographic maps of
the lunar surface can be generated.

Digital Elevation Map of Lunar South Pole
Image brightness is generated from the strength of the radar echoes
that are bounced of the lunar surface and the color represents the
elevation. This map covers an area of 650 kilometers by 450 kilometers
with an elevation measurement every 40 meters.

Slope Map
This map shows the steepness of the terrain in the south polar region
of the moon. Using a map like this helps determine the assessable
areas to human or robotic explorers.

High Resolution Slope Map
The left image shows the topographic contours in color with each cycle
of color representing 2 kilometers of elevation change. The right
image is the corresponding slope map of the area. The slope map
indicates slopes in access of 20 degrees in the region around
Shakleton Crater.

Lunar Illumination Movie
This movie is a simulation of the amount of solar illumination in the
south polar region of moon over a solar day generated using high
resolution topography.

South Pole Flyover Animation
This animation depicts a flyover of the moon's south pole region
ending in the vicinity of Shackleton Crater.

Lunar Landing Animation
This animation utilizes the latest terrain data of the moon's south
pole region in the generation of a animation of what a future moon
crew could see during a descent to the rim of Shackleton Crater.
Snip
[And some more information. - LRK -]
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sooooh, it looks like they imaged the area of the Lunar South Pole
that is of interest for a possible landing site.

Next maybe we look in the Aitken basin for a place to put of a radio
telescope, well maybe a few more years from now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pole-Aitken_basin
- LRK -

The simulated lunar landing can also be viewed in the Multimedia Video
Featured section.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
NASA Views Landing Site Through Eyes of Future Moon Crew
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/moon-20080227.html

Feb. 27, 2008

Stephanie Schierholz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4997/2087
stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov

DC Agle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-393-9011
agle@jpl.nasa.gov

RELEASE: 08-068

NASA VIEWS LANDING SITE THROUGH EYES OF FUTURE MOON CREW

WASHINGTON - NASA has obtained the highest resolution terrain mapping
to date of the moon's rugged south polar region, with a resolution to
20 meters per pixel. Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
in Pasadena, Calif., collected the data using the facility's
Goldstone Solar System Radar located in California's Mojave Desert.
The imagery generated by the data has been incorporated into
animation depicting the descent to the lunar surface of a future
human lunar lander and a flyover of Shackleton Crater.

The mapping data collected indicate that the region of the moon's
south pole near Shackleton Crater is much more rugged than previously
understood. The Shackleton rim area is considered a candidate landing
site for a future human mission to the moon.

"The south pole of the moon certainly would be a beautiful place to
explore," said Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator for the
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters,
Washington. "We now know the south pole has peaks as high as Mt.
McKinley and crater floors four times deeper than the Grand Canyon.
There are challenges that come with such rugged terrain, and these
data will be an invaluable tool for advance planning of lunar
missions."

Three times during a six-month period in 2006, scientists targeted the
moon's south polar region using Goldstone's 70-meter radar dish. The
antenna, three-quarters the size of a football field, sent a
500-kilowatt strong, 90-minute long radar stream 231,800 miles to the
moon. The radar bounced off the rough-hewn lunar terrain over an area
measuring about 400 miles by 250 miles. Signals were reflected back
to two of Goldstone's 34-meter antennas on Earth. The roundtrip time,
from the antenna to the moon and back, was about two-and-a-half
seconds.

"I have not been to the moon, but this imagery is the next best
thing," said Scott Hensley, a scientist at JPL and lead investigator
for the study. "With these data we can see terrain features as small
as a house without even leaving the office."

Previously, the best resolution of the moon's south pole was generated
by the Clementine spacecraft, which could resolve lunar terrain
features near the south pole at 1 kilometer per pixel. The new
resolution generated by JPL is 50 times more detailed.

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will provide the next generation
of lunar imaging and data. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in
late 2008. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera will retrieve high
resolution images of the moon's surface and lunar poles with
resolutions to 1 meter. These images will provide knowledge of polar
illumination conditions, identify potential resources and hazards,
and enable safe landing site selection. Other instruments aboard the
orbiter will return data such as temperature maps, ultraviolet
images, characterization of radiation on the moon and a high
resolution 3-D map. NASA's quest for up-to-date imagery of the moon
also will benefit from international missions such as Japan's Selene
robotic probe.

Funding for the program was provided by NASA's Exploration Systems
Mission Directorate.

To view animation, terrain maps of the moon's south pole and images
from this story, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html

Video animation developed from the high resolution imaging also will
air on NASA Television. For NASA TV downlink and schedule
information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

JPL manages the Goldstone Solar System Radar and the Deep Space
Network for NASA. To learn more about them, visit:

http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/dsn

For information about NASA's exploration program to return humans to
the moon, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration


-end-
Snip
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html
Enhanced Radar Imagery of Lunar South Pole
Media Briefing 2 p.m. Eastern/11 a.m. Pacific
02.27.08

NASA has obtained the highest resolution terrain mapping to date of
the moon's rugged south polar region. Scientists at NASA's Jet
Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., generated the imagery using
data collected with the facility's Goldstone Solar System Radar.

Panelists for the Feb. 27 media briefing are:
--Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator, Exploration Systems
Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington
--Scott Hensley, principal investigator, Lunar Image Team, JPL
--Kelly Snook, lunar program scientist, NASA Ames
--Eric De Jong, principal investigator, Solar System Visualization Project, JPL
Snip
[Go to the above link to see a number of animations. - LRK -]
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_08068_lunar_truck.html
Feb. 27, 2008

Stephanie Schierholz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4997/2087
stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov

Brandi Dean
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-244-1403
brandi.k.dean@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 08-068

NASA'S NEWEST CONCEPT VEHICLE TAKES OFF-ROADING OUT OF THIS WORLD

HOUSTON - In a car commercial, it would sound odd: active suspension,
six-wheel drive with independent steering for each wheel, no doors,
no windows, no seats and the only color available is gold.

But NASA's latest concept vehicle is meant to go way off-road, as in
240,000 miles from the nearest pavement, and drive on the moon. NASA
is working to send astronauts to the moon by 2020 to set up a lunar
outpost, where they will do scientific research and prepare for
journeys to more distant destinations.

Built at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, the new design is one
concept for a future lunar truck. The vehicle provides an idea of
what the transportation possibilities may be when astronauts start
exploring the moon. Other than a few basic requirements, the primary
instruction given to the designers was to throw away assumptions made
on NASA's previous rovers and come up with new ideas.

Snip
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/lunar_truck.html
NASA's Newest Concept Vehicles Take Off-Roading Out of This World
[See images of vehicles. - LRK -]
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_C08007_constellation_contract.html
Feb. 27, 2008

Beth Dickey/Stephanie Schierholz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2087/4997
beth.dickey-1@nasa.gov, stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov

Lynnette Madison/Josh Byerly
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
lynnette.b.madison@nasa.gov, bill.j.byerly@nasa.gov

CONTRACT RELEASE: C08-007

NASA AWARDS CONSTELLATION PROGRAM SUPPORT CONTRACT

WASHINGTON - NASA has awarded SGT Inc. of Greenbelt, Md., a contract
for support services for Constellation Program, which is developing
new spacecraft to travel beyond low Earth orbit. The Constellation
fleet includes the Orion crew vehicle, the Ares I and Ares V launch
vehicles and Altair human lunar lander. The small business contract
has a potential value of $60 million with options.

Work on the contract will be performed at NASA's Johnson Space Center
in Houston with additional work possible at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida, NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.,
and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Snip
For more information about the contract, visit:

http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/cpsc

For information about NASA's exploration program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration
Snip
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

NASA to Release Enhanced Radar Imagery of Lunar South Pole - Comments

NASA to Release Enhanced Radar Imagery of Lunar South Pole - Comments

-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_M08039_MA-Goldstone_Radar.html
snip
WASHINGTON -- NASA scientists have obtained the highest resolution
terrain mapping to date of the moon's rugged south polar region and
will discuss the imagery Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the 3rd Space
Exploration Conference in Denver.

Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.,
generated the imagery using data collected with the facility's
Goldstone Solar System Radar. The news media briefing is scheduled for
noon MST in Room 506 of the Colorado Convention Center.
snip
-----------------------------------------------------

I received a note from Burton Sharpe, one of the co-authors of "THE
MOON - Resources, Future Development and Settlement" in response to my
thoughts that we can't see all of the Moon's South Pole. [See Below]

In my reply to Burt I mentioned some links I found on the Moon's
libration, which is what being able to see more than 50% of the Moon
talks about.
When is a good time to look at the South Pole and when would it be
good to look at the North Pole?

Nice simulation. - LRK -
LIBRATION
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libration

More information. - LRK -
-------------------------
http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Smoon4.htm
4b.   Libration of the Moon
-------------------------

Where you are on this mother Earth makes a difference too as we have a
tilt with respect to the ecliptic as well.
- LRK -

http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Sseason.htm
Seasons.

I mentioned to Burt that when Lunar Prospector was targeted to go into
a crater at the lunar south pole we didn't see any signature for water
vapor which it was hoped would be generated by the impact into where
it was suspected there might be frozen water.  I was asked why the
software program 'Starry Night' didn't show an Earth rise if you put
yourself on the surface of the Moon at the south pole. My only thought
was that Lunar Prospector went in on July 31 and the partial lunar
eclipse had occurred on the 28 of July and the Moon was descending
towards the ecliptic and might be going below the ecliptic and Earth's
path around the Sun by the 31st.

I just took a look at an Astronomical Calendar 1999 by Guy Ottewell
and on page 36 he says that on July 29 2:34 UT the Moon's center
reaches descending node through the ecliptic.  Doesn't look like by
the 31st it would be the best time for looking UP at the south pole
but rather would be better for looking down at the north pole.

http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast26jul99_1.htm
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEcat/LEdecade1991.html
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEplot/LEplot1951/LE1999Jul28P.GIF

Sooooh, will be interesting to see what comes up on the website on February 27
-------------------------------------
At noon MST on Feb. 27, terrain maps of the moon's south pole and
other images will be available online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html
-------------------------------------.

Boy, I am sure glad you folks keep me on my toes, wouldn't want the
gray matter to turn to mush. :-)

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
Hi Larry -- This should be interesting!

The Moon's rotational axis and orbital plane are tilted a total of
about 6 degrees from the ecliptic, so this means that each month an
observer on earth can see, alternately, 6 degrees beyond the pole,
then 6 degrees shy of the pole.  The SP region, though, has some very
high and low rough terrain, so the actual relative terrain elevations
are not so easily described.  Maybe this will be a bigtime help?

Thanks for your continuing dedication to All Things Lunar!  One of the
very best resources around!

Burt Sharpe

In a message dated 2/23/2008 8:19:33 P.M. Central Standard Time,
larry.kellogg@gmail.com writes:


 I didn't think we could see all of the Lunar South Pole from Earth.
 Will be interesting to see what they got and how they compare with
 what the Japanese are taking with their satellites that are now
 orbiting the Moon.
 - LRK -
Snip
==============================================================
http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Smoon4.htm
4b.   Libration of the Moon

Observers on Earth can see a little more than half the surface of the
Moon, thanks to processes known as "librations." The term comes from
"libra," Latin for scales. This too is the name of a constellation in
the zodiac, supposedly resembling scales, and what we call "pound"
also used to be called "libra," and hence the abbreviation "lb".

Snip
==============================================================
http://www.stargazing.net/david/moon/moonlibration.html
MOON LIBRATION

Snip
Libration is the small oscillation of the Moon about its mean
position. Longitude libration occurs from the Moon's synchronous
rotation and elliptical orbit. Latitude libration is the result of the
Moon's equator being slightly tilted (1.5�) from its orbital plane and
its orbital plane being tilted 5� from the ecliptic. Diurnal libration
is the result of the motion of the observer on Earth as the Earth
rotates. When the Moon is rising in the east we see more of the Moon's
eastern edge and when the Moon is setting in the west we see more of
the Moon's western edge. Maximum librations are 7� 54' longitude and
6� 50' latitude. Also, 1� diurnal libration occures because of motion
of the observer as the Earth rotates.
Snip
==============================================================
http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/19004/1/98-0161.pdf
LUNAR DISSIPATION: ROTATIONAL AND ORBITAL CONSEQUENCES
J. G. Williams , T. P. Krisher, D. H. Boggs, J. T. Ratcliff, and J. O. Dickey
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology,
Pasadena, CA, 91109

snip
The analysis of lunar laser ranging (LLR) data strongly detects a
signature of dissipation in lunar rotation. The two possible sources of dissipation are
solid-body tides and interaction at a liquid-core/solid-mantle interface. A simultaneous
fit of both dissipation models [1] finds each cause contributing about half of the dissipation
signature. The separation comes from rotation terms which are a few percent of the
leading dissipation term. Dissipation from tides and core also influences the lunar orbit,
causing secular changes in the orbit period and eccentricity. The latter is useful and
is in better agreement when core dissipation is included,

The lunar equator (mantle) is tilted I = 1.5427� to the ecliptic plane
and it exhibits retrograde precession along the ecliptic with an 18.6 yr period. The
equator and orbit planes precess along the ecliptic plane with the same 18.6 yr
(retrograde) period. Without dissipation, the descending node of the equator matches the ascending
node of the orbit, The most important effect of dissipation on the
lunar rotation is a shift of the node of the processing equator plane (and pole of
rotation) from alignment with the orbit node [2] [3] [4]. Dissipation from both solid-body tides [2]
and core/mantle interactions [3] can cause this phase shift, The shift is most
sensitive to monthly tides and monthly velocity differences between fluid core and mantle. The shift
in the processing pole direction projects into the direction to Earth as a monthly signature.

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

NASA TO RELEASE ENHANCED RADAR IMAGERY OF LUNAR SOUTH POLE

Come Feb 27 at noon MST the link below should come live and have new
pictures of the South Pole as made by the folks at JPL.
--------------------------------------
Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.,
generated the imagery using data collected with the facility's
Goldstone Solar System Radar. The news media briefing is scheduled for
noon MST in Room 506 of the Colorado Convention Center.
snip
--------------------------------------

I didn't think we could see all of the Lunar South Pole from Earth.
Will be interesting to see what they got and how they compare with
what the Japanese are taking with their satellites that are now
orbiting the Moon.
- LRK -

http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2007/11/20071107_kaguya_e.html
KAGUYA (SELENE) World's First Image Taking of the Moon by HDTV
November 7, 2007 (JST)

YouTube - JAXA/KAGUYA Earth-Rise and Earth-Set image ...
The Earthset image Tele Shot taken from near the South Pole ...
Watch video - 9 min -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHuRRDshhg

YouTube - World's First HDTV Images of the Moon (JAXA ...
Japan's Kaguya probe, now in lunar orbit, recently beamed ...
Watch video - 2 min 30 sec -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRN85gCN4fQ

http://www.selene.jaxa.jp/en/communication/com_information_e.htm
Jan. 21, 2008: 2nd SELENE Working Team meeting was held

http://collectspace.com/ubb/Forum33/HTML/000444.html
Kaguya Spacecraft Rockets Towards the Moon

New Kaguya images - The Planetary Society Blog | The Planetary Society
The image here was taken on the lunar farside of a region just 30
kilometers from ...
of a region 30 kilometers from the south pole. Credit: JAXA / SELENE ...
www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001245/ - 27k -

And lest we forget the Lunar North Pole, some mosaics from the SMART-1 mission.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.lunarip.com/content/esa-smart-1-program-lunar-north-pole-mosaic
ESA Smart-1 program provides new maps of the lunar north pole.
Wed, 12/05/2007 - 12:05 � kevin

The ESA Smart-1 mission has released a set of mosaic maps of the luna
northern pole detailing a number of sites and their illumination as
possible sites for further exporation and also as possible future
sites of long term sites. Some sites on the lunar north pole have
access to Solar power throughout the lunar year thus making them very
attractive as scientific base sites. In addition these sites have
access to craters that are continuously darkened and thus hold the
possibility that they may hold ice deposits which would greatly
improve the viability of future lunar bases.

The presented map covers an area of the north pole of 600km x 800km
and includes such sites are Peary crater which is an impact crater
closest the north pole, Hermite crater and Plaskett Crater.
snip
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also the Chinese mission with Chang'e-1.
Let me know what the Chinese have to say.
Looks like I need to learn some more languages.
My 1500 Chinese flash cards may not be enough. :-)

http://zinzin.us/view-type-Yt-p-1-q-Lunar-code-DqAarZ-Mxnk-title-Change-1-lunar-
probe.html
Title: Chang'e-1 lunar probe
Description: China's 1st lunar probe
Tag: china chang'e-1 lunar probe

Lets hear it for the competition. :-)

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_M08039_MA-Goldstone_Radar.html
Feb. 22, 2008

Beth Dickey/Stephanie Schierholz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2087/4997
bdickey@nasa.gov, stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov

DC Agle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-0474
agle@jpl.nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-039

NASA TO RELEASE ENHANCED RADAR IMAGERY OF LUNAR SOUTH POLE

WASHINGTON -- NASA scientists have obtained the highest resolution
terrain mapping to date of the moon's rugged south polar region and
will discuss the imagery Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the 3rd Space
Exploration Conference in Denver.

Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.,
generated the imagery using data collected with the facility's
Goldstone Solar System Radar. The news media briefing is scheduled
for noon MST in Room 506 of the Colorado Convention Center.

Panelists for the briefing are:
- Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator, Exploration Systems
Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington
- Scott Hensley, principal investigator, Lunar Image Team, JPL
- Eric de Jong, principal investigator, Solar System Visualization,
JPL

For reporters who are unable to attend, a call-in line will be
available. Call-in information is available by contacting Stephanie
Schierholz at 202-834-0548.

At noon MST on Feb. 27, terrain maps of the moon's south pole and
other images will be available online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html

For more information about NASA's program to return to the moon,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will host the
conference Feb. 26-28 in Denver. Media may register to attend by
contacting Sharon Grace of AIAA at 703-264-7532 or sharong@aiaa.org.
For more information about the conference, visit:

http://www.aiaa.org/events/exploration

-end-

Snip
==============================================================
http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1989
3rd Space Exploration Conference & Exhibit
50 Years of Space Exploration: Taking the Next Giant Leap

26 - 28 Feb 2008
Colorado Convention Center
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), in
collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), is pleased to announce that the 3rd Space Exploration
Conference will be held 26�28 February 2008 at the Colorado Convention
Center in Denver, Colorado.

As we recognize the many accomplishments the space community has
contributed this past year, as well as the celebration of NASA's 50th
anniversary in 2008, the 3rd Space Exploration Conference will serve
as fertile ground for the best of the space community to gather,
review pivotal programs from the past, and synergize its input to
forward space exploration for the next 50 years. Dialogue and
decisions made at this opportune time in history will help define and
meet the challenges we will face in our nation's space programs for
decades to come.

Associated with the conference will be Education Alley, featuring
dynamic educational outreach activities and associated competitions
that will inspire the next generation to continue the exploration of
the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

snip
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/main/index.html
Future Missions
 Mission Exploration
   NASA Tests Lunar Habitat in Extreme Antarctic Environment
NASA will use the cold, harsh, isolated landscape of Antarctica to
test one of its concepts for astronaut housing on the moon. The agency
is sending a prototype inflatable habitat to Antarctica to see how it
fares during a year at McMurdo Station.

> News Release
 
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/nov/HQ_07251_Inflatable_Lunar_Habitat.html
> Photos
 
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/multimedia/inflatable_habitat.html

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/future/index.html
Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

NASA Science News for February 20, 2008 - Know who is at the Moon?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASA Science News for February 20, 2008

Do you know who's orbiting the moon? The answer might surprise you. Find
out in today's story from Science@NASA.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20feb_orbitingthemoon.htm?list965414

Important reminder: Don't forget to watch tonight's lunar eclipse.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13feb_lunareclipse.htm

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
============================================================== 
The Chang�e-1 --ProjectChina�s Lunar Exploration Program(II)

http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615709/n772514/n772543/93747.html
Snip
==============================================================
Kaguya (SELENE) -- mission home page;

http://wms.selene.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Total Eclipse of The Moon - February 20, 2008

-------------------------------------------------------
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html

   Introduction

A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday,
February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from South America and
most of North America (on Feb. 20) as well as Western Europe, Africa,
and western Asia (on Feb. 21). During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon's
disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange
to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray.

An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the
Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. The shadow is
actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other.
The outer shadow or /penumbra/ is a zone where Earth blocks some (but
not all) of the Sun's rays. In contrast, the inner shadow or /umbra/ is
a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon.

If only part of the Moon passes through the umbra, a partial eclipse is
seen. However, if the entire Moon passes through the umbral shadow, then
a total eclipse of the Moon occurs. For more information on how, what,
why, where and when of lunar eclipses, see the special web page lunar
eclipses for beginners <http://www.MrEclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html>.

Snip
-------------------------------------------------------

More here. - LRK -

-------------------------------------------------------
http://www.hermit.org/Eclipse/2008-02-21/
Total Lunar Eclipse: February 21 2008

The total lunar eclipse
<http://www.hermit.org/Eclipse/why_lunar.html#Total> of February 21 2008
will be visible over the Americas, Europe, Africa, and western Asia.

The penumbral eclipse
<http://www.hermit.org/Eclipse/why_lunar.html#Penumbral> -- the least
exciting, and hardest to see part -- will begin at 00:34:59 UT and end
at 06:17:16 UT. It will be visible from western Asia, Europe and Africa
when it begins around Moonset, the Americas, and the Pacific Ocean it
ends at around Moonrise.

The partial eclipse
<http://www.hermit.org/Eclipse/why_lunar.html#Partial> will begin at
01:42:59 UT and end just under 3œ hours later at 05:09:07 UT, and will
be visible from a slightly smaller area. The total eclipse
<http://www.hermit.org/Eclipse/why_lunar.html#Total> lasts for over œ an
hour; it begins at 03:00:34 UT and ends at 03:51:32 UT, with the moment
of greatest eclipse at 03:26:05 UT. It is visible over western Asia,
most of the Middle East, Europe, Africa, the Americas (barring extreme
southwestern Alaska), and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hawaii just misses
out on the total eclipse, and will see the Moon rise about half eclipsed.

The total eclipse should be a spectacular sight, even though quite
short-lived; although the Moon will be just within the Earth's umbral
shadow (the umbral magnitude is 1.111), it should be visibly coloured by
the Earth's atmosphere. Don't miss it!

More information on this eclipse may be found at Fred Espenak's site
<http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2008Feb21T.GIF>.

The following map shows the areas where the partial eclipse will be visible:

Snip

-------------------------------------------------------

May the clouds part.
- LRK -

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
And Google says - LRK -
-------------------------------------------------------

Lunar eclipse will be `a cosmic ballet'
<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/423760.html>
MiamiHerald.com - Miami,FL,USA
If the weather cooperates, you'll enjoy one of nature's grandest
spectacles -- a total eclipse of the *moon*, your last opportunity until
2010. *...*
See all stories on this topic
<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/s
tory/423760.html>


Total eclipse of *moon* Wednesday evening
<http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11
8811&Itemid=557>
Prince George Citizen - Prince George,British Columbia,Canada
A rare event for skygazers, the total eclipse of the *moon*, takes place
Wednesday evening. The eclipse will start around 5:43 pm as the *moon*
enters the *...*
See all stories on this topic
<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/index.
php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D118811%26Itemid%3D557>

Get ready for the eclipse that saved Columbus
<http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jFJTgLH6SM8ybh3HDxGmBrHVOiZA>
AFP -
PARIS (AFP) � The *Moon* will turn an eerie shade of red for people in
the western hemisphere late Wednesday and early Thursday, recreating the
eclipse that *...*
See all stories on this topic
<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jFJTg
LH6SM8ybh3HDxGmBrHVOiZA>

� *Moon* takes on a new hue
<http://www.mlive.com/news/saginawnews/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1203348017129310.
xml&coll=9>
The Saginaw News - MLive.com - Saginaw,MI,USA
The full *moon* will cast an unusual glow as it slips into total lunar
eclipse -- and Michigan is situated for prime observation of the event,
*...*
See all stories on this topic
<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginawnews/ind
ex.ssf%3F/base/news-25/1203348017129310.xml%26coll%3D9>

Brace yourself for the total eclipse of *moon*
<http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_8294635>
San Mateo County Times - San Mateo,CA,USA
By Betsy Mason, Staff writer A thin waxing crescent *Moon* is seen just
after Sunset, in Tyler, Texas on Friday, February 8, 2008, 1 day after
the *Moon* passed *...*
See all stories on this topic
<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_8294635>

*Moon* Turns Vivid Red On Wednesday Night
<http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Moon_Turns_Vivid_Red_On_Wednesday_Night_14138.ht
ml>
eFluxMedia - USA
By Dee Chisamera All we need for Wednesday night is a clear sky and the
*Moon* will put up a spectacular show for us. Sure, much colder than the
one in August *...*
See all stories on this topic
<http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Moon_Turns
_Vivid_Red_On_Wednesday_Night_14138.html>

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Inventing the Future - Now this is a cool image - NASA Image of the Day Gallery

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1020.html

Jeroen Lapre' sent the note below and I pass to you for viewing.
It is from NASA's Image of the Day Gallery.

There are a lot of images to see there and even more viewing if you
backup to the multimedia link.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/

Jeroen is working on a short film that takes place on the Moon.
http://www.distant-galaxy.com/maelstrom2/MaelstromII.html

It is based on one of Sir Arthur C. Clarke's short stories, Maelstrom II.
Sir Arthur turned 90 on 16th December, 2007,  and lives in Sri Lanka.
His birthday reflections can be seen on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qLdeEjdbWE

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
Now this is a cool image:

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/212249main_image_1020_946-710.jpg
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1020.html


     Inventing the Future

In the darkness of space, European Space Agency astronaut Hans Schlegel
participates in the mission's second spacewalk as construction and
maintenance continue on the International Space Station. During the
six-hour, 45-minute spacewalk, Schlegel and NASA astronaut Rex Walheim
(out of frame) worked to replace a nitrogen tank used to pressurize the
station's ammonia cooling system.

/Image Credit: NASA/

=)

cheers
-jeroen

Snip
==============================================================
Image of the Day Archives
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/iotd_archive.html

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Are You Watching? - STS 122 launch preparations

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/
STS 122 about to launch.

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html
Shuttle Mission TV Schedule
NASA TELEVISION SCHEDULE
STS-122 / 1E
Columbus European Laboratory Module
02/01/08


STS-122 FUELING COVERAGE BEGINS  KSC 4:15 AM 5:15 AM 10:15
ISS PROGRESS 28 DOCKING COVERAGE JSC 8:15 AM 9:15 AM 14:15
STS-122 LAUNCH COVERAGE BEGINS   KSC 8:45 AM 9:45 AM 14:45

SUBJECT  SITE      MET   CST      EST      GMT
LAUNCH   KSC   00/ 00:00 01:45 PM 02:45 PM 19:45
MECO           00/ 00:08 01:53 PM 02:53 PM 19:53

Snip
==============================================================
THE DAY IN SPACE
__________________

In today's space news from SpaceRef:

-- STS-122 Launch Day Dawns, Tanking Complete
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.nl.html?pid=26936

"Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The
timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy around launch time, bringing with it
clouds and storms, resulting in only a 30-percent chance of good weather for liftoff. Further,
there is a possibility that the front may stall over Central Florida, providing only slightly better
chances for acceptable weather for launch attempts on Friday or Saturday."

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

NASA UNVEILS $17.6 BILLION BUDGET

The Wall Street Journal today says that the President of the USA has
proposed a budget for next year that will top $3 trillion.
Of course, this president won't be here next year and it will be up to
congress to decide what kind of budget to accept.

This year the budget was given to Congress electronically and not by a
very large bundle of paper.

OMB goes paperless for 2009 budget request
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/151256-1.html


http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/budget.html

IT budget request for 2009 tops $70 billion
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/151532-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

NASA's part of that budget proposal is $17.6 billion.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/pdf/budget/nasa.pdf

In the USA there are a lot of political primaries happening on Tuesday
and one would hope that folks have either voted by absentee ballet or
will vote in the primary should their state be holding one.  We
certainly are hearing a lot about presidential candidates and it would
be a shame to just let things happen by luck.

Here is another link to Shana Dale's report at SpeceRef.com.  Also see
my copy below from NASA News.
- LRK -

-- Highlights of NASA's FY 2009 Budget Request by NASA Deputy
Administrator Shana Dale
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.nl.html?pid=26915


Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_08034_FY2009_budget.html
Feb. 4, 2008

David Mould/Michael Cabbage
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1898/1600
david.r.mould@nasa.gov,mcabbage@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 08-034

NASA UNVEILS $17.6 BILLION BUDGET

WASHINGTON - NASA announced a $17.6 billion budget for fiscal year
2009 to continue exploring the solar system, building the
International Space Station, studying Earth from space and conducting
aeronautics research.

NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale said the increase for NASA's 2009
budget demonstrates President Bush's commitment to the agency's
missions. With the increase, NASA still accounts for less than 1
percent of the federal budget.

The NASA budget includes $5.78 billion for the space shuttle and space
station programs, $4.44 billion for science, $3.5 billion for
development of new manned spacecraft systems and $447 million for
aeronautics research.

Dale noted steady progress with NASA's missions, with three successful
space shuttle launches last year and up to six planned for this year,
including a flight to service the Hubble Space Telescope. The agency
also is making progress in developing the Orion spacecraft and Ares
launch vehicles to replace the aging shuttle fleet and prepare for
journeys to the moon and destinations beyond.

NASA has 55 science missions currently in space, about half involving
international partnerships, with 15 additional missions scheduled for
launch by the end of 2009.

"In Earth science, NASA's investments in measuring the forces and
effects of climate change are allowing policymakers and the public to
better understand its implications to our home planet," Dale said.

A recently completed decadal survey for Earth science includes views
of the scientific community that will help the agency set priorities
for new missions to add to humanity's knowledge of Earth and its
climate and ecosystems. NASA will dedicate $910 million during the
next five years to develop new missions to add to our Earth-observing
fleet of spacecraft.

The budget also includes funding for lunar science to further
scientific understanding of the moon and for planetary science and
astrophysics to continue exploring worlds beyond Earth and to study
dark energy and other mysteries of the cosmos.

In aeronautics, NASA is helping address fundamental research needs
facing the Next Generation Air Transportation System, aimed at making
U.S. air travel safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly.

As the International Space Station nears completion, the NASA budget
provides funding to help spur development of commercial space
transportation services to send cargo and possibly crews to the
station after the shuttles retire in 2010. Without commercial
providers, the United States will depend on the Russian Soyuz
spacecraft to carry astronauts between Earth and the space station.

"The development of space simply cannot be 'all government all the
time,' " Dale said. "NASA's budget for FY 2009 provides $173 million
for entrepreneurs - from big companies or small ones - to develop
commercial transport capabilities to support the International Space
Station. NASA is designating $500 million toward the development of
this commercial space capability.

"With over $2.6 billion in NASA funds available over the next five
years to purchase cargo and crew services to support ISS operations,
we would much rather be using this money to purchase cargo and crew
services from American commercial companies than foreign entities,"
she added.


-end-

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Journey to Saturn From Your Computer

Jim sent me a copy of JPL's Internet Advisory: 2008-018 for Cassini.

The Super Bowl is over and you may have watched the ads all over again at
http://www.myspace.com/superbowlads

and maybe you would like watch some information about Cassini.

You can download an Internet Plug-In to view some media clips here.
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/CASSIE/

Happy Viewing.

Shuttle should launch this week as well.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

Wish them a good flight.
- LRK -

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================

INTERNET ADVISORY: 2008-018
                  Jan. 31, 2008

Journey to Saturn From Your Computer

Want a peek at Saturn as seen from space? A new interactive 3-D viewer
that uses a game engine and allows users to travel to Saturn and see
it the way the Cassini spacecraft sees it is now online at
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/CASSIE and
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/multimedia/cassie.html .

The Cassini at Saturn Interactive Explorer makes the real Cassini
mission data fully available in three colorful, easy-to-use
expeditions.

The "Where is Cassini Now?" expedition shows exactly where the Cassini
spacecraft is and what it is doing each moment over the current
24-hour period. Viewers can see the spacecraft move in its orbit and
maneuver according to instructions from mission scientists and
navigators at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

With the "Mission Overview" expedition, look back in time as Cassini
orbited the Saturn system over the past 3.5 years, and fast-forward
into the future to see where it is headed. Users can control two
virtual cameras to see Cassini fly by Saturn and its moons.

The "Saturn's Moons" expedition gives an in-depth peek at seven of
Saturn's moons, providing useful facts and interactive surface views
of each one.

More information on the Cassini mission is available at
http://www.nasa.gov/cassini and http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov .

The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the
European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. JPL, a division of
the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the
Cassini-Huygens mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate,
Washington. The Cassini orbiter was designed, developed and assembled
at JPL.

-end-
Snip
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================