Many folks would like to see us back on the Moon and developing its resources.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Landing on the Moon: Apollo 11, The Untold Story

Coming up on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Were you there, listening on a black and white TV?
No, then you might be interested in reading the below Popular Mechanics article.
There are a number of audio and video snips and a number of URL links to more info.
Enjoy.
- LRK -

----------------------------------------------------
Landing on the Moon: Apollo 11, The Untold Story
http://www.origin.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4318170.html

On July 20, 1969, a pair of lunar orbit insertion burns put Apollo 11 into orbit around the moon after a four day coast from Earth. On the 11th revolution, the White Team assumed the consoles in preparation for descent. Here, the ascent and descent team are present as the Eagle prepares to undock, lets the moon’s gravity draw them to the surface and runs into its first major hurdle—overshooting the moon landing with little fuel in reserve—before the astronauts take their first steps on the moon.

By PM Staff
Published in the June 2009 issue.
---------------------------------------------------

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - The Apollo Program - links
http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/imagery/Apollo/AS11/a11.htm

Audio of the Apollo 11 Mission – as recorded at Honeysuckle Creek
http://www.honeysucklecreek.net/msfn_missions/Apollo_11_mission/apollo11_audio.html

Will you be in Australia this July 2009?
Maybe you would like to take part in a tribute to the mission and those that helped make it possible.
- LRK -

---------------------------------------------------
A Tribute to Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station
Canberra, Australia and all who worked there
http://www.honeysucklecreek.net/index.html

Apollo 11 40th Anniversary celebrations in Canberra
July 2009 – at Honeysuckle Creek and Tidbinbilla – and also at Parkes, Carnarvon, Madrid and elsewhere.
See the latest details here. (Booking and payment forms are now online.)

Honeysuckle Creek News
http://www.honeysucklecreek.net/news/index.html

Read the latest plans on John Saxon’s website.
http://jsaxon.org/space/hsk/Reunions/40th2009/
---------------------------------------------------

And if that is not enough to quench your thirst, please see the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal.
http://history.nasa.gov/alsj/
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/frame.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
http://twitter.com/lrkellogg
==============================================================
THE APOLLO MISSIONS
11·12 ·14 ·15 ·16 ·17 virtual reality images of the moon
http://www.panoramas.dk/moon/mission-apollo.html

THE APOLLO MISSIONS The first and last man on the moon
Experience the moon just as the astronauts did - almost as you were there. View interactive QuickTime VR Panoramas in full-screen from the 6 Apollo Missions who landed on moon.

The links to the panoramas opens in a new fullscreen window which resizes to your screen.

All panoramas includes original audio clips. Most of these are from the minutes around the time for the pans. On the Apollo 11 you hear the famous moment when Armstrong stepped down on the moon. Scroll down on the panoramas for detailed info about the images used for each panorama.

snip
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Apollo Explorer - Mission Index
http://www.apolloexplorer.co.uk/default.asp?libsrc=/bymission.htm

snip
==============================================================
Customs declaration for moon rocks at Hawaii on return to the USA
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1790/1159/1600/moonmanifest.jpg

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

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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Online Community Project Aims for the Moon - Team FREDNET

Space.com has a nice article about Team FREDNET and their quest for the Google Lunar X Prize.
- LRK -

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Online Community Project Aims for the Moon
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/090520-tw-glxp-frednet.html

By Jeremy Hsu - Staff Writer
posted: 20 May 2009 - 09:47 am ET

Nearly 40 years after Americans first set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969 with NASA's historic Apollo 11 flight, a host of private rocketeers are hoping to follow to win a $30 million prize. Here, SPACE.com looks at Team FREDNET, one of 17 teams competing in the Google Lunar X Prize:

Open source usually applies to virtual space rather than outer space, but Team FREDNET hopes to apply the concept toward winning the Google Lunar X Prize.

The growing group of netizens hopes to reach the moon using the mantra "simple, small, low mass, low budget," after starting from a network of professional friends and the vision of a man named Fred Bourgeois.

"It was only natural to fully use the Internet to pull together the team," said Rich Core, Team FREDNET's software lead and a longtime friend of Bourgeois.

Bourgeois grew up in the space business around Huntsville, Alabama and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. There he made friends with people such as Core, who spent a long career working for aerospace giants such as Lockheed-Martin and as a software consultant in Silicon Valley.

That informal network of friends became the basis for Team FREDNET's talent when Bourgeois saw the Google Lunar X Prize announcement that challenged teams to land a robot on the moon, move at least 1,640 feet (500 meters) and beam high definition views back to Earth.

Bourgeois e-mailed Core and others with a straightforward proposition — did they want to go to the moon

snip
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out Team FREDNET's web site. Maybe you will want to join them.
- LRK -

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Team FREDNET
http://www.frednet.com/

*/Team FREDNET/* is a group of scientists, technologists, and engineers who are using their combined talents to create a timely and elegant solution to win the *Google Lunar X Prize *.

*/Team FREDNET/* is going to the Moon, the Engineering Project of a Lifetime!

*/ Team FREDNET/*: the First and Only 100% Open Source Competitor for the Google Lunar X Prize.

Team FREDNET Leaders
Fred J. Bourgeois, III
Richard D. Core
Ryan Weed
Joseph M. Stevenson

Team FREDNET - Three Teams, Many Goals, One Primary Mission
Written by Fred J. Bourgeois, III
Three Teams, Many Goals, One Primary Mission

Team FREDNET attempts to do several things that no organization has successfully done before, and that requires some innovation. Innovation often starts in chaos. The chaos makes us aware of needs, which in turn spark ideas of how to meet those needs with various solutions. Those solutions in turn generate
Read more... *http://tinyurl.com/ptl8ra*

snip
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One rock moved at a time, and the mountain moves too.
One small launch to the Moon, and the way for all to go to the Moon is open.

Team FREDNET has a plan, take a look.
http://www.frednet.com/
- LRK -

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Team FREDNET Promo Video

http://photos.imageevent.com/frednet/tfx/animations/Teaser.mov
This short promotional video gives an overview of early conceptual designs for our Open Source Space Systems.

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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.frednet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52:tfx-structure&catid=40:org-faq-articles
TinyUrl for above - *http://tinyurl.com/ptl8ra

Team FREDNET - Three Teams, Many Goals, One Primary Mission
Written by Fred J. Bourgeois, III
Three Teams, Many Goals, One Primary Mission

Team FREDNET attempts to do several things that no organization has successfully done before, and that requires some innovation. Innovation often starts in chaos. The chaos makes us aware of needs, which in turn spark ideas of how to meet those needs with various solutions. Those solutions in turn generate opportunities. Not every solution is the best solution, because (among other things) not every need was expressed correctly in the first place. That is when we go back to the drawing board, and work to better understand the need, and thereby better understand the problem, which leads to a better solution.

When I started Team FREDNET the main question everyone asked was "How do you make an Open Source Team competitive? Won't your competitors steal your best ideas?" I knew (gut-level "knew") that there was a way to do this project using Open Source techniques and still be a real competitor for the Prize, but initially I had no idea how to accomplish that. After months of working on this project and the underlying business to support the Team and the projects, the methodology has gradually crystallized and become more and more clear. That too was an exercise in learning by doing, recognizing perceived needs, expressing those needs as first-pass problems, and developing initial solutions. Frankly, many of those solutions were wrong. In fact, the best solutions I had initially failed to recognize entirely what problem I was trying to solve. On the other hand, those initial solutions were essential to coming to an understanding of what the problem really is, which led me to better express the real need (or more appropriately, my current understanding of the real need). This has been a highly iterative process. Such is innovation.

Rich and I launched the Team with the belief that we'd only get a few dozen participants, and mostly from the network of people we had known and worked with over the years. Running a Team of people you know well and have worked with before is quite a different prospect than working with people you've just met. Building working relationships takes time and a different kind of effort. We were more than a little surprised to find 80 members signed up and chomping at the bit to get to work within days of opening our initial forum web site. Now, eighteen months later, we're even more surprised (and delighted) at the growing response: more than 500 registrants on the forum, and dozens of those making serious, dedicated, and sometimes expensive development work for this cause.

So what does it mean to be 100% Open Source, 100% Open Participation, and 100% Focused on Victory for the Google Lunar X PRIZE ... and therefore 100% focused on beating our most worthy competitors? I'll tell you when we get there! No, seriously, I'll present my best understanding of how we're envisioning this process right now, but (and based on our experience of the past 18 months) I'm pretty sure this will have to evolve further as we proceed in our work. Here goes.

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

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Philosophy of Space & Snoopy went to the Moon

---------------------------------------------
The Philosophy of Space
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1325
Dennis Wingo
Sunday, May 10, 2009

With the advent of the Augustine Commission II an opportunity has arisen for a discussion on the philosophy of space. Therefore the purpose of this missive is to look at where many in society see our future going, and to show where space either supports the positive aspects or negates the negative ones. Without this connection, we have no future in space for human spaceflight and the drums of doom will continue to sound over our world.

Why Space?

The reason for human spaceflight beyond the pure adventure is as old as mankind, moving outward to build a better life and make money. Obtaining riches for God and country as well. To put it in the modern vernacular it would be to "save the planet", which really means save the humans on the planet. I have the February 29, 2009 copy of the magazine, New Scientist on my desk. The front cover has the words "Earth 2099" and following it the words

Population Crashes
Mass Migration
Vast New Deserts
Cities Abandoned

Sounds like fun huh. The entire issue is about how climate change, resource depletion, and over population leads to a secular Malthusian apocalypse of civilization and that the only solution is to radically scale back the scope of our current civilization in order to insure the survival of much reduced humanity. This mindset goes back in the modern era to the book �Limits to Growth� by Meadows (who was just honored by the Japanese Emperor for his work in this area), that itself was a result of a study carried out by a group of European banking and corporate executives called the Club of Rome.

It turns out that a well known space advocate, Dr. David Webb, mentor to people like Peter Diamadis, myself, and an entire new generation of space advocates, was on the committee that funded this study. Dr. Webb asked them after the study, "why they did not consider the resources of space as a possible solution to the problems that the study illustrated" (there was a single dismissive paragraph in the book about space resources)? The answer was that these bankers and executives (in 1968) did not believe that there were any resources and that they could be accessed if there were. Dr. Webb at that time (as related to me in the late 1980's) dedicated his life to the education of our new generation of space advocates in order to counter this mindset.

snip
---------------------------------------------

You may enjoy reading the rest of the article and how the whole picture could change if space was developed. The year 2100 might be a much more prosperous future than the 2099 one painted above.
- LRK -

If you read the article you might also enjoy the comments at NASA Watch.
http://www.nasawatch.com/archives/2009/05/dennis_wingo_wh.html
- LRK -

When we go back to the Moon I was wondering if we could boil some of the Lunar Ice, yet to be found at the lunar poles. Well just boiling water you made might preset a problem.
Here is one solution that is being considered and some of you may find this close to what you are working on as well.
- LRK -

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Wake up and smell the coffee -- on the Moon!
05.15.2009
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15may_stirling.htm?list965414

*May 15, 2009:* Have you ever wondered how you'd make your morning cup of java if you lived on another planet, or perhaps the moon? That steaming beverage would be a must on a cold lunar morning.

But with rare sunlight, no coal or wood to burn, and no flowing water for hydro-electrical power, how would you make that cup of coffee, much less cook breakfast, heat your abode, and power the life support equipment and tools you needed to live and work up there?

NASA, planning for a future lunar outpost, has been asking those same questions lately.

There's more than one way to generate power on the moon. Fission Surface Power is one of the options NASA is considering. If this method is chosen, an engine invented in the early 1800s by Scottish brothers Robert and James Stirling could help make it work.

[*Editor's note:* If you have questions about this technology, please contact Marshall Space Flight Center Public Affairs at 256 544 0034.]

The Stirlings were so proud of their creation that they made it their namesake – and with good reason. Over the years the Stirling engine -- the reliable, efficient "little engine that could" -- has earned a sterling reputation here on Earth, and it may one day prove its worth on the moon.

"Inhabitants of a lunar outpost will need a safe and effective way to generate light and heat and electricity," says Mike Houts of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. "The tried and true Stirling engine fits the bill. It's not only reliable and efficient, but also versatile and clean."

NASA is partnering with the Department of Energy to develop Fission Surface Power technology to produce heat and feed it into a Stirling engine, which, in turn, would convert heat energy into electricity for use by moon explorers.

snip
---------------------------------------------------------------------

And while I was away visiting friends in Las Vegas, NV and seeing the Grand Canyon south rim in Arizona, Snoopy celebrated his 40th anniversary of going to the Moon.
- LRK -

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http://www.space.com/entertainment/090515-apollo-snoopy.html
Snoopy Celebrates 40th Anniversary of His Moon Flight
By Jeremy Hsu Staff Writer
posted: 15 May 2009
10:27 am ET

Snoopy, the irreverent dog from the "Peanuts" comic strip, took time from his World War I dogfights as world-famous flying ace to become a world-famous astronaut for NASA's Apollo 10 mission.

The beagle now has a 5-foot-tall statue at Florida's Kennedy Space Center to commemorate the flight, which launched 40 years ago this month and arrived at the moon on May 21, 1969. That's when the /Snoopy/ lunar module and the 'Charlie Brown' command module entered lunar orbit. Apollo 10 paved the way for Apollo 11 to land men on the moon .

"It went down in his life as one of the all-time highlights of his career," said Craig Schulz, son of Charles Schulz, the famed American comic strip writer who died in 2000.

The elder Schulz was reportedly thrilled when NASA contacted him prior to the 1969 mission, and approved the request despite "what-if" remarks from friends who worried about a possible mission disaster.

"His comment was that if the astronauts could risk their lives, he could risk his characters," the younger Schulz told 'SPACE.com'.

The Snoopy lunar module did not land on the moon. It was taken on the mission as a near-complete dress rehearsal for the Apollo 11 moon landing that would take place a few weeks later.

Snoopy's first foray with NASA dates back to the Apollo 1 fire which killed three astronauts in 1967. That event — which Snoopy was not involved in — eventually led NASA to approach Charles Schulz and ask for permission to use his character as the basis for a new safety award.

"NASA decided that they needed to come up with a safety program and wanted a mascot similar to Smokey the Bear," Craig Schulz said.

Charles Schulz then drew up a template for what has become the Silver Snoopy award pin. Each pin is flown in space on shuttle missions and presented by an astronaut to awardees who contribute to the success and safety of spaceflight operations.

Less than 1 percent of the NASA-related workforce have received the honor, which represents one of the highest and prestigious awards within the space agency and the broader industry.

Craig Schulz and the rest of the Schulz family recently donated the Snoopy statue to NASA to commemorate the Apollo anniversary. The Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Calif., also has an exhibit detailing the Apollo 10 mission and Snoopy's space agency involvement on display through July.

As for the 'Snoopy' lunar module, it's still flying in space — the only Apollo module to ever get launched into a sun orbit.

snip
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Lest we not forget, humans went to the Moon as well and tested the Lunar Module.on the Apollo 10 mission.
So close, but not to touch down, that would come next with Apollo 11.
- LRK -

---------------------------------------------------------------------
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo10info.html
Apollo 10
Launched: 18 May 1969 UT 16:49:00 (12:49:00 p.m. EDT)
Lunar Orbit: 21 May 1969
Returned to Earth: 26 May 1969 UT 16:52:23 (12:52:23 p.m. EDT)
Thomas P. Stafford, commander
John W. Young, command module pilot
Eugene A. Cernan, lunar module pilot


Apollo 10 Command Module "Charlie Brown"
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1969-043A

Apollo 10 Lunar Module "Snoopy"
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1969-043A

snip
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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.collectspace.com/news/news-013109a.html
Museum soars 'To The Moon' with Snoopy in space exhibit

January 31, 2009 — Four months before the first humans landed on the Moon in 1969, a beagle beat them to it.

More important than racing the Russians, or passing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, was that this "World Famous Astronaut" had beat "that stupid cat who lives next door."

Of course, Snoopy's moon trip only took place in the daily "Peanuts" comic strips created by Charles M. Schulz and syndicated in newspapers the week of March 10, 1969.

Two months later though, Snoopy -- along with his owner Charlie Brown -- took a different trip to the Moon, only this time it was for real. Serving as the spacecraft names for NASA's final lunar landing dress rehearsal, Charlie Brown and Snoopy cleared the way for Neil and Buzz to become the first men on the Moon.

Snoopy's space flights, both those real and imagined, are celebrated in "To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA", a six-month exhibit that opened Saturday at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California.

"We were thinking about the fact that it was the 40th anniversary of Apollo 10 and how wonderful it would be to explore that connection between the Peanuts characters and NASA," curator Jane O'Cain told collectSPACE.

The resulting exhibition, which runs January 31 through the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing on July 20, 2009, uses both space exploration and Schulz artifacts to guide visitors through the past four decades of Snoopy's space adventures.

snip
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--- If you are going to be in northern California, San Jose area, you may be interested in what Steve Durst passed me.
- LRK -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Galaxy Forum – USA, July 4, The Tech Museum of Innovation,
Request to List / Promote Educational Space Event*

Dear Larry,

The International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) and Space Age Publishing Company will be presenting an educational space event in July, which will likely be of interest to your readers, called Galaxy Forum -- USA. This event is open to the public and admission is free.

This event is part of an international program of Galaxy Forums, to confirm and actualize Galaxy Education in the 21^st Century as an energizing, central focus and way forward.

We would like to publicize the event through your publication. Following is a brief notice:

*Galaxy Forum -- USA
*July 4, 2009, 9:30am – 11:30am, at the The Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose, CA. Featured speakers include Jon Lomberg, creator of the Galaxy Garden in Hawai’i, Dr. Chris McKay, Planetary Scientist from NASA Ames, Steve Durst, founder of the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) and Dr. Yvonne Clearwater, NASA Project Manager. Admission is free; please contact news@ _spaceagepub._com or call 650-324-3705 to reserve your place.

Attached is a detailed announcement for the event.
[PDF file which I have not forwarded. - LRK -]
--- See http://www.iloa.org/ and http://www.spaceagepub.com/ ---


Thank you for your consideration.

Best wishes,

Steve Durst, Director
Michelle Gonella, Marketing
Space Age Publishing Company
480 California Avenue, Suite 303
Palo Alto, California 94306
650-324-3705
fax: 650-324-3716
news@spaceagepub.com

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

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

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

Monday, May 11, 2009

A Lunar Base - "Augustine Report" - Should you worry?

Just received this week's issue of The Space Review, by Jeff Foust.
http://www.thespacereview.com/index.html

I think you should read.
Doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
More like, "Here we go again, don't talk about putting humans on the Moon."
- LRK -
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Park gets his wish: "It's time for another Augustine Report"
---
Last week the White House announced plans for a new review of NASA's human spaceflight program led by Norm Augustine, who chaired another space policy review nearly 20 years ago. Michael Huang expresses concern that the choice of Augustine as panel chair may lead to conclusions that could put the overall program in jeopardy.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1370/1

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

During my time at NASA Ames Research Center there were several changes in NASA Administrators and several reorganizations.
For a long time, no talking about going to the Moon with humans, then it became acceptable, and probable.
I feel for those still working at the various NASA Centers and Field Facilities, wondering what is coming next.
http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/OrganizationIndex.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
==============================================================
--- Will the new report look like the old one? Should you worry about going to the Moon?
- LRK -
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http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/augustin.html
Principal Recommendations of the Augustine Commission, 1990
[Editorial Headnote: From the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, December 1990), pp. 47-48. Page numbers of original document in brackets.]


[47] Principal Recommendations

This report offers specific recommendations pertaining to civil space goals and program content as well as suggestions relating to internal NASA management. These are summarized below in four primary groupings. In order to implement fully these recommendations and suggestions, the support of both the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch will be needed, and of NASA itself.


Principal Recommendations Concerning Space Goals

It is recommended that the United States' future civil space program consist of a balanced set of five principal elements:

* a science program, which enjoys highest priority within the civil
space program, and is maintained at or above the current fraction
of the NASA budget (Recommendations 1 and 2);
* a Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) focusing on environmental
measurements (Recommendation 3);
* a Mission from Planet Earth (MFPE), with the long-term goal of
human exploration of Mars, preceded by a modified Space Station
which emphasizes life-sciences, an exploration base on the moon,
and robotic precursors to Mars (Recommendations 4, 5, 6, and 7);
* a significantly expanded technology development activity, closely
coupled to space mission objectives, with particular attention
devoted to engines + a robust space transportation system
(Recommendation 9).


Principal Recommendations Concerning Programs

With regard to program content, it is recommended that:

* the strategic plan for science currently under consideration be
implemented (Recommendation 2);
* a revitalized technology plan be prepared with strong input from
the mission offices, and that it be funded (Recommendation 8);
* Space Shuttle missions be phased over to a new unmanned
(heavy-lift) launch vehicle except for mission where human
involvement is essential or other critical national needs dictate
(Recommendation 9);
* Space Station Freedom be revamped to emphasize life-sciences and
human space operations, and include microgravity research as
appropriate. It should be reconfigured to reduce cost and
complexity; and the current 90-day time limit on redesign should
be extended if a thorough reassessment is not possible in that
period (Recommendation 6);
* a personnel module be provided, as planned, for emergency return
from Space Station Freedom, and that initial provisions be made
for two-way missions in the event of unavailability of the Space
Shuttle (Recommendation 11).


Principal Recommendations Concerning Affordability

It is recommended that the NASA program be structured in scope so as not to exceed a funding profile containing approximately 10 percent real growth per year throughout the remainder of the decade and then remaining at that level, including but not limited to the following actions:

* redesign and reschedule the Space Station Freedom to reduce cost
and complexity (Recommendation 6);
* defer or eliminate the planned purchase of another orbiter
(Recommendation 10);
* place the Mission from Planet Earth on a "go-as-you-pay" basis,
i.e., tailoring the schedule to match the availability of funds
(Recommendation 5).


Principal Recommendations Concerning Management

With regard to management of the civil space program, it is recommended that:

* an Executive Committee of the Space Council be established which
includes the Administrator of NASA (Recommendation 12);
* major reforms be made in the civil service regulations as they
apply to specialty skills; or, if that is not possible, exemptions
be granted to NASA for at least 10 percent of its employees to
operate under a tailored personnel system; or, as a final [48]
alternative, that NASA begin selectively converting at least some
of its centers into university-affiliated Federally Funded
Research and Development Centers (Recommendations 14 and 15);
* NASA management review the mission of each center to consolidate
and refocus centers of excellence in currently relevant fields
with minimum overlap among centers (Recommendation 13).

It is considered by the Committee that the internal organization of any institution should be the province of, and at the discretion of, those bearing ultimate responsibility for the performance of that institution. . . .

* That the current headquarters structure be revamped,
disestablishing the positions of certain existing Associate
Administrators . . .
* an exceptionally well-qualified independent cost analysis group be
attached to headquarters with ultimate responsibility for all
top-level cost estimating including cost estimates provided
outside of NASA;
* a systems concept and analysis group reporting to the
Administrator of NASA be established as a Federally Funded
Research and Development Center;
* multi-center projects be avoided wherever possible, but when this
is not practical, a strong and independent project office
reporting to headquarters be established near the center having
the principle share of the work for that project; and that this
project office have a systems engineering staff and full budget
authority (ideally industrial funding--i.e., funding allocations
related specifically to end-goals).

In summary, we recommend:

* 1) Establishing the science program as the highest priority
element of the civil space program, to be maintained at or above
the current fraction of the budget.
* 2) Obtaining exclusions for a portion of NASA's employees from
existing civil service rules or, failing that, beginning a gradual
conversion of selected centers to Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers affiliated with universities, using as a model
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
* 3) Redesigning the Space Station Freedom to lessen complexity and
reduce cost, taking whatever time may be required to do this
thoroughly and innovatively.
* 4) Pursuing a Mission from Planet Earth as a complement to the
Mission to Planet Earth, with the former having Mars as its very
long-term goal--but relieved of schedule pressures and progressing
according to the availability of funding.
* 5) Reducing our dependence on the Space Shuttle by phasing over to
a new unmanned heavy lift launch vehicle for all but missions
requiring human presence.

The Committee would be pleased to meet again in perhaps six months should the NASA Administrator so desire, in order to assist on the implementation process. In the meantime, NASA may wish to seek the assistance of its regular outside advisory group, the NASA Advisory Council, to provide independent and ongoing advice for implementing these findings.

Each of the recommendations herein is supported unanimously by the members of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
/For further information, please contact histinfo@hq.nasa.gov /

snip
==============================================================
http://www.freemars.org/history/augustine/index.html


Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program

Washington, D.C.

December 17, 1990

TO: The Administrator of NASA

Enclosed, in accordance with the schedule established 120 days ago, is the final report of the Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program. The Committee members look forward to reporting our findings with you to the Vice President.

The Committee's twelve members represent a broad diversity of backgrounds, comprising in the aggregate several hundred years experience in space activities but also including one member with no specific prior experience in space matters. The Committee includes individuals with backgrounds in industry, academia, the military, and a former NASA administrator; its perspectives include that of scientists, former astronauts, managers, engineers, private citizens, and former members of Congress. The Committee is unanimous in its findings.

The members are grateful to the more than 300 individuals who appeared before the Committee or its working groups as well as to the several hundred persons who wrote provocative, thoughtful letters -- often filling many pages. The Committee also had the opportunity to read or be briefed on over a dozen earlier studies of specific aspects of the civil space program.

The Committee's hearings were held in public session and were carried over satellite television for those interested. The Committee chose to perform its own inquiry and hence had no research staff but was ably supported by a small but excellent administrative staff. The cooperation and openness of the NASA employees with whom we met was superb, including those involved with our visits to all the NASA centers and headquarters.

We conclude that the civil space program is neither as troubled as some would suggest nor nearly as strong as will be needed, given the magnitude of the challenges the program must undertake in the future.

(signed)
Norman R. Augustine
Laurel L. Wilkening
Pete Aldridge
Don Fuqua
Joseph P. Allen
Robert T. Herres
D. James Baker
David T. Kearns
Edward P. Boland
Louis J. Lanzerotti
Daniel J. Fink
Tom Paine


Executive Summary

The United States' civil space program was rather hurriedly formulated some three decades ago on the heels of the successful launch of the Soviet Sputnik. A dozen humans have been placed on the Moon and safely returned to Earth, seven of the other eight planets have been viewed at close range, including the soft landing of two robot spacecraft on Mars, and a variety of significant astronomical and other scientific observations have been accomplished. Closer to Earth, a network of communications satellites has been established, weather and ocean conditions are now monitored and reported as they occur, and the Earth's surface is observed from space to study natural resources and detect sources of pollution.


Problems and Perspectives.

In spite of these virtually unparalleled achievements, the civil space program and its principal agent, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, are today the subject of considerable criticism. The source of this criticism ranges from concern over technical capability to the complexity of major space projects; from the ability to estimate and control costs to the growth of bureaucracy; and from a perceived lack of an overall space plan to an alleged institutional resistance to new ideas and change. The failure of the Challenger, the recent hydrogen leaks on several Space Shuttle orbiters, the spherical aberration problem encountered with the Hubble Space Telescope, and various launch processing errors such as a work platform left in an engine compartment and discovered during launch preparations, have all heightened this dissatisfaction.

Some of the concern is, in the view of the Committee, deserved and occasionally even self-inflicted. For example, the practice of separately reporting the cost of space missions according to accounting categories (which for bookkeeping purposes allocates launch services to a distinct account) results in confusion as to what is the actual cost of a mission. Yet, in spite of recognized current problems, care must also be taken not to impose potentially disruptive remedies on today's NASA to correct problems that existed in an earlier NASA. The much publicized spherical aberration problem of the Hubble Space Telescope encountered this past year is in fact a consequence of an assembly error left undiscovered in tests conducted a decade ago -- in 1980. The decision to launch the Challenger in cold weather, when the seals between rocket motor segments would be most suspect, took place five years ago and has spurred NASA to many management changes. Since the Challenger accident, NASA has increased the emphasis on safety, and has borne the burden of delaying launches when reasonable questions arose over the readiness to launch safely. On the other hand, processing incidents during launch preparation continue to occur in NASA operations, and to be the cause of justifiable concern.

Because of the intense interest in -- and scrutiny of -- America's commendably open and visible civil space program, it is sometimes easy to overlook the fact that technical problems such as hydrogen leaks, faulty seals and erroneous assembly procedures are not unique to today's space activities, or even to NASA. Although problems of any sort are most emphatically not to be condoned, when comparing today's space program with the successes of the past, it must also be recalled that America's first attempt to launch an Earth satellite using the Vanguard rocket ended in failure. By the end of 1959, 37 satellite launches had been attempted: less than one-third attained orbit. Ten of the first eleven launches of unmanned probes to the Moon to obtain precursor data in support of the Apollo mission failed. Three astronauts were lost in a fire aboard the Apollo capsule during ground testing. A cryogenic storage tank exploded during the mission of Apollo 13 en route to the Moon, seriously damaging the spacecraft. During the few months surrounding the Challenger accident, a Delta, an Atlas-Centaur, two Titan 34-D's, a French Ariane-2 and a Soviet Proton were all lost. Space missions, whether manned or unmanned, are fundamentally difficult and demanding undertakings that depend upon some of the world's most advanced technology. The Saturn V rocket required the integration of some six million components manufactured by thousands of separate contractors. Voyager 2 arrived at Neptune a mere one second behind its final updated schedule after a 12-year, 4.4 billion mile flight, approaching within 3,000 miles of the planet's surface. The information to be gathered by the Earth Observing System could approach 10 trillion bits of information -- about one Library of Congress -- per day. The matter of human frailty is perhaps of even greater import: in the case of the Apollo program, some 400,000 people at some 20,000 locations were involved in its design, test and operation.

snip
-------------
How shall we pay the bills for all of this? First, as already noted, we assume growth in civil space funding for the next decade. We also recommend a redesign of the Space Station, in part, to reduce cost. We would propose diverting funds from the planned additional Space Shuttle orbiter (but not from support hardware needed to assure the Space Shuttle's continued operational viability) to enable construction of the new unmanned heavy lift launch vehicle. We believe that a new unmanned launch vehicle itself can produce substantial savings -- but not in the near term and in the longer term only if we change our processing philosophy and manpower. We recommend configuring the long term manned exploration program, which focuses on Mars but has critical stepping stones along the way in the form of the Space Station and a lunar base, to a schedule that adapts to the availability of funding. And we propose a number of management enhancements that should produce efficiencies and modest attendant cost savings. The most important *ofthis category of improvement, however, is not fully within NASA's wherewithal to implement -- namely, the provision of predictable and stable funding. This will require the support of other parts of the Administration and the Congress. The essential role of this support cannot be overemphasized *ifthe U.S. is to have a successful civil space program.
snip
-------------

Do you live in Minnesota?
- LRK -
[http://www.freemars.org/]
==============================================================
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2009/05/06/that-long-awaited-constellation-review/
Space Politics.Beltway…

That long-awaited Constellation review
May 6, 2009 at 4:37 am ·

It appears that a review of NASA’s Constellation program that had been anticipated by many for weeks, if not months, will finally be moving forward. The Orlando Sentinel reported yesterday afternoon that the White house will officially order that review later this week, perhaps when the detailed NASA budget request for FY2010 is released on Thursday. The review could start later this month and be done in 60 to 90 days. According to Florida Today, the likely chair of the review panel will be Norm Augustine, former chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin (and neither Lori Garver nor Pete Worden, contrary to previous reports). The White House declined to comment on the upcoming review, telling Florida Today only that “the administration believes it is extremely important to ensure that the nation is on a vigorous and sustainable path to achieving its boldest aspirations in space.”

Such a review would not seem to bode well for the Ares 1 in particular, but at least one supporter remained confident about its prospects despite the impending review. “The Ares 1 and 5 vehicles have been through several studies and reviews and I am confident that any additional study will show that the Ares program is our best option to take our astronauts safely to the space station and beyond,” Congressman Parker Griffith (D-AL) told the Huntsville Times.

[A lot of comments if you care to read. - LRK -]

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

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

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

Thursday, May 07, 2009

NASA Announces Fiscal Year 2010 Budget

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/may/HQ_09-102_FY2010Budget.html
RELEASE : 09-102
NASA Announces Fiscal Year 2010 Budget

WASHINGTON -- NASA announced Thursday an $18.69 billion budget for fiscal year 2010 to advance Earth science, complete the International Space Station, explore the solar system and conduct aeronautics research. The budget request represents an increase of $903.6 million, or 5 percent, above funding provided in the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. All totaled, an additional $2 billion has been added to NASA's 2009 and 2010 budgets under the Obama administration.

NASA's fiscal year 2010 request funds a robust program to continue the agency's missions of exploration and research. It supports the administration's commitment to deploy a global climate change research and monitoring system. It funds a strong program of space exploration involving humans and robots with the goal of returning Americans to the moon and exploring other destinations. And it supports the safe flight of the space shuttle to complete assembly of the International Space Station by the shuttle's planned retirement.

Funds freed by the shuttle's retirement will support development of systems to deliver people and cargo to the station, the moon and other destinations. As part of the effort, NASA will invest in private-sector development and the demonstration of vehicles to support the agency's human crew and cargo spaceflight requirements.

snip

In conjunction with the budget release, the White House also announced the launch of an independent review of NASA's human spaceflight activities. The Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans will examine NASA development programs and possible alternatives. The goal is to provide options that will ensure the nation's human spaceflight program remains safe, innovative and affordable in the years following the space shuttle's retirement.
snip
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

You know, back in 2007 there was a panel of folks that met to evaluate the potential for going to the Moon and setting up a base at the south pole.
Lots of inputs, slides, presentations, and the like.

I hope this administration has looked at it.
I think I need to get up on a soap box and use a megaphone to shout over the crowd.
Here are some links so you won't be surprised if I bend your ear some in coming posts.
If you like what you see, I would hope you pass it on.
I would hate to just pick on you in the front row. :-)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/nac/home/lunar-exploration-science-workshop.html
Lunar Exploration Science Workshop
Final Report
View PDF (15 MB)
Workshop Presentations
View site
Recommendations
View PDF (1.86 MB)

Or here as well if above links don't give you the URL.
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/LEA/
Workshop on Science Associated with the Lunar Exploration Architecture
February 27 - March 2 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I signed back up with Twitter and maybe will add a few comments as I shout at the walls.
http://twitter.com/lrkellogg

The Moon Society Blog has some comments as well.
http://www.moonsociety.org/blog/index.php

The Lunar Networks blogspot has some links for making a case for a lunar base.
http://lunarnetworks.blogspot.com/2009/05/making-case-for-lunar-base.html

Look, I am 71 and waiting until 2020 to see humans go back to the Moon is bad enough.
I would really like to see a plan to put us there to develop the Moon as a resource for expanding our ventures into space.
I don't want to see just a pup tent.

If you feel the same way, feel free to drop me a line at my gmail address.
If you don't feel the same way, well feel free to throw some tomatoes at me.
I need a good salad. :-)

I have been studying Thai for 30+ years, I guess I could add Chinese.
I have some Japanese dictionaries.
Some of you will have to help me with the languages of India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_India
My one college course in reading about some Russian novels isn't going to cut it.

Look at the NASA budget if you dare. I copied the NASA post below.

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

May 7, 2009

Michael Cabbage/Stephanie Schierholz Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 mcabbage@nasa.gov stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 09-102

NASA ANNOUNCES FISCAL YEAR 2010 BUDGET

WASHINGTON -- NASA announced Thursday an $18.69 billion budget for fiscal year 2010 to advance Earth science, complete the International Space Station, explore the solar system and conduct aeronautics research. The budget request represents an increase of $903.6 million, or 5 percent, above funding provided in the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. All totaled, an additional $2 billion has been added to NASA's 2009 and 2010 budgets under the Obama administration.

NASA's fiscal year 2010 request funds a robust program to continue the agency's missions of exploration and research. It supports the administration's commitment to deploy a global climate change research and monitoring system. It funds a strong program of space exploration involving humans and robots with the goal of returning Americans to the moon and exploring other destinations. And it supports the safe flight of the space shuttle to complete assembly of the International Space Station by the shuttle's planned retirement.

Funds freed by the shuttle's retirement will support development of systems to deliver people and cargo to the station, the moon and other destinations. As part of the effort, NASA will invest in private-sector development and the demonstration of vehicles to support the agency's human crew and cargo spaceflight requirements.

With the fiscal year 2010 budget request, NASA will advance global climate change research. NASA's investment in Earth science research satellites, airborne sensors, computer models and analysis has revolutionized scientific knowledge and predictions of climate change and its effects. Using the National Research Council's recommended priorities for space-based Earth science research, NASA will develop new sensors to support the administration's goal of deploying a global climate research and monitoring system.

The budget request also renews NASA's commitment to aeronautics research to address aviation safety, air traffic control, noise and emissions reduction, and fuel efficiency. And NASA's diverse portfolio of science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational activities is aligned with the administration's goal of improving American innovation and global competitiveness.

In conjunction with the budget release, the White House also announced the launch of an independent review of NASA's human spaceflight activities. The Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans will examine NASA development programs and possible alternatives. The goal is to provide options that will ensure the nation's human spaceflight program remains safe, innovative and affordable in the years following the space shuttle's retirement.

The review team will work closely with NASA and seek input from the Congress, the White House, the public, industry and international partners as it develops these options. The panel's results will support an administration decision by August 2009 on how to proceed. Acting NASA Administrator Christopher Scolese expressed his support for the effort.

"The thousands of workers who have given so much over the years to bring human spaceflight to where it is today deserve nothing less than a full assurance their commitment will be applied in the smartest and most practical ways," Scolese said.

A blue-ribbon panel of experts will conduct the review, led by Norman Augustine, a former aerospace industry executive who served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and is a recipient of the National Medal of Technology, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Public Service Award and the Department of Defense's Distinguished Service Medal. Augustine also has served as chairman of the American Red Cross and the National Academy of Engineering, and was president of the Boy Scouts of America. Michael Hawes, the associate administrator of NASA's Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation in Washington, will serve as the lead of the NASA team supporting the review.

"It is an honor to be asked to lead this important human spaceflight review, and I am excited about working with my fellow panel members to examine these difficult and complex questions," Augustine said. "I am a real believer in the value of this nation's human spaceflight activities and will do everything I can to provide the information needed to help the country maintain the spectacular arc of progress NASA has fueled for five decades."

Work will continue on NASA's missions of exploration and research while the review is underway.

"With this budget," Scolese said, "NASA is able to support a balanced portfolio of priorities in space exploration, Earth and space science, and aeronautics research."
The NASA budget and supporting information are available online at:
http://www.nasa.gov/budget
-end-

snip
==============================================================
http://www.wacotrib.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2009/05/03/05032009wachickaminterview.html
Shooting for the stars in life, dreams: Bestselling author Homer Hickam takes your questions
Sunday, May 03, 2009

In a Waco Trib Live Chat, Homer Hickam, 66, bestselling author of the memoir Rocket Boys, the One Book, One Waco spring selection, answered questions from online readers about space travel, filmmakers, backyard rockets, the challenge of writing memoirs and meeting John F. Kennedy.

Hickam’s visit to Waco on Monday includes a tour of SpaceX’s rocket-testing facilities in McGregor and an address at 7 p.m. at Baylor University’s Waco Hall.

snip
Q Memoirs such as your trilogy of books about Coalwood remain immensely popular, yet memoirs in general have become controversial in literary circles lately, owing to the invention of entire episodes by some authors. How hard was it turning real life into a compelling memoir?
A Writing Rocket Boys was difficult. I threw away hundreds of pages trying to rediscover the story and the people involved. Finally, I knew I had to get inside the head of 14-17-year-old “Sonny” Hickam and let him tell it. It was not easy finding that boy again.

Q How did you recall these events so vividly? Did you keep a journal?
A I didn’t keep a journal, but my father did. Every day! He was very disciplined about that. I only had to refer to it to see what was happening in Coalwood. I also surprised myself in that I remembered in detail each rocket. Of course, I would never forget (high school girlfriend) Dorothy Plunk and everything about her!

Q Tell us of your conversation with John F. Kennedy. Did it really happen like your book describes?
A Yes, Sonny really met JFK and asked him what he would do in space. When the future president wasn’t certain, Sonny suggested we should go to the moon. That’s one of those things that, upon recollection, seems unreal even today to me.

Q As an engineer with NASA for many years, do you have any feelings about what NASA’s mission should be in the coming decades?
A I think we must go back to the moon and utilize its resources for the betterment of our earth and our society. I consider the moon part of our earth — it actually is, carved off by a collision — and we should extend our civilization to it. Mars, for now, can better be explored robotically. To go there utilizing chemical rockets with humans aboard makes no sense. Just too far, too much radiation, etc. For that, we need big bad nuclear rockets which I would love to see NASA build.

snip

[Note: Think it is time to re-read "Back To The Moon". The Shuttle is Hijacked. Now the Countdown to Adventure Begins...
http://www.homerhickam.com/
http://www.homerhickam.com/books/
http://www.amazon.com/Back-Moon-Novel-Homer-Hickam/dp/0440235383/ ]
With all the recent exposure of financial wrong doings, Homer's novel is getting too close to home.
Who really makes the decisions on what we spend our taxes on? ]
==============================================================

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

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

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Galloway, Noted Space Law Expert, Dies At 102

Have you ever wondered just how organizations begin and who are instrumental in making it happen?
We often forget that one person can have a big impact.
When you have a dream or see a need, and have the courage of your convictions, things change.
Then again, you might just be asked to serve, and you do it well.

Take a look at the Aviation Week article mentioned below.
Maybe you can make a difference.
Don't have the time, well see what you can do with 102 years. :-)
- LRK -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As noted in Today's Top Stories (May 5, 2009) posted by "Harrington, J D. (HQ-NB070)"
snip
*2. Galloway, Noted Space Law Expert, Dies At 102.* _Aviation Week_ (5/4, Morring) reported, "Eilene Marie Galloway, who helped draft the legislation that created NASA and went on to become an internationally recognized expert in space law and policy, died May 2 of cancer. She was 102." Galloway also helped "establish the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), where she frequently represented the US." Furthermore, she was the "first woman elected Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2006), the organization's highest honor. ... She was the first recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Aerospace, and received the NASA Public Service Award and Gold Medal in 1984."

snip
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Aviation Week article link (5/4, Morring)
TinyURL for link above - http://tinyurl.com/cep4ae
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have an e-mail address that is inside the NASA domain, you can subscribe to J. D. Harrington's news clips.
If not, well I guess you need to rely on friends to poke you with interesting tid bits.
Thanks to you who are looking up.
Appreciate the nudge, nudge.
- LRK -

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*J.D. HARRINGTON
*Public Affairs Officer
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Science Mission Directorate
300 E Street, S.W.
Suite 3C33
Washington, D.C. 20546-0001
Email: j.d.harrington@nasa.gov
Voice: (202) 358-5241
Cell: (202) 262-7048
Fax: (202) 358-2769

/Creativity is all in your mind!
----------------------------------------
/*Today's Stories*: (Compiled from a variety of media sources. The NASA news clips are attached. You can also subscribe to a daily RSS Feed or Email of the NASA News Bulletin by visiting from your NASA computer.)
snip
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hmmm, wish I was still inside the fence and had a NASA computer.
Feel free to keep me up to date. :-)
- 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
==============================================================
http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/COPUOS/copuos.html
United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was set up by the General Assembly in 1959 ( resolution 1472 (XIV)
)
to review the scope of international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, to devise programmes in this field to be undertaken under United Nations auspices, to encourage continued research and the dissemination of information on outer space matters, and to study legal problems arising from the exploration of outer space.

Number of Member States
in the Committee: 69

The Committee has two standing Subcommittees of the whole:

* the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee
; and
* the Legal Subcommittee
.

The Committee and its two Subcommittees meet annually to consider questions put before them by the General Assembly, reports submitted to them and issues raised by the Member States. The Committee and the Subcommittees, working on the basis of consensus, make recommendations to the General Assembly. Detailed information on the work of the Committee and the Subcommittees are contained in their annual reports.

The fiftieth session
of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was held from 6-15 June 2007 at the United Nation Office at Vienna, Vienna International Center, Vienna, Austria.

snip
==============================================================
What is IISL? - LRK -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.iislweb.org/
Defining the principles governing outer space activities

Space law is an area of the law that encompasses national and international law governing activities in outer space.

The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) was founded in 1960. The purposes and objectives of the Institute include the cooperation with appropriate international organisations and national institutions in the field of space law and the carrying out of tasks for fostering the development of space law.

snip
==============================================================
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=28133*

Dr. Eilene Galloway The Grand Matriarch of Space Law Passes Away*
Eilene Marie Galloway, one of the world's leading experts in space law and policy, died at her home in Washington, D.C. She was 102. Dr. Galloway resided in the District of Columbia for 78 years.

In the May 15, 2006, Congressional Record, in honor of her 100th birthday, Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, called Dr. Galloway "an influential force in the development and analysis of domestic and international space law and policy." She retired from the Library of Congress's Congressional Research Service, where she was Senior Specialist in International Relations (National Security).

snip

Eilene was fearless. When she was six, her mother enrolled her in the Georgie Brown Dramatic School in Kansas City, Missouri, where she learned to be confident in front of audiences. She was one of a group of girls from the School who performed a patriotic song and dance for Theodore Roosevelt at the Muhlbach Hotel in Kansas City, when he was campaigning for the U.S. presidency in 1912. Throughout her life, she was not afraid to take on any task that came her way. She always found a way to turn crises and problems into opportunities. In times of stress, she turned to her favorite book, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, for guidance.

Eilene was an expert story-teller, sharing with wit and a wonderful sense of humor tales of her experiences as a child, in the Great Depression, her work with powerful members of Congress, her travels around the world, and especially her work as a space law and policy analyst. She had a wonderful sense of humor. Once she arrived in Germany to begin a tour of countries before meeting a deadline in England. At the U.S. Army Office there, a colonel pulled down a large wall map of Europe and told her, "You cannot visit that many countries before your deadline," Eilene pulled out her pocket map and said, "The reason you think I cannot do it is because you have such a large map. I have a little map, which makes it possible for me to meet my deadline."
snip
==============================================================
http://obama.wsj.com/article/0aUBa60g9Y1Ct?q=U.S.+Congress
Space-Law Pioneer Eilene Galloway Dead at 102

Wall Street Journal has links to the above as well.
Here is a NASA Watch link.
- LRK -
http://www.nasawatch.com/archives/2009/05/dr_eilene_gallo.html
Dr. Eilene Galloway Passes Away Just Shy of her 103rd Birthday

Dr. Eilene Galloway The Grand Matriarch of Space Law Passes Away
"Eilene Marie Galloway, one of the world’s leading experts in space law and policy, died at her home in Washington, D.C. She was 102. Dr. Galloway resided in the District of Columbia for 78 years."

"October 4, 1957, when the first artificial satellite began orbiting the Earth, nations reacted with fear of atomic bombs launched by rockets
. Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, Chairman of the Preparedness Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked Eilene Galloway, National Defense Analyst of the Library of Congress, to serve as Staff Consultant for hearings on U.S. preparedness in space. When it became clear that the problem involved scientists and engineers in more than military aspects, the Senate organized the Special Committee on Space and Astronautics, which Eilene served by formulating questions for witnesses and analyzing testimony."

snip
==============================================================

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

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

Monday, May 04, 2009

Who owns the Moon? At the moment - NO ONE -

I received an e-mail from Steve Durst, which was probably prompted by my two comments below that may have implied you could own a piece of the Moon.
That isn't what the current treaties say. If you want to lay claim to the Moon or an asteroid you might want check what you can do with them.
Your venture capitalist had better check what is being said about Space Law as well.
- LRK -

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope someone will go to the Moon, dig into some regolith, and open up a Real Estate Office.
[Or go up and see if they can claim the lunar plot they already bought.]
[ http://www.lunarlandowner.com/lunar_city_project.htm ]
- LRK -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If any of you have already purchased your lunar lot with a view, demand access rights.
When does the next shuttle flight leave for the Moon?
- LRK -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steve supplied this link to the April Astronautical News.
http://www.iafastro.com/newsletter/200904newsletter.pdf

On page 2 of the news letter is this paragraph and link.
- LRK -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.iislweb.org/html/20090322_news.html
IISL issues statement about lunar real estate The Board of International Institute of Space Law said that it is important to preserve outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, for the exploration and use of all humanity, not only for those States and private enterprises that are capable of doing so at any particular time.
snip
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the statement and some more links in it.
- LRK -

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL)
22 March 2009
In 2004, the Board of Directors of the IISL, an international non-governmental organisation, issued a statement relating to the issue of 'property rights' in outer space. The statement can be found on the website of the IISL, at http://www.iislweb.org/publications.html.

In view of recent misleading views and discussions on this subject in the press, the Board considers that it is appropriate to further clarify a number of salient points as follows:
International Law establishes a number of unambiguous principles, according to which the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is permitted for the benefit of mankind, but any purported attempt to claim ownership of any part of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, or authorisation of such claims by national legislation, is forbidden as following from the explicit prohibition of appropriation, and consequently is prohibited and unlawful. Since there is no territorial jurisdiction in outer space or on celestial bodies, there can be no private ownership of parts thereof, as this would presuppose the existence of a territorial sovereign competent to confer such titles of ownership.

The current international legal regime is binding both on States and, through the precise wording of Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which has been ratified by 100 countries, including all the space-faring countries, also on non-governmental entities, i.e. individuals, legal persons and private companies. The clear goal of such a regime is to preserve outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, for the exploration and use of all mankind, not only for those States and private enterprises that are capable of doing so at any particular time.

At present, international space legislation does not include detailed provisions with regard to the exploitation of natural resources of outer space, the Moon and other celestial bodies, although it does set down a general framework for the conduct of all space activities, including those of private persons and companies, with respect to such natural resources.

The IISL is of the opinion that a specific legal regime for the exploitation of such resources should be elaborated through the United Nations, on the basis of present international space law, for the purposes of clarity and legal certainty in the near future. The IISL will continue to play an active role in any such discussions as they develop.

PDF version
http://www.iislweb.org/docs/Statement%20BoD.pdf

The Board of Directors of the IISL comprises specialists in space law from all continents and various backgrounds, including past and present chairmen of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and its Legal Subcommittee. This Statement is based on a proposal from the members of the IISL Directorate of Studies. The views expressed in this Statement represent a consensus among the Members of the IISL Board of Directors acting in their personal capacity, and do not necessarily reflect the views of any entities with which they may be affiliated.
Copyright 2009 © IISL. All rights reserved.
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What is IISL?
- LRK -
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http://www.iislweb.org/
Defining the principles governing outer space activities

Space law is an area of the law that encompasses national and international law governing activities in outer space.
The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) was founded in 1960. The purposes and objectives of the Institute include the cooperation with appropriate international organisations and national institutions in the field of space law and the carrying out of tasks for fostering the development of space law.
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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
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http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/COPUOS/copuos.html
United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was set up by the General Assembly in 1959 ( resolution 1472 (XIV) ) to review the scope of international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, to devise programmes in this field to be undertaken under United Nations auspices, to encourage continued research and the dissemination of information on outer space matters, and to study legal problems arising from the exploration of outer space.

Number of Member States in the Committee: 69

The Committee has two standing Subcommittees of the whole:

* the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee
; and
* the Legal Subcommittee
.

The Committee and its two Subcommittees meet annually to consider questions put before them by the General Assembly, reports submitted to them and issues raised by the Member States. The Committee and the Subcommittees, working on the basis of consensus, make recommendations to the General Assembly. Detailed information on the work of the Committee and the Subcommittees are contained in their annual reports.

The fiftieth session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was held from 6-15 June 2007 at the United Nation Office at Vienna, Vienna International Center, Vienna, Austria.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty

The Outer Space Treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is a treaty that forms the basis of international space law. The treaty was opened for signature in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union on January 27, 1967, and entered into force on October 10, 1967. As of January 2008, 99 countries are states-parties to the treaty, while another 26 have signed the treaty but have not yet completed ratification.
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The Outer Space Treaty represents the basic legal framework of international space law. Among its principles, it bars States Parties to the Treaty from placing nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in orbit of Earth, installing them on the Moon or any other celestial body, or to otherwise station them in outer space. It exclusively limits the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes and expressly prohibits their use for testing weapons of any kind, conducting military maneuvers, or establishing military bases, installations, and fortifications (Art.IV). However, the Treaty does not prohibit the placement of conventional weapons in orbit.

The treaty explicitly forbids any government from claiming a celestial resource such as the Moon or a planet, since they are province of mankind. Art. II of the Treaty states, in fact, that "outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means". The pendant for giving up sovereignty in outer space is the jurisdiction and control that the State that launches a space object retains. According to Manfred Lachs jurisdiction and control is giving the means to the State to conduct a mission of space exploration.

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--- Copy of the Outer Space Treaty at NASA History - LRK -
http://history.nasa.gov/1967treaty.html
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967
Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies.
Opened for signature at Moscow, London, and Washington on 27 January, 1967
THE STATES PARTIES. TO THIS TREATY,
INSPIRED by the great prospects opening up before mankind as a result of man's entry into outer space,
RECOGNIZING the common interest of all mankind in the progress of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes,
BELIEVING that the exploration and use of outer space should be carried on for the benefit of all peoples irrespective of the degree of their economic or scientific development,
DESIRING to contribute to broad international co-operation in the scientific as well as the legal aspects of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes,
BELIEVING that such co-operation will contribute to the development of mutual understanding and to the strengthening of friendly relations between States and peoples,
RECALLING resolution 1962 (XVIII), entitled "Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space", which was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 December 1963,
RECALLING resolution 1884 (XVIII), calling upon States to refrain from placing in orbit around the earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction or from installing such weapons on celestial bodies, which was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly on 17 October 1963,
TAKING account of United Nations General Assembly resolution 110 (II) of 3 November 1947, which condemned propaganda designed or likely to provoke or encourage any threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression, and considering that the aforementioned resolution isapplicable to outer space,
CONVINCED that a Treaty on Principles Governing the Activitiesof States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, will further the Purposes and Principles ofthe Charter of the United Nations,
HAVE AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING:
Article I
The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free for exploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind, on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law, and there shall be free access to all areas of celestial bodies.
There shall be freedom of scientific investigation in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, and States shall facilitate and encourage international co-operation in such investigation.
Article II
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
Article III
States Parties to the Treaty shall carry on activities in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international co- operation and understanding.
Article IV
States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, instal such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.
The moon and other celestial bodies shall be used by all States Parties to the Treaty exclusively for peaceful purposes. The establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military manoeuvres on celestial bodies shall be forbidden. The use of military personnel for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes shall not be prohibited. The use of any equipment or facility necessary for peaceful exploration of the moon and other celestial bodies shall also not be prohibited.
Article V
In carrying on activities in outer space and on celestial bodies, the astronauts of one State Party shall render all possible assistance to the astronauts of other States Parties.

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--- Another link to the treaty. - LRK -
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/peace/docs/treatyouterspace.html
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, 610 U.N.T.S. 205, entered into force, Oct. 10, 1967.

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--- Then there are other interpretations and I am sure there will be more when we really set up the pup tent. - LRK -
--- Could I sell you the Brooklyn Bridge? - LRK -

http://www.lunarlandowner.com/space_law_faq.htm

In the last year, the Lunar Embassy as well as many other bodies has been receiving much attention with regard to the sale of extraterrestrial property.

The discussions in several articles are productive to furthering the discussion of the subject to say the least. This in itself has stimulated very positive and productive discussions all over the planet. The Lunar Embassy has however noticed that many discussions are sometimes tainted with simple untruths that are unfortunately stated by people who have not researched the subject in depth. As a result, some untruths sometimes get mixed up with what is actually fact today.

As market leaders in the area of extraterrestrial property sales, the Lunar Embassy feels it is therefore necessary to dispel a few myths. It is our goal to provide all the information possible in order to help our customers to make a correct and informed choice.
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http://www.lunarlandowner.com/1967_moon_treaty.htm

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 had many loopholes which allowed Dennis Hope to file his claim to the Moon more than 23 years ago.
Please note: To best understand all the details, facts and explanations of the The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, please view our What is the Law? section first.
Treaty On Principles Governing The Activities Of States In The Exploration And Use Of Outer Space, Including The Moon And Other Celestial Bodies
Opened for signature at Moscow, London, and Washington on 27 January 1967
THE STATES PARTIES TO THIS TREATY
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http://www.lunarland.com/
DON'T MISS OUT THE LUNAR LAND RUSH!
Yes, the Lunar Land rush is finally here! You too can become a Lunar Land owner today by acquiring land on the Moon. Since 1980 THE LUNAR EMBASSY has been selling land on the Moon. They are THE ONLY COMPANY and the FIRST in the world to possess the LEGAL BASIS and COPYRIGHT for the sale of Lunar Land and other extraterrestrial property within the confines of our solar system. Don't miss out on the Lunar Land rush and buy your piece of history today!
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

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Moon and Mars - Videos

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