TO THE MOON, MARS, AND BEYOND

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

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Easily track the activities of the United States Congress.

If you wish to continue looking at the progress of H.R. 2616 and H.R. 2617, this may be helpful.
- LRK -

Use GovTrack to keep tabs on your representatives in Congress or to research pending legislation that might impact your life or business.

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H.R. 2616: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2013

Introduced:
Jul 08, 2013 (113th Congress, 2013–2015)
Sponsor:
Rep. Donna Edwards [D-MD4]
Status:
Referred to Committee
The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.











STATUS
This bill was assigned to a congressional committee on July 8, 2013, which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or Senate as a whole.
PROGRESS
IntroducedJul 08, 2013
Referred to CommitteeJul 08, 2013
Reported by Committee...
Passed House...
Passed Senate...
Signed by the President...
PROGNOSIS
10% chance of getting past committee.
4% chance of being enacted.
Only 11% of bills made it past committee and only about 3% were enacted in 2011–2013. [show factors |methodology]
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H.R. 2617: Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act

Introduced:
Jul 08, 2013 (113th Congress, 2013–2015)
Sponsor:
Rep. Donna Edwards [D-MD4]
Status:
Referred to Committee
The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.










STATUS
This bill was assigned to a congressional committee on July 8, 2013, which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or Senate as a whole.
PROGRESS
IntroducedJul 08, 2013
Referred to CommitteeJul 08, 2013
Reported by Committee...
Passed House...
Passed Senate...
Signed by the President...
PROGNOSIS
21% chance of getting past committee.
7% chance of being enacted.
Only 11% of bills made it past committee and only about 3% were enacted in 2011–2013. [show factors |methodology]
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And if you have other Bills that interest you, check out the bills section and About Govtrack.us
- LRK -

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Bills and Resolutions

Around 10,000 bills and resolutions are considered by the U.S. Congress in each two-year session, but of those only about 4% will become law. The current two-year session is called the 113th Congress.

Search for a Bill

Search for bills using the search box at the top right of every page, or use the advanced search to screen by status, subject, and other factors.
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Thanks for looking up with me.  
- LRK -
 
Moon Treaty
The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,[2] better known as the Moon Treaty or Moon Agreement, is an international treaty that turns jurisdiction of all celestial bodies (including the orbits around such bodies) over to the international community. Thus, all activities must conform to international law (notably this includes the UN Charter).
In practice it is a failed treaty since it has not been ratified by any nation which engages in self-launched manned space exploration or has plans to do so (e.g. the United States, some member states of the European Space Agency, Russian Federation, People's Republic of China,Japan, and India) since its creation in 1979, and thus has a negligible effect on actual spaceflight. As of 2013, it has been ratified by 15 states.[1]
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Ratification

The treaty was finalized in 1979 and entered into force for the ratifying parties in 1984. As a follow-on to the Outer Space Treaty, the Moon Treaty intended to establish a regime for the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies similar to the one established for the sea floor in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The L5 Society successfully defeated the treaty in the US Senate.[3]
As of 2013, only 15 states (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,[4][5] and Uruguay) have ratified it.[1] France, Guatemala, India and Romania have signed but have not ratified it.[1][6]
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============================================================== 
Outer Space Treaty

The Outer Space Treaty, formally 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 27 January 1967, and entered into force on 10 October 1967. As of May 2013, 102 countries are states parties to the treaty, while another 27 have signed the treaty but have not completed ratification.[1][2]

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Space Law

Space law is an area of the law that encompasses national and international law governing activities in outer space. International lawyers have been unable to agree on a uniform definition of the term "outer space", although most lawyers agree that outer space generally begins at the lowest altitude above sea level at which objects can orbit the Earth, approximately 100 km (60 mi).
The inception of the field of space law began with the launch of the world's first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union in October 1957. Named Sputnik 1, the satellite was launched as part of the International Geophysical Year. Since that time, space law has evolved and assumed more importance as mankind has increasingly come to use and rely on space-based resources.
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK -

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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

National park on moon proposed

William sent me a link to a recent proposal for a National park on the moon.  I have seen some recent news sound bites for it as well. I thought I would dig a little deeper and see what I could find.  I'll pass on a few links for your consideration. 
- LRK -

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http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/09/national-park-on-moon-proposed/?hpt=hp_t3
National park on moon proposed

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U.S. Reps. Donna Edwards of Maryland and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas have proposed legislation that would designate artifacts at the site of American moon landings as comprising a National Historical Park, citing potential commercial traffic on the moon that could damage the areas.
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"As commercial enterprises and foreign nations acquire the ability to land on the moon it is necessary to protect the Apollo landing sites for posterity; and establishing the Historical Park under this Act will expand and enhance the protection and preservation of the Apollo lunar landing sites and provide for greater recognition and public understanding of this singular achievement in American history," the legislation reads.
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The bill specifies that only the artifacts left behind by NASA missions would be included in the park – not the lunar surface itself, which doesn't belong to the United States or any nation.
It also opens the door for corporate donations and contributions from foreign governments to maintain the proposed park.
Both Edwards and Johnson are members of the House Committee on Science and Technology.
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So I am thinking about registered Trade Marks, you have to ensure you take action to protect them if challenged. Let's see what else is available. This is just a sound bite from Fox News but does contain a link to a bit more information which has a link to the actual bill. Our local news only had sound bites as well.
- LRK -

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House Democrats propose national park on the moon
Two House Democrats are proposing that the next national park be out of this world.

Reps. Donna Edwards, D-Md., and Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, propose in the "Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act" that a national historical park on the moon be created to ensure the American landing sites are preserved for future generations.

The lawmakers say the legislation is necessary to protect the Apollo landing sites for "posterity," as commercial space exploration increases and more foreign nations head to space.

The Hill reports the bill would allow the federal government to accept donations to help preserve the landing sites and would create visitor services and administrative offices "within reasonable proximity to the Historical Park."


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/09/house-democrats-propose-creating-national-park-on-moon/#ixzz2YhvhZf3q
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The above link, copied below, is a blog for what is going on at the Hill. 
We finally get to the Bill H.R. 2617 and mention of Bill H.R. 2616.
- LRK -

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http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/309829-dems-propose-historical-park-on-the-moon#ixzz2Ya11qkok

Dems pitch national park on the moon

By Pete Kasperowicz - 07/09/13 11:45 AM ET

Two House Democrats have proposed legislation that would establish a national historical park on the surface of the moon to mark where the Apollo missions landed between 1969 and 1972.

The bill from Reps. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) would create the Apollo Lunar Landing Sites National Historical Park. The park would be comprised of all artifacts left on the surface of the moon from the Apollo 11 through 17 missions.
The bill says these sites need to be protected because of the anticipated increase in commercial moon landings in the future.

"As commercial enterprises and foreign nations acquire the ability to land on the Moon, it is necessary to protect the Apollo lunar landing sites for posterity," according to the text of the Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act, H.R. 2617.

Under the legislation, the park would be established no later than one year after the bill passes and would be run jointly by the Department of the Interior and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
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Edwards, the ranking member on the House Space Subcommittee, also proposed legislation on Monday to reauthorize NASA for three years. That bill, H.R. 2616, authorizes spending of $18.1 billion in 2014 for NASA, which rises to $18.9 billion in 2016.


Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/309829-dems-propose-historical-park-on-the-moon#ixzz2Yi5lovTb 
Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook
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Direct comments as recorded in the Congressional Record for Hon. Donna F. Edwards.
- LRK -

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July 9, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD —Extensions of Remarks E1033

THE INTRODUCTION OF ‘‘THE 
APOLLO LUNAR LANDING LEGACY ACT’’ 
HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS 
OF MARYLAND
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
H.R. 2617

THE INTRODUCTION OF ‘‘THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND 
SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2013’’ 
HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS 
OF MARYLAND
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 
H.R. 2616
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Here is a link from Thomas Loc with larger font for the talk about "THE APOLLO LUNAR LANDING LEGACY ACT"
- LRK -

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THE INTRODUCTION OF ``THE APOLLO LUNAR LANDING LEGACY ACT'' -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 09, 2013)
[Page: E1033]  GPO's PDF

SPEECH OF
HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS
OF MARYLAND
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2013
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It has been suggested before that these Apollo sites should be conserved but I don't know how you will be able to enforce the actions. If you get a UNESCO buy in maybe the suggestion would be honored. Will have to wait and see if China respects the keep off the foot prints suggestion.

Thanks for looking up with me.  
- LRK -
 
Moon Treaty
The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,[2] better known as the Moon Treaty or Moon Agreement, is an international treaty that turns jurisdiction of all celestial bodies (including the orbits around such bodies) over to the international community. Thus, all activities must conform to international law (notably this includes the UN Charter).
In practice it is a failed treaty since it has not been ratified by any nation which engages in self-launched manned space exploration or has plans to do so (e.g. the United States, some member states of the European Space Agency, Russian Federation, People's Republic of China,Japan, and India) since its creation in 1979, and thus has a negligible effect on actual spaceflight. As of 2013, it has been ratified by 15 states.[1]
snip
Ratification

The treaty was finalized in 1979 and entered into force for the ratifying parties in 1984. As a follow-on to the Outer Space Treaty, the Moon Treaty intended to establish a regime for the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies similar to the one established for the sea floor in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The L5 Society successfully defeated the treaty in the US Senate.[3]
As of 2013, only 15 states (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,[4][5] and Uruguay) have ratified it.[1] France, Guatemala, India and Romania have signed but have not ratified it.[1][6]
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============================================================== 
Outer Space Treaty

The Outer Space Treaty, formally 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 27 January 1967, and entered into force on 10 October 1967. As of May 2013, 102 countries are states parties to the treaty, while another 27 have signed the treaty but have not completed ratification.[1][2]

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Space Law

Space law is an area of the law that encompasses national and international law governing activities in outer space. International lawyers have been unable to agree on a uniform definition of the term "outer space", although most lawyers agree that outer space generally begins at the lowest altitude above sea level at which objects can orbit the Earth, approximately 100 km (60 mi).
The inception of the field of space law began with the launch of the world's first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union in October 1957. Named Sputnik 1, the satellite was launched as part of the International Geophysical Year. Since that time, space law has evolved and assumed more importance as mankind has increasingly come to use and rely on space-based resources.
snip
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK -

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Sunday, July 07, 2013

Moon dust a threat to space exploration

Bob sent me a link to a warning about the problems that could be had with Moon dust for returning lunar missions that land.  


What caught my attention was that there is still an interest in landing on Moon and understanding what can make the dust levitate.

The topic of levitating lunar dust has been mentioned before.  A Google search found several blogs at Lunar Networks on the topic as well as one I also posted back in 2009.about volcanic dust and its similarity to lunar dust. Lunar Dust & Mt. Redoubt

Even more exciting is that Adrienne Rathert Dove submitted Experimental investigations of the lunar photoelectron
environment and related dust dynamics for his degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences 2012. Interesting 140 pages.  So much I don't know.

All of this continues to add more questions as some are answered. It would be nice to see some of the Lunar X Prize entrants to launch to the Moon. How many more degrees would come as a result of the interest generated by the Lunar X Prize and Education?  
- LRK -

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Moon dust a threat to space exploration, Britain's Royal Astronomical Society hears
  • AFP
  • July 06, 2013 3:00AM

A RETURN to the Moon could be hampered by dust, a poorly-understood threat to machines and people alike, a space conference has heard.

Simulations by scientists in Britain and France show that in key zones of Earth's satellite, dust kicked up by a landing or exploration gains an electrostatic force that briefly overcomes lunar gravity, it heard.

As a result, the dust lingers high above the surface, presenting a thin grey cloud of fine, sticky, abrasive particles that hamper visibility, coat solar panels and threaten moving parts, they said.

Some kinds of lunar dust are laden with iron, presenting a toxicity risk for humans if breathed in, they said.

Farideh Honary, a professor at the University of Lancaster, northwestern England, said lunar dust was already identified as a potential hazard by returning Apollo astronauts.

But only now, with mounting interest in a return to the Moon, were scientists taking a closer look, she said.


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/moon-dust-a-threat-to-space-exploration-britains-royal-astronomical-society-hears/story-fn5fsgyc-1226675145775#ixzz2YNzDkbjC
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Some of those Lunar Networks blogs.
- LRK -

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Western Australia physicist's Moon dust tapes may hold keys to future lunar landings
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Again, Adrienne Rathert Dove's thesis paper.
- LRK -

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for a degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences 2012. 

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A more visual 20 page PDF presentation on dust and plasma at the Moon. :-)
This was back in 2007.  Informative but not every Power Point Presentation becomes a mission.
- LRK -

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Interaction of Dust and Plasma on the Lunar Surface and in the Exosphere

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I hope some industrial lunar mining company is watching these presentations when they happen.
Characterizing the Near-Lunar Plasma Environment

Many more publications with Jasper S. Halekas.
- LRK -
Halekas

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LUNAR SURFACE CHARGING:
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE USING LUNAR PROSPECTOR DATA 
Timothy J. Stubbs1
, Jasper S. Halekas2
, William M. Farrell1
, and Richard R. Vondrak1
1
Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, U.S.A. 
2
Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A. 

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Then back here on Earth.
- LRK -

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The 'fine day' net positive charge sets up an electric field between the negative Earth and the net positive charge in the air, and this electric field stores electrical energy. The positive charge acts by induction on the earth and electromagnetic devices.[2]
Experiments have shown that the intensity of this electric field is greater in the middle of the day than at morning or night and is also greater in winter than in summer. In 'fine weather', the potential, aka 'voltage', increases with altitude at about 30 volts per foot (100 V/m), when climbing against the gradient of the electric field.[3] This electric field gradient continues up into the atmosphere to a point where the voltage reaches its maximum, in the neighborhood of 300,000 volts. This occurs at approximately 30–50 km above the Earth's surface.[4] From that point in the atmosphere up to its outer limit, nearly 1,000 km, the electric field gradient produced in the lower atmosphere either ceases or has reversed.
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So, while stationed in Guam, my watch with an LCD display was fading, as battery was most tired. I mentioned that Earth had voltage gradient and showed that I could make the display come to life for a moment by moving it vertically through the field. Maybe not a spark from a kite flying in a storm but nice to see some of the words you read in books (now maybe Internet) can come to life.
- LRK -

Thanks for looking up with me.  
- LRK -
 
NewSpace 2013 will be July 25-27 in Silicon Valley.
The next disruptive innovation is already underway and it is in space.
The commercial space industry is building a new market with efficient business processes, a wide spectrum of technology, and almost prescient investors. It's been said that the first trillionaires will be made through space industrialization and we're going to show how space pioneers are creating new products and profits. NewSpace is undergoing rapid expansion, similar to the Internet explosion of the 1990's, and needs to be filled with revolutionary businesses like yours.
The Space Frontier Foundation's annual conference is one of the most important commercial space conferences in the nation, and will be in July in Silicon Valley. NewSpace 2013 is where networking with leaders, supporters, investors and activists evolves into enterprises that propel the industry upward. It will host a wide-range of thought-provoking panels and visionary keynote speakers that will surpass NewSpace 2012's already highly-praised programming.
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Lunar Observatories on a Budget

by Phil Berardelli on 19 February 2007, 12:00 AM

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA--While NASA grapples with the enormously expensive challenges of returning astronauts to the moon by 2020 and establishing a permanent human presence there (ScienceNOW, 5 December 2006), some of its scientists are thinking smaller--much smaller in some cases. Pete Worden, director of NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California, told the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (which publishes ScienceNOW) here Saturday that he favors a fleet of soft-landing, automated spacecraft that could carve decades from the lead times necessary to begin lunar astronomy missions.

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Chang'e 3
Last updated: 8 March 2013

Chang’e 3 is the third robotic lunar probe mission of the China Lunar Exploration Programme (CLEP). Scheduled to be launched in December 2013, the probe will soft-land on the Moon surface and deploy an unmanned Lunar Rover to explore the areas surrounding the landing spot. The mission is heded by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) and the primary contractor for the probe is the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) of the China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (SASC).

Mission details

Launch date: Dec 2013
Lift-off time:
Mission ending:
Mission duration:
Previous mission: Chang'e 2
Subsequent mission:
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK -

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