doctorjeff's picture

Endeavour's Launch and Thoughts on the End of an Era

Submitted by doctorjeff on Sun, 02/07/2010 - 07:04

This is cross-posted at Blog on the Universe and Huffington Post

A different kind of countdown has begun. It is now 2010. Before the next New Year's celebration, the U.S. Space Shuttle program will be just a memory. Those that took pride in following along as this remarkable vehicle broke the surly bonds of Earth will surely feel they've lost a friend, and the pain of a very personal page turned forever will linger for quite some time. Those of you that follow news of the day as daily ritual, every so often hearing about a Space Shuttle blasting off or returning to Earth, will no longer experience that quick smile acknowledging pride in American leadership and technological prowess--at least not when it comes to human spaceflight. (Are there really that many areas left where America excels?)
Bencredible's picture

NASA FY2011 and SpaceUp with Chris Radcliff – 3.05

Submitted by Bencredible on Sat, 02/06/2010 - 02:39

We talk about NASA’s proposed FY2011 budget with Chris Radcliff of SpaceUp as well as how to continue the conversation during SpaceUp. 
absolutspacegrl's picture

As a female rocket scientist, I loved this!

Submitted by absolutspacegrl on Sat, 02/06/2010 - 02:09
GIrls Can't What?
txflygirl's picture

Funding Promises?

Submitted by txflygirl on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 20:28
Here is what I see happening assuming Congress does not fight the President's vision.  NASA will start implementing this change as soon as Congress allows the FY2010 funds to be redirected.  In December, Congress slipped into their appropriations bill that Congress had to approve the cancellation of the Constellation program.  Congress will fund FY2011 and maybe even FY2012 as Obama requests.  But after that they will begin to decrease funding just like they have for every NASA program ever conducted and/or canceled. Why do you always hear that a Government program is behind schedule and over budget?  There is a simple answer for that.  Because Congress only approves and releases funds on a yearly basis and they typically cut funds from a program as the years go by.  It happened to Apollo (change in direction), Shuttle, ISS (how many times did Congress try to kill it), X-33/X-34, Orbital Space Plane, shall I go on?
txflygirl's picture

NASA's New Vision (A Summary)

Submitted by txflygirl on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 20:04
There were so many rumors and stories last week in the news about what was to occur on Feb 1st when the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) released the President's Recommended budget for NASA for the 2011 Fiscal Year. I wrote my thoughts on course correcting our dreams to try and sum up where we were the weekend before the announcement and where I thought we needed to head.

For those of you who have been living under a rock this past week, Obama is recommending a major revectoring of NASA and the way manned spaceflight is conducted in our country. Here are some documents to peruse if you haven't seen them:
LouisS's picture

Astronomy.FM to host a virtual tweetup!

Submitted by LouisS on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 16:41
 

Are you disappointed about not being one of the select few chosen to attend the SDO Tweetups and will miss all the fun and excitement? Have no fear, Astronomy.FM is here!

Astronomy.FM wishes to invite all Space Tweeps to attend its Virtual SDO Launch Tweetup! The goal is to offer a venue for anyone who wants to participate, but is unable to get to one of the many Regional SDO Launch Tweetup locations. NASA has indicated that, to their knowledge, Astronomy.FM is the "first" to hold a virtual Tweetup; and they have forwarded material to enable an exceptional online experience. Although virtual, our Tweetup will be much like traditional ones and will include:

avgjanecrafter's picture

STS-130 Space Tweep Weekend Gatherings

Submitted by avgjanecrafter on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 14:10

For anyone attending the STS-130 launch this weekend, there are several opportunities to get together with fellow Space Tweeps for celebrating. There are three gatherings planned so far, and if more come up I'll add them here. Come to one, come to all - just have fun! 


Saturday, February 6 - 7PM 

Dinner at Dixie Crossroads
XiNeutrino's picture

Moon Base Now

Submitted by XiNeutrino on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 07:15
What? Moon base now? Don't you follow the news? Constellation has been cancelled! Yes, and I understand the confusion and consternation, but the most logical first step in getting ready to reach out into our solar system will be to develop a full-scale assembly and launch facility within a low-gravity environment. I nominate the Moon.

In his briefing before the National Press Club, Administrator Bolden implied that we will be going to the Moon despite the acknowledged demise of Constellation.  When we go, and under what arrangement will depend on three important bodies; the White House, The Congress, and a NASA-Private Sector-International partnership. Partnerships are a sharing arrangement in both benefits and costs.  This is the key to a renewed and expanded Moon mission that is completely designed as a stepping stone from which humankind will leap out into the solar system.
LucieD_inthesky's picture

A Shuttle for Houston

Submitted by LucieD_inthesky on Wed, 02/03/2010 - 17:58

For the past several years, I've been trying to find ways to motivate myself to write more. My mother was a writer, and always told me, write about what you know. I've also been in the space business, as a technical editor, among other duties, for several years. My biggest issue with writing for space is writer's block; I think it plagues most writers, at one time or another. This is also why my entry below is actually being reposted, because it came to me so naturally at the time.

Along with that, there are plenty of times I've written things, and never had the nerve to publish them. Sometimes it's difficult to find the right time or place to even do so. But lately, it seems like everyone needs some good news, wherever and whenever they find it. A year ago Christmas, we had the chance to post our thoughts online on JSC Features. That day was very special to me, and I do believe in my heart, there are more special ones in front of all of us in the space business.

From JSC Features, December 2008:
Jazifer's picture

Passing On History

Submitted by Jazifer on Wed, 02/03/2010 - 17:26

Several people have asked me recently what I think of the cancellation of the Constellation programme. I’ll leave the debate around the public versus private sector involvement in manned spaceflight, and the technical and scientific details, up to those whose job it is to argue those cases. I’m not going to give any analysis on how to deliver what has been asked of the space community, nor how to fund it. My take is somewhat different.

Syndicate content