• What Will Airplanes of the Future Look Like?

    Updated: 2011-03-31 22:38:57
    Will aircraft of the future look something like this? Project NACRE (New Aircraft Concepts Research) from has this wide-body aircraft in mind for future flyers, designed for long-haul flights and able to accommodate up to 750 passengers. Measuring 65 meters long, 19 meters high with a wingspan of nearly 100 meters, the maximum take-off weight [...]

  • ATV In-Flight Refueling for ISS Set for Mid-May

    Updated: 2011-03-31 20:53:37
    ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle Johannes Kepler is more than just a cargo carrier for the International Space Station, it is also an on-orbit refueling station and orbit booster. On May 17-19, 2011 the Kepler ATV is scheduled to conduct its first refueling of the ISS, as it will transfer about 850.6 liters (225 gallons) of [...]

  • New Results from GOCE: Earth is a Rotating Potato

    Updated: 2011-03-31 16:34:34
    Although they aren’t particularly fond of the comparison, scientists from the GOCE satellite team had to admit that new data showing Earth’s gravity field – or geoid — makes our planet look like a rotating potato. After just two years in orbit, ESA’s sleek and sexy GOCE satellite (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) [...]

  • Something "Big" at SpaceX?

    Updated: 2011-03-31 16:29:47
    Keith's note: SpaceX justed tweeted "Something big is coming www.spacex.com". If you go to their website you see that the big day is 5 April 2011 ...

  • Dramatic Video: Ariane 5 Rocket Abort

    Updated: 2011-03-31 14:45:54
    This video starts with an exciting countdown and quickly goes to a dramatic — if not confusing — set of circumstances yesterday where an Ariane 5 rocket’s main engine ignited, but the boosters did not. Officials say the aborted launch on March 30, 2011 from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana was due [...]

  • Image of the Day: Earth's Ghostly Light from Interplanetary Dust

    Updated: 2011-03-31 07:10:00
    One of the rarest of Earth's astronomical events is a ghostly glow called the zodiacal light that the ancient Greeks believed was caused by distant volcanic eruptions. Visible in the Northern Hemisphere for the next two weeks, the phenomenon --...

  • Fascinating New Propellant Depot Architecture Paper

    Updated: 2011-03-31 02:19:59
    Keith Cowing just posted a link to a fascinating new pro-Propellant Depot analysis. I was impressed to see who the second coauthor was… When you have one of the leaders of ESAS coming out in favor of propellant depots and commercial launch, that says a ton. Very much looking forward to reading the article. Thanks [...]

  • Using Commercial Launchers and Fuel Depots Instead of HLVs

    Updated: 2011-03-30 21:58:59
    Home SpaceRef Commercial Space OnOrbit SpaceRef Europe Astrobiology Sign In This is not a NASA Website . You might learn something . It's YOUR space agency . Get involved . Take it back . Make it work for YOU . Important Disclaimer nasawatch spaceref.com Voice 1.703.787.6567 RSS Feed Twitter Advertising Archives Support Using Commercial Launchers and Fuel Depots Instead of HLVs By Keith Cowing on March 30, 2011 5:58 PM 16 Comments Near Term Space Exploration with Commercial Launch Vehicles Plus Propellant Depot Dr . Alan Wilhite and Dr . Douglas Stanley , Dale Arney and Chris Jones , GRAs Georgia Institute of Technology National Institute of Aerospace The Propellant Depot Hypotheses Large in-space mission elements inert can be lifted to LEO in increments on several medium-lift commercial

  • MESSENGER's First Orbital Image of Mercury

    Updated: 2011-03-30 11:41:48
    Home SpaceRef Commercial Space OnOrbit SpaceRef Europe Astrobiology Sign In This is not a NASA Website . You might learn something . It's YOUR space agency . Get involved . Take it back . Make it work for YOU . Important Disclaimer nasawatch spaceref.com Voice 1.703.787.6567 RSS Feed Twitter Advertising Archives Support MESSENGER's First Orbital Image of Mercury By Keith Cowing on March 30, 2011 7:41 AM 3 Comments First MESSENGER Image of Mercury From Orbit Early this morning , at 5:20 am EDT , MESSENGER captured this historic image of Mercury . This image is the first ever obtained from a spacecraft in orbit about the Solar System's innermost planet . Over the subsequent six hours , MESSENGER acquired an additional 363 images before downlinking some of the data to Earth . The MESSENGER

  • NASA Open Source Summit

    Updated: 2011-03-30 04:30:55
    Home SpaceRef Commercial Space OnOrbit SpaceRef Europe Astrobiology Sign In This is not a NASA Website . You might learn something . It's YOUR space agency . Get involved . Take it back . Make it work for YOU . Important Disclaimer nasawatch spaceref.com Voice 1.703.787.6567 RSS Feed Twitter Advertising Archives Support NASA Open Source Summit By Keith Cowing on March 30, 2011 12:30 AM 3 Comments NASA To Host Open Source Summit March 29-30 In California NASA will host a summit about open source software development on March 29-30 at the agency's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field , Calif . The event runs from 9 a.m . to 5 p.m . PDT on both days . NASA's first Open Source Summit will bring together engineers , policy makers and members of the open source community . Participants will

  • NASA OIG: Facilities and Spacecraft Vulnerable to Attack

    Updated: 2011-03-30 04:00:58
    : Home SpaceRef Commercial Space OnOrbit SpaceRef Europe Astrobiology Sign In This is not a NASA Website . You might learn something . It's YOUR space agency . Get involved . Take it back . Make it work for YOU . Important Disclaimer nasawatch spaceref.com Voice 1.703.787.6567 RSS Feed Twitter Advertising Archives Support NASA OIG : Facilities and Spacecraft Vulnerable to Attack By Keith Cowing on March 30, 2011 12:00 AM 1 Comment NASA OIG : Inadequate Security Practices Expose Key NASA Network to Cyber Attack The OIG review found that six computer servers associated with information technology IT assets that control NASA spacecraft and contain critical data had vulnerabilities that would allow a remote attacker to take control of or render them unavailable . Moreover , once inside the

  • Astronaut Doug Wheelock's photo chosen for Real-Time Photo of the Year

    Updated: 2011-03-30 01:38:49
    NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock was honored with a Shorty Award for an image of the moon he took and posted to his Twitter account, @Astro_Wheels, while living aboard the International Space Station last year. The awards ceremony was held at the TimesCenter in New York City on Monday, March 28. read more

  • Twittered Photo From Space Wins Award

    Updated: 2011-03-30 00:39:38
    Wheelock photo "Moon from Space" chosen for Real-Time Photo of the Year "NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock was honored with a Shorty Award for an image of the moon he took and posted to his Twitter account, @Astro_Wheels, while living aboard the International Space Station last year. The awards ceremony was held at the TimesCenter in New York City on Monday, March 28."

  • Photo of a Photo On-orbit

    Updated: 2011-03-29 17:55:24
    Home SpaceRef Commercial Space OnOrbit SpaceRef Europe Astrobiology Sign In This is not a NASA Website . You might learn something . It's YOUR space agency . Get involved . Take it back . Make it work for YOU . Important Disclaimer nasawatch spaceref.com Voice 1.703.787.6567 RSS Feed Twitter Advertising Archives Support Photo of a Photo On-orbit By Keith Cowing on March 29, 2011 1:55 PM 1 Comment Keith's note : This photo was taken during the STS-133 mission . Shuttle and ISS crew members pose with a printout of one of the photos taken of the Discovery's ascent into space by the Robonaut-1 balloon flown by Quest for Stars in collaboration with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education Larger view Video : Robonaut-1 : Time Lapse View : Entire flight from Liftfoff to Touchdown

  • News Flash: Japanese Robotic ISS Cargo Ship to Burn Up in Earth Atmosphere on Re-entry Today

    Updated: 2011-03-29 07:14:00
    Japan's HTV-2 robotic cargo ship above is seen just before astronauts grapple it on Jan. 27, 2011. The spacecraft, one of several robotic cargo ships that ferry supplies to the International Space Station, is carrying a device to "phone home"...

  • Airplanes Fueled With NASA Chicken Fat

    Updated: 2011-03-29 04:52:11
    Chicken Fat Studied by NASA as Eco-friendly Jet Fuel "It's made out of chicken fat, actually," said Langley's Bruce Anderson, AAFEX II project scientist. "The Air Force bought many thousands of gallons of this to burn in some of their jets and provided about 8,000 gallons (30,283 liters) to NASA for this experiment." Anderson and his team will test a 50-50 mix of biofuel and regular jet fuel, biofuel only, and jet fuel only. The jet fuel is Jet Propellant 8, or JP-8, a kerosene-like mix of hydrocarbons."

  • Make a Wish From Space

    Updated: 2011-03-28 19:39:34
    In honor of those affected by the Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake in Japan, Russian cosmonaut and Expedition 27 commander Dmitry Kondratyev (center), European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli and NASA astronaut Cady Coleman are pictured with paper cranes (origami craft), which they folded to be placed in the Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-2). The HTV2 is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 11:45 a.m. EDT on March 28, and re-enter Earth's atmosphere on March 29, 2011. Image Credit: NASA read more

  • Make a Wish From Space

    Updated: 2011-03-28 18:44:00
    Home SpaceRef Commercial Space OnOrbit SpaceRef Europe Astrobiology Sign In This is not a NASA Website . You might learn something . It's YOUR space agency . Get involved . Take it back . Make it work for YOU . Important Disclaimer nasawatch spaceref.com Voice 1.703.787.6567 RSS Feed Twitter Advertising Archives Support Make a Wish From Space By Keith Cowing on March 28, 2011 2:44 PM No Comments Make a Wish From Space Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake in Japan In honor of those affected by the Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake in Japan , Russian cosmonaut and Expedition 27 commander Dmitry Kondratyev center European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli and NASA astronaut Cady Coleman are pictured with paper cranes origami craft which they folded to be placed in the Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle HTV-2 The

  • OIG Report on Recovery Act Funds and Webb

    Updated: 2011-03-28 15:05:16
    NASA's Use of Recovery Act Funding for the James Webb Space Telescope Project, NASA OIG "Based on our review of the final performance reports from the involved contractors and discussions with NASA officials, we concluded that the performance results on the JWST Recovery Act activities fulfilled the intent of the Recovery Act, and for tasks that were not completed within the planned period of performance, delays were justified appropriately."

  • EcoAlert: MIT Lab Creates Artificial Leaf that can Turn Sunlight and Water into Energy

    Updated: 2011-03-28 07:06:00
    Researchers at MIT have developed an artificial leaf that can turn sunlight and water into energy as efficiently as the real thing. The artificial leaf, which looks nothing like the natural leaf, is made of silicon, electronics, and various catalysts...

  • James Cameron's 3D Camera Is Not Going to Mars

    Updated: 2011-03-25 22:12:08
    Home SpaceRef Commercial Space OnOrbit SpaceRef Europe Astrobiology Sign In This is not a NASA Website . You might learn something . It's YOUR space agency . Get involved . Take it back . Make it work for YOU . Important Disclaimer nasawatch spaceref.com Voice 1.703.787.6567 RSS Feed Twitter Advertising Archives Support James Cameron's 3D Camera Is Not Going to Mars By Keith Cowing on March 25, 2011 6:12 PM 7 Comments NASA Stops Work on James Cameron's Cameras for Mars Science Laboratory Work has stopped on an alternative version of the instrument , with a pair of zoom-lens cameras , which would have provided additional capabilities for improved three-dimensional video . The installed Mastcam on the Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover uses two fixed-focal-length cameras : a

  • NASA Stops Work on James Cameron's Cameras for Mars Science Laboratory

    Updated: 2011-03-25 22:11:24
    Thursday , March 31, 2011 About On Orbit Advertise Here Contact Information Feedback Log Out Home Blogs Features Recent Posts NASA Stops Work on James Cameron's Cameras for Mars Science Laboratory Submitted by keithcowing on Fri , 03 25 2011 15:11. Gadgets Blog Planetary Science Work has stopped on an alternative version of the instrument , with a pair of zoom-lens cameras , which would have provided additional capabilities for improved three-dimensional video . The installed Mastcam on the Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover uses two fixed-focal-length cameras : a telephoto for one eye and wider angle for the other . Malin Space Science Systems , San Diego , built the Mastcam and was funded by NASA last year to see whether a zoom version could be developed in time for

  • Dawn Opens its Eyes, Checks its Instruments

    Updated: 2011-03-25 00:47:51
    These images of the star field demonstrate that the framing cameras on board NASA's Dawn spacecraft are functioning flawlessly. Image credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA Full image and caption read more

  • NASA wants smart high school kids

    Updated: 2011-03-24 22:43:35
    Subscribe Give a Gift Archives Customer Service SEARCH Health Medicine Mind Brain Technology Space Human Origins Living World Environment Physics Math Video Photos Podcast RSS Crafting a Hubble galaxy in two minutes Blast site blastocyte NASA wants smart high school kids NASA is looking for U.S . high school students to participate in their INSPIRES program : Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research Experience . Students who get in will get access to all kinds of cool : stuff The selected students and their parents will participate in an online learning community with opportunities to interact with peers , NASA engineers and scientists . The online community also provides appropriate grade-level educational activities , discussion boards and chat rooms for

  • XCOR/ULA Aluminum Rocket Nozzle Announcement

    Updated: 2011-03-21 21:54:19
    I’ve been too busy to do much blogging lately, but I just saw this on twitter a bit over an hour ago: XCOR and ULA Demonstrate Revolutionary Rocket Engine Nozzle Technology, and wanted to make some comments. First off, I wanted to congratulate my friends at XCOR and ULA. This engine work that ULA and [...]

  • Solar Thermal Power

    Updated: 2011-03-19 20:12:57
    occasional blogger john hare I have listened to some doomsday energy crap (gas $5.00 gallon and more forever, Japanese nuclear devastation, etc) in the last few weeks that started me thinking of alternatives again. It may be possible that one of the solar thermal generating concepts could find funding for terrestrial applications in the current mood. [...]

  • “Turning Point: How Space Exploration & Development Will Determine the Rise or Fall of Humanity”

    Updated: 2011-03-18 01:18:26
    : Home Forums About Contact Web www.outofthecradle.net Lunar Library : Sections Main Apollo Big Rocks From Space BRfS Fact BRfS Fiction Cultura Lunaris Fun Games High Frontier HF Biologics HF EML-1 HF Facilities Infrastructure HF Fiction HF Navigation HF Resources HF Settlements Habitats La Luna La Lune Moon Fiction Moonbases Selenography Selenology Selenospheres Space Biz Space Law Youth Youth Apollo Youth Educator Materials Youth High Frontier Fact Youth High Frontier Fiction Youth Moon Fact Youth Moon Fiction Yueh OotC : Sections Main Book Reviews Civil Space Programs International Space Station Space Science Space Shuttle Vision for Space Exploration Commercial Space Lunar Orbital Suborbital EVA Interviews EVA FAQs JAT D EVA Reviews Humor Interviews Ken’s Lunar Library Apollo Big Rocks

  • “Rumble ‘n Blast Space Ship” (playset)

    Updated: 2011-03-18 01:12:09
    Home Forums About Contact Web www.outofthecradle.net Lunar Library : Sections Main Apollo Big Rocks From Space BRfS Fact BRfS Fiction Cultura Lunaris Fun Games High Frontier HF Biologics HF EML-1 HF Facilities Infrastructure HF Fiction HF Navigation HF Resources HF Settlements Habitats La Luna La Lune Moon Fiction Moonbases Selenography Selenology Selenospheres Space Biz Space Law Youth Youth Apollo Youth Educator Materials Youth High Frontier Fact Youth High Frontier Fiction Youth Moon Fact Youth Moon Fiction Yueh OotC : Sections Main Book Reviews Civil Space Programs International Space Station Space Science Space Shuttle Vision for Space Exploration Commercial Space Lunar Orbital Suborbital EVA Interviews EVA FAQs JAT D EVA Reviews Humor Interviews Ken’s Lunar Library Apollo Big Rocks

  • “Elmo’s Space Adventure Building Set” (playset)

    Updated: 2011-03-18 01:07:07
    Home Forums About Contact Web www.outofthecradle.net Lunar Library : Sections Main Apollo Big Rocks From Space BRfS Fact BRfS Fiction Cultura Lunaris Fun Games High Frontier HF Biologics HF EML-1 HF Facilities Infrastructure HF Fiction HF Navigation HF Resources HF Settlements Habitats La Luna La Lune Moon Fiction Moonbases Selenography Selenology Selenospheres Space Biz Space Law Youth Youth Apollo Youth Educator Materials Youth High Frontier Fact Youth High Frontier Fiction Youth Moon Fact Youth Moon Fiction Yueh OotC : Sections Main Book Reviews Civil Space Programs International Space Station Space Science Space Shuttle Vision for Space Exploration Commercial Space Lunar Orbital Suborbital EVA Interviews EVA FAQs JAT D EVA Reviews Humor Interviews Ken’s Lunar Library Apollo Big Rocks

  • Press Release: Great News About Messenger

    Updated: 2011-03-17 07:00:00
    On the Planetary Society web site: Great News About Messenger

  • “New Zealand Astronomical Yearbook 2011″

    Updated: 2011-02-28 03:17:48
    Home Forums About Contact Web www.outofthecradle.net Lunar Library : Sections Main Apollo Big Rocks From Space BRfS Fact BRfS Fiction Cultura Lunaris Fun Games High Frontier HF Biologics HF EML-1 HF Facilities Infrastructure HF Fiction HF Navigation HF Resources HF Settlements Habitats La Luna La Lune Moon Fiction Moonbases Selenography Selenology Selenospheres Space Biz Space Law Youth Youth Apollo Youth Educator Materials Youth High Frontier Fact Youth High Frontier Fiction Youth Moon Fact Youth Moon Fiction Yueh OotC : Sections Main Book Reviews Civil Space Programs International Space Station Space Science Space Shuttle Vision for Space Exploration Commercial Space Lunar Orbital Suborbital EVA Interviews EVA FAQs JAT D EVA Reviews Humor Interviews Ken’s Lunar Library Apollo Big Rocks

  • Trade Sales Service Magazine standing orders

    Updated: 2011-02-24 09:38:16
    Magazines New releases List all magazines Terms Return information Content Availability Pricing Materials Lists Projects Books Other Products New releases List all products Terms Specials Breaking News Newsletter FREE Sign up here News from Trade Sales Model Retailer FREE Subscribe now Retailer Resource PDFs Forms New account Magazine returns Magazine standing orders Product orders Links World's Greatest Hobby Events Calendar Trade Associations Contact Us Meet the staff My representative Frequent questions Website usage Magazines  :  Books Other Products  :  Newsletter  :  Model Retailer  :  Retailer Resource  :  Forms  :  Contact Us Welcome to Trade Sales and Service Website Thank you for visiting our website for information about our products and magazines for resale in your

  • Good Quote from Rep. Hall

    Updated: 2011-02-18 17:12:19
    From NASAWatch/Spaceref: “While it is true that prudent investments in science and technology will almost certainly yield future economic gains and will allow our knowledge economy to grow, it is also true that these gains can be thwarted by poor decision-making,” Chairman Hall said. “Americans expect and deserve better. With our unemployment hovering at over [...]

  • 400,000 Visits

    Updated: 2011-02-03 02:54:08
    Wow. Selenian Boondocks officially passed the 400,000 site visits mark sometime this afternoon. For a blog mostly focused on such a small niche topic (space technology, politics, and business), it’s kind of cool to reach a milestone like this. Thanks everyone for all the support, especially when the blogging ends up being so light sometimes! [...]

  • New Posts on the ASM Update Blog

    Updated: 2011-02-02 04:33:12
    FWIW, there’s new blog posts on what we’ve been up to at ASM over the last few months, and on some validation on our concept for doing an ISS micro reentry vehicle.

  • In The News: Carl Sagan: 10 Cosmic Contributions to Science

    Updated: 2010-12-20 08:00:00
    On the Planetary Society web site: Carl Sagan: 10 Cosmic Contributions to Science

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