October 2009 Top Stories | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference

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October 2009 Top Stories

30 Teachers Representing 4 States to Defy Gravity in Washington, D.C. As Part Of The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights Of Discovery

»» 30 Teachers Representing 4 States to Defy Gravity in Washington, D.C. As Part Of The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights Of Discovery

[Thursday, October 1, 2009] This teacher training program provides educators with first-hand experience in the application of math, science and engineering principles aboard microgravity flights, during which they will conduct experiments that test Newton's Laws of Motion.

NASA Hosts Long-Distance Tweetup With Astronauts on Space Station

»» NASA Hosts Long-Distance Tweetup With Astronauts on Space Station

[Thursday, October 1, 2009] For the first time, NASA's Twitter followers will have the opportunity to directly talk live with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Expedition 21 Crew Arrives at the International Space Station

»» Expedition 21 Crew Arrives at the International Space Station

[Friday, October 2, 2009] Jeff Williams, Maxim Suraev, and Guy Laliberté have arrived at the ISS. They docked their Soyuz TMA-16 to the aft end of the Zvezda service module at 4:35 a.m. EDT Friday. They launched Wednesday at 3:14 a.m. from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

AIP FYI: FY 2010 NASA Appropriations Bill

»» AIP FYI: FY 2010 NASA Appropriations Bill

[Friday, October 2, 2009] The House has approved and sent to the Senate the final version of the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. The Senate should vote on this $33.5 billion bill next week, and the President is expected to sign it.

Princeton Paleomagnetists Put Controversy to Rest

»» Princeton Paleomagnetists Put Controversy to Rest

[Friday, October 2, 2009] Scientists have shown that, in ancient times, the Earth's magnetic field was structured like the two-pole model of today, suggesting that the methods geoscientists use to reconstruct the geography of early land masses on the globe are accurate.

The Day Commercial Spaceflight Took Off: October 4 Marks Fifth Anniversary of $10 Million Ansari X PRIZE

»» The Day Commercial Spaceflight Took Off: October 4 Marks Fifth Anniversary of $10 Million Ansari X PRIZE

[Friday, October 2, 2009] On October 4, 2009, the X PRIZE Foundation will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the largest prize in history, the $10 Million Ansari X PRIZE - won by the Mojave Aerospace Ventures team for the historic flights of SpaceShipOne.

NASA Launches New Education Initiatives With Disney's Buzz Lightyear

»» NASA Launches New Education Initiatives With Disney's Buzz Lightyear

[Friday, October 2, 2009] NASA and Disney Parks, which collaborated to carry toy space ranger Buzz Lightyear into orbit, are launching new efforts to encourage students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Augustine Space Flight Committee Announces Additional Meeting

»» Augustine Space Flight Committee Announces Additional Meeting

[Friday, October 2, 2009] The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee will hold a public teleconference on Thursday, Oct. 8, from approximately 1 to 2 p.m. EDT.

First Astronaut on Twitter Tops a Million Followers

»» First Astronaut on Twitter Tops a Million Followers

[Friday, October 2, 2009] The first astronaut to tweet from space has passed another social media milestone. NASA's Mike Massimino, known as @Astro_Mike on Twitter, now shares his daily experiences with more than a million followers on the micro-blogging service.

Next-Generation Suborbital Spaceflight: A Research Bonanza at 100 Kilometers

»» Next-Generation Suborbital Spaceflight: A Research Bonanza at 100 Kilometers

[Saturday, October 3, 2009] In less than two years, one or two suborbital spacelines are expected to be operating commercially. In four years, there may well be five or six such spacelines, and daily, if not more frequent, flights may be common.

Poetic Social Mission Global Webcast and Broadcast

»» Poetic Social Mission Global Webcast and Broadcast

[Saturday, October 3, 2009] A 120-minute global event featuring musical performances, the Poetic Social Mission seeks to raise awareness through artistic illustration of the humanitarian struggles and solutions associated with water.

New Space Station Crew Launches; In-Orbit News Conference Set

»» New Space Station Crew Launches; In-Orbit News Conference Set

[Saturday, October 3, 2009] The nine spacefarers will answer questions from reporters during a news conference from the complex at 9:10 a.m. Oct. 6.

Kepler Mission Manager Update

»» Kepler Mission Manager Update

[Saturday, October 3, 2009] Kepler is 18 million km from Earth, and continuing its drift-away orbit. All systems are operating normally. Last week, the Kepler project team completed another download of science data, and, in conjunction, a quarterly roll of the spacecraft.

Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 2847 -- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (NASA excerpt)

»» Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 2847 -- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (NASA excerpt)

[Saturday, October 3, 2009] The Administration is concerned with the reduction of $670 million from the President's FY 2010 request for Exploration Systems.

Benign Space: South Pole offers ideal location to observe the mysteries of the universe

»» Benign Space: South Pole offers ideal location to observe the mysteries of the universe

[Saturday, October 3, 2009] The South Pole is the most benign place on Earth. Just ask William L. Holzapfel, an astrophysicist at the University of California, Berkeley.

President Obama Joins 50 Nations in Celebrating Space and Astronomy During World Space Week

»» President Obama Joins 50 Nations in Celebrating Space and Astronomy During World Space Week

[Sunday, October 4, 2009] World Space Week began Sunday with celebrations in over 50 nations and an announcement that President Obama hosts a "Star Party" on the White House lawn Wednesday evening.

NASA Media Briefing to Preview Major Antarctic Research Campaign

»» NASA Media Briefing to Preview Major Antarctic Research Campaign

[Monday, October 5, 2009] NASA will hold a media teleconference at 11:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 8, to preview the agency's largest airborne research effort ever to study Antarctic ice sheets, ice shelves and sea ice.

Astronaut Fernando Caldeiro Has Died

»» Astronaut Fernando Caldeiro Has Died

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] NASA astronaut Fernando "Frank" Caldeiro died Saturday morning after an extended illness.

A Woman in Space: Two men of the 1950s showed that women have 'The Right Stuff' to be astronauts

»» A Woman in Space: Two men of the 1950s showed that women have 'The Right Stuff' to be astronauts

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] The latest look at the intersection of physiology, spaceflight and politics is captured in a new article entitled "A Forgotten Moment in Physiology: The Lovelace Woman in Space Program (1960-1962)

NASA's Shuttle Atlantis Moves to Launch Pad, Practice Liftoff Set

»» NASA's Shuttle Atlantis Moves to Launch Pad, Practice Liftoff Set

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] Reporters are invited to cover space shuttle Atlantis' move to the launch pad on Oct. 13 and the STS-129 mission crew's dress rehearsal activities Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Cassini Radar Observes Seasonal Change in Titan's North Pole

»» NASA Cassini Radar Observes Seasonal Change in Titan's North Pole

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] Studies report new observations by the Cassini radar instrument peering through Titan's thick atmosphere with repeat coverage. Images of the surface at different times show lakes shrinking and disappearing over the course of one to several Earth years.

Student From Howard University Middle School of Math and Science Goes Weightless With Zero Gravity Corporation

»» Student From Howard University Middle School of Math and Science Goes Weightless With Zero Gravity Corporation

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] ZERO-G awarded 14-year-old Leaunteen Barnes of Howard University Middle School of Math and Science the Zero Gravity Striving for STEM Excellence Award.

The GalileoMobile Starts Its South American Voyage: Astronomy Education Goes On Tour Through The Andes Mountains

»» The GalileoMobile Starts Its South American Voyage: Astronomy Education Goes On Tour Through The Andes Mountains

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] This week marks the beginning of the GalileoMobile Project, a two-month expedition to bring the wonder and excitement of astronomy to young people in Chile, Bolivia and Peru.

NGC 6240: Black Holes Go 'Mano a Mano'

»» NGC 6240: Black Holes Go 'Mano a Mano'

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] This image of NGC 6240 contains new X-ray data from Chandra (shown in red, orange, and yellow) that has been combined with an optical image from the Hubble Space Telescope originally released in 2008.

White House Star Party Kicks Off Astronomy Events

»» White House Star Party Kicks Off Astronomy Events

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] The event coincides with the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first glimpse of the heavens through a telescope, a milestone being celebrated worldwide throughout 2009, declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009).

NASA Invites Young People to Take Virtual Space Station Spacewalks

»» NASA Invites Young People to Take Virtual Space Station Spacewalks

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] Imagine the thrill of floating out of the International Space Station and into the emptiness of space and what it would be like to work on the orbiting science laboratory.

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope Discovers Largest Ring Around Saturn

»» NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope Discovers Largest Ring Around Saturn

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered an enormous ring around Saturn -- by far the largest of the giant planet's many rings.

NASA Selects Small Business Research and Technology Projects

»» NASA Selects Small Business Research and Technology Projects

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] NASA selected 152 proposals for negotiation of Phase 2 contract awards in the Small Business Innovation Research program, or SBIR. The selected projects have a total value of approximately $91 million.

NASA Invites Reporters to Events for LCROSS Lunar Impact

»» NASA Invites Reporters to Events for LCROSS Lunar Impact

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] NASA is inviting journalists to events this week in Washington and California to observe the twin impacts of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, and its rocket's upper stage as they impact the moon.

Engineers to Practice on Webb Telescope Simulator

»» Engineers to Practice on Webb Telescope Simulator

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] The huge assembly standing in Northrop Grumman Corporation's high bay looks a lot like NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, but it's a full-scale simulator of the space telescope's key elements.

Solar Dynamics Observatory's EVE: Measuring the Sun's Hidden Variability

»» Solar Dynamics Observatory's EVE: Measuring the Sun's Hidden Variability

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] Every 11 years, the sun undergoes a furious upheaval. Dark sunspots burst forth from beneath the sun's surface. Explosions as powerful as a billion atomic bombs spark intense flares of high-energy radiation.

Nullarbor fireball cameras find rare meteorite

»» Nullarbor fireball cameras find rare meteorite

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] Using cameras which capture fireballs streaking across the night sky and mathematics, a world-wide team of scientists have managed to find not only a tiny meteorite on the vast Nullarbor Plain, but also its orbit and the asteroid it came from.

Small gems in space: Micro-satellites MicroGEM for Earth monitoring

»» Small gems in space: Micro-satellites MicroGEM for Earth monitoring

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] A combination of small satellites can, with innovative methods, use the signals of the navigation satellite systems GPS and Galileo to significantly improve remote sensing of the System Earth.

Charged Particle and Ring Environment Discolors Saturn's Inner Icy Moons

»» Charged Particle and Ring Environment Discolors Saturn's Inner Icy Moons

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] New global color maps reveal provocative patterns on the surfaces of Saturn's five innermost large icy satellites: Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, and Rhea.

ESA issues call for Earth Explorer proposals

»» ESA issues call for Earth Explorer proposals

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] As part of ESA's Earth Observation Programme and its continuing endeavour to address critical Earth science issues, the Agency has released an opportunity for scientists to submit proposals for the eighth Earth Explorer mission.

First European commander of the International Space Station - media opportunity

»» First European commander of the International Space Station - media opportunity

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] ESA astronaut Frank De Winne will become the first European commander of the International Space Station this weekend, after the current commander Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka has left the ISS.

SpaceX Announces Completion of Acceptance Testing for Falcon 9 First and Second Stages

»» SpaceX Announces Completion of Acceptance Testing for Falcon 9 First and Second Stages

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the successful completion of acceptance testing of both the Falcon 9 first and second stages in preparation for the first flight of Falcon 9.

NASA Honors JFK with Moon Rock to be Displayed at Rice University

»» NASA Honors JFK with Moon Rock to be Displayed at Rice University

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] On the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon, NASA honored President John F. Kennedy with an Ambassador of Exploration Award for his vision and leadership in landing a man on the moon.

AMASE 2009 blog: Testing instruments for ExoMars and Mars Science Laboratory

»» AMASE 2009 blog: Testing instruments for ExoMars and Mars Science Laboratory

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] How can we be sure that instruments that will be sent on future Martian missions will work properly? How do we know that they will obtain accurate and precise measurements?

AMASE 2009 blog: Searching for Martian life... on Earth. And farewell, Svalbard!

»» AMASE 2009 blog: Searching for Martian life... on Earth. And farewell, Svalbard!

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] As we prepare for future "Search for Life' NASA and ESA missions, a crucial goal is also to test 'life' i.e., the biology is also one of our primary tasks.

VASIMR(R) VX-200 reaches 200 kW power milestone (with videos)

»» VASIMR(R) VX-200 reaches 200 kW power milestone (with videos)

[Tuesday, October 6, 2009] Ad Astra Rocket Company's VASIMR(R) VX-200 rocket prototype reached its highly- coveted 200 kW maximum power milestone at 11:59 am (CST) in tests conducted at the company's Houston laboratory.

Recovery Act: United States On-orbit Segment Phase II Development of International Space Station Common Docking Adapter

»» Recovery Act: United States On-orbit Segment Phase II Development of International Space Station Common Docking Adapter

[Wednesday, October 7, 2009] This modification, valued at $15,000,000, applies funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

LCROSS Flight Director's Blog: Farewell LCROSS

»» LCROSS Flight Director's Blog: Farewell LCROSS

[Wednesday, October 7, 2009] Well, we all knew it was going to happen. It was inevitable. It was the whole design of the mission. LCROSS was destined to end its wonderfully fantastic journey by intentionally crashing into a permanently shadowed crater at the south pole of the Moon

NASA Refines Asteroid Apophis' Path Toward Earth

»» NASA Refines Asteroid Apophis' Path Toward Earth

[Wednesday, October 7, 2009] Using updated information, NASA scientists have recalculated the path of a large asteroid. The refined path indicates a significantly reduced likelihood of a hazardous encounter with Earth in 2036.

NASA and its International Partners Assign Space Station Crews

»» NASA and its International Partners Assign Space Station Crews

[Wednesday, October 7, 2009] NASA and its international partners have assigned five new International Space Station crews and made changes to four previously assigned station crews.

NASA Blogs: Operation Ice Bridge: Satellite Laser Fires Up for Campaign

»» NASA Blogs: Operation Ice Bridge: Satellite Laser Fires Up for Campaign

[Thursday, October 8, 2009] ICESat has been collecting elevation information of Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets and sea ice since 2003, but it's uncertain how much longer the satellite's last of three lasers will operate.

NASA to Hold Symposium for Small Businesses

»» NASA to Hold Symposium for Small Businesses

[Thursday, October 8, 2009] NASA will host its second annual NASA/JPL Small Business Symposium and Awards Ceremony Nov. 16 and 17 at the Marriot Bethesda North Hotel and Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Rd., Bethesda, Md.

Europa's Ocean Contains Enough Oxygen to Support Life

»» Europa's Ocean Contains Enough Oxygen to Support Life

[Thursday, October 8, 2009] New research suggests that there may be plenty of oxygen available in Europa's ocean to support life, a hundred times more oxygen than previously estimated.

NASA Flies to Antarctica for Largest Airborne Polar Ice Survey

»» NASA Flies to Antarctica for Largest Airborne Polar Ice Survey

[Thursday, October 8, 2009] NASA begins a series of flights Oct. 15 to study changes to Antarctica's sea ice, glaciers and ice sheets. The flights are part of Operation Ice Bridge, a six-year campaign that is the largest airborne survey ever made of ice at Earth's polar regions.

Masten Space Systems Successfully Completes Lunar Lander Challenge

»» Masten Space Systems Successfully Completes Lunar Lander Challenge

[Thursday, October 8, 2009] Masten Space Systems successfully completed level one of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge X Prize Wednesday.

LCROSS: Successful Centaur Separation Mission Update

»» LCROSS: Successful Centaur Separation Mission Update

[Thursday, October 8, 2009] At 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 the LCROSS shepherding spacecraft successfully separated from the Centaur that is has been attached to since early June 2009.

NASA Invites Media to View Historic Ares 1-X Move

»» NASA Invites Media to View Historic Ares 1-X Move

[Friday, October 9, 2009] Reporters are invited to cover the historic Ares I-X rocket move to Launch Pad 39B on Oct. 19 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Internal NASA Email from Constellation manager Jeff Hanley to JSC Center Director Mike Coats

»» Internal NASA Email from Constellation manager Jeff Hanley to JSC Center Director Mike Coats

[Friday, October 9, 2009] "Mike, wanted to share some thoughts on the paper you gave me... trying to zoom to 100 kft here, though I am so biased that I know I will not be taken seriously, and instead seen as desparately trying to save my program..."

NASA Adjusts Shuttle Atlantis' Launch Pad Move to Oct. 14

»» NASA Adjusts Shuttle Atlantis' Launch Pad Move to Oct. 14

[Friday, October 9, 2009] NASA now is targeting Wednesday, Oct. 14, to move space shuttle Atlantis to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Hubble Observes LCROSS Impact Event

»» Hubble Observes LCROSS Impact Event

[Friday, October 9, 2009] Hubble has made a series of observations immediately preceding and following the LCROSS Centaur rocket stage and shepherding spacecraft impacts at the lunar south pole, on October 9 at 7:31 and 7:35 a.m. EDT.

Subcommittee Chairwoman Cites Need for

»» Subcommittee Chairwoman Cites Need for "Robust" NASA Budget

[Friday, October 9, 2009] House Committee on Science and Technology's Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairw Gabrielle Giffords today cited the need for a "robust" NASA budget, saying space exploration can inspire and benefit the nation during difficult economic times.

Soyuz Landing Caps Historic Space Station Increment

»» Soyuz Landing Caps Historic Space Station Increment

[Sunday, October 11, 2009] International Space Station Expedition 20 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Michael Barratt landed their Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft on the steppes of Kazakhstan Sunday, wrapping up a six-month stay.

Video: Guy Laliberte's First Poetic Social Mission In Space

»» Video: Guy Laliberte's First Poetic Social Mission In Space

[Monday, October 12, 2009] Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil and the ONE DROP Foundation, unveiled the artistic concept behind his poetic social mission, which will be carried out from the ISS. This is the first ever artistic and social event to originate from space.

Old ice: Climate record from last 2.5 million years may sit at the surface of Allan Hills

»» Old ice: Climate record from last 2.5 million years may sit at the surface of Allan Hills

[Monday, October 12, 2009] The oldest ice core retrieved from Antarctica -- and the world -- travels back about 850,000 years in time, revealing eight previous ice ages.

2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge

»» 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge

[Monday, October 12, 2009] A record number of entrants have signed up to compete in the 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge and its whopping $750,000 prize money.

Banded rocks reveal early Earth conditions, changes

»» Banded rocks reveal early Earth conditions, changes

[Monday, October 12, 2009] The strikingly banded rocks scattered across the upper Midwest and elsewhere throughout the world are actually ambassadors from the past, offering clues to the environment of the early Earth more than 2 billion years ago.

The Earth and Moon as Seen from Mars

»» The Earth and Moon as Seen from Mars

[Tuesday, October 13, 2009] The HiRISE instrument would make a great backyard telescope for viewing Mars, and we can also use it at Mars to view other planets, such as Jupiter.

NASA Launches Tweetup for Space Shuttle Atlantis Liftoff in Florida

»» NASA Launches Tweetup for Space Shuttle Atlantis Liftoff in Florida

[Tuesday, October 13, 2009] For the first time, NASA Twitter followers are invited to view a space shuttle launch in person at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA To Reveal Data Showing a New View of Our Galaxy

»» NASA To Reveal Data Showing a New View of Our Galaxy

[Tuesday, October 13, 2009] NASA will hold a NASA Science Update at 2:15 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 15, to discuss new science data of our galaxy obtained from the agency's Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft.

Expedition 20 Crew Lands in Kazakhstan

»» Expedition 20 Crew Lands in Kazakhstan

[Tuesday, October 13, 2009] International Space Station Expedition 20 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Michael Barratt landed their Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft on the steppes of Kazakhstan Sunday, wrapping up a six-month stay.

NASA Announces Commercial RLV Technology Roadmap Project

»» NASA Announces Commercial RLV Technology Roadmap Project

[Tuesday, October 13, 2009] NASA is partnering with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to develop a technology roadmap for the commercial reusable launch vehicle, or RLV, industry.

STEREO Captures Sun's Eruption

»» STEREO Captures Sun's Eruption

[Tuesday, October 13, 2009] The twin STEREO spacecraft (called "Behind" and "Ahead" denoting their relative positions in space), now almost 120 degrees apart, captured this large and dramatic prominence eruption over about a 30- hour period between Sept. 26-27, 2009.

Pathways Towards Habitable Planets Has Established the

»» Pathways Towards Habitable Planets Has Established the "Barcelona Process"

[Tuesday, October 13, 2009] During the conference, researchers presented recent discoveries and debated on the roles of future space missions and ground-based facilities for finding habitable planets around nearby stars.

Space Industry Leaders Available to Discuss White House Panel's Support for Commercial Acquisition of Transportation Services for NASA Astronauts to Space Station

»» Space Industry Leaders Available to Discuss White House Panel's Support for Commercial Acquisition of Transportation Services for NASA Astronauts to Space Station

[Wednesday, October 14, 2009] In the summary report released by the White House's Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee on September 8, there was strong consensus for utilizing the commercial space industry for crew transportation to the International Space Station.

ATK Delivers A High-Tech First to NASA - A Crew Module Structure Made of Composite Materials

»» ATK Delivers A High-Tech First to NASA - A Crew Module Structure Made of Composite Materials

[Wednesday, October 14, 2009] Alliant Techsystems has delivered a technological first to NASA: a full-scale, crew module structure made of composite materials.

New View of NGC 6822 - Barnard's Galaxy

»» New View of NGC 6822 - Barnard's Galaxy

[Wednesday, October 14, 2009] In the new ESO image, Barnard's Galaxy glows beneath a sea of foreground stars in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius (the Archer).

NASA Retires Pioneering Tracking and Data Relay Satellite

»» NASA Retires Pioneering Tracking and Data Relay Satellite

[Wednesday, October 14, 2009] After a rocky start and then a stellar 26-year performance, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite - 1 (TDRS-1) is scheduled for decommissioning on October 28.

Space exploration: European Ministers in Prague prepare a roadmap towards a common vision

»» Space exploration: European Ministers in Prague prepare a roadmap towards a common vision

[Wednesday, October 14, 2009] Ministers from the 29 ESA and EU Member States will meet in Prague on 23 October for the 1st EU-ESA International Conference on Human Space Exploration.

An Open Letter to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden From Robert Bigelow

»» An Open Letter to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden From Robert Bigelow

[Wednesday, October 14, 2009] Your request that commercial providers should prove themselves via cargo delivery is easily answered since it has already occurred. As a matter of fact, mere hours after the commercial space meeting you convened in delivering a communications satellite.

Highlighting NASA on WhoRunsGov.com

»» Highlighting NASA on WhoRunsGov.com

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] WhoRunsGov.com, the Washington Post Co.'s directory of powerful players in government, wants to expand its profiles of NASA officials. Help us grow our knowledge of the space community by contributing to our moderated wiki.

Wind-Painted Dunes on Mars

»» Wind-Painted Dunes on Mars

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] This image was taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

GAO: Information Security: NASA Needs to Remedy Vulnerabilities in Key Networks

»» GAO: Information Security: NASA Needs to Remedy Vulnerabilities in Key Networks

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] NASA has not always implemented appropriate controls to sufficiently protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information and systems supporting its mission directorates.

NASA Spacecraft Provides Our First View of Our Place in the Galaxy

»» NASA Spacecraft Provides Our First View of Our Place in the Galaxy

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft has made it possible for scientists to construct the first comprehensive sky map of our solar system and its location in the Milky Way galaxy.

Satellite data look behind the scenes of deadly earthquake

»» Satellite data look behind the scenes of deadly earthquake

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] Using satellite radar data and GPS measurements, Chinese researchers have explained the exceptional geological events leading to the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake that killed nearly 90 000 people in China's Sichuan Province.

Giant Impact Near India -- Not Mexico -- May Have Doomed Dinosaurs

»» Giant Impact Near India -- Not Mexico -- May Have Doomed Dinosaurs

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] A mysterious basin off the coast of India could be the largest, multi-ringed impact crater the world has ever seen. And if a new study is right, it may have been responsible for killing the dinosaurs off 65 million years ago.

NASA Ares I-X Status Report 15 October 2009

»» NASA Ares I-X Status Report 15 October 2009

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] The rollout of the Ares I-X flight test vehicle scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19, is being rescheduled by at least 24 hours. This will allow time for the launch team to remove and replace a hydraulic accumulator.

NASA Hosts National Lunar Robotics Moon Excavation Competition

»» NASA Hosts National Lunar Robotics Moon Excavation Competition

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] Reporters are invited to attend the 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge Oct. 17-18 at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif. The $750,000 prize challenge is a nationwide competition that focuses on developing improved handling technologies fo

>ESO: Media Telecon to Discuss Significant Exoplanet Finding

»» >ESO: Media Telecon to Discuss Significant Exoplanet Finding

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] On Monday 19 October 2009, astronomers will report at the international ESO/CAUP exoplanet conference in Porto, Portugal, on a significant discovery in the field of exoplanets.

The Bubble of Our Solar System

»» The Bubble of Our Solar System

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] As the solar wind flows from the sun, it creates a bubble in space known as the "heliosphere" around our solar system. The heliosphere is the region of space under the influence of our sun.

Arctic Now Traps 25 Percent of World's Carbon -- But That Could Change

»» Arctic Now Traps 25 Percent of World's Carbon -- But That Could Change

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] The arctic could potentially alter the Earth's climate by becoming a possible source of global atmospheric carbon dioxide.

How The Moon Produces Its Own Water

»» How The Moon Produces Its Own Water

[Thursday, October 15, 2009] The Moon is a big sponge that absorbs electrically charged particles given out by the Sun. These particles interact with the oxygen present in some dust grains on the lunar surface, producing water.

GAO Report Affirms That NASA Has Effective Mechanisms for Coordinating with Other Federal Agencies and Avoiding Duplicative Efforts

»» GAO Report Affirms That NASA Has Effective Mechanisms for Coordinating with Other Federal Agencies and Avoiding Duplicative Efforts

[Friday, October 16, 2009] No duplication was found in the areas selected for an in-depth review; Policies, procedures and mechanisms are in place to avoid duplication; and NASA personnel actively seek to coordinate and to avoid duplication with other federal agencies.

NASA Recognized for Excellence in Project Management

»» NASA Recognized for Excellence in Project Management

[Friday, October 16, 2009] NASA has been recognized for 40 years of shared project management success by the Project Management Institute, or PMI, of Newton Square, Pa.

NASA'S LCROSS Captures All Phases of Centaur Impact

»» NASA'S LCROSS Captures All Phases of Centaur Impact

[Saturday, October 17, 2009] NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) was a smashing success, returning tantalizing data about the Centaur impact before the spacecraft itself impacted the surface of the moon.

NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge Kicks Off

»» NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge Kicks Off

[Saturday, October 17, 2009] With clear skies the 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge got underway this morning. With judges certifying that excavators have met the required specifications, the competition is underway.

NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Games Continue Into Second Day

»» NASA 2009 Regolith Excavation Games Continue Into Second Day

[Saturday, October 17, 2009] ension remains high as teams competing in the 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge await the final round tomorrow.

NASA Reschedules Rollout Of Ares I-X

»» NASA Reschedules Rollout Of Ares I-X

[Sunday, October 18, 2009] NASA has rescheduled to Tuesday, Oct. 20, the rollout of the Ares I-X rocket to Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Diving Through A Microbial Landscape in Lake Untersee, Antarctica

»» Diving Through A Microbial Landscape in Lake Untersee, Antarctica

[Sunday, October 18, 2009] There's not much in the ice-covered lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys External U.S. government site to interest anglers looking to land the big one.

32 New Exoplanets Found

»» 32 New Exoplanets Found

[Monday, October 19, 2009] The team who built the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher, better known as HARPS, reports on the incredible discovery of some 32 new exoplanets, cementing HARPS's position as the world's foremost exoplanet hunter.

Digging Teams Claim Victory in NASA Regolith Competition

»» Digging Teams Claim Victory in NASA Regolith Competition

[Monday, October 19, 2009] Nineteen teams pushed their robotic competitors to the limit and three teams claimed a total of $750,000 in NASA prizes for their hard work and innovation at this year's Regolith Excavation Challenge held at NASA's Ames Research Center on Moffett Field.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Image: Bouncing Boulder Blocks a Slope Streak

»» Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Image: Bouncing Boulder Blocks a Slope Streak

[Monday, October 19, 2009] A boulder track is visible in the center of this subimage. The track formed on the sloping wall of an impact crater when a rock bounced or rolled downhill leaving behind marks on the surface.

Bouncing Boulders on the Far Side of the Moon

»» Bouncing Boulders on the Far Side of the Moon

[Monday, October 19, 2009] Southwest of Rowland crater on the Moon's farside, a 15 km diameter unnamed crater exhibits many boulder trails on the crater walls in this Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter image.

Human Space Flight Review Committee Report Available Thursday

»» Human Space Flight Review Committee Report Available Thursday

[Monday, October 19, 2009] Human Space Flight Review Committee Chairman Norman Augustine will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. EDT, on Thursday, Oct. 22, in the Zenger Room of the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, in Washington.

NASA's Ares I-X Rocket Arrives at Launch Pad in Florida

»» NASA's Ares I-X Rocket Arrives at Launch Pad in Florida

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] For the first time in more than a quarter century, a new vehicle is sitting at Launch Pad 39B at NASA KSC. The Ares I-X flight test vehicle arrived at the pad atop of a giant crawler-transporter at approximately 7:45 a.m. EDT Tuesday.

EADS North America names Sean O'Keefe as Chief Executive Officer

»» EADS North America names Sean O'Keefe as Chief Executive Officer

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, has named Sean O'Keefe as Chief Executive Officer to lead the operations of EADS North America.

Last Visit Home for ESA's Comet Chaser

»» Last Visit Home for ESA's Comet Chaser

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] ESA's Rosetta comet chaser will swing by Earth on 13 November to pick up orbital energy and begin the final leg of its 10-year journey to the outer Solar System.

Cooking Up Water From The Moon? NASA Studies Water Extraction With Microwaves

»» Cooking Up Water From The Moon? NASA Studies Water Extraction With Microwaves

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] Using multi-physics modeling tools, NASA scientists can predict the absorption of microwave energy into the simulated lunar soil as well as the temperature distribution.

The International Space Station Discovers 'Planet 51'- Upcoming Animated Comedy Hitches Ride on Space Shuttle

»» The International Space Station Discovers 'Planet 51'- Upcoming Animated Comedy Hitches Ride on Space Shuttle

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] To celebrate the Solar System Premiere of Columbia Pictures' new animated comedy Planet 51, which will be released in theaters on Earth November 20, 2009, the film is currently orbiting the planet on the International Space Station!

NASA Updates Shuttle Atlantis Target Launch Date, Crew Rehearsal

»» NASA Updates Shuttle Atlantis Target Launch Date, Crew Rehearsal

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] NASA is targeting Nov. 16 for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-129 mission from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NSF: Notice of Plan for Collection of Meteorites Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as Amended

»» NSF: Notice of Plan for Collection of Meteorites Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as Amended

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] On March 31, 2003, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a final rule that authorized the collection of meteorites in Antarctica for scientific purposes only.

House Approves S&T Bill to Extend Commercial Space Transportation Liability Regime and Two Resolutions

»» House Approves S&T Bill to Extend Commercial Space Transportation Liability Regime and Two Resolutions

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3819, a bill to extend the commercial space transportation liability regime, by a voice vote.

NASA Satellite Laser Marks Two Billion 'Served'

»» NASA Satellite Laser Marks Two Billion 'Served'

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] An Earth observing satellite that provides new insight into the role that clouds and atmospheric aerosols play in regulating weather, climate, and air quality has hit its target two billion times.

Remarks by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden To The National Association of Investment Companies

»» Remarks by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden To The National Association of Investment Companies

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] I have been told that many if not most of you in this room today are investors. Well, so is NASA. We are all investing in our future in one way or another.

Team Runs Operational Test to Prepare for Extracting Spirit

»» Team Runs Operational Test to Prepare for Extracting Spirit

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] Engineers using test rovers on Earth to prepare for extracting the sand-trapped Spirit rover on Mars have added a new challenge to their preparations.

Opportunity Finds Another Meteorite on Mars

»» Opportunity Finds Another Meteorite on Mars

[Tuesday, October 20, 2009] NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has found a rock that apparently is another meteorite, less than three weeks after driving away from a larger meteorite that the rover examined for six weeks.

Report on the Meeting of the First Early-Career Astrobiology Research Focus Group (RFG)

»» Report on the Meeting of the First Early-Career Astrobiology Research Focus Group (RFG)

[Wednesday, October 21, 2009] In July a group of early-career astrobiologists (graduate students and postdocs) spent two days engaged in intensive brainstorming at the first ever Early-Career Astrobiology Research Focus Group (RFG).

SpaceX Successfully Completes First Stage 9-Engine Rocket Firing

»» SpaceX Successfully Completes First Stage 9-Engine Rocket Firing

[Wednesday, October 21, 2009] Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully conducted two static firings of the first stage, nine engine cluster for its Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Kosmas and Posey Introduce Legislation to Encourage Commercial Spaceflight Industry

»» Kosmas and Posey Introduce Legislation to Encourage Commercial Spaceflight Industry

[Wednesday, October 21, 2009] Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) and Bill Posey (FL-15) introduced legislation to help minimize the impact of the impending human spaceflight gap on Central Florida's economy by encouraging the development of the commercial spaceflight industry.

Second SpaceX Dragonlab User Conference

»» Second SpaceX Dragonlab User Conference

[Wednesday, October 21, 2009] SpaceX has announced a second user conference for its commercial product DragonLab, a free-flying, reusable spacecraft capable of hosting pressurized and unpressurized payloads to and from orbit.

NASA Announces Global Climate Change Education Awards

»» NASA Announces Global Climate Change Education Awards

[Wednesday, October 21, 2009] NASA has awarded $6.1 million in cooperative agreements to 15 organizations across the United States to enhance learning through the use of NASA's Earth Science resources.

The Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee Releases Final Report

»» The Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee Releases Final Report

[Thursday, October 22, 2009] The Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee has released it's long awaited report and it states that the U.S. human spaceflight program appears to be on an unsustainable trajectory.

Augustine Committee Report: Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation

»» Augustine Committee Report: Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation

[Thursday, October 22, 2009] The U.S. human spaceflight program appears to be on an unsustainable trajectory. It is perpetuating the perilous practice of pursuing goals that do not match allocated resources.

OSTP: Overview and Introduction of Augustine Committee Findings

»» OSTP: Overview and Introduction of Augustine Committee Findings

[Thursday, October 22, 2009] In May, 2009 Dr. John Holdren, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, asked the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to initiate an independent review of its human space flight programs and plans.

Human Spaceflight Committee Releases Its Report

»» Human Spaceflight Committee Releases Its Report

[Thursday, October 22, 2009] After an extended period of writing and editing, the Augustine Committee's final report was delivered to the White House yesterday. Today it was released to the public at a media briefing held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Examines Technology Development at NASA

»» House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Examines Technology Development at NASA

[Thursday, October 22, 2009] Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on NASA's efforts to define advanced concepts and develop innovative technologies.

Galaxy Cluster Smashes Distance Record

»» Galaxy Cluster Smashes Distance Record

[Thursday, October 22, 2009] The most distant galaxy cluster yet has been discovered by combining data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and optical and infrared telescopes.

NASA iPhone App now Available from App Store

»» NASA iPhone App now Available from App Store

[Friday, October 23, 2009] A NASA App for the iPhone and iPod touch is available free of charge at the App Store from Apple. The NASA application will deliver a wealth of information, videos, images and news updates about NASA missions to people's fingertips.

NASA Gives 'Go' for the Ares I-X Test Rocket Launch on Oct. 27

»» NASA Gives 'Go' for the Ares I-X Test Rocket Launch on Oct. 27

[Monday, October 26, 2009] NASA has completed a review of the Ares I-X development rocket's readiness for its flight test and selected Tuesday, Oct. 27, as the official launch date. Liftoff is scheduled for 8 a.m. EDT from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Volcanoes played pivotal role in ancient ice age, mass extinction

»» Volcanoes played pivotal role in ancient ice age, mass extinction

[Monday, October 26, 2009] Researchers here have discovered the pivotal role that volcanoes played in a deadly ice age 450 million years ago. Perhaps ironically, these volcanoes first caused global warming -- by releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Recovery.gov: NASA Solicitation: Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office Support

»» Recovery.gov: NASA Solicitation: Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office Support

[Monday, October 26, 2009] The purpose of this task order is to develop a set of human system integration requirements for application to commercial spacecraft in support of NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program (C3PO).

NASA Ice Bridge: Airborne campaign over Antarctica to continue critical ice measurements

»» NASA Ice Bridge: Airborne campaign over Antarctica to continue critical ice measurements

[Monday, October 26, 2009] The first flight of Operation Ice Bridge's Antarctic campaign flew Oct. 16, 2009, along the Amundsen Coast. The aircraft's downward-looking Digital Mapping System camera captured images of sea ice from an altitude of about 6,000 meters.

Governors Riley, Barbour and Jindal Announce Launch of The Aerospace Alliance

»» Governors Riley, Barbour and Jindal Announce Launch of The Aerospace Alliance

[Monday, October 26, 2009] Governor's Riley, Barbour, and Jindal today announced the launch of The Aerospace Alliance, a 501(c)(6) private/public organization that will establish the Gulf Coast and surrounding region as a world class aerospace, space and aviation corridor.

DLR Simulates Mars' Atmosphere in Göttingen For ExoMars Capsule Test

»» DLR Simulates Mars' Atmosphere in Göttingen For ExoMars Capsule Test

[Tuesday, October 27, 2009] Is the Earth the only place in our Solar System on which living organisms exist? Is there, for example, life on Mars? The goal of the European space mission ExoMars is to resolve this question.

Volunteers wanted for simulated 520-day Mars mission

»» Volunteers wanted for simulated 520-day Mars mission

[Tuesday, October 27, 2009] Starting in 2010, an international crew of six will simulate a 520-day round-trip to Mars, including a 30-day stay on the martian surface.

Recovery Act: NASA Solicitation: Commercial Crew Enabling Initiative - Upgrades to Launch Complex 40

»» Recovery Act: NASA Solicitation: Commercial Crew Enabling Initiative - Upgrades to Launch Complex 40

[Tuesday, October 27, 2009] The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, materials and related activities necessary for the RECOVERY Commercial Crew Enabling Initiatives - Upgrades to Launch Complex 40, at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Opens in Downey, California

»» Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Opens in Downey, California

[Tuesday, October 27, 2009] The Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center opens today in Downey, California. The facility is a memorial to the crews of both the space shuttle Columbia, lost in 2003, and Challenger, lost in 1986.

Four Private Space Companies Vie for $1+ Million Prize in the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge Presented by X PRIZE Foundation

»» Four Private Space Companies Vie for $1+ Million Prize in the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge Presented by X PRIZE Foundation

[Tuesday, October 27, 2009] The race for the $2 million Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge (NGLLC) incentivized prize purse, funded by NASA and presented by the X PRIZE Foundation is coming down to the wire.

Ares I-X Launch Team Aims for Second Try Tomorrow

»» Ares I-X Launch Team Aims for Second Try Tomorrow

[Tuesday, October 27, 2009] The Ares I-X launch team is preparing for a 24-hour turnaround, targeting 8 a.m. on Wednesday as liftoff time for the Ares I-X flight test vehicle.

NASA Selects 18 University Proposals for Ralph Steckler Space Grant Colonization Space Grants

»» NASA Selects 18 University Proposals for Ralph Steckler Space Grant Colonization Space Grants

[Wednesday, October 28, 2009] NASA has chosen 18 proposals from universities around the country to receive up to $70,000 for Phase One of the NASA Ralph Steckler Space Grant Colonization Research and Technology Development Opportunity.

NRC: Fostering Visions for the Future: A Review of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts

»» NRC: Fostering Visions for the Future: A Review of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts

[Wednesday, October 28, 2009] Throughout its 9-year existence, NIAC inspired an atmosphere for innovation that stretched the imagination and encouraged creativity.

NRC: Fostering Visions for the Future: A Review of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts

»» NRC: Fostering Visions for the Future: A Review of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts

[Wednesday, October 28, 2009] Throughout its 9-year existence, NIAC inspired an atmosphere for innovation that stretched the imagination and encouraged creativity.

NASA Blog: Explaining The 4 Hour Launch Window for Ares 1-X

»» NASA Blog: Explaining The 4 Hour Launch Window for Ares 1-X

[Wednesday, October 28, 2009] One question that comes up a lot is why Ares I-X has a four-hour launch window. After all, unlike the Space Shuttle, it doesn't have to rendezvous with the Space Station, so what's the challenge? Actually, there are several.

Liftoff! The Ares I-X Flight Test Begins

»» Liftoff! The Ares I-X Flight Test Begins

[Wednesday, October 28, 2009] Rising into the Florida sky, the 327-foot rocket thunders away from the launch pad, marking the first time a new vehicle has launched from the complex since the first space shuttle launch in 1981.

Ribosomes as Ancient Molecular Fossils

»» Ribosomes as Ancient Molecular Fossils

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] Members of NAI's team at Georgia Tech have a new paper in Molecular Biology and Evolution describing an analysis of ribosomal structure and sequence.

EU space missions to strengthen earth observation for Climate and Security

»» EU space missions to strengthen earth observation for Climate and Security

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] In 2005, the EU made the strategic choice to develop an independent European space borne earth observation capacity to deliver services in the environmental and security fields, called Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES).

LRO Image of Apollo 17 Landing Site

»» LRO Image of Apollo 17 Landing Site

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] The descent stage of the lunar module Challenger is now clearly visible, at 50 cm per pixel (angular resolution) the descent stage deck is 8 pixels across (4 meters), also note that the legs are also now distinguishable.

New Celestial Map Gives Directions for GPS

»» New Celestial Map Gives Directions for GPS

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] Many of us have been rescued from unfamiliar territory by directions from a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigator.

Exploring the final frontier: Disease proposed as major barrier to Mars and beyond

»» Exploring the final frontier: Disease proposed as major barrier to Mars and beyond

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that prolific virulence and growth of bacteria, coupled with reduced production of antibodies could limit future space travel.

Opening up a colorful cosmic jewel box

»» Opening up a colorful cosmic jewel box

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] Star clusters are among the most visually alluring and astrophysically fascinating objects in the sky. One of the most spectacular nestles deep in the southern skies near the Southern Cross in the constellation of Crux.

NASA's Ares I-X Rocket Completes Successful Flight Test

»» NASA's Ares I-X Rocket Completes Successful Flight Test

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] NASA's Ares I-X test rocket lifted off at 11:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a two-minute powered flight.

NASA Gives Go for Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch on Nov. 16

»» NASA Gives Go for Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch on Nov. 16

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] NASA's space shuttle Atlantis is targeted to begin an 11-day flight to the International Space Station with a Nov. 16 launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is scheduled for 2:28 p.m. EST.

New Images & Findings from 3rd Mercury Flyby to Be Released

»» New Images & Findings from 3rd Mercury Flyby to Be Released

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to announce scientific findings and release new images from the third and final flyby of Mercury by MESSENGER.

Ancient Ocean Oxygen Production Began 100 Million Years Earlier than Thought

»» Ancient Ocean Oxygen Production Began 100 Million Years Earlier than Thought

[Thursday, October 29, 2009] Scientists widely accept that around 2.4 billion years ago, the Earth's atmosphere underwent a dramatic change when oxygen levels rose sharply.

Taking the Plunge: Cassini Soars by Enceladus

»» Taking the Plunge: Cassini Soars by Enceladus

[Friday, October 30, 2009] During the encounter planned for Nov. 2, 2009 Cassini is going to take its deepest dive yet into the plumes spewing out from the moon's south pole to try to learn more about their composition and density.

NASA Invites Reporters to Tranquility Node Ceremony at Kennedy

»» NASA Invites Reporters to Tranquility Node Ceremony at Kennedy

[Friday, October 30, 2009] The European Space Agency, or ESA, will transfer ownership of the Tranquility node to NASA on Thursday, Nov. 19. NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will host a commemorative ceremony at 3 p.m. EST.

Photo Report: Soyuz TMA-17 Prelaunch Processing Final Operations

»» Photo Report: Soyuz TMA-17 Prelaunch Processing Final Operations

[Saturday, October 31, 2009] Soyuz TMA-17 was delivered by rail to Baikonur Cosmodrome for performance of prelaunch processing final operations and launch of the Expedition ISS-22/23 crew.

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