tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107812222011-04-21T16:05:25.387-07:00waypoint to the past, present, and future of spaceAdministratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.comBlogger551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1112071665294301642005-03-28T20:39:00.000-08:002005-03-28T20:47:45.296-08:00

Mosnews and other media are reporting that the crew of the international space station have conducted a spacewalk on Monday.Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov floated outside the space station for the second time this year. They erected antennas for an upcoming cargo flight, and deployed a small satellite.The station's interior was unoccupied while the two worked outside. They did not work on a

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1111475205245876162005-03-21T22:49:00.000-08:002005-03-21T23:06:45.246-08:00

Two former NASA astronauts say NASA culture has still not addressed the kinds of problems that led to the space shuttle Columbia accident in 2003, according to a USA Today article.James Wetherbee, who commanded five space shuttle missions, and John Young, who flew in the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs, say NASA is not focusing enough of its energies on spaceflight safety, and is

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1111472813966039492005-03-21T22:02:00.000-08:002005-03-21T22:26:53.966-08:00

James Oberg, writing for MSNBC, conducted an interview with NASA scientist Carol Stoker, who became the secondhand source of a Space.com article in February alleging the presence of life on Mars.Space.com published an article February 16th saying that NASA had found evidence of life on Mars, and cited NASA's Carol Stoker and Larry Lemke as the story's sources.NASA issued a rare public denial of

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1111259526108188802005-03-19T10:38:00.000-08:002005-03-19T11:28:39.503-08:00

The Houston Chronicle and AP are reporting that NASA is planning to have space shuttle Atlantis available for a hastened launch preparation in case the Discovery crew are stranded in orbit.Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled for a launch in May.A rescue mission would be unprecedented in space history. There has never been an in-flight rescue of astronauts in earth orbit.The U.S. space program

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1111125123966316582005-03-17T21:43:00.000-08:002005-03-18T15:37:13.986-08:00

A Congressional hearing took place Wednesday to discuss the future of aeronautics at NASA, and some lawmakers aren't happy with budget cuts proposed by the Bush administration.In an AP article carried by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, NASA funding for aeronautics research would be cut by $717.6 million, or 20 percent, over five years.Members of Congress such as Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Jo Ann

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1111124502536580732005-03-17T21:35:00.000-08:002005-03-18T15:13:49.840-08:00

The failure of a circuit breaker that caused the shutdown of a gyroscope aboard the international space station is not a threat, according to a Reuters report.NASA space station program manager Bill Gerstenmaier said Thursday that the station was able to operate with two of its three gyroscopes, and that there was no immediate need to replace the breaker.An article in Florida Today said that NASA

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1111002119775199182005-03-16T11:33:00.000-08:002005-03-16T12:02:52.086-08:00

Scheduling for the first space shuttle launch in two years may be delayed, according to an MSNBC report.A NASA source told NBC News' Jay Barbree that preparations are running behind schedule and that Discovery's launch date may slip.Space shuttle Discovery is tentatively scheduled for launch May 15.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1111001419381776532005-03-16T11:17:00.000-08:002005-03-16T12:04:25.906-08:00

A circuit breaker failed Wednesday aboard the international space station, according to an AP report carried by CNN.com. The breaker shut down one of the gyroscopes that help keep the station oriented in orbit.It was the second time a circuit breaker has failed aboard the station in less than a year. Another circuit breaker failed last year and shut down the same gyroscope, making a spacewalk

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110963870417762032005-03-16T00:52:00.000-08:002005-03-16T01:06:44.896-08:00

NASA has issued a news release announcing its decision to temporarily suspend activity on one of the instruments aboard Mars rover Opportunity. The instrument, a mini thermal emission spectrometer, which identifies minerals, is having problems providing data to scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.The article said that Opportunity's other instruments all appear to be in good working

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110937624985925212005-03-15T17:26:00.000-08:002005-03-15T17:49:54.886-08:00

A report from Space.com says that an unmanned rover deployed in the dry Chilean desert has found signs of life, in an experiment to show that life can be found on Mars by using a robotic lander.It was the first time a robotic rover has shown a capability to find life in an environment like the red planet. The experiment was designed to match conditions a rover would find on Mars as closely as

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110935982199081932005-03-15T17:04:00.000-08:002005-03-15T17:24:00.420-08:00

CNN.com and Space.com are reporting that the dusty solar panels on NASA's Spirit rover were cleaned by martian winds, giving the rover new life.Spirit encountered the whirlwind recently near its exploration site at Gusev crater. Scientists believe the Spirit's solar panels had become increasingly loaded with martian dust, but that a sudden wind gust, or dust devil, carried most of it away. The

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110586822049148252005-03-11T16:11:00.000-08:002005-03-11T16:25:19.610-08:00

President Bush will nominate Michael Griffin, an engineer who once served as NASA's associate administrator for exploration, as the agency's next administrator, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle.The article says Griffin is a backer of the Bush administration's goals to phase out the shuttle program and direct the space program toward the moon and Mars.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110528860856076592005-03-11T00:05:00.000-08:002005-03-11T00:14:20.856-08:00

NASA plans to cut the size of its workforce by as much as 15.3 percent by the summer of 2006, according to a report in the Washington Post.James L. Jennings, NASA's associate administrator for institutions and management, indicated the cuts will be made to help carry out the Bush administration's future space policy goals, which include a return to the moon by 2020. Jennings characterized the

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110511246959101792005-03-10T19:09:00.000-08:002005-03-10T19:20:46.960-08:00

NASA has indicated that the two Voyager spacecraft may have to be abandoned in budget cuts, according to a BBC News report.Voyagers 1 and 2 were launched in 1977 to explore the outer planets of the solar system. They are responsible for many of the most significant data discovered from Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.The article says that the spacecraft may be abandoned because they are

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110509826980509772005-03-10T18:49:00.000-08:002005-03-10T19:01:57.023-08:00

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum will be the new home to the first privately-built spacecraft, according to a report in the Washington Post.Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft who invested $20 million to build the spacecraft, and its builder, Burt Rutan, said SpaceShipOne will be donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.Last year, SpaceShipOne became the first

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110508184661284912005-03-10T18:21:00.000-08:002005-03-10T18:45:05.120-08:00

A Reuters report says that a renewed call is being made for NASA to make necessary repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope.In a letter addressed to interim NASA chief Frederick Gregory, U.S. senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) said the agency has already promised $291 million in funds to repair Hubble in 2005, and that failing to carry out those repairs could be considered against the law.The American

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1110190931107881322005-03-07T02:07:00.000-08:002005-03-07T02:57:11.716-08:00

An interesting article carried by Yahoo and AP highlights NASA's post-Columbia realities for astronauts waiting to fly into space, and what may become of their futures with the agency.The space shuttle fleet has been grounded for the last two years, and the shuttles are scheduled to be phased out beginning in five years' time. The coming several years will mean not every astronaut will get to fly

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109822240616874962005-03-02T19:46:00.000-08:002005-03-02T19:59:45.070-08:00

SpaceRef.com is reporting that Chinese officials intend to meet with NASA about the possibility of Chinese participation on the international space station.SpaceRef said an employee of the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC wants to meet with the next NASA administrator to discuss using China's Shenzhou spacecraft to assist the station.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109814352333181902005-03-02T17:38:00.000-08:002005-03-02T18:11:02.703-08:00

A Russian Progress M-52 cargo spacecraft docked with the international space station on Wednesday, a Reuters report said.The docking was completed at 3:10 p.m. Eastern time, according to the report. The spacecraft carries supplies for the station's crew, as well as equipment that will be used to inspect the space shuttle Discovery when it arrives in May.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109722461374326882005-03-01T15:59:00.000-08:002005-03-01T16:20:33.080-08:00

Hot on the heels of its first launch success in more than a year, the Japanese space agency JAXA is planning bold new steps for its space program.According to an AP report in Newsday, Japan intends to build a space shuttle program of its own, and begin work on a manned base on the moon within the next twenty years.The article cites the Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun as a source.JAXA is doing

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109645144766847412005-02-28T18:40:00.000-08:002005-02-28T18:45:44.766-08:00

Indian newspapers reported on Saturday that NASA is interested in participating in India's planned moon mission, Chandrayan-1, slated for 2007.NASA wants to outfit the spacecraft with imaging equipment which will help map the lunar surface, according to an article in the Times of India.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109626864914044062005-02-28T13:24:00.000-08:002005-02-28T13:51:00.480-08:00

A Russian rocket loaded with supplies for the international space station has lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, according to a BBC News report.The rocket carrying the Progress M-52 spacecraft lifted off at 12:09 a.m. local time Tuesday.Aside from providing supplies to the station, the cargo flight will help prepare the station to act as a "lifeboat" in case of an accident

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109510027788068432005-02-27T05:03:00.000-08:002005-02-28T01:43:53.216-08:00

Russia's Interfax news agency is reporting that the Russian Space Agency is preparing a Mars mission experiment, in an earthbound environment, to test human endurance for long space missions.There was no indication of where the experiment would take place, except that a mock space station would be built for its purpose.The report quoted a Russian Space Agency press release as saying that the

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109418067185881782005-02-26T03:32:00.000-08:002005-02-26T03:56:08.176-08:00

The European Space Agency is getting more interested in exploring Mars, as the success of its Mars Express spacecraft continues paying dividends.A report from Reuters discusses Europe's growing interest in the red planet. The article hints that the ESA may be interested in sending a sample return mission to Mars as a next possible project.Mars Express has gathered a wealth of data suggesting the

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109413562710081232005-02-26T02:15:00.000-08:002005-02-26T21:15:26.380-08:00

ABC News is reporting that Japan has successfully launched a rocket carrying a weather and navigation satellite on Saturday.The launch was the first for Japan since a launch failure in November 2003 that set back its space program.The launch was scheduled for 5:09 p.m. Japan time, according to a pre-launch report on NHK.According to a Reuters report on Yahoo, the launch took place at 6:25 p.m.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109392506618906132005-02-25T20:14:00.000-08:002005-02-26T03:49:01.733-08:00

Reuters is reporting that a bacterium from 30,000 years ago, found in permafrost in Alaska, was thawed by NASA scientists and found alive, despite its extreme age.The discovery could help in the search for life on Mars, according to Richard Hoover, a scientist from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.Scientists believe the permafrost on Mars is a similar environment to where the Alaska bacterium

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109379275428764072005-02-25T16:46:00.000-08:002005-02-25T17:00:46.066-08:00

Space shuttle commander Eileen Collins has expressed her confidence in the mission she and her crew will fly later this year aboard Discovery, according to a Houston Chronicle report.STS-114 will test many new features and procedures during NASA's return to space operations. Three spacewalks are scheduled for the mission, and the flight will test a number of measures intended to increase safety

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109217695649279822005-02-23T19:44:00.000-08:002005-02-23T20:19:58.216-08:00

Boeing sold its Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power division to United Technologies on Tuesday in a deal reportedly valued at $700 million.An article in the Los Angeles Daily News covers the story.Rocketdyne has a storied history, having built rocket engines for NASA for decades. The company built the main engines for the space shuttles, and the F-1 engines for the Apollo moon program's Saturn V

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109198408055658712005-02-23T14:38:00.000-08:002005-02-23T14:40:08.056-08:00

The Voice of America reported on February 18 that spacewalk rules will be changed on the international space station, following an incident in which Leroy Chao ventured too close to the station's maneuvering jets during an EVA.The space station's position in orbit is maintained by a series of thrusters that fire automatically at irregular intervals. During a spacewalk last month, Chao came too

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1109123296696935702005-02-22T17:26:00.000-08:002005-02-23T03:23:05.910-08:00

Images analyzed by scientists suggest that a sea of frozen ice may be present underneath the surface of Mars.BBC News was one of the first online news sources to feature the story. The New Scientist also carries a feature article, which includes a quote from Michael Carr of the U.S. Geological Survey.The analysis comes from observations made by the ESA's Mars Express orbiter of the Elysium region

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108988609494510582005-02-21T04:19:00.000-08:002005-02-21T04:37:02.770-08:00

According to a USA Today article, NASA is still not certain that new sensors can detect damage to the space shuttle while in orbit.Shuttle crews need a way to check the orbiter for possible damage while in space, and a contingency must be available to the astronauts in case a shuttle is damaged after launch. These are key requirements of a NASA safety panel overviewing the agency's readiness to

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108884086349594272005-02-19T19:56:00.000-08:002005-02-23T00:49:58.180-08:00

An article reporting that life may currently exist on Mars -- a claim allegedly made by NASA scientists -- was sharply refuted by one of those scientists in a recent e-mail, even before an official statement by NASA was made public."The story is based on hearsay and is factually incorrect," according to Dr. Carol Stoker, of NASA's Ames Research Center, writing in a private e-mail to a colleague

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108870690200885012005-02-19T19:23:00.000-08:002005-02-20T00:28:40.893-08:00

At least two online articles characterize NASA's scheduled May 15 launch date as a setback.One article gets the snappy title, "Jittery NASA sets back Discovery launch date."Huh?Another article claims that NASA "pushed back" its launch date.Here's a news flash for everybody. The launch window begins on May 12, and lasts until June 3. The scheduled date, May 15, is the fourth day of the launch

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108868137664054152005-02-19T18:12:00.000-08:002005-02-20T00:48:32.140-08:00

An article published on Space.com responds to NASA's Friday press release disputing a report that two of the agency's scientists have claimed evidence of present life on Mars.On Wednesday, Space.com posted an "exclusive article" saying that two scientists from NASA's Ames Research Center claimed that they found evidence that life may now exist on Mars, and that a research paper had been submitted

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108775871559905732005-02-18T17:10:00.000-08:002005-02-26T21:50:30.446-08:00

A press release issued by NASA today refutes claims that Mars may currently host life.The claims, attributed to two of NASA's Ames facility scientists, became the source of an exclusive article made public on Wednesday by Space.com. The article was written by Brian Berger, a Space.com staff writer.NASA's press release is certainly an effort to quell the story and prevent what it deems to be a

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108762322348628512005-02-18T13:27:00.000-08:002005-02-18T13:32:02.350-08:00

An ABC News/Reuters report says that NASA has set May 15 as its target date to launch space shuttle Discovery.The flight will be the first U.S. manned space launch since the Columbia's accident in February 2003.NASA also set a date of July 12 for its second shuttle launch, but the report did not mention which of the space shuttle fleet was scheduled for the mission.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108681333346627262005-02-17T14:54:00.000-08:002005-02-17T15:02:13.620-08:00

Fresh off its success with the Huygens probe, the European Union is indicating that it wants to expand its role in spaceflight, according to a report on Reuters.Guenter Verheugen, the EU commissioner in charge of enterprise, industry and space, believes space has become an increasingly important part of the EU's economic and political goals. He said he would propose increases in research funding

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108680723335658032005-02-17T14:45:00.000-08:002005-02-18T18:26:26.353-08:00

A Yahoo/AP report says the European Union wants more cooperation in space endeavors, highlighting earth observation programs.The report comes as EU members meet to discuss budgetary matters.One of the main goals is to integrate some independent earth observation programs and create more collaboration.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108680167785068742005-02-17T14:34:00.000-08:002005-02-17T14:42:47.786-08:00

NASA has apparently chosen former astronaut Fred Gregory as its acting administrator, following the departure of Sean O'Keefe.Gregory will become the first African-American to lead the space agency.Gregory is a veteran of three space shuttle flights, and has served as NASA's deputy administrator since 2002.The Reuters report adds that it's not clear whether Gregory would fill the role permanently.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108679452605898962005-02-17T14:26:00.000-08:002005-02-17T14:30:52.606-08:00

A Russian cargo flight is being readied for launch to the international space station, according to a Reuters report.The launch is scheduled to take place February 28 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The cargo spacecraft should then reach the space station on March 2.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108678499878809062005-02-17T14:05:00.000-08:002005-02-18T04:32:45.820-08:00

The chair of a NASA safety panel says the space shuttle has no "show stoppers" to prevent a launch from proceeding in May or June, according to a report on Reuters UK.The Houston Chronicle carried a similar story on Thursday.According to the Reuters report, Richard Covey, former astronaut and co-chair of a panel assessing NASA's compliance with safety standards for the next shuttle flight, says

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108606337874791112005-02-16T18:01:00.000-08:002005-02-26T21:49:00.936-08:00

Space.com is reporting an "exclusive" story that two NASA researchers are claiming that evidence of present life may exist on Mars.The scientists, both from NASA's Ames facility in California, told a group in Washington of their findings recently. They believe life may exist under the planet's surface, and that water may sustain it.The article says that the scientists are not claiming to have

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108555932102258682005-02-16T03:59:00.000-08:002005-02-16T04:12:25.690-08:00

NASA's Mars rover Spirit has found a new class of rock that points to a wetter Mars environment, according to an article on Space.com.The rock is an exposed part of martian bedrock nicknamed "Peace" by planet scientists.The evidence found by Spirit suggests that water played a part in the history of the neighboring rock, bolstering the belief that Mars was once a watery planet.

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108513247079995742005-02-15T16:14:00.000-08:002005-02-15T23:35:06.440-08:00

NASA's space probe Cassini has flown by Saturn's moon Titan for the fourth time since arriving at the planet. The Tuesday flyby brought Cassini within 1,580 kilometers of the moon, according to a CNN report.The encounter was the first flyby of the moon since Cassini released its Huygens probe last month. Cassini was scheduled to collect data during the pass and relay it back to earth late Tuesday

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108434780822349882005-02-14T16:20:00.000-08:002005-02-18T14:58:15.713-08:00

Europe is quietly getting bullish on spaceflight.Early Tuesday morning, NASA's Cassini space probe will fly by Saturn's largest moon, Titan, for the first time since releasing the ESA's Huygens probe to Titan's surface in January. The encounter highlights last month's Huygens landing, and comes days after the return to space of the ESA's Ariane 5 booster system.An article in Tuesday's Christian

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108357471340184472005-02-13T20:42:00.000-08:002005-02-13T23:47:58.110-08:00

With the departure of NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, space policy observers are now wondering what the fate of the Hubble Space Telescope will be. O'Keefe unceremoniously cut off funding for maintenance to the Hubble, citing safety and budgetary factors in repair missions, which have always fallen under the space shuttle's aegis.An op/ed piece in Monday's International Herald Tribune laments

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108335523041688672005-02-13T14:46:00.000-08:002005-02-13T23:42:36.090-08:00

An Associated Press article on ABC News celebrates this week's 75th anniversary of the discovery of planet Pluto.Or is it really a planet? Is it formerly a moon of another planet, or another object altogether, such as a comet?Pluto was discovered on February 18, 1930, by Clyde Tombaugh of the Lowell Observatory, during a search for a so-called Planet X.The article observes that Pluto's eccentric

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108247833623160762005-02-12T14:25:00.000-08:002005-02-18T15:04:55.113-08:00

The European Space Agency (ESA) reports on its official website that its Ariane 5 rocket was launched from French Guiana and has successfully reached orbit.The flight is designated Ariane Flight 164. The Ariane 5 ECA booster is an upgraded design from the earlier Ariane 5G "Generic" configuration.The launch marks the first operational flight for the upgraded Ariane booster, following a launch

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BBC News reports the ESA's Ariane 5 rocket has lifted off from its launch facility in French Guiana. The rocket left the launch pad at 2103 GMT, or 2:03 p.m. Pacific time.More details to follow.

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Two years after a post-launch failure, the ESA's Ariane 5 rocket system is poised to launch from French Guiana.According to an article on Reuters, the rocket is outfitted with two payloads: one a Spanish military satellite, and the other a fluids experiment.CNN is reporting that the Ariane's countdown was stopped 59 seconds before its launch window was to have begun. The rocket was scheduled to

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NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe bade farewell to NASA Friday in Washington on his last day leading the space agency. O'Keefe leaves NASA after accepting the position of chancellor of Louisiana State University.An article in the Houston Chronicle reports his departure from the agency.O'Keefe led NASA through one of its darkest times, following the space shuttle Columbia's accident on February 1,

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A Reuters article reports that NASA has decided to test two repair techniques for making on-orbit repairs of the space shuttle's heat shielding. The report seems to indicate that these experiments will take place on the next space shuttle flight.Space shuttle Discovery is tentatively scheduled for launch on May 14.

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Lagrange 5 is a portal to Internet news and sites about space and spaceflight. It evolved from a series of similar sites hosted from GeoCities since 1999.Lagrange points are five points in space around two gravitational bodies (such as the earth and the moon), where future spacecraft will be able to achieve "fixed" orbits. The most stable of these points are L4 and L5. Each of these are

Administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154610199806056585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10781222.post-1108180440250080862005-02-11T19:37:00.000-08:002005-02-11T20:38:12.466-08:00

I originally built Lagrange 5 in prototype form in late 2003 in a semi-blog format, just to test the concept and try out formatting. I write HTML by hand, which gave me the freedom to format the template exactly the way I wanted. But as the number of posts added up and the test site grew larger, the hand-coded HTML made the process of posting rather tedious, especially archiving.I decided I

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Welcome to Lagrange 5. I hope this will become a place to post space-related news articles on a semi-regular basis. Thanks for visiting.

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