Problems on ISS
Equipment problems on the U.S. portion of ISS, and it takes the Russians to tell us.
Author: Robert Zimmerman
Water found around carbon star; Bok globule
Water vapor detected in deep space, first near the carbon star V Cygni and second in two dark starless cores. The second detection is a first time water has been seen in these black clouds. Fun quote from the abstract of the first paper notes how the detection “raises the intriguing possibility that the observed water is produced by the vapourisation of orbiting comets or dwarf planets.”
Senate deal on NASA budget
Bad link fixed. Sorry.
The Senate committee that authorizes NASA’s program is nearing a deal that would “reverse large swaths” of President Obama’s budget proposal. The proposal would add one more shuttle flight, restore the full scale Orion capsule, and add funds to immediately build a heavy lift rocket to replace the shuttle. More to come, I’m sure.
Largest hoard of Roman coins found in England
The largest hoard of Roman coins, more than 52,000 total, has been found in Britain.
Vitter slams Obama plan
Apropos my previous post, which noted the hostility of Congress to Obama’s budget proposal for NASA, Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana) slammed Obama in his opening remarks at the ceremony marking the delivery of the last external shuttle tank. Key quote: “You all deserve better, and the nation deserves better,”
Both for and against the Obama plan
In my recent co-hosting stint on the John Bachelor Show, I asked David Livingston of the Space Show if he thought the aerospace community was polarized over the Obama administration’s effort to cancel Constellation and replace it with new private companies. “Pretty much so,” he stated without much hesitation.
This makes my position on Obama’s proposal somewhat unusual, as I am actually sitting right in the middle. I am both for and against the Obama administration’s NASA proposal, which might explain why my comments both on behindtheblack as well as on the radio have often caused the blood to boil in people on both sides of the debate. This fact also suggests that there is a need for me to clarify where I stand.
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Orbital’s COTS capsule taking shape
The Cygnus capsule is taking shape. Orbital Sciences signed a COTS contract with NASA in 2008 (as did SpaceX with its Falcon 9 rocket) to provide cargo ferrying services to ISS, and they are making real progress toward their first demonstration flight in the spring of 2011. That they have subcontracted most of the work to foreign companies, however, limits how much their work can help the American aerospace industry.
Solar powered plane flies for over 24 hours
Icarus truly rising. A solar-powered plane has successfully flown for over 24 hours.
More particles discovered in Hayabusa capsule
More tiny particles have been detected in the inner return capsule of Hayabusa.
Rocketplane goes bust
Rocketplane, one of the new space companies that was going to cash in on the space tourism boom, has gone bankrupt.
More Layoffs at NASA
More layoffs in the Constellation program at NASA, this time at the Marshall Space Flight Center
Anniversary of the discovery of chocolate
Today, July 7, is the 460th anniversary of the introduction of chocolate into Europe!
East Anglia violated FOI rules
The University of East Anglia has been found in violation of the UK’s freedom of information law in connection with the climategate emails, suggesting again and strongly that the final conclusions of the investigation of Phil Jones was a whitewash.
Lonesome Polecat from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers
An evening pause: This haunting song from the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is notable not only because of the beauty of the music and dancing, but because the entire number is shot as one take, no cuts. Everyone, from the actors with their axes to the crew moving the camera on its dolly and crane, had to be right on cue for everything to work. Note also that this version uses the original voices. In the movie the voice of the lead singer, Matt Mattox, was dubbed.
Another climategate whitewash
Updated. Also, bad link fixed. Sorry.
Another climategate whitewash. Phil Jones, at the center of the scandal, has been reinstated by the University of East Anglia. Steve McIntyre of Climate Audit has an excellent analysis of the some of the absurd rationalizations the investigation adopted to clear Jones.
This Daily Mail article on the investigation gives a somewhat balanced description.
upcoming Ares I solid rocket test
The Ares I solid rocket motor is now fully assembled on its test stand in Utah, ready for the motor’s second test firing, planned for September.
The sun remains quiet
On July 6 NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center published its monthly graph, showing the progress of the sun’s sunspot cycle in comparison with the consensis prediction made by the solar science community in May 2009.
The graph shows clearly that, despite press-release-journalism stories like this, the sun remains in a very quiet state, with the number of sunspots far less than predicted by the red line on the graph. If these trends persist (as they have for the last three years), the next solar maximum will either be much later than expected or far weaker. In fact, the upcoming solar maximum might very well be the weakest seen in almost two centuries. Note also that the prediction shown on this graph is a significant revision downward from the science community’s earlier prediction from 2007.
Cernan calls for Bolden resignation
Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the Moon, calls for Bolden’s resignation.
Orion capsule passes first review
The fullsized Orion capsule has passed its first safety review. This is the design that the Obama adminstration wishes to cancel.
Lockheed buyouts
Lockheed Martin, under pressure from the Pentagon, is trimming is management ranks.