Parabolic Arc

Phobos-Grunt in preparation. (Credit: Roscosmos)

This week in The Space Review….

Red Planet blues
With Russia’s Phobos-Grunt spacecraft all but dead, Russian scientists are making plans for future missions even as the president of Russia threatens prosecution for those involved with the failure. Dwayne Day examines what Russia should, and should not, do to reinvigorate its planetary exploration program.

The SLS: too expensive for exploration?
The Space Launch System, NASA’s new heavy-lift vehicle, has not met with universal acceptance since the design was formally announced in September. John Strickland argues that the SLS, as currently conceived, will be too expensive to support the exploration missions and other applications envisioned for it.

Making the case, again, for space-based solar power
Space-based solar power is a concept that has strong support from a small number of space advocates, but little attention or funding from broader audiences. Jeff Foust reports on a new study that offers optimism for the future of space solar power even as the political landscape for supporting it becomes even more challenging.

EU Code of Conduct: commentary on Indian concerns and their effects
A European Union proposal for a “Code of Conduct” for space activities has run into opposition from some countries, including India. Michael Listner discusses what Indian officials find objectionable in the code and the options for handing those concerns.

Review: Journey to the Exoplanets
The search for extrasolar planets has become one of the fastest-paced areas of astronomy, with over 700 such worlds now discovered. Jeff Foust reviews an iPad app that provides a multimedia look at some of those worlds and the science behind the search.

This week on The Space Show with David Livingston….

1. Monday, Nov. 28, 2011: 2-3:30 PM PST We welcome Matthew Kleiman, Atty, re his Space Review article, “Protecting Apollo artifacts on the Moon.” See www.thespacereview.com/article/161/1.

2. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, , 7-8:30 PM PST: We welcome Dave Reneke from Australia to the show. David Reneke, one of Australia’s most well known and respected amateur astronomers and lecturers, has over 40 years experience in astronomy with links to some of the world’s leading astronomical institutions. David is the Editor for Australia’s Astro-Space News Magazine, past news editor of Sky & Space Magazine and is now affiliated as a writer and publicist for the prestigious Australasian Science magazine.

3. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, 2-3:30 PM PST: We welcome back Dr. Jeff Bell on many current topics for discussion. Note that this program, while broadcast live, will archive on Dec. 9, 2011.

4. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011: 9:30-11:30 AM PST: We welcome Dr. James Huges, author of “Citizen Cyborg: Why Democratic Societies Must Respond To The Redesigned Human Of The Future.” We will apply this to long duration space flight. Note that this program will be broadcast live but not archived until Dec. 18, 2011.

5. Friday, Dec. 2, 2011: 9:30-11AM PST: We welcome back Dr. Roger Launius, noted space historian and of the Smithsonian Institution to the show.

6. Sunday, Dec.4, 2011: 12-1:30 PM PST: We welcome Dr. Bob Lancaster to the show regarding leadership ideas for space advocacy.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (Credit: www.kremlin.ru)

Dmitry Medvedev is in a decidedly combative mood in the run-up to Russia’s Dec. 4 parliamentary elections.

The Russian president invoked murderous Soviet dictator Josef Stalin when discussing a series of embarrassing launch failures his country has suffered over the past year. He also threatened to target Russian missiles at a planned U.S. missile defense shield in Europe if he doesn’t get his way.

Well, not a whole lot of holiday cheer emanating these days from the Russian leader, who is stepping aside to allow Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to win the presidential election in March. Putin has said he would appoint Medvedev as prime minister.

Continue reading ‘Medvedev Invokes Stalin Over Rocket Failures, Threatens to Target Europe With Missiles’

NASA CURIOSITY FACT SHEET — NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission is preparing to set down a large, mobile laboratory — the rover Curiosity — using precision landing technology that makes many of Mars’ most intriguing regions viable destinations for the first time. During the 23 months after landing, Curiosity will analyze dozens of samples drilled from rocks or scooped from the ground as it explores with greater range than any previous Mars rover.

Curiosity will carry the most advanced payload of scientific gear ever used on Mars’ surface, a payload more than 10 times as massive as those of earlier Mars rovers. Its assignment: Investigate whether conditions have been favorable for microbial life and for preserving clues in the rocks about possible past life.

Continue reading ‘NASA’s Curiosity Rover: Everything You Need to Know’