Odyssey Moon, one of the competitors in the Google Lunar X Prize, is looking for payloads to fly to the lunar surface. It has issued a request for information “to identify potential payloads and Principal Investigators (PIs) who wish to explore rapid, low-cost lunar flight opportunities.” The payloads must be 15 to 25 kilograms (33 to 55 lbs.)
The company hopes to land its MoonOne spacecraft on the lunar surface in July 2011 in order to claim the $30 million prize. The lander is set to be first of a series of spacecraft the company will send to the Moon.
You can read the full RFI on its website. Odyssey Moon Limited is a private company based in the Isle of Man.
ESA engineers say that a problem with the Automated Transfer Vehicle Jules Verne has been fixed. The vehicle is headed for the International Space Station with supplies and equipment for the crew.
New Scientist reports that shortly after launch, an electronics box aboard the freighter detected a pressure difference between two fuel pipes. The box routed fuel through three other systems, resulting in the shutdown of one of the ATV’s four engines and seven of its 28 thrusters. The box then shut itself off as a precaution. When engineers turned the box back on Tuesday, everything was functioning normally.
ESA officials said that even with the anomaly, the ATV was capable of rendezvousing and docking the space station.
The European Automated Transfer Vehicle Jules Verne has developed a glitch in its propulsion system. Sensors aboard the cargo vessel detected a difference in pressure between the oxidizer and the fuel systems.. The problem has shut down seven of the 28 attitude control jets and one of the vehicle’s four engines.
Engineers are assessing the problem and say they are not worried. They are confident the ATV will be able to successfully rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station, where it will delivery cargo and supplies to the crew.
The BBC has a full story, as does Spaceflight Now.
The Ariane 5 lifted off successfully at 04:03 UT Sunday from the European Spaceport in French Guiana carrying ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle. The robotic spacecraft, dubbed Jules Verne, is bound for the International Space Station to deliver 7 metric tons of equipment and supplies.
The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with ISS several weeks from now after the space shuttle Endeavour completes its construction mission. Endeavour is schedule for launch on March 11 and is schedule to stay 16 days at the station.
ATV will conduct system checks for several weeks, including two approaches to the orbital outpost as well as “escape” maneuvers to back away from the station. The tests are designed to verify software and prevent any collision with ISS.
“The two approach tests will give ESA, NASA and Rocket Space Corp. Energia time to critically examine the performance of ATV’s systems,” said Brian Smith, NASA’s lead ATV flight director. “ATV must pass these tests before it will be allowed to initiate the final rendezvous and docking. The tests have been designed to verify the systems vital to ensuring the safety of the ISS and its crew perform as expected.”