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Space

ESA launches first Earth Explorer mission GOCE->

Submitted by
DSG2
DSG2 writes "This afternoon, the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) was lofted into a near-Sun-synchronous, low Earth orbit by a Rockot launcher lifting off from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia. With this launch, a new chapter in the history of Earth observation in Europe has begun. GOCE is the first of a new family of ESA satellites designed to study our planet and its environment in order to enhance our knowledge and understanding of Earth-system processes and their evolution, to enable us to address the challenges of global climate change. In particular, GOCE will measure the minute differences in the Earth's gravity field around the globe. Read More Here"
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Space

Launch of ESA's gravity mapping satellite delayed->

Submitted by
Matt_dk
Matt_dk writes "This afternoon, ESA's Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite was due to be launched by a Russian Rockot vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia. However, the launch operations were stopped a few seconds before scheduled liftoff as the doors of the launch service tower did not open. Due to this anomaly, the tower was held in position and did not move back as required for a launch."
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NASA

ISS Reality TV Show Gets Thumbs Down->

Submitted by
DSG2
DSG2 writes "Roscosmos and NASA have decided not to pursue a U.S.-initiated idea to make life on the International Space Station (ISS) a reality show, the Russian Space Agency announced on Thursday. Views of Earth from the space station will be streamed round-the-clock on the NASA web site using cameras mounted on the exterior of the orbiter, but the activities of crewmembers monitored on interior cameras will not be shown. A number of U.S. astronauts and Russian cosmonauts reacted negatively to the idea. Roscosmos also noted that the psychological effect of such experiments during long-duration stays in orbit had not been researched. Read more on this story and discuss the implications Here"
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Space

Galactic Dust Bunnies Found to Contain Carbon->

Submitted by
Matt_dk
Matt_dk writes "Astronomers have long been baffled by a strange phenomenon: Why have their telescopes never detected carbon-rich stars at the center of our galaxy even though they have found these stars in other places? Now, by using Spitzer's powerful infrared detectors, a research team has found the elusive carbon stars in the galactic center. This discovery is significant because it adds to our knowledge of how stars form heavy elements — like oxygen, carbon and iron — and then blow them out across the universe, making it possible for life to develop."
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Space

ESA designs its smallest ever space engine->

Submitted by
Matt_dk
Matt_dk writes "This month an ESA team is preparing to test the performance of the smallest yet most precisely controllable engine ever built for space, sensitive enough to counteract the force of incoming sunshine. Measuring only ten centimetres across and emitting a faint blue glow as it runs, the Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) engine produces an average thrust equivalent to the force of a single falling hair. But despite its low power, FEEP's thrust range and controllability are far superior to more forceful thrusters, holding the key to future success of an ambitious ESA science mission."
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Space

SPACEX Complete Falcon 9 Engine Test Fire->

Submitted by
RobGoldsmith
RobGoldsmith writes "Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully conducted a full mission duration firing of its new Merlin Vacuum engine on March 7, at SpaceX's Test Facility in McGregor, Texas. The engine fired for a full six minutes, consuming 100,000 pounds of liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene propellant. The new engine, which powers the upper stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle, demonstrated a vacuum specific impulse of 342 seconds — the highest efficiency ever for an American hydrocarbon rocket engine. Thrust was measured at approximately 92,500 lb of force in vacuum conditions and the engine remained thermally stable over the entire run. Read More Here"
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Space

X PRIZE Team Ready to Land a Rover on the Moon->

Submitted by
RobGoldsmith
RobGoldsmith writes "InterPlanetary Ventures, the Human Synergy Project, and Interorbital Systems have joined forces to compete in the Google Lunar X PRIZE race to the Moon, which offers $30,000,000 in prizes for competition winners. Read this amazing interview with the team as they aim to place a robot on the Moon by 2012. They discuss the developments of their rovers, their new rockets and how the team decided on doing something that only Government Organizations have done before. Read it all Here"
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Space

ISS to become second brightest object in the sky->

Submitted by
Matt_dk
Matt_dk writes "Move over, Morning Star. Once Canadarm2 helps install the fourth and final set of solar array wings to the International Space Station later this month, the Station will surpass Venus as the brightest object in the night sky, second only to the Moon. The Space Shuttle Discovery is set to deliver the power-generating solar panels and Starboard 6 (S6) truss segment to the ISS on the 125th mission in the Shuttle program, known as STS-119/15A (slated for launch on March 11, 2009 at 9:20 p.m.)"
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Moon

New Technologies for landing on the Moon->

Submitted by
Matt_dk
Matt_dk writes "The United States have been to the Moon and want to go again, China and India have recently launched their own lunar missions, and Europe is looking at the possibility of future missions to Earth's natural satellite. Astrium is working on a European Space Agency (ESA) study: 'NEXT Lunar Lander with In-Situ Science and Mobility'. The initial stage of defining the baseline for a mission concept was completed in 2008, right now the mission concept is being finalised and the design of the transfer module, the lander and the Moon rover is being developed. Read this article and discover how they are addressing issues such as technological challenges, optical navigation, obstacle avoidance, Propulsion and much more."
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Space

The lower atmosphere of Pluto revealed-> 1

Submitted by
Matt_dk
Matt_dk writes "Using ESO's Very Large Telescope, astronomers have gained valuable new insights about the atmosphere of the dwarf planet Pluto. The scientists found unexpectedly large amounts of methane in the atmosphere, and also discovered that the atmosphere is hotter than the surface by about 40 degrees, although it still only reaches a frigid minus 180 degrees Celsius. These properties of Pluto's atmosphere may be due to the presence of pure methane patches or of a methane-rich layer covering the dwarf planet's surface."
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Space

Spaceport America and Sweden Announce Sister Space->

Submitted by
RobGoldsmith
RobGoldsmith writes "Officials from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Spaceport Sweden to align with Spaceport America as 'Sister Spaceports'. Working in collaboration, the two spaceports will increase global cooperation in the commercial space industry, promote cultural understanding and stimulate local economic development, tourism and education. Read More here"
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Space

SpaceX - Falcon 9 is now vertical at the Cape->

Submitted by
RobGoldsmith
RobGoldsmith writes "This update contains brand-new photographs of the Falcon 9 standing completely vertical, there is also an amazing Time lapse video of the Falcon 9 vehicle being raised to vertical at Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral. Perhaps one of their most important updates yet, read the article and view the images and videos Here. Elon Musk says "The process of taking Falcon 9 vertical was a critical step in preparation for our first Falcon 9 launch later this year. This accomplishment culminates several months of rapid progress, made possible only through the hard work and dedication of the entire SpaceX team"."
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Space

Space Competition Offers Space Travel for $20->

Submitted by
RobGoldsmith
RobGoldsmith writes "A new website has created a competition whereby you can fly in space for as little as $20! Adventure tourism, such as trips to Antarctica or Mount Everest, has long been a profitable business. This can involve packages with prices as high as £100k and even higher. In recent years you may have heard of a newly emerging adventure niche, space tourism. Are you tired of the traditional holiday ventures? Been to all the major continents and want more? Done all of the extreme sports and just can't get that adrenaline rush anymore? Space tourism may just be the Next Big Thing on your agenda in the not too distant future! Read the latest Press Release to learn how you could fly in Space for as little as $20 and become a Space Tourist!"
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Space

Reaction Engines To Fly Reuseable Spaceplane->

Submitted by
RobGoldsmith
RobGoldsmith writes "Reaction Engines have designed a "reuseable spaceplane" to provide inexpensive and reliable access to space. The Star Wars looking "Skylon" reuseable spaceplane has already been designed and the team are well into Engine Testing. They have taken some time out from building spaceships to talk about their background, their goals, and their recent engine tests. This article shows new images of their STERN Engine, an experimental rocket motor which explores the flow in Expansion Deflection (ED) nozzles. They also discuss their Sabre airbreathing engine technology! View the Skylon Spaceplane concept, The STERN Engine and much more in this indepth interview with the team!"
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Space

SpaceX - "Incredible Progress" and New Ima->

Submitted by
RobGoldsmith
RobGoldsmith writes "SpaceX have released their first update of 2009. The new update describes SpaceX's recent work as " incredible progress". The update follows the integration of Falcon 9 being completed a day ahead of schedule. Elon Musk adds "Over the last few days, we flipped the launch mount base and installed it to the launch mount. We also installed the forward cradle and assembled the strongback in preparation for mating to the launch table base. Machining on the forward rail car assemblies was completed, with work on the aft rail car assembly quickly nearing completion, and a significant portion of the hydraulic systems were also installed." The update is full of brand new images of the progress. Read the full update and view the entire selection of new SpaceX images Here"
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Presidency: The greased pig in the field game of American politics. -- Ambrose Bierce