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What is The Space Review?The Space Review is an online publication devoted to in-depth articles, commentary, and reviews regarding all aspects of space exploration: science, technology, policy, business, and more. more info Write for us!Interested in contributing an article to The Space Review? Please read our submission guidelines. RSSRelated sitesspacetoday.net Space Politics Personal Spaceflight |
This week in The Space Review… The Vision for Space Exploration and the retirement of the Baby Boomers (part 2)With budgets likely to be constrained in the years and decades to come, how can NASA carry out the Vision for Space Exploration and other efforts? Charles Miller and Jeff Foust argue that the key is the development of cheap, reliable access to space. Dead trees and the final frontierIn an era of online publications (like this one), are magazines an anachronism? Dwayne Day examines the strengths and weaknesses of space magazines as an introduction to a review of a number of these publications. A quick guide to space news publications in printDwayne Day provides brief reviews of major space-related magazines currently published in the United States and elsewhere. Point-to-point suborbital transportation: sounds good on paper, but…Suborbital point-to-point spaceflight would seem to be a logical step between the current generation of suborbital vehicles under development and orbital RLVs. David Hoerr cautions that such vehicles face considerable technological obstacles to their development. British perspectives on human spaceflightThe UK is considering a revision to a national space policy that currently doesn’t support human spaceflight. Jeff Foust reports on comments made by two prominent British scientists on opposite sides of the issue. The new “Space Nexus”: another Apollo debacle?As Congress gears up to reauthorize NASA, there is a natural debate about the future and long-term goals for the space agency. Greg Zsidisin worries that we could be in danger of repeating the same mistakes made over three decades ago. Previous articles:h3>A flower in the polar sky: the POPPY signals intelligence satellite and ocean surveillanceIn the 1960s the US Navy developed the POPPY series of satellites designed to identify the location of Soviet radars and naval vessels. Dwayne Day examines the history of this satellite program, including new information on the role these satellites played in the Cold War. Notes on the state of the RLV industry in 2008 (part 1)While NASA has all but abandoned efforts to develop reusable launch vehicle technology, RLV efforts continue elsewhere in government and the private sector. Taylor Dinerman explores the status of those efforts, including some surprising new developments from a large aerospace company. The satellite shootdown: the rest of the storyThe intercept of USA 193 earlier this year required the cooperation of multiple agencies and the combination of data from various sources. Wayne Eleazer compares that to an earlier effort to create a “Space Test Range” during the SDI era. Review: Shuttle Launch ExperienceIf you can’t get a chance to fly on the space shuttle in its final years, what’s the best way to experience what a shuttle launch is like? Jeff Foust reviews a highly-detailed simulator of a shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center’s visitor center. The wisdom of NASA’s eldersWhat do NASA’s former leaders think about the agency’s plans to return to the Moon? Jeff Foust reports on what three former administrators recently said about that, as well as the best and worst decisions they made when they led the space agency. Small satellite builders: a tale of two mergersWhile Canada blocked the sale of MDA’s space business to a US company earlier this month, SSTL agreed to be acquired by EADS Astrium. Taylor Dinerman examines both deals and their strategic implications for Canada and the UK. Obama’s modest proposal: no hue, no cry? (part 3)As the presidential campaign grinds on, the various space advocacy and industry groups are determining what stand, if any, they should take on the candidates’ space positions. Greg Zsidisin concludes his analysis of the topic with a review of those groups’ positions and why the issue is so important. Miles to go before the MoonA subgenre of science fiction tries to tell stories about the near future of spaceflight. Dwayne Day reviews one such anime series and finds that what it offers in attention to detail it lacks in plot and character. Review: To the End of the Solar SystemIn the early years of the Space Age, NASA pursued efforts to develop nuclear-powered rockets that held the promise of opening up the solar system. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examined the technology and policy issues associated with that ultimately failed effort. The Vision for Space Exploration and the retirement of the Baby Boomers (part 1)Even as space advocates seek to increase NASA’s budget, the agency itself and the Bush Administration have claimed that budgets that keep pace with inflation are sufficient for NASA to implement the Vision for Space Exploration. However, as Charles Miller and Jeff Foust argue, even that modest budgetary goal may be impossible to maintain given the fiscal pressures the nation will be facing in the years to come. Obama’s modest proposal: no hue, no cry? (part 2)While presidential candidate Barack Obama has proposed delaying NASA’s Constellation program to pay for an early education initiative, the response from the pro-space community has been surprisingly muted. Greg Zsidisin examines why, given the nature of such organizations, that may be the case. Astrospies, correctedPBS recently aired a Nova episode about military space station projects in the US and USSR during the Cold War. Dwayne Day identifies several errors in the program’s discussion of the Air Force’s MOL project. Point-to-point suborbital spaceflight and military logisticsAlthough point-to-point suborbital spaceflight holds great promise for opening new markets, there’s little private-sector interest in funding the development of such vehicles today. Taylor Dinerman explains how the military could jumpstart this sector in much the same way it did the air cargo business decades ago. Introducing the Committee for the Advocacy of Space ExplorationOne thing the space advocacy movement has been missing for some time is an effective political action committee. Jeff Brooks announces the formation of a PAC for space exploration and how his organization will work to raise the profile of space policy in Washington. Gumdrops and dragonfliesIn preparation for an accident that fortunately never came, rescue crews practiced techniques to recover Apollo astronauts. Dwayne Day reveals the small but important role played by a large, ungainly helicopter to support those efforts. Obama’s modest proposal: no hue, no cry?Since late last year Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has proposed delaying NASA’s Constellation program for five years to help pay for an education initiative. Greg Zsidisin examines what Obama has proposed and what the candidate said to him about it in a recent town hall meeting. So you want to be a rocket pilotIf the commercial human spaceflight market emerges as some anticipate, there will soon be demand for a new kind of job: commercial rocket pilot. Jeff Foust reports on how pilots can prepare for such work, and why at least one person things the occupation will be far less glamorous than one might expect. They were warnedLast week members of Congress wrung their hands over the anticipated job losses at the Kennedy Space Center and elsewhere as the shuttle is retired. Taylor Dinerman argues that the solution is for Congress and the White House to act to provide additional funding to speed up the development of its successor, not to extend the life of the shuttle. Never give a monkey your car keysShould you challenge people making bizarre statements, or simply ignore them? That’s the question Dwayne Day grapples with as he recounts the reaction to an earlier essay about claims of evidence of alien life on the Moon. Clarke and Kubrick glimpsed the futureThe recent passing of Arthur C. Clarke came just before the 40th anniversary of the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Jim McDade uses these events as an opportunity for reflection on both that seminal work as well as our own prospects for the future. One size may not fit allAs Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites continue the development of SpaceShipTwo, other companies are making headway in the commercial suborbital spaceflight market. Jeff Foust reports on recent developments by XCOR Aerospace and other companies, and how the diversity of technical approaches may be received by the market. The next battlestarNASA’s science program, already constrained by tight budgets, will soon have to take on the challenge of both a flagship outer planets mission and a Mars sample return mission. Taylor Dinerman questions whether the agency can handle two such major missions at the same time. Killer birdieKE-ASAT was a long-running, but little-known, effort to develop an antisatellite weapon. Dwayne Day reports on a mockup recently found that appears to be associated with the project. Assessing the practicality of scramjet-powered, single-stage aerospaceplanesTo many the ideal low-cost, reusable launch vehicle is a scramjet-powered spaceplane. Mike Snead examines the technical issues and challenges associated with developing such vehicles. Review: Beyond UFOsTo many, life on other worlds means aliens and flying saucers. Jeff Foust reviews a book that tries to move beyond those perceptions to provide a solid scientific review of astrobiology. Too few or too many?Last weekend’s failure of a Proton rocket is the latest complication for the commercial launch industry, which has seen manifests fill up and customers complain about schedules and costs. Jeff Foust reports on the differing points of view about whether there are enough—or even too many—launch services providers. Messy battlefieldsIf there is ultimately warfare in space, it will likely create a large amount of debris. Taylor Dinerman writes that countries that depend on space assets, like the US, need to prepare for this possibility by making their spacecraft harder to intercept and harder to damage. Planting a flag is only the beginningSo much attention has been given to implementing the Vision for Space Exploration that there has been little thought as to what will follow it. Jeff Brooks argues that making the case for the economic benefit of the Moon, Mars, and beyond is essential. Letters: wrapping up the USA 193 debateIn the conclusion of their debate about the intercept of the USA 193 satellite last month, Yousaf Butt and Andrew Higgins make their final points on the physics of hydrazine and satellite reentry models. ITAR’s failureCurrent US export control regulations make it difficult for companies, particularly smaller ones, to compete on the international market. Taylor Dinerman makes the case for some degree of reform that will ease the regulatory burden on these companies. The end of the golden age of Mars exploration?While NASA is celebrating the continued successes of its current Mars missions, the future of its robotic Mars exploration efforts is uncertain. Jeff Foust reports on concerns some scientists are expressing about a possible break in the steady stream of landers and orbiters going to the Red Planet. British space policy on life, the universe, and everythingThe UK is reconsidering its long-standing opposition to human spaceflight. Michael Huang examines the debate the opposition to any change in British policy. Letter: hydrazine reduxYousaf Butt continues the debate on the technical merits of intercepting the USA 193 satellite by reexamining just how likely the hydrazine in the spacecraft’s propellant tank would have survived reentry. Review: Human Missions to MarsA long-term goal of human spaceflight is to send missions to Mars, but that is an approach fraught with technical challenges. Anthony Young reviews a book that examines in detail the issues associated with human Mars exploration. Will we burn in heaven like we do down here?How real is the threat of an arms race in space, and how effective would measures like treaties be in preventing one? Dwayne Day recounts a recent debate on the subject. Investment in entrepreneurial innovation: why cooperate?In the highly competitive world of business, why should companies work together to help develop a new industry? Paul Eckert explains why various companies and organizations are doing just that to help promote the entrepreneurial space sector. Hoping for a reality tomorrowLast week’s Goddard Memorial Symposium provided an opportunity not just to look back at the first 50 years of the Space Age, but to also look ahead to the next 50. Jeff Foust reports on what the administrator of NASA and the president’s science advisor hope today will be become the reality of tomorrow. Space weapons agreements, treaties, and politicsRecent events have renewed the debate on the effectiveness of a treaty banning space weapons. Taylor Dinerman discusses the arguments made in opposition to such a treaty made by a senior State Department official last week. Letter: The physics of reentering fuel tanksWhat would have happened to USA 193’s fuel tank if the spacecraft has been allowed to reenter naturally? Andrew Higgins argues that, contrary to other claims, the tank would have likely survived reentry intact. Review: The Mystery of the Missing AntimatterIf antimatter is the mirror image of matter, why is the universe dominated by matter? Jeff Foust reviews a book that takes readers on a journey through modern physics to try and answer that question. China and the US: space race or miscommunication?The rise of China as a major space power is seen by some in the US as a threat to American prestige, if not national security. Jeff Foust reports that, for some experts, the real concern is the misperceptions that exist in the two countries about each other’s projects and intents. ATV, Cygnus, and DragonIn less than a week ESA will launch its first ATV cargo spacecraft to the ISS. Taylor Dinerman compares and contrasts the capabilities and future potential of that vehicle with two similar vehicles being commercially developed in the US. Sense, nonsense, and pretense about the destruction of USA 193The flurry of media accounts about the intercept of the deorbiting satellite last month featured their share of inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the event. James Oberg attempts to debunk some of the biggest myths and misunderstandings associated with the satellite’s destruction. Letter: responding to satellite shootdownYousaf Butt responds to a previous essay in The Space Review about last month’s satellite intercept, arguing that the US should release the analysis it performed on the hazards of the satellite’s reentry to justify the effort and expense involved with the intercept. Blitzing Capitol HillLast month dozens of space activists came to Washington to lobby members of Congress to support the NASA budget and related initiatives. Alex Kirk offers an overview of the event and a discussion of the importance of targeted, specific pitches for support. Raketen in BerlinGermany’s war history has meant that its museums feature far less aerospace exhibits than their counterparts in the US and other countries. Dwayne Day provides a pictorial review of one example of this in Berlin. Hale and farewellLate last week NASA announced that shuttle program manager Wayne Hale was being reassigned to a new position within the space agency. Dwayne Day looks back at Hale’s role in the post-Columbia shuttle program and what implications his departure could have. Satellite shootdown overcomes bureaucracyThe biggest challenge in last week’s intercept of a spy satellite by a missile may not have been the technology. Instead, Taylor Dinerman argues, it may have been the bureaucracy that had to be overcome within the Defense Department to make the attempt possible. Seven generations: a re-evaluation of the Paine ReportNASA’s exploration program faces an uncertain future given the upcoming change in administrations. Alex Howerton looks back to a report completed over 20 years ago for guidance on how the nation should continue its space efforts. John Glenn and the Flying BananaFrank Piasecki may not be familiar to space enthusiasts, but he played a cameo role in the early years of the Space Age. Dwayne Day recounts how Piasecki’s unusual helicopter ferried the first American in space. Review: Twilight WarLast week’s intercept of a failed spy satellite by a US missile has been seen by some as evidence of American plans for space weaponization. Jeff Foust reviews a timely book that critically examines the American policy of “space dominance” and the need for a treaty banning such weapons. An interview with Richard GarriottRichard Garriott, a famous computer game designer, will be the next commercial passenger to visit the International Space Station this fall. Sam Dinkin interviews Garriott to find out what training has been like so far and what his plans are for the flight and beyond. Spysat down!The Pentagon announced last week it would intercept a dead spysat in a decaying orbit with a missile. Dwayne Day recounts what happened when another reconnaissance satellite fell from the sky and embarrassed the US. Screening and training for commercial human spaceflightAs the commercial human spaceflight industry emerges, companies will be flying people who do not meet the same rigorous medical guidelines of government astronauts. Jeff Foust reports on the screening and training issues companies in the field are considering as they seek to maintain customer safety while maximizing the number of people who can fly. Space myths 2Conventional wisdom in the space field includes a preference for simple rockets and the development of airplane-like RLVs. Wayne Eleazer calls those concepts into question. Review: Robots in SpaceFor decades people in the space community have argued the various merits of human versus robotic spaceflight. Jeff Foust reviews a new book that reexamines those issues and proposes a new paradigm for space exploration. Recall and remembrance in Rocket CityA symposium and gala in Huntsville last month marked the 50th anniversary of the launch of Explorer 1. Dwayne Day reviews those events with an eye towards the inevitable struggle between history and celebration. Somewhat as a clamor in the wildernessParts of the space community have been buzzing about criticism of NASA’s exploration architecture, and the space agency’s response to those critiques. Bob Mahoney looks to history to provide a guide to this debate and its significance to the future of the exploration effort. All along the watchtowerA documentary airing this week promises new insights on a cancelled military space station project from the 1960s. Dwayne Day examines what we know—and have yet to find out—about the Manned Orbiting Laboratory project. India and the US: partners or rivals in space?India’s space program is evolving from one focused strictly on practical benefits to one that supports exploration and, perhaps, human spaceflight. Jeff Foust reports on Indian officials see the future of their space program, and what effect that will have on relations with the US. Space policy optimists and othersThe next president will have the opportunity to continue, alter, or terminate NASA’s current exploration effort. Taylor Dinerman describes discussion on this topic at a recent forum and its implications for human spaceflight in general. Defending ConstellationDespite being in place for over two years now, NASA’s exploration architecture continues to attract criticism from those who have technical and financial concerns. Jeff Foust reports on how NASA administrator Mike Griffin responded to that criticism with a detailed defense of the effort. Fire and graceLast week, as part of the ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of Explorer 1, the US Space and Rocket Center opened its new Davidson Center, housing a Saturn 5 rocket. Dwayne Day reviews the new facility in a photo essay. What to tell the next president about realizing America’s potential in spaceLater this week space community leaders will meet in Washington for a two-day forum on space policy issues facing the next president. Mike Snead explains how this is an opportunity to discuss what changes are needed to make the US a “true” spacefaring nation. Not-so-rare Earth?Several years ago, the authors of the book Rare Earth argued that “complex” life in the universe was likely very uncommon. Taylor Dinerman argues that recent discoveries, particularly of extrasolar planets, put that hypothesis in question. If we build it, will they come?Will new markets drive the demand for low-cost launch, or will the development of low-cost launch vehicles stimulate the development of new markets? Eric Hedman examines this chicken-and-egg issue within the context of space-based solar power. Call their bluffJust over a year ago China shook up the space security field by testing an anti-satellite weapon. Mike Moore looks at the impact this test had on military space policy and argues that the US should use the test to see if China is sincere about desiring a treaty banning space weapons. Some ORS for ORSOne of the challenges facing Operationally Responsive Space is how low-cost rapidly-launched small satellites can serve the needs of military forces not otherwise served by existing satellites or UAVs. Dwayne Day discusses whether and how ORS can find a niche among the various alternatives. Virgin Galactic: marketing for the Earth?Space tourism operator Virgin Galactic unveiled the new designs for the suborbital SpaceShipTwo vehicle and its carrier aircraft at a gala event in New York last week. Taylor Dinerman examines how the company is trying to balance space commercialization with environmental protection. Canada’s space program in crisisEarlier this month Canadian company MDA announced it was selling its space business to a US firm, ATK, shocking many Canadians. Chris Gainor laments the implications of this sale for Canada’s modest space efforts. Monster chopperThe 1960s were full of grandiose visions of spaceflight, some more grandiose than others. Dwayne Day describes one such proposal from that era, for a gigantic helicopter that would have been used to recover rocket stages. Review: America’s Deep Space PioneerFifty years ago this week, the US entered the Space Age with the launch of its first satellite. Jeff Foust reviews a new biography of William Pickering, one of the key people behind Explorer 1 and the early history of spacecraft missions to explore the solar system. The dark side of space disaster theoriesA new book by a noted space conspiracist argues that a string of NASA Mars mission failures in the 1990s were coverups to hide their secret activities. James Oberg debunks those claims by explaining how the authors misunderstood, inadvertently or deliberately, the technical causes for those failures. The China gambitA recent op-ed suggested that the United States allow China to join the International Space Station project for both practical and political purposes. Dwayne Day examines the benefits and issues of such a proposal. Is a secret a lie if it just isn’t true?Chinese rocket engineer Tsien Hsue-shen has attracted new attention and scrutiny after being given an award by a major magazine. Dwayne Day follows up on an essay last week about Tsien with new information about what the US government claimed to know about him and his alleged espionage. Is space exploration worth the cost?Recently the New York Times blog Freakonomics surveyed a number of experts to ask then whether human spaceflight was worth the cost, and why. One of those featured, David Livingston, offers the full version of his answer to that question. Review: Mission to JupiterNASA’s Galileo spacecraft overcame delays and technical problems to become one of the most successful missions in the history of spaceflight. Taylor Dinerman appraises Galileo through a review the official NASA history of the mission. Review: The Lunar Exploration ScrapbookAs NASA looks ahead to developing a new lunar lander as part of the Vision for Space Exploration, it’s worthwhile to look back at what was proposed and designed decades ago. Jeff Foust reviews a book that provides a look at the landers, rovers, and other vehicles proposed for lunar exploration. An interview with Steven WeinbergNobel laureate physicist Steven Weinberg has been vocal in his criticism of NASA’s human spaceflight efforts. Sam Dinkin interviews Weinberg to learn more about his opposition to such efforts and what he feels the appropriate uses of space are. The Vision’s critical yearMonday marks the fourth anniversary of President Bush’s speech announcing the Vision for Space Exploration. Jeff Foust examines the political, fiscal, and other issues that make 2008 a critical year for the future of the exploration program. A dragon in winterIn a surprise move, Aviation Week selected Chinese engineer Tsien Hsue-shen as its person of the year for 2007, despite playing little direct role in the events that transpired last year. Dwayne Day reviews what’s known about Tsien, as well as some of the false allegations that have been published about him. Is the shuttle delay good news for the AMS?Continuing delays with the launch of the next shuttle missions are raising new questions about NASA’s ability to retire the shuttle fleet in 2010. Taylor Dinerman argues that this may give supporters of a scientific experiment denied a ride on the shuttle new hope for getting into space. Secrets and signsA long-running challenge for many observers has been to identify the missions of classified US launches. Dwayne Day and Roger Guillemette describe how a surprising amount of information about those missions can be found from an unlikely source: their patches. It’s time to get our ORS in gearJust how effective could low-cost, rapidly-deployed small satellites be for the US military? James Wertz responds to a recent article with his arguments about the potential utility and effectiveness of Operationally Responsive Space. Space and the 2000 ship NavyA new maritime strategy document calls for the creation of a multinational network of sensors and communications to enable better cooperation among the world’s navies. Taylor Dinerman examines the role space would play in such a strategy, and the institutional obstacles it faces within the Pentagon. One day they will be goneRecent documentaries like In the Shadow of the Moon have reminded us just how long it’s been since astronauts walked on the Moon. Anthony Young notes that it’s also a reminder of their mortality. Review: Lives of the PlanetsEven as spacecraft missions revolutionize our understanding of the solar system, books about it remain much the same. Jeff Foust reviews a book that tries to take a somewhat different approach to reviewing our knowledge of the solar system. Visit the Archive for additional articles. |
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