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This week in The Space Review… The new path to space: India and China enter the gameThe space race at the beginning of the space age greatly accelerated the development of human spaceflight, raising the question of what would have happened without that competition. Dwayne Day examines the current state of Indian and Chinese human spaceflight planning to see what a more “normal” development might be like—if there is such a thing. When will rocket racing take off?The Rocket Racing League was created three years ago to combine elements of the aerospace and racing industries into a new entertainment experience. The league still hasn’t started competitive races, Jeff Foust notes, but it has helped contributed to the development of two NewSpace companies. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and lessons for space commercializationThe recent financial crisis has demonstrated the problems with public-private partnerships, at least in the United States. Taylor Dinerman examines the problems with such partnerships in the space arena, and why Europe has been more successful with such efforts. The commercial suborbital sounding rocket market: a role for RLVs?One market of interest to entrepreneurial space companies is sounding rocket flights of various experiments. John Jurist crunches the numbers and proposes one way to help make the business case for reusable sounding rockets close. Space exploration at a crossroad (part 2)If large-scale human spaceflight programs are difficult to sustain and maintain public interest in, what is the alternative? Claude Lafleur argues that the search for life, and worlds that can sustain it, is a worthy alternative. Previous articles:Business on the ISS beyond space tourismRichard Garriott’s flight to the ISS later this month is a another step forward for more than just space tourism. Taylor Dinerman explains how the flight may help clear the way for commercial research and other work on the station. Space exploration at a crossroad (part 1)The retirement of the shuttle, a change of presidents, and other factors all put the future of space exploration in question in the US. In the first of a two-part essay, Claude Lafleur reviews the lessons that spaceflight advocates have—or at least should have—learned over the last few decades. The twelve-minute hiatus of Explorer 1The delay in receiving signals from Explorer 1, America’s first satellite, as it completed its first orbit has been seized upon by at least one person as evidence of new physics. Stuart Harris looks back at the mission and discusses why that delay can be explained with conventional orbital mechanics. Review: Solar SailsSolar sails have been a promising space transportation technology that has been just around the corner for decades. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines how solar sails work and what missions they could be used for, if they’re ever successfully flown. A sign of progressIn the four years since SpaceShipOne captured the X Prize, the fledgling NewSpace industry has been looking for another major milestone to demonstrate its progress. As Jeff Foust writes, that next step may have taken place Sunday night with the successful Falcon 1 launch. A BASICally bad decisionThe government is pressing ahead with plans to purchase and operate a pair of medium-resolution imagery satellites for defense and intelligence applications. Thomas Snitch argues that government, industry, and taxpayers would all be better served by procuring those images from existing commercial providers. Economic growth and space development over the long haulAdvocates of space commercialization and settlement have argued that space-based resources are key to helping solve problems on Earth. Nader Elhefnawy explains why instead solving problems on Earth in the short term is key to being able to access those resources at all. Question (lunar) authorityA French space policy expert has recently proposed creating an international consortium to manage to exploration of the Moon. Taylor Dinerman discusses why this approach, while sounding more efficient, may be less effective than continued international and commercial competition. Review: Spaceflight and the Myth of Presidential LeadershipDuring this election season many have been curious about what the next president will do in the realm of space policy. Anthony Young reviews a classic book that explains why presidents have relatively limited influence in crafting space policy. BASIC disappointment?Last week the defense and intelligence communities agreed to procure a pair of medium-resolution imagery satellites despite the existence of similar commercial systems and a national policy that places a priority on procuring such imagery from commercial providers. Taylor Dinerman examines why this program is going forward and what it means for the remote sensing industry. Some passionate thoughtsWhat roles will entrepreneurs play in opening the space frontier? Bob Clarebrough examines the roles of profit and passion in entrepreneurs’ efforts to create new space markets. Graphic artist on the final frontier: an interview with Mike OkudaMike Okuda is best known as a longtime graphic designer for Star Trek, but he has also designed logos and patches for NASA. Dwayne Day interviews Okuda about his work in both the worlds of fiction and reality. Review: What Scientists Actually DoOne of the biggest worries in the space industry today is whether there will be enough people to fill positions vacated by retiring scientists and engineers. Jeff Foust reviews a book that could help address that problem by better explaining to the general public exactly what scientists do. The Air Force’s other blind spotThe US Air Force has come under scrutiny in recent months for neglecting its nuclear forces. Retired general James Armor argues the Air Force has also been neglecting its space mission, something that could have potentially serious consequences for national security in the future. The fallacy of space-based interceptors for boost-phase missile defenseSome have proposed developing space-based missile defense systems to strike missiles in their earliest phases of flight. Brian Weeden explains why such an approach suffers from technical and political problems. Blue collar artDwayne Day talks with an artist who spent much of his career working at NASA illustrating aviation and space projects. A step forward for space solar powerDeveloping space solar power requires billions of dollars and years of work. However, Jeff Foust reports that some progress can be made in just a few months and with a much smaller amount of money, so long as you don’t mind a little made-for-TV drama. War, peace, and space solar powerSpace solar power has been billed as a way to meet the growing energy demands of the world. Taylor Dinerman notes that SSP can also serve as a means of avoiding potential future conflicts about energy. President Obama’s space policy: learning from EisenhowerThere has been no shortage of speculation about what Barack Obama would do in the arena of space policy if elected President this November. Adrian Brown offers some advice from the past for Obama. Looking (far) aheadLast month SpaceX suffered another failure of its Falcon 1 launch vehicle. Jeff Foust reports, though, that the company is not only confident that they’ve identified and resolved the problem that caused the most recent failure, they’re continuing to make ambitious plans for the long term. A space junkie at AirVentureAn air show might not be the most exciting thing for a hardcore “space junkie”, but then the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh is no ordinary air show. Eric Hedman recounts some of the highlights of the event from the perspective of a space enthusiast. Space-based missile defense and the psychology of warfareRelatively crude ballistic missiles, like the Scuds Iraq used in the first Gulf War, are thought to have relatively little military value. However, Taylor Dinerman explains how they can boost the morale of the countries that use them, making missile defense, including space-based systems, all the more important. A moment in timeAnthony Young recalls a special moment nearly 40 years ago and why it’s important for the future as well. Visionaries of commercial spaceflightThe concept of commercial human spaceflight has gone from science fiction to the cusp of reality in recent years, thanks to the work of a number of visionaries. Patricia Hynes recognizes those people and highlights an upcoming conference on the subject. The spacecraft and the submarineDeep sea explorers are often dismissive or disparaging of space exploration. However, Dwayne Day explains how the two fields, which initially took different paths, are starting to look like, and influence, each other. Alternatives for human space accessGeopolitical tensions have created concern that US astronauts may not be able to access the International Space Station after the shuttle is retired in 2010. Taylor Dinerman reviews the alternatives for getting people to and from the station, from commercial developments to extending the life of the shuttle. On the technical study of USA 193’s fuel tank reentryDid the hydrazine fuel tank on the USA 193 spacecraft really pose a risk to people and property, as the US government claimed when it made the decision to intercept the satellite before reentry? Yousaf Butt discusses some newly-released studies that suggest that the tank would have broken up in the atmosphere harmlessly. Market romanticism and the outlook for private space developmentMany people have all but given up on governments to explore and develop space, putting their hopes instead on entrepreneurs. Nader Elhefnawy warns that this could be a bad strategy, given the risks and long wait for returns associated with space ventures. A real ministry of spaceThe common perception of Britain when it comes to space is one of apathy. Andrew Weston argues that there is considerable public interest in space in the UK, waiting to be harnessed by the British government in the form of a coherent policy. Space Age hieroglyphsMission patches can provide a window into the world of classified space programs. Roger Guillemette and Dwayne A. Day return to a subject they previously explored here by looking at another set of patches from classified missions and launches. The legacy of DC-XLast week marked the 15th anniversary of the first flight of the DC-X, a vehicle that promised to help revolutionize access to space. Jeff Foust reports on a conference that brought together veterans of that program to both look back on the program and look ahead to the future of space transportation. Assessing the hazards of space hydrazine, and the media reportage of itThe intercept of USA 193 has gotten some recent attention again with new analyses of the risks the spacecraft and its tank of hydrazine posed. James Oberg talks with some of the key people involved in the decision to bring down the satellite and how they judged the risks it posed. TEMPO3: the Mars Society’s newest projectAt the Mars Society conference earlier this month, society members chose an innovative small satellite mission as the organization’s next major project. Tom Hill and Alex Kirk describe how their project will advance the ultimate goal of sending humans to Mars. European missile defense and military spaceThe recent US-Poland missile defense deal is only the beginning of changes in European missile defense and related areas. Taylor Dinerman describes how those changes will affect, among other things, European military space efforts. Space policy heats up this summerThe last couple of weeks has seen a flurry of activity on space policy issues from the two major presidential candidates. Jeff Foust reports on the policy statements made by both campaigns as well as a recent debate on space issues by representatives of the campaigns. The impulse to be specificMany commercial space ventures have grandiose visions and broad aims. Bob Clarebrough explains why these companies might be better off developing a much narrower focus that is easier to explain to and convince investors and to achieve market success. Skin in the gameFinding compelling rationales for government human spaceflight programs can be difficult. Greg Anderson argues that one explanation that might work is that, without such efforts, governments might be able to exercise little authority over private human expeditions and settlements beyond Earth. Hitching a ride to the Oort CloudAstronomers have discovered objects that appear to be from the distant Oort Cloud in orbits that come closer to the Sun than Neptune. Taylor Dinerman describes how NASA and partners could use those objects mount a mission to explore those distant icy bodies. Saving America’s space programLast month NASA released a study which concluded the current Constellation architecture was superior to an alternative, DIRECT, that has been developed by some current and former NASA engineers. Stephen Metschan responds to that study and argues time is short to prevent the destruction of shuttle infrastructure that could be used by DIRECT. The (not so) big switchWhen Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said earlier this month that he would not delay NASA’s Constellation program by five years if elected, it was seen as a major shift in policy. However, Jeff Foust notes, that statement was more of a reconciliation of contradictory statements the campaign had issued on the topic since the end of last year than a new development. Senator Obama and re-establishing the National Aeronautics and Space CouncilIn a speech in Florida earlier this month, presidential candidate Barack Obama proposed re-establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Council. Ferris Valyn explains how a new council could help redefine national space policy and tap into the broader space community. Is Ariane really in trouble?In an essay in a French newspaper last week, the honorary president of Arianespace made the case for additional government funding to upgrade the company’s Ariane 5 booster. Taylor Dinerman wonders why, given the company’s success in the commercial launch market, it needs to seek government help. A planet-sized debateLater this week the Applied Physics Lab will host a conference on how a planet should be defined. Jeff Foust reports that, two years after the IAU approved an official definition for the term, some scientists are still clamoring for a change. Gallery: WhiteKnightTwo unveilingA collection of photos from the unveiling of Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo aircraft in Mojave, California on July 28. A White Knight for more than personal spaceflightLast week Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites unveiled WhiteKnightTwo, the carrier aircraft that will be used to launch SpaceShipTwo. Jeff Foust reports on the event, including the emphasis on applications beyond space tourism for that unique airplane. Michael Griffin at OshkoshLast week NASA administrator Mike Griffin marked the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the law that created the space agency by appearing at the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Eric Hedman reviews what Griffin had to say about issues with the exploration architecture and Griffin’s plans for the future. Lessons from the last frontierOne hundred years ago, Americans were exploring a new frontier: the Arctic. Michael Robinson notes that then, as now, there needs to be a discussion of not just how to explore, but also why. Fly Me To The Moon: it could be worseAn animated film about three flies who stow away on Apollo 11 might sound like a recipe for cinematic disaster. However, Taylor Dinerman notes, the film is a sign that space exploration is still a topic of interest for filmmakers and the general public alike. The COTS conundrumNASA has decided to focus the COTS program on vehicles that can deliver only cargo to the ISS, not people. However, Jeff Foust reports that many in the industry and Congress think that a COTS crewed capability is essential to not only the long-term success of the program but for also the Vision for Space Exploration. Europe’s space ambitions in contextFrance is leading an effort to create a unified European Union space policy. Taylor Dinerman examines the reasons why the EU desires a more robust space policy and its implications for cooperation with the US and other nations. Infrastructure needed for future space explorationThe Constellation program has come under criticism from several quarters for its cost, schedule, and potential technical issues. David L. Christensen argues that what’s needed is a more robust approach that makes better use of shuttle and EELV hardware. Preview: Orphans of ApolloMirCorp had an audacious, if ultimately unsuccessful, business plan: commercialize the Russian space station Mir. Jeff Foust reviews a new documentary that tells the story of, and dispels some myths about, that effort. Obama’s spaceAmitai Etzioni responds to a recent essay on the space policies of Barack Obama and John F. Kennedy by arguing for the importance of “near space” versus human space exploration. Are we driven to explore?Many of the arguments constructed in support of spaceflight focus on the importance of exploration. Rand Simberg questions that focus and argues that it would be more effective to find other, more compelling arguments. Uncertain futuresBoth civil and commercial spaceflight appears to be approaching a turning point, thanks to events ranging from the retirement of the shuttle to the development of commercial suborbital vehicles. Jeff Foust reports that what remains unclear is the direction and magnitude of the impending changes. Military space policy in 2012What will the next four years bring to military space policy in the US and elsewhere? Taylor Dinerman predicts little in the way of major upheavals, but still some opportunities for the next administration to affect change. Kennedy versus Obama on spaceWhile Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been compared to John F. Kennedy, Obama has been far less supportive of human spaceflight today than Kennedy was nearly 50 years ago. Michael Huang makes the case for Obama to change course. Student satellites: encouraging trend or a sign of panic?A number of efforts are underway around the world to get students involved with the design and assembly of satellites. Taylor Dinerman notes that these efforts are critical to the development of the next generation of the aerospace workforce. Energy vs. spaceEnergy policy has become a hot topic in this presidential election year, and the candidates have often invoked the Apollo program when describing their proposals. Jeff Foust argues that, while this may seem flattering, new energy programs could pose a fiscal threat to government space exploration efforts. Long-term decisions, short-term politicsWinning political support for long-term space exploration projects is difficult, but there are historical precedents for successfully garnering continued support for major government programs. Greg Anderson looks at how those programs provide lessons for space advocates today. “Pit Stop”: a new way to return from spaceSpacecraft returning to Earth require descent and landing systems that can be complex, heavy, and prone to failure. James McLane describes a proposal for an innovative alternative that puts the burden of landing on the ground. Review: Tourists in SpaceWhen suborbital and orbital space tourism finally takes off, how will customers prepare for their flights? Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines the potential training regimes for these flights in great detail. Where’s my rocketship?Four years after SpaceShipOne soared into space, the promise of a vibrant suborbital space tourism industry remains unrealized as vehicle development plans are delayed or fail outright. Jeff Foust studies the current state of the industry and looks for common factors that could explain the delays. French military space policy: more of the sameThe French government recently released a new military space policy that calls for the development of new spacecraft and other resources. Taylor Dinerman explores the policy and concludes that it is really just a continuation of existing policy that puts geopolitical strategy over operational priorities. The folklife of spaceDwayne Day provides a photoessay of the NASA pavilion at the just-concluded Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington. Capsule reviewsJeff Foust reviews two new books, one a star-studded look at the history of the universe, and the other an overview of an unconventional proposal for reaching orbit. It can easily be accomplished with a computerIn an experiment in short fiction, Dwayne Day examines a what-if: had the Apollo landings been staged, what would happen now that NASA plans to return to the Moon? Visit the Archive for additional articles. |
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