May22

SETI Hangout: “Are we ready to build a spaceship to explore nearby stars? “

by TopSpacer on May 22, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Posted In: Rockets, Space Systems, SpaceCasts

The latest SETI Google+ Hangout dealt with the question, “Are we ready to build a spaceship to explore nearby stars?”

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May22

Cosmosphere to display preservation work on Apollo engines recovered by Bezos Expeditions

by TopSpacer on May 22, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Posted In: History, Rockets

The Saturn V first stage engines recovered from ocean bottom by the Jeff Bezos F-1 Engine Recovery project will go on display this Friday at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center this week. Visitors will be able to watch restorers taking apart the engines for cleaning and coating with protective sealants. They will eventually be reassembled for exhibit.

More about the project and lots of pictures of the engines:

F1 Engine - Bezos Expeditions

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May22

Video: “Europa Report” trailer

by TopSpacer on May 22, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Posted In: Solar Sci-Fi, Space films and videos

The first trailer for the upcoming “hard sci-fi” film Europa Report , about a human mission to the Jupiter moon Europa, has been released:

Phil Plait has seen the whole film and likes it: Europa Report trailer: Sci-fi movie with a lot of sci – Wired.

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May22

The Society for International Space Cooperation

by TopSpacer on May 22, 2013 at 4:22 am
Posted In: Activism, Education

Here’s a message from The Society for International Space Cooperation :

The Society for International Space Cooperation (SISC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose board includes astronauts, cosmonauts, and luminaries like director James Cameron. We invite you to join the Space Explorers Club or Junior Space Explorers Club and be sent a different box every month with space goodies and space and science info from the past, present, and future of spaceflight.

The Junior Space Explorers Club is geared towards kids 6-12 years old and has many fun and educational activities. The Space Explorers Club is for Space Lovers aged 13-113.

The Society for International Space Cooperation is a 501(c)(3) so all donations are 100% tax deductible and all proceeds help support the educational programs of the society.

More info is available at http://www.spacesociety.org

 

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May22

A grand gallery of space debris found on the ground

by TopSpacer on May 22, 2013 at 4:05 am
Posted In: General, Space Collecting

Paul Maley provides an interesting and extensive page with lots of info about, and many pictures of, space junk that has reached the ground over the years: SPACE DEBRIS – Eclipse Tours.

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May22

Video: House hearing on “Next Steps in Human Exploration to Mars and Beyond”

by TopSpacer on May 22, 2013 at 3:57 am
Posted In: Space Policy, SpaceCasts

Stephen C. Smith posts this video of today’s House hearing:

On May 21, 2013, the House Subcommittee on Space held a hearing titled, “Next Steps in Human Exploration to Mars and Beyond.”

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May22

90 Second Science for May 21, 2013

by TopSpacer on May 22, 2013 at 3:52 am
Posted In: Events, SpaceCasts

Joe Latrell offers this special episode of 90 Second Science in support of the tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma:

90 Second Science for May 21, 2013 from Joe Latrell on Vimeo.

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May21

Bion M1 returns safely but many test animals did not survive the flight

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Posted In: Living in Space, Science and Technology, Space Systems

The Russian Bion M1, launched on April 19, 2013 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and returned on May 19th. The  biology mission appears to have been a mixed success:

More background info about the project:

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May21

Video: Morpheus Lander engine tests with new flame trench

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 7:39 pm
Posted In: Rockets

NASA’s Project Morpheus project recently began testing their new lander and here is a video of engine tests while on a tether.

This ground level hot fire test included a test at 0 feet and at 3 feet. This test also marked the first use of a flame trench with the Morpheus vehicle.

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May21

Carnival of Space #114 – Cheap Astronomy

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Posted In: General

The Cheap Astronomy blog hosts the latest Carnival of Space.

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May21

Space Policy roundup – May 21, 2013

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Posted In: Space Policy

There is a House hearing today on deep space exploration policy:

The witnesses include:

  • Dr. Louis Friedman, Co-Lead, Keck Institute for Space Studies Asteroid Retrieval Mission Study and Executive Director Emeritus, The Planetary Society
  • Dr. Paul Spudis, Senior Staff Scientist, Lunar and Planetary Institute
  • Dr. Steven M. Squyres, Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy, Cornell University
  • Mr. Douglas Cooke, Owner, Cooke Concepts and Solutions

—

Robert Zubrin offers his usual calm and considered thoughts on the proposed asteroid retrieval mission: NASA’s Asteroid Absurdity – SpaceNews.com

Here’s the Planetary Society’s view: The Planetary Society Announces Conditional Support of NASA’s Asteroid Mission – The Planetary Society

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A comment from Stewart Money on the Bigelow contract from NASA to study public/commercial partnerships for deep space exploration:  Exploring NASA’s Agreement with Bigelow – Innerspace.net

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May21

Why a one-way ticket to Mars would be prized by some

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 5:34 am
Posted In: Activism, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Mars One is having no trouble attracting applications for their plan to establish a settlement on the Red Planet. Three applicants explain why they would consider going to Mars even if there will be no chance of returning to earth:  Why sign up for a one-way Mars trip? Three applicants explain the appeal – Cosmic Log.

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May21

Maker Faire picts

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 5:29 am
Posted In: DIY space, Space participation

Here are some pictures from the recent Maker Faire event in San Mateo, California:

Update: More picts: The 2013 Bay Area Maker Faire in Pictures – Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

Update 2: Here is an article about the space related activities and exhibits at the event: NASA and private groups bring space exploration to Maker Faire – Oakland NASA/Examiner.com

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May21

Galaxy Forum USA 2013 – July 4th, Santa Clara, California

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 2:04 am
Posted In: Education, Events, Uncategorized

An announcement from International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) and the Space Age Publishing Company the following educational space event”:

GALAXY FORUM USA 2013
Galaxy Education, Galaxy Exploration and Galaxy Enterprise in the 21st Century

JULY 4, 2013

Thursday Morning 9:30 – 11:30
Embassy Suites Santa Clara
2885 Lakeside Drive, Santa Clara

Presentations by:

  • Mariska Kriek, University of California, Berkeley
    Growing Galaxies

  • Steve Durst, Int’l Lunar Observatory Assoc / SPC Founder
    ILO Galaxy First Light Imaging and Exploration

  • Marco Pavone, Asst Professor, Stanford University
    Surface Exploration of Small Solar System Bodies: Challenges and Prospects

  • Tony Cardoza of Cardoza-Bungey Travel in Palo Alto,  Accredited Space Agent for Virgin Galactic
    Pioneering Businesses with Galactic Aspirations

  • Panel Discussion

This FREE event is open to the public. Seating is limited. Please RSVP today: info@iloa.org or 650-324-3705

Presented by ILOA and Space Age Publishing Co.

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May21

Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival – Lille, France, Oct.25-27, 2013 – now accepting submissions

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 1:47 am
Posted In: Solar Sci-Fi, Space Arts, Space films and videos

An announcement from the The Philip K. Dick Film Festival:

The Philip K. Dick European Science Fiction Film
Festival Sets Dates For First International Event

New York City’s First Official Sci-Fi Film Festival Now Accepting Submissions
And Expands To France As It Ventures Into Global Awareness

Brooklyn, N.Y. May 20, 2013 – The Philip K. Dick European Science Fiction Film Festival is taking its mission internationally as it honors one of the literary world’s most acclaimed geniuses. A three-day event will mark the first of many worldwide gatherings in the beautiful and historic Lille, France from October 25-27, 2013 at the famous L’Hybride Cinema venue. This unprecedented move will welcome an international awareness to this remarkable festival and extend its celebration of Philip K. Dick to his countless fans who continue his legacy within the genre of science fiction.

The festival is now accepting submissions in science fiction and horror features and shorts. Writers and panelists will be invited to participate in this extraordinary event which will surely be one of many overseas. As further details become available the festival anticipates a successful event in its first global outing. The first New York City festival saw record crowds of over 1,000 participants for the exclusive screening of John Alan Simon’s Radio Free Albemuth which was based on Dick’s 1985 novel posthumously published three years after his death. The weekend-long festival also held numerous film screenings and panels with Simon, esteemed professors Ronald Mallet and Enrique Ricardo Miranda, distinguished writers Angela Posada-Swafford, Walter Mosley and Dennis Paoli and science fiction experts Richard Dolan and Peter Robbins. The team behind the annual festivities will also pioneer its second annual event in December 2013 for a record five-day gathering and a spring 2014 cyberpunk festival in Tokyo.

The Philip K. Dick European Festival of Science Fiction, Science, The Fantastic, Horror and The Supernatural will delight its attendees with its entertaining and visually captivating themes which have made the event a favorable and continued success. The event will take place at L’Hybride Cinema at 18 Rue Gosselet 59000 in Lille, France. Contact the venue at www.lhybride.org. For film submissions, deadlines and contacts please visit www.philipkdickfilmfestival-europe.com and www.withoutabox.com/login/12654 and always be sure to stay informed of all ongoing announcements on the festival’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ThePhilipKDickFilmFestival and Twitter page at twitter.com/PhilipKDickFest.

About The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival:
The Second Philip K. Dick International Film Festival of Science, Science Fiction, Fantastic Film and the Supernatural and the first of its kind to grace the screens of New York City is organized by filmmakers who understand the difficulties and challenges of telling a unique story in a corporate environment. The year 2013 marks the second year of the festival which will expand it’s genres of films, panels and venues throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. Guest speakers and writers that best represent the goals of the festival will attend the opening ceremonies. We look for original voices and visions in works submitted. Lastly, this is a festival by filmmakers for filmmakers.

About Philip K. Dick:
“Reality is whatever refuses to go away when I stop believing in it.” – Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) was one of the 20th century’s most profound novelists and writers within the science fiction community. His exploration, analysis and beliefs led to the publishings of 44 novels and 121 short stories. Dick’s enormous library of works led to several film developments including Blade Runner (1982), Total Recall (1990), Minority Report (2002), Paycheck (2003) and most recently Radio Free Albemuth (2010), The Adjustment Bureau (2011) and the successful remake of Total Recall (2012). The film industry is also awaiting the release of King of the Elves in 2014, which will surely be yet another prosperous depiction of Dick’s literary contribution to science fiction. Dick’s enormously effective views comprised of fictional universes, virtual realities and human mutation foresaw an exaggerated version of the current state of government and contemporary life. Though he is gone in the physical form his philosophies live on in the techniques applied to modern stories and films and generate large displays of appreciation and understanding.

Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePhilipKDickFilmFestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilipKDickFest
Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/The-Philip-K-Dick-science-fiction-Film-Festival/
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/philipkdickfilmfestival
Fractured Atlas Donation Page: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/contribute/donate/6853

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May21

“The Left Hand of Darkness” goes on stage

by TopSpacer on May 21, 2013 at 12:28 am
Posted In: Solar Sci-Fi, Space Arts

A reader points me to a dramatization of  Ursula K. Le Guin‘s famous 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness. The Hand2mouth Theatre and Portland Playhouse in Oregon have brought the novel to the stage :  Sci-Fi Author, Ursula La Guin’s “The Left Hand of Darkness” Takes the Stage at the Portland Playhouse – OPB.

In this brief video, the author talks about her book and what it says about the meaning of gender:

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May20

UK astronaut Timothy Peake to go to the ISS in 2015

by TopSpacer on May 20, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Posted In: General

Timothy Peake will become the first official UK government astronaut to go to the ISS when he launches in 2015:

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May20

Spacecasts: Frank Stratford & John Brandenburg on Space Show + Bob Zimmerman on Coast-to-Coast

by TopSpacer on May 20, 2013 at 10:38 pm
Posted In: Activism, General, SpaceCasts

Frank Stratford of  Mars Drive talk on The Space Show last Friday about “commercial space and space travel business models and revenue generation”: Frank Stratford, Friday, 5-17-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog.

Yesterday Dr. John Brandenburg spoke on the show about “Physics, cosmology, Unified Field Theory, Higgs-Boson”: Dr. John Brandenburg, Sunday, 5-19-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog.

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Bob Zimmerman talked about the Kepler observatory’s problems last Thursday on Coast to Coast AM with host George Noory.

 

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May20

Space policy roundup – May 20, 2013

by TopSpacer on May 20, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Posted In: Space Policy

Jeff Foust reports on how Charles Bolden sees NASA’s commercial crew program and how it is seen by a staffer to  Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), who is chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that sets NASA’s funding: Differing perspectives on commercial crew – Space Politics.

Jeff writes about the struggles by the planetary science community to avoid cuts in NASA funding: NASA operating plan may reverse Congressional increase in planetary science – Space Politics.

Eric Berger asks the big question about NASA: Is NASA about jobs, or actually accomplishing something? – SciGuy/Houston Chronicle.

Eric notes that regardless of Republican complaints about the Administration’s NASA policies, they vote to reduce its budget: Washington is stinting NASA, as usual – SciGuy/Houston Chronicle blog

Res Communis posts the latest collection of space and aviation related law, regulation and policy links: Library: A Round-up of Reading

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May20

Vanderbilt team takes top prize in NASA’s Student Launch Challenge

by TopSpacer on May 20, 2013 at 9:58 pm
Posted In: Education, Rocketry

The results of this year’s  Student Launch Projects competition are in:

Vanderbilt Takes Top Prize in NASA Student Launch Challenge

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Aerospace Club of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., took first prize in the 2013 annual NASA Student Launch Projects challenge, in which student teams design, build and fly small rockets with science payloads to an altitude of 1 mile and return them safely to Earth.

After two consecutive third-place finishes, Vanderbilt beat 35 other colleges and universities to win the $5,000 top prize, provided by ATK Aerospace Group of Promontory, Utah. The University of Louisville in Kentucky and Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, won second and third place, respectively, in the April 21 “launch fest” at Bragg Farms in Toney, Ala., near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

After months of preparation, each team had an opportunity to launch its rocket and payload. NASA judges evaluated the rocket designs based on a series of technical design reviews, the results from the rocket’s flight including altitude, and the operation of the payload. The judges also evaluated each team’s written report and its outreach activities including a website documenting the experience and local educational engagement campaigns to share their enthusiasm for rocketry. The challenge seeks to inspire younger students to pursue technical learning fields, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“This program is a valuable tool for students and their teachers because they use all the knowledge gained in a classroom setting to tackle a real-world challenge,” said Tammy Rowan, manager of Marshall’s Academic Affairs Office, which manages the rocketry challenge. “They stretch those STEM skills to create a complex machine, which could lead them to a future in the aerospace industry. Plus, their enthusiasm when they finally see their creations fly is inspirational to those who already work in the many different aspects of space exploration.”
In addition to the top prize, the Vanderbilt University team also took home the Best Payload Design for the most creative and innovative payload experiment.

Third-place Tarleton State also won three additional recognitions: the Rookie Award; the Science Mission Directorate Payload Award for most creative and innovative payload design while maximizing safety and science value; and the Best Team Spirit prize, a peer award voted on by all the rocket teams.

Alabama A&M University in Huntsville won the Altitude Award for coming closest to the 1-mile mark without going over — only 11 feet shy of 5,280 feet above ground.

The University of Louisville team won three awards: Best Vehicle Design for the most creative, innovative and safety-conscious rocket; Best Web Design; and the Education Engagement Award. The team from Mississippi State University in Starkville won the Project Review Award for their reviews and formal presentations and also finished in fifth place overall. The student teams voted the University of Nebraska in Lincoln as winner of this year’s Best-Looking Rocket.

NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Science Mission Directorate and Office of Education, all in Washington, sponsor the Student Launch Projects challenge. ATK provides corporate sponsorship. The National Association of Rocketry provides technical review and launch support.

Hundreds of flight enthusiasts cheered the student rocketeers at the launch site. More than 8,000 individual viewers also watched the event live on Marshall’s UStream channel. Archived launch-day coverage is available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

For complete lists of participating students, visit:   http://education.msfc.nasa.gov/slp

Visit NASA Student Launch Projects on Facebook and Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/NASAStudentLaunch and http://twitter.com/SLI_1MILEHIGH

For more information about NASA education projects, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education

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