Asteroids & Comets, In Space Infrastructure, SpaceCasts

“To the Asteroids – and Beyond” – John S. Lewis talk webcast

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Long time asteroid mining proponent John S Lewis will give a SETI Institute public talk this evening that will also be available online (7 pm PDT, 10 pm EDT):

Please join us tonight at 7pm for a free public talk at the SETI Institute Headquarters at 189 Bernardo Ave, Mountain View.

If you can’t be at the SETI Institute in person, the talk will be broadcast online and live at the following link: https://plus.google.com/events/cfij418phv10tocljpb2dp56630

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Title:        “To The Asteroids – and beyond!”
Speaker:   John Lewis (UAz)
When:      Tonight, 10 September 7pm PDT, 2013
Where:     Colloquium Room, SETI Headquarters, 189 Bernardo Ave, Mountain View
Poster:      http://www.seti.org/sites/default/files/csc-Sep-13.pdf
Live link:  https://plus.google.com/events/cfij418phv10tocljpb2dp56630
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Abstract:

Tsiolkovsii and Goddard dreamed of the day when we would have access to the resources  of the asteroids.  Today, with an enormous and rapidly growing body of data on meteorites,  the Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) and their more distant counterparts, we can envision the propulsion systems, transportation system architectures, ores, processing schemes and markets for products made from materials sourced in nearby space.  Most of these products are of greatest value and significance in space; some, such as platinum-group metals and
energy, would be worth returning to Earth.

The resources of the NEAs also provide the propellants and structural materials for a broad expansion of human presence in space.

Dr. John Lewis is the author of the 1997 book “Mining the Sky” and is an Emeritis Professor of Planetary Science at University of Arizona. This talk will survey the what, where, how and why of space resource utilization– and raise the timely question of when.

Update: Here is the talk:

“To the Asteroids – and Beyond” – John S. Lewis talk webcast

Astronomy, Exoplanets, Space participation

Video: Imaging habitable exoplanets + PANOPTES citizen science exoplanet search

Here’s a very interesting SETI Institute seminar by Olivier Guyon about the possibilities of directly imaging planets in the habitable zones of stars by using coronagraph techniques on telescopes to suppress the glare of the star. Could work with a Hubble size telescope in orbit or with the new giant ground based telescopes coming on line in the next decade or so such as the Giant Magellan Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope.

He also spoke about the citizen science program PANOPTES –  “Finding exoplanets with digital cameras” –  using the transit technique.

Caption:

Olivier Guyon, University of Arizona and Suburu Telescope, HI

Abstract:
Directly imaging exoplanets is both scientifically exciting but notoriously challenging. Scientifically, obtaining images of rocky planets in the habitable zones of stars is key to finding if and how life developed outside the solar system. Large-scale biological activity can modify the chemical composition of the planet’s atmosphere and its surface properties, both of which can be studied by spectrophotometry. The measurement is however extremely challenging, as the planet light is considerably fainter that the host star’s light, and the angular separation between the two objects is about 0.1 arcsecond or less.

Conventional imaging systems cannot overcome the high star to planet contrast, and unusual optics are required for imaging exoplanets. Dr. Guyon will describe such systems (coronagraphs) and the upcoming scientific opportunities associated with their deployment on ground-based telescopes and in space. He will show that ground-based extremely large telescopes (ELTs) will have the ability to directly image and spectroscopically characterize rocky planets in the habitable zones of nearby M-type stars, thus providing scientific evidence for (or against) the presence of life outside our solar system. Space telescopes operating in optical light are well suited to target Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars.

Dr. Guyon will also describe the PANOPTES (Panoptic Astronomical Networked OPtical observatory for Transiting Exoplanet Survey) project, aimed at supporting a world-wide network of small robotic digital cameras built by citizen scientists and schools to identify a large number of transiting exoplanets.

Space Policy

Space policy roundup – Sept.9.13

Some space policy related items today:

Update:  Two space related GAO study reports released today:

 

Events, Multiple media, Rockets

Images of the Minotaur V launch

Some cool photos of the Minotaur V launch last Friday night: Minotaur Launch Report | NASA’s LADEE moon mission streaks into space – Spaceflight Now.

Lots of images at images, Minotaur V launch – Google Search.

 

Activism, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Mars One says over 200,000 responded to call for Mars settler applications

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The Mars One project released the following statement today:

Over 200,000 apply to first ever recruitment for Mars settlement
Amersfoort, 9th Sep 2013: The first round of the Mars One Astronaut Selection Program has now closed for applications. In the 5 month application period, Mars One received interest from 202,586 people from around the world, wanting to be amongst the first human settlers on Mars.

Mars One applicants come from over 140 countries; the largest numbers are from the United States (24%), India (10%), China (6%), Brazil (5%), Great Britain (4%), Canada (4%), Russia (4%), Mexico (4%), Philippines (2%), Spain (2%), Colombia (2%), Argentina (2%), Australia (1%), France (1%), Turkey (1%), Chile (1%), Ukraine (1%), Peru (1%), Germany (1%), Italy (1%) and Poland (1%).

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From this applicant pool, the Mars One Selection Committee will select prospective Martian settlers in three additional rounds spread across two years. By 2015, six-ten teams of four individuals will be selected for seven years of full-time training. In 2023, one of these teams will become the first humans ever to land on Mars and live there for the rest of their lives.

Each Round 1 applicant is now being screened by the Selection Committee, which is expected to take several months. Candidates selected to pass to the next round will be notified by the end of 2013. The second round of selection will start in early 2014, where the candidates will be interviewed in person by the Mars One Selection Committee.

Aspiring martians who have missed Round 1 or could not meet the age restriction can join subsequent Astronaut Selection Programs. Mars One will commence regular recruitment programs as the search for follow-up crews continues.

About Mars One: Mars One is a not-for-profit foundation that will establish a permanent human settlement on Mars in 2023. Human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing technologies. Mars One mission plan integrates components that are well tested and readily available from industry leaders worldwide. The first footprint on Mars and lives of the crew thereon will captivate and inspire generations; it is this public interest that will help finance this human mission to Mars. Mars One will select and train the human crew for permanent settlement. The search for Astronauts began in April 2013.  www.mars-one.com

Everyone can participate in space