Michael Mackowski of Space in Miniature sent me an announcement of his latest report:
Space In Miniature Tech Report 4 – Energiya Buran Reference Book for Model Builders
The fourth installment in the Space In Miniature (SIM) short-form “Tech Reports” series of reference booklets for spacecraft modelers is now available. The 30-page digital publication, SIM Tech Report #4 – Energiya Buran, describes in detail how the author, Michael Mackowski, built six different model kits of the old Soviet Union’s Energiya Buran heavy lift rocket and orbiter.
The Buran program, with its associated Energiya heavy booster, was the Soviet response to the United States Space Shuttle. The Energiya booster was only launched twice, in 1987 and 1988.
A total of six different kits in two scales are included in this book, which is loaded with over 70 photos of work in progress of the following subjects:
1/288 Energiya Buran (STC Start)
1/288 Energiya Polyus (STC Start)
1/288 Energia Buran (Master Modell)
1/144 Energia Buran (Anigrand)
1/144 Buran (Rho Models)
1/144 Buran (Ark)
The SIM Tech Reports cover topics that are too short or too narrow in subject matter for full length printed books. These are also distributed only as electronic (pdf) copies, which can be printed by the customer. It allows the use of color illustrations, and customers get their books via a simple download. The pdf download sells for $7.00 and is available at spaceinminiature.com.
A sampling of links to recent space policy, politics, and government (US and international) related space news and resource items that I found of interest (find previous space policy roundups here):
** Charity Weeden – Orbital Environmental Management And In-Space logistics With Astroscale – CSPS02E63 – Cold Star Technologies – YouTube
VP Global Space Policy of Astroscale US, Charity Weeden is on the Cold Star Project to share her background and the organization’s vision for space. Orbital environmental management and in-space logistics are two key areas Astroscale is developing capabilities and influence in. With host Jason Kanigan, Charity discusses:
-the vision, mission and organization of Astroscale
– how the technical, business and policy areas interlink through the organization’s efforts
– why space debris is a problem, and what we can do about it
– her background and how she arrived at the VP Global Space Policy role
– what her typical day looks like what COMSTAC is, and her role as chair
– looking forward to working in cislunar space and its implications
– the costs of decommissioning and the ways these costs are currently hidden.
Chris Lee has just retired from his position as Chief Scientist of the UK Space Agency and, after 40 years in the space industry, can now finally retire to do what he enjoys most: space travel. Chris has had a career in some of the most dramatic and legendary missions in space travel. Hubble, Beagle2, Exomars to name a few. Now that he has retired, he can talk freely about his 40 years of passion. Also about why he thinks ESA could have a great future.
This week on the Ex Terra podcast, we talk with Chris Johnson about some of the legal aspects of space commerce. Chris Johnson is the Space Law Advisor for the Secure World Foundation, and a Professor of Law (Adjunct) at the Georgetown University Law Center where he co-teaches the Space Law Seminar. He is also a Faculty Member at the International Space University, and a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). Mr. Johnson has written widely on space law and policy issues, and represents the Secure World Foundation at the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
1. Monday, Oct. 5, 2020; 7 pm PDT (9 pm CDT, 10 pm EDT: We welcome James Burk of The Mars Society to discuss the virtual Mars Society Conference program and technology for this year’s event, Oct. 15-19.
2. Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020; 7 pm PDT (9 pm CDT, 10 pm EDT): We welcome student essay contest winners per our recent discussion with Dr. Harold (Sonny) White. The students presenting their winning papers are Ben Puckett, Shivani Patel, Ishaan Mishra. Their papers will be posted on our blog.
3. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020: Hotel Mars TBA pre-recorded. See upcoming show menu on the home page for program details.
5. Friday, Oct.9, 2020; 9:30-11 am PDT (11:30 am-1 pm CDT, 12:30-2 pm EDT): We welcome back Dr. Geoffrey Landis returns to talk Mars, science fiction, Venus and lots more.
6. Sunday, Oct.11, 2020; 12-1:30 pm PDT (3-4:30 pm EDT, 2-3:30 pm CDT): Welcome to Open Lines. All callers welcome. We want to hear from you.
Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:
** Expedition 64 Space Station Crew Departs for Kazakh Launch Site – NASA
The International Space Station’s Expedition 64 crew, Soyuz Commander Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, Flight Engineers Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos and Kate Rubins of NASA and their backups, Oleg Novitskiy and Petr Dubrov of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, participated in traditional prelaunch ceremonies at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, outside Moscow on Sept. 27. Afterward, they departed for the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to complete their training for the launch of Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov and Rubins from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station.
** Oct. 31, 2020: Astronauts to Launch on NASA and SpaceX Crew-1 Mission – NASA
** Crew-1 Dragon Astronauts Discusses Upcoming Mission – NASA
NASA and SpaceX are beginning a regular cadence of missions with astronauts launching on an American rocket from American soil to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 is the first crew rotation mission with four astronauts flying on a commercial spacecraft, and the first including an international partner. NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are set to launch to the space station on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket. The Crew-1 astronauts named the spacecraft Resilience, highlighting the dedication the teams involved with the mission have displayed and to demonstrate that when we work together, there is no limit to what we can achieve. They named it in honor of their families, colleagues, and fellow citizens. Launch is targeted for Saturday, October 31, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew is scheduled for a long duration stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting science and maintenance. The four astronauts are set to return in spring 2021. After successfully docking, the astronauts of Crew-1 will be welcomed aboard station by NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. For the first time, the space station’s crew will expand to seven people with Expedition 64, increasing the amount of crew time available for research.
** How Do Astronauts Use the Potty in Space? – #AskNASA
Hygiene, eating, sleeping — life operates a tad differently when you’re in space. Join NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir as she answers some of our popular questions about living aboard the International Space Station. Jessica explains how the lack of gravity makes everyday activities not so ordinary, from washing your hair in zero gravity to using the bathroom in space. Jessica details how astronauts handle the tricky tasks and offer a sneak peek at the new space toilet planned for NASA’s Artemis program. Celebrating her most notable achievement, Jessica shares her thoughts about her first spacewalk and highlights her role in the first all-woman spacewalk.
** How the Space Station Moves In Orbit Like A Spaceship – Scott Manley
Many people don’t realise that the International Space Station is also a space ship, able to maneuver in space as required by mission operations. It has thrusters and control moment gyros to control its orientation and adjust its orbit.
** Your Story: Air leak in international space station | No danger to astronauts: NASA – WION
** What’s Up: October 2020 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL
What are some skywatching highlights in October 2020? Not one, but two, full moons; Mars at opposition; and finding the Andromeda galaxy. Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/whats-up….
Crisp, clear October nights are full of celestial showpieces. Find Pegasus, the flying horse of Greek myth, to pinpoint dense globular star clusters and galaxies, and keep watching for space-based views of M15, NGC 7331, and the Andromeda Galaxy.
What can you see in the night sky tonight? Astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal their stargazing tips for October 2020, and show you the best things to see in the night sky this month.
** What’s in the Night Sky October 2020#WITNS | Halloween Moon | Meteor Showers – Alyn Wallace
