Events, SpaceCasts

90 Second Science for May 21, 2013

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.

Living in Space, Science and Technology, Space Systems

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

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:

Rockets

Video: Morpheus Lander engine tests with new flame trench

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.

Space Policy

Space Policy roundup – May 21, 2013

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

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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

Everyone can participate in space