Science and Technology

Research to protect astronaut vision + Research into better satellite vision

NASA lays out a plan to investigate the effects of prolonged weightlessness on vision: ISS Program Takes On Astronaut Vision Problems – Aviation Week.

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DARPA is supporting a project called Membrane Optic Imager Real-Time Exploitation (MOIRE), which is developing very lightweight optical  elements that could greatly improve the resolution of imaging from geostationary orbit: DARPA Moire Project Seeks Real-Time Space Imaging – CitizensInSpace.org.

 

 

The Moon

A map of the geology of the Moon

Paul Spudis writes about the history of geologic mapping of the Moon, particularly regarding the work of the late Gene Shoemaker: Geological mapping of another world – The Once and Future Moon/Air & Space Mag.

He provides a link to this map document: Lunar Photogeologic Chart (LPC 58).

Space Policy

Views of another lost in space panel + Safety at the south pole and space

Here are two more critiques of the space policy panel discussion at Rice University on Thursday (see earlier post):

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Rand Simberg highlights a case illustrating the double standard regarding risks to which NASA spaceflight is held: The Hazards Of Scientific Research – Transterrestrial Musings

History, Rockets

NASA fires F-1 engine gas generator

As part of the SLS archeology project, a group  of NASA engineers have refurbished a gas-generator , essentially a separate rocket engine used to drive pumps for the main engine, used for the famous Saturn F-1 engines and fired it several times.

718979main_IMG_7022_cropped_800-600[1]Engineers in the F-1 gas generator project take on the 1960s NASA look.

Everyone can participate in space