A selection of some space policy related items today:
Go to AMSAT News for the latest headlines about developments in amateur and student satellites and for updates about amateur radio on the ISS.
ANS 230 Weekly AMSAT Bulletin – August 17, 2013:
* AMSAT Journal Mailing Glitch
* AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Ballots Due September 15th
* NASA Fellowship, Internship, and Scholarship Opportunities for Spring 2014
* Hams in Space to Appear at the Joplin Hamfest
* OPUSAT CubeSat to Test Lithium-Ion Capacitors
* NASA Announces Next Opportunity for CubeSat Space Missions
* UK High Altitude Society (UKHAS) Conference, September 7
JPL’s Ashwin Vasavada, deputy project scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity mission, gives a review of Curiosity’s first year on Mars:
A couple of NASA videos of interest:
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NASA’s Commercial Crew Program captures the rich history of human spaceflight and the American spirit as it works with the aerospace industry to chart new adventures and seeks to find safe and cost-effective ships to sail to the International Space Station.
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In his keynote address at the Aviation 2013 conference in Los Angeles, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden shared a new strategic vision for the agency’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate designed to help address looming challenges in global air transportation. The same day of Bolden’s speech … the Federal Aviation Administration announced a new computer software tool developed by NASA may soon help controllers better manage airline departures. Also, Bolden Briefed on Earth Missions, Martian Moons Eclipse Each Other, Airborne Mission Begins, Russian Spacewalk, Learning for the GLOBAL Environment, ADEPT Heat Protection, Stationary Orion Recovery Test, Dream Chaser Tow Test, Small Sat Conference and more!
An announcement from the Mars Society and Inspiration Mars:
Mars Society Launches International Student Design Competition
Students to propose design concepts for Inspiration Mars mission
(BOULDER, Colo.) – Today during the 16th Annual International Mars Society Convention, the Mars Society announced the launch of an international engineering competition for student teams to propose design concepts for the architecture of the Inspiration Mars mission. The contest is open to university engineering student teams from anywhere in the world.
Inspiration Mars Executive Director Dennis Tito and Program Manager Taber MacCallum were present for the announcement. “Inspiration Mars is looking for the most creative ideas from engineers all over the world,” said Tito. “Furthermore, we want to engage the explorers of tomorrow with a real and exciting mission, and demonstrate what a powerful force space exploration can be in inspiring young people to develop their talent. This contest will accomplish both of those objectives.”
The requirement is to design a two-person Mars flyby mission for 2018 as cheaply, safely and simply as possible. All other design variables are open.
Alumni, professors and other university staff may participate as well, but the teams must be predominantly composed of and led by students. All competition presentations must be completed exclusively by students. Teams will be required to submit their design reports in writing by March 15, 2014. From there, a down-select will occur with the top 10 finalist teams invited to present and defend their designs before a panel of six judges chosen (two each) by the Mars Society, Inspiration Mars and NASA. The presentations will take place during a public event at NASA Ames Research Center in April 2014.
Designs will be evaluated using a scoring system, allocating a maximum of 30 points for cost, 30 points for technical quality of the design, 20 points for operational simplicity and 20 points for schedule with a maximum total of 100 points. The first place team will receive a prize of $10,000, an all-expenses paid trip to the 2014 International Mars Society Convention and a trophy to be presented by Dennis Tito at that event. Prizes of $5,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 will also be awarded for second through fifth place.
All designs submitted will be published, and Inspiration Mars will be given non-exclusive rights to make use of any ideas contained therein.
Commenting on the contest, Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin said, “The Mars Society is delighted to lead this effort. This contest will provide an opportunity for legions of young engineers to directly contribute their talent to this breakthrough project to open the space frontier.”
Further information about the Mars Society may be found at www.marssociety.org.
Further information about Inspiration Mars may be found at http://www.inspirationmars.org.