Spacevidcast posts a video of their latest live show: Kickstarting a Space Program – 6.03 – Spacevidcast
After reviewing several space news headlines they discuss the main topic: “Kickstarting a Space Program”
Moon Miners Manifesto – February 2013
The February issue of the Moon Society‘s monthly newsletter – Moon Miners’ Manifesto – has been released. Join the society to access the publication on-line or to receive a hard-copy in the mail. Here’s a description of the contents in this latest 20 page issue:
Feature Articles:
2 In Focus: NASA continues to seek Commercial Partners
4 The Forgotten Stepping Stone: An Orbiting Depot/Station/Shipyard – Peter Kokh and Dave Dietzler
6 Space Industries – Dave Dietzler
7 Lunar Materials Production Technologies to Investigate – Dave Dietzler
14 MMM SCIENCE FICTION by George von Mond: Marshall Mike Moondust and the Sinister Selenian Subterfuge
Other regular sections include:
– The Moon Society Journal Section
— From Moon Society President Ken Murphy – The Year Ahead
– Chapters and Outputs
– Great Browsing Links
– Great Space Videos
– NSS Chapters that share Moon Miners’ Manifesto
Ad Astra Rocket – Progress in research of VASIMR magnetic nozzle
A reader points me to an Ad Astra Rocket announcement of the results of a PhD research study into the behavior of the magnetic nozzle for the VASIMR electric propulsion system. The results are important for maximizing thrust from the engine: Ad Astra’s Christopher Olsen Presents Groundbreaking VASIMR® Result in PhD Thesis Milestone – Ad Astra Rocket – Feb.2.2013.pdf (pdf).
Looking at the Moon from orbit
Ed Wright has an interesting discussion about how the Moon appears to people in space: The Moon From Space – Citizens in Space.
Former astronaut Mae Jemison on NPR + Space policy analyst Alan Steinberg on The Space Show
A reader points me to an audio clip of NASA astronaut Mae C. Jemison participating in the NPR Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me game show. They begin with some fun discusion of how she got interested in science and space: Astronaut Mae Jemison Plays Not My Job – NPR
In 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African-American woman to fly in space when she served as a science mission specialist. We’ve invited Jemison to play a game called “Excuse me? When do we get to the Southwest terminal?” Jemison has flown in the space shuttle Endeavour, so we thought we’d ask her questions about a sometimes more unpredictable vehicle … the airport shuttle.
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Alan Steinberg spoke on the Space Show on Friday about “Protecting our space assets, weapons in space, space policy and public opinion”: Alan Steinberg, Friday, 2-1-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog
Alan took lots of questions about the role and impact on policy of space advocacy and as you will hear, its not easy or clear to pin down. Alan had much to say on how best to influence members of congress but was clear in pointing out that space advocacy does not have the numbers of the larger and more powerful lobbying groups that are far more effective in influencing policy than is the space community.