Category Archives: Activism

Bob Zimmerman on John Batchelor Show: Feb.26-Mar.1.2013

March 1, 2013 TopSpacer

Bob Zimmerman reports on the latest space news during regular weekly slots (usually Tuesday and Thursdays) on the John Batchelor radio program. See the iTunes free Podcast for links to the latest shows.

This week, Bob came on the show on Tuesday, Thursday, and tonight Friday.

Tuesday was two segments:

Segment 1: commercial space:
1. Falcon 9 static fire test a success. Launch on Friday.
2. Antares hot fire test a success. Antares launch in about 6 weeks.
3. India launched 7 satellites on one rocket on Monday.
4. The House passes bill renaming Dryden Center after Neil Armstrong.

Segment 2: science:
1. A comet might hit Mars in October 2014.
2. Captain Kirk names one of Pluto’s moons!
3. New orbital data has revised the risks of Apophis hitting the Earth.
4. Mammoth Cave now longer than 400 miles.

Thursday was one segment:
1. China has scheduled its next manned mission for this summer.
2. The investigation into the recent Sea Launch failure finds problem but also reveals friction between Russia and Ukraine.
3. Update on Falcon 9 launch and sequestration.

Friday (to be aired tonight) one segment:
1. Dennis Tito’s proposal to send a married couple in a fly-by of Mars.
2. Cave exploration, on Mars, on the Moon, and on Earth.

Update: On tonight’s show, he will also discuss the SpaceX Dragon problems in orbit after its launch today.

Update Mar.3.2013: Bob says the Friday show included only the Dragon discussion plus talk about Curiosity’s computer problems. The Tito and cave exploration segment will probably be broadcast on Monday.

Activism, Living in Space, Space Science

The Space Show: Curiosity update, California Space Day, and Living in deep space

February 28, 2013 TopSpacer

Dr. Samuel Kounaves joined David Livingston on the John Batchelor Show’s Hotel Mars segment to talke about the Curiosity rover’s drilling activities, Mars soil samples, and the search for organics molecules: The John Batchelor Show Hotel Mars, Wednesday, 2-27-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog

Also, on the Space Show this week, Duane Hyland and John Rose discussed the AIAA California Space Day and the California aerospace industry: AIAA California Space Day, Monday, 2-25-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog

And Dr. George Robinson talked about “Human species survival via space habitation” beyond low earth orbit: Dr. George Robinson, Tuesday, 2-26-13 -Thespaceshow’s Blog

Activism

Pluto mission may get a US postage stamp

February 27, 2013 TopSpacer

A campaign to get a US stamp recognizing the New Horizons missions to Pluto has taken a step forward: First Pluto-bound space probe gets review for US postage stamp – collectSPACE.

The campaign started with a petition drive: Pluto Stamp Watch: Stamp Petition Gains More than 10,000 Signatures – Space.com

Activism, Contests and Games

New space video contest announced

February 26, 2013 TopSpacer

The Coalition for Space Exploration announces a new contest:

National video contest asks the public to share “Why Space Matters to the Future”
The Coalition for Space Exploration and NASA Visitor Centers Consortium launch spring break promotion

HOUSTON – Space exploration has challenged, inspired, and improved us for more than half a century. Today, the Coalition for Space Exploration (Coalition), in partnership with the recently-formed NASA Visitor Centers Consortium announced an expansion of the Coalition’s “Why Space Matters to the Future” video contest that encourages U.S. residents to visualize what life will be like in 10, 25, or 50 years if the boundaries of space continue to expand.

Entrants submit a short video capturing their vision of why exploring space matters and how it will benefit future generations. Three winners will receive a VIP trip to one of three NASA’s visitor centers: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama or Space Center Houston in Texas. Winning videos will be shared with the public and national leaders.

“NASA and the space industry are on the threshold of a new era of space exploration and this promotion is a fantastic opportunity for the public to participate,” said Bill Moore, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “We look forward to this contest opening the door for more ways for the public to personally engage in the adventure of space exploration.”

From March 1- Apr. 7, entrants can upload their videos and share them online. Public voting takes place from Apr. 8-14, with number of votes accrued being one criterion used by a panel of judges. Three winners will be announced on April 17.

The Coalition has hosted similar video competitions in recent years, but on a smaller scale.

“It is amazing to take a successful concept to the next level and engage the millions of guests who follow us online and visit NASA’s visitor centers each year,” said George Torres, chairman of the Coalition. “Some people think the U.S. space program is ending, which couldn’t be further from the truth. This contest engages the public during an important time, giving them a powerful voice to our nation’s leaders.”

For more information, contest rules and instructions, go to VisitNASA.com.

About the Coalition for Space Exploration:

The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups that collaborates to ensure that the U.S. remains the leader in space, science and technology by reinforcing the value and benefits of space exploration with the public and our nation’s leaders, and building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable strategic direction for space exploration.

About the NASA Visitor Centers Consortium:

The visitor centers all support NASA’s mission and goals of maintaining the integrity of NASA’s memorable past, present and future; increase public interest in math and science careers through educational and mentoring programs as well as promoting the extensive benefits of space exploration.