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NASA successfully tested the first deep space communications network modeled on the Internet by transmitting dozens of space images to and from a NASA science spacecraft located about 20 million miles from earth.

It could ensure reliable communications for astronauts on the moon’s surface.  So far, they are using NASA’s Epoxi spacecraft as a Mars data-relay orbiter. There are 10 nodes on the interplanetary network…one is the Epoxi spacecraft and the other 9 are on the ground at JPL to simulate Mars landers, orbiters and ground mission operations centers.

The Mars Society had their convention in Boulder, Colorado August 14-17, 2008. According to one member,

Jerry Black, a speech that was given by Elon Musk outlined the future plans of his company, SpaceX.  Mr. Musk stated that the Falcon 9 delivery vehicle will be used to ferry cargo to the Space Station. 

Jerry went on to say that Elon planned:

“… two launches of the Falcon 9 Heavy with the LOX/Hydrogen upper stage would be capable of sending 10 people to the surface of Mars.  The cost would be about $2,000,000 per person he said (sounds wildly optimistic to me, but that’s what he said).  The only hitch is that this would be a one way trip, and there would be no way to bring them back.  Nevertheless, if there were enough millionaire adventurers wanting to spend the rest of their lives on Mars, this is a possible means to finance the first human settlement on Mars.”

I say:

Of course, it is possible that a millionaire may be foolhardy enough to take that trip, but I imagine that by the time their excursion starts, return trips will certainly be available.  Maybe a 98 year-old millionaire could stand a one-way trip with a headstone, veranda and adventurous starlet.

SCISAT provided new evidence that the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement with the objective of protecting the ozone layer, is yielding good results. It is also the only satellite capable of 3D surveillance of the gases regulated by the Montreal Protocol, which is of great importance to decision-makers. The data collected by SCISAT over the past five years clearly show that levels of atmospheric chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)—the main chemicals that destroy ozone—are falling and that the threat of overall ozone depletion is decreasing.

(from their website)

http://www.espace.gc.ca/asc/eng/satellites/scisat/default.asp

 

 

I found a new little, free program for working with images…it is easy to

make them into a pencil sketch, painting, etc.

the download page for the program is

http://www.fotosketcher.com/

A very enjoyable book about a cat named Flyball that travels to the moon–with permission! He even discovers a form of life there.

Flyball relates that dogs howl at the moon because they see the Cat in the Moon…but I see a Dog in the Moon and my best friend sees a Man in the Moon! But, aside from that, this book is very truthful and funny and warm and fuzzy.  Find a copy and read it yourself, you’ll be glad you did.

I’m Matty and after I finish this, I am going to take a nap…

Our guest reviewer, Matty, is reading
a book about a cat that goes to Outer Space. I will post the review as soon as she submits it–providing she doesn’t eat it first!

 

13-20July2008 the Committee on Space Research is holding its Scientific Assemblyin Montreal. The Canadian Space Agency will have an exhibit, “The Canadian Space All-Stars”,which will highlight past, present and future Canadian Space achievements:

http://cosparhq.cnes.fr/Meetings/meetings.htm

Tsukuba is a Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency center for the latest research and developmentin Space. They have a Space Library and full-scale test models of Rockets and Satellites. Admission is free:

 http://www.jaxa.jp/visit/tsukuba/index_e.html

AEB (Brazilian Space Agency) has a nice presentation on satellites and their uses at this site:

http://www6.cptec.inpe.br/~grupoweb/Educacional/MACA_SSS/