Science and Space News Bits

‘Trash Can’ Nuclear Reactors Could Power Human Outpost On Moon Or Mars

New Aluminum-water Rocket Propellant Promising For Future Space Missions

Researchers are developing a new type of rocket propellant made of a frozen mixture of water and “nanoscale aluminum” powder that is more environmentally friendly than conventional propellants and could be manufactured on the moon, Mars and other water-bearing bodies.

.:: Boeing Sends Layoff Notices To 130 Employees ::.

Asteroid Is Actually A Protoplanet, Study Of First High-resolution Images Of Pallas Confirms

Giffords (D-Az) Supports Robust NASA budget

Subcommittee Chairwoman Cites Need for “Robust” NASA Budget | International Space Fellowship

NASA in my opinion has begun to lag behind in recent years and in some ways perhaps regressed technologically. Whether this is due to political pressure or financial concerns the end result is the same: an organization that has become resistant to new approaches and ideas presented by the latest generation of engineers. As of yet it remains unclear how NASA will progress regardless of their funding situation. Will they continue with business as usual that has even the most ardent space exploring supporters bemused or will they realize working cooperatively with private entrepreneurs in developing commercial space flight?

Daily Space: Jupiter Impact

Jupiter Impact (image via NASA)

Astronomers study Jupiter Impact

Quite fascinating really, for those of us with an interest in space. Congratulations to amatuer astronomer Anthony Wesley for catching this. Further information of his observations, equipment and images can be found at http://jupiter.samba.org/jupiter-impact.html.

Daily Space: Apollo Lunar Module

LM Illustration (courtesy of NASA)

Brief Specifications:

Crew: 2
Weight: Empty: 8650 lbs (3920 kg)
Height: 20.9 ft (6.37 m)
Diameter: 14 ft (4.27 m)
Landing Gear Span: 29.75 ft (9.07 m)
Volume: 235 ft^3 (6.65 m^3)
Fuel: UDMH* and Hydrazine (known as Aerozine 50)
Oxidizer: Nitrogen Tetroxide
Power: 28 V DC, 115 V 400 Hz AC
Built By: Grumman Aerospace Corporation

*(UDMH = Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine)

40 Years Ago Today

Aldrin Apollo 11 (Image via NASA)

Here’s hoping we get that adventurous, enterprising spirit back in America.

40th Anniversary of Apollo 11

As many are aware today is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

Apollo 11 Launch (Image courtesy of NASA)

Science News

Articles that caught my attention:

Martian Lightning / Science News

LRO Achieves Lunar Orbit:: Aero-News Network::. (more info: http://www.nasa.gov/lro)

.:: Staying In Space Harder Than It Sounds : Aero-News Network::.

Cool Science: Noctilucent Clouds

Who say’s science can’t be cool? Noctilucent or “night shining” clouds clouds fit into my category as cool.

For more information and images: Strange Clouds

Too bad I can’t see any from where I live. Some of them are quite spectacular in appearance.

Betelgeuse Shrinking

Orion- Image via NASA

06.09.2009 – Red giant star Betelgeuse mysteriously shrinking

Quite interesting though it’ll likely be years before scientists know wether this is simply another of the star’s cycles or if it’s approaching a supernova. If this ends up being Betelgeuse going supernova it’ll certainly be a scientific boon as far as getting a better understanding and confirmation on star life cycles.

Perhaps more interesting, at least to the public, is such a supernova will likely be bright enough to be seen during  daylight hours on Earth. Certainly whenever this happens the night sky will be much different looking.

links for 2009-06-05

• The Artemis Project: Private Enterprise on the Moon
  Main Entrance for the Artemis Project, an
  international venture to establish a privately owned and operated exploration
  base on the moon.
  (tags: Tech Space Science astronomy technology business moon)
• Spacedebate.org
  Spacedebate.org is an effort to expand the debate on the weaponization of space through a collaborative wiki-like tool for structured debate on a topic.
  (tags: NASA Space Science technology military war debate)
• Commonwealth Institute of Cambridge, MA USA
  The Commonwealth Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental public policy research organization located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
  (tags: Publications research security policy military thinktank strategy defense war)
• Military Factory – Military Weapons covering airplanes, tanks and guns throughout history.
  Military reference for the casual observer covering weapons from ancient times through tomorrow.
  (tags: Aircraft History guns reference research aviation airplanes weapons military photos)
• FlightBlogger – Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis
  (tags: Blogs Aerospace Boeing news aviation blog airplanes flight)