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05/12/2006
NASA unveils manned lunar base plan
NASA has unveiled plans for a base on the moon to be established as lunar flights resume by 2020.
In April 2006, NASA initiated development of the Global Exploration Strategy in order to meet a congressional mandate, as well as accomplish goals outlined in the agency's strategic plan and the Vision for Space Exploration.
The strategy involves experts from NASA and 13 other space agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations and commercial interests. Experts from the Australian, Canadian, Chinese, European, French, German, British, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Russian, South Korean and Ukrainian space agencies participated.
NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale, who is guiding the long-term strategy development effort among 14 of the world's space agencies, said the strategy will enable interested nations to make "optimum use of globally available knowledge and resources to help energize a coordinated effort that will propel us into this new age of discovery and exploration."
According to NASA the most viable approach is to develop a solar-powered lunar base and to locate it near one of the poles of the moon. NASA hopes to learn to use the moon's natural resources to "live off the land," make preparations for a journey to Mars, conduct a wide range of scientific investigations and encourage international participation.
The goal is to enable a sustainable space exploration effort in which participating organizations can achieve individual goals with mutually beneficial results.
The plans will be discussed at a Space Exploration Conference in Houston this week.
In August it was announced that Lockheed Martin had won the contract for the launch vehicle.
(SP/KMcA)
In April 2006, NASA initiated development of the Global Exploration Strategy in order to meet a congressional mandate, as well as accomplish goals outlined in the agency's strategic plan and the Vision for Space Exploration.
The strategy involves experts from NASA and 13 other space agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations and commercial interests. Experts from the Australian, Canadian, Chinese, European, French, German, British, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Russian, South Korean and Ukrainian space agencies participated.
NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale, who is guiding the long-term strategy development effort among 14 of the world's space agencies, said the strategy will enable interested nations to make "optimum use of globally available knowledge and resources to help energize a coordinated effort that will propel us into this new age of discovery and exploration."
According to NASA the most viable approach is to develop a solar-powered lunar base and to locate it near one of the poles of the moon. NASA hopes to learn to use the moon's natural resources to "live off the land," make preparations for a journey to Mars, conduct a wide range of scientific investigations and encourage international participation.
The goal is to enable a sustainable space exploration effort in which participating organizations can achieve individual goals with mutually beneficial results.
The plans will be discussed at a Space Exploration Conference in Houston this week.
In August it was announced that Lockheed Martin had won the contract for the launch vehicle.
(SP/KMcA)
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UK Join The Space Race
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17 August 2007
Nasa: No Shuttle Tile Repair Required
Nasa management have decided that no repair will be necessary on the damage to a tile in Endeavour's heat shield. The Mission Management Team decided that Saturday's spacewalk would not include a repair of Shuttle's heat shield after it was concluded that the damage did not pose a safety risk to the crew or Endeavour.
Nasa: No Shuttle Tile Repair Required
Nasa management have decided that no repair will be necessary on the damage to a tile in Endeavour's heat shield. The Mission Management Team decided that Saturday's spacewalk would not include a repair of Shuttle's heat shield after it was concluded that the damage did not pose a safety risk to the crew or Endeavour.
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