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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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19 December 2003
Beagle 2 lander separates from orbiter module
The European Space Operations Centre has confirmed that the Beagle 2 lander successfully separated from the orbiter at around 11.15GMT on Friday December 19. The ESA announced that the Mars Express spacecraft had "flawlessly released" the Beagle 2 lander that it has been carrying since its launch on June 2 this year.
Beagle 2 lander separates from orbiter module
The European Space Operations Centre has confirmed that the Beagle 2 lander successfully separated from the orbiter at around 11.15GMT on Friday December 19. The ESA announced that the Mars Express spacecraft had "flawlessly released" the Beagle 2 lander that it has been carrying since its launch on June 2 this year.
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.
05 July 2006
Discovery launch gains 'good report'
The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has received a 'good report' following initial inspections of photographs of the lift-off. At an evening press conference late on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Nasa Shuttle Programme Manager Wayne Hale said. "I have a good report. The tank performed very, very well indeed.
Discovery launch gains 'good report'
The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has received a 'good report' following initial inspections of photographs of the lift-off. At an evening press conference late on Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Nasa Shuttle Programme Manager Wayne Hale said. "I have a good report. The tank performed very, very well indeed.
17 November 2004
NASA's speedster scramjet noses near Mach 10
NASA's X-43A unmanned experimental research jet nosed its way into the record books again on Tuesday as it flew close to Mach 10. Preliminary data from the small 3.7m scramjet-powered research vehicle show its revolutionary engine worked successfully at nearly Mach 9.8 (7,000 mph) as it flew at 110,000 feet.
NASA's speedster scramjet noses near Mach 10
NASA's X-43A unmanned experimental research jet nosed its way into the record books again on Tuesday as it flew close to Mach 10. Preliminary data from the small 3.7m scramjet-powered research vehicle show its revolutionary engine worked successfully at nearly Mach 9.8 (7,000 mph) as it flew at 110,000 feet.
13 January 2005
European space probe closes for encounter with Titan
On Christmas Day 2004 NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit above Saturn, flawlessly released the European Space Agency's 2.7m-wide, 319kg Huygens probe, sending the craft on a 22-day trip towards Titan, the ringed planet's largest moon.
European space probe closes for encounter with Titan
On Christmas Day 2004 NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit above Saturn, flawlessly released the European Space Agency's 2.7m-wide, 319kg Huygens probe, sending the craft on a 22-day trip towards Titan, the ringed planet's largest moon.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
