Analyzing the new Kennedy tape
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Last week, on the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's speech calling for a human mission to the Moon by the end of the decade, his presidential library released a new recording of space deliberations by Kennedy. John Logsdon examines the new tape and what it says about Kennedy's interest in spaceflight and support of NASA.
Bad Moon rising
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As NASA struggles to develop a new heavy-lift launch vehicle, commercial entities are cobbling together existing systems for new applications, like Space Adventures's plans for a lunar flyby mission. Stewart Money argues that the latter approach might offer a more expedient approach to near-term exploration than developing a big booster.
Fifty years of NASA art
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A traveling exhibition of artwork created under NASA's art program has made its way to the National Air and Space Museum. Jeff Foust explores the collection and the origins of the agency's art efforts.
Spacepower versus bin Laden
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Special operations forces justifiably got the credit for the raid a month ago that killed Osama bin Laden. However, Taylor Dinerman notes that the mission would not have been possible with a variety of space assets, from reconnaissance to communications.
Roswell that ends well
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A recent book about Ares 51 makes some bizarre claims about Nazi flying saucer, the Soviet Union, and Roswell. Dwayne Day suggests that the outlandish tale may have its roots in a science fiction short story over a half-century ago.
If you missed it, here's what we published in our previous issue:
Transition to commercial services for LEO transportation
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A major issue of contention for NASA's near-term plans has been how much reliance it should place on commercial providers for crew transportation to low Earth orbit. Mary Lynne Dittmar presents a paper she prepared last year with the late Mike Lounge on one approach to handle that transition.
A transorbital railroad to Mars
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Many space enthusiasts have been seeking solutions to lower the cost of space access, while others have promoted human exploration of Mars. Jeff Foust reports on linked proposals from one leading space advocate that address both issues.
The dangers of a rocket to nowhere
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The debate about the future development of a NASA heavy-lift launch vehicle drags on in Congress and industry. Lou Friedman warns this process could lead to no NASA human spaceflight program at all.
The disappearing shuttle
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Last Monday the shuttle Endeavour lifted off on its final mission, but observers were somewhat disappointed when the orbiter soon disappeared through a cloud bank. Jeff Foust describes the launch and how, soon enough, the shuttle program itself will fade from view.
You can't get to heaven on a Pentagon spacecraft
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Last week Huntsville hosted the International Space Development Conference (ISDC), the annual conference of the National Space Society. Dwayne Day recalls an earlier ISDC that featured a presentation with a cautionary take on cooperation with military space efforts.
Until next week,
Provided by The Space Review
 Plans by Space Adventures for a commercial lunar flyby mission using Soyuz hardware opens the door for the creative application of other existing systems for near-term exploration missions. (credit: Space Adventures) |
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