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The national space policy, one year later
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One year ago this week the White House released its new national space policy. Jeff Foust reports on the progress government agencies have made in implementing the policy and the policy's long-term relevance.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1873/1
Gazing back through the crystal ball
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More than 30 years ago one writer penned a major critique of the shuttle program before even the first shuttle launch. Dwayne Day examines what Gregg Easterbrook got right and wrong in his assessment.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1872/1
Commercial space, what's good for Florida, and 2012
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The end of the shuttle program has caused plenty of angst in Florida, where people fear the loss of jobs that will result after the shuttle is retired. Alan Stern notes that commercial space efforts can help the local economy rebound, provided there's sufficient political support for them.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1871/1
Shuttle with racing stripes
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One of the first appearances of the shuttle on the big screen was in the 1979 James Bond movie "Moonraker". Dwayne Day looks back at the movie and its portrayal of the shuttle.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1870/1
Note: Because of the Independence Day holiday, next week's issue of The Space Review will be published on Tuesday, July 5.
If you missed it, here's what we published in our previous issue:
It's not (just) about the starship
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A 100-year project to develop the technology needed for a crewed interstellar spacecraft is a sure way to attract attention, especially when it's backed with even a small amount of funding from DARPA and NASA. Jeff Foust reports on how this long-term effort may really be just a nontraditional way to promote short-term research and development.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1869/1
Prophets of science fiction
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As the Space Shuttle program winds down, we're reminded that the shuttles failed to meet the cost and flight rate predictions made during the program's development in the 1970s. Dwayne Day notes that even during the '70s some were skeptical of those claims.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1868/1
When the skies fall: hostile aliens invade the small screen
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The concept of alien invasions of Earth has reappeared on television recently in the form of a National Geographic special and a TNT drama. Andre Bormanis examines those shows and why the alien invasion theme may be in vogue today.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1867/1
Review: Falling Back to Earth
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While the future of NASA's human spaceflight programs may be uncertain today, it's not the first time the agency's exploration plans have been subject to heated debate in Washington. Jeff Foust reviews a book by an insider who provides his account of the battles surrounding the Space Exploration Initiative, and his pessimistic view of the future.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1866/1
Until next week,
Provided by The Space Review
