This Week in The Space Review: A rationale for human spaceflight & more.

Arguments for human exploration of Mars and other destinations need a basis in both

economic development and species survival. (credit: NASA)

A rationale for human spaceflight
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There are various, and often conflicting, arguments for why humans should go into space.  Greg Anderson explains why he things the arguments should be based on how it is critical to the future development and survival of humanity.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1920/1


An enduring value proposition for NASA human spaceflight (part 4)
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In the fourth part of her ongoing analysis of a value proposition for NASA's human spaceflight program, Mary Lynne Dittmar examines the role Congress plays, or should play, in shaping that value proposition.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1922/1


A quarter century of smallsat progress
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The last 25 years has seen a resurgence of interest in small satellites, which had been all but neglected after the early years of the Space Age.  Jeff Foust reports on the developments that have triggered renewed interest in smallsats and the challenges they face to greater adoption.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1921/1


Review: Apollo 18
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In space, claimed the tagline of a famous science fiction film, no one can hear you scream.  After seeing the new and somewhat controversial film "Apollo 11", Jeff Foust finds, you'll wonder if anyone can hear you yawn.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1919/1


If you missed it, here's what we published in our previous issue:


Resilient, disaggregated, and mixed constellations
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US military space programs are facing a vicious cycle of cost, complexity, and requirements that is no longer sustainable.  Thomas Taverney proposes that large, exquisite systems should be replaced by constellations that mix big spacecraft with smaller, less expensive ones.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1918/1


Worrying about a lack of Progress
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The International Space Station program suffered a setback last week when a Progress cargo spacecraft failed to each orbit. Jeff Foust reports on the effect the failure will have on access to the station for cargo and crews as well as its role in the ongoing political debate about NASA's future.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1917/1


Exploration initiatives from the private sector
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Prospects for human space exploration seem uncertain at best, given limited direction and funding concerns. Lou Friedman sees some hope, though, in the form on new initiatives from the private sector.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1916/1


The Grey Ghost, fading
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The USS Hornet earned a place in history by serving as the recovery ship for Apollo 11.  Dwayne Day describes how the carrier, now a museum, is quietly sitting in an abandoned port in the San Francisco Bay area, rusting away.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1915/1


The Mars Consortium 2011
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How can governments win public support for funding human expeditions to Mars? Frank Stratford argues they may have to be pushed to do so by private initiatives.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1914/1


Provided by The Space Review