Fwd: NASA News Summary for Thursday, October 3, 2013

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: October 3, 2013 7:09:18 AM GMT-06:00
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA News Summary for Thursday, October 3, 2013

 

 

Hope you can join us at Hibachi Grill today at 11:30 for our monthly NASA Retirees Luncheon.

 

 

TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING THE NEWS • NASA Has Furloughed The Largest Percentage Of Its Employees. LEADING THE NEWS NASA Has Furloughed The Largest Percentage Of Its Employees. In continuing coverage of the effects of the government shutdown, articles continue to focus on what is and is not affected. The majority of the articles just briefly note how NASA's ISS operations remain open. Another major theme is how the MAVEN spacecraft launch could be delayed. As with previous coverage, typically any commentary laments how NASA work has been suspended.         The AP (10/3, Borenstein) reports NASA has furloughed the "largest percentage" of its employees of any government agency because it is "not essential." The article calls this the "real indicator of importance" in Washington, DC. According to the article, "before he was deemed nonessential," NASA spokesperson Bob Jacobs said the number of people about to be furloughed "doesn't mean (NASA) isn't important by any stretch."         The Washington Post (10/2, Achenbach, 4.28M) reports that the US' "sprawling scientific and technological machinery" has been shut down. For NASA, with exceptions like the ISS, most programs have shut down. The article notes that this could have consequences for projects like the MAVEN mission to Mars, because its launch date is "governed not by bureaucrats but by astronomical realities." The article notes there may also be a "ripple effect" in research in general as those processing grants are now at home.         NPR (10/3, Brumfiel, 465K) reports the shutdown's "far-reaching consequences" are affecting space missions, as NASA is "among the hardest hit agencies." Even as astronauts are still working at the ISS, some missions like the Hubble telescope continue since they are run by "outside institutions," although those could be affected if the shutdown lasts long enough or problems arise. According to the article, the shutdown is "hardest" on the unmanned missions like MAVEN that have not launched yet.         NASA NEWS Ross Delivers Talk In Indiana. The WPTA-TV Fort Wayne, IN (10/3, Dutkiewicz, 4K) website reports NASA astronaut Jerry Ross visited Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne Wednesday night to discuss his participation in seven space missions. Ross last flew in 2002 on a mission to help build the International Space Station. Ross told students, "I had this sensation that I was doing exactly what God had designed me to do. It was a great feeling, great confirmation that I'd made right decisions throughout my life."         The Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette (10/3, 172K) reports Ross told the students that NASA has lost "a tremendous amount of talent" with the end of the shuttle, and was critical about the end of the Constellation program. He also "dismisses" the concept of commercial spaceflight, warning that if there was an accident on these "less safe" vehicles, the company would likely go out of business.         WPTA-TV Fort Wayne, IN (10/2, 11:02 p.m. ET, 4K) and two other local TV broadcasts cover Ross' talk. China Said To Be Far From Overtaking US In Space. In an op-ed for the Diplomat (JPN) (10/2), Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan and Arvind K. John of the Observer Research Foundation wrote that while China has had "impressive" growth in space, it will need "sweeping reforms" if it ever hopes to take over the US' leadership position because the country does not have the "massive private-sector investment in R&D" that the US does. While China does copy Russian technology, allowing it to catch up to others, the country does not "innovate" as it needs to. The authors credit NASA for already working with private industry to field new replacements for the shuttle, and for how it is "revolutionizing manufacturing techniques" with 3D printing at the ISS, not to mention the "thousands of hours" NASA astronauts logged in space. Therefore, China is a "long way" from overtaking the US. Demand For Space Lawyers Expected To Rise. The International Business Times (10/2, Clark, 237K) reported there is expected to be an increase in "demand" for lawyers with knowledge of space law as more companies like SpaceX, which launches to the ISS, and Virgin Galactic enter the fields. Areas that are expected to need litigation in the future include "whether space tourists should be considered astronauts, where air ends and space begins and whether space mining is permissible when an international treaty forbids sovereignty in space." The article notes some space lawyers already work for NASA, the FAA, and NOAA, and the expected demand is driving the creation of degrees at law schools. HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS ISS' Orbit Raised. RIA Novosti (RUS) (10/3, 4K) reports the European ATV cargo spacecraft raised the orbit of the ISS yesterday "to compensate for Earth's gravity and to ensure successful dockings."         Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (10/3, 1K) also covers the story. NASA's History With Nikon Cameras Detailed. In an feature article for Reviewed Cameras (10/3), Tyler Wells Lynch details Nikon's "long history" with NASA, as its cameras have been used since the Cold War, and are now "scattered about" the ISS today. Lynch noted that Spiegel magazine showed photos from the ISS, including one of astronaut Don Pettit "surrounded" by Nikon equipment. According to Lynch, photography technology is "often overlooked," as more people focus on the "breathtaking" images. Wolf Says Time In Space A "Magical" Experience. Ahead of a visit to The Children's Museum today, the Indianapolis Monthly (10/3, Brar, 702) interviews astronaut David Wolf. He said it was a "magical" experience helping to build the ISS. When it comes to spacewalks, he notes that there is such "intense" training that even when issues arise, it "overcomes" any doubt and worry. Researchers Test How Well Plants Grow In Mars-Like Soil. The Euronews (10/3, 25K) reports Wageningen University researchers are using soil provided by NASA similar to that found at Mars to see how plants grow in it. The research was tied to the Mars One project, which aims to privately send settlers to Mars. Wieger Wamelink, who took part in the study, said he was "surprised" to find that the soil produced "better plants" than those grown in typical Earth soil. Hadfield To Visit Surrey. The Surrey (CAN) Now (10/3, Zillich) reports Canadian astronaut and former ISS commander Chris Hadfield will be signing his book in Surrey as part of a "national tour." The article noted he "captivated the world" while at the station. Arizona Student One Of 90 Women In NASA WISH Program. The Ahwatukee Foothills (AZ) News (10/3, DiBona, 82K) reports on the Women in Stem High School Aerospace Scholars project held at Johnson Space Center, in which local student Manu Kondapi participated. The program oversaw "90 female high school students from 41 states." Kondapi "planned a robotics and radiation mission and experienced life as an engineer and scientist." According to the article, "NASA sponsored two six-day summer camps for rising high school seniors during late June and early July. The young women worked in teams with female NASA mentors to develop a radiation and robotics mission," resulting in mock-up vehicles for a Mars landing, developed within a budget. KSC Visitor Complex Makes List Of Space Enthusiast Destinations. CNN (10/2, O'Shea, 14.53M) reports on various exhibits and programs for adult attendees with an interest in space exploration. The article lists the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama, New York City's Hayden Palnetarium, New Mexico's International UFO Museum and Research Center and Spaceport America, the Kennedy Space Center, and the Trekcetera Museum in Canada. CNN describes the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as "an essential destination for space enthusiasts," adding that "the biggest exhibit these days is the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction, which includes not only the craft itself, but landing and docking simulators." Regarding the Space & Rocket Center, CNN says the adult camp gives "attendees a chance to experience elements of astronaut training, rocket construction and mission control." Meanwhile, the article cites Canadaian Hadfield's "Space Oddity," made while at the ISS, as an example of how interest in space has not waned because of the end of the shuttle. BLOGS Congress Called On To Fully Fund Commercial Crew. In an article for Forbes (10/2, 6.03M), Greg Autry of the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Marshall School of Business and Laura Huang of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Write that the government shutdown has "overshadowed" the successful weekend milestones by SpaceX, with its Falcon 9 launch, and Orbital Sciences, with its Cygnus spacecraft docking to the ISS. They praise NASA's "visionary programs" for stimulating these companies. The pair note that Congress is "curiously disdainful" of how US companies now can provide services that have recently been provided only by foreign governments. The authors now want Congress to fully fund the Commercial Crew program so it can have similar success. Fully funding the program at the Administration's level needs to be a "priority," in their opinion. Portion Of Sunjammer Unfurls Successfully In Test. Elizabeth Howell at Universe Today (10/3, 25K) writes that in a successful test, a quarter of the Sunjammer solar sail "under Earth gravity conditions." Howell notes that the Sunjammer, which will be the "largest solar sail ever," will now launch in January 2015 instead of November 2014, a "slight delay." The test was important because these condition were "tougher" than what the sail will experience in space. Ivins Says Gravity "Hard To Watch" Because Of Her Experience. At the Time (10/2, 13.4M) "Ideas" blog, astronaut Marsha Ivins writes that she was not thrilled by the movie "Gravity." While she took issues with some of the details, she did note that the movie "got some things very right," like how a Soyuz spacecraft would undock from the ISS. However, she found it "hard to watch" because it made her recall the Columbia tragedy. While it has "beautiful moments," Ivins notes that having worked on the shuttle and the ISS, she may not be able to give a "truly objective review." AEROSPACE NEWS Military Space Activities Not Expected To Be Impacted By Government Shutdown. Space News (10/3, Gruss, Subscription Publication, 481) reports how the US Air Force has "reiterated" that most military space activities will not be affected by the government shutdown. Capt. Adam Gregory, a spokesman for the secretary of the Air Force, said in an email that satellite operations, launches, and developmental programs would likely continue as is or not experience any "significant impacts." Shutdown Scrubs UP Aerospace Launch From Spaceport America. Albuquerque (NM) Business First (10/2, Mayfield) reports UP Aerospace's launch of five payloads from Spaceport America were canceled due to the government shutdown. UP Aerospace President Jerry Larson said, "the people at the air traffic center that manages the air space, and the White Sands Missile Range folks are not in their offices." As a result of the shutdown, no one could receive and process a restricted air space notice on Wednesday, although Spaceport America is open. UP's missions include a test of using Twitter in space in addition to missions from: the "New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; one from New Mexico State University; one from the Department of Defense and Kirtland Air Force Base; and a test payload for a new transponder from the FAA." Larson said, "We're hoping that we can take a new date with two week's notice." SES Wants Briefing On Issues During Last Falcon 9 Rocket Launch. The Space News (10/3, De Selding, Subscription Publication, 481) reports SES wants a "detailed briefing" on why the SpaceX Falcon 9's upper stage failed to reignite during last Sunday's launch, as this feature is "crucial" for when its SES-8 satellite is launched into a geostationary transfer orbit. SES spokesman Yves Feltes said the company's desire for an explanation of the issue does not mean it does not expect to be on the next rocket launch.         NASASpaceFlight (10/3, Bergin, 305) notes the satellite is on its way to Florida for the launch on November 1. The article notes that the government shutdown did impact this trip, although arrangements were made to overcome the issues.         Russia Plans Four More Proton Rocket Launches After September Success. RIA Novosti (RUS) (10/2, 4K) reports Russia's successful September launch of a Proton rocket will lead to four more launches before the end of the year, according to Roscosmos. The next launches are scheduled for October 20, November 5, December 8, and December 26. Miley Cyrus Claims Connections At Virgin Can Get Her Into Space. Blogging for NewSpace Journal (10/2), Jeff Foust wrote about music celebrity Miley Cyrus' ambitions to fly into space with Virgin Galactic. Cyrus claims to know a friend who invested in the company and can move her up on the schedule. Foust writes, "Virgin has primarily been financed internally, with the exception of a stake in the company purchased by Aabar Investments of the UAE four years ago." Foust also writes that Cyrus has an affinity for high-altitude adventures, as she has recently gone skydiving.

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02/13

Amazing Shuttle

Google Colburn list of gov. Waste. Look at what we waste money on. Look at lbj welfare. We lost the battle & still spending large amounts on it. Look at foreign aid waste. Consider that most semi intelligent people understand what capabilities the shuttle had, the number of people who worked on it & devoted their lives to it. Look at the people who dreamed of being an astronaut, dreamed of working in the space industry. Consider the importance of this technology to the development of the USA & to the security of this great country.

You would think there would be a few dems & republicans who would recognize the importance of this shuttle capability to the country, to the industrial complex, to jobs, to the dreams of our youth. These big , complex technological efforts can not be developed at the required pace ( considering other competition, China, etc.) without significant gov. funding. Eventually, the USA must fund these efforts or the USA will fall behind other countries, which from a security aspect we can not afford.

So, as we fall behind, where are our reps & senators? The USA must fund an equivalent shuttle program, or pay a terrible price!

Fwd: Keep the Pressure On

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: Tea Party Patriots <newsletter@teapartypatriots.org>
Date: October 2, 2013 9:17:00 AM GMT-06:00
To: <bobbygmartin1938@gmail.com>
Subject: Keep the Pressure On
Reply-To: Tea Party Patriots <newsletter@teapartypatriots.org>

You are receiving this email because of your affiliation with Tea Party Patriots as a Local or State Coordinator.  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Keep the Pressure On Patriots, we are at a critical moment in our history. We find ourselves in the situation we are in because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Barack Obama refuse to compromise on their prized piece of legislation. Even though the Affordable Care Act - Obamacare - is destroying jobs, reducing hours, causing people to lose their doctors, their insurance, and see rising health insurance premiums, the President and Harry Reid want to continue to place the burden on hard working American people. They were so unwilling to bend that they forced the government to shut down. This isn't what we wanted. The House of Representatives is supposed to most closely reflect the will of the people. Even though we believe that Obamacare is going to be so detrimental the entire law should be repealed, the House has compromised, but they have put up a fight and now is not the time to back down. The President and Harry Reid have drawn their line in the sand. This government shut down is on them. Now it's time to encourage the House Leadership and your members to draw their line in the sand and hold firm. They represent us, the people, and it is their duty to reflect our will. Call Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Kevin McCarthy, Pete Sessions, and your own Representative and encourage them to hold the line. Tell them to keep fighting until we rid ourselves of this disastrous law that is Obamacare. We can't say it enough. This law is already wreaking havoc and it hasn't even been fully implemented yet. And if the President is going to waive mandates for big businesses and create special exemptions for Members of Congress, then the American people should be treated the same. Call Now! Speaker John Boehner 202-225-6205 @SpeakerBoehner Majority Leader Eric Cantor 202-225-2815 @GOPLeader Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy 202-225-2915 @GOPWhip Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions 202-225-2231 @PeteSessions Call Your Senators and Representative today and tell them to start listening. Obamacare isn't good enough for big business, big labor, or Congress, so it isn't good enough for the American people! Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 Time Line of Continuing Resolution Debate: Friday, 9/20/13 - The House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution that would fully fund the government (including things that Republicans don't like) while at the same time defunding Obamacare. Result: House Republicans compromised on spending that we'd like to see cut in exchange for defunding Obamacare. Friday, 9/27/13 - The Senate stripped the defunding language out of the House passed Continuing Resolution and sent it back to the House. Result: Harry Reid and Senate Democrats refused to compromise. Saturday, 9/28/13 - The House of Representatives added two amendments to the Senate revised Continuing Resolution to delay Obamacare for one year (far from what we were originally willing to agree to) and repeal the medical device tax. Result: House Republicans compromised away from defunding to delaying Obamacare for one year. Monday, 9/30/13 - The Senate stripped the two amendments from the House passed Continuing Resolution and sent it back to the House. Result: Harry Reid and Senate Democrats refuse to compromise one inch on Obamacare. Monday, 9/30/13 - The House of Representatives responded by adding language to the Continuing Resolution to delay the individual mandate for a year and to take away the health care subsidies Members of Congress and their staffs received from the Office of Personnel Management ruling earlier this year.  Result: House Republicans compromised away from delaying Obamacare for one year to delaying the individual mandate for a year and requiring that Congress live under Obamacare just like the rest of the American people. Monday, 9/30/13 - The Senate voted to table the House passed continuing resolution. Result: Harry Reid and Senate Democrats refused to compromise.  Monday, 9/30/13 - The House appointed conferees and sent a message to the Senate requesting a conference meeting to resolve their differences. Result: House Republicans were still willing to compromise and reach a solution. Tuesday, 10/1/13 - Midnight - No Deal is reach and a temporary shut down begins. Tuesday, 10/1/13 - The Senate votes to table the House's request for a conference to resolve differences. Result: Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats refused to compromise.  Tuesday, 10/1/13 - House of Representatives moves to start passing single authorization appropriation bills that need 2/3rds majority in the House for passage. Result: House Democrats refuse to compromise on paying Veterans Assistance, National Park Service, and Washington, DC Operations. -Tea Party Patriots National Support Team Tea Party Patriots, Inc. operates as a social welfare organization organized under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Tea Party Patriots, Inc. are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.   Copyright © Tea Party Patriots, Inc. 2013 Tea Party Patriots 1025 Rose Creek Drive Ste 620-322 Woodstock, GA  30189 Support: 404-593-0877 http://www.tppsupport.org  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Re china long march. Re article discussing Bean interview

Might get USA space going------

That is what George Jeffs said.

Could China's Long March 9 Reinvigorate U.S. Space Program?

http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385&plckPostId=Blog%3a04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385Post%3ac960c7cb-1ced-4b39-8313-b210059ae7f8


Sent from my iPad

Fwd: Become a Part of NASA's Design Studio | Stars Wars Swallowed by Dunes | The Asteroid Threat

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "SPACE.com" <space@email.techmedianetwork.com>
Date: October 2, 2013 8:59:29 AM GMT-06:00
To: Bobbygmartin1938@gmail.com
Subject: Become a Part of NASA's Design Studio | Stars Wars Swallowed by Dunes | The Asteroid Threat
Reply-To: "SPACE.com" <space_6567B79F53A333CAAB76CEAD4565A331@email.techmedianetwork.com>

Ideas Wanted for NASA's 2020 Mars Rover, But Government Shutdown Adds Challenge NASA is soliciting ideas for the instruments that should be included on its next Mars rover, but the government shutdown might throw a wrench into the competition.
Clouds On Alien Planet Mapped for 1st Time (Image) After determining that the Jupiter-like Kepler-7b was too cool for a body so close to its sun, astronomers used data from NASA's Kepler and Spitzer space telescopes to make the first cloud map of an alien planet.
	Star Wars' Film Set Feels the Force of Fast-Moving Sand Dune A sand dune is swallowing several buildings used for the 'Mos Espa' set during filming of 'Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.' See how it resembles dunes on Mars.
	Search for Dangerous Asteroids Continues Despite Government Shutdown The U.S. government shutdown may have taken NASA's asteroid-warning Twitter feed offline, but it shouldn't affect the search for potentially hazardous space rocks, scientists say.
	Comet ISON Buzzing Mars Now: A Telescope Viewing Guide The potentially dazzling Comet ISON is making its closest approach to Mars tonight, Oct. 1, and you can see the pair together with a good telescope. Here's how to see it.
	Government Shutdown Could Threaten NASA's Next Mars Probe Launch The government shutdown could delay the launch of NASA's next Mars mission — perhaps all the way to 2016.
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Fwd: NASA News Summary for Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: October 2, 2013 6:55:24 AM GMT-06:00
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA News Summary for Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Hope you can join us at Hibachi Grill tomorrow for our monthly NASA Retirees Luncheon at 11:30.

 

Sharing with you the HQ version of NASA News

 

 

TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING THE NEWS • NASA Mostly "Idled" By Shutdown. NASA NEWS • NASA Turns 55. • Ross Speaks To 100 Students. HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS • Orbital Sciences Cleared To Start On Commercial Resupply Services Contract. • Ares I Mobile Launcher To Be Modified For SLS. • Flagler County School District Highlights Student Conversation With Astronauts. • "Gravity" Features Some Accurate Physics, Various Inaccuracies. BLOGS • US Said To Be Lacking Progress In Space As China Moves Forward. • Future Moon Missions Could Fall To China, Private Sector. • ISS Set To Be More "International" In 2015 With New Crew Announcement. • NexGen Space President Discusses Commercial Opportunities At The ISS.   AEROSPACE NEWS • SpaceX Denies Falcon 9 Rocket's Upper Stage Exploded. • India's Mars Orbiter Heading To Launch Pad. • Assembly Begins On Ariane 5 Rocket Launching In December. • Wisconsin Town Celebrates 53rd Anniversary Of Sputnik Fragment Crash. • Elysium Space Offering Space Burial To Japanese Clients. LEADING THE NEWS NASA Mostly "Idled" By Shutdown. Coverage continues on the Federal government shutdown. Reports now discuss how agencies are affected, not just describing what could stay open or close. Typically, unless a source was close to a NASA center and sometimes even then, NASA was briefly mentioned as either experiencing a lot of furloughs, or noted for how ISS operations would remain open to maintain the health of the astronauts. Web-based sources also liked to highlight the Tweets NASA programs sent out because of the shutdown. However, when commentary was provided, sources often lamented how NASA was being treated.         CNN (10/2, Gross, 14.53M) reports NASA gave people "perspective" on the shutdown when the Voyager 2 team tweeted, "Due to government shutdown, we will not be posting or responding from this account. ... Farewell, humans. Sort it out yourselves."         Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle (10/2, Hlavaty, 2.26M) notes that yesterday was NASA's 55th birthday, but few were on the job. NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries said, "Nobody wants a shutdown or a furlough, but we must take care of the space station. ... We'll just have to see what happens." According to the article, Humphries said 93 employees would be working "intermittently" at the Johnson Space Center. Meanwhile, he article notes that while the astronauts are still working at the ISS, "NASA's astronaut Twitter feed, @NASA_Astronauts," is down, as well as its official Instagram site.         NASA NEWS NASA Turns 55. The WTLV-TV Jacksonville, FL (10/2, 4:49 a.m. ET, 39K) broadcast that NASA is "celebrating" its 55th anniversary of when it was founded. The broadcast listed the agency's accomplishments, including the Apollo missions, the ISS, the Mars rovers and the Voyager spacecraft. About 90 other TV stations carry broadcasts on the anniversary.         Blog Coverage. Suzanne Deffree , at the EDN (10/2, 49K) "END Moments" blog comments that since NASA was founded, the agency has "grown tremendously." Ross Speaks To 100 Students. The Lafayette (IN) Journal and Courier (10/1, Livingston, 103K) reports astronaut Jerry Ross spoke at St. James Lutheran School to over 100 students about his time in space. He also described and showed footage from his "final spacewalk" installing the S-Zero Truss at the ISS. HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS Orbital Sciences Cleared To Start On Commercial Resupply Services Contract. The Aerospace Daily and Defense Report (10/2, Carreau) reports Alan Lindenmoyer, NASA's COTS program manager, said Orbital Sciences is now "good to go" on its Commercial Resupply Services contract following the successful berthing of the Cygnus spacecraft at the ISS. Lindenmoyer said, "The station has a spot ready for them in December. We're getting the cargo ready to ship out. They've demonstrated a system that certainly can deliver. There will be no delays in proceeding toward the next mission."         Blog Coverage. Jeff Foust at Space Politics (10/1) wrote how there has "only been a handful of reactions" to the Cygnus docking, possibly due to concerns over the government shutdown, which had not started at the time the post was written. Foust listed those from NASA, Space Frontier Foundation president James Pura, Sen. Mark Warner, and former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver. Ares I Mobile Launcher To Be Modified For SLS. NASASpaceFlight (10/2, Bergin, 305) reports that "major modification work" is about to start on the "former Ares I Mobile Launcher (ML)," which will now be used for the Space Launch System (SLS). The article noted the mobile launcher is already "highly suited" for its new role, but more work is needed to modify "Ares-specific elements" like the launch mount. According to the article, there is no official timeframe for when the work will be done, but it is expected to be "ready in time" for the rocket's 2017 launch. Flagler County School District Highlights Student Conversation With Astronauts. The FlaglerLive (FL) (10/2) reports the Flagler County School district gave its "State of Education Address" on Tuesday. Along with discussing the "challenges" the district faces, officials described the successes of the past year. The article very briefly noted that Superintendent Janet Valentine mentioned how middle school students were able to conduct "live conversations" with ISS astronauts. "Gravity" Features Some Accurate Physics, Various Inaccuracies. In an article for Time (10/1, 13.4M), Jeffrey Kluger explores the factual accuracy of the new space-based movie Gravity, directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Kluger discusses how a "chain reaction" space-object disaster, which "would never happen in the first place," caused by the destruction of a Russian satellite is unlikely to occur due to Hubble orbiting at a different inclination than Russia's satellites. "Junk from a Russian pigeon-shoot might cross the shuttle's orbit on some of its passes, but it would not happen right away—and certainly not every hour and a half." Furthermore, the characters seeking refuge on the International Space Station would not be close by if there were servicing Hubble. Despite the various implausibilities, Kluger says Gravity "gets more right than it gets wrong," concerning space physics and is of a high-enough quality that "it seems churlish to pay attention to much else."         Wired (10/2, Roper, 3.52M) reports Cuaron spent four-and-a-half years on the movie, mostly due to the time-intensive process of space-accurate animation. Cuaron said, "We had a physicist explain the laws of zero gravity and zero resistance. After three months, the animators really got the concept and it started to become second nature." Additionally, the crew "had conversations with actual astronauts too, not only about our spatial questions but also about behavioral things in zero gravity." Early in the interview, Cuaron notes childhood ambitions of going to space, which he decided was "unlikely" for a child from Mexico. BLOGS US Said To Be Lacking Progress In Space As China Moves Forward. At the Wall Street Journal (10/2, 5.91M) "China Realtime Report" blog, Andrew Erickson of the US Naval War College writes that while the US deals with its budget issues, China continues to move forward in various areas. As an example, Erickson cites how at the recent International Astronautical Congress in China, China National Space Administrator Ma Xingrui outlined the progress the country has made in space, noting that few from the US were in attendance. Erickson contrasts that progress with the lack of progress he sees at the ISS, and the inability to launch astronauts from US soil. To Erickson, this shows a lack of US leadership in space.         The Medium (10/2, Beckhusen) "War Is Boring" blog also covers the story, citing the WSJournal post. Future Moon Missions Could Fall To China, Private Sector. Blogging for Aviation Week (10/2, 3K), Michael Lavitt discusses a conversation he had with former Apollo astronaut Alan Bean in 2003 regarding the future of the US space program. Bean predicted Chinese interest in reaching the moon could prompt a US return to the moon within 5 years. Today, Lavitt writes, China's Long March 9 launcher, potentially "more powerful than the Saturn V stack that first carried men to the Moon," could trigger another, beneficial space race.         Writing for the Houston Chronicle (10/2, 2.26M), Eric Berger writes that NASA, under its current budget, will be unable to return to the moon and that any future moon missions for the US will fall to the private sector. According to Berger, private company Golden Spike, "has announced plans to send two-person missions to the surface of the moon by 2020 for about $1.5 billion a flight." Former Johnson Space Center director Gerry Griffin will be giving a free public talk Thursday, October 3 alongside Golden Spike CEO Alan Stern that could relate to the mission. ISS Set To Be More "International" In 2015 With New Crew Announcement. Ben Evans at AmericaSpace (10/2) writes that the ISS will be "even more 'international' over the coming few years" as astronaut Tim Kopra and ESA astronaut Tim Peake, the first astronaut to officially represent the UK, have been named to the 2015 Expedition 45/46 crew. A third crewmate is "rumored" to be cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin. Evans comments that while this mission is years away, it still will be part of the ISS' "remarkable and constantly evolving adventure." That year is expected to be "dominated" by the year-long mission of two astronauts at the ISS. NexGen Space President Discusses Commercial Opportunities At The ISS. David Livingston at The Space Show (9/30) podcast interviewed Charles Miller, president of NexGen Space, about "the future of commercial space, extending the life of the ISS, managing risk and uncertainty to maximize returns and benefits for commercial space." Miller also discussed how NanoRacks, which he co-founded, is commercially utilizing the ISS' national laboratory, as well as "commercial opportunities on the ISS" in general. Miller thought there will be a "turning point" in space activity once launch costs are reduced. AEROSPACE NEWS SpaceX Denies Falcon 9 Rocket's Upper Stage Exploded. Space News (10/2, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that SpaceX is "denying speculation" that the Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket's upper stage exploded during Sunday's launch. This was due "in part" to US Space Surveillance Network observations of "more orbital objects associated with the launch than expected." SpaceX spokesperson Emily Shanklin said this may have been due to some insulation being lost during a "controlled venting of propellants."         The NBC News (10/2, Boyle, 6.79M) "Cosmic Log" blog notes that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk issued a similar explanation to NBC News correspondent Jay Barbree         Mashable (10/2, Ulanoff, 1.16M) reports Musk also said the initial debris observations "may not be accurate." Also, since the reports were coming from the "Russian and International space blog Zarya," Musk thought that report had to be taken "with a grain of salt" since Russia is a major SpaceX competitor. India's Mars Orbiter Heading To Launch Pad. Asian Age (10/2, Srikanth, 281K) reports India's Mars orbiter is scheduled to be sent to the launch pad today for its October 28 launch. Discussing the mission, ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan said that because there will be periods where operators will not be able to communicate with the spacecraft quickly, developers "for the first time" installed "full-scale autonomy" systems so it can make decisions on its own. Assembly Begins On Ariane 5 Rocket Launching In December. Broadband TV News (10/2, Briel) reports workers have begun assembling the Ariane 5 rocket that will launch SES and Hispasat satellites in December. Wisconsin Town Celebrates 53rd Anniversary Of Sputnik Fragment Crash. SPACE (10/2, David, 186K) reports on this year's Sputnikfest, a celebration of the re-entry of a piece of the Soviet satellite in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on September 6, 1962. According to the article, "the celestial gala also serves as a fundraiser for children's art programs at the Rahr-West Art Museum, the lead coordinator of Sputnikfest." Museum executive director Greg Vadney said, when the event was first organized six years ago, the idea was too keep it novel. "we don't take it too seriously, and we enjoy this crazy era, the 1960s, in space history and in social history.' We keep the event simple and silly and fun," Reportedly, "this year's festivities included Sputnik: The Musical, as well as Alien Drop, which involves tiny aliens with numbers on them that correspond to raffle tickets." Elysium Space Offering Space Burial To Japanese Clients. The ITAR-TASS News Agency (10/2, 1K) reports on a service provided by American company Elysium Space Inc., which markets itself to Japanese families interested in providing a "space burial" for dead relatives. The market is possible due to the high cost of land and funeral expenses in Japan. According to the article, "One gram of ashes is placed in an aluminum capsule, which is then launched to around Earth; throughout its travels its position can be tracked by a special mobile app. In a few months orbital decay leads to the capsule re-entering the atmosphere....One rocket is capable of sending 100 to 400 capsules to Earth's orbit." The service costs a total of around $2000, which is "ten times as little as a cemetery plot and a tombstone" in Japan.         Bloomberg News (10/2, Matsuyama, 1.91M) also covers the story.