Harimedia Forum

Posted: **Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:54 pm**

Back to the Moon and beyond...

"A concept image shows the Ares I crew launch vehicle during launch and the Ares V cargo launch vehicle, under development by NASA, on the launch pad. Ares I will carry the Orion crew exploration vehicle with an astronaut crew to Earth orbit. Ares V will deliver large-scale hardware to space. This includes the lunar lander, materials for establishing an outpost on the Moon, and the vehicles and hardware needed to extend a human presence beyond Earth orbit. (more...)

» Related articles:
A Visual History of NASA's Project Constellation
NASA calls for comment on Draft Ares V request for proposals - The Vision for Space Exploration
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» NASA image

"At the core of NASA’s future space exploration is a return to the moon, where (one hopes to) build a sustainable long term human presence. As the space shuttle approaches retirement and the International Space Station nears completion, NASA is building the next fleet of vehicles to bring astronauts back to the moon, and possibly to Mars and beyond." (more...)

- Orion (right) flies in space while docked with a lunar lander in this NASA artist's rendering. Image by: NASA

» First Orion Launch Abort Motor Test Firing Successful.
» Project Constellation: the new missions to the ISS, the Moon, Mars and beyond. » NASA: Exploration Imagery
» Discussion Blog: How we'll get back to the Moon? » NASA: Test of an 'Electronic Nose' on the Int. Space Station
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On the Net:

Photos

Earth's Weather layer
NASA's Earth Science Office (global imagery)
Xplanet's cloud layer (updated every 3 hours)
Space and Astronautix News: www.space.gs
Google Earth Viewer: Gad.getpla.net (more)

Posted: **Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:55 pm**

» Spacevidcast.com / 2
- Two nice guys commenting on the web some new events in space and space flights.

TV Channel reporting live from space. One can follow the flight of the ISS on the map of Earth » Vidcast Live Channel
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On the Net:
Space News: Onorbit.com/mercury
United Space Alliance Newsletter (pdf)

Posted: **Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:55 pm**

Spaceref ..

The Mission of NASA in the USA
U.S. Government Report

Video: Beauty of Space

- The mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. Its activities span a broad range of complex and technical endeavors such as investigating and evaluating the composition and resources of Mars and working with its international partners to complete and operate the International Space Station, developing a new series of space flight vehicles capable of carrying humans to space, providing satellite and aircraft observations of Earth for scientific and weather forecasting, and developing new technologies designed to improve air flight safety.

In order to continue with these activities and meet future goals, NASA requested $17.6 billion for its fiscal year 2009 budget. NASA is organized under four mission directorates--Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems, Science, and Space Operations--which provide direction and oversight of the agency's research and development programs. Its programs and projects are executed by nine centers located around the country, and the contractor-operated Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In addition, NASA partners with academia, the private sector, state and local governments, other federal agencies, and a number of international organizations.

NASA is currently at a crossroad. In response to President Bush's Vision for Space Exploration, the agency is in the midst of phasing out the Space Shuttle Program and beginning another major undertaking, the Constellation Program, which will create the next generation of spacecraft for human spaceflight. This is NASA's biggest transition effort since landing humans on the moon more than three decades ago and then initiating the Space Shuttle Program a few years later. Moreover, it is expected ultimately to cost nearly $230 billion over the next two decades. Numerous people, hardware, and infrastructures will be affected by coming changes. There are also pressures for funds to be spent on other projects, which poses a financing challenge for the agency. Continued...

Posted: **Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:56 pm**

Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond

Earth Science and Applications from Space:
By the US National Research Council

» (PDF) » Pdf 2.

The National Research Council was mandated by the US government to research the use of space-based observation of the earth in order to determine environmental changes. The committees were asked to determine the questions that should be addressed, taking into account the intended federal and local agencies that would use the data acquired. They then had to prioritize the experiments and observations knowing that it will be impossible to fund them all.

» Space Studies Board Report 2007

The results make extremely sobering reading. This report covers strategies for earth science and applications from space, including natural resources, human health and security, climate change, weather and water resources. The committees, made up of many of the top scientists in the field, propose future missions as well as outlining the problems. The report is couched in technical language for professionals, but the information it contains ought to be accessible to everyone. A streamlined summary would be useful because this is something that everyone should know about. » http://books.google.de

» Basic Earth Science and Society

Understanding the complex, changing planet on which we live, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future is one of the greatest intellectual challenges facing humanity. It is also one of the most important challenges for society as it seeks to achieve prosperity, health, and sustainability. » Book online, free!

» (more) » Earth Animations