Masten Space Systems has just completed the first leg of its Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge flight in Mojave, Calif. The flight time was 3:02 – two seconds over the required time. Masten engineers are now preparing the Xoie vehicle for the required return flight. The unofficial landing accuracy is 28 centimeters.
Former Indian President P J Abdul Kalam
India’s ‘Missile Man’ touts space cooperation here
The Huntsville Times
Former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had an answer here Wednesday to the question of how to afford space exploration.
“We should cooperate, work together,” said the scientist and political leader known in his country as “The Missile Man” for his role in ballistic missile and space rocket technology.
The booster rocket used in the Ares I-X test was badly dented when it fell into the Atlantic because of a deflated parachute.
Accused spy Stewart David Nozette in India.
The Washington Post has more about accused spy Stewart David Nozette:
Nozette, who has worked as a contractor for NASA and the Defense Department, was ordered held without bond until his trial after a judge determined that he was a flight risk. Prosecutors said he was motivated by greed and had asked for $2 million for his secrets, according to court documents.
Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Press Release
Ever wanted to shoot the breeze with a legendary moonwalker? Own a genuine relic of space travel from an astronaut’s personal collection? Don a real astronaut flight suit? Now’s your chance! Starting today, you can bid on these and other cool space artifacts in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s (ASF) 7th Annual Astronaut Experiences and Memorabilia Auction at www.astronautscholarship.org/auction.
Accused spy Stewart David Nozette in India.
US scientist pleads not guilty in Israel spy case
AFP
A leading US space scientist credited with helping discover water on the moon pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he tried to sell US defense secrets to Israel for two million dollars.
Judge Deborah Robinson rejected a bail request from Stewart David Nozette, who was arrested October 19 in an FBI sting operation, saying he was considered a flight risk and should remain in jail pending trial.
NSS STATEMENT
The National Space Society (NSS) welcomes the release of the Final Report of the Review of U.S. Space Flight Plans Committee, better known as the Augustine Commission. NSS thanks the Committee for its hard work and due diligence, and for the message that its Final Report seeks to convey: The United States can, and must, continue to be the world’s leader in space, but to do so, our space program must be appropriately funded. NSS joins with the Committee in its call for an additional $3 billion in annual funding for NASA.
Flight of Masten Space System’s Xoie vehicle in an effort to win the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge.
Masten's Xoie lunar lander after an attempt at the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge. There was damage to the lander from a fire.
The judges of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge have agreed to let Masten Space Systems make another attempt at qualifying for Level 2 of the prize on Friday morning. A Twitter update from the Google Lunar X Prize states at just after 10 p.m. PT:
RT @glxp: Through unanimous decision of the Official Judges, @mastenspace will get their last shot @ #NGLLC Lv 2 tomorrow. @unrocket starts in the PM
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An artist's conception of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Florida.
Requested Falcon 9 Range Date Has Conflict
Space News
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has requested a Feb. 2 range date for the maiden flight of its Falcon 9 medium-lift rocket, according to a 90-day launch range forecast issued Oct. 28 by the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing.
Russians to ride a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars
Christian Science Monitor
A nuclear-powered spaceship that can carry passengers to Mars and beyond may sound like science fiction.
But Russian engineers say they have a breakthrough design for such a craft, which could leapfrog them way ahead in the international race to build a manned spacecraft that can cover vast interplanetary distances. They claim they’ll be ready to build one as early as 2012.
Masten Space Systems made a successful flight with its Xoie lunar lander. However, the vehicle suffered fire damage that cannot be repaired in time for another flight today. Judges for the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge were huddling at last report considering a request from Masten to make another flight on Friday morning.