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ISRO Forecast: India To Become A Space Power By 2016
Although the ISRO (or Indian Space Research Organisation) has already made its mark in space by helping to discover water on the Moon, the nation of a billion minds is now attempting to launch its own astronauts into space.
The Indian Space Research Organization is planning to send astronauts to space before the year 2015-16, deputy project director of ISRO’s Chandrayaan MissionJaswinder Singh Khoral said. [...]
Khoral said ISRO was also working to send an unmanned lunar mission Chandrayaan-II in 2012-13, an official release quoting him said.
He said that India is in the select league of six nations which have sent their satellites to the moon. (Space Travel)
India is also planning on landing a man (or woman) upon the Moon by 2020, although its unclear whether the current global recession has pushed back the countries ambitions lunar plans.
If India is able to send humans into space on its own power, it would join the United States, Russia, and China as a major space power, a path that could help the Asian giant secure its place among the stars.
Read Moret/Space Launch Concept: For Earth And Mars?
Borrowing off of its siblings design, t/Space (or Transformational Space for you non-space geeks) presents a unique concept on how to launch humans safely from Earth to the International Space Station.
While t/Space’s flight approach would benefit companies like Bigelow Aerospace (as one can see in the video below), it could also help out future explorers on Mars.
Although engineers are still working out the kinks when it comes to landing on Mars (at least anything over a ton), finding an inexpensive way to leave the Red Planet will be critical if humans ever settle there en mass.
Since land rockets would probably be expensive (regardless of where you’re launching them from), t/Space could provide an inexpensive alternative, especially when one considers that Mars has 38% of Earth’s gravity.
A small craft might be able to reach the asteroid moon Phobos, where passengers could then transfer to a larger space craft.
Either way t/Space’s design should give SpaceX some friendly competition, although hopefully t/Space will be able to demonstrate its feasibility in the wild soon as their technology could make traveling beyond the heavens not only cheaper, but safer as well.
(via Spaceports)
Read MoreCarnival Of The Space Geeks (Cumbrian Sky)
(Image: Phoenix Lander, Credit: NASA)
This weeks Carnival of Space was hosted by Stuart Atkinson of Cumbrian Sky, which featured articles ranging from first contact with extraterrestrials, habitable alien worlds as well as a Martian rovers first baby steps (a sight that always makes the space geeks heart flutter).
Posts involving our quest to conquer the Sol system included:
- Brian Wang of Next Big Future informs us of China’s upcoming heavy lift rockets that could help the Asian giant land humans on the Moon.
- Nancy Atkinson from Universe Today makes a strong case on why we should revisit the Moon (despite the fact that the US has “already been there”).
- Bruce Cordell of 21st Century Waves keeps the cosmic faith alive by predicting that the upcoming space age is less than 5 years away.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to read the rest of the articles from the Carnival of Space!
For those interested in participating in the upcoming carnival, feel free to visit Universe Today for details on how to enter!
Read MoreMaking Space Junk Extinct
Someday future generations are going to curse their grandparents for preventing them from leaving Earth due to space junk.
Fortunately it looks like one company is working on a solution to reduce future space junk, which may help us keep terrestrial and Martian skies clean.
Under government funding, Global Aerospace Corporation has begun developing a LEO satellite de-orbit system that uses a lightweight, inflated envelope to increase the drag area that can increase natural orbit decay by orders of magnitude. The Gossamer Orbit Lowering Device (GOLD) concept increases the cross-section area of a satellite to increase atmospheric drag, or momentum exchange with atmospheric molecules, that results in a reduction of satellite energy and subsequent orbit lowering. [...]
It has been determined that if GOLD were to be used by all satellites under US regulatory influence over the period from 2010 to 2025, its use would reduce the probability of collisions to most LEO satellites by up to ~40%. (Global Aerospace)
While GOLD will not by itself rid our skies of space junk, it can help reduce how much future garbage we leave in the heavens above (which will aid us later after someone figures out how to safely remove the space debris).
Even if it were too late to keep our terrestrial skies clear of space junk, Global Aerospace’s technology could help us keep other worlds like Mars and Saturn’s Titan free of debris, helping us from repeating the environmental sins of our fathers.
(via SpaceMart, Image Credit: Global Aerospace)
Update: Removed lunar reference (since the Moon has not atmosphere) and inserted Mars and Titan. Thanks Remco!
Read MoreIs Reaction Engines Martian Plan Sound? (Video)
Known throughout the space community for their Skylon jets (which are still in development), Reaction Engines has proposed what appears to be a reasonable path to help humanity reach the red planet within our life time.
Note: If the video does not work above, you can visit Reaction Engines to watch the clip in its entirety.
While the plan for the most part is rather sound, the one fatal area is the length of time it takes to reach the crimson world as solar radiation might fry the astronauts brains before they even get an opportunity to land.
Unless artificial magnetic fields can be constructed around the space craft, future explorers may have to wait until VASIMR engines become a reality (in order to cut the travel time from 6 months to 39 days).
Trek time aside, Reaction Engines does have the wisest approach when it comes to establishing outposts upon Mars (i.e. sending future supplies ahead of a Martian landing), although time will only tell if humanity sends one of their own to visit the crimson world within the next half century.
(via RLV And Space Transport News)
Read MoreNASA Gives Us 600 Million Reasons To Revisit The Moon
Mini-SAR map of the Circular Polarization Ratio (CPR) of the north pole of the Moon. Fresh, “normal” craters (red circles) show high values of CPR inside and outside their rims. This is consistent with the distribution of rocks and ejected blocks around fresh impact features, indicating that the high CPR here is surface scattering. The “anomalous” craters (green circles) have high CPR within, but not outside their rims.
After discovering water on the Moon (thanks in part to India’s satellite), it looks like scientists have discovered large quantities of ice water in the lunar north pole.
Using data from a NASA radar that flew aboard India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, scientists have detected ice deposits near the moon’s north pole. NASA’s Mini-SAR instrument, a lightweight, synthetic aperture radar, found more than 40 small craters with water ice. The craters range in size from 1 to 9 miles (2 to15 km) in diameter. Although the total amount of ice depends on its thickness in each crater, it’s estimated there could be at least 1.3 trillion pounds (600 million metric tons) of water ice. [...]
Numerous craters near the poles of the Moon have interiors that are in permanent sun shadow. These areas are very cold and water ice is stable there essentially indefinitely. Fresh craters show high degrees of surface roughness (high CPR) both inside and outside the crater rim, caused by sharp rocks and block fields that are distributed over the entire crater area. However, Mini-SAR has found craters near the north pole that have high CPR inside, but not outside their rims. This relation suggests that the high CPR is not caused by roughness, but by some material that is restricted within the interiors of these craters. We interpret this relation as consistent with water ice present in these craters. The ice must be relatively pure and at least a couple of meters thick to give this signature. (NASA)
Although it was known for quite some time that the Moon did possess large quantities of water near the north pole, it was unclear as to how much until now.
The large amount of water ice should make it relatively easy for astronauts to establish outposts upon the lunar surface without heavily depending on Earth for water and supplies.
Future settlers can also use the water to make rocket fuel, which will help humanity in their quest to conquer our star system.
Despite the fact that Congress still debating over how we will get to the Moon (or rather whether partnering with the private sector is a good idea), it’s only a matter of time before humanity revisits and settles upon Earth’s nearest neighbor.
(via Universe Today)
Read MoreJUNO To Trek Where Humans Dare Not Travel (Jupiter)
(Image Credit: NASA)
Despite its romantic place in celestial history, Jupiter is one hostile region.
Of the four Galilean moons that orbit this Jovian world, only Callisto is is known to be habitable for humans due to the planet’s radiation belts.
But before we can even attempt to conquer the Galilean moons is a distant future, we are going to have to scout out the gas giant in order to ensure that our species is able to survive orbiting our star systems largest gas giant.
Using a spinning, solar-powered spacecraft, Juno will make maps of the gravity, magnetic fields, and atmospheric composition of Jupiter from a unique polar orbit. Juno will carry precise high-sensitivity radiometers, magnetometers, and gravity science systems . During its one-year mission, Juno will complete 33 eleven-day-long orbits and will sample Jupiter’s full range of latitudes and longitudes. From its polar perspective, Juno combines in situ and remote sensing observations to explore the polar magnetosphere and determine what drives Jupiter’s remarkable auroras. (New Frontiers, NASA)
NASA has already begun building the titanium shield that will protect the delicate satellite from the raging ions, protons and elections of the planet (which are strong enough to kill robots, let alone humans).
“For the 15 months Juno orbits Jupiter, the spacecraft will have to withstand the equivalent of more than 100 million dental X-rays,” said Bill McAlpine, Juno’s radiation control manager, based at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. “In the same way human beings need to protect their organs during an X-ray exam, we have to protect Juno’s brain and heart.” [...]
With guidance from JPL and the principal investigator, engineers at Lockheed Martin Space Systems designed and built a special radiation vault made of titanium for a centralized electronics hub. While other materials exist that make good radiation blockers, engineers chose titanium because lead is too soft to withstand the vibrations of launch, and some other materials were too difficult to work with.
Each titanium wall measures nearly a square meter (nearly 9 square feet) in area, about 1 centimeter (a third of an inch) in thickness, and 18 kilograms (40 pounds) in mass. This titanium box — about the size of an SUV’s trunk – encloses Juno’s command and data handling box (the spacecraft’s brain), power and data distribution unit (its heart) and about 20 other electronic assemblies. The whole vault weighs about 200 kilograms (500 pounds). (Astrobiology Magazine)
JUNO is expected to survive at least 15 months in Jovian orbit, which should give scientists plenty of information on not only how extensive Jupiter’s radiation belts are, but their exact width and strength as well.
These measurements could determine whether Ganymede (which is larger than the planet Mercury) is worthy of human settlement.
While this information will not benefit our species in this day and age (or even our grandkids for that matter), it may help us map out safe locations of travel within the Jupiteran system, helping humanity survive within the system without being radiated like popcorn in a microwave.
(Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LMSS)
Read MoreCarnival Of The Space Geeks (Planetary Society)
Last weeks Carnival of Space was hosted by Emily Lakdawalla upon The Planetary Society, which featured articles ranging from deadly space weather to the first solar flight (from Japan at least) to questions on when humanity will revisit the Moon.
Articles of interest from within our star system included:
- Paul Sutherland of SkyMania reports that Titan’s methane lakes are depleting due to the mid summer season.
- Aron Sora from Habitation Intention highlights silly arguments against colonizing our star system (and how to overcome them).
- Our host Emily Lakdawalla blogs about a close encounter of the rocky kind, displaying images of enormous space boulders in mid-celestial dance.
Be sure to read the rest of the articles, and for those of you desiring to join our rowdy space ranks, be sure to contact Universe Today for more info on how to join our growing numbers.
(Image Credit: JAXA)
Read MoreUnder Construction (Revamping Site)
After taking a weird blog sabbatical (or rather I was busy posting upon other numerous blogs to post anything here) I’ll be returning starting Monday as I’ve been itching to write upon Colony Worlds for quite some time!
Although I love this theme dearly, the time has come to embrace change and adopt a common (or at least similar) theme throughout all the sites that I own, with the exception of one (which will simply act as a static website).
Once the theme is done, I should return to my regular space geek schedule (as lurking around other space blogs via iPhone is getting old). I’ll finish the theme by today, and begin posting on Monday.
Until then, Live long and prosper. 
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Read MoreIndia Delays Human Space Launch
After promising the world that India would become a space power by 2015, it looks as if the world’s largest democracy is now scheduling its first human encounter with the stars by 2017.
India has aspirations to establish a lunar colony in the future as well, and has even proposed teaming up with Japan as well as Russia to help achieve their space goals.
Hopefully the land of a billion people will be able to to meet its timeline within seven years, as any further delay could result in India ceding dominance to China (who currently reigns as the space king in the east).
(via Spaceports)
Read MoreNASA: Omega-3 Everyday Can Keep The Bone Loss Away (Micro Gravity)
One of the biggest hurdles preventing humanity from settling the final frontier is micro gravity.
While it may be fun to float in the air like jelly fish floats in water, micro gravity can wreck serious damage upon our bodies, turning strong bones into brittle skeletons.
Fortunately it looks as if the boys and girls at NASA may have found a solution to our woes via a fatty acid by the name of Omega-3.
(NASA) NASA-sponsored studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may play a role in mitigating bone breakdown that occurs during spaceflight and in osteoporosis. Ongoing research for decades has looked for ways to stop bone density loss in astronauts. [...]
In a series of cell-based studies, scientists documented that adding a specific omega-3 fatty acid to cells would inhibit the activation of factors that lead to bone breakdown. This was true in both typical cell cultures and those designed to mimic weightlessness. The inhibited factor is known as “nuclear factor kappa B” or NFκB. NFκB is involved in immune system behavior and the inflammation process. The activation of NFκB in different tissues can lead to bone and muscle loss.
Combined with medical drugs (which will help keep our muscles strong), humanity may finally be able to dwell among the heavens above without fear of their bodies deteriorating in deep space.
While this probably means that sea food, will become apart of the future diet (especially for water rich worlds like the Moon, Mars and Callisto), this revelation may also help make living off world a little bit easier (if not tastier as well).
(via SpaceRef, Image Credit: Medline Plus)
Read MoreKeeping Recycled Space Water Clean (Via Ultraviolet Light)
Unless you are fortunate enough to live on a water abundant world (like Earth, the red planet, and yes, even the Moon), future space travelers are going to have to recycle every drop of water that exits their body (regardless of origin).
Since bacteria have a tendency to thrive in micro gravity, astronauts will need to find a way to kill off these microscopic creatures before they kill us off via recycled sweat and other bodily fluids (especially since our immune system becomes weaker in zero-G).
Fortunately for us a company may have a quick solution that is not only effective but inexpensive as well.
(Homedics, note: PDF file) UVC [ultraviolet C] light, with wavelengths between 100 and 280 nm, is commonly referred to as “germicidal light” due to its effectiveness in destroying microorganisms. UVC light acts as a natural outdoor air purification system by deactivating the DNA of microorganisms and destroying their ability to multiply. [...]
Utilizing the germ-killing benefits of UVC light, HoMedics, the leader in health and wellness products, developed Restore®, a complete water purification system in an easy to use pitcher. Restore combines UV Clean technology to remove bacteria, viruses and microbial cysts with a filtration system to reduce heavy metals, chlorine (taste and odor), and some industrial and agricultural pollutants.
Although this technology could also be used for off world settlers (who may have to drink recycled water until they can melt enough space ice), this technology would also benefit residents of orbital space stations around Earth, Venus or even a gas giant.
It could also help reduce the overall cost of filtering space water, allowing corporations and governments alike to invest money into other area’s (like propulsion or food).
(via Gizmodo, Image Credit: HoMedics.com)
Read MoreNo Bachelor's Allowed: Chinese Astronauts Must Be Married?
(Image: Zhai Zhigang waving from outside the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft, Credit: CCTV / Xinhua)
Probably seen as America’s biggest space rival, China has recently emerged as a major space power after conducting their first space walk in 2008 (not to mention launching a lunar satellite around the Moon).
With future plans of launching a space station and sending Taikonauts (aka Chinese astronauts) to the Moon, China is going to need a lot of space pioneers–provided they are hitched to a spouse.
(Space.com) Earlier this year, Chinese space officials said that one requirement for China’s first female astronauts was that they were married, a requirement that is also upheld for China’s male astronaut candidates.
Excluding the single masses from participating in the final frontier may sound like an odd rule, especially when you consider the fact that there are numerous single males in China on the prowl (which is of itself a major issue).
However by requiring Taikonauts to be married, China could be planning on moving families off world in the not so distant future (a strategy that may help them establish a permanent presence on both the Moon and Mars).
Note: To my knowledge neither NASA or Russia require their astronauts and cosmonauts to marry, respectively, although the Chinese are insisting that married astronauts are better than bachelors (at least psychologically).
Read MoreAnd We're Back!
Sorry about the lack of posts over the last few weeks. Apparently this site has become a favorite target of human spammers (I guess they were upset after I found a way to block their bots), plus I was busy posting upon other blogs I write for.
I have been staying updated on the space front, and while I am not too pleased with America’s new direction, I am still hopeful thanks in part to the private sector (mainly SpaceX and Bigelow).
Stay tuned! More posts should be coming later on! 