Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 16-19 Nov 2012

International Lunar Observatory Association & Galaxy Forum Advancing

Annual ILOA Board Meeting 17-19 Nov; Leaders From Astronautics / Astronomy, Government / Commercial Space Meeting On Hawai`i Island To Review Progress, Chart Next Steps Of 4 Active ILO Moon Missions: ILO-1 South Pole Observatory, Chang’e-3 Galaxy Imaging Collaboration, ILO-X Precursor, Human Service Mission; Program Includes Galaxy Forum Hawaii 2012 On Sunday To Support 21st Century Galaxy Education In Hawaii Classrooms

Image Credit: ILOA, CNSA, Moon Express, Galaxyforum.org

Thursday / 15 November 2012

Lunar Space Elevator Aiming For 2020, Significant Steps Achieved

LiftPort Group With Kickstarter US$110K Relaunching “Tethered Towers”; Robot Reached 1.6-km Altitude In 2006 Demonstration; 2013 Study To Refine Technical Details; Aiming For Lunar Space Elevator By 2020, Reducing Lunar Missions To 1/10th Of Current Cost; Charles Radley Formerly Of Moon Society Says Elevator Can Be Built Today For US$800M And Capable Of “Infinite” 100-kg Payloads To / From Moon

Image Credit: LiftPort Group

Tuesday / 13 November 2012

From Hawai`i To The Moon: Pacific Space Access

Initiatives Ahead To Enable Hawaii Aloha Central Pacific Offshore Location To Rise As Portal To Space, Moon, Solar System, Galaxy, Stars, Beyond; Hawaii Enterprise And State Catalyzing New Pacific Space Access Constellation Of Independent Private Commercial Ventures Such As InterOrbital Systems, SpaceX, XCOR, Virgin Galactic, Space Age Publishing Co. And National Space Programs From Japan, Korea, Russia, Australia, Canada, USA, Mexico, Chile, Others; Honolulu, Oahu or Hilo, Hawaii May Emerge As Inviting Home Port For New Pacific Space Access Sea Launching Constellation

Image Credit: NASA, SpaceX

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 14-17 Sep 2012

Lunar COTS Program Proposed

Lunar COTS Petition Founded By Doug Plata Gaining Momentum As NASA Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Manager Alan Lindenmoyer (L) Suggests Using Successful COTS Model Elsewhere In NASA; Lunar COTS Would Establish Programs To Support Commercial Cis-lunar Transportation Service, Lunar Surface Operations, Harvesting Lunar Polar Ice, Orbital Propellant & Servicing Depots, Initial Crewed Lunar Base 

Image Credit: NASA

Weekend Edition / Sat-Mon 23-25 June 2012

Excalibur Almaz Advancing Plans For Circumlunar Tours

Art Dula, Founder / CEO Of Isle Of Man-Based Excalibur Almaz Says Company Is Ready To Sell Tickets For 805,000-Km Round Trip Missions To Orbit Moon; Will Use Soviet Re-Usable Return Vehicles Launched By Soyuz FG Rockets, Almaz Space Stations Converted To Long-Distance Spaceships; Tickets Cost US$125M / Person; Almaz Signs MoU With Xcor To Train Prospective Astronauts Using Lynx Vehicle

Image Credit: Excalibur Almaz

Wednesday / 23 May 2012

SpaceX: Moon Next?

Falcon 9 Advancing Towards ISS Cargo / Crew Transportation Capacity; Next Step For SpaceX Is Lunar Transportation: Many GLXP Teams Looking At Falcon As Likely Launch Vehicle, Astrobotic Technology Has Launch Contract With SpaceX, GLXP Teams Receive US$2M If Launch From FL, SpaceX Offering 10% Discount To GLXP Teams; Falcon 9 Does Not Require Modifications To Reach Lunar Orbit

Image Credit: GLXP, Astrobotic Technology

Friday / 11 May 2012

Lunar Lander Options For Human Mission

3 Affordable US Lunar Lander Options Advancing Through Commercial & Government Efforts; Armadillo Aerospace Morpheus Lander Passed Several Tethered Tests At NASA JSC, Designed For 1-Way, Uncrewed Missions Up To 500kg; SpaceX Red Dragon Lander Concept Also 1-Way Option, Capsule Useful Component Of Potential Base; Masten Xeus Concept Could Carry 4.5 Tonnes To Lunar Surface & Back

Image Credit: NASA, SpaceX, Masten

Weekend Edition / 14-16 April 2012

Humans On The Moon

Image Credit: Masten Space Systems, Phil Smith

Space Agencies & Commercial Enterprises Refining Plans For Human Lunar Development; ULA Forms Organization For Human Launches Beyond LEO; Masten Reveals Human Lunar Lander Design; Space Adventures Advancing Circumlunar Mission; China Lunar Exploration Program Progressing; Russia Reinvigorates Push For Moonbase; Human Lunar Presence Ensures Multi-World Species Future

Thursday / 5 April 2012

Bolden: Private Enterprise Will Develop Moon

Image Credit: scoopit.com, disinfo.com, nypost.com

“NASA Has No Vision Of Establishing Colony On Moon”, But Countless Commercial Enterprises Do, Says NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; Proposal Of Rand Simberg (BR) For US Courts & Agencies To Recognize Private Claims On Moon, Mars & Asteroids Could Be Effective Motivator For Private Investment In Space Development; Simberg Presenting His White Paper Today On Capitol Hill, Washington DC   

Thursday / 16 February 2012

Image Credit: jranger.com, astrobotich.com

Entrepreneur Julian Ranger Says Space Is Next Frontier For Investment In CNBC Interview; CEO Of iBundle & DADapp.com Has Invested In GLXP Favorite Astrobotic, Projects US$70M Profit From Company’s 1st Lunar Mission; Sees 2 Broad Markets On Moon: Resources / Science & Entertainment / Commercial Communications