en-us http://planetary.org/blog/ A guide to interesting stuff going on in space science, space exploration, and space advocacy. 15 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:45:27 GMT Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:45:27 GMT http://www.planetary.org/_img/rss/logo.jpg 127 111 http://planetary.org/blog/ blog@planetary.org (Emily Ladakawalla) Copyright © 2009 by The Planetary Society. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002004/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002004/ Ken Kremer continues his reporting on the LRO and LCROSS missions. Check out his interview with LCROSS scientist Kimberly Ennico, and his detailed report on the orbit insertion maneuvers of the two spacecraft. .... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:42:27 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002003/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002003/ by 5thstar The first astronaut selection in Japan took place in 1984. The group of semi-final applicants of this selection is called "PS TOMO NO KAI" (friends of payload specialists). The second was in 1991, and the group is called "MS TOMO NO KAI" (friends of a mission specialist). Then 5thstar in 1995, Issac98 in 1998. This year, two new Japanese astronauts were born, and their friends called themselves "49ers", representing the number of .... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:39:07 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002002/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002002/ by 5thstar Today, JAXA released the High Definition TV videos of the final phases of lunar orbiter Kaguya. Tycho Crater Kaguya captured this image of the Moon's Tycho crater seen from 30 km above the surface. Credit: JAXA / NHK Named after the Lunar princes of Japanese favorite folklore, Kaguya had circled the Moon since October 2007. Her operation ended on June 10, 2009 with a controlled crash to the designated area. The flash of .... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:16:33 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002001/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002001/ by 5thstar Space is a harsh place to live. Every astronaut reports back to Earth that being in zero gravity and watching our home planet is a fun and extraordinary experience. I envy and agree with them. Until your body overly adjusts to the new environment. That is, your leg muscles weaken, and your bones start to suffer osteoporosis. Earthlings have evolved and adjusted under the 1G environment, after all. Just behind spacecraft walls .... Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:12:47 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002000/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002000/ by Susan Lendroth Buzz Aldrin: Apollo 11 astronaut, engineer, author, rap star! Our Planetary Society Advisor has turned a new page in his long and multi-faceted career with the release of the rap single and video, "Rocket Experience," which intercuts scenes of Buzz bouncing to the beat with images of the Apollo 11 launch. Snoop Dogg and Talib Kweli collaborated on the project. Buzz hopes his song will help introduce a new generation to .... Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:16:49 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001999/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001999/ by 5thstar One of the most enjoyable parts of the astronaut selection process is a group discussion. In 1995, 572 astronaut applicants were narrowed down to 125 based on their resumes and English scores, then down to 48 based on paper exams and brief medical checks. These 48 candidates went through a week of comprehensive medical checks and job interviews. At the end of this exhausting week, candidates were grouped into several teams. Each .... Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:48:29 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001998/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001998/ by Bruce Betts NASA's LRO and LCROSS spacecraft will be reaching the Moon tomorrow (Tuesday). Check out this picture of LCROSS taken as the rocket fairing surrounding it was splitting off and being jettisoned. Click to enlarge > LCROSS Viewed by Centaur Rocket LCROSS spacecraft as viewed by Centaur rocket upper stage's camera during fairing jettison. The fairing is at the top of the picture and LCROSS spacecraft at the bottom. From .... Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:15:37 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001997/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001997/ by 5thstar 5thstar is a webmaster of a group of people who were the semi-final applicants in NASDA's 1995 astronaut selection. (The National Space Development Agency of Japan or NASDA was merged with two other space agencies to become the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA in 2003.) Going through medical checks and interviews for an incredible week, those forty-some wannabes were tied with a unique bond of friendship. 5thstar reapplied .... Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:02:26 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001996/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001996/ by Timothy Reed June 19 marked the tenth anniversary of the launch of the QuikSCAT (Quick Scatterometer) satellite that provides NOAA with critical wind speed and direction information over the oceans. The design life of the satellite was two years, but a decade later it is still supplying researchers with data used to predict severe weather patterns and to observe global climate change. The Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, .... Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:51:51 GMT http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001995/ http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001995/ by Susan Lendroth Watch our Executive Director, Louis Friedman, tonight on CNN: The Lou Dobbs Show, 7:00 PM ET. Lou's interview about the nomination of Charles Bolden as the new NASA Administrator is part of a segment about the future of human space flight. The Planetary Society supports Bolden's nomination and recently sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation stating why we believe Bolden a good .... Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:11:14 GMT