Dateline April 27, 2006, Space News from the Internet

I took the day off yesterday, so sorry about the lack of news. --djs

• Sen Richard Shelby(R-Al) says that MSFC will continue to get "robust" funding. But he is worried about NASA's science budget.
• Meanwhile, Griffin says we can't delay the CEV to pay for science. It has to be the top priority.
• Sen Barbara Mikulski (D-Md) thinks NASA needs more money so it can do the CEV and science. I find it odd that she blames the President for it. It is really more Griffin's budget. And Congress sets the appropriations. Sounds like election year bs to me.
• China has a launched a remote sensing satellite.
• Speaking of China, yesterday, The Peoples Daily reported that after the launch of the Shenzhou VII, the Chinese Space Agency will begin work on a space station.
• Griffin is visiting China this year to discuss cooperation in space.
• Space Japan is trying to get approval to do space tourism, much like Space Adventures.
• The Russian freighter Progress docked with the ISS yesterday.
• NASA is beginning to intergrate the subsystems for the Phoenix Mars Lander, due to launch next year.
• Forbes has a good discussion about the exploration supply chain to the Moon and Mars.
• An history of the space tourism market.
• Lockheed may do SpaceX a favor and pull out of the United Space Alliance merger. Here is more: Rocket firm alliance in question: Lockheed board to talk about merger issues, Lockheed reviewing Boeing venture, Lockheed reviewing rocket venture with Boeing.
• The ESA is simulating a Mars mission in Antarctica.
• The University of Arkansas is creating a Space and Planetary Science research program for undergraduate honors students.
• Senator Roy Ashburn is in favor of the $11 million for the Mojave spaceport.
• Michael Belfiore has his impressions of Mojave.
• Okay, it seems like every country in the world is going to the Moon.
• The next Shuttle launch is in danger from road-kill.
• Griffin's statement to the Senate on budget issues.
• RSC Energia says they gave give Russia the ability to exploit the Moon before the Kliper comes on line. The Soyuz TMA could be used to extract Helium 3 either manned or unmanned.
• Scientists say deflecting an incoming asteroid with another asteroid could be similar than other plans.

Progress 21 docking with the ISS