Dr. Giffin at my School

On April 14, 2009, Dr. Michael Griffin, former head of NASA was named eminent scholar and a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, where I am currently ABD on my PhD.

Just saying...

I'm Back after a Sabbatical

After a not so brief sabbatical to finish all my classwork and get ready for the qualifying exam, space pragmatism is back to provide you with up to date news on government and private space programs.

National Geographic Space Photos

From National Geographic:

On Wednesday NationalGeographic.com launched a new Photo of the Week Gallery dedicated to the vast universe that is Space. This is for people who just can’t get enough space news, events and imagery. This week’s gallery features a photo taken from 500 miles above California’s wildfire-ridden terrain, a gumball-looking supernova and more! Every Wednesday, Nationalgeographic.com will unveil a new set of photos and stories.

Check out this week’s gallery at:
National Geographic Space Photos

Take a look around and make sure to check out the awesome updated content every week.

Former NFL Player Ken Harvey Teams Up With Challenger Center and Richard Garriott

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Can you play sports in space? Challenger Center and Richard Garriott, the next civilian to fly into space, teams up with former NFL player and four time pro bowler, Ken Harvey and his company JAKA Consulting group to promote a series of fitness activities that students can do here on earth. Students can then send in a YouTube video with a prediction about what will happen when Richard Garriott performs them in space. Richard, son of Dr. Owen Garriott, a NASA <http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25657#> astronaut who flew on the Skylab in the 1970's, plans to record a series of educational videos for students while on orbit to help demonstrate some of the basic physics that help astronauts live and work in the weightlessness of space. Ken Harvey has recorded a series of video clips for the Challenger Center's national website <http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25657#> to show kids some basic moves like throwing, catching, blocking, jumping and kicking that Richard will replicate on orbit this October aboard the International Space Station.

Harvey stated, "With this activity, that we call, Space Sportilization, we hope to combine sports and space together to help students learn what science principles are at work when we play sports. Kids will help me work on a set of football drills that we will give to Richard Garriott to practice as he travels among the stars." Challenger Center for Space Science Education has developed a series of science <http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25657#> challenges that serve as a launch pad to learning around the upcoming Garriott mission to the International Space station. Before, during and after Richard's flight, students can learn the science behind common sports activities as they are played on Earth and then predict what will happen when Richard plays sports in space! Punt, pass and click your way to the Garriott Science Challenge at www.challenger.org.

The Challenger Center for Space Science Education was founded in 1986 by the families of the astronauts of the space shuttle Challenger 51-L mission. Challenger Center programs raise student's expectations of success by fostering a long-term interest in science, mathematics, technology <http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25657#> and engineering, motivating them to pursue a career in these fields. The network of 50 Challenger Learning Centers across the U.S. train more than 25,000 teachers annually to incorporate project-based learning and use the theme of space exploration to engage students in critical thinking, decision-making, communication and teamwork. To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, visit: www.challenger.org <http://www.challenger.org>.

JAKA Consulting Group is minority-owned company offering a strategic process that incorporates sports to accomplish business goals for its partners. JAKA engages the client and their constituencies through integrating athletes, events and other sports platforms into the company's strategic plans and business goals. This process is called Sportilization. For more information about JAKA Consulting group please visit: http://www.jakaconsulting.com .

Sorry for the Vacation From Posting

Sorry to all my faithful readers. I changed jobs to a research company this month and I have been out of pocket getting up to speed and traveling. Normal news should be up from now on, though.

Rocket Racing League to Announce Date of First Exhibition Race, 2008 Exhibition Race Schedule, and Key Acquisition & Partnership

WHAT:
The Rocket Racing League, the new entertainment sports league that combines the exhilaration of racing with the power of rocket engines, will announce the date of the first Exhibition Race of the Rocket Racing League and the 2008 schedule of exhibition races across the country. In addition, Rocket Racing League Composites Corp. will announce the acquisition of a leading aircraft manufacturer and a partnership with a leading engine manufacturer.

WHEN:
Monday, April 14, 2008, 9:15 am EDT

WHERE:
Yale Club of New York City

WHO:
Granger Whitelaw, CEO, Rocket Racing League
Peter Diamandis, Co-Founder, Rocket Racing League
Adam Smith, Vice President, EAA
Len Fox, Test Pilot, Rocket Racing Composites Corp.
Scott Baker, President, Velocity Aircraft
Neil Milburn, Armadillo Aerospace
John Carmack, Armadillo Aerospace
Mike Houghton, CEO, Reno Air Racing Association
Timothy Hutton, Oscar Winner & Advisory Board Member, Rocket Racing League

About The Rocket Racing League
Founded in 2005 by two-time Indianapolis 500 winning team partner Granger Whitelaw and X-Prize Chairman and CEO Peter Diamandis, the Rocket Racing League (RRL) is a new entertainment sports league that combines the exhilaration of racing with the power of rocket engines. To be held at venues across the country, the Rocket Racing League will feature multiple races pitting up to 12 Rocket Racers going head to head in a 4-lap, multiple elimination heat format on a 5-mile “Formula One”-like closed circuit raceway in the sky. For more information on The Rocket Racing League, please visit www.rocketracingleague.com.

New Domain and New Email

If you haven't noticed, due to my own laziness in renewing my domain name, our web address has changed to www.spacepragmatism.com. Our email address has also changed to dan.schrimpsher@spacepragmatism.net.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

T-Minus 4 Years and Counting ... Until - America's Launch Americans in Orbit-50 Years Inc., Announces Astronaut Selection!

MADISON, Ala., March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans in Orbit-50 Years was founded to commemorate the first U.S. manned orbital space flight and to establish a national education outreach program. For decades, American universities had access to space in order to conduct space science experiments and allow future engineers valuable hands-on experience. This access to space has dwindled over the last few years to virtually zero.

Americans in Orbit-50 Years, is proceeding with plans to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Friendship 7 mission with "America's Launch". We plan to launch two astronauts, and up to 10,000 lbs. of space science experiments in Feb. 2012. After the initial launch, we plan to launch on a regular basis so engineering students will continue to have the opportunity to work on space science experiments and small satellites.


In partnership with the National Space Science Education Program, the project will not be limited to universities. There will also be programs for high school and elementary students. Craig Russell, President of Americans in Orbit-50 Years, stated, "The importance of maintaining our leadership in space exploration is directly related to our leadership in the world, and the surest way to accomplish this is to inspire and engage the youth of America to become a part of mankind's greatest challenge, the exploration of the universe."


Two (2) astronauts have now been selected as the primary crew for the mission: Dr. Howard Chipman (Commander) and Veronique Koken (Second-in-Command). Dr. Chipman, an experienced pilot, has participated in cosmonaut training in Russia. Co-Pilot Koken's background includes aeronautics, physics, and education. She is currently flight training with Commander Chipman in the L-39 jet.


As an affiliate of the National Space Society (NSS), Mr. Russell and the crew of Americans in Orbit-50 Years, plan to present the project at the next NSS Conference in Washington D.C. on May 29-June 1. This will be a great opportunity for those wishing to meet the astronauts and Mr. Russell.


Final decisions have been made on the construction of the spacecraft. A U.S. aerospace company will be selected to build both the manned capsule and the Space Science Module (SSM). The latest proven technology will be incorporated into the design to enhance safety.


Americans in Orbit-50 Years, is now accepting donations to the organization in order to proceed with their plans. Individuals and groups who wish to help with the program are urged to come forward at this time. All donations are tax-deductible and, depending on the amount of the donation, some donors will receive commemorative items. We will invite some of the larger donors to participate directly in planned commemoration activities. All donation information is located on the organization's website at

http://www.aio50.org.


About Americans in Orbit-50 Years, Inc.


Americans in Orbit-50 Years is headquartered in Madison, Alabama, just outside Huntsville, Alabama. (home of Marshall Space Flight Center, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and Space Camp) The mission is to develop and manage a program to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of NASA's Friendship 7 mission, create excitement, public awareness of space exploration, and promote the National Space Science Education Program (NSSEP). For more information, visit their website at http://www.aio50.org.

Website: http://www.aio50.org/

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas and a happy new year, from Space Pragmatism.

Space Solar Power Study

Here is the formal press release:


New Space Solar Power Organization Announced

The Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy
Will Pursue Recommendations of New NSSO-Led Study


Study Concludes Space Solar Power Could Deliver Clean, Renewable Energy for Planet,
But Requires a Coordinated National Program of Investment


Wednesday, October 10, 2007: The Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy (SSAFE), a new organization advocating investment in space-based solar power technologies to address the planet's future energy needs, was announced today at the National Press Club.

The coalition of thirteen leading research organizations and space advocacy groups focused their inaugural event on the announcement of a new study of space-based solar power led by the National Security Space Office (NSSO).

The study concludes that space-based solar power deserves substantial national investment as a path towards addressing America's future energy needs via a renewable energy source with no carbon emissions or hazardous waste. In the Space Solar Power concept, developed in the late nineteen-sixties by Dr. Peter Glaser, energy from sunlight is collected in space and transmitted wirelessly for use on Earth.

Mark Hopkins, Senior Vice President of the National Space Society, stated, "As the United States makes decisions now to answer the energy challenges of the next 50 years, space-based solar power must be a part of the answer. While the technical challenges are real, significant investment now can build Space Solar Power into the ultimate energy source: clean, green, renewable, and capable of providing the vast amounts of power that the world will need. Congress, federal agencies and the business community should begin that investment immediately."

The new Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy (SSAFE) will promote the findings of the NSSO-led study, and seek to communicate the benefits of the technology to business, government and the general public.

According to Air Force Colonel-Select M.V. 'Coyote' Smith, the leader of the study, "When we started this work I had my doubts about the technology. But as the facts poured in, it became obvious that my initial assessment was wrong. Not only is this possible, but space-based solar power is probably the greatest opportunity to develop a safe, clean source of energy that can readily be shared with all of humanity."


The founding members of SSAFE are the National Space Society, Space Frontier Foundation, Space Power Association, Aerospace Technology Working Group, Marshall Institute, Moon Society, ShareSpace Foundation, Space Studies Institute, Spaceward Foundation, AIAA Space Colonization Technical Committee, ProSpace, Space Enterprise Council, and Space Generation Foundation.


###

Editors:

Still images of a space solar power system created for today's announcement are available at:

http://www.nss.org/settlement/ssp/mafic.htm


Video animations in NTSC and HD are available upon request. Email: katherine.brick@nss.org


The NSSO-led study will be made available at:


http://ssp.space-frontier.org


New National Space Society white paper on Space Solar Power:

http://www.nss.org/legislative/positions/NSS-SSP-PositionPaper.pdf


The website of the new Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy is:

http://ssafe.org/



SSAFE Founding Organizations and Contacts:



National Space Society
http://nss.org
Mark Hopkins, Senior Vice President
loby4space@aol.com
310-775-3546

Space Studies Institute
http://ssi.org
Lee Valentine, Executive Vice President
lee@ssi.org
412-418-0177

Space Enterprise Council
http://www.uschamber.com/space
David Logsdon, Executive Director
dlogsdon@uschamber.com
202-463-5332

Aerospace Technology Working Group
http://www.atwg.org/
Ken Cox
kcox12@houston.rr.com
281-728-3072


Space Frontier Foundation
http://space-frontier.org
Margo Deckard, Space Solar Power Project Manager
mardeckard@aol.com
937-367-8737

Marshall Institute
http://marshall.org/
Jeff Kueter, President
kueter@marshall.org
202.296.9655

Moon Society
http://www.moonsociety.org/
Peter Kokh, President
KokhMMM@aol.com
414-342-0705

ProSpace
http://prospace.org
Frank Johnson, President
fjohnson3@gmail.com
240-460-8578


Space Generation Foundation
http://www.spacegeneration.org/
Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides, President
loretta@spacegen.org
626-429-6603

Space Power Association
http://www.spacepowerassociation.org
John Mankins, President
sunsat@spacepowerassociation.org
703-858-1574

Spaceward Foundation
http://spaceward.org
Ben Shelef, Co-founder ben@spaceward.org
650-969-2010

ShareSpace Foundation
http://sharespace.org
Lisa Cannon
lcannon@buzzaldrin.com
310-458-4717

AIAA Space Colonization Technical Committee
http://www.aiaa.org/portal/index.cfm?GetComm=195&tc=tc
Klaus Heiss, Chairman
klaus.Heiss@verizon.net
703-535-8774

The Sea is Burning

A "Garage" Scientist, John Kanzius , has found a way to burn sea water (yes sea water) by shooting radio waves at it. A Penn State researcher, Dr. Rustum Roy, has recreated the experiment.

Scaled Family Support Fund

From the National Space Society:
-----------------------
To All NSS Members and Friends:

As many of you have heard, there was a serious accident last week at Scaled Composites, Burt Rutan's pioneering company. Three lives were lost, including Charles 'Glen' May, an NSS member who was a leader within NSS's Huntsville HAL5 Chapter. In addition, three employees suffered serious injuries.

Scaled has announced information on a fund for those wishing to support the families of the deceased as well as the injured and their families. The National Space Society urges all of its members to give generously to support these heroes.

Please send contributions to Scaled Family Support Fund, c/o Scaled Composites, 1624 Flight Line, Mojave, CA. 93501.
Acct # 04157-66832
Wire transfer ABA Routing #1220-0066-1

Please make checks payable to the account number or to the name of the fund.

NSS Statement on Accident at Scaled Composites: America was built on the courage of those who dared to explore new frontiers. From Lewis and Clark to the Apollo astronauts, great men and women have tested themselves against the frontiers of their age.

In the course of their efforts, these heroes may pay the ultimate cost, as they did yesterday in Mojave. When that happens, it is the highest duty of all of us to care for the injured, to mourn the departed, and to care for the families. An honest investigation must be conducted to learn what went wrong, and to fix the cause so that it does not happen again.

But when the investigation finished, our duty is to carry on the work of those heroes, to redouble our efforts to scale the peaks that they were climbing. That is what we learned from Apollo 1. That is what they would want.

The frontier of space is far from tamed. The men and women of Scaled Composites are engaged in one of the great efforts of our time: opening space for all humanity. That is a noble pursuit, perhaps the most noble of all, and we must all be thankful for their work, and for their sacrifice.

Let us not shirk from what happened yesterday. Professionals will find the cause. The program will continue. The effort to open space cannot be stopped. Now is the time to honor those men by honoring the cause that they were engaged in. Those of us who are part of this great endeavor, whether as participants or as supporters, let us carry forward this message of perseverance to our own communities, to our elected leaders and to the media. Now more than ever, the nation needs to hear your voices.



National Space Society
Katherine Brick
Email: members@nss.org
Phone: (202) 429-1600

A Tribute to Glenn May

I received permission to post this from Greg Allison of our local NSS chapter about Glenn May. Glenn died in the explosion at Mojave yesterday.

-----------------------------------------------------------

We lost one of our own yesterday. Glenn May was a member of HAL5, was a key player in our HALO program, and he worked for me at HARC on our BLRV and CATS Prize rockets. Though he lived in Memphis back then, he came to Huntsville frequently to help us work on our rockets. Glenn worked really hard at all of our test firings and launches too. Glenn built the first rocket bike. We all cheered as he blasted past us at our old test site on it.

I am devastated... Glenn May was a good guy and a good friend. He was the best hand on the launch boats when we went out to sea to launch our rockoons. When every one else was grumbling Glenn was all smiles and eager to work. His broad smile and easy manner are the things I will remember the most. He used to call me from time to time and talk about how he missed the trees out this way after he moved to the Mojave to work for Scaled Composites. He pondered moving to Huntsville. At one time he even thought about renting a room in my home.

The business is very risky, but also very worthy. I knew space tourism would take lives, but I had hoped it would not happen this soon. It is especially very hard when it happens to a friend. Glenn was a pioneer. Those of us that knew him will miss him dearly. This is very hard for all of us. I know Glenn would want us to press on. He died doing what he loved the most.

Glenn always wanted to go to space. Now he is up there with our creator.

God bless the families of those brave pioneers we lost yesterday.

Respectfully,
Greg Allison

Tour News: Rasmussen Is Fired!

Michael Rasmussen, the leader of the Tour de France and the winner of Stage 16, is out. He was fired by his team Rabobank for lying about his location during a pre-tour drug test. According to cycling ethics agreements, Rabobank has pulled out.

The good news is Alberto Contrador is the new leader. Go Team Discovery.

This is one crazy tour.

Tour News: Rasmussen Proves Himself

After being the best climber in the tour for what seems like forever, Michael Rasmussen of team Rabobank pulled away from both Discovery hopefuls, and extended his lead by winning Stage 16.

Standings:

1 058 RASMUSSEN, Michael DEN RAB 76:15:15.000 00:00:00.000
2 112 CONTADOR, Alberto ESP DSC 76:18:25.000 00:03:10.000
3 041 EVANS, Cadel AUS PRL 76:20:18.000 00:05:03.000
4 111 LEIPHEIMER,Levi USA DSC 76:21:14.000 00:05:59.000
5 031 SASTRE, Carlos ESP CSC 76:24:27.000 00:09:12.000
6 071 ZUBELDIA, Haimar ESP EUS 76:24:54.000 00:09:39.000
7 018 VALVERDE, Alejandro ESP GCE 76:28:43.000 00:13:28.000
8 027 KIRCHEN, Kim LUX TMO 76:30:01.000 00:14:46.000
9 118 POPOVYCH, Yaroslav UKR DSC 76:31:15.000 00:16:00.000
10 219 SOLER HERNANDEZ, J COL BAR 76:31:56.000 00:16:41.000

I haven't given up on Discovery yet, though.

Back to space.

Alexhandre Vinokourov Is Out

I know this has nothing to do with space, but Cycling is the greatest sport outside of Auburn football. If you don't care, please feel free to ignore -djs.

For all you Tour de France fans, Alexhandre Vinokourov has tested positive positive for doping. It is a sad day for cycling. Astana, the Swiss team, has pulled out. On the plus side, Alberto Contrador of Discovery is in 2nd overall.

Overall:
1. Michael Rasmussen (DEN) RAB - 2,750.4km in 69h52'14" (39.359km/h)
2. Alberto Contador (ESP) DSC at 2'23"
3. Cadel Evans (AUS) PRL at 4'00"
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA) DSC at 5'25"
5. Andreas Kloden (GER) AST at 5'34"
6. Carlos Sastre (ESP) CSC at 6'46"
7. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) EUS at 7'27"
8. Andrey Kashechkin (KAZ) AST at 7'54"
9. Kim Kirchen (LUX) TMO at 8'24"
10. Mikel Astarloza (EUS) at 9'21"

I won't be terribly unhappy if Rasmussen pulls it off. He is a great mountain rider. I have watched him win the King of the Mountain a couple of times. Levi Leipheimer would be cool, since he is Discovery's leader, but I think Contador is the better rider this year.

TDF coverage

Okay back to space...

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies

Robot Guy has his list of to 25 Movies so I am jumping on the bandwagon with both feet.
BTW: I am using my own definition of what makes Sci-Fi and what makes a movie, if you don't agree with it, it's my show, my rules.

1. Serenity (was there any doubt)
2. The Fifth Element
3. Matrix (on the 1st one)
4. I-Robot
5. Treasure Planet
6. Star Trek First Contact
7. Battlestar Galactica the Mini Series (I count it as a movie)
8. Return of the Jedi
9. Back to the Future
10. Star Wars
11. Back to the Future III
12. Empire Strikes Back
13. Back to the Future II
14. Star Trek Insurrection
15. Star Trek Generations
16. Star Trek Nemesis
17. X-Men
18. Star Trek IV
19. X-Men II
20. Men in Black
21. Star Trek VI (Shields, I said Shields!)
22. The Last Star Fighter
23. Star Trek III
24. Star Trek II
25. Star Trek V

Fly With Stephen Hawkings on Zero-G

The Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation is auctuioning tickets to be on the same Zero-G flight as Professor Stephen Hawkings. The auction is taking place on E-Bay. Here is the release:

Experience history in the making with an amazing opportunity to join Professor Stephen Hawking, the world-renowned physicist and expert on gravity, as he realizes his life-long dream of floating weightless aboard a specially modified plane known as The ZERO-G Experience™ on April 26, 2007 launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Central Florida.

The experience will be auctioned on eBay from March 16th through March 26th. All proceeds raised through this auction will benefit Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation.

The once-in-a-lifetime auction package includes two tickets aboard the Zero-G, zero-gravity flight with Hawking as well as a dinner and lecture with Hawking. Hotel accommodations for three nights are provided through JW Marriott Hotel Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida.

Visit www.ebay.com/flywithhawking and get bidding!

For more information on the Zero Gravity Corporation visit www.GoZeroG.com. For more information on Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation visit Starlight Starbright.

300

If you haven't heard, 300 is the best movie I have seen since Serenity. Critics don't seem to like it, which is another good reason to go see it.