The U.S. Defense Department “strongly disagrees” with congressional proposals to initiate a large, government-run program to replace a controversial Russian-made rocket engine that currently is used to launch national security missions, according to Pentagon correspondence.
While Defense Department leaders have stressed the need to wean the agency from dependence on the Russian-made RD-180 engine used on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas 5 rocket, the new correspondence, which appeals provisions in pending defense legislation, clearly favors alternatives to a major government-funded development effort.
“The Department firmly believes that it should not allocate resources to develop yet another engine that would fail to be integrated into a viable launcher, especially when it can meet the assured access to space requirement with existing privately funded vehicle families,” the Pentagon’s legislative affairs office said in a 30-page packet of conference appeals. “It is nearly impossible to develop a stand-alone rocket engine that can meet the needs of more than a single launch vehicle, or without extensive changes to even that single vehicle.” (11/12)
Chinese Hack U.S. Weather Systems, Satellite Network (Source: Washington Post)
Hackers from China breached the federal weather network recently, forcing cybersecurity teams to seal off data vital to disaster planning, aviation, shipping and scores of other crucial uses, officials said. The intrusion occurred in late September but officials gave no indication that they had a problem until Oct. 20, according to three people familiar with the hack and the subsequent reaction by NOAA, which includes the National Weather Service. Even then, NOAA did not say its systems were compromised.
Officials also said that the agency did not notify the proper authorities when it learned of the attack. NOAA officials declined to discuss the suspected source of the attack, whether it affected classified data and the delay in notification. NOAA said publicly in October that it was doing “unscheduled maintenance” on its network, without saying a computer hack made that necessary. (11/12)
Everything You Need to Know About Cometary Exploration (Source: The Conversation)
Exciting as it is (and it is incredibly exciting), the Rosetta mission is the latest in a history of comet exploration that has added to our knowledge of these icy dirtballs. Comets are usually just a few kilometers across and consist of a mixture of ice, carbon-based material and rock dust. A comet can develop a spectacular million kilometer-long tail of gas and dust when its elongated orbit brings it close to the sun.
It is hoped that access to a comet will provide a pristine, deep-frozen sample of the material from which the planets were built. Comets have been hitting the Earth since the Earth was formed. We currently do not know what fraction of Earth’s ocean water was delivered to the surface by comets after the Earth was formed, as opposed to water which escaped from inside and condensed on the early Earth.
Comets also carry organic molecules – and one theory has it that these building blocks for life on Earth were delivered by comets rather than forming here. Recent observations by the ALMA telescope in Chile revealed very simple organic molecules – two sorts of hydrogen cyanide and also formaldehyde – being made in comets today. Click here. (11/12)
Astronomers Watching Extreme Storms on Uranus (Source: Space Daily)
The normally bland face of Uranus has become increasingly stormy, with enormous cloud systems so bright that for the first time ever, amateur astronomers are able to see details in the planet's hazy blue-green atmosphere. "The weather on Uranus is incredibly active," said Imke de Pater of UC Berkeley. (11/13)
Prestwick Airport in 'Very Good Position' to Become UK Spaceport (Source: STV)
Prestwick Airport is in a "very good position" to become the UK's first spaceport, the deputy first minister has said. Nicola Sturgeon, however, said ministers could not make the Ayrshire site their preferred bidder at this early stage in the process. Airport bosses have already said winning spaceport status "would be the catalyst for transformational change" at Prestwick, which is currently running at a loss.
While Ms Sturgeon said the government must remain "neutral" at this stage of the contest, with six sites in Scotland in the running to be the UK's first-ever spaceport, she hinted that position could change. The deputy first minister said: "I think we've got every reason to feel very positive about going forward on this one. "We want to make sure that we're doing everything to secure Scotland as the winner of this bid, wherever in Scotland that may end up being. (11/12)
Cecil Spaceport Seeks to Renew Operating License, Improve Infrastructure (Source: Jacksonville Business Journal)
Cecil Spaceport is looking to renew its license, which is due to expire in January, for another five years, said Rusty Chandler, chief of Cecil Airport. One change the airport will seek in the renewal: the ability to keep the airport side of things operating while activity is happening at the spaceport. Now, the airport runway has to shut down if a rocket is going to be launched during the period between the oxidation of the rocket fuel and actual lift off. The renewed lease will limit any impacts on regular aviation.
Meanwhile, state grants are enabling the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to improve the infrastructure at the site. Two grants were received, the first being $2 million from the state budget for spaceport infrastructure. The second will be received soon, a $1 million grant from Space Florida. The money will be used to open up the east side of the runway with a taxiway connector and ramp area, with construction beginning next year. The east side site will be tucked away and used predominantly for spacecraft, to eliminate any negative impacts on the regular airport. The connector and ramp will allow easier access to the area. (11/13)
Dark Matter's New Wrinkle: It May Behave Like Wavy Fluid (Source: Space.com)
The mysterious dark matter that makes up most of the matter in the universe may behave more like wavy fluids than solid particles, helping to explain the shapes of galaxies, a new study suggests. Dark matter is one of the greatest mysteries in the cosmos. It is thought to be an invisible and mostly intangible substance that makes up five-sixths of all matter in the universe. Click here. (11/12)
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