Robert Hopkins Chief of Strategic Communications Leaving NASA

NASA Chief of Strategic Communications Robert Hopkins Joins Phillips & Company as Senior Vice President, Managing Director of D.C. Public Relations, Business Development Office

Strategic Communications Hopkins Leaving NASA, NASA

NASA Chief of Strategic Communications Robert Hopkins announced Monday that he will be leaving the agency for a position in the private sector. Hopkins served as a senior adviser to Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and as assistant administrator for the recently established Office of Communications Planning before assuming the strategic communications role.

KSC Jobs Loss Projections Revised Downward

KSC Job Loss Projections Drop, AviationWeek

"NASA Administrator Mike Griffin believes that contractor job cuts at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) following the planned end of the space shuttle program in 2010 will total 3,000-4,000, only about half of the worst-case scenario of cuts in the 6,000-7,000 range."

"The total Kennedy work force of both government and civil service personnel is currently about 14,000."

SpaceX Falcon 1 Launch Delayed by Small Defect

Minute Defect Delays SpaceX's Falcon 1 Launch Again, Space.com

"A tiny weld defect discovered in one of the Falcon 1's engine nozzles as the rocket was being readied for a late June launch contributed to Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) decision to postpone its third attempt to put the rocket into orbit by at least a month."

"Elon Musk, founder and chief executive officer of the Hawthorne, Calif.-based rocket-start up, said June 27 that the defect was so tiny - about a tenth of millimeter - that it passed inspection before shipment and was unlikely to cause a problem during launch."

NASA Administrator Statement on Death of Robert Seamans

NASA Administrator Statement on the Death of Robert Seamans, NASA

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Michael Griffin regarding the death Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., NASA deputy administrator from 1965 to 1968:

"Robert Seamans was one of the early leaders in launching NASA's efforts to explore the new frontier of space. As NASA's associate administrator and then deputy administrator, Bob, as a top manager and consummate engineer, was instrumental in the decision making, planning and program execution that enabled the United States to meet President Kennedy's goal of landing men on the moon. He will be remembered as one of the great pioneers and leaders of America's space program."

Veteran Astronaut James Reilly Leaves NASA

Astronaut James Reilly Leaves NASA, NASA

Veteran space shuttle astronaut James Reilly has left NASA to accept a position in the private sector. Reilly flew on three space shuttle missions to two space stations.

"Jim Reilly performed superbly as an astronaut over the course of his career at NASA," Astronaut Office chief Steve Lindsey said. "His technical, operational and people skills contributed directly to the success of the space shuttle and International Space Station programs. He was a key leader in the Astronaut Office and will be missed."

Throwing Away Pieces of History

If NASA Bricks Could Talk, They'd Say 'Save Me!', Discovery Channel

"The scoop: The scorched bricks beneath Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center have witnessed decades of spaceflight history. But after a recent space shuttle launch blew thousands of them from the pad, NASA intends to throw these pieces of history away."

A Brain Region for Adventure Seeking?

Neuroscientists Discover a Sense of Adventure, Wellcome Trust

"Wellcome Trust scientists have identified a key region of the brain which encourages us to be adventurous. The region, located in a primitive area of the brain, is activated when we choose unfamiliar options, suggesting an evolutionary advantage for sampling the unknown. It may also explain why re-branding of familiar products encourages to pick them off the supermarket shelves. ... "Seeking new and unfamiliar experiences is a fundamental behavioural tendency in humans and animals," says Dr Wittmann. "It makes sense to try new options as they may prove advantageous in the long run. For example, a monkey who chooses to deviate from its diet of bananas, even if this involves moving to an unfamiliar part of the forest and eating a new type of food, may find its diet enriched and more nutritious.""

Looking Over Saturn's Shoulder

NASA Cassini Saturn Image: Stellar Horizon

"The nearest star system, the trinary star Alpha Centauri, hangs above the horizon of Saturn. Both Alpha Centauri A and B -- stars very similar to our own -- are clearly distinguishable in this image. (The third star in the Alpha Centauri system, the red dwarf Proxima Centauri, is not visible here.) From the orbit of Saturn, light (as well as Cassini's radio signal) takes a little more than an hour travel to Earth. The distance to Alpha Centauri is so great that light from these stars takes more than four years to reach our Solar System. Thus, although Saturn seems a distant frontier, the nearest star is almost 30,000 times farther away."

IAU Snobbery

Dwarf Planets Are Planets Too: Get Involved!, Alan Stern, Sky and Telescope

"Classification is an important and productive scientific tool that is employed in many branches of science, from biology to geology to chemistry and astronomy."

No Peace Over Pluto, MSNBC

"The latest round in the planethood debate may well provoke planetary scientists into a revolt against the international body that usually has the last word on astronomical terminology, according to the top scientist for NASA’s mission to Pluto."

"Plutoids": the new name for Pluto-like dwarf planets, PhysicsWorld

"Catherine Cesarsky, president of the IAU, dismisses such past protests. "They form a very small part of the astronomy community," she told physicsworld.com. She added that "practically nobody" is now trying to get Pluto reclassified as a planet. ... Cesarsky admits that she has not yet heard the response from the astronomy committee for the rebranding. "I don't think there will be a big [reaction]," she says. "A few people make a lot of noise."

Editor's note: OK, perhaps Catherine needs some feedback on all of this from the 99.999% of humanity who had no say in all of this - people who are now being told that what they learned in school is now wrong - based upon esoteric, and hard to understand reasons. Well, you can tell her what you think. You can find out how to contact her by email or telephone here at the official IAU website. You can also contact the IAU directly at iau@iap.fr.

Editor's update: Some prominent planetary scientists have been joining in on this discussion ... "The argument that classifying round KBOs as planets will lead to there being "too many planets" is not in any way scientific. If our solar system has 200 planets, then that is what it has. It was not designed for our convenience." ... "It may be little and not dynamically important, but Ceres has physical properties that are far more analogous to other planets like Mars than the inert, irregular asteroids. From a geophysical perspective it makes sense to categorize Ceres as a planet."

Whatz My Job Agin?

Procurement notice: LEASE OF OFF SITE OFFICE SPACE FOR MSFC OFFICE OF THE CHEIF INFORMAITON OFFICER ENTERPRISE APPLICATION COMPETENCY CENTER

Editor's 11:34 am EDT note: Hmm, what does it say when MSFC's Chief Information Officer cannot even spell their own title properly?

Editor's 4:44 pm EDT note: I guess someone reads NASA Watch - a modification has been posted:

"This is a modification to the synopsis which was posted on June 27, 2008. You are notified that the following changes are made: This amendment hereby corrects the title of the synopsis to read, "LEASE OF OFF-SITE OFFICE SPACE FOR MSFC OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER ENTERPRISE APPLICATION COMPETENCY CENTER"."

Gee, I wonder what this cost in terms of staff time - i.e. to tell someone that there was a spelling error, assign the task of fixing it, actually fixing it, then uploading it. This is especially relevant when you consider that most software comes equipped with spell checkers these days - something the MSFC CIO's office should know something about - right?

Devon Island Field Season Preparations Underway

Long Island Air National Guard Rescue Unit Supports NASA's Haughton-Mars Project, New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

"The 106the Rescue Wing will support NASA's Haughton-Mars Project Research Station located in the Canadian high arctic by flying in research equipment, personnel and supplies next week. Aircraft and personnel will launch their second of three missions on June 28th for NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California at which time they will provide transportation for scientists and researchers from various universities and agencies and cargo destined for Resolute Bay on Cornwallis Island."

Two Days to Initial Deployment to Resolute Bay, HMP

Haughton Mars Project
Mars Institute
HMP Research Station's photostream, Flickr
HMP Research Station Videos, YouTube
HMP Twitter Feed

Lunar Architecture Update

Lunar Capability Concept Review (LCCR) Transportation Systems Only June 18 - 20, 2008 Report to the PSS, PDF

Astonishing News From Mars

NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander Returns Treasure Trove for Science

"This soil appears to be a close analog to surface soils found in the upper dry valleys in Antarctica," Kounaves said. "The alkalinity of the soil at this location is definitely striking. At this specific location, one inch into the surface layer, the soil is very basic, with a pH of between eight and nine. We also found a variety of components of salts that we haven't had time to analyze and identify yet, but that include magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride." "This is more evidence for water because salts are there. We also found a reasonable number of nutrients, or chemicals needed by life as we know it," Kounaves said. "Over time, I've come to the conclusion that the amazing thing about Mars is not that it's an alien world, but that in many aspects, like mineralogy, it's very much like Earth."

Challenger Center Seeks President

Position Opening: Challenger Center for Space Science Education: President

"Challenger Center for Space Science Education (CCSSE), an international nonprofit education organization founded in 1986 by the families of the Challenger 51-L astronauts, seeks an innovative and experienced leader to serve in the position of President.

Using space themed simulation experiences, CCSSE creates educational opportunities through our growing network of Challenger Learning Centers (CLC) and through web-based programming to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers."

NASA IT Infrastructure Acquisitions: No Questions, Please

NASA Hosts Industry Day to Discuss IT Infrastructure Acquisitions

"On Wednesday, July 23, NASA will host an Industry Day to discuss upcoming agency-wide acquisitions for the Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Improvement Program, or I3P. The program strategically will procure information technology infrastructure services for NASA."

NASA Solicitation: NASA Headquarters Agency-wide Infrastructure Improvement Program Industry Day

"NASA will NOT conduct an open Question and Answer session as a part of this meeting."

Spacehab Cancels COTS Space Agreement With NASA

Editor's note: According to NASA sources, Spacehab notified NASA on 29 May 2008 that it was requesting that its COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) Space Act Agreement (SAA) be terminated within 30 days. The reason given by Spacehab is an inability, on Spacehab's part, to meet SAA-specified milestones with the use of internal funds. NASA will terminate the SAA on 28 June 2008. Spacehab has confirmed this information but says that no formal press release is expected at this time.

SPACEHAB Statement on COTS Loss Mitigation Strategies, earlier posting
Spacehab Realigns Corporation - Company Positioned to Capture NASA COTS Business, earlier posting
NASA Signs Commercial Space Transportation Agreements, earlier posting

Dropping the Ball on the VSE

Glenn, Garn, Nelson: What Bush doesn't know about NASA, Opinion, Orlando Sentinel

"... NASA needs additional guidance from Congress on what its future course should be. It especially needs that guidance, because this administration has thoroughly failed to provide the direction -- or the funding -- necessary to achieve what President Bush called for in January 2004 when he announced the Vision for Space Exploration. We can only attempt to explain why the administration has undermined the Vision for Space Exploration, though we suspect it can be explained by Bush not knowing all the facts about what the real impact of NASA's annual budgets has been since the loss of the Columbia in 2003."

KSC Folks: Call Paul Shawcross, earlier post

Editor's note: The sad thing about all of this these days is that OMB's Paul Shawcross has more say as to what happens at NASA than NASA's Administrator does. You can yell at Mike Griffin until you are blue in the face but it is Shawcross and the OMB who calls the shots.

Senate Approves NASA Authorization Bill

Senate Commerce Committee Approves National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

"The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today unanimously approved a bill to reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill would provide a $19.2 billion baseline authorization of appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2009 to fund the various activities of the agency. The bill also would provide an additional $1 billion authorization of appropriations to accelerate the initial operational capability of a U.S.-owned human spacecraft and an additional $150 million for the development of a commercial crew vehicle. The total authorization of appropriations would be $20.35 billion."

Infinity and Beyond

Disney's Buzz Lightyear and Wall-E explore space for NASA, CollectSpace

"Everybody's favorite space ranger, Buzz Lightyear!" the sergeant restated, but Buzz was no where to be found. Instead, his creator, John Lasseter, jumped to the stage. "I forgot to tell you that Buzz blasted off on a special mission in outer space. Not toy outer space... real outer space," explained Disney-Pixar's chief creative officer."

Astronaut Lessons From Mountaineering

The Power of Many, When We Left Earth, Discovery.com

"As a mountaineer, I'm measured not so much by my summits, but by my performance, my behavior all the way up the mountain and all the way down. If you're lucky enough to have a touch-and-go at the summit, that's great, but I've turned away from several summits over my many years of climbing for weather, running out of water, gear problems, what have you. It is important to keep your wits about you so I take some pride in knowing that I can still do that even with the temptation of the summit," [Scott Parazynski] says."

Earlier updates

Mars Down Under

Sailing Through Space -- Or Something Like It, Next Generation, Discovery Channel

"There are a lot of different aspects to traveling in space, especially the kinds of long-duration flights required to get to another planet, or to spend a stint on the International Space Station. Some aspects of those missions can be simulated on Earth, and many can't.  But among those that can are the physical and psychological demands of spending a long time in a small space under challenging and occasionally life-threatening conditions."

Status reports

NASA at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Editor's note: I just got back from a visit to the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival on the National Mall in downtown Washington, DC. The featured participants are NASA, Bhutan, and Texas. NASA has managed to cover a rather impressive amount of territory - both physical and topical - and the tents were already filled with people on this first day of operation. No doubt, as the 4th of July approaches and tourists flock to DC, this attendance will become even more impressive.

FWIW I will be speaking on 3 July t 2:15 pm about "new media". I am not exactly sure who I will be sharing the stage with.

Oh yes, by all means skip the Texas food tents and try the Bhutanese food. Yum.

Today's Video: Prizes? We Don't Need No Steenking Prizes!

Editor's note: This interesting video "Bounty Hunters!", by Politico.com, talks about John McCain's proposal for a $300 million prize for an advanced electric car battery, Barak Obama's suggestion that President Kennedy did not need to offer a prize to get America to the Moon (that the government was better), the X Prize, and Darth Vader's pursuit of the Millenium Falcon.

Constellation Update: All Is Well

NASA Internal Email From NASA Constellation Program Manager Jeff Hanley

"So there is a lot going on. You are making it happen. Through the spring we've had the chance to interact with agency leadership on a number of occassions, and they have been uniformly complimentary of the work you have done. We have plenty of challenges, but this program is changing the way NASA works, and our success to date is because of your hard work and dedication."

Griffin Gets Snarky at DC Breakfast, earlier post

Griffin: "Um, actually, Jeff screwed up."

Todays Video: A Car with a Computer!

Editor's note: You may have seen Buzz Aldrin the other night in the last few minutes of the TV show "Numbers" - you know, that show where geeks and detectives use math and computers to solve crime. Well, Buzz also did a geeky TV ad for VW back in 1972 ...

Senate Marks Up Authorization Act Today

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Executive Session Full Committee

"Committee members will consider: S. ____, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008"

Shuttles Would Complete Missions Under Bill, CQ Politics

"According to a Senate Democratic aide, the draft also contains language that would prevent NASA from retiring the shuttle fleet in 2010 if scheduled missions remain on its flight manifest. The administration decided to retire the shuttle fleet in 2010 and develop a new craft that could take astronauts farther into space."

Does Ares V + I = VI?

NASA Study Provides Next Step to Establishing Lunar Outpost

"To accomplish those objectives, the current configuration of the Ares V will use six RS-68B liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen engines on a core stage along with two five-and-one-half segment solid propellant rocket boosters, which are a direct evolution from the first stage of the Ares I rocket."

Editor's note: So, Mike, is this latest redesign going to be called the Ares VI?

Students Design Space Mission Patch

Challenger Center Student Design Selected to Represent Richard Garriott's Educational Mission to the International Space Station

"This spring Challenger Center for Space Science Education invited students to use their creativity to design an original piece of art for a student mission patch for private space explorer, Richard Garriott. As the next civilian to fly to space, Richard plans to engage students around the world with his flight to the International Space Station planned for October 2008. The design was intended to symbolize the adventure and discovery of spaceflight. The winning design by Sarah Nakata, a student from the Brownsburg Challenger Center in Indiana, will appear on a special t-shirt that Richard will fly into space."

Kwaj Launch Traffic Drives Falcon I Launch Date

SpaceX pushes back target date for next Falcon 1 launch, SpaceflightNow

"The military informed SpaceX last week that mandatory support equipment and tracking stations in the Pacific Ocean are booked through the end of July, forcing officials to delay launch of the next Falcon 1 rocket, the company's founder said Friday. Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Space Exploration Technologies Corp., said the U.S. Army range at Kwajalein Atoll will be busy with other activities for the next month. "Launch is no sooner than late July to early August," Musk said. "We will use the time to do additional checkouts."

Griffin: Lay off 6 - 7,000 - then re-hire 3,000 - but When?

NASA estimates 3,000 to 4,000 shuttle job losses, AP

"Although as many as 6,000 to 7,000 shuttle jobs will be eliminated at Kennedy Space Center, about 3,000 positions will open up in the new exploration program, said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin. Those jobs will be created to build and fly new spaceships to the international space station and, ultimately, to the moon."

NASA: Layoffs not so dire, Orlando Sentinel

"I can't say it's good news," said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who organized the Senate subcommittee hearing about the future of KSC, "but it's certainly news that's a step in the right direction."

Editor's note: OK, but are the KSC folks who are laid off re-hired - instantly? Or are they unemployed for months - or years? Mike left those details out of his attempt at happy news.

Griffin: Fly AMS, But Don't Expect A Rescue Capability

Metaphysically Speaking, Free Space, Discovery

"On Monday, NASA chief Michael Griffin told a Senate oversight committee it’d run a few hundred million dollars for the extra flight, with one huge caveat: That figure presumes there is no extension of any shuttle equipment contracts. Griffin wouldn’t come straight out and say it, but what he means is that if the AMS flight is added on, there won’t be a shuttle available to mount a rescue mission. Since Columbia, NASA routinely adds the contingency mission to every flight."

KSC Folks: Call Paul Shawcross

OMB Statement of Adminstration Policy H.R. 6063 - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

"... the Administration strongly opposes H.R. 6063 because it mandates specific Space Shuttle flights that greatly threaten NASA's ability to retire the Shuttle in 2010, an action that is critical to implementing the President's Vision for Space Exploration. In addition, the Administration has other serious objections to several provisions of H.R. 6063 that must be satisfactorily addressed prior to final congressional action on reauthorization legislation."

Editor's note: The sad thing about all of this these days is that OMB's Paul Shawcross has more say as to what happens at NASA than NASA's Administrator does. You can yell at Mike Griffin until you are blue in the face but it is Shawcross and the OMB who calls the shots.

Note to Paul: what is "critical to implementing the President's Vision for Space Exploration" is that you and your fellow budgeteers provide NASA with the funds to do the things the President tasked them to do - or - you change the tasks. You can't have it both ways, Paul. Right now you have more or less abandoned the agency - and a large chunk of its work force.

KSC folks: You can drop Paul an email at pshawcro@omb.eop.gov, call him at 202-395-3807, or send him a fax at 202-395-4652. You can find him in room 8225 in the New Executive Office Building or send him a note at Paul Shawcross, Chief, Science and Programs Branch; Energy, Science, and Water Division, OMB, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503.

White House Memo Calls For Slashing Remaining Space Shuttle Flights, earlier post

NASA Watch on ABC

Global Warming 20 Years Later, ABC News

Editor's note: I did an interview for ABC news today in this piece on Jim Hansen.

Wayne Hale's NASA Blog: Learning from dissent

If you listen with an open mind, you can learn a lot from people who disagree with you. Even questioning the fundamentals from time to time is a good exercise to make sure we are on the right track and not on the proverbial bus trip to Abilene.

I really resonated with the comment by Joe Fitzgerald of Boston, reading his children the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. When my children were small, we read the whole series at bedtime, one chapter a night. I particularly liked "Farmer Boy" but all of the books are good because they are true and very well told. After reading those books, I always wondered if I was tough enough to be a pioneer; probably not.

Joe thinks space exploration is a long way from Ma & Pa Ingalls setting out across the Midwest in their covered wagon. Turns out, I do too.

Meanwhile, I've got to go help bail out the longboat a little bit . . . .

KSC Rally Only Draws Fraction Of Expected Crowd

Link To Launch First Small Step draws Giant Crowd

"The "Link to Launch" rally at Port Canaveral drew an estimated 1,000 people who joined hands, counted down with the roar of a shuttle launch recording, and stretched their linked hands skyward as the first step in raising the awareness that space is critical to US security, culture and economic competitiveness. The crowd of citizens included children, retirees and those representing small and large businesses, unions, and civic organizations gathered in throngs outside the field hearing of the Senate sub-committee on Space."

Editor's note: To the people holding signs up like this at the rally: in so doing you call your intentions into question - and you invite sad historical comparisons to one shuttle mission departing from- and one heading back to KSC. Neither one ever made it home. Grow up.

Another photo of this sign apears here (3rd album, 7th photo) with the caption "USA Statement of Pride". How creepy.

Jim Hansen Makes NASA PAO's Day Again

Editor's note 10:26 am EDT : Hansen is on the Diane Rehm show right now at WAMU at FM 88.5 Listen

Hansen will be testifying today at 3:00pm EDT today before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Put oil firm chiefs on trial, says leading climate change scientist, The Guardian

"James Hansen, one of the world's leading climate scientists, will today call for the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies to be put on trial for high crimes against humanity and nature, accusing them of actively spreading doubt about global warming in the same way that tobacco companies blurred the links between smoking and cancer." ....

"He is also considering personally targeting members of Congress who have a poor track record on climate change in the coming November elections. He will campaign to have several of them unseated. "

Editor's note: I'd love to see PAO's talking points on this one ... meanwhile, isn't using one's position at NASA like this a potential violation of the Hatch Act? Does Hanesen give these overtly political, partisan interviews and make these campaign suggestions while sitting at his desk?

Editor's update: I was on cue to ask a question - but the show ended just before I was called upon. This is what I submitted by email and would have asked:

"Dr. Hansen: I agree 200% with you on the science of climate change. You have been very open - and correct - about criticizing the Bush Administration's political appointees at NASA for limiting or blocking your ability to speak out - and that there were political motives behind this. Yet you now sit at your desk, overtly using your NASA position, on government time, and openly call for people to be fired and that you will openly campaign for politicians. Aren't all of you violating the Hatch Act with regard to the prohibition of government employees from engaging in partisan political activity?"

KSC Rally/Hearing - Live

Griffin: "The only thing that could have prevented this Gap would have been a significantly higher budget so that we could operate during development. [Congress] did not do that. ... Within the context of the resources available, we are doing the best that we can."
---
Nelson: "For every direct job at KSC it is multiplied to [creating] 2.5 jobs in Florida. The question is the reverse of that: do you anticipate the total jobs lost to be 2.5 jobs to be lost for every job lost at the Space Center?"

Griffin: "Yes sir, that is the multiplier that we are talking about."

---
Griffin: "We have a comittment [to the President] to use the fewest number of people [for Constellation/Orion]. Within the context of a fixed overall NASA budget that gives us more money to do other things - things that I know that you want to do . It has been my goal to move tasks to KSC to make up for work that will no longer be done here. We hope to do much of the assembly and integration here at the Cape. That has not been done before."

Nelson: "Well, whoever the next President is I think we are going to ask him to keep you on as Administrator of NASA."

Griffin: "Send me a note and tell me how this works out."
---
Nelson: "Is there a way to make Kennedy a Development Center?"

Griffin: "I would not make Kennedy a Development Center. If I tried to make KSC a deveopment center - we'd get into a large set of battles that would not be beneficial for the country. Work would have to be moved from other centers and moved here. It would also not adress the jobs of the people who would be cut. You would be importing [development] people or hiring them locally. You would not be ameliorating the job loss situation."

Nelson: "We have 150,00 acres - I want to expand the role [of KSC]"
---
Nelson: "We have a difference of opinon about flying one additional space shuttle flight ... you do not want to take money out of Constellation and put it into another flight. Under a new Administration, if we were able to get the money for an additional flight over and above the budget - can you venture a cost for that additional flight?"

Griffin: "We said that the marginal cost of that flight would be ... $300-400 million. I do not have a more precise estimate than that."

Nelson: "Will we be beyond the point of no return when a new Administration arrives?"

Griffin: "We have a 18 month template to add a new mission. We need to know ... by Feb 2009. We could execute a mission in late summer 2010. ... We are not limited by hardware - it is a fiscal matter with this Administration - which I represent. ... I do not have the resources to execute this [AMS] mission without removing resources from other missions."

Senators Nelson, Martinez to Lead Hearing On Loss Of NASA Jobs, WFTV

"The economic effect of the job cuts comes at a time when Brevard County is already dealing with mortgage problems and a big housing downturn. Monday morning, hundreds of people are expected to gather in Brevard County as part of a show of solidarity for the importance of NASA to the United States."

Space Workers To Rally At Senate Hearing On Shuttle, Central Florida News

"You have not 6,400 jobs at risk, but you have either 16,000 jobs at risk with the smaller number, or 22,000 jobs that will be lost in east Central Florida," Ketcham explained. "That's 22,000 families in this community that will be severely impacted."

Space Coast Concerned About NASA's Future, Fox 35

"Around six thousand citizens, business owners and union representatives are expected to hold a demonstration outside the Canaveral Port Authority building where the hearing will be held."

Live Webcam, Fox 35

Will The KSC Workforce Show Up - And Be Heard? Will It Matter?

Florida Link to Launch Rally to Include Addresses from Federal, State Officials

What: Link to Launch: Floridians will gather, link their hands and countdown from 30 seconds when they will lift them skyward in a gesture to show solidarity and awareness of the importance of the Space Program to America. The rally is scheduled to coincide with a Senate subcommittee hearing being held inside the Port Authority Offices. The Link to Launch movement was started by people in on Florida's Space Coast to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that Space is a critical element in our nation's security, our culture and global economic competitiveness. A limited number of media seats on helicopters are available for aerial photography.

When: Monday, June 23

Will Spock Testify at Florida Shuttle Job Loss Hearing?

Senate Commerce Committee Hearing: Preparing for the Workforce Transition at Kennedy Space Center

"Monday, June 23, 2008 09:00 AM. The hearing will examine issues surrounding the retirement of the Space Shuttle and the transition to the new Orion/Ares system. Specifically, this hearing will focus on workforce related challenges at the Kennedy Space Center and analyze potential solutions to mitigate the transition's effects on the community. The hearing will be located at the Canaveral Port Authority, Commission Room, Port Canaveral Maritime Center Offices, 445 Challenger Road, Port Canaveral, Florida. [map] Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) will preside."

Editor's note: Even though Mike Griffin seems to think that jobs and space are not campaign issues, they certainly are in Florida. This could get ugly if local Space Coast employees show up (as they should) at this hearing and take Mike Griffin on, face-to-face, about job cuts and the effect upon themselves and their families. The "I don't do feelings - just think of me as Spock" [audio -- original story source] approach certainly will not work in that situation.

Florida is a key state in both Obama's and McCain's strategy to win the election. I wonder if the White House really wants an embarassment in Florida over huge job cuts and what will be portrayed as "George Bush's Moon Program" (despite repeated Congressional buy in). Stay tuned.

Apollo Job Loss on Steroids, earlier post
Politics? I Don't See Any Politics In Space Exploration, earlier post
Yes, The Party Is Indeed Over at KSC, earlier post
The Party Is Over at KSC, earlier post
Shuttle Job Cuts: Its About Time Florida Took Notice, earlier post

Is Steve Cook Being Less Than DIRECT About What NASA Is Doing?

NASA remains silent on rocket that could rescue the Cape, Orlando Sentinel

"NASA denies there ever was such a study [Direct]. But e-mails obtained by the Orlando Sentinel and interviews with NASA employees and contractors indicate that a study was initiated last fall to compare Ares and alternatives in case a backup plan was needed."

Constellation Update, NASA Watch, 15 May 2008

"Editor's note: When I asked Steve Cook if any of his employees were working on the "Direct" or "Jupiter" project he said that he was not aware of that anyone was. When asked if this would be allowed during or after hours, he said that it would not and that this would be "unapproved" work."

Griffin: NASA Is Not Looking at Ares I Alternatives, NASA Watch, 11 Jan 2007

"Editor's note: This morning, at a breakfast sponsored by the Space Transportation Association, I asked Mike Griffin if NASA was working on any designs or plans for an alternate way to get Orion - and humans into orbit. Specifically, I asked if NASA was working on an alternative to the Ares I. Griffin said, rather emphatically, "No". Griffin's answer seems to contradict a variety of supposedly authoritative rumors suggesting that NASA is indeed seeking alternatives. Stay tuned."

Editor's note: Either Steve Cook was being less than truthful in responding to my qustion or he did not know what his own employees were up to. Either that, or everyone that the Orlando Sentinel (and others) have talked to are wrong. Someone has to be helping these Direct guys (a former submarine engineer, a software engineer, an art director, a mathematician/astronomer, and an IT guy who sells rocket models and uses an icon of von Braun instead of his own picture) since none of them has the technical background to produce the sophisticated launch vehicle design analyses and performance trades that they refer to in their pretty powerpoint slides.

This is not the first time NASA has been caught talking out of two sides of its mouth on this issue (below).

Griffin Gets Snarky at DC Breakfast, NASA Watch, 22 January 2008

"Cowing: Last week I asked a question of ESMD Public Affairs about whether the Ares 1-Y flight had been delayed. They replied "NASA has not announced a 12 month postponement of any Ares or Orion test flights and has no plans to do so". Yet several days before that. Jeff Hanley, the Constellation program manager, wrote a memo that said exactly that - that he had internal plans and changes and that the Ares 1-Y had been shifted by one year. Now, are you going to be shifting the launch of Ares 1-Y and if not, why is your Constellation Program Manager announcing this to more than 80 people within the agency?"

Its Official: India Vs China in Space

India takes on old rival China in new Asian space race, Times Online

"The world's two most populous countries -- and biggest emerging economies -- have fought one war on land and are rapidly modernising their air, naval and nuclear forces in case of another. Now India and China are taking their rivalry into orbit, with Delhi determined to catch up with Beijing in what is starting to look like an Asian version of the Cold War "space sace". General Deepak Kapoor, India's Chief of Army Staff, has spoken publicly for the first time of his fears about China's military space programme and the need for India to accelerate its own."

7 Year Old Sets New Weightless Record

Ecuador boy sets zero-G flight record, AP

"A 7-year-old Ecuador boy has become the youngest passenger ever aboard a zero-gravity flight. Jules Nader says he wasn't scared during the four minutes of weightlessness he experienced aboard an air force plane."

Previous record:

Eight-Year-Old Boy Enjoys Adventure of A Lifetime as Youngest Person in History to Experience Zero Gravity Flight, ZeroG

Another Twittering Spacecraft

Editor's note: Jason_1_Project Is Twittering about both Jason-1 and OSTM/Jason-2.

Pluto Status Debate Continues

Planet Pluto fans rebel against 'plutoid' designation, New Scientist

"Defenders of "planet Pluto" have not been appeased by its latest name-change, and are marshalling support for a major scientific meeting devoted to debating its place in the solar system."

Pluto's identity crisis hits classrooms and bookstores, USA Today

"Meanwhile, many kids are nearly certain Pluto is still a planet. "I think it's a planet. But me and my friends, we talk about it sometimes and we go back and forth," said Natalie Browning, 9, sitting in a park in Manhattan with her family. "Right now, I'm not 100%. I'm just 75%" sure that Pluto is a planet."

The Great Planet Debate: Science as Process

John Lindsay

Reader note: It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of John F. Lindsay at the age of 67. John, who was a visiting scientist on the staff of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, died early this morning after a valiant battle against cancer.

John's education was in soft-rock geology with a solid background in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics, earning his B.Sc. (with Honors) and M.Sc. degrees from the University of New England in New South Wales, Australia, and his Ph.D. in geology from Ohio State University in 1968. One of the original scientists at the Institute in the early 1970s, John's professional background also included positions as Research Scientist at the Marine Science Institute of the University of Texas; Program Manager at Exxon Production Research; Adjunct Professor at Oxford University, and NRC Senior Research Associate at the Astrobiology Institute at NASA Johnson Space Center, where John worked closely with David McKay and his group.

To his son, Matthew, and other family members and friends, we extend our deepest sympathy. We'll miss you, John!

Mars Phoenix is More Popular than CNN on Twitter

Editor's note: The MarsPhoenix Twitter feed now has 24,659 followers - and is more popular than the CNN Breaking News Twitter feed which only has 22,653 followers.

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