First, I am an agnostic. Lol. So don't get any ideas that I am trying to pull a fast one here by mentioning the title of Hal Lindsey's Revelation inspired novel. Only that the events of last week has me concerned that Earth's Doomsday clock maybe moving closer to midnight. Nuclear proliferation is alive and well as North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan are proving this fact and no international authority exist that can effectively deal with these nations. The US certainly has been hamstrung in its abilities to address the issue thanks to George W. Bush. Some discouraging environmental news has also emerged which is the focus of Darksyde's front-page post this morning. Also, I received information that two space focused panels proposed for Netroots Nation have been rejected which I find particular irksome since there is a strong space component here at Daily Kos. So, I ask for the support of my fellow Kossacks to address this concern and help put space on the agenda at Netroots. Many of us believe that government and commercial space activities are important part of our nation's economy and future.
Note: I apologize for the lateness this post which I normally publish in the morning. Some things are not complete and I am working on them now.
Space Radar
Number of Space Launches this week: 2
Nella's Top Ten Space Stories
- NASA Satellite Detects Red Glow to Map Global Ocean Plant Health Spaceref.com Here is a new study out about plantkon levels in relations to availability of iron bearing minerals in the world oceans. The impact of these changes is uncertain, but unfortunately NASA has yet no plans to launch satellites to better monitor this activity. The satellites used in this study are near the end of their operations.
- Forum Says Climate Shift Brings Deaths New York Times This article, whose link was provided by Darksyde in his frontpage post this morning, may not be directly about space, but the change in climate conditions certainly points to overwhelming need for more Earth monitoring satellites.
- U.S., China, Russia Agree UN Action Needed Over North Korea Bloomberg News North Korea has performed both a nuclear test and a missile launch which has drawn condemnation from around the globe including its traditional ally China. Their actions prompted my diary earlier in the week about Albert Einstein's own view on the arms race.
- Here are the names of most of the Augustine Commission Orlando Sentinel Some of the names of the members that will most likely be on the Augustine Commission which will most likely decide the future of NASA and the manned spaceflight program.
- Atlantis, crew land in Calif. after Hubble mission Yahoo News Atlantis landed safely in California at Edwards Air Force Base after two failed attempts to land in Florida due to weather.
- Soyuz TMA-15 launches for growing ISS The ISS now has a full crew of six after 11 years of construction and will be able to conduct a full science research regimen.
- KSC's energy from space NASA Kennedy space center is getting a little greener with construction of solar arrays which will power some 1000 homes and part of the space center.
- Flagship Mars Rover Gets Name: Curiosity A young lady who lives in my area won the contest to name the Mars Science Laboratory. Miles O'Brien did a little whining and I responded not so kindly on NASA Watch suggesting that he needed to pull his head out of his ass and lighten up.
- NASA Extends Contract with Russian Federal Space Agency NASA NASA signs a deal with the Russians for launching some of our astronauts to the ISS to cover the gap between 2010 and 2015. Some people have gotten confused and think there are only four astronauts be launched, yet the wording says there will be four 'flights' which could mean six that would be the normal standard. The ISS usually rotates 1 and 2 American astronauts every other expedition.
- Major Space Conference Kicks Off in Orlando Jacksonville Observer Several fellow Kossacks are attending this conference including Bill White who is giving a presentation, FerrisValyn, and I believe BBQChickenMadness, along with some others.
Astronomy Corner
Galaxy Cluster X-ray Revealed Space.com
Ghost Remains After Black Hole Eruption
Weird News
Russian Scientist: UFO Crashed Into Meteorite to Save Earth Fox News(faux news) Fox News says it all, even Phil Plait over at Bad Astronomy felt compelled to comment
Space and NASA diaries by fellow Kossacks