Spaceflight A British Interplanetary Society Publication

MARS! IAC in Mexico

Eye damage in space

75th birthday for RMI

Vol 58 No 12 December 2016 £4.50

www.bis-space.com Soyuz MS-02 crewmembers (from left) Shane Kimbrough, Sergei Ryzhikov and Andrei Borisenko were launched to the ISS on 19 October. NASA

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Editor: Published by the British Interplanetary Society David Baker, PhD, BSc, FBIS, FRHS Sub-editor: Volume 58 No. 12 December 2016 Ann Page 451 The Eyes Have It! Production Assistant: Added to multiple concerns about the health risks of long duration Ben Jones weightlessness, evidence is now growing that long-term and sometimes Spaceflight Promotion: permanent damage to the ocular system is being seen as astronauts Gillian Norman spend more time in space. Spaceflight 453-456 Mexico hosts IAC 2016 Arthur C. Clarke House, th 27/29 South Lambeth Road, David Todd sampled the mood at the 67 International Astronautical London, SW8 1SZ, England. Congress and reports for Spaceflight on the atmosphere at this annual Tel: +44 (0)20 7735 3160 gathering of space officials, dignitaries and personalities. Fax: +44 (0)20 7582 7167 Email: [email protected] 458-462 Musk on Mars www.bis-space.com Following in the tradition of some of the great space visionaries of the ADVERTISING past, Elon Musk has outlined a grand plan for colonisation of Mars and Tel: +44 (0)1424 883401 envisages vast fleets of giant space liners to achieve his dream. Email: [email protected] DISTRIBUTION 463 What future for human space flight? Spaceflight may be received worldwide by Nick Spall previews the key decisions vital for sustained commitment mail through membership of the British to UK participation in human space flight coming up at the Ministerial Interplanetary Society. Details including Library subscriptions are available from the above meeting in Europe in December. address. * * * 464-466 America’s First Rocket Company Spaceflight is obtainable from UK newsagents Celebrated space historian Frank H. Winter remembers the 75th and other retail outlets in many countries. anniversary of Reaction Motors Incorporated, the first US rocket In the event of difficulty contact: Warners company. Group Distribution, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH, England. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391 000 467 New Paths to Mars Fax: +44 (0)1778 393 668 Andrew Jackson reports on the 19th annual conference of the Mars * * * Society in Washington DC and reflects on the various proposals Spaceflight is a publication which promotes the discussed. mission of The British Interplanetary Society. Opinions in signed articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the Regular Features views of the Editor or the Council of the British Interplanetary Society. 444-445 News Analysis – ExoMars A Qualified Success * * * 446 A Letter from The Editor Back issues of Spaceflight are available from the Society. For details of issues and prices go to www.bis-space.com or send an sae to the 447 Briefing notes – news shorts from around the world address at top. * * * 448-450 ISS Report – 16 September 2016-15 October 2016 Published monthly by the British Interplanetary Society. Registered Company No: 402498. 468-469 Satellite Digest – 527 September 2016 Registered Charity No: 250556. Printed in the UK by Latimer Trend & Company Ltd. * * * 470-472 Flashback – A regular feature looking back 50 years ago this month Copyright © British Interplanetary Society 2016 ISSN 0038-6340. All rights reserved. 473 Correspondence – Flying High – Shuttles in contention No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo- 474-477 Society News – World Space Week - Battle in Space - ExCel Indeed! copying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system without written permission 478 What’s On from the Publishers. Photocopying permitted by license only. * * * NOTICE TO JBIS READERS The British Interplanetary Society is a company limited by guarantee. A small number of copies of the previous issue of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society (JBIS) (April 2016) were misprinted and mailed to members. If your copy of JBIS was incomplete, Mission or incorrectly paginated, please email the Editor - [email protected] and the BIS will post a new The British Interplanetary Society promotes the exploration and use of space for the benefit copy to you. of humanity, by connecting people to create, educate and inspire, and advance knowledge in Cover image: An artist imagines the separation of Schiaparelli from the Trace Gas Orbiter on 16 all aspects of astronautics. October (see pages 444-445). ESA

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 443 news analysis A QUALIFIED SUCCESS

An artist depicts how Schiaparelli should have looked had it made it intact to the surface of Mars. ESA

fter more than a decade of effort by the atmosphere. Since the Schiaparelli EDL prepared to deliver the spacecraft to an European Space Agency and many demonstrator has no translation capability, this encounter with the atmosphere of Mars four countries across the continent, by was necessary to deliver the aeroshell to an days later. Telemetry from the orbiter reported Acompanies involved in designing and building it entry trajectory. If left uncorrected the orbiter nominal conditions aboard Schiaparelli and and by scientists and research workers around would follow right along and burn up. as separation neared communications went the world, a third space-faring organisation Several hours later, at midnight, the mission through the ESA 35 m (115 ft) deep space had hoped to land the Schiaparelli spacecraft control team started working from ESOC’s Main antenna at New Norcia. One-way signals time on Mars. Although there is overwhelming Control Room at Darmstadt, preparing ground was 9 min 34 sec. evidence that the UK’s Beagle2 did in fact tracking stations for the “delta DOR” technique land intact on 25 December 2003, the planned which had proven to be so successful with On course touchdown of ESA’s Schiaparelli marked a new Mars Express, Venus Express and Rosetta. Separation of Schiaparelli occurred at 14:42 level of hope and anticipation that a European Conventionally, ESA tracking stations at New UTC when the lander moved away from the spacecraft could send back signals from the Norcia in Western Australia, Cebreros near Trace Gas Orbiter at a speed of 30 cm/sec surface, pioneer a new landing technology Madrid, and Marlargüe in Argentina, are used (0.98 ft/sec). Irrevocably committed to entry and prepare for the planned launch of a roving to obtain Doppler shift for range information to into the atmosphere of Mars three days later, vehicle in 2020. It was never going to be easy. about 1 m (3.3 ft) and range-rate to within 0.1 Schiaparelli would encounter Mars at 21,000 After successfully traversing the distance mm/sec. But these determinations require a km/hr (13,050 mph), 121 km (75 mls) above between Earth and Mars, the primary objective lot of time, perhaps several days, and critical the surface, thermal loads on the heat shield of the mission was accomplished – to place manoeuvres planned hours ahead benefit being measured by three combined sensors Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) in an elliptical path from the use of two widely separated antennas and a radiometer on the surface. Engineers prior to a sequence of events which would to simultaneously track the spacecraft to would use this new data to improve a move it to an operational orbit in 2017. But measure the difference between the times the determination of the descent environment and the secondary objective – to place an entry, two signals arrive – the Differential One-Way the gas flow around the 2.4 m (7.9 ft) diameter descent and lander module (EDM) on the Range (DOR). These signals, however, can be heat shield. By doing so they would gain direct surface appears not to have succeeded. The influenced by solar plasma and atmospheric measurement of the environment so as to reality of events were slow in coming and not a disturbances, so a quasar in close angular better calculate the precise depth of thermal little dramatic. proximity to the spacecraft is used to measure insulation required to protect future landers the fluctuations in light from the quasar and from the heat of entry. Smooth sailing subtract that value from the spacecraft signal. But the orbiter itself initially sent only the Seven months after launch from Baikonur, at For several hours on 16 October flight carrier wave, with the Giant Metrewave Radio 08:45 UTC on 14 October ExoMars conducted controllers prepared for the departure of the Telescope near Pune, India, reporting a faint the final trajectory correction with a one minute EDL demonstrator after it switched itself on and signal to confirm that the lander had separated. firing of the 442 N thrust main propulsion began to operate on autonomous commands Tension turned to relief when the signal was system to transfer the trajectory to a grazing transferred from computers on the orbiter. on time indicating a good separation. Later that incidence flight path which, if uncorrected, Engineers from Thales Alenia Space confirmed day, full telemetry data began flowing through would encounter the outer layers of Mars’ the final set of time-lagged commands and the 35 m station in Argentina.

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At 02:42 UTC on 17 October the orbiter Main Control Room for a 12-hour shift covering 96,000 x 400 km (59,650 x 249 mls). orientated itself and again fired its main the orbiter’s deceleration into Mars orbit and As the minutes ticked by fears grew that propulsion system for 1 min 46 sec in an 11.6 the attempted landing of Schiaparelli on the Schiaparelli had not made it to the surface and as m/sec (38 ft/sec) manoeuvre to raise the flight surface. Schiaparelli woke itself up at 13:27 additional signals were sent to Earth from Mars path from an atmosphere intercept trajectory UTC and began transmitting a signal. Just Express and later from Mars Reconnaissance to one which would set up the pericentre for 1 hr 15min later, at 14:42 UTC, the EDL Orbiter the detail began to emerge. The signal the initial capture ellipse. Communication demonstrator encountered the atmosphere. from Schiaparelli confirming successful entry was re-established following the burn. Earlier, If all had gone well the landing would have and deployment of the parachute stopped commands had been sent to the orbiter for the occurred at 14:47 UTC with a further 9 min 45 suddenly 50 seconds prior to the planned main retro-burn. Meanwhile, already on its own sec required to get the signal back to Earth. landing time and about 20 seconds before path to Mars, Schiaparelli put itself to sleep The graphic below shows events associated separation from the back-shell and ignition of and would remain dormant until 75 minutes with the descent, with the landing signal the descent thrusters. Data had been solid to before entry two days later. arriving on Earth at 14:57 UTC. that point including images transmitted by the Uploads to the orbiter providing refined The orbiter had begun recording data from EDM as it descended. During the first data orbit insertion manoeuvre commands were Schiaparelli at 14:20 UTC but this would be dump TGO transmitted 600 MB of data. transmitted at 05:35 UTC on 18 October for stored for replay when it reappeared from the With considerable data still to be analysed a burn lasting 2 hr 19 min the following day. far side of Mars on its first orbit. Among the from the orbiter downloads it appears that the Communications were provided by NASA’s data engineers were keen to see were the parachute ejected early and that the lander DSS-26 Goldstone, California, antenna and DECA descent camera pictures, a planned 15 separated and fired its thrusters for 3 seconds DSS-42 at Canberra, Australia, through images recorded at 1.5 sec intervals during with a further 19 sec of data after that, signals which flight controllers sent periodic “ping” the descent with additional images planned ceasing altogether 50 seconds before the commands to ensure a link in the event that an for several days after landing. Two minutes planned touchdown time. intermediate change command was necessary. after the spacecraft came into view at 16:32 For background to this mission and UTC the high-gain antenna had been turned discussion of the science involved, readers are Suspense to Earth and the flight control team at ESOC referred to previous coverage of ExoMars in By noon on 19 October, the day ExoMars received confirmation that the burn had gone Spaceflight Vol 58, No 3, pp100-104; Vol 58, arrived at the Red Planet, Flight Director as planned and that the orbiter was in a No 4, pp138-139; and Vol 58, No 5 pp164-165; Michel Denis and his team were at ESOC’s satisfactory elliptical path of approximately and Vol 58, No8, p 287).

Schiaparelli’s thrusters fired early for 3-4 sec instead of the planned 30 sec. ESA

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he International Astronautical often run and invested in by commercial broadcasting and in the new internet services Congress is over for another year communications companies. It worked, linking carried by satellites. but while many separate niched previously disenfranchised sectors within Then came a new century and a new Tprojects and existing programmes sponsored separate industries. demand for regular and consistent delivery vigorous debate, the one over-arching issue During the 1980s the next great commercial of supplies, experiments and consumables to has to be about US space policy adopted liberation occurred with TV broadcasting and the International Space Station, stimulating by the incoming US administration after direct-to-home links began to seed a new a shift from government to privately-run inauguration of the new president in January. generation of companies and organisations operators, selling their services to NASA So much depends on it. America spends half challenging the national (government run) and its partners and a fourth age of space of all global government investment in space broadcasting entities; Japan led the way with commercialisation had been born. But those activity and precedent gives cause for some SHF testing, America began exploiting broad- companies can only work at the pace NASA interest in this area. based satellite footprints for its expansive pays them and this has been consistently When Barack Obama entered the White ground coverage and Europe pioneered the underfunded until now by a Congress House in January 2009 there was an break with independent broadcasting born out perhaps more focused on big-ticket items like extended period of uncertainty regarding of the new era – Sky TV came to dominate the SLS and Orion to the detriment of NASA’s space policy and government support for continental coverage, also helping break down core activity in human space flight. the inherited programmes of the previous the barriers ideologically dividing Europe. Only now can the true worth of space Bush administration. One programme got The 1980s and 1990s spawned commercial- commercialisation be realised: supplying cancelled and another got priority; out went space mania; there was even a robust and mainstream services at lower cost than the Moon-bound Constellation programme heavily pressed campaign to privatise the government can ever achieve; supporting in favour of expanded commitment to Shuttle and run it as a commercial venture. big-ticket items like deep-space exploration commercial start-ups with plans to build their There were scores of plans for privately run to the Moon, asteroids or perhaps the moons own Earth-to-orbit transportation system and space stations, free--flying platforms and of Mars; creating new and vibrant launch and sell ISS supply services to the government. satellite servicing facilities. All of which garnered service industries; and supporting a transfer This was an excellent idea. Government is international interest. To support all this, new of Earth orbiting research facilities into a fickle guardian of policy, frequently changing sectors emerged from established industries. private and commercial hands, safeguarded its mind at a whim and on the urgings of the Banking and insurance raced to adapt, by regulatory standards but liberated from leadership, not always for altruistic reasons. funding new ventures in telecommunications, heavy-handed bureaucracy. In this case, the cancellation of Constellation Antares 230 lifts off at 19:45 local time 17 October from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad OA was handled with such brutish disregard carrying a Cygnus module to the ISS. Orbital ATK for the role of Congress that the members of both chambers revolted at the indignity displayed by the White House and promptly reinstated a revised deep-space exploration programme of their own –funding for the new Space Launch System and resurrection of the Orion MPCV. Support for a truly commercial space industry has been the bedrock of expanding applications since the 1960s and repeated examples show that it works very well. The first age of space commercialisation wrested control of satellite communications from government and through Intelsat pioneered a completely new way of growing a humanitarian service, forging better, stronger and more reliable telecommunications links around the world, not at the whim of a single government but at the behest of an international consortium run by the users themselves. In the 1970s the second commercial space surge occurred with the global supply and marketing of a wide range of satellite applications for national purposes; having been connected to the world telecommunications hubs, scores of individual countries sought their own intra-communications via space,

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which may have been produced by water Briefing notes in the distant past. Located on the rim of Endeavour crater 22 km (14 mls) in Sea Launch has been reborn with its diameter, the rover will begin to drive down newest investor S7, a Russian group of into the crater floor using the gully for companies currently operating S7 Airlines access. Since touchdown on 24 January with entrepreneur Vladislav Filev as chief 2004, Opportunity has now been operating executive, putting the launch service on the surface of Mars for almost 13 years back in contention. Announced at the and is just starting in on an extended IAC in Guadalajara, Mexico, during late period of exploration presently funded September, the S7 Group takes ownership through October 2018. of all Sea Launch assets including the launch platform, command vessel and various The operational mission of ESA’s Rosetta items of ground equipment at Long Beach, spacecraft came to an abrupt end on 30 California. Sea Launch originated out of the September when the parent spacecraft to demise of the USSR in the early 1990s, the Philae lander crashed into the comet taking the Ukrainian Yuzhnoye Zenit-3SL 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko after a rocket and offering payloads of up to 6,160 total operating time of 12 years 7 months. kg (13,580 lb) to a geosynchronous transfer Launched on 2 March 2004, Rosetta carried orbit. The Sea Launch concept was to take the 100 kg (220 lb) Philae lander to an a platform to the equator and gain maximum A Zenit-3SL rocket carrying Eutelsat 3B fired orbital rendezvous with the comet, arriving effect from the Earth’s rotation. The rocket from the Sea Launch platform on 26 May 2014. in August 2014. Three months later the originated in the mid-1980s and a version Sea Launch lander separated and reached the surface was to have carried Russia’s top-secret of the comet on 12 November, bouncing Zarya spacecraft, a successor to Soyuz one direction toward the many countries twice before coming to rest on a granular capable of landing back on Earth without who aspire to have satellite capabilities surface, since when a considerable amount parachutes and using retro-rockets. Zarya which they own and control but have no of data has been accumulated which will was cancelled but the powerful Zenit series indigenous assets to manufacture and keep scientists busy for several decades. spawned derivatives which were applied to launch. Demonstrating its versatility, The decision to crash the spacecraft was the international Sea Launch venture with India is planning to follow the launch of based on diminishing electrical power from investors from Norway, Russia, the Ukraine 20 satellites on a single PSLV rocket last solar arrays being carried farther from the and the US. Following a first launch in June with a flight carrying 68 very small Sun as the comet continues on its outbound 1999, by 2009 Sea Launch had conducted satellites early in 2017. As the programme trajectory. Rosetta shared a heritage 30 flights of which three were failures but grows India hopes to tap in to the 75% with Mars Express and Venus Express Sea Launch LLC filed for bankruptcy and of the $330 billion global space market and operating lessons were exchanged the Russian investor (Energia) planned attributable to satellites. between the separate programmes. Initial to operate the rockets from Baikonur. The determinations indicate that the dumbbell- venture emerged from bankruptcy in 2010 While ESA director of human space flight shaped comet is a conjoined pairing of two and sea launches resumed in 2011, six David Parker wrestles with competing separate bodies which “glued” themselves flights being conducted until the last in May aspirations from Europe and the US, together at a very low contact velocity. 2014. The penultimate launch had been further commitment to expanded mission Moreover, conflicting theories about comet a failure. Launch orders fell away and no goals could reinvigorate deep-space flight formation can each find support from data further launches were scheduled. After planning. In the upcoming Council of gathered! rumours of interest from China, Roscosmos Ministers meeting in December (see page and Energia sought investors closer to 463), pressure to divert money from ISS Taken 20 m (66 ft) above the surface of comet home and S7 picked up the venture in the to countering the refuge crisis presently 67P, the final image taken by the Rosetta hope that it can procure additional rockets dominating European political debate could spacecraft before impact on 30 September from Ukraine. But competing rockets, threaten a still unresolved commitment to shows an area 96 cm (38 in) across. ESA including a version of Angara, could be an maintain space station support beyond alternative launcher. 2020. But there are strong advocates for ISS funding to remain intact, not least India’s success with satellite launchers Pascale Ehrenfreund, chair of the DLR and spacecraft, around Earth and at Mars, (German Aerospace Centre), who is has not paired with a flourishing private strongly supportive of a drive to support US sector but that may be about to change. deep-space objectives to either the Moon From the outset, India’s vibrant space or asteroid rendezvous. Former head of the programme was directed at enhancing UK Space Agency, David Parker is keen the national economy and stimulating to push for a Moon goal or at least long science and technology for existing the duration research at a Lagrangian point. future generations. But that direction has bypassed business entrepreneurs NASA’s Opportunity rover is poised to and private investors. Now, India sees begin sampling an ancient gully on Mars

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Rubins partnered Onishi for NASA’s Body Measures experiment, exploring how living in space changes body shape and size. The study involves video-taping, ISS Report photographing and tape measuring the circumference of a crewmember’s arms, legs and chest and comparing it to data 16 September – 15 October 2016 recorded before, during and after a space mission. The pair also performed a set By George Spiteri of interactive tasks on a touchscreen tablet for NASA’s continuing Fine Motor Skills experiment, which examines how astronauts interact with new technologies Expedition 49 is underway aboard the International Space Station. The to help engineers design new spacesuits orbital outpost is currently under extended three person operations and spacecraft for the future. following the delay to the latest Soyuz launch. The crew consists of The following day saw Rubins work commander, Russian Anatoly Ivanishin and flight engineers, American with NASA’s new Eli Lilly-Hard to Wet Kate Rubins and Japan’s Takuya Onishi. Surfaces experiment, which studies how different materials dissolve in water. Onishi conducted several JAXA sponsored studies including the Electrostatic Levitation ith less than a week to go before Rubins ended the week before the crew’s Furnace (ELF), which observes and its scheduled 23 September lift- regular light-duty weekend 17/18 September measures the thermophysical properties off, Roscosmos announced a by donning a very special flight suit entitled of materials heated to high temperatures Wdelay to the launch of Soyuz MS-02/48S to “Courage” which was hand painted by using lasers. The station’s commander the ISS. RIA Novosti reported “preliminary pediatric cancer patients recovering at the transferred gear from the Progress cargo data revealed that a short circuit occurred University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer vehicle and continued checking out while testing” the spacecraft and veteran Center in Houston. Russian space observer Anatoly Zak The garment was Kate Rubins donned a decorative suit named “Courage” created at said the problem was pinpointed to “an delivered by the cancer hospitals in Germany, Russia and Japan in collaboration with improperly bent cable located behind latest Dragon vehicle astronauts from ESA, Russia and JAXA. With a degree in cancer the cosmonauts seats in the descent and aimed at raising biology, Rubins raised awareness of partnering art with medicine and, module”. Following repairs by Russian awareness about with former astronaut Nicole Stott, spent a year mentoring patients at engineers to the vehicle, which according childhood cancer the MD Anderson Cancer Center. NASA to Zak “was loaded with toxic propellants and the benefits of and pressurised gases despite existing therapy. Rubins took safety rules prohibiting such operations”, time out to speak Russian space officials set 19 October as to several children, the new launch date. telling them that the project had really ‘The …aimed at garment inspired her and raising awareness about recalled when “the childhood cancer and the suit was just a blank benefits of therapy…’ canvas and all of you On 16 September, the crew swapped guys painted on it”. seeds in a cultivator for NASA’s Plant RNA Regulation experiment. Some seeds Suits you were stowed in the Minus Eighty-Degree Ivanishin worked Laboratory for ISS (MELFI), whilst others throughout the were grown in ESA’s European Modular Station’s Russian Cultivation System (EMCS) for a week segment on 19 to research how microgravity changes September, checking a plant’s gene expression. Onishi took the life support a refresher course to stay up to date on equipment, computers medical procedures in case of crew injury and testing video or illness and Ivanishin worked with gear. He also set up ESA’s Matroshka-1 radiation detection an electrocardiogram experiment. to begin recording data for 24 hrs Background: Light trails formed by time-lapse for the Russian photography provide a surreal backdrop to Cosmocard blood the International Space Station. NASA circulation study.

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Russian laptop computers and life support On 26 September, Rubins and Onishi habitat. systems. reviewed plans for the arrival of the next Onishi began an 11 day run with ESA’s The crew went through a routine Cygnus commercial vehicle, collected Energy experiment, which aims to better emergency drill on 21 September. saliva samples for stowage in a science understand metabolism in space and Rubins and Onishi later paired up for eye freezer and participated in body mass ensure astronauts are properly nourished examinations under the Ocular Health measurements. Their commander worked to maintain long duration missions. study and Onishi set up gear for JAXA’s on two Russian experiments including one Ivanishin continued with the Kulonovskiy Group Combustion experiment, which which aims at exploring new methods of Kristall study and worked with the Uragan examines how flames fed by fuel droplets detecting pressure leaks. (Hurricane) and Ekon-M Earth observatory spread in microgravity. Rubins did further work with the Hard to experiments. On 22 September, Onishi spent most of Wet Surfaces experiment on 27 September Rubins continued with the Hard to Wet his day inside Tranquility replacing sensors and Onishi continued with the Group experiment on 30 September. Onishi also did and valves to the Waste and Hygiene Combustion study. Ivanishin returned to further work on the Group Combustion and Compartment (WHC). He also performed the Russian Kulonovskiy Kristall physics Energy studies, whilst Ivanishin focused on further eye tests with Rubins using an experiment and also worked with the Vizir several Russian experiments and packed ultrasound and the pair also participated Earth observation study, which aims at unwanted items into Progress 63. in NASA’s “Story Time From Space” video series for children, demonstrating simple ‘…went a little crazy and Matthew physics experiments. took over 2,000 photos…’ 1/2 October were light-duty days for the Ivanishin worked with the Russian crew who still found time to work on the Seismoprognoz study, which looks at new exploring new methods for detecting and Fine Motor Skills, Hard to Wet and Energy ways to monitor natural disasters and the targeting landmarks to improve Earth experiments, which they continued into the SPLANH experiment that studies how the photography techniques. start of their working week on 3 October. digestive system adapts in space. The following day saw Rubins and Rubins also sampled the station’s water for Rubins conducted the second harvest Onishi working together on the Hard to Wet microbes and Ivanishin set up NASA’s Sally of the Plant RNA Regulation experiment Surfaces study, the astronauts remixed, Ride EarthKAM camera equipment on one on 23 September and stowed the seeds photographed and stowed samples for of Harmony’s windows. in the MELFI. Onishi performed sampling the pharmaceutical experiment. Onishi This experiment allows students to of JAXA’s Multi-Omics immune study, also worked on the Fine Motor Skills and take pictures of Earth and share them on whilst Ivanishin worked with the Russian the Group Combustion experiments, the internet. Meanwhile, newly installed Relaksatsia experiment, which studies the whilst Ivanishin sampled different areas HD cameras outside the ISS managed interaction between jet engine exhausts searching for mould fungus and bacteria to capture dramatic views of Hurricane and the Earth’s upper atmosphere. contamination under the Russian E-NOSE Matthew, a Category 4 hurricane packing experiment. 225 km (140 mph) winds as it made its way Earthviews The highlight of 29 September was across the Caribbean. The crew enjoyed another light-duty Rubins entering the Bigelow Expandable On 4 October, Ivanishin conducted weekend 24/25 September conducting Activity Module (BEAM). She temporarily maintenance work and science experiments housekeeping chores, exercising, talking installed gear and even used her fists to in the Russian segment. Rubins checked to family and friends and according to bang against BEAM’s walls to measure the out one of the EMU suits (No. 3006) and Rubins who admitted during an NBC “Meet loads and vibrations BEAM experiences worked on an experiment that examines the Press” interview that she “went a little and reported to ground controllers that she how fluids move around and behave crazy and took over 2,000 photos” of Earth. could see “no condensation” inside the in tubes in microgravity, whilst Onishi documented his nutritional intake as part of Kate Rubins conducted some informal evaluation of the Bigelow expandable module by banging the ongoing Energy study. on its “skin”. NASA The crew worked with the Fluid Shifts experiment on 5 October, which studies how much fluid moves from the lower to the upper body and also conducted ultrasound scans and blood pressure measurements for the Canadian Vascular Echo experiment. The results from this study could provide countermeasures to help maintain crew health. Onishi worked with ESA’s Circadian Rhythms experiment and Rubins completed CSA’s At Home in Space Questionnaire which assesses psychological adaptation to the space environment. More footage of Hurricane Matthew was downlinked the following day as it made its way towards the eastern coast of Florida. Rubins and Onishi collected further blood

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samples, spun them in a centrifuge and stored in an on-board refresher course as the Crew (PK-4) experiment, which studies ionised them in the MELFI. The samples will help Medical Officer (CMO) and Ivanishin loaded gases produced by high temperatures that researchers better understand the detrimental Progress with more unwanted items. could potentially help with the design of future effects of living in space on bone marrow and There were more upper body fluid tests spacecraft. blood cells. for the crew on 12 October with Rubins and Rubins spent her 38th birthday with her Ivanishin joined Rubins for further eye tests Onishi participating in eye examinations Japanese colleague on 14 October, collecting as part of the Fluid Shifts study and Onishi and ultrasound scans for the experiment’s and spinning more blood samples in the returned to the ELF experiment and JAXA’s run. Ivanishin worked on the Russian centrifuge and storing them in MELFI. Onishi Multi-Omics immune study. Sprut-2 experiment which explores the worked with the Vascular Echo study and The crew conducted another session with water composition of a crewmember living Ivanishin monitored the undocking of Progress NASA’s Synchronised Position Hold, Engage, in space and the Otklik study that looks at MS-02/63P from Zvezda at 09:37 UTC. The Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) unmanned cargo craft performed a de-orbit Slosh experiment on 7 October. This study ‘The highlight of 13 October burn at 12:50 UTC and impacted the southern examines the way liquids move in containers in was a chat between Buzz Pacific Ocean at 13:39 UTC. a microgravity environment. Onishi did further Aldrin and Kate Rubins…’ The crew enjoyed a light-duty day on work with the Circadian Rhythms experiment Saturday 15 October as they prepared for the and all three crewmembers conducted a micrometeoroid impacts on the space station. planned arrival of the Cygnus cargo vessel planned on board emergency drill, covering The highlight of 13 October was a chat and Soyuz with three more crewmembers the their responses to a rapid depressurisation, fire between Buzz Aldrin and Kate Rubins, with following week. or ammonia leak aboard the station. Rubins describing it as “an amazing surprise”. Consumables aboard the ISS are not at a The crew’s light-duty weekend 8/9 October The Apollo 11 moonwalker was in mission critical level but failures to both the Antares and was extended by one day to10 October courtesy control and the impromptu conversation ranged Falcon 9 launch vehicles within the last two of US Columbus Day, during which they still from future plans for going to the Moon and years, elements crucial for the resupply and found time to complete the Energy experiment Mars to international co-operation in space and uplifting of science instruments, emphasises and conduct a regular Ham radio pass. the DNA sequencing carried out on the station. the need for reliability and consistent Earlier, Rubins and Onishi checked out video performance. Without the previous two Cygnus Buzz on air and robotics gear in preparation for Cygnus’ flights using Atlas launchers the situation On 11 October, Onishi continued with the Fluid scheduled arrival and Ivanishin worked with would have been very different. All eyes were Shifts experiment, whilst Rubins participated the joint European/Russian Plasma Kristall-4 on Antares.

Sparkling with artificial lighting, the coast of North Africa (upper left) and Spain highlight the Straits of Gibraltar with the Atlantic Ocean at top right. In this view, Soyuz is at left with Progress MS-02/63P to the right. NASA

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fully determined, many MRI findings suggest that intracranial hypertension is an important component. However, a large proportion of THE EYES HAVE IT astronauts do not show these ocular effects, suggesting there could be a variable biologic response to the spaceflight environment. Standardization of imaging criteria is expected to help in the identification of asymptomatic changes and allow for the use of countermeasures to mitigate potential long- term vision damage.

Specious testing Complete eye examinations before and after flight were conducted for participating crew members using clinical opthalmic procedures. Photography was used to capture detailed images of the retina along with associated blood vessels and nerves, with the application Michael Barratt spent 212 days in space conducting research aboard the ISS and now heads up NASA’s of non-invasive optical coherence tomography, human research programme. NASA an imaging technology to capture high resolution retinal structures where the layers or several years physicians have of vision changes, NASA began a stepwise and thickness can be measured. been concerned about the effects of operational process to determine the causes. Direct imaging of the eye and optic nerve weightlessness on the optical health of Several ophthalmic procedures were initiated, by MRI was also conducted to determine Fastronauts but a new effect has now emerged. including examinations with binocular eye globe geometry and lumbar punctures to Known as Vision Impairment and Intracranial ophthalmoscopy, cycloplegic refraction, optical measure the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid Pressure Syndrome (VIIPS), it affects nine coherence tomography (OCT), magnetic in the space surrounding the spinal cord. out of ten astronauts who spend time aboard resonance imaging (MRI) of orbits, and fundus Tests were also carried out to document the the station. Physicians studying the growing photography before and after space missions. ability to focus images at a certain distance. body of evidence concerning long-term effects In a follow-on study, 27 astronauts underwent Approximately 300 astronauts were queried on astronauts have been relieved to find that thin-section, three-dimensional, eye orbital, with vision questionnaires to document there are ways to alleviate bone loss and other and conventional MRI brain scans. Eight changes during space missions. debilitating effects. But the visual impairment underwent repeat imaging after an additional Now a commercial company is responding now measured on astronauts has posed a mission in space. All astronauts had previous through development of a concept involving greater challenge. exposure to microgravity. Image analysis of a pressurised module attached to the existing Since 1989, as part of the post-flight the optic nerve sheath, optic disc, posterior ISS which could grow into a facility with eye examination, astronauts were queried globe, and pituitary gland was performed and artificial gravity for the crew but a micro- as to whether they perceived a subjective compared for association with intracranial gravity environment at the centre for essential improvement or degradation in distant evidence of excessive fluid build-up inside the research. Axiom Space is working on such a or near vision (none, mild, moderate, or skull, cells, tissues, or body cavities, venous concept to mitigate the physiological effects severe) during their short- and long-duration blood clotting in the brain and/or mass lesion. which could seriously impair the health of missions. Prompted by persistent reports Although the exact mechanism is yet to be astronauts on very long deep-space missions.

(Left) Pre-flight and post-flight images of the right and left optical discs show changes to the margins and to the nerve fibre layers(arrowed). (Right) An MRI scan of the changes to the optic nerve, shown kinked by arrow, 30 days after re-entry. NASA

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congress Mexico hosts IAC 2016

By David Todd, Head of Space Content, Seradata Limited

The 67th International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara was a feast of Mexican culture with around 3,000 delegates from around the world. David Todd

he annual meeting of the world’s space newly elected President, Jean-Yves Le Gall, space agency leaders, who publically logged agencies, engineers and scientists at taking up the reins following his controversial their own agency’s achievements and set the 67th International Astronautical election. As head of the French space agency, out their plans for the following year. Charles TCongress (IAC) took place in Guadalajara, CNES, and a former head of Arianespace, Le Bolden, Administrator of NASA, reported Mexico, during late September. While Mexico’s Gall is eminently qualified. However, originally his satisfaction with the advanced state space programme is still nascent, this civilised it was expected that the former Director of development of the SLS heavy-lift launch Mexican city is driven by a growing technology General of the European Space Agency, Jean- vehicle. He also noted that some 18,000 business, some of which is involved in Jacques Dordain, would be chosen. He was people had applied to become astronauts via space. It is not for nothing that it is known as mysteriously sidelined after losing the support the upcoming training class. Mexico’s Silicon Valley and this was noted of the French government. Igor Komarov, Head of Roscosmos, said that by the outgoing President of the International With respect to other one-horse races, the Russia had a newly operational cosmodrome Astronautical Federation, Kiyoshi Higuchi, in choice of city to hold the 2019 IAC was limited to at Vostochny. Now that Russia’s plans for his opening address. one: Washington DC. While the bid was reported a heavy-lift launch vehicle are delayed for The opening ceremony’s relatively short to be (thankfully) an excellent one, it was financial reasons, he also suggested that official speeches, by the Mexican Minister of surprising to see no competing cities. The event there should be a joint international mission Transport, Gerardo Ruiz Esparza (standing in is, at least, likely to be well attended. While IAC to land on the Moon. Bolden said he would for Mexico’s President Nieto), and the Head 2016 Guadalajara attracted more than 3,000 gladly put NASA’s own astronauts on the Moon of Mexico’s Space Agency, Francisco Javier delegates, there are growing doubts about with a lunar lander, but implied that this would Mendieto Jimenez, were helped along by how many will go to the IAC 2017 in Adelaide, happen so long as someone else paid for performances of traditional Mexican dances South Australia, given its relative remoteness. it. But NASA has not supported funded studies and a set piece which included a dangling However, IAC 2018 in Bremen, West Germany, for contractors to begin work on optional space man. is more certain to have a full house and an designs, favouring Mars instead. So will extensive exhibition. ESA, Roscosmos and other agencies fund it? Incoming “Maybe”, according to Jan Woerner in a later The IAF’s business during the Congress Sessional debates conversation. was to change its own leadership with the The first plenary session was headed up by the Woerner, ESA’s Director General, had

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In addition to the ambitious plans presented by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, Boeing had its own Mars plan, with a more conservative and practical approach, this initial sorties providing an early base camp. Boeing earlier paid tribute to the ESA/DLR Rosetta/ launches), but said that he was looking forward During the GNF and technical talks, some Philae cometary mission and explained that to the start of operations of Japan’s new H-3 new launch vehicle types were announced. the reason the Philae lander had stopped rocket. Rob Morrison, President of Blue Origin, in transmitting was that it fell into a shadowed an off-the-cuff remark, stated that his firm area. He looked forward to the ExoMars mission. Ambition was working not just on the New Glenn series Asteroid and lunar mineral prospecting A headlining plenary was followed, the next of rockets, but also on a very large launch made an appearance in several of the IAC day, by an even bigger special event in vehicle called New Armstrong. While not 2016 technical sessions, and Woerner reported which Elon Musk showed off his new Mars disclosing the payload limit, it is expected to be that a survey had shown that 81% of the colonisation plan using a new super rocket in excess of that of the SLS Block 2. European public were in favour of exploiting and space liner. This “superstar” event was Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, space for natural resources. wildly oversubscribed, with queues starting a new Chinese privately produced light Bolden paid tribute to India’s recent about an hour beforehand. However, it soon launch rocket, the LandSpace LS-1, was Mars mission. Receiving this plaudit was S. became apparent from the bizarre nature announced (IAC-16 D.2.7.1). This 21 m (69ft) Somanath, who heads ISRO’s propulsion effort. of some of the questions put to Musk that long, 2 m (6.5 ft) diameter rocket uses four He also noted India’s planned Chandrayaan 2 several non-space types were asking them. He solid rocket stages to achieve a lifting capability lunar rover mission. handled them in the manner of an irritated of 400 kg (882 lb) to a 500 km (311 ml) Sun- The Chinese National Space Administration schoolmaster: No essay questions; stick to the synchronous orbit. The rocket, based on “Long (CNSA) was represented by its Vice subject of space! March” engine technology (which is presumed Administrator, Wu Yanhua. He explained the NASA and its Lockheed Martin and to mean Long March 11), is expected to fly running order for its upcoming, unmanned Boeing supporters were not completely before the end of 2017. Chang’e mission series, including an attempt to absent. In a separate special event Lockheed Given its signing of an unmanned mission land on the far side of the Moon with Chang’e 4 Martin presented its smaller-scale plan for Mars contract with the United Nations, Sierra Nevada in 2018. He also noted that China was building exploration while Boeing presented a similar Corporation (SNC) was at the Congress in a communications relay satellite to aid this and plan in the technical sessions, but both felt a bit strength with a technical presentation (IAC-16 later manned missions, and mentioned that of a let-down next to SpaceX’s massive-scale D2.3.1) and a major stand in the exhibition. China was planning its own unmanned Mars master plan. The Dream Chaser lifting vehicle will be mission for 2020. Several Global Networking Forum (GNF) operated as an unmanned cargo craft as JAXA’s President Naoki Okumura bemoaned events took place, as well as the traditional part of the CRS-2 International Space Station the northerly location of its main launch site technical presentations. As attendees soon (ISS) resupply contract by NASA. However, at Tanegashima (which does not benefit as became aware, it was impossible to be in three with its cargo capability of 5.5 metric tons up much from the Earth’s spin for low inclination places at once. (to the ISS), and 1.75 metric tons down (back

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to Earth), it is also offering to carry payloads and Japan were taking reusability seriously. For While the above presentations on a commercial basis for governments, example, IAC-16 D.2.5.1 covered the efforts of concentrated on launch vehicles, there were universities and companies via its Dream the French Space Agency CNES via its Callisto several other strands in lectures covering Chaser Global programme. The unmanned stage demonstrator and LOX/hydrocarbon everything from asteroid mining to astronaut version of Dream Chaser carries a disposable engine development programme. psychology, and space debris removal to cargo module. On more conventional rockets, there were hypersonic transport engines. Long-range SNC was keen to emphasise the advantages several technical sessions devoted to the exploration using very small satellites had a of its winged design (low g re-entries, ability to upcoming Ariane 6, while JAXA noted (IAC- prominent place – especially since NASA’s land on most airport runways within its 1,000 16 D2.1.4) a recent upgrade to the H-IIA SLS rocket is being rigged to carry 13 6U km/620 ml) cross range capability etc). The rocket. This would allow it to make a third burn cubesat spacecraft. first unmanned Dream Chaser will fly on at the apogee of a geosynchronous transfer During one GNF session, OneWeb supremo a NASA demonstration mission in late orbit, effectively relieving a satellite payload Greg Wyler explained his concept for a 2019. The UN Office of Outer Space Affairs from having to do this. Expendable though it 900-satellite constellation, stating that low (UNOOSA) mission will be in 2021. might be, Japan’s longer-term hopes lie with latency (signal delay) was the key to quality. The firm eventually plans to fly Dream its H-3 rocket, which it hopes will compete with He also noted that one reason his firm did not Chaser in its crewed spacecraft configuration, the likes of the Falcon 9. want to use Iridium-style inter-satellite links, with a first flight in this condition in 2022. By Having already had a major GNF choosing a multiple ground station approach the way, SNC’s Luciano Saccani explained presentation by George Whitesides, instead, was that some countries (i.e. that the Dream Chaser had a metal skid rather the paper IAC-16 D2.7.1 Virgin Galactic China) wanted the power to censor the internet than a front wheel for volumetric and thermal reported that plans to air-launch its LOX/ in their own nation states. protection reasons. RP-1 Kerosene two-stage LauncherOne A stimulating paper – IAC-16 D2.3.1 – was rocket from a converted Boeing 747-400 delivered by James D. Burke, of The Planetary Rockets galore were well advanced, noting that different Society, and Chris Welch, of the International During the launch vehicle technical sessions, launch ranges would allow a full range of Space University. Their idea is to turn the there was some evidence that Europe, China orbital inclinations to be achieved. ISS – or rather some of its modules – into

Sierra Nevada Corporation is promoting Dream Chaser as a fully recoverable people carrier to space with added potential for a wide range of autonomous missions. SNC

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an Earth-Moon cycler. While this was just aerospace to display their wares, including pretty good as well – but the hatch has to be very at the conceptual stage, there appeared to Mexican Navy drones and several helicopters large to swap out the workshop floors with all be some merit behind the plan. operated by Mexico’s armed forces. that that would mean for pressurisation integrity. Despite some dodgy signage, there Venue satisfaction were enough good maps on display to get The city The venue for the Congress was around the sessions very easily, although this Guadalajara is a sprawling suburbia the Guadalajara Expo centre, which was pretty was partly thanks to the session stands being of a conurbation, yet at heart it is a good – except that, although there were others mainly kept in the same rooms/halls. That part small old town consisting of some very hidden away, the main block of toilets was of the congress, was, at least well organised. pretty squares. Dominating the skyline is the just too small for the 3,000 or so delegates But other places were not so well provisioned beautiful 16th century cathedral. Crime is less who attended. The entertainment laid on and some delegates found it very difficult apparent than in other Mexican cities, and included the traditional (free) opening night to distribute their publications and hand- you mainly feel safe to walk around. Taxis are reception, and this year’s theme was a traditional outs, essential means of getting corporate very cheap, as is most of the (mainly good) Mexican fair. While much fun was had with lots information out to those who mattered and for food, but you had to watch out for expensive of sideshows, dancing displays and even a those who were there to make connections or drinks being added to the bill (e.g. top-end wrestling match, and while there were plenty do networking. Tequila). Some of the better restaurants had of drinks and sweet toffee apples to go around, One major shortfall of the congress was a queues, especially when it was raining. And it the event was seriously marred by a lack of lack of tables in the main area to put leaflets rained quite a lot, with several journeys back savoury food (the worst performance in this area and news releases on, and no traditional involving cars “fording” the roads, now turned since the IAC at Naples a few years ago). noticeboard to mark-up meetings and into shallow rivers. This failure actually put off delegates from announcements. However, there was at By the way, for those student-types intent paying for tickets for later social events, least an app for those that did not want to use on dressing up as Mexicans with including the final gala and a cultural the big conference book to get around, while the much imitated fake moustaches and evening, which was sad as, by all accounts, the the traditional CD-Rom, which has been done wide curly brimmed Sombreros for fancy dress latter included an orchestra, a mariachi band away with in favour of a website, at least had parties (assuming they are still allowed to), and good food. Another foul-up was that the most of the talks and papers on it. actually real life Mexican chaps nowadays events were under-advertised (there were After the food shortage debacle at the prefer a clean shaven look, and prefer to wear no significant details on the IAC website). As reception, at least the hall had enough paid- “Stetson-style” cowboy hats instead. Ah well, such, the organisers suddenly found that they for food stalls with some variety (not just if you can’t beat the gringos, join them! had lots of spare tickets, and to make sure Mexican food) – plus some free coffee and tea The exhibition could have been better, of a full attendance, they gave a lot of these tables, and a few apples and cookies. as could some of the technical papers; the out free to the exhibitors. Not everyone had a stand to show off their quality was definitely down this year. And The exhibition itself, while well laid out, wares – or needed one. Australian Peter while the reception was (partially) messed was very much under-attended by space Humphries, President of ASMS Inc, (who up and there was no notice board, all-in-all companies. Of the big players, only the main surely must be comedian Barry Humphries’ it was a successful congress. It may yet be Congress sponsor, Lockheed Martin, was brother given his similar style) was showing remembered as a historic “Kennedy-class” there (Boeing, Airbus etc, were missing). off his idea for a replaceable workshop using one: at which Elon Musk announced his plan The result was that in order to fill the hall, the portable 3-D virtual reality technology. to get mankind onto Mars. Now, where’s that organisers had to invite other aspects of And jolly good it looked too. The idea was Tequila punch…? The BIS at IAC 2016

As a founding member of the International Astronautical Federation, the IAC is a home from home for the British Interplanetary Society, one of the world’s oldest premier astronautical societies. Attended by Scott Hatton, BIS President Mark Hempsell and BIS Executive Secretary Gillian Norman, old friendships were rekindled and new links secured. Spaceflight will carry special reports on this important event in next month’s issue but we have a snapshot summary in Society News (pages 474-477) to whet the appetite. The next IAC in 2017 is in Australia and in Germany the following year, with Washington D.C. set to host the event in 2019.

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Spaceflight Vol 58 March 2016 457 exploration Musk on Mars

By David Todd, Head of Space Content, Seradata Limited

Elon Musk imagines an interplanetary spaceship carrying a survey party to base camps on Saturn’s sixth largest moon, Enceladus. SpaceX

t the International Astronautical pressurised from the propellants in the tanks. flights taking place “over weeks” rather than Congress (IAC 2016) in Guadalajara, “It’s quite big,” said Musk in a jestful months. After the 120-day journey, which Mexico, Elon Musk, the billionaire understatement. For comparison, the Apollo- may later be reduced in time, the space-liner Afounder and Chief Technical Officer of the era Saturn V could carry 118 metric tons transporter will make a planetary atmospheric launch provider and manufacturer SpaceX, to LEO, while NASA’s SLS (Space Launch entry and vertical landing. Follow on flights revealed his plan to put mankind onto the planet System) heavy lift rocket, even in its final Block would be timed with the Earth-Mars opposition Mars, in effect becoming the direct competitor 2 version, will only be able to carry 130-165 cycle. to NASA in the race to the red planet. metric tons. A prepositioned in-situ plant will refuel the In a fascinating presentation, delivered in his The 49 m (161 ft) spaceship/space-liner acts space-liner craft, ready for its return. Musk said normal relaxed style, he detailed the design as the second stage using nine of its own he expected that a ticket to the planet would of a new massive launch vehicle and new Raptor engines, six of which are vacuum cost circa US$200,000, about the median interplanetary space-liner, which he hopes will optimised while three are gimballed to provide current value of a house in the USA. SpaceX is deliver the 100 passengers and crew into an steering and control during landing. aiming for a first manned flight to Mars in 2024 initial low Earth orbit, and then provide up to After a short period of refuelling, the space- with unmanned flights made two years before. five refuelling flights to this space-liner before it liner (once dubbed Mars Colonial Transporter) Musk admitted that this might be an optimistic is sent on its way to Mars. will make its journey to the planet. The refuelling timeline. The details of the rocket and space-liner are will take place using a similar tanker craft Elon Musk said that it would take an mind-boggling. The 12 m (39.3ft) diameter sent to the space liner with up to five refuelling estimated US$10 billion to complete the rocket will launch the 17 m (55.8ft) diameter Mars transfer and landing space-liner of The SpaceX interplanetary space-liner approaches Mars, one of several thousand such ferry flights 300 metric tons into an initial low Earth orbit establishing Elon Musk’s Red Planet colony. SpaceX (LEO). The rocket’s massive reusable first stage is powered by 42 liquid oxygen/methane burning Raptor engines, each with a maximum thrust of 3,285 kN (738,000 lb) thrust and which use a full flow staged combustion cycle. The propellants are deeply cryogenically cooled for even more efficiency. The first stage will have a combined thrust of 128,000 kN (28 million lb) at lift-off and 138,000 kN (31 million lb) in vacuum. If used in an expendable mode, the SpaceX Mars rocket is capable of carrying 550 metric tons into low Earth orbit. The overall height of the rocket-spacecraft stack is 122 m (400 ft). All the tankage is autogenously

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project. While earlier noting the need for a “public/private partnership”, Musk shied away from saying that NASA should give up on its own Mars effort in favour of funding his, saying that the more Mars “irons in the fire”, the better.

Cluster questions NASA is becoming increasingly defensive over its SLS rocket, which critics cite as being overly expensive to develop, but undersized and flying too infrequently to be of real use for Mars missions. Having previously stated that he was not a fan of commercially developed heavy lift rockets, at IAC 2016 NASA Administrator Charles Bolden was instead keen to emphasise progress with NASA’s new rocket, which could also find use in launching large long-range The visionary design of the space-liner is shaped by the need for reusability, efficiency and economy of unmanned probes. scale. SpaceX SLS does not just have SpaceX’s rocket to contend with. At IAC 2016 Guadalajara, “At some stage they [NASA] will need a more “That’s a lot of engines.” Crocker was even Blue Origin, revealed not only that it was powerful rocket,” he said. clearer. He called the overall SpaceX plan developing its New Glenn rocket line (see In the meantime, his firm was concentrating “audacious” but thought that the number of Spaceflight Vol 58 No 11 pages 406-407), but (using US Air Force funding) on developing a first-stage engines was “kind of crazy” before also that it is working on an even larger New 2,224 kN (500,000lb) thrust engine deploying adding “we will have to see how they do with Armstrong super-heavy lift launch vehicle for a more advanced Oxygen Rich Staged the 27 engine Falcon Heavy”. longer range exploration use. While declining Combustion (ORSC) cycle engine, in The SpaceX Mars rocket has a concentric to give details of its payload capacity, it is conjunction with Aerojet Rocketdyne. Although engine configuration similar to the Soviet thought to be in excess of the SLS Block 2. it could theoretically be used for the SLS Union’s N-1 Moon rocket, which had a With respect to the SLS, Steve Creech, Advanced Booster – six of these engines would 30-engine first stage. SpaceX intends to NASA’s SLS programme manager, confirmed have most of its 42 engines “fixed”, with only be needed for each booster instead of, under that the most powerful Block 2 version would the central cluster of seven engines “steerable” current plans, two 8,000 kN (1.8 million lb not be ready until the late 2020s at the via gimballing. thrust) F-1Bs – this engine would mainly be earliest. This has resulted in the choice of The omens for the configuration with such used on other launch vehicles. advanced booster being delayed indefinitely, a large number of engines are not good. The If it is employed for the SLS booster, with NASA funding being concentrated on N-1 never flew successfully. the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) and other this would increase the number of SLS launch exploration hardware. engines to 20 (two six-engine boosters, plus Technologies four RS-25s on the core stage), although this Andy Crocker, SLS engine programme SpaceX’s Mars rocket design will be entirely would still be considerably less that the 42 first- manager at Dynetics, which is competing composite. While the structural weight gain with its F-1B engine liquid fuel booster design stage engines to be used by the SpaceX Mars over using aluminium lithium structures is (Orbital ATK is the other contender for the rocket. relatively small, it all adds to improving the Advanced Booster with a solid rocket design), When asked to comment on the number performance of the rocket. There are, however, was hopeful that this would happen sooner. of engines on SpaceX’s design, Creech said: downsides to the technology. While high cycle pressurisation/ Nobody has ever built a rocket stage with as many motors as envisaged for the SpaceX space-liner, 42 depressurisation fatigue in metal tanks is in all supporting a lift-off mass of about 10,000 tonnes. SpaceX well understood, such catastrophic failures in composite structures are much less easy to predict and prevent. Nevertheless, engineers in the audience were impressed with the fact that SpaceX had already produced and tested a very large composite propellant tank. Doubts remain about the efficiency and ease of in-situ propellant production from the Martian atmosphere for the Mars space-liner’s return. Space flight experts were, however, impressed at the speed of Musk’s plan to rapidly refuel the craft at the start of the mission from Earth, which would avoid the boil-off issues that would beset the project using less frequent

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Elon Musk images his fleet of spaceships and interplanetary craft being used for exploring the gaseous giants, even landing people on Jupiter’s watery moon Europa. SpaceX

refuelling. The low flight rate of the SLS which When asked if he wanted to be the first launches at a maximum rate of twice per year man on Mars, Musk effectively said he would has been criticised for this reason. but would also like to see his kids again. The Some critics pointed out that with 100 dangers of the first manned mission were people aboard, the volume per passenger further noted by Musk when he said he would would be much less than the 20 m³ (706 need a succession strategy in place to make ft³) that is traditionally accepted as the sure that his Mars colonial vision would comfortable norm for astronauts on long- survive any more pressing corporate profit range missions. There were also concerns motivation. about how Musk would adequately protect his While 42 might be the number of engines on craft and occupants from solar and cosmic his new rocket, and of course has “universal radiation. The spacecraft’s water supply is significance” in Douglas Adam’s “The expected to be used for this. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, Musk said

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SpaceX is intent on studying a family of planetary exploration vehicles which could also perform fly-bys of Jupiter and the other outer planets. SpaceX

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that he also wanted to name his new spaceship “Heart of Gold” after the fictional spaceship with its infinite improbability drive.

Sympathy There was some sympathy for Lockheed Martin at the IAC 2016 Guadalajara. It presented a well thought out, but much smaller scale (probably a four man crew) plan to begin Mars exploration, starting with a small space station in cis-lunar space. This would be used to conduct a mission to the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, in 2028. Special “moon-walking” technology would have to be employed for astronauts to walk around in a very low gravity environment. Lockheed Martin’s Mars-orbiting outpost would also remotely control unmanned aircraft and rovers on the Martian surface before an eventual manned landing some years after that. The mission plan is very similar to one Tankers refuel Mars exploration ships in low Earth orbit before they depart for the Red Planet. Musk from Boeing described in technical papers claims that by using tankers he can reduce costs by 80-90% and provide higher states of risk mitigation at IAC 2016 and is thought to chime very by not placing vital consumables aboard the one giant rocket. Moreover, the rockets launching tankers closely with NASA’s own thoughts on the would be reusable, a further saving on costs. mission. Nevertheless, impressive as it was, after Musk’s Mars space liner spectacular which, employment of composite tankage, and over that is Mars. If you want one of these, there is, in effect, was a “Kennedy-class” announcement his space-liner’s radiation protection, or lack after all, the Gobi Desert back on Earth. about human interplanetary exploration, the thereof. Still it could happen. The city of Las Vegas Lockheed Martin mission architecture felt And, of course, just as the early ocean liners has, after all, managed to grow up in the middle more like a motorboat trip to Bognor Regis found, there are always unforeseen elements of a desert in Nevada where it should not really on England’s south coast. And without even a that can also threaten a mission. The Titanic be. As such, Musk is similarly gambling that his shore landing. was sunk by an iceberg, so Musk will be hoping Mars colony will do the same. that there are none of those around. In spite of all the doubts, the Musk Mars Is it viable? While Musk foresees a Martian colony of landing and colonisation plan has made even Doubts remain over Musk’s mission plan, over a million souls there are also doubts about the most sceptical of the space experts excited especially over the number of first-stage exactly how many people would actually want by its audacity. Something that has been sadly engines to be employed by his rocket, the to become colonists on the barren wasteland missing in NASA’s own exploration plans.

In a cyclical mission profile, ferry vehicles rotate and are reused to save costs. SpaceX

462 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 uk space What future for UK human space flight? By Nick Spall FBIS

Tim Peake during Futures Day at Farnborough International In July this year. ESA

n December, European Space Agency had fully recovered from its microgravity spent many years in an HSF “wilderness”, (ESA) staff and politicians will gather in experience during “Principia”, how onboard lasting from 1986 to 2013. This was until Tim Lucerne, Switzerland, for a key Council he had undertaken over 25 deeply-involved Peake was selected as an astronaut by ESA IMinisterial meeting. Issues at stake include the medical and science applications experiments in 2009 and given an ISS mission in 2013, all future development of the European Service on the orbital lab and how he would be more largely thanks to the work of former UK space Module (ESM), ahead of its mating with Orion than pleased to join a future ISS expedition or Ministers Lord Drayson and his successor and as part of the unmanned 2018 Orion deep- even a deep-space mission. David Willetts, who took note of the UK HSF space flight test (EM-1), the funding of the interests and the campaigning in the space emerging Ariane 6 launcher and the possible Roadmap science and industry community, including of commitment to join the USA, Russia and Tim’s mission reflects the continuing UK course the BIS. Canada in maintaining the International Space scientist community’s enthusiasm for HSF The change of UK policy allowed the UK Station (ISS) to at least 2024. research activities, particularly in the medical Space Agency and UK researchers to enter For the UK, UK Space Agency staff and field. Now though, a key driver for future UK into the world of ESA HSF and this enabled the space Minister Jo Johnson MP will be conscious HSF orientated research is the formation Principia mission to flourish so well. of the question of how committed the nation of the recently announced “HuSCO”, the The jury is now out though on whether should be to maintaining and enhancing its UK’s “Human Spaceflight Capitalisation “Principia” was a “one-off”, or whether the 2013 sign-up to ISS funding contributions and Office”. Launched at the Harwell event by Dr. investment in UK HSF will be maintained the ELIPS human spaceflight and microgravity Simon Evetts, this grouping will coordinate by future UK governments. The UK’s tone research group. community level UK microgravity research at the ESA Ministerial may provide clues Following UK-ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s work for the future – as Dr. Evetts explained: on future directions. Does UK HSF need to cut-price but highly successful six month long “HuSCO (see www.husco.space), represents remain solely via ESA, or could the UK link “Principia” mission as part Expedition 46/47 to an important stepforward for the cause we with NASA direct, or even to China and the the ISS, many are now asking what next for have been pursuing for so many years (i.e. emerging India programmes, via bilateral HSF Tim and future UK human spaceflight activity – the establishment of human spaceflight and its agreements? will commitment carry on, or will there now be a aligned life science R&D fields.) The HuSCO If policy continues as it has since 2013, limit on future ESA related astronaut missions team and I will be establishing the office more more ISS/ ESA missions might well be funded for the UK, perhaps with government spending concretely in the months ahead and putting in for UK interests, with UK astronaut applicants constraints holding back on future ELIPS and place the necessary mechanisms to enable the being promoted for the anticipated 2019 ESA ISS contributions. office to support human spaceflight activities. astronaut corps selection round and even a At the recent September 2016 “Accelerating In parallel, however, are the equally important future UK commitment to the NASA Orion Healthcare Innovation” symposium at Harwell, developments planned for UK Space LABS missions to deep space might occur, with the Tim Peake spoke enthusiastically of his orbital and UKSEA, both of which are underpinning Moon, asteroids and Mars beckoning. mission that lasted from December 2015 organisations for HuSCO.” Many in the UK HSF world will be observing to June 2016. He described how his health Many supporters will recall how the UK the Lucerne ESA Ministerial with close interest.

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 463 history America’s First Rocket Company

By Frank H. Winter

The X-15 rocket research aircraft with its RMD XLR-99 rocket engine, the most sophisticated rocket engine up to that time. A pair of X-1 type XLR-11s served as the interim engine for the aircraft for its first flights. NASA

his December marks the 75th created in 1933 and thus the oldest extant barely a few hundred feet, they switched to anniversary of America’s first rocket spaceflight advocate group from that period. static tests on ARS Test Stand No. 1 from 1935, company: Reaction Motors, Inc. (RMI) Due to a British law forbidding private rocket followed by those on the slightly improved ARS Tand hence, the birth of the rocket industry in experimentation, the BIS did not actively Test Stand No. 2 from 1938 up to 1941. that country. RMI may also be said to have take up this activity. But in America, their Then, the war suddenly intervened. Two been an off-shoot of the rocket and space fad counterpart was under no such restriction weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, on 18 of the 1920s-30s. and initiated crude experiments from 1932 December 1941, four young members of the The international “rocket and space flight they hoped would help lay the foundations of ARS formed Reaction Motors, Inc. to develop craze” of that period was started in Germany, the technology that might one day lead to the rockets for the war effort. This bold venture mainly inspired by Hermann Oberth’s classic exploration of space. Yet the challenge proved was based solely upon the huge breakthrough 1923 book, Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen vastly more difficult than they ever imagined. in effectively cooling rocket motors that had (By Rocket into Planetary Space). This fad After just a few extremely modest flights of been made previously by one of these men, saw an amazing variety of rocket stunts that James H. Wyld, with his “regeneratively cooled included widely publicized experiments with motor”. The Wyld motor was very successfully rocket-propelled cars, rocket gliders, and even proven several times during those years on rocket-powered ice boats. The fad also gave ARS Test Stand No. 2. The remaining three way to the first amateur rocket clubs and space RMI founders were Lovell Lawrence, Jr., flight “societies”. Russian-born John Shesta and Hugh F. Pierce. One of these groups was the American Interplanetary Society (afterward called the Origins American Rocket Society, or ARS), founded Started in the small town of Pompton Lakes, in in 1930 in New York City, mainly by idealistic northern New Jersey, RMI first worked towards young science fiction writers. A similar group developing JATO (Jet-Assisted-Take-Off) units was the British Interplanetary Society (BIS), for heavily-loaded seaplanes like the Martin PBM Mariner for the Navy for island-to-island (Right) James H. Wyld (1912-1953), the fighting in the Pacific Theatre of the war. By American rocket pioneer holding his revolutionary 1944, they succeeded in testing 13.34 kN (3,000 regeneratively-cooled rocket motor. Since 1938 it had proved an effective way to cool rocket lb) thrust JATOs before U.S. Navy brass, but motors. In December 1941, Wyld and three their JATOs never became operational. They fellow ARS members formed RMI based upon his were far too complicated and difficult to service breakthrough. Smithsonian Institution in the field compared to far simpler, cheaper

464 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 history

solid-propellant JATOs developed by RMI’s first competitor, the Aerojet Company, formed in March 1942 just three months after RMI and therefore America’s second rocket company. RMI’s rocket motors were still used in some of America’s first missiles, like the Gorgon series and the Lark ship-to-air missile. In 1948, a 37.36 kN (8,000 lb) RMI thrust motor powered three test flights of the MX-774 missile, an important predecessor of the Atlas ICBM. This also marked the first use in America of a gimbaled, or swiveling rocket engine, to control the missile’s flight. Beyond this, and with barely a couple of dozen men on their early team, RMI created the 26.26 kN (6,000 lb) thrust 6000C-4 rocket engine (nicknamed “Black Betsy”) that powered the famous Bell X-1 which on 14 October 1947 became the first aircraft to break the sound barrier (Mach 1, or, about 1,200 km/hr or 750 mph). The same type of engine powered other rocket research aircraft including the Bell X-1A, X-1B, X-1D, X-1E, and the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket, the first plane to fly at twice the speed of sound (Mach 2). The latter flight, piloted by A. Scott Crossfield, was made on 20 Tiny RMD vernier motors enabled Surveyor to achieve the first US soft-landing landing on the Moon on November 1953. 2 June 1966. Here, Apollo 12 astronaut Pete Conrad is shown near Surveyor 3 in November 1969 with From 1949 to 1955, twelve Viking sounding the Lunar Module Intrepid on the horizon. NASA (instrumented upper atmospheric research) rockets with 88.96 kN (20,000 lb) thrust RMI to start at 100 km (about 62 miles), where air tens of thousands produced and they were engines flew were flown, primarily from the molecules are almost non-existent. deployed in the Vietnam War. Bullpup also White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico. Viking rockets 5, 7 and 9-12 also reached became adopted by the military forces of eight Of these, Viking 4 launched 11 May 1950 space, while on 24 May 1954, Viking No. 11 set other nations, from Australia to the UK. from the deck of the USS Norton Sound, was a new world’s altitude record of 254 km (158 An advanced 253.54 kN (57,000 lb) thrust perhaps the first American single-stage rocket miles) and took some of the first photos of Earth liquid oxygen and anhydrous ammonia “Super to enter space. Officially, “space” is considered from space. Later, in 1957, the last two Viking Viking” engine served as the basis for RMD’s rockets, Nos 13 and 14, (renamed Vanguard later development of the power plant for the An example of RMI’s “spaghetti” motor of TV-0 and TV-1) served as test vehicles for Project hypersonic X-15 rocket research aircraft that 1949, so-called because it resembled a stack Vanguard, America’s first satellite launcher. achieved 199 flights between 1959 to 1968. of spaghetti. The cooling tubes also served as Recovered parts of Viking 11 were used to But the 57,000-lb thrust LOX/ammonia RMD the wall of the chamber, greatly reducing its reconstruct the vehicle that became, in 1955, engine – the largest operational engine they weight and the concept became widely accepted the first ever flown space rocket exhibited in a ever made and the most sophisticated of throughout the industry. Elaine R. Winter museum – the centerpiece in the “Viking Hall” the time – underwent developmental delays of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, that caused the major X-15 contractor, North along with photos taken by it from space. After American Aviation and sponsor NASA, to utilize the exhibit closed in 1957, the rocket went into a pair of upgraded 35.58 kN (8,000 lb) thrust storage. Twenty years later, the same rocket X-1 type engines (now designated the XLR-11) was again reconstructed (now appearing as as the X-15 “interim engine” for the first flights. Viking No.12) and went back on exhibit – in the The last XLR-11 flight was No. 33 on 7 newly opened National Air and Space Museum February 1961. The first X-15 flight with the (NASM) in Washington, D.C. that opened in July fully developed Pioneer engine (officially 1976 to help celebrate the nation’s Bi-Centennial. designated the XLR-99), with Scott Crossfield This rocket, seen by millions, is still on display in as the pilot, was actually undertaken on 15 the Museum’s Space Race exhibition. November 1960 with X-15 No 2. The X-15 set astounding new world records Wings in space for speed and altitude. Some of these records In 1958, RMI merged with the Thiokol Chemical remain unbroken. RMD’s Pioneer rocket Corporation to become their Reaction Motors motor for the X-15 enabled it to send the first Division (RMD). RMD developed the motors Americans into space and earned these pilots for the first mass-produced air-surface guided “astronaut wings”. After initial test flights in missile, the Bullpup, from 1959 to 1970 with 1959, it became the first aircraft to reach Mach

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 465 history

been featured on almost every major large- scale U.S. rocket engine, from power plants for missiles like the Redstone on up to the Atlas and Titan to those on Apollo Saturn launch vehicles and the later Space Shuttle. In June 1972, however, the Reaction Motors Division of Thiokol finally closed its doors. Among the reasons were that despite its great pioneering achievements, the company remained situated in New Jersey (testing was carried at Lake Denmark as part of the Picatinny Arsenal). They could therefore not compete with the developers, like Aerojet and Rocketdyne, of much larger rocket engines for major missiles and space launch vehicles up to the Project Apollo and Space Shuttle class. Aerojet and Rocketdyne were also situated on the West Coast and enjoyed greater Each Surveyor vernier motor had a pair of propellant tanks, using mixed oxides of nitrogen (90% expanses of land to undertake their testing. nitrogen tetroxide with 10% nitric oxide) as oxidizer and monomethyl hydrazine monohydrate (MMH) as Nevertheless, both RMI and RMD had surely fuel. Each propellant tank contained a Teflon bladder to ensure propellant control under zero-g and all made indelible aerospace landmarks in the six tanks shared a high-pressure helium fuel-feeding system. NASA/JPL history of American technology as also attested 4, 5, and 6. On 3 October 1967, pilot William J. the war), to rocket-propelled “Jump Belts” for by several prominent RMI/RMD artifacts “Pete” Knight flew the X-15 on its fastest flight use by soldiers and rocket-boosted helicopters exhibited in the NASM. In addition, apart from reaching Mach 6.7 (7,270 km/hr or 4,519 mph) (their Rocket-on-Rotor, or ROR project). sets of RMD verniers on Surveyor spacecraft and remains the highest speed ever recorded The C-1, or “Common Engine,” was still on the Moon, a crater on the far side of by a manned, powered aircraft. developed in the mid-1960s as a small and the Moon had been named in 1970 in honor of RMD’s last major project was the small, very versatile 445 N (100 lb) thrust unit with James Wyld, one of RMI’s four founders. though critically important vernier motor interchangeable nozzle extensions and was Ironically, RMI’s venerable XLR-11 engine which made very fine mid-course-correction intended for a variety of control applications was last officially used from 1968 to as late adjustments to the unmanned Surveyor for use with Saturn launch vehicles and Apollo as September 1975 to power manned lifting spacecraft sent to the Moon to help scout out spacecraft. NASA awarded RMD a $1.45 bodies and was therefore operational after the launch sites for the upcoming manned Apollo million dollar contract for the development but close of the company; these included the HL- manned missions. Upon approaching about it never became operational. 10, M2-F3, X-24A and X-24B. The final X-24B 80 km (50 miles) from the lunar surface, a But a far more lasting development was Lifting Body powered flight was made on 23 solid propellant retro-rocket slowed down their early “spaghetti” type rocket combustion September 1975. the spacecraft while the verniers (three per chamber pioneered by RMI in the late 1940s For a detailed comprehensive history of RMI/ spacecraft) were also activated to align the that was a major advance in the cooling of RMD, consult Frank H. Winter and Frederick retro nozzle by providing delicate pitch, yaw, rocket motors and rapidly became adopted I. Ordway, III, Pioneering American Rocketry: and roll control manoeuvres. At about 11 from that time throughout the US rocket The Reaction Motors, Inc. (RMI) Story, 1941- km (7 miles) from the surface, the retro was industry. The spaghetti type chamber has 1972, Univelt, Inc., San Diego, 2015. jettisoned and the verniers continued to further Drawing of a restartable Surveyor vernier engine. Each produced 133.4-462.6 N (30-104 lb) of thrust for slow the spacecraft and guide it towards a soft 4.8 minutes total. This was RMD’s last major project. NASA/JPL lunar landing. On 2 June 1966, RMD verniers contributed towards Surveyor 1 achieving America’s first soft landing on the Moon and the first landing of an American space probe onto any extraterrestrial body. Fifteen RMD verniers on five successful Surveyor spacecraft remain intact on the Moon.

Applications Apart from these major projects, both RMI and its successor, RMD, were involved in developing a host of miscellaneous and colourful rocket applications. These ranged from planned rocket-propelled speed boats to be used against U.S. invasions of Japanese islands during World War II (tests were later made with an experimental boat at the end of

466 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 uk space NEW PATHS TO MARS

By Andrew Jackson

The Mars Society prototype habitat in Utah conducts studies on what it would be like to live on Mars. Mars Society MRDS

here was much cause for optimism manned space exploration and when informed their plans to the audience and a judging panel when the Mars Society, who have been that NASA’s budget is only 0.5% of GDP that of aerospace experts. pressing for a return to manned deep support rises even further. A variety of mission architecture plans were Tspace exploration for some twenty years, met Rep. Donna Edwards (US House Committee described and a launch in 2021 was a popular for its 19th annual conference in Washington on Science, Space & Technology) confirmed to choice when the planets align conveniently to DC, at the Catholic University of America, on the audience that there is bi-partisan support include a Venus flyby as a bonus. It is not yet 22-25 September. within the American government in advocating known which team won but they were all to a Speakers from NASA confirmed that the Human to Mars programme and that a bill remarkably high standard and it confirms that planning for “Humans to Mars” is now is in passage through the house which will the next generation of aerospace engineers well underway with options for a suitable direct NASA to implement the plan accordingly. are waiting to make their contribution in the landing site, required hardware and mission Edwards also confirmed that the house near future. architecture all under consideration. Private believes the planned asteroid retrieval mission Much consideration this year was given to sector industry support is now apparent with does not represent value for money and, as planetary protection to guard against pollution several companies working on crew vehicles such, her committee opposes it. or contamination, either to or from a planet by a and habitats, most notably SpaceX with their November’s presidential election will be human visit. The current internationally agreed headline grabbing plans for a Mars colony (see pivotal and whilst a “Kennedy moment” may regulations, whilst well intentioned, are so pages 458-462). The imminent availability of not be required, it is generally accepted that strict that any landing on Mars, especially in an new heavy-lift launch rockets will also open presidential support will. Hilary Clinton has area where resources needed by the crew are up a variety of possible mission architecture already declared her aim to make “human located, is completely ruled out! The fact that configurations. exploration of Mars a reality”. Earth and Mars have been swapping material One aspect of a Mars landing where the for billions of years was pointed out and almost Ways and means speakers did not all agree concerns the entry, all were in agreement that the rules need to Much discussion centred on the best way to descent and landing manoeuvre required to revisited and a pragmatic solution agreed. safely and efficiently prepare astronauts and lose the high kinetic energy on arrival. The The society members left the convention with vehicles for the complexities of the journey Martian atmosphere is very thin so aero- a spring in their step and in eager anticipation to the surface of Mars. NASA is intent on the braking and parachute use is inefficient and of real progress, in the coming months and asteroid retrieval mission which will involve hence many advocate extended use of retro- years, towards their cherished aim of a crewed crews working in cis-lunar space in the 2020s rockets to landing. Others envisage “flying” the mission to Mars in the not too distant future. before heading for Mars in the 2030s. However landing craft at alarming low altitude, where Formed by Robert Zubrin in 1998, the Mars many people, including those in Congress, the atmosphere is denser, until the velocity is Society now has a claimed membership of more aerospace industry and the Mars society, sufficiently reduced for landing. than 5,000 with 6,000 associate supporters believe this to be a waste of time and money. in separate chapters around the world. In The alternative is to revisit the surface of the Architectures Britain, MSUK supports the international drive Moon, or to plan a Mars flyby mission, either of The “Gemini Mars Flyby Competition”, as for a collective approach to Mars exploration which would be a logical step in preparation for announced at the conference last year, and seeks to unite governments and private a Mars landing. required University student teams to design a organizations in that effort. There is growing US public interest in these two crew Mars flyby capable of being launched Readers in the UK can find information on endeavours and a recent poll showed that by 2024. Ten teams, from all over the world the UK chapter of the Mars Society at www. 68% of the population support a resumption of including Cranfield University UK, presented marssoc.uk.

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 467 satellite digest

Satellite Digest is Spaceflight’s regular listing of world space launches. It is prepared by Geoff Richards using orbital data from Satellite Digest-527 the United States Strategic Command Space-Track.Org website.

Spacecraft International Date Launch Vehicle Mass Orbital Inclin. Period Perigee Apogee Notes Designation Site kg Epoch deg min km km AMOS 6 Sep 1.55 ETR Falcon 9FT 5,500 Pad accident [1] Insat 3DR 2016-054A Sep 8.47 SHAR GSLV Mk 2 2,211 Sep 28.77 0.10 1,436.01 35,728 35,846 [2] OSIRIS-REx 2016-055A Sep 8.96 ETR Atlas V 401 2,110 Heliocentric orbit [3] Ofeq 11 2016-056A Sep 13.60 Palmachim Shavit 2 300 Sep 18.15 141.96 94.29 380 602 [4] Tiangong 2 2016-057A Sep 15.59 Jiuquan Chang Zheng 2F/G 8,600 Sep 25.91 42.78 92.15 382 389 [5] PerúSAT 1 2016-058A Sep 16.07 CSG Vega 430 Sep 21.82 98.22 98.69 697 699 [6] SkySat 6 2016-058B 110 Sep 17.94 97.42 94.62 501 503 [7] SkySat 7 2016-058C 110 Sep 17.48 97.42 94.63 501 503 [7] SkySat 4 2016-058D 110 Sep 16.47 97.42 94.61 501 502 [7] SkySat 5 2016-058E 110 Sep 16.82 97.42 94.62 501 502 [7] Pratham 2016-059A Sep 26.15 SHAR PSLV 10 Sep 29.75 98.21 98.41 661 707 [8] PISat 2016-059B 5 Sep 28.13 98.21 98.38 662 705 [9] AlSat 1B 2016-059C 103 Sep 27.08 98.21 98.38 661 704 [10] AlSat 2B 2016-059D 117 Oct 9.56 98.23 98.16 671 674 [11] Pathfinder 1 2016-059E 44 Sep 27.08 98.21 98.36 661 703 [12] CanX-7 2016-059F 4 Sep 26.76 98.21 98.35 661 702 [13] AlSat Nano 2016-059G 4 Sep 27.08 98.21 98.33 661 700 [14] SCATSAT 1 2016-059H 377 Sep 26.77 98.10 99.27 718 732 [15]

Notes 1. Telecommunications and direct broadcast satellite built using an IAI HP-AMOS bus for Spacecom was destroyed by the explosion of its SpaceX launch vehicle due to a second-stage helium leak during propellant loading for a pre-launch static test firing. The satellite was to be located over 4°W to replace AMOS 2. 2. Meteorological satellite built using an ISRO I-2000 bus carrying a visible/infra-red imaging scanner and a multi-channel infra-red sounder for weather monitoring, a SASR transponder for locating emergency beacons and a transponder to relay data from remote terrestrial stations. Mass quoted above is at launch, dry mass is 956 kg. The satellite is located at 74°E, co-located with Kalpana 1. 3. Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security - Regolith Explorer asteroid sample return probe is the third New Frontiers mission, built by Lockheed-Martin for NASA, carrying a surface sample collector (TAG-SAM), a sample return capsule, a laser altimeter (OLA, supplied by Canada), a visible/near infra-red spectrometer (OVIRS), a thermal emission spectrometer (OTES) and an X-ray fluorescence imaging spectrometer (REXIS) for surface composition, three cameras (OCAMS) for asteroid imaging, mapping and monitoring sample collection and two cameras for optical navigation. An additional experiment involves use of the radio transmissions to determine asteroid mass. Earth gravity-assist fly-by on 2017 September 22 is planned to put probe on course to arrive at its target, Asteroid (101955) Bennu, in 2018 August. 4. Military reconnaissance satellite built by IAI using the new OptSat-3000 bus for Israel’s Ministry of Defence carrying a high-resolution camera for Earth observation. Suffered initial attitude control problems, but these were remedied. Orbital data is withheld, that given is from amateur trackers. 5. Tiangong space station module built by CAST. Science and technology payload includes spectrometers for visible/infra-red Earth imaging, a detector for polarisation of radiation from gamma-ray bursters, a quantum communications system, a new type of atomic clock and a microwave altimeter. Also carries the 40 kg Banxing 2 inspector satellite with cameras to image Tiangong and Shenzhou docking. 6. Perú Satellite survey satellite built using an AstroBus-S bus by Airbus for CONIDA (Peruvian National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development) and launched by Arianespace, carrying a NAOMI multi-spectral visible/infra-red pushbroom scanner for Earth imaging. 7. Sky Satellite Gen2-2 to Gen2-5 survey satellites built by Space Systems/Loral for Terra Bella are each carrying a high-resolution panchromatic and multi-spectral scanner for Earth resources imaging. 8. Pratham (First) is a scientific satellite built by IIT Bombay (Indian Institute of Technology) with a dual-frequency transmitter for ionospheric electron density. 9. PESIT Imaging Satellite is an educational satellite built by PES University, Bangalore (formerly PESIT, People’s Educational Society Institute of Technology) with a NanoCam CMOS camera for Earth observation. 10. Algérie Satellite 1B is a remote sensing satellite built by SSTL using a Microsat-100 bus for the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL), carrying a panchromatic scanner and a multispectral visible/infra-red scanner for Earth imaging. 11. Algérie Satellite 2B is a remote sensing satellite built using an AstroSat-100 bus by Airbus for ASAL, carrying a multi-spectral visible/infra-red pushbroom imager (NAOMI) for Earth imaging. 12. Pathfinder is an Earth survey satellite built by Spaceflight Services for BlackSky Global carrying a high-resolution scanner for Earth imaging. 13. CanX-7 is a technology development 3U Cubesat built by the University of Toronto NLS-19 mission for Defence R&D Canada, NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and Com Dev with four deployable drag sails spanning about 2 m to hasten decay, three boom-mounted cameras to monitor sail deployment and an ADS-B receiver to monitor air traffic. 14. AlSat Nano (AlSat 1N) is an educational and technology development 3U Cubesat built by Surrey Space Centre for ASAL and UKSA with a C3D2 CMOS camera for Earth imaging, a 2 m deployable boom and thin-film solar cells for performance test, a magnetometer and RadFET radiation sensors. 15. Scatterometer Satellite is an oceanography satellite built using an IMS-2 bus by ISRO carrying a Ku-band scatterometer (OSCAT 2) for surface wind speed. Provides data continuity with OceanSat 2.

468 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 satellite digest

Additions and Updates Designation Comments 1994-034A Intelsat 702 was manoeuvred off station at 32.9°E September 14 and is drifting to the west. It has apparently been retired. 1997-061A Cassini performed its 124th targeted fly-by of Titan, passing 1,736 km from the satellite, on September 27.18. 1999-071A Galaxy 11 was manoeuvred off station at 60.1°E September 7 and is drifting to the west. 2002-040B Meteosat 8 was relocated at 41.5°E September 21 for Indian Ocean service, augmenting Meteosat 7 coverage, from October 4. 2004-006A Rosetta mission ended with low-speed impact on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on September 30.44. 2007-043A Dawn began raising its orbit about Ceres September 2, en route to orbit planned for extended mission. 2011-001A Elektro-L 1 was relocated at 14.5°W September 7. 2012-017A RISAT 1 shed some 16 fragments September 30. 2014-058A Luch (Olimp-K) was relocated at 10°E September 13. 2016-016A Resurs-P 3 was declared operational September 6. 2016-018A Soyuz TMA-20M crewed by Ovchinin, Skripochka and Williams undocked from the ISS/Poisk port September 6.91 and landed near Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan September 7.05. 2016-019 Eight Flock 2e’ satellites were deployed from the ISS/Kibo airlock in pairs on September 14.64, September 14.97, September 15.11 and September 15.24, all from NRCSD deployers. Add objects and orbits: Flock 2e’-13 1998-067KH Sep 16.04 51.65° 92.53 min 397 km 410 km Flock 2e’-14 1998-067KJ Sep 15.52 51.64° 92.54 min 397 km 410 km Flock 2e’-16 1998-067KK Sep 15.47 51.64° 92.54 min 399 km 409 km Flock 2e’-15 1998-067KL Sep 15.47 51.65° 92.54 min 398 km 410 km Flock 2e’-18 1998-067KM Sep 16.61 51.64° 92.54 min 398 km 409 km Flock 2e’-17 1998-067KN Sep 16.48 51.64° 92.53 min 398 km 409 km Flock 2e’-19 1998-067KP Sep 17.40 51.64° 92.53 min 398 km 409 km Flock 2e’-20 1998-067KQ Sep 17.72 51.64° 92.53 min 398 km 408 km 2016-037A Intelsat 36 was manoeuvred off its test station at 61°E September 12, relocated at 68.5°E, co-located with Intelsat 20, September 27 and declared operational October 6. 2016-040F BIROS deployed BEESat 4 September 9.46. Add object and orbit: BEESat 4 2016-40W Sep 10.23 97.50° 94.74 min 496 km 519 km 2016-041A MUOS 5 has made major manoeuvres reaching towards an inclined geosynchronous orbit, according to amateur trackers.

International Space Station activity Recently detailed orbital decays There was the following orbital manoeuvre of ISS during September, boosted by International Object name Decay Progress MS-02: Designation Pre-manoeuvre orbit: Sep 9.76 51.65° 92.54 min 402 km 406 km 1966-056A Pageos Sep 2.1 Post-manoeuvre orbit: Sep 10.38 51.64° 92.58 min 402 km 410 km 1992-040A Kosmos 2196 Sep 27 End-of-Sept. orbital data: Sep 30.52 51.64° 92.57 min 401 km 410 km 1998-067HB Flock 2b-1 Sep 22.0 1998-067HF Flock 2b-5 Sep 25.7 1998-067HH Flock 2b-7 Sep 21.4 Arianespace’s seventh launch of 2016 saw the successful flight of VV07 from the Vega pad at 1998-067HN Flock 2b-14 Sep 12.8 Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. The launch vehicle carried PeruSAT-1 and SkySats-4 2016-018A Soyuz TMA-20M Sep 7.05 to -7 into orbit on 16 September. This is the seventh flight of a Vega from French Guiana, all of 2016-042B Aoxiang Zhixing Sep 29 which have been successful. ESA

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 469 reflection

FLASHBACK – December 1966

A regular feature looking back 50 years this month

n this month’s essays, we major on a science programme. The Jet Propulsion research programme using modified Thor nuanced aspect of a frequently overlooked Laboratory, already a strong force for early boosters with Vanguard upper stages for the spacecraft, the Surveyor series of robotic space technology applications, set its mind to Air Force missions, Jupiter-C being employed Ilanders, and look back to December 1966 an area of scientific investigation not addressed for the Army flights. when a decision was made which turned US by existing facilities or research laboratories: The first lunar flight of the Air Force Thor- programme planners away from unmanned lunar and planetary exploration. Able launched on 17 August and ended in a lunar exploration for several decades. During this first year after Sputnik, which blazing explosion 77 seconds later. Designated Flashback aims to revisit historical events had been launched in October 1957, the US Pioneer 0 it was followed on 11 October with a to find subtle events which had greater Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) second attempt but a guidance error caused influence on the future than their immediate had begun America’s lunar exploration early shutdown of the second stage. Pioneer 1 consequences. The Surveyor programme is programme with Pioneer, a series of was followed by Pioneer 2 on 8 November but one such example, where US lunar science instrumented packages, two from the Army the third stage failed to fire. Launched by the was absorbed into support for manned and three from the Air Force, launched by Army on 6 December, Pioneer 3 failed to reach landings, with far-reaching consequences adapted missiles. On 27 March 1958 ARPA escape velocity when the first stage shut down which are with us today. received instruction to conduct a lunar and Pioneer 4, launched on 3 March 1959,

In its initial stage of development the Surveyor spacecraft was designed to carry a wide range of science 13 December 1966 experiments, including drills for retrieving core samples from below the surface and a lazy-tongs device In a move history would show had profound supporting a scoop and trenching tool. Hughes Aircraft Company via David Baker significance for the future of lunar exploration, NASA announced that it was cancelling the last three of ten scheduled unmanned Surveyor missions to the Moon. Launched on 30 May, Surveyor I had touched down on the surface on 2 June less than 64 hours after lift-off, America’s first landing on the Moon. Curtailment of the programme to seven missions followed the failure of Surveyor II after launch and half way to the Moon, when one of three vernier rocket motors failed to fire during a course-correction burn sending the spacecraft tumbling. Flight controllers were unable to restore essential pointing angles for aligning the solar array or performing controlled descent to the surface. But that was not the reason for the cancelled flights. The story of the Surveyor programme is a chronicle of the early era of space design, engineering, technology and development all in one – tinged with not a little industrial competition and politics. The programme itself is a template example of how several science programmes were conflated into the overall priority given to the Apollo Moon landing objective when funds became tight. As such it is an object lesson in how not to allow a single focus to blur the objective analysis of supporting activities. Surveyor began at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the late months of 1958 immediately after NASA opened for business on 1 October that year. A NASA Working Group on Lunar and Planetary Surfaces explored a wide range of possible objectives for a lunar

470 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 reflection

flew past the Moon at a distance of 60,000 km geomorphology and (35,500 mls); two months after Russia’s Luna environment 1 flew a similar route and seven months before disappeared. An Luna 3 photographed the far side for the first instruction from NASA time. headquarters vectored These several attempts at lunar missions all work in the Surveyor were inadequate for the ambitious goals of the programme to support nascent NASA and JPL’s plans for bespoke requirements of the space vehicles designed around the needs Apollo programme of the science community brought a new under the then Office generation of design and complexity. Whereas of Manned Space the early Pioneer probes had been equipped Flight. Pure scientific with instruments more for the characterisation investigation was of the deep-space environment, JPL’s lunar out and landing site and planetary series would usher in a new era selection was slaved to of sophisticated spacecraft. the need for information For lunar research, in its Ranger programme about surfaces which JPL envisaged a series of impact and hard- appeared similar to landing probes launched by Atlas-Agena those where the Lunar rockets. For more advanced soft-landing Module might touch missions with comprehensive suites of down. science instruments it envisaged the Surveyor By 1966 it had been spacecraft launched by the more powerful decided to carry just Atlas-Centaur, followed by Prospector which a TV camera on the was expected to place advanced instruments first two Surveyors, a and possibly rovers on the Moon’s surface. soil mechanics/surface Following a NASA decision to rely on industry sampler (SM/SS) on for development of lunar spacecraft systems two flights and an alpha A technician provides scale to one of three Surveyor vernier motors. Having after Ranger, in May 1960 JPL sent bidder’s scattering instrument decelerated from 9,450 km/hr (5,874 mph) to 499 km/hr (310 mph) during packages to 32 companies, backed up by a on three. Gone the 42 sec burn of a solid propellant retro-rocket (jettisoned at a height of conference after which 24 firms responded. was a seismometer 12 km (7.5 mls) above the Moon) the verniers provided further deceleration to just 5.5 km/hr (3.4 mph) at a height of 12 m (40 ft), retaining that velocity On 11 July, four companies were short-listed (pure science), a down to a cut-off at 4.3 m (14 ft), followed by free-fall to a soft landing. for detailed proposals and on 17 January 1961 micrometeorite detector Surveyor VI performed the first powered lunar lift-off on 10 November 1967 and a touchdown Hughes Aircraft Company was selected to build when the verniers were ignited for 2.5 sec, lifting the spacecraft almost 4.5 m 10 Surveyor flight vehicles, each weighing dynamics experiment. (15 ft) above the surface for 6.1sec when it landed again 2.4 m (8 ft) away. about 1,134 kg (2,500 lb) including 154 kg (340 Later, a spare flight Hughes Aircraft Company via David Baker lb) of science instruments. Centaur suffered SM/SS was used on delays and the first Surveyor was three Survey VII to add scientific value to the alpha pick up lunar rocks, pebbles and soil. The spare years late but the programme held enormous scattering instrument. SM/SS carried by Surveyor VII was also used potential for the scientific exploration of the As originally conceived for the Surveyor to determine bearing strength, cohesiveness Moon. programme in 1961, the soil mechanics/surface and general mechanical properties of the lunar In March 1962 the performance capability sampler was a manipulative device that could soil. of Centaur was downgraded and the weight pick up rocks and pebbles on the lunar surface In September 1966, after the successful of the science package which could be carried and place them in a small hopper, which fed a Surveyor I flight, it was decided to include the to the Moon was reduced to 52 kg (115 lb). grinding mechanism carried on the spacecraft. alpha scattering instrument on Surveyor V, VI This had a significant effect on the suite of The finely divided powder produced from this and VII. This would be used by A. Turkevich experiments originally assigned. Previously, grinding operation was then to be transported of the University of Chicago to perform 13 experiments had been planned, including a to two scientific instruments for analysis. The elemental analysis of lunar surface material wide range of diffractometers, spectrometers, grinding apparatus was found to be unreliable, by identifying the mass numbers of elements chromatographs and radiation detectors in however, and this method was abandoned. present, identifying certain lighter elements addition to TV cameras, subsurface drills and The SM/SS was, however, retained as a and determining their relative abundances. a surface sampler. Over the next three years possible surface-manipulating device and after Lowered to the surface inside a box structure, these experiments were whittled away until only some changes and modifications in design when the instrument was operated it bombarded the TV camera and two science instruments was ultimately carried on the Surveyor III samples with 6 MeV alpha particles. Backward remained, the evolution of instrument selection spacecraft, which successfully landed on the scattered alpha particles as well as protons, being a long and tortuous tale best expressed Moon on 20 April 1967. It was also carried by generated within the sample by the incident elsewhere. Surveyor IV on 14 July 1967. That mission alpha particles were detected with solid-state In late 1964 when the NASA budget for failed when all signals were lost shortly prior alpha and proton detectors. 1966 was being developed, all perceptions to retro-rocket burnout and the spacecraft Surveyor V touched down in Mare of Surveyor as a purely scientific tool for crashed into the Sinus Medii. Originally, the Tranquillitatis on 11 September 1967, followed investigating the Moon’s origin, geology, surface sampler was used simply as a tool to by Surveyor VI on 10 November 1967 and

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 471 reflection

Surveyor VII on 10 January 1968 and the alpha to support both Apollo requirements and an several months and Bendix proposed this as scattering instrument was carried on all three. expanding suite of requests from the scientific a way of conducting prior reconnaissance of The added value of flying the flight spare SM/ community for lunar research. During 1964 Apollo landing sites. What was lost was a total SS on the last mission allowed controllers to NASA had solicited studies in an attempt to commitment to the manned exploration of the overcome a sticking deployment mechanism find a way to continue the programme. But Moon and when that too was cancelled, it would on the alpha system to nudge it down to the the writing was on the wall and there was no be decades before the Americans again turned surface. Later it was used twice to reposition money for an extension of what had become their attentions to our nearest celestial neighbour. the alpha scattering instrument to different a support arm of Project Apollo. Except for locations within the reach of the manipulator the fact that the last mission was released to 21 December 1966 arm. On one occasion the instrument was conduct a landing and site survey at a location The Russians launched Luna 13 and placed over soil freshly exposed by the SM/SS. far from the zones of interest for manned completed a landing three days later in the But all that, 50 years ago, lay ahead. In mission planners. Oceanus Procellarum using inflatable air bags December 1966, with one successful flight in Utilising a modest growth in the capacity to cushion the impact similar to Luna 9. The the bag and high confidence that this most of the Atlas-Centaur rocket, Surveyor VII spacecraft carried a penetrometer driven 45 complex of spacecraft would prove a reliable carried both an SM/SS and an alpha particle cm (1.5 ft) into the surface, a dynamograph and tool for unmanned lunar exploration, Surveyor instrument and was targeted for a site far to the a radiation densitometer, the first spacecraft attracted interest as a valuable platform from south of earlier Surveyors, the rim of the crater of its kind to carry equipment for probing the which selenologists could collect important Tycho, 85 km (53 mls) in diameter, which was surface conditions. The single camera had two data about the Moon. It was at this time that believed to be a young example of highland lenses for stereoscopic viewing. One failed but great interest in lunar and planetary geology material. This was a mission dedicated to pure several panoramas were obtained before the was garnering support in scientific research science and provided a brief glimpse into what spacecraft ran out of battery power six days establishments across the United States. This could have been – an extensive survey of after touchdown. level of confidence was ensured by the fact that many places on the Moon utilising an existing Not for nearly four years would the Russians Surveyor 1 was the first spacecraft developed and comparatively inexpensive spacecraft. successfully place another spacecraft on the for lunar and planetary exploration which had The five successful Surveyor missions Moon and when it did, in September 1970, it achieved success on its first launch. produced a total of 87,674 images with was with a very much more advanced system, After the last three planned missions were Surveyor V providing images up to lunar day returning 101 grams of soil to Earth. Luna deleted there were hopes of continuing the four, having survived three lunar nights of 13 marked the end of the early lander series programme with a further 10 spacecraft (8-17) freezing conditions and no electrical power while the Russians turned their attention to from solar cells. The last lunar orbiters. It also marked a watershed in The configuration of Surveyors V, VI and VII with the alpha particle data from a Surveyor the space race. Less than 31 months after instrument in its square box suspended by a line. The spherical solid propellant retro-rocket dominates the interior of the structure with crushable spacecraft came in Luna 13, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were aluminium stops under each leg hinge line. from the last vehicle putting boot prints on the surface. Hughes Aircraft Company via David Baker at 00.24 UTC on 21 February 1968. But they 30 December 1966 are still there, selection In a profoundly significant move, NASA and of specific sites being the European Space Research Organisation supported by the still (ESRO) became the first non-US body to sign more successful Lunar a formal agreement for the purchase of US Orbiter programme satellite launch services on a reimbursable which experienced basis. The US State Department was keen to no failures in its five promote US revenue earning streams while missions. inhibiting the economic attractiveness of Lunar foreign states developing their own launchers. science had matured Under this agreement, ESRO would reimburse considerably since the NASA for the direct costs associated with the tiny Pioneer probes sent US government ordering the rocket from its aloft by the Army and the manufacturer and launching it from a US facility. Air Force. But the shift Largely as a result of this cost-only offer from dedicated science the UK decided to pull out of the Europa missions to support for programme in which Blue Streak was the manned flights through first stage, believing it was more economical the requirements of to “buy” launches from the US. Later, other the Apollo programme countries would join the reimbursable left their mark on the launcher programme and this helped stimulate community. In 1964 expanded activities in the peaceful uses of extensive plans were space. However, restrictions placed upon some made to send 45 kg launches for foreign competitors to commercial (100 lb) rovers on US satellite operators would eventually push Surveyor landers France to develop Ariane as a completely which could operate for independent European launcher.

472 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 correspondence

the disappearance of the third dimension perception from a two-dimensional Flying High! drawing in weightlessness; the cardiac rhythm at different acceleration levels; the evolution of the reaction time at different acceleration levels; • the modification of the fine tactile perception at different acceleration levels. At this occasion, I also beat my own Guinness World Record of the number of aircraft flown in parabolic flights, bringing it to 12 aeroplanes, on which I accumulated more than 7,300 parabolas, representing a total of 39hr 18m of weightlessness time, equivalent to 26.2 low earth orbits, and totals of 52m and 47m 30s respectively in Martian and Lunar gravities. These 12 aeroplanes are the NASA KC- 135/930, KC-135/931, and DC-9/30; the CNES and ESA Airbus A300 ZERO-G and Airbus A310 ZERO-G; the CNES Caravelle; The organizers, pilots and subjects team at Megiddo airfield (left to right): Prof. R. Laufer, Dr Dan the Russian Ilyushin IL-76 MDK; the Canadian Cohen, Dr V. Pletser, Pilot Arnon Yaffe, Pilot Norbert Frischauf, Ms Maria Lucas-Rhimbassen. V. Pletser Space Agency Falcon 20; the Dutch NLR Cessna Citation II; a Belgian Air Force Fouga Sir: In August 2016, I participated as Visiting its ancient Greek name of Armageddon). Magister; an Austrian Short Skyvan; and an Professor in the Space Study Programme These weightless experiment flights were Israeli Grob G-103 Twin II glider. (SSP-16) of the International Space the first scientific parabolic flights in the University (ISU) which took place at the Middle-East. V. Pletser (FBIS) Technion in Haifa, Israel. I took part in a I was one of five subjects, performing six Via email series of parabolic flights with a Grob G-103 experiments during a flight of 21 parabolas of Twin II glider organized by the Department 5 to 6 seconds each. These six experiments of Space Sciences of the ISU to perform included the observation of: Shuttles several experiments proposed by ISU a Newton pendulum cradle at different students. acceleration levels; Five flights were organized from the • the behaviour of a three phase fluid mix in in contention airfield of Megiddo (better known under weightlessness; Sir: The article by Dan Sharp (Spaceflight Vol 58 No 11 pages 418-423) fails to mention the political desire of post-war governments to save money by cutting projects with all Journal of the British but the most obvious financial advantages. Interplanetary Society By the 1960s Britain was pulling away JBIS from an independent role in launchers by cancelling Blue Streak as a satellite launcher and had turned its back on Europe’s ELDO programme. There is no surprise that it never had any intention of supporting these kinds of projects. It is interesting to hook this sad story with The May 2016 issue of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society is now available and the desire on the part of German rocket contains the following papers: scientists not to work in the UK as they Breakthrough Propulsion I: The Quantum Vacuum thought, correctly, that the country was in dire economic straits and had no money to fund A Concept Study into a Post ISS Architecture their own ambitious concepts. Nevertheless, Creating a Universal Space Interface Standard some did stay to see their work achieve The Viking Mission to Mars: From First U.S. Soft Landing to Humans on Mars limited success but never reaching the heights Project Icarus: Speci c Power for Interstellar Missions using Inertial Con nement Fusion Propulsion of what their former colleagues achieved in Copies of JBIS, priced at £10 for members, £40 to non-members plus P&P. America. Full list of available issues – www.bis-space.com/eshop/products-page/publications/jbis/ Back issues are also available and can be obtained from The British Interplanetary Society, John Carpenter Arthur C Clarke House, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, England Via email

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 473 society news World Space Week!

Victoria Southgate appeared in a Russian Sokol spacesuit as worn by astronauts and cosmonauts flying the Soyuz spacecraft when she opened World Space Week UK. Michael Cockerham

nder the coordinating guidance of recent decades and remembering the “Remote Sensing: Enabling Our Future”, an of Victoria Southgate, the UK’s intellectual discoveries about our origins appropriate attribution to the lead role the World Space Week was launched out there in space and on Earth too. It also British space industry plays in developing, Uin spectacular style at Alton Towers on 3 pointed to impending discoveries anticipated building utilising data from environmental October. With guest stars Apollo 15 Command from a new generation of scientific satellites monitoring satellites for the European Space Module Pilot Al Worden and BBC science and spacecraft, including the James Webb Agency. That work is growing and can only presenter Dallas Campbell, the event began Space Telescope. get bigger as UK investment holds up strong a nationwide celebration of the dawn of the This year the WSWA chose as its theme against competing government programmes. space age when Russia’s Sputnik 1 was Al Worden fields questions moderated by Dallas Campbell where young minds met the age of launched in 1957. experience from a very different era close to the dawn of the space age. Michael Cockerham Inclusively between 4-10 October World Space Week is celebrated annually around the world and packs in activities, events, book launchings and celebrity appearances. Set amidst the fun-ride extravaganza of Alton Towers Resort near Stoke-on-Trent, the junkie-fest launch site for UK events was a gathering for celebration and for stimulation – of existing and future space activities. Recalling great space achievements and heroic milestones, the launch of World Space Week 2016 heralded a galaxy of star- studded events which drew in young and old, energising awareness throughout the media and creating events and activities which drew off the back of Tim Peake’s six-month mission at the International Space Station. Last year, the World Space Week Association (WSWA) chose “Discovery” as its theme, recalling the great space discoveries

474 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 society news

s part of its contribution to the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the small town of Battle in Battle in space EastA Sussex ran a special event on Sunday 11 October with the theme “Halley’s Comet to Hubble”, keying off the purported omen from this unexpected visitor immortalised in the Bayeux Tapestry and linking it across the centuries to the space age of today. Innovative in concept and highly successful on the day, the event was arranged by Kay Hunting and her associates as part of a wide range of activities connecting the Battle of Hastings to space and astronomy. It was staged in the Battle Memorial Hall and ran throughout the day. Associated events included telescope observations on the green, a welcoming call from the town crier and nocturnal telescope observations close to local hostelries after the displays. Stands were taken by 18 organisations including among others the British Interplanetary Society, Herstmonceux Observatory Science Centre, Sussex University, Spaceflight Editor David Baker, freelance space presenter Jerry Stone and the British Astronomical Association. Education was also represented by St Richards School and Battle & Langton School. The BIS stand was hosted by Trevor and Anne Wayne, with a prodigious display of publicity material and sundry items for sale, and David Baker brought planetary globes, corporate models of the SLS, Delta, Shuttle and Skylon and some of his books. Jerry The Town crier announced the Battle event open to visitors on Sunday 9 October. Ann Page Spaceflight Editor David Baker poses with Trevor and Anne Wayne welcomed visits to the BIS stand where considerable interest was expressed. Lennon Wood, perhaps the first man on Mars. Ann Page Ann Page

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 475 society news

Stone had an array of memorabilia and The talks were generally attended by 80-100 new generation. At this event at least, parents educational materials attracting interest from people with a considerable number of young displayed hope and optimism that their all ages and a running display of imagery and children making up the audiences. children would grow up to be a part of the space facts and trivia on a screen display. The overwhelming impression was one of space-faring world. Overall, more than 650 people visited engagement, with both parents and children When asked about the resources put into the event and listened to individual lectures enthusiastic and eager to learn, many below space research and exploration, all said it throughout the day by Melanie Davis (Mission their teen-years highly knowledgeable and should increase. And when told that the entire to Mars), Bob Mizon (Comets), astronomer informed. It is hard not to see the “Tim Peake Curiosity mission, from origins to completion and artist Greg Smye-Rumsby (Building effect” at work here and to realise that a tidal several years hence, cost a quarter of one Planet Earth), David Baker (Where Next wave of interest and wonder in not only past Olympic Games event, there were gasps of after Apollo) and Jerry Stone (Space is Big!). events but future possibilities has gripped a disbelief. A new torch has been lit. ExCel indeed! s one of the sponsors, the BIS played themes were provided along the back of the were to be awarded to astronauts born in the a significant role at “New Scientist hall opposite the main entrance. The entire UK and who have flown in space. To date Live” held at the ExCel Centre, event was designed to stun and amaze and the list included Dr Helen Sharman, Richard ALondon, 22-25 September, a unique four-day it achieved that handsomely with spectacular Garriott himself, Dr Piers Sellers, Dr Nicholas event featuring more than 100 exhibitors hardware on show and experts of all kinds to Patrick, Dr Michael Foale and now Tim Peake. across all branches of science with 120 answer questions and present interpretations. Tim also received his certificate of Honorary speakers and a wide range of immersive The BIS was there engaging with visitors, Fellowship to the BIS which makes him a and participatory events attracting a wide some distinguished, through volunteers highly welcome member of the world’s oldest range of the general public to listen, see and and staff from its stand, with a memorable astronautical society. The first such award experience the cutting edge of science. presentation event involving Tim Peake. was made to Hermann Oberth in 1949. “Immersive” zones included four prime On 22 September BIS President Mark Since then luminaries recognised in this way themes of science research: Brain and Body; Hempsell presented Tim Peake with the included Eugene Sanger, Guido von Pirquet, Technology; Earth; and The Cosmos. Four Society’s astronaut silver-pin award. Richard Robert Esnault-Pelterie, Dr. Wernher von zones comprising dedicated theatres to these Garriott de Cayeux donated silver pins which Braun, Dr. Leslie Shepherd, Val Cleaver, Dr.

BIS President Mark Hempsell presents Tim Peake his BIS Silver Pin. Michael Cockerham

476 Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 society news

The BIS display stand at the ExCel centre with (left to right) Steve Salmon, Gill Norman, Al Worden and Vix Southgate. Michael Cockerham

Hugh L. Dryden, Arthur C. Clarke, Dr. George E. Mueller, Dr. William Pickering and Dr. Charles Stark Draper. The last such award was in 1970 and it is highly fitting that the Space Chronicle UK’s second British astronaut should join the first (Helen Sharman) in Fellowship with the Space Chronicle, Suppl. 3, 2016 is now available and contains the following papers: BIS. De Havilland Rocket Engines: Part 1 – The Special Projects Group and the Origins of the Sprite Rocket Engine LittleLEO Space Lectures Israel’s Reconnaissance Satellite Programmes, 2005-2016 Copies of Space Chronicle, priced at £15 for members, £20 to non-members, are proud to present P&P: UK £1.50, Europe & Rest of the World £3.50 Full list of available issues – www.bis-space.com/eshop/products-page/publications/space-chronicle/ Back issues are also available and can be obtained from The British Interplanetary Society Scott Altman 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, England Pontefract, New BIS Members Petter Moe, Norway Alexa Leistner, Richmond-upon-Thames West Yorkshire Gareth Johnson, Eldersfield Jake Burdis, Tyne And Wear Dave House, USA Edmund Arcadian, Ayrshire Friday 7th April 2017 Gerard Madam, Australia Luana Martucci, Italy Dinner - £95 Al Worden, USA Sara Colaianni, Italy Lee Kennedy, Australia Robert Hall, USA Saturday 8th April 2017 Joe Whitbourn, Darlington Benien Issa, London Lecture Event - £30 John Ridge, Lancs Charles Polk, USA Giuseppe Di Biase, Italy Samuel Harrison, Sandhurst Combo Ticket: £120 Martin Gammell, Ireland Charles Joynson, Essex Edward Neate, Kent Neil Cole, London Tickets/info: Barry Shanko, Canada Jasmin Evans, Preston www.space-lectures.com Lee Morgan, Devon Janet Xuan, Oxford Conor Ransome, South Yorkshire Nick Howes, UK or call 01977 795535 Marion Seal, Rutland Peter Cornall, UK

Spaceflight Vol 58 December 2016 477 what’s on

BIS Lectures and Meetings Non-BIS Events Film – Rocket Flight Aerotech VI 26 November 2016 8-9 November 2016 Venue: The Gardeners Arms, Vines Lane, Droitwich, WR9 8LU Venue: Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumper, Malaysia The rocket and missile historian John Harlow Website: www.aerotech.eng.upm.edu.my MBE will introduce a rarely seen lm Rocket Flight. The lm, made by the RAF in 1945, As one of the engineering elds with the details the development of rockets and missiles highest technological density, aerospace in Germany before and during the Second engineering is always the spearhead of World War. There will be a discussion afterwards on the lm and the technological breakthrough. Its continual progression nourishes signi cance of the German work in relation to rockets and missile other engineering elds and society. Hence, Aerotech VI adopts development post World War II. the theme “Innovation in Aerospace Engineering and Technology” with the aim of promoting creativity and advancement through To cover the cost of the lm there will be an admission charge of the exchange of knowledge and status of cutting-edge research in £6.00 (payable on the day). aerospace engineering and technology. Aerotech VI also promotes industry led research and technology activities among the academia Aurora: in Search of the Northern Lights and industry players. 30 November 2016 Starship Engineer Workshops Speaker: Dr Melanie Windridge 12-13 November 2016 Do we really understand the northern lights? Tour operators will have us believe that we do, Venue: 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ but there are still mysteries hidden behind the dancing curtains of light. Website: www.i4is.org/news/starship_engineer_2016 Interweaving the science with a background of The Initiative for Interstellar Studies in their history, folklore and changing landscape, collaboration with the British Interplanetary Aurora brings together space, place and science Society will deliver a revised and updated in magni cent style. In a journey that takes her through Scandinavia, Starship Engineer Workshop. We aim to help Canada and Svalbard, culminating in a spectacular solar eclipse, Dr raise the educational levels of participants so Melanie Windridge delves into the Northern Lights. that they can use some of the tools to start assessing deep space exploration concepts and even designing interstellar vessels. This beautiful and inspiring lecture will describe our connection to Two one day courses have been arranged, and you can either the Sun, the scienti c processes behind the polar lights, and some attend one or both, each will be different and important in their of the unwanted technological eects of Space Weather – with own way. Come and join us, and you too can become a Starship beautiful images and adventure stories. Engineer.

Christmas Get-Together Readers are reminded that these Notices contain only a reduced description of the event. Full details can be found on the website 10 December 2015, 6.30 - 8.30 pm at www.bis-space.com/whats-on, where any updates are also This informal event provides an excellent carried. opportunity to meet with friends again and talk with Society representatives. Each member may obtain a ticket for one guest. Lectures Venue: BIS HQ, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, unless Call for Papers otherwise stated. Future Histories and Forecasting Members can attend free of charge. Places must be booked in advance, online or by post. Each member may also obtain a free 25 January 2017 ticket for one guest subject to availability of space. Following the successful session at the BIS Space Non-Members are able to attend the Society’s lectures for a fee. You Conference; the British Interplanetary Society is can order a ticket online or by post (please make cheques payable staging a one-day symposium on the subject to the British Interplanetary Society). If oversubscribed Society of hypothetical future histories and technical Members will be given priority. forecasting in both science ction and space programme planning. If applying via our website the con rmation receipt is your entry Papers are invited on constructed projections of the future of space ticket. ight and their value in guiding technical development programmes, If, for reasons outside its control, the Society is required to change space infrastructure planning and their inspiration role in developing the date or topic of a meeting, every eort will be made to avoid visions of the future. To submit your paper please email Events@bis- inconvenience to attendees either by notice of change in Space ight/ space.com or send to the HQ. JBIS, on our website or by special advice to each participant.

Readers are reminded that these Notices contain only a reduced description of the event. Full details can be found online: www.bis-space.com/whats-on

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480 Spaceflight Vol 55 January 2013