Lunar Surface Concepts Sought, NASA Refining EMMB / VSE

NASA is actively developing the Earth, Moon, Mars and Beyond / Vision for Space Exploration (EMMB / VSE) laid out by US President Bush more than 4 years ago. The American space agency released a broad agency announcement on June 6 for lunar surface systems concept study proposals from industry and academia to help prepare for a human return to the Moon and subsequent lunar base buildout. Six-month study contracts up to US$250,000 each are expected to be awarded by mid-August, with a total of $2M available. The deadline to submit proposals is July 7. Also, NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate recently concluded a 3-day Lunar Capability Concept Review, which followed a 9-month study of possible lunar mission scenarios and Constellation Program vehicles, including the Ares launch vehicles, Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (T), and Altair lunar lander (B). The study incorporated science and exploration objectives from the 14-country Global Exploration Strategy developed over the past 2 years, and confirmed that the current lunar architecture will be capable of landing astronauts and cargo anywhere on the Moon and building an outpost supporting widespread exploration of the lunar surface. To ensure these goals, the 3-day review held on June 18-20 at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC revised earlier configurations of the Ares 5 rocket (R), adding a 6th RS-68B engine. NASA is now set to begin Phase A, the 1st step in preparing vehicle requirements, which will culminate in a systems requirement review for Constellation's lunar transportation architecture around 2010. (Credit: NASA / SPC)

37th Meeting Commemorates 50 Years Of COSPAR

The '37th Committee on Scientific Research (COSPAR) Scientific Assembly' takes place on July 13-20 in Montreal, Canada, marking 50 years since the committee was established by the International Council of Scientific Unions in 1958. The event provides an international forum for the expected 2,000-plus leading scientists from 80 countries and global organizations to share and discuss the latest discoveries and developments in space technology and research. A major theme will be humankind's impact on Earth and its role in exploring other planets, encompassing the greenhouse effect, ocean dynamics and warming, and Moon and Mars exploration. The assembly will be directed by Executive Chair Gordon Shepherd (R) of York University, Local Chair Claude Perron (C) of the Canadian National Research Council, and Scientific Program Chair Jean Pierre St-Maurice (L) of the University of Saskatchewan. A full-scale model of the James Webb Space Telescope, expected to be launched in 2013, will be featured at the event during a special viewing on July 11-18. This will be the first time Canada is hosting the COSPAR assembly since 1982. The 2nd largest country on Earth, Canada has a rich heritage of space exploration. In 1962, Canada became only the 3rd country (behind USSR, USA) to enter space with the launch of the Alouette satellite. Located at the southern tip of the Quebec province in eastern Canada, Montreal is considered the aerospace center of Canada, home to the Canadian Space Agency headquarters and several universities. (Credit: COSPAR)