The “Augustine Commission” is set to deliver its final report of US Human Space Flight Plans to President Obama on August 31. The report will in large part address the budget shortfall which is preventing NASA from sending humans back to the Moon for good. The last call for a lunar return was the Moon, Mars and Beyond vision in January 2004 by the previous administration. At its current funding of $US 18-20 billion, NASA would have to rely heavily on NewSpace contractors to carry or even lead future space exploration. While that may seem viable, and in many ways realistic, 21st Century USA space leadership will require a solid and sustainable commitment from the US Government. Increasing NASA’s budget to 1% of the US Federal budget would boost funding to a projected $35 billion, which — even if done incrementally — would help realize the Constellation Program. Funding during the Apollo era was around 4-5%, then dropped to about 1% in the 80s and 90s and continues to decline. A hopeful announcement around November by Obama to elevate and bolster USA human space and lunar exploration would signal a much needed change in national policy and posture. The international space community — most notably China and India — have already locked into 21st Century space momentum and determination. For the USA, time and money are now of the essence: NASA can no longer afford to scale back and rest on its laurels. (Credit: US Gov, NASA, Odyssey Moon, tethers.com)

India and China continue to advance the current era of low-cost solar system exploration while broadening the scope of science with 2 international events. On August 31- September 4, the Astronautical Society of India (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will host the 8th International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Conference on Low-Cost Planetary Missions in Goa, India. The conference will cover topics on current national and international programs, new instruments, cost optimization and new technologies for future missions. JN Goswami (TL) of ISRO will present his discussions on ‘Exploration of the Moon: Chandrayaan-1 and Beyond.’ Representatives from international space agencies ISRO, JAXA and NASA will be on hand to discuss findings from lunar orbiters India Chandrayaan-1, Japan Kaguya and US Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). On Sep 6, The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) will hold a ‘Lunar and Planetary Surface Science’ in Harbin, China. The purpose of the workshop is to foster the development of missions devoted to the planetary surface research of the Moon and planets with focus on India and China, which are centrally involved in planning lunar exploration and lander missions. (Credit: ISRO, IAA, ASI, NASA, COSPAR)

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