Catepillar Inc. is Working on Space Construction

Caterpillar has recently been funded by NASA to begin researching and developing ways to do heavy construction in outer space, mainly on the moon. Caterpillar has proposed a multi-terrain loader for lunar surface development. Currently they are basing their designs on current Earth equipment and simply upgrading it to function in space and on other heavenly bodies and to me that seems like the most cost efficient and practical way to start. They are working on a one size fits all machine that will be able to do all necessary operations in the construction and heavy work field. They also hope to have the machine autonomously operated. If Caterpillar designs a capable machine and gets a contract from NASA then they will be open to capture a place in the future market of space development, and be able to bring some of the technology back for implementation on Earth. Seems like they could be in a rather nice position, but first they have to make the machine.

The Fool

Our Galaxy's Double Halo is Found

There wasn't too much NewSpace or human-space news today so I thought that I would inform you on some current astronomy topics.

It has recently been found that our Milky Way Galaxy has two distinct halos that rotate in different directions. The inner halo is made up of two parts. The first division is the huge and densely packed core, aka galactic center, where stars rotate around the black hole center at nearly 500,000 mph. The second division is the spiraling are that we live in. These arms behave similarly to the arms of a hurricane, they rotate at a less intense 50,000 mph. This part astronomers aleady knew. The second and recently discovered outer halo covers a much larger volume of space and contains many fewer stars yet strangley it spins at a nearly 100,000 mph. Scientists have decided that the two halos formed a different times and have found that the inner halo's stars are made up of much heavier elements such as iron and calcium which of course make good sense. This finding adds to the theory that the galaxy was made over a great deal of time, slowly taking up smaller galaxies. It also adds to the already known fact that we still have a lot to learn.

The Fool

NASA has named their future lunar lander Altair

After going through many acronyms and technical names NASA has settled on Altair as the name of their next lunar lander. Altair is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and is the twelfth brightest star in the night sky. Also in Latin it means eagle which relates back to the Apollo 11 Eagle. The new Altair logo can be found at http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-121307a.html. Orion crew vehicles and Altair lunar landers will launch to Earth orbit on Ares I and Ares V rockets respectively. Each lander will be capable of bringing up to four astronauts to the surface of the moon along with supplies and equipment to set up an outpost. Hopefully we will be back to the moon by 2020 with NASA though I imagine we will be there much sooner by the way of private companies especially with Google's X Prize (Odyssey Moon accepts Google X Prize). Well I wish best of luck to NASA and their endeavors.

Odyssey Moon Accepts Google X Prize Challenge

This Thursday Odyssey Moon unveiled its plans the enter Google's Lunar X Prize. The Google X Prize competition is a global race to see who can land the first private spacecraft on the moon without any government aid. The competition has a $30 million dollar purse which will hardly cover the expected $60-$100 million cost of the venture but the company will then have a moon capable spacecraft which will be worth quite a lot and they may even have a new and ripe market for their services. Based in the Isle of Man – located just off the west coast of Great Britain – Odyssey Moon's inaugural mission will involve a small robotic lander designed to deliver scientific, exploration and commercial gear to the surface of the Moon. Odyssey Moon believes that there will sometime soon be a moon rush and they intend to cash in on it. The Google X Prize must be won by 2013 for anyone to get the prize money.

The Fool

Space tug offered to NASA as new space delivery system

NASA has been offered an interesting new way to deliver cargo to the ISS and other outer space targets. Space Systems/Loral has submitted proposals for $175 million in Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) demonstration money, following NASA's decision to withdraw support from Rocketplane Kistler's stalled K-1 reusable launcher program. NASA is offering a total of $500 million to companies who can show potential ideas for space delivery systems. SpaceX already is entitled to $278 million in grants for it's Dragon rocket system. The Space System/Loral team would use the company's proven 1300-series satellite bus as a refuelable space tug that would remain in orbit for as long as 10 years. After docking with and escorting an essentially dumb cargo vessel to the station, the vehicle would remove it from the station and allow it to be de-orbited over an ocean. The technology is almost all there it is simply a new concept that may be very workable in the end. I think NASA will like this because it is all American made and possible reliable and reusable. Only time will tell.

The Fool

Solar System Squashed, Classified USA Rocket launched

New studies show theory that our solar system is slightly dented and even squashed on the southern heliosphere. An interesting little story, I just thought I would mention it to you, if you want to read some more http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22186054/ there you go.

Today United Launch Alliance launched a classified USA intelligence satellite into orbit today and it seems that it was a very successful launch aboard the ULA's reliable Atlas 5 rocket, there will obviously be little news about this satellite because it is classified but if I learn anything of interest I will of course pass it along.

The Fool

New Frontiers Begins

Hello and welcome to New Frontiers

This blog pertains to the subject of outer space, and the many technologies, people, and industries involved with this topic.

I am The Fool and the author of this blog. I derived my name from medieval fools, also called jesters, these court comedians were able to say anything that they wanted without the fear of punishment or consequence from the any whom they spoke against. So I call myself The Fool because I take this position for myself in the court of the cosmos.

Come back soon and Enjoy,
The Fool