T Minus 1 Day in Florida

With the retirement of the Shuttles, NASA layoffs and a general lack of direction, it has been easy to believe that Washington does not care for spaceflight. Thanks to the Florida primary, for the last week Space has been an issue in the US. Newt Gingrich, with the audacity of hope, called for a Moonbase by the year 2021. Last week, Space an Issue For 2012? this blog suggested that Mitt Romney come up with a turnaround strategy. Along with a changing speed of light, this prediction has come true.

Friday a letter supporting Romney appeared signed by eight Space notables. These included Mike Griffin, former NASA administrator and architect of the Constellation Program. The list also included Eric Andersen, CEO of Space Adventures, astronauts Gene Cernan and Bob Crippen. In October 2010 Cernan, Neil Armstrong and Jim Lovell signed their own letter severely criticizing what has happened to NASA. Cernan has also called upon NASA administrator Charlie Bolden to resign.

Text of Letter from mittromney.com

"The U.S. space program is a strategic national asset, which makes critical contributions to our scientific knowledge, technological innovation, economic competitiveness, national security, and international leadership. We have watched with dismay as President Obama dismantled the structure that was guiding both the government and commercial space sectors, while providing no purpose or vision or mission. This failure of leadership has thrust the space program into disarray and triggered a dangerous erosion of our technical workforce and capabilities. In short, we have a space program unworthy of a great nation."

Newt Gingrich's call for a Moonbase ignited a debate about Space. The quick response, with experts on board, shows Mitt Romney's organizational skills. Unlike Gingrich, Romney has not yet offered a specific goal for Space. The competitiveness of this race has forced the Space issue into the open. Whatever the results of tomorrow's primary, whoever ends up in the White House, he will have a promise to keep.

Meeting the Apollo 13 Crew

The Apollo Mission Control room in Building 30 is kept as much as possible in its historic state. The surviving crewmembers of Apollo 13 are Fred Haise (left) and Jim Lovell (right). Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert passed away in 1982. Last week the crew and some of the ground personnel visited Johnson Space Center to share some memories. The mirror behind me has its own history--it was presented to the Mission Control crew by the Apollo 13 astronauts so they would be reminded who the real heroes were.

One anecdote: When the original explosion occured, the astronauts thought that the LM might have depressurised. They tried to close the hatch between the CM and LM, but for some reason it would not shut. If it could not be closed, the modules could not separate for reentry. Somehow when the time came the hatch closed and the Command Module separated for reentry.

Apollo 13 launched 40 years ago April 11, 1970. Originally called "the flight that failed," today we know that it was their finest hour. The crew on the ground and in Space performed heroically despite overwhelming odds. In an emergency, they "worked the problem." The performance of Apollo crews inspired many of us to solve problems of Space and Time.

Super Guppy

The Super Guppy aircraft was originally based upon the Boeing 377, an airliner developed from the KC-97 tanker. With an inner diameter of 25 feet, this plane could carry full-size Saturn rocket stages across the US in a matter of hours. The Guppies played an vital role in getting people to the Moon in a decade. This last remaining Super Guppy has been used to carry parts for the International Space Station and Orion.

The idea for the first "Pregnant Guppy" came over drinks. Pilot Jack Conroy and Lee Mansdorf were discussing the problem of moving Saturn rocket stages across the US by barge. Mansdorf had recently come into possession of several Boeing 377 Stratocruisers and was looking for a business. Conroy made some sketches and the first Guppy was born. Built with private funding, it first flew on September 19, 1962.

At first NASA engineers doubted that this funny-looking aircraft could even fly. Without a NASA contract and nearly out of money, Conroy flew the Guppy across the US on a demonstration tour. Ending up in Huntsville, he showed the aircraft to skeptical NASA engineers. MSFC Director Wehrner Von Braun was so excited that he took a ride himself. NASA was sold, and started pushing the FAA to certify the plane.

The first two-stage launch of a Saturn rocket, the SA-5 was behind schedule because of problems with liquid hydrogen engines. Using the Pregnant Guppy, the important first stage was shipped across the US in 18 hours. By barge the journey would have taken 18-25 days. The SA-5 test successfully reached orbit on January 29, 1964. Without the Guppy, the Apollo program would have fallen permanently behind schedule.

The Pregnant Guppy was so successful that it led to bigger plans. Originally the larger version was called the B-377VPG for Very Pregnant Guppy! To make the new plane lift more weight, more powerful turboprop engines were needed. Conroy knew that the US Air Force had engines left over from retired KC-97's. The NASA Administrator's Office interceded with the Air Force, stressing the national interest. The engines were made available and the Super Guppy first flew on August 31, 1965. After an incident at Ellington Field requiring an engine change, NASA placed spare engines across the country to insure that the Guppies met their schedule.

With the clock running on the race to the Moon, NASA needed the Super Guppy almost immediately. In March 1966 the new plane transported a complete Saturn Instrument Unit from IBM in Huntsville to the Douglas factory in Huntington Beach, California. That same month Super Guppy brought a complete SIV-B test stage back to Huntsville. Thanks in a large part to the Guppies, humans reached the Moon in 1969.

The Guppies were owned and operated by Aero Spacelines, a private company started by Conroy and others. To please the FAA, the Guppies were declared public aircraft for legal reasons. Like today's COTS contractors, Aero Spacelines took a great risk to carry NASA payloads. Also like today, there were many doubters. The ingenuity of the Guppies was vital for reaching the Moon on time.

We are all familiar with the circular cross section of an aeroplane fuselage. It is the most natural shape for a pressurised vessel. The blood vessels within our bodies and even the cells themselves take the form of circles and spheres. Objects from stars and planets to raindrops also form spheres. Philosophers from Pascal to Einstein and even Edgar Allen Poe believed that the Universe is spherical. Scientists today say that the Universe is flat, like the Earth. From past experience, we all know which side will win.

Holding the Moon

October 22, 2009

This is a very exciting and busy period, for which there is scarcely time to write about. The Augustine Committe Report was released today, giving the President options for continuing in Space. One of those options, the Ares 1-X test vehicle has been rolled onto the Launch Pad 39-B for an October 27 launch. Nearby at Launch Complex 40, the SpaceX Falcon 9 will soon attempt a launch. Though friends at NASA sometimes scoff at private space, Elon Musk may be the best hope for shuttling crew to orbit. Whether to land again or just orbit, the goal is still the Moon.

This is a piece of the Moon, a real lunar sample from Apollo! How much is it worth? We can take the cost of the Apollo program, about 200 billion in constant dollars, and divide it by the 381.7 kg of material returned for a market price of 50 million per kilogram. This little bag cost almost as much as my Naval aircraft.

Of course Apollo had other benefits. It jumpstarted technology and science education in the US, leading to uncounted technical advances. It inspired a whole generation to study math and science. The famous Earthrise photo from Apollo 8 showed all humanity how small our planet is. The Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment is one more proof of "c change" in physics, a slowing speed of light.

These priceless samples are kept under the strictest security. Back in 2002 a very foolish intern tried to steal some samples, and is still in the Federal pen. To even get near these rocks one needs a security clearance and a strict background check. (Could "crackpot pest" from Cornell with his Stalinist beliefs get a security clearance? What was that guy's name and what has he ever accomplished?)

It feels like an honour to hold a piece of the Moon. It is a reminder of the enormous achievement 40 years ago. The experiments to be done with this sample will make it safer for humans to return to the Moon and get more. Someday Moon rocks may sit in classrooms, inspiring children to reach higher and farther.

The Mighty Saturn V

Earlier this month (October 1) the movie APOLLO 13 was shown at Johnson Space Center, projected on the side of the Saturn V. Even the third stage is big enough to serve as a movie screen. This is the moment in the movie when Armstrong first stepped on the Moon.

The Saturn V retired with a perfect safety record. Three Saturn V's built for Apollo 18-20 were never used. The first, SA-513, launched the Skylab space station in 1973. Boeing engineers wanted SA-514 and SA-515 for modification into flyback Shuttle boosters. As we heard from Shuttle Program Manager Bob Thompson, that plan was axed as too risky. Shuttles would fly with today's familiar Solid Rocket Booster and External Tank configuration.

The Saturn V on display here at Johnson Space Center is composed of the first stage of SA-514, the second stage of SA-515, and the unused third stage of SA-513. The latter third stage was not needed for the two-stage Skylab mission. The second and third stages of SA-514 are in the Saturn V on display at Kennedy Space Center.

Saturn V was the biggest successful rocket ever flown. (The Russian N-1 kept blowing up.) The proposed Ares V would be even larger and more powerful. The newer design would be nearly too big for the VAB doors, and might require modification of the crawlerway at KSC. Most plans for the Moon and Mars use a heavy-lift booster. We have yet to see what vehicles will take people beyond Earth orbit.

Candidates and Veterans

Monday during the Newspace Conference at NASA Ames in California: Seven classroom teachers are named astronaut candidates in a privately funded Teacher-in-Space program. Here they are introduced by our friend THE SPACE SHOW's David Livingston. As Christa McAuliffe once said, I touch the future.

Wednesday night at Ames a panel of NASA veterans remembered Apollo.

Friday's main event at Space Center Houston featured a rare appearance by Neil Armstrong. The crowd went sky high when Neil took the stage.His short speech told of his group of astronaut selectees, the "9 nearly perfect." Armstrong also emphasized the team effort that made Apollo fly.

Armstrong was followed by Buzz Aldrin with his own opinions on the future in Space. Buzz admires the Shuttles and thinks we should keep them operational until a replacement is ready. He thinks a crew transport should be based on the X-37, X-38, or HL-20 lifting bodies. Buzz wants international partners cooperating in settling the Moon, with NASA reaching toward asteroids, Phobos and eventually Mars.

Splashdown With Neil and Buzz

Back at Johnson Space Center from NASA Ames today, pictures coming soon!

Tonight at Space Center Houston we are celebrating the anniversary of the Apollo 11 splashdown. JSC Director Mike Coats began by introducing Charlie Bolden, who arrived this week. We then heard from Congresswoman Barbara Lee, then a panel of veterans: George Abbey, Gerald Griffin, Chris Kraft, Gene Kranz and Glynn Lunney.

Then came the highlight of a star-studded evening, appearances by both NEIL ARMSTRONG and BUZZ ALDRIN. The Space Center crowd went sky high when Neil took the stage. His short speech told of his group of astronaut selectees, the "9 nearly perfect." He also emphasized the team effort that made Apollo fly.

Buzz, in contrast, sketched out his detailed plans for exploring Space. Buzz admires the Shuttles and thinks we should keep them operational until a replacement is ready. He thinks a crew transport should be based on the X-37, X-38, or HL-20 lifting bodies. Buzz wants international partners cooperating in settling the Moon, with NASA reaching toward asteroids, Phobos and eventually Mars. This evening of Apollo veterans will be remembered a long time.

Apollo 40th

Monday was climax of the Newspace Conference here at NASA Ames. Representatives of the Space industry; along with the 10,000 who attended the Moonfest; remember the significance of this date. The Apollo program was an enormous bounty for science. A whole generation of scientists were inspired by seeing people reach for the Moon. American schools began emphaising science and math to stay ahead of the world. The most productive years in particle physics, leading to discovery of the J-psi particle, coincided with the height of Apollo. The program may have left us the biggest gift of all.

The Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment left behind by Armstrong and Aldrin has been worth the price of the program. LLRE has allowed precision mesasurements of the Moon's distance, measurements of the gravitational constant, and one more check of Relativity, 400 years ago Galileo suggested measuring the speed of light using lanterns on distant hilltops. Following Galileo's idea, LLRE may have provided some important data.

LLRE reports the Moon receding at 3.82 +/- 0.07 cm/yr, anoimolously high. This implies that the age of the lunar orbit is only 1.55 Gyr. Apollo Moon rocks are over 4.5 Gyr old, proving to science that the Moon and planets are at least that old. Multiple clues from geology and paleontology (which will be described later) indicate that the Moon has receded at only about 2.8 cm/yr. How can LLRE be so far off? The answer may be as obvious as the Moon in the sky.

If the speed of light is slowing according to GM=tc^3, time for light signals to return would increase each year, making the Moon appear to recede faster as seen by LLRE. If the Moon's distance were fixed, LLRE would still report it receding at 0.935 cm/yr. change in c precisely accounts for the discrepancy. Apollo may have proven that the speed of light slows as we speak.

Moonfest

Thanks to the magic of jet travel, this weekend we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 at both Johnson Space Center and Ames Research Center in California. Saturday afternoon was a reunion of ED, the engineers who made Apollo fly. That evening was "Fly Me to the Moon," a public celebration at University of Houston Clear Lake. We saw Apollo footage introduced by Flight Director Glenn Lunney and his son Brian, who is a flight director today!

Sunday Ames Research Center was open for a Moonfest. On the parade ground were many exhibits and a rap band doing space rap!. Speakers included scientists Paul Spudis and Astronaut Don Pettit. Over 10,000 people showed up at Ames, proving how much enthusiasm exists for the Moon.

Apollo 11 Launch

From the NASA files, the launch of Apollo 11 on July 16, 1969. Who would have believed that humans can accomplish a feat like this? Prior to Apollo even some NASA engineers doubted that it could be done. They came close to failure many times, but this was the result.

Will we see a simliar scene in 10 years time? Some are starting to doubt that we can reach the Moon by 2020. Tuesday SpaceX reached orbit for the second time and Wednesday the Shuttle Endeavour finally launched. What an exciting time!

Shadow of the Moon and Wonder Of It All

STS-127 attempted to launch bot Saturday and Sunday nights. After each day's launch was scrubbed, the evening was not lost. Saturday night, University of Houston Clear Lake (adjacent to JSC) played the documentary SHADOW OF THE MOON, introduced by Flight Controller Glenn Lunney. The movie told the intimate story of 8 men who landed on the Moon. Only 9 moonwalkers survive, and their experiences are priceless.

Sunday night at 8:00 PM Space Center Houston's IMAX theatre was host to the new film THE WONDER OF IT ALL. Way back in May 2008 we previewed this fine film at ISDC in Wahington. WONDER also features interviews with the men who walked on the Moon. Here director Jeffrey Roth answers questions with Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham (who looks great, by the way).

Another launch attempt is scheduled for 6:51 PM ET Monday. Our hopes still travel with the astronauts into Space.

UPDATE: At about 6:30 PM EST, we received a NO GO for weather. They will try again Wednesday. Meanwhile in the Pacific, SpaceX is counting down to launch Falcon 1 into orbit. What an exciting week!

Failure Is Not an Option

April 21, 2009

This is the Flight Director's chair in Apollo Mission Control. The room is a national historical monument, important for all history. The flag flying in the background actually went to the Moon. Over the drinking fountain is a mirror that travelled with Apollo 13. In the future this little blog hopes to give a first-hand account of a drive to reach the Moon. Once upon a time advocates of space flight were thought foolish, like people who say the speed of light can change. Today we are making plans and cutting metal for a return to the Moon.

Monday we had the good fortune to meet former Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale. His blog also gives an insider account of NASA. Back in February he complained that alternative choices about programs had not been presented to him, Wayne Hale Speaks Up. He seemed pleased that someone rides to work on a motorcycle!

Recently in Building 30 we heard a talk by the real thing, Flight Director Gene Krantz. While hundreds of people have become astronauts, there have only been about 80 flight directors. Krantz talked about his experiences from before Mercury to Apollo 13. He was very pleased to see so many young men and women working at NASA. His experiences are an inspiration to everyone exploring the unknown.

More photos from Johnson Space Center soon!