Lunar Development

Still Usefull After All These Years

Scientists are planning to use the mirrors placed by Apollo 11 on the Moon to measure the Moon's orbit to great accuracy to see if there are kinks in gravity over great distances. This is an attempt to try to explain away the dark matter problem , since over large distances gravity seems weaker than it should be.

Tom Murphy, Chris Stubbs and Eric Adelberger at the University of Washington plan to use more precise laser equipment to measure the Moon's path.

It is a measure of how important the Apollo program was that 35 years latter the equipment left there is still being used. Imagine what we could do if we planned to use the Moon for scientific research.

Jeffrey Liss on NVSE

Jeffrey Liss wrote an interesting article for As Astra about the importance building a permanent beach head on the Moon before going on to Mars. It is titled How to make the Space Vision Work (Hint: its the Moon) . NASA has been putting far more emphasis on Mars than the Moon and I think there is a real danger to the entire space program because of this attitude. Mars without the Moon will only be temporary and if we aren't playing for keeps the public will not support the space Program.

Saving the Saturn 5 at Johnson

Funds sought to restore Saturn V rocket an article in Collectspace.com talks about efforts to restore and raise money for the restoration of the Saturn 5 at Johnson Space center. This is a worthy cause to preserve a major part of our history and heritage.

Saturn 5 License Plates Update

Alabama has recieved 1450 applications for the Saturn 5 tag enough to make it a reality. I just wish I could get one, but as I don't live in that great state I will just have to admire them on other peoples cars. The Tag is especially good since some money will go to restore the Saturn 5 in Huntsville, an important part of our history.

NSS and Space.com are partnering

The National Space Society is partnering with Space.com on its new web site and publication of Ad Astra its Magazine. Hopefully this will energize the NSS and bring in many more members.