New Mars Forums

Columbus: European Laboratory
http://www.esa.int/export/esaHS/ESAFRG0VMOC_iss_0.html
Experiment stations proposed for module.

Fluid Science Laboratory
European Physiology Modules (EPM)
BIOLAB: Biological Experiment laboratory
European Drawer Rack (EDR) Multi-discipline flexible carrier
Material Science Laboratory Electromagnetic Levitator (MSL-EML)

Japanese ISS Module
Experiment Module (JEM) "KIBO"
http://www.jaxa.jp/missions/projects/is … dex_e.html
Centrifuge Project is a laboratory for conducting gravitational biology research
http://www.jaxa.jp/missions/projects/is … dex_e.html

So I guess based on cost of save or replace Hubble, Replace is probably of lower cost.
But how soon could it be done? What other enhancements would be added to make a better optically designed telescope for space?
Of course using what has already been built for hubble for replacement parts to keep the cost even lower is a must.
Placing the new Hubble 2 into the same location and giving a much smaller and simpler deobit control stage for the old hubble to be brought down safely with.

So basically since the only place a shuttle will and continue to go into orbit is at the ISS. Then this is like turning the ISS into a command post, Launch site and missions build area for rocket launches to anywhere.
The only problem is how slow Nasa designs and moves, Retirement of the shuttle by 2010 and lack of funding to create that portion of what I would call the mini CEV unmanned.

Sounds like both processes would be useful on the Moon and on Mars due to Mineral oxide rich soils on both.
Not quite from Star Trek where the tank is made of such stuff but close enough.

Alumina in the clear
A new method of preparing bulk volumes of alumina-based glasses and nanoscale glass-ceramics is reported this week.
http://www.nature.com/nature/links/040812/040812-6.html

Glass breakthrough
Anatoly Rosenflanz and colleagues at 3M in Minnesota used a "flame-spray" technique to alloy alumina (aluminium oxide) with rare-earth metal oxides to produce strong glass with good optical properties. The method avoids many of the problems encountered in conventional glass forming and could, say the team, be extended to other oxides.
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/8/8/9

What I find most interesting is the two stage to orbit that I had posted earlier. Can they really pull off a new design before the US CEV.

Da Vinci rocket pilot faces real dangers

http://www.canada.com/saskato....2ae54ca

Sophisticated aerodynamics, physics and engineering will propel Brian Feeney's attempt at the world's first private space mission, but these measures won't eliminate the danger of his planned launch from Kindersley and subsequent return to Earth.

So we can find small amounts of funding when Nasa feels the need.
Mars Odyssey to voyage into future
NASA's Mars Odyssey mission, originally scheduled to end on Tuesday, has been granted a stay of execution until at least September 2006, reveal NASA scientists.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996308

So we actually want to do science on the ISS. What ever happened to all the science that has been conducted thus far?

This is probably old but what ever happened to it, Russian Scientists to Send Newts, Crawfish and Snails to Space.

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2004/05/10/space.shtml

What, did I see real science for the ISS in the form of a construction materials in situ processing concept. No way building from what you have rather than hauling it from Earth to where ever. Not aboard the science only ISS.

Yes I am being synical but we can do better with infrastruture building if we would only use what is available as is mentioned by doing this research into build materials to be use.
Such as reusing anything and every thing that is ever brought up to the ISS.
Re-use the proton cargo ship for something other than a dumpster. I am sure all the electronics and even the capsule could be made into additional temporary compartments for other experiments.

A space traveller’s dream of one day holidaying on Mars might sound appealing, but it would be a one-way-trip.

Not only would it take years to reach the Red Planet but our bones, muscles and joints would crumble under gravity on return to Earth.

Mars holiday, a pricey bonecruncher
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.phtml?article=5831

Rather than coming directly to Earth maybe use the Iss as a kind of decompression station like for the bends in divers. Allowing for close doctor like care while re-abiliting the Astronauts that would go to Mars in the far off future.

Just another one of those changing land scape items.
Dancing on eggs: US space cooperation with China
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/212/1

On the note of a single pilot or in automated no pilot needed here is an article from the spacereview.
Alighting the pilot
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/211/1