An Article from James Burk, the Founder and Editor of MarsNews.com
The Moon-Mars Commission will release their final report within a few days. In my humble opinion, this is what it should say if we want the new space vision to succeed.
June 3rd, 2004
What the Moon-Mars Commission’s Report Should Say…
April 1st, 2004
Mars Rovers Launch Samples to Orbit
A MARSNEWS.COM EXCLUSIVE
In a stunning development, reports from NASA/JPL indicate that samples of the martian surface, possibly containing life- bearing materials, have been launched into orbit during two separate events from the twin Mars Exploration Rovers.
While initial reports are somewhat fragmented, it appears that each rover has utilized a solid rocket booster (located underneath its high-gain antenna) to launch rock and soil samples into a trajectory which is projected by JPL to result in an orbit around the Red Planet.
April 1st, 2004
Secret French Spacecraft Picks Up Rover Samples
A MARSNEWS.COM EXCLUSIVE
In another stunning development, ESA officials have confirmed to MarsNews.com that the sample canisters launched by the twin Mars Exploration Rovers into Mars orbit have been successfully retrieved by a previously undisclosed Mars Sample Return Vehicle (MSRV) orbiting the Red Planet.
ESA’s MSRV spacecraft (built by France) arrived at Mars late last year as part of the Mars Express mission and carries a new propulsion system which our contacts at ESA have remained tight-lipped about.
April 1st, 2004
ESA Spacecraft Returns to Earth, Demonstrating Antimatter Propulsion
A MARSNEWS.COM EXCLUSIVE
Taking less than 10 minutes to travel between Mars and Earth, ESA’s Mars Sample Return Vehicle (MSRV) has successfully demonstrated a new form of antimatter propulsion, and has docked with the International Space Station, delivering the martian rock samples from the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.
March 11th, 2004
Did Spirit Image Its Own Heatshield?
Did the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit image its own heatshield? The photo release caption makes no mention of it.
January 14th, 2004
Human Beings Are Headed Into The Cosmos
U.S. President George W. Bush today announced a new vision for human space exploration meant to refocus NASA and resume the human exploration of space beyond low earth orbit for the first time since Apollo 17 returned from the Moon in 1972.
January 13th, 2004
Spirit Will Head for the Hills
Today, Spirit’s mission team announced the plan for the rover’s traverse after it leaves the lander, late tomorrow night. The nearest crater and a hill complex to the east are among its long-term targets.
January 10th, 2004
Back To the Moon, On To Mars
The Bush Administration will announce on Wednesday a new vision for human space exploration meant to galvanize NASA, and finally bring the U.S. out of low earth orbit for the first time since the last Apollo mission in 1972. The details of the announcement are now filtering out.
December 5th, 2003
Bush May Announce Return to the Moon
The Bush Administration is currently receiving major press coverage about a potential announcement of a return to the Moon. The announcement could happen as soon as December 17th (the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight) or may be delayed until January 30th’s State of the Union address.
September 20th, 2003
The Columbia Aftermath: Humans to Mars? Versatile Space Capsule?
After the release of the final report of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, NASA is focusing on the return to flight of the Space Shuttle fleet and the development of an Orbital Space Plane. But, are there even larger plans in the works to transform this nation’s space program and catapult it towards greater goals?