Mars and Other Space News from the San Diego Chapter

Russia, China sign deal to jointly explore Mars, Phobos — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

21:13 | 27/ 06/ 2007

Atlantis set for express trip home - more TPS results — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

By Chris Bergin, 6/27/2007 4:45:09 PM

UA grad gets Phoenix Mars Lander mission ready — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

ALAN FISCHER Tucson Citizen

Ramen, Rice, Tea on Japan's Space Menu — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

© 2007 The Associated Press

ISS available for free...if you pay your own way — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Virgin Galactic Spaceliner: Engine, G-load News in the Offing? — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

Author Leonard David

Nuclear rockets could cut cost of Moon base — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

10:09 28 June 2007 NewScientist.com news service David Shiga

Worms may answer space mysteries — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

By Wanda ChowNewsLeader Jun 27 2007

Summer Moon Illusion — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

June 27, 2007: Sometimes you can't believe your eyes. This weekend is one of those times.

Flight Log: The First Private Expedition to the Moon — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

By Leonard David Special Correspondent, SPACE.com posted: 28 June 2007 7:00 a.m. ET

Space travel insurance comes at a price — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

06/26/2007 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit's Solar Power Levels Continue to Rise - sol 1226-1233, June 27, 2007: — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-29 03:00

Spring cleaning continued on NASA's Spirit rover, as atmospheric turbulence on Mars cleared away more dust from the solar panels on the rover's 1,233rd sol, or Martian day, of exploration (June 22, 2007). As a result of this most recent dust-clearing event, Spirit out-produced the electrical energy of Spirit's twin, the Opportunity rover on the opposite side of Mars, by about 50 watt-hours. (That's the amount of electricity needed to burn a 50-watt light bulb for one hour.) Tau measurements estimating the amount of dust in the atmosphere rose from 0.69 to 0.75. (Perfectly clean solar arrays would have a dust factor of 1.0, so the larger the dust factor, the cleaner the arrays.) Electrical energy rose to 738 watt-hours.

THEMIS Image of the Day: Windstreak — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

The crater and windstreak in this image are located on lava flows from Arsia Mons. The bright center of the windstreak is where dust has been deposited in the "shadow" of the crater rim. The darker outer portions of the windstreak are locations where the wind has removed dust from the surface.

FMARS 2007 Crew Reports - Tuesday, June 26, 2007 — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

Commander's Check-In

FMARS 2007 Crew Reports - Monday, June 25, 2007 — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

Commander's Check-In

Image of the Day - Shine a Light on You — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

The Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft undergoes illumination testing of its solar array panels, in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. The Phoenix will be launched toward Mars to land in icy soils near the planet's north polar permanent ice cap. It will explore the history of the water in these soils and any associated rocks, while monitoring polar climate. Phoenix may provide important answers to questions including: can the Martian arctic support life? What is the history of water at the landing site? Also, how is the Martian climate affected by polar dynamics?

Space 2007 To Be Held September 18-20 in Long Beach — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

PRESS RELEASE Date Released: Friday, June 22, 2007 Source: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Romanian Hacker Charged With Breaching NASA Computers — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

by Staff Writers Bucharest (AFP) June 26, 2007

Star trek into space to be new holiday `hot Spock' — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

By Lautaro Vargas, 25 June 2007

Few 'outsiders' sign on to use space station for research — by Gerry Williams — last modified 2007-06-28 03:00

16:35 26 June 2007 NewScientist.com news service David Shiga