Are We or Are We Not A Spacefaring Nation?

Chump Change Budgeting:  In a recent presentation in New York City before a meeting of aerospace executives and flight personnel, Michael Griffin stated that NASA is forced to operate on a "chump change" budget.  According to NASA's immediate past administrator, this amounts to about 1% of the Federal budget and is less that what Americans spend annually on pizza.

I wish I had been there. I find it amazing and admirable that NASA has managed to accomplish so much with so little.  Nevertheless, if we are to maintain our position as a space fairing nation we must develop a broader, more coordinated and better supported space research and development program.  Right now, the NASA budget forces its various divisions to compete with each other for fiscal crumbs which creates the on again, off again behavior of the agency.

Yes, I know there are clear cases of fiscal improprieties by both NASA contractors and some NASA staff.  This is not peculiar to NASA, this is a pitfall that every agency in our government faces unless they each maintain a solid assessment of their operations. So yes, there has been some sloppy management at some level, but there has also been some inexcusable contractor behaviors as well. Before NASA can holler for a bigger budget, this must be fixed.

Part of the problem is how the NASA procurement specs are written and enforced.  Procurement specs, unfortunately are sometimes drafted by folks who know budgets, but have no idea of how a research and devlopment agency like NASA must operate.  There needs to be a closer working relationship between the operational divisions and the fiscal wizards.

So, our first new step into space should be a re-organized NASA that shows the capability to manage and apply a bigger budget. We simply cannot remain the leading space fairing nation if we must do so on crumbs.

Good Boys, Good Girls, Whataya Gonna Do? Hubble's rejuvenation will remain as one of the outstanding examples of the competence, courage, and stamina of our astronauts.  How on Earth can we let this vital, dynamic resource go idle for up to possibly 10 years.  That time interval depends upon when we re-start our manned exploration programs.

Yes, the shuttles are tired, but not at retirement age.  Like Hubble, they too can be rejuvenated and the millions even billions NASA will spend paying others (including Russia) to service the ISS and possibly other space vehicles could be applied to a recycled shuttle fleet.  

There is a decision pending about an expanded and extended program for the ISS that simply underscores the many advantages of support from our shuttle program.  Yes, there have been shuttle disasters, but we have learned from each, and those lessons have shown up clearly in the success and safety of the follow on shuttle flights.  Why are we throwing all that aside?

Have Shuttle Will Travel: What would be the value if we kept a shuttle on station at the ISS? Could it be done?  We certainly would not need to have an ongoing supply of big boosters. Launching from the ISS could be far less shuttle stressful.  So, we might have to expand the ISS to do that, well, that is just putting to further good use an already great idea.  Sure, probably crazy speculation, but then again maybe not.  The big idea is to reduce launch costs, delays and dangers by having a shuttle team operating in orbit from the ISS.

I guess the real consideration is that we, and our space team at NASA should not be forced to either back down or give up.  They are on a roll, and we need to keep that going if we are going to persist in space.  How can we be reaching out to possible life on other planets while sitting at home putting NASA into near mothballs?

Come on , lets keep the Good Boys and Girls busy.

ExoDigest (c) 2009 Waddell Robey  All individual copyrights apply.

Reflections On A First Light

EYES WIDE AND READY It has been over a month since the Kepler Mission launch and as we all know, Kepler has had its "first light" sightings of its target. Now for the next three plus years the exoplanet census begins.

I have referred to the search mission as a census, because on this first stage of a increasingly intense effort to find Earth-like planets we will most probably find thousands of candidate planets that must then be examined more closely. In other words discovery of a sister-Earth is going to be a long, long process that will require equipment and processes not yet off the drawing board. They are not completely off the drawing board, in my opinion, because final designs and protocols are awaiting details from the census.

If you have not seen Kepler's "first light" images, you may click here. Keep in mind Kepler is a different telescope than Hubble or Spitzer, so you will see what we call wide field images of the target area. No close ups on this trip.

HO-HUM BACKLASH: NASA and its partners are quite accustomed to the roller coaster reactions of public interest in its various space programs. The initial worldwide excitement over the early phases of each of its big programs slowly fades and this will happen with our search and identification of Earth-like planets. The real concern is that a growing public disinterest often spells weakening Congressional support to sustain long-term and expensive missions such as our exoplanet programs.

NASA's most recent public relations activities indicate an increased sensitivity to the perils of the ho-hum backlash, and some of these "PR" programs have been very good. This is especially true of those directed to students at all grade levels. This activity needs to both continue and increase in scope.

In the case of the Kepler Mission and the forthcoming follow-on missions NASA needs to come up with a broad concept that the public can identify with over the long term. This could be similar to the stimulating efforts of science writers such as Willy Ley, space artist Chesley Bonestell and, of course, the scientific and public relations efforts of Dr. von Braun when they helped kick-off the idea of manned exploration of space. We need the same kind of imaginative and stimulating presentations to keep us focused on the lengthy search for life on distant planets. To get an idea of what I mean, see my blog on space art here.

CLOSER LOOKS AT LIFE: For me, at least, one of the most exciting developments is the increased research into how life starts and develops. The science of astrobiology, always active, is now moving at high speed to be better prepared to help determine if and what kind of life might exist on a habitable planet. This is not going to be easy, considering the distances involved, but we have and we are adding both instrumentation and protocols that will enable us to "sniff" the atmosphere and "sense" the energy that emanates from these new found sister Earths. True, these results will reveal the existence or non-existence of life, but we will still not be in a position to describe or gain actual samples of exo-lifeforms.

Doctor 3PO, could very well be our first direct contact with life forms on a distant planet. Yes, I see robots making the long, long journey to a candidate planet to land on it, and begin the process of assessing its environment. Hey, we have learned a lot about this in our Mars Missions. So you naysayers, be aware just how much the Mars project will be helping us. In fact, within possibly this and the next century, all of our "on site" investigations of our sister planets will most likely be with robot teams.

For certain, those robots will be so sophisticated and bright (yes they will both think and decide by virtue of their articifical intelligent brains) it will be almost as if we were there ourselves. Now of course if one of these planets has a developed humanoid population we will need to send some Ambassador Robots in first, but, hopefully, no warbots.

THE RUSH AND TINGLE: It has already started, for me at least, I read and think about the Kepler Mission and the window it is opening and I get chills of anticipation and excitement. The coming follow-on missions where we begin to actually open the door to new worlds of life will produce cascading rushes and steady tingles as we realize we are no longer (actually never were) alone. Everything from that day forward will change all that we are and what will be for eons to come. Exciting is not the word, revolutionizing is what will be happening. In my mind, it will be all for the good across the Milky Way and beyond.

May the chills be with you.

ExoDigest (c)2009 Waddell Robey. All individual copyrights apply.

ExoDigest Publication Change

I apologize for the two weeks of no new postings. Part of this is due to a personal medical problem and part is due to a review of how I wish this digest to provide brief synopses of major progress in the search for Earthlike planets throughout this galaxy. Here is my decision.

ExoDigest will be published once a month to cover events past and present for the previous month. I feel this will be more informative and useful. There are many regular, often daily, postings that provide good, solid information that would simply be repeated in ExoDigest. These sources: the blog Exoplanetology, JPL/NASA Planet Quest, and the specific and increasing daily reports from the Kepler Project are my choices for up to the minute data. I encourage you to look to them for daily news and to continue to look to ExoDigest for a synoptic overview, and an occasional editorial.

I thank you for your support and interest and I hope you will continue to visit ExoDigest. Our next publication date will be on April 5, 2009 and the first Sunday of each successive month. Please join us on those dates, and thank you for your patience.

Waddell Robey

ExoDigest (c) 2009 Waddell Robey Individual copyrights apply.

News and Events: Week Ending 03/07/09

GO KEPLER, GO: There were probably very few of us who were not watching the launch of the Kepler Space Telescope and the kickoff of humankind's search for Earth-like planets. The image on the left is courtesy of the BBC and is spectacular. Similarly, as we all know, Kepler now goes through a comprehensive testing phase before it begins its search routine.

Kepler team members remind us that this 3+ year mission is just the beginning in which Kepler will seek out and identify planets that meet the criteria for an analog of our home planet. Will that tell us there is life on those planets? Not likely, but what it will tell us is those Earth-like candidates have the potential to support some level of life. It will take the next phase of exploration with different space-born instruments to begin the search for life. Yes, the discovery will happen, but it is not certain when.

Planetary Society's Exoplanet Catalog: The Society states, "In order to share with you all that has been found to date, The Planetary Society -- with support from our members -- created the Catalog of Exoplanets. Here you will find a regularly updated database of all known exoplanets. Our catalog is designed with resources for every level of study whether you are a professional, amateur, teacher, student, or simply want to find out what the buzz is about the latest exoplanet discovery."

This new catalog is in addition to the European Space Agency's "exoplanet encyclopedia" which was one of the first catalogs to be produced and has a host of useful data. You can access the Planetary Society's catalog here and the ESO catalog here.

Origins of Life: To successfully detect and categorize life on the Earth-like exoplanets we are about to discover, we must first understand the origins of life on our own planet. Believe or not, this is and remains an ongoing research activity. In other words, scientists emphasize that we still do not have all the answers about how life got started here on Earth. A recent report in Science Daily states, "A major mystery about the origins of life has been resolved. According to a study published in the journal Nature, two Université de Montréal scientists have proposed a new theory for how a universal molecular machine, the ribosome, managed to self-assemble as a critical step in the genesis of all life on Earth." To read the full report, click here.

The image on the left is courtesy of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, MA.

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Publication of ExoDigest will continue through the support of my colleague Jared Wilhofen while I attend to some personal matters. We will work jointly in gathering reports and news and get it out as close to our announced schedule as possible. Your continuing interest, support and patience is appreciated.

ExoDigest (c) 2009 Waddell Robey.

News and Comments: Week Ending 02/28/09

An Exo-planetary Dance: Noted astronomer and author Ken Croswell writes about the recently discovered exo-planets, HD45364 b and c and the similarity of their relationship to that of Neptune and Pluto. Croswell states "A newfound pair of extrasolar planets may boost the planetary prospects of beleaguered Pluto. The pair has the same orbital resonance as Neptune and Pluto, and the "inner" planet may sometimes lie beyond the "outer" planet--the same situation that prevails for Neptune and Pluto." Croswell believes there is hope, based on this new discovery, for Pluto to be returned to the status of a planet. To learn more please click the header above.



History, Exciting History Repeating Itself. The image on the left is, of course, that of Christopher Columbus selling his idea to search for riches in the "Indies." It could easily be a modern day photograph of a NASA Administrator pitching the idea of a space-based search for Earth-like exoplanets. Most notably, the array of supporters behind Columbus, would today be astronomers, astrophysicists and a wide collection of those scientists eager to find evidence of life on those discovered exoplanets.

You can literally feel the energy of these exploratory efforts and in that regard this past week was loaded with articles and reports on these activities. Two articles from Astrobiology Magazine discuss (a) the different types of exo-planets that may have the potential to support life, and (b) the study, on this planet, of extreme environments that support some forms of life.

Mars, too, may provide vital information on why or why not life cannot begin and thrive on an Earth-like exoplanet.

The citations above are just a few samples of this intense activity. It is blooming as a result of the current 300+ exoplanet discoveries we have already made. When the Kepler Mission is launched. The real hunt begins, and it will bring far more excitement and hope, as well as some negative reaction, that is similar to, but far greater than what Columbus experienced.

Just think about it. These are probably the most exciting times in all of human history because we are at the brink of finally knowing that we are not alone and never have been. As the discoveries increase in both the quantity and quality of their revelations we are going to undergo both philosophical and cosmological shifts that have not really been experienced since Galileo picked up his telescope. Now 400 years may seem long, but considering how long humankind has been on this planet and how long it took us to produce and protect the Galileos among us, then it is really a very, very short time. We should be proud, we should also be humble and above all we should stand tall.

The image of Mars is courtesy of NASA, STScI, and the mighty Hubble Space Telescope

Kepler Mission Update: Well as we all know the awesome and threatening collision of the two satellites and the early, saddening demise of the OCO satellite mission has put NASA on alert. They are proceeding cautiously to determine the best time to launch not just Kepler, but other missions based upon the path and status of the circling debris field. Of equal importance is NASA's efforts to insure that the launch system will function properly and safely. This activity extends to both the manned missions to the ISS and to the updating of the Hubble Space Telescope.

A Non-fiction Back To The Future. As I have posted in my other blogs, etc. I am researching Native American astronomy. What I am learning, both from my own background and my research is that our Native American brothers' entire lifestyle and philosophies have deep and strong beliefs and behaviors related to their relationship with our planet and the universe it inhabits.

In summary that relationship is characterized by a lasting reverence for our home: planet Earth. Admittedly biased by my strong link to these people, I believe that as we learn more about the universe and especially as we learn we are not alone, we too will gain a new reverance for our sweet home. This is most essential if we are to persist and in persisting extend ourselves beyond Earth into the galactic life within which we live. **Should you wish, you may select the header above to view an evening star (Venus) and a flute tone poem played by Carlos Nakai entitled "Song of the Evening Star." It underscores what I talk about revering our celestial surrounds.

ExoDigest (c) 2009 Waddell Robey. All individual copyrights apply.

News and Events: Week Ending 02/21/09

SCHEDULE NOTICE: To fully meet our digest period, we will publish ExoDigest on the date immediately following our "week-ending" date. We have had some news breaks come in late on the last day and not be included because we had already published the blog. In almost all cases the publishing date will be the Sunday immediately following our "week-ending" date. Thank you for following ExoDigest. About the image: This is actually the planet Jupiter, but the particular night, and the scope setting contributed to what I call: "sparkly Jupiter" Click here for a real image of Jupiter courtesy of the telescopes at Slooh.com and yours truly.

LOOKING FOR NEW LIFE - EVERY PLACE: The science and associated research in the field of Astrobiology has been with us all along, but now that the reality of finding extra-solar planets that support life has ratcheted up this science to higher levels. In the header, I use the words every place because astrobiologists are looking more closely at our own Earth and its environment. Additionally, it has just been recently announced that NASA and ESA plan to jointly explore the moons of Jupiter and Saturn in an effort to look for evidence of life within our solar system. The image at the left is an artist's graphic of four of Jupiter's moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. The image is courtesy of NASA.

Although the article does not directly address it, these research efforts also will enhance our ability to better detect life or life supporting conditions on the Earthlike planets that we will discover in the next few years. To learn more, please click on the header.

ISO The Lonely Planet The international magazine, The Economist recently published an article entitled The Lonely Planet Guide which I found interesting so I provide a link to it here. It is a mix of fact and fiction that stimulates the imagination. Please click the header to read the article. The following is an excerpt from the article.

"In a book called “Life, the Universe and Everything”, Douglas Adams imagined a planet called Krikkit that was enrobed in a dust cloud so thick that its inhabitants could not see the universe beyond. They lived in happy isolation under an ink-black sky until, one day..."

The artist image is courtesy of ESA and The Economist.

Plate Tectonics and Exoplanet Life Plate Tectonics Could be Essential for Life. "Planetary scientists have been considering the potential importance of plate tectonics. Some believe that this geological process is essential for the development of complex lifeforms, and in the future could even be used as a biosignature to detect habitable worlds.

Plate tectonics have changed the surface of the Earth, but could they be key to life on this planet and others? Plate tectonics is the process of continents on the Earth drifting and colliding, rock grinding and scraping, mountain ranges being formed, and earthquakes tearing land apart. It makes our world dynamic and ever-changing. But should it factor into our search for life elsewhere in the universe?"

The image and the above quotes are courtesy of Astrobiology magazine. Please click the header to read the complete article.

Astrophysicists Puzzled How Planets Form Now that we are finding exoplanets orbiting distant stars in the Milky Way galaxy, planetary scientists and astrophysicists are extending their research to fully understand the process the leads to the formation of planets. A recent, and interesting article on this research has been published and I provide a link here for you to read the entire report. It is notable that this research helps not only our understanding of exoplanet development, but to also better understand our planet as well as our entire solar system. Please click the header to read the full article.

Kepler Mission Update Finally, for those of you who may have missed it, here is the link to the NASA video on the update briefing of the Kepler Mission. Click here to open the video

ExoDigest: (c)2009 Waddell Robey. All individual copyrights apply

News and Events Week Ending February 14, 2009

KEPLER UPDATE: The Kepler team is going through the final readiness steps prior to the planned launch of this planet hunter on March 15, 2009. A co-investigator of the Kepler mission, William Cochran, pointed out that "If we find no Earth-like planets, then we can say with great confidence that Earths like ours are rare." A true Earth-like planet must meet size, composition, orbit (within the habitable zone) and bio-chemical criteria in order to be fully labeled as such.

Although it has not been directly mentioned in recent media reports, the siderial period (the time it takes a planet to complete a full orbit of its host star) may also be a factor of "Earthiness." Additionally, the duration of daylight hours and the associated seasons that characterize that relationship with the host star are assumed to play a key role in the evolutionary process of life. Part of these latter events are affected by a planet's tilt on its axis and the nature of its elliptical orbit. So the Earth-like or "Earthiness" measure includes a series of very critical factors that will most likely reduce the number of true Earthlike candidates discovered by the Kepler Mission or its successors.

Lastly, whatever number of true Earth-like planets that are discovered, scientists can apply the Drake equation to statistically estimate the number of similar planets that could exist in our galaxy. This equation actually asks a series of questions that must be satisfied before the statistics can be calculated. As you will see when you open the above link, there are even more criteria to be discovered before we have what SETI scientist, Frank Drake, designates as planets that can or do support life, and especially sentient life. Source:Wired Science(02/10/09 Clara Moskowitz), NASA, JPL, and SETI/Frank Drake.

From Astrobiology Magazine: "Rocking the Cosmic Cradle" "New research tools are yielding information about the formation of planets and the production of complex molecules in interstellar space. The data will not only help astronomers understand how distant solar systems form, but also whether or not these systems contain important chemical precursors for life."

***NASA Kepler Briefing*** NASA will hold a briefing on the Kepler Mission on Thursday, February 190, 2009 at 1PM. This briefing will be available to the public via NASA TV. Go to the NASA website and click on the NASA TV link. This is a must view for those that are tracking our search for extra solar planets and possible life supporting (Earth-like) exoplanets. Click here to view the NASA TV schedule site.

Alaska Lake May Have Clues About Extraterrestrial Life: Researchers wonder if life forms found in an Alaskan lake may contain organisms termed "extremophiles" that could be like early life forms that managed to not only survive but to thrive in the tempestuous environments of a young, life supporting planet. Source: "Daily Galaxy" 2/10/09




Environmental Biologist, Richard Dawkins, Awed by life forming in the universe. "The universe could so easily have remained lifeless and simple -just physics and chemistry, just the scattered dust of the cosmic explosion that gave birth to time and space. The fact that it did not -the fact that life evolved out of literally nothing, some 10 billion years after the universe evolved literally out of nothing -is a fact so staggering that I would be mad to attempt words to do it justice. And even that is not the end of the matter. Not only did evolution happen: it eventually led to beings capable of comprehending the process by which they comprehend it." Source: "Daily Galaxy" Click header to read more.

Astrobiologists and biochemists look for more clues about early life. In a recent interview with planetary scientist, Dr. Sara Seager, we talked about the increasing involvement of astrobiologist in developing research goals and guidelines for assessing the environment of the Earthlike exoplanets that we will most likely discover within this decade. This article from Astrobilogy Magazine tells about that research. Source: Astrobiology Magazine 02/09/09. Click the header to read more.

NOTE: First an apology for the lateness of this issue (mechanical problems). Next, this issue has a great deal of material about life or potential life that may be found on Earthlike exoplanets. This is an important area of our entire discovery process and so I have given it emphasis here. I hope you enjoy.

(c)2009 Waddell Robey - All individual copyrights apply. Please also notify us of any broken links.