In Perth the weather now stays hot until well into March, even April. This makes work on the Star chaser difficult, especially if it involves heat-sensitive materials such as expanding urethane foam. However as the weather changes, it becomes easier to work on the machine and progress has again picked up.
A few weeks ago the machine was shifted to an exhaust shop, where the exhaust line and muffler have been put in. This company is now working on the brake…
Recognising that space exploration is a challenge more optimally done in collaboration, fourteen international space agencies have come together to develop a framework that will focus and guide their collaboration on future space exploration missions. The Global Exploration Strategy presents a vision for robotic and human space exploration, focusing on destinations within the solar system where we may one day live and work.
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In August 2006, the CSIRO granted the Mars Society Australia, Inc. Approved Research Institute status. The MSA Research Institute led by Dr Jonathan Clarke, Vice-President of the MSA, also a member of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology and a member of the Federal Government’s Steering Committee and Working Groups for the NCSS Decadal Plan for Space Science. Being so approved, the Australian Tax Office duly approved the MSA’s application for Deductible Gift Recipient Status, which allows donors to clain 100% tax concession on all donations over $2.00 to the MSA.
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The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is evaluating a range of small Mars mission concepts. MSA’s Michael West is on the Mars Institute’s project team for one of the studies, the PRIME Mission to Phobos. You can read more about the PRIME mission here.
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The next generation of space explorers are now reaping the benefits of a new NASA training program which is about to head to Australia, thanks to local efforts. According to David Cooper, President of the Mars Society Australia, agreement has been reached with organizers of NASA’s innovative Spaceward Bound program to extend it to Australia. Spaceward Bound is an educational program organized at NASA’s Ames Research Center in partnership with The Mars Society and funded by the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) at NASA Headquarters.
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The seventh annual Australian Mars Exploration Conference (AMEC 2007), will be held in Perth over the weekend of the 13th to 15th of July at Trinity College, East Perth. Presentations over this two-day event will cover a range of issues concerned with forging, nurturing and developing the pioneering culture and methods required to explore Mars.
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Registration is now open for the sixth annual Australian Mars Exploration Conference (AMEC 2006), to be held in Melbourne in October of this year at the Victoria Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC). You may register online using our secure registration form, or by downloading and faxing in a registration form (pdf).
Find out more at the AMEC2006 homepage and register now for this exciting event.
Univelt Publishers has just released ‘Mars Analogue Research‘ as volume 111 of the American Astronautical Society’s science and technology series . The book contains a large collection of papers on Mars analog research, including expeditions, field science, human factors, education and outreach, engineering, and cultural studies. Many of the papers feature work done by MSA and its affiliates overseas.
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A public lecture on the Mars Society Australias MarsOz mission architecture and concept vehicle designs will be given by MSA Vice-President Dr Jonathan Clarke at the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) at 6pm on 5th July, 2005. Booking is essential.
For more details, download a lecture flyer here (pdf).
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