New Changes for the space program

In 2010 President Barack Obama announced new goals for the American Space Program. These change how we, as Americans, will dominate space, and also where our money goes. Some of these new goals will improve the space program, whereas others may be have a devastating effect on the American Space Program.
One of the most controversial changes to the space program was the cancellation of the Constellation program (CxP). According to three Apollo Astronauts,Neil Armstrong, James Lovell and Eugene Cernan, this “decision to cancel the Constellation program, its Ares 1 and Ares V rockets, and the Orion spacecraft, is devastating.”1 The constellation program was designed to keep an American foothold in the frontier of space, to return to the moon and possibly mars. However, President Obama said the program is "behind schedule, and lacking in innovation"2. The cancellation of the CxP has a lot of political implications because we have to rely on the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a result of international partnership with other nations, particularly Russia. According to the agreement we made with the Soviet Nation we have to pay a fee to Russia for the seat in space.
Not all changes to the space program are negative. One positive change will be the use of private industry for crew and cargo services to the International Space Station. In 2004 Astronaut Mike Melville successfully flew Space Ship one into space. Not only did he win the X-prize, but launched a new age of space travel- Private Investors. Companies such as Space-X are now entering the field of space. Now, with access to the ISS, Private Companies are taking another step into this frontier. I believe this is a positive investment. Through these companies America may still keep their name in Space.
The President is also putting a new focus onto Green Aviation. NASA researchers have recently, as of September 21st, resumed working on the X-48b. This has a Blended wing body designed specifically for that purpose. The Blended Wing Body is a plane design, where the entire plane is a lifting surface. This design is less noisy and more fuel efficient than it's predecessor, the tube design. This plane is controlled by a pilot on the ground, via cameras in the front, The design will be integrated into future airliners.
Also included in the new plan is a new focus on robotic space exploration. This program will send a series of robotic missions to explore the solar system. These robots will pave the way for future manned spaceflight. However, with the cancellation of the CxP, it will take much longer, and will take more money, to get us on other planets.
NASA will be putting a new focus on education, through the STEM Program. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Through STEM, NASA will educate students of all ages, and teachers. Some of these students may become NASA's future, working to keep the American Space Program alive.
The new changes to NASA's goals will change the future of the american space program. Some changes are positive. Our Nation will have “quieter, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient airplanes for the future.”3 because of new technology being developed. Students are being educated through STEM to help keep our space program alive. Private Space companies will keep us in space. However some changes are for the worse, such as the cancellation of the Constellation Program. This “devastating” blow to NASA will be a backwards step in our foothold in the space frontier.
Quotes:
1 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36470363
2 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8489097.stm
3 http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/status_reports/X-48B_status_09_21_10.html
Sources:
http://newfrontiersblog.blogspot.com/search/label/constellation
sincerely, space cadet

Blended wing Bodies- the plane of the future

Research in the fields of Aerodynamics has increased our knowledge of flight and how to design better wing surfaces. This Knowledge is being put into action by the NASA Engineers. The engineers integrated a Blended wing Body in their design, successfully creating the X-48b, a step forward in creating "quieter, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient airplanes for the future"(NASA)

The Blended Wing Design means that the entire plane is a lifting surface, not just the wings.

This design has several advantages. The design is less noisy, so people will not be as bothered living in a house by an airport. It has better lift and uses less fuel, which may decrease the price on your plane ticket.I

However, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Disadvantages come in the package. Because of the positioning of the cargo, which creates less flight stability than the tube design. The tube design is more structurally sound than the x-48b. Also windows are not available, due to the entire plae being a wing.

Despite these disadvantages, this plane could be the aircraft of the future. As this experimental plane is unmanned, being remote controlled by a pilot on the ground, it's design will be incorporated into airliners in the near future.

Sincerely, Space Cadet

Aerospace Power: Defending our country

America's Aerospace power has made available advanced defense systems which we use today. During the Cold War we developed a system of satellites called the Defense Support Program (DSP) to spot ballistic missiles from space.

The first DSP Satellite was launched from Cape Canveral in 19 70. It tracked missiles using infrared sensors to sense the heat emitted when it launched and sent that data to hidden command centers, such as NORAD.

Now we are currently developing more advanced systems to help defend our country. A System that has currently undergone some tests is the “Space-Based Infrared System” (SBIR). This system is designed to replace the DSP. It has advanced features expanded capabilities for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)missions.

Sincerely,

Space Cadet