The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by the Space Shuttle Discovery in April 1990. It is named after the American astronomer Edwin Hubble. Although not the first space telescope, the Hubble is one of the largest and most versatile, and is well-known as both a vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy. The HST is a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency, and is one of NASA’s Great Observatories, along with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space Telescope. Space…
Author: John Greenewald
In 1997, frozen oceans and spewing volcanoes were found on the surface of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons in our solar system. As this could be a critical combination for life to begin, many proposals were sent to send probes to Europa… and rumor was that they were all denied. I filed a FOIA request for all documents pertaining to these proposals, and to the possible life on Europa. The request was filed with NASA, and documents were released in 2006. The first part of the release is an index of documents relating to Europa, and possible life on it. The…
Background This overview and collection of documents and other material related to the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) offer a glimpse of CIA’s overall contribution to the analysis of Soviet capabilities in science and technology during the Cold War. It is by no means intended to be definitive, or even complete, with respect to all the activities associated with the Agency’s scientific and technological capabilities, analysis, and resulting reporting. It does, however, highlight some key events and selected activities that contribute to our understanding of the unique role OSI played in the Agency’s history. Document Archive The Original Wizards of…
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) Final Report documents the analyses and findings of the 90-day Agency-wide study. Work on this study began in May 2005 and was completed in July 2005. Download the full report [758 Pages, 24mb]
Background Project Horizon was a 1959 study to determine the feasibility of constructing a scientific / military base on the Moon. During this time, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force had responsibility for the U.S. space program. On 8 June, 1959, a group at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) produced for the U.S. Department of the Army a report entitled Project Horizon, A U.S. Army Study for the Establishment of a Lunar Military Outpost. Some reasons cited were military and scientific advantages over other nations. The program would also assure demand for the rockets ABMA was designing. According…