The launch of a precipitation-measuring satellite next month kicks off a busy year for NASA's Earth-observation program. The space agency will launch five Earth-science missions in 2014, starting with the Feb. 27 liftoff of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center.
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Sending humans to Mars by the 2030s is affordable, a group of experts finds, but some key changes are needed if it is going to happen. A workshop group of more than 60 individuals representing more than 30 government, industry, academic and other organizations has found that a NASA-led manned mission to Mars is feasible if the space agency's budget is restored to pre-sequestration levels.
As part of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, the space agency recently announced the 28 selections for study and development as part of its larger Space Technology program. Proposals focus on developing technology that would help the agency achieve its future goals, and include research into power, propulsion systems, structures and avionics. Phase I proposals receive $100k for one year of research and Phase II proposals receive $500k for two years.