Space Tech
Astronomy
GPS
Modeling
Near Space
Radio
Rocketry
Satellite Building
Satellite Observing
SETI
Space Science
Space Simulators
TVRO
Space Culture
Art
Collectible/Memorabilia
History
Movies
Music
Solar Sci-Fi
TV Space
More Activities
Activism
Business
Contests
Games
Space Camping
Space Tourism
Resources
Books & Magazines
Education
Eyes in the Sky
Future Space
Multiple Media
NewSpace
Software Offline
Software Online
Spacecasts
Spaceports
Link Lists
News, Blogs, Forums
General Space
Science & Technology
Weblogs
Space For All
NewSpace Watch
Experimental Rocketry
Features
In Space Now
Interviews
Special Topics
Shopping Guide
Site Info
Directory
About HS
Contact
Advertise at HS
What's New
Disclaimer
Google
Web
HobbySpace

 

 
Welcome to HobbySpace. the site that will prove to you that everyone can participate in space exploration and development in one way or another.
April 2006
Space Activities in the Spotlight
Space Simulation
Terragen scenary generation
Space Sim Tools
Create 3-D simulations of Mars, the solar system, extrasolar planets, and other celestial worlds and systems with program development tools such as the Planet Engine 3D real-time planet renderers, Terragen photo-realistic scenery generator, Solar System Maps and Models, and many other open source and commercial software and supplementary resources listed in the sim tools section.

Celestia screenshot of Mars and the moon Phobos
Celestia
Celestia is a free space simulation that lets you go into earth orbit, explore the Moon, Mars and even move throughout the galaxy. Started by Chris Laurel, the project has grown to include in a forum community with over 4600 members. You can not only run the base program but take advantage of over 8 gigabyts of add-ons and accessories. Documentation

Space Artist Spotlight
Mars exploration by David A. Hardy
A planet around star HD70642 - David A. Hardy
Illustration for 2001: A Space Odyssey - David A. Hardy
Proxima - David A. Hardy
David A. Hardy
More space art...
Space Music of the Month
Country Joe in Space
Joe McDonald
Previous space music in spotlight
It's a Whole New Outer Space Out There

Commercial Resupply for the International Space Station

Rather than specifying the design and use of of a particular space vehicle, NASA has begun a program called the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) in which the agency will simply hire a launch provider to take cargo and crews to and from the ISS. How the company does this is up to it as long as the it fulfills basic technical and safety requirements. Over twenty companies in March 2006 put in bids for the COTS contracts. Winners will be announced in June 2006.

To protect proprietary information, most of the COTS bidders have not provided any public information about their proposals. Below, however, are two companies that have released pictures and general descriptions of their entries. Other companies who have posted some information about there bids are listed here.

SpaceHab Apex Spacecraft
SpaceHab Apex module

SpaceHab has long provided various types of modules and equipment for the Space Shuttle and ISS programs. It's proposed "Apex service features a family of mission-configurable spacecraft capable of achieving orbit on several families of launch vehicles. [...] Apex spacecraft have the ability to ferry equipment and other payload to orbit, rendezvous with and berth to the International Space Station and dispose of or return equipment and experiment results. Apex is designed to evolve to support human transportation, as needed, following space shuttle retirement.
Apex Spacecraft Videos

Apex Press Release - Mach 7, 2006

SpaceX Dragon
SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft
SpaceX/MSNBC

SpaceX is developing the Dragon spacecraft, which offers various configurations for carrying cargo and/or crew to and from the ISS. It could hold up to seven astronauts. It would be launched on the company's Falcon 9 vehicle. A detailed prototype has already been built and a COTS contract would allow the company to fly the first Dragon spacecraft to the ISS by 2009. The company intends, however, to develop the Dragon regardless of whether it participates in the COTS program.

Real-Time Space Viewers
Earth Viewer
Earth
Weather maps, remote sensing
and spysat images.
Space Weather Viewer
Space Weather
Sun, solar wind, aurora images
and the latest data

Space Explorer Viewer
Space Explorers
Images and data from
deep space probes.

See the archive of previous HobbySpace homepage Spotlight items ...
March - May

HobbySpace provides over 15,000 space links and
has delivered over
7, 161,000 page views since
January 1999.

The Art of C. Sergent Lindsey

NewSpace 2006 Conference, Las Vegas  July 2006 Register
at
NewSpace 2006

 
 
 
Home  |  Directory  |  Advertising  |  About  |  Contact  |  Disclaimer
© 1999-2005 HobbySpace, All Rights Reserved.
HobbySpace is a part of Space-H Services.