Tranquility Base and NMSU’s role in its preservation Every year, New Mexico Space Grant (NMSCG) issues a call for research proposals from faculty across New Mexico. As Director, I have the privilege to review proposals which range from simple to complex. A recent proposal requested support to work on development a heat transfer technology to […]
Travels with Charlie and the new space economy
I grew up on Long Island near John Steinbeck’s home in Sag Harbor. I remember when Steinbeck’s Travels with Charlie was published I had to get to the library. I found reading Steinbeck the perfect experience. His written voice took me away from crowded, grey and cold Long Island. The Pearl and Grapes of Wrath […]
Good News may be coming to Dona Ana Community College
Good News. Dona Ana Community College (DACC) is embarking on the establishment of an Associate’s Degree in General Engineering. Many of us followed the events over the last two years, particularly related to the Nursing Program and the Presidential search. With all that behind us, the College is now positioning itself to expand its offerings. […]
Stranger in a strange land no more
It took ten years. I finally attended the International Space University’s Executive Management course last week. I heard about the Executive Management course from Michael Simpson, President of the ISU, and from Peter Diamandis, an ISU co-founder. They both encouraged me to attend this course, during the XPRIZE Cup and my symposium. First and foremost, […]
New Mexico Universities must invest in faculty with commercial space capability now
New Mexico Universities must invest in faculty with commercial space capability now. Commercialization of space is becoming more important to our national leaders every year as commercial companies demonstrate low-cost increased access to space from commercial spaceports is possible. “The United States Defense Department needs to be thinking seriously about commercial alternatives in order to […]
Spaceport Related Projects and the Spaceport Tax
There are 24, 872 Las Cruces Public School District students enrolled by the most recent head count published on the LCPS website. The NMSU and Dona Ana College websites indicate there were a total combined 24,099 students enrolled in 2012. We have almost the same number of students in the public school system as in […]
New Study by the U.S Travel Association provides some understanding of the slow Convention Business
On August 3rd ,the Sun News reported the City of Las Cruces is looking for alternative proposals from Global Spectrum because they are considering changing the direction of the operations of the Las Cruces Convention Center. The original expectations for the Convention Center included bringing new tourism business to the City. It could be that […]
Notes from the field: It is never routine to go to space
We got off to an early start with students, teachers, parents, the Alan’s – Alan Hale and Allan Lockheed, who came again to witness our journey back to space. Lights in the parking lot, like in the movie Field of Dreams. Lights as far as I can see, cars, busses, filled with students, parents, friends, […]
Behind the Scenes
Before I get into the text of my article today, I have to comment on Ned Cantwell’s article in yesterday’s paper. Richard Branson is going approximately seventy miles in a licensed sub-orbital human spaceflight vehicle, not to orbit. SpaceX is testing a research vehicle not intended for human spaceflight. Mr. Cantwell, should you want to […]
Reta Beebe and Voyager 1
On March 20th, NBC Nightly News’ Brian Williams reported, “It is believed, though not confirmed, that mankind has sent an object outside our own solar system for the first time.” The next day, USA Today “Science Fair” blog reports “NASA isn’t buying” a new study by Bill Webber of New Mexico State University that claimed […]
