Ad Astra Volume 21 Number 1 – Spring 2009

On The Cover: The Ares I crew
and Ares V cargo launch vehicles
are poised to serve as the United States’ primary ride to space.

Featured Articles:

• 12
  Space Policy
  MOON RUSH:
  IS THE UNITED STATES SITTING OUT OF THE NEXT SPACE RACE?
  By Jeffrey Marlow
• 14
  Space Settlement
  WHY GO TO THE MOON?
  by Dean E. Davis
• 18
  CRASH COURSE
  The collision of American and Russian satellites in low Earth orbit in February raised an already high threat level of orbiting debris.
  By James Oberg
• 24
  THE MARS DEBATE
  Cost overruns and delays to the Mars Science Laboratory have created a firestorm of controversy.
• 28
  HOW SPACE CAN IMPROVE LIFE ON EARTH
  Future space applications promise revolutionary improvements in our quality of life.
  By Dr. Stan Rosen
• 32
  A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
  Constellation’s future in the Obama administration.
  By John F. Kross
• 36
  SPACE AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
  Key challenges await President Obama.
  By Jeff Foust
• 38
  INSPIRATION FOR INNOVATION
  The Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge.
  By Gregg Maryniak
• 42
  SPACE X 2008 YEAR IN REVIEW
  The Falcon 1 launch vehicle became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to achieve Earth orbit.