By Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK–Internet search giant Google on Thursday offered $30 million in prize money for companies to land a robot camera to roam on the moon and send back high-resolution snaps and data.

Google launched Google Moon, a page on its site with images mapping out stretches of the orb’s pock-marked surface. They are compiled from photographs taken by previous moon missions including the historic first landing by the Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong and crew in 1969.

The site is aimed at encouraging companies interested in the challenge, giving them visuals of the moon “so the teams can scout locations” for a robot camera, Google joked in a blog announcing the competition, launched jointly with the X Prize Foundation which promotes technological innovation.

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HERE’S an interesting video of astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman sharing his photos from space, courtesy of New Scientist’s YouTube channel.

By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

NINETY space scientists and satellite technology engineers from 17 Asian and Oceania countries are currently meeting in the Philippines to exchange views and discuss possible regional cooperation on space technology development.

The 4th Sentinel-Asia Joint Project Team Meeting is being held at the Hotel Dusit Nikko in Makati City and is organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Technology (JAXA). It was also attended by the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Science and Technology.

The three-day event also brings together experts in the development of “small satellites” or purpose-built space satellites that weigh from 10 kilograms to 500 kilograms and can be used for low-earth orbit imaging for geographical mapping, climate change monitoring and disaster mitigation.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

THE PHILIPPINES already has one satellite in space, Aguila II which is used for communications, but not yet for earth observation. However, the concept of such an antenna floating in outer space to peer into our country may not be as far-fetched.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has been looking into space technology applications as a means to provide geologic and environmental information about the Philippines. Such information is useful for geologists, environmental scientists and even civil planners.

One such plan is to create a small satellite with a single purpose, usually taking photographic images across the spectrum that reveal information about ground consistency. Such a satellite will provide real-time information that can be interpreted by disaster mitigation and environmental agencies.

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By Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON–Damage to the US space shuttle Endeavour’s protective thermal shield caused by a piece of debris during launch appears to be less serious than previously believed, a NASA official said.

But astronauts will go ahead with a scheduled inspection, during which the protective shield will be examined with the help of a laser attached to Endeavour’s robotic arm, said John Shannon, a mission manager, during a press conference late Saturday.

Video footage of Wednesday’s launch showed a piece of foam detaching from the external fuel tank, according to Shannon.

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