TRANSORBITAL ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL MOON TEST LAUNCH;READY FOR ROUTINE MOON TRAVEL IN OCTOBER 2003

TransOrbital ^ | 12/20/02 | Dennis Laurie

[Brett66]

Transorbital Announces Successful Moon Test Launch

Now Ready for Routine Moon Travel in October 2003

SAN DIEGO -TransOrbital, Inc and International Space company (ICS)Kosmotras today announced a "perfect launch" of TransOrbital's "Trailblazer" satellite at 8pm Russian time. The launch represents a major milestone in TransOrbitals much -anticipated routine lunar delivery service.

Today's launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan of the "Trailblazer" into low Earth orbit was pronounced a total success by TransOrbital president Dennis Laurie. The mission was designed to test rocket separation, downlink telemetry, spacecraft orientation and mass properties in preparation for the formal lunar launch.

Vladimir A Andreev, Director General of ICS Kosmotras said "We are excited about teaming with TransOrbital's first commercial development of the Moon. ICS Kosmotras Dnepr LV SS-18 ICBM provides a proven cost effective technology for lunar launches.

TransOrbital is on target to begin routine Moon travel starting in October 2003. Laurie stated "Significant commercial demand exists for high definition (HD) video, lunar mapping, data storage, scientific research, communications, and data archiving. Many corporate marketers see their products associated with the first commercial missions to the Moon".

"Additionally, there is worldwide demand from private citizens to send personal items such as photographs, legal documents, business cards, burial ashes, and jewelry to the Moon"

TransOrbital is the first and onnly commercial company licensed by the U.S. Department of State, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) for private sector flights to the Moon.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke noted visionary and renowned writer praised todays mission and commented "all good wishes on TransOrbital's successful TrailBlazer launch"

Support for the Trailblazer program has been provided by a number of companies including Lunar Enterprise Corporation and Space Age Publishing

TransOrbital, Inc. is a privately owned supplier of aerospace design, analysis and launch services. Established in 1998, TransOrbital is the first company of its kind authorized by the U. S. government to photograph, explore and land on the lunar surface. The 2003 Trailblazer spacecraft's primary mission is to return HDTV video and other multimedia content from lunar orbit to market as commercial products, as well as the delivery of both personal and commercial cargo to the moon.

About International Space Company (ICS) Kosmotras (www.kosmotras.com/ru) ICS Kosmotras is a private supplier of launch vehicles. ICS Kosmotras provides launch vehicles for many companies and countries around the world.

ICS Kosmotras activities under the Dnepr program are covered by special decrees by both the Russian and Ukrainian governments. The Dnepr LV is the worlds most powerful SS-18 ICBM. Unique for a light class launch vehicle, the Dnepr is able to deliver 3,500 - 4000 kg of payload into low earth orbit.

[Brett66]

Is this a thread on the constitution, or property rights or moon exploration?

Yes. ;-)

[KevinDavis]

However I do know of US based space companies creating launch sites out of the US. Mainly in Latin America.

[Mikey]

"...authorized by the U. S. government"

You caught that too I see.

Also check out post # 7
" They aren't allowed to do any mining on the moon at this point, but they are licensed for the other activities."

[Brett66]

I think someone needs to explain the Outer Space Treaty to NASA.

NASA: Three Plead Guilty in Stolen Moon Rock Scheme

I thought these rocks belonged to "all of mankind". :-)

[Mikey]

The U.N. it figures, I guess since they believe they own the world, they also own the entire universe.

[RightWhale]

these rocks belonged to "all of mankind".

Yes, but not to any private individuals. It is part of the larger issue of government ownership of the public lands.

[RightWhale]

they also own the entire universe

All of it as far as you can see, and even farther.

[BenLurkin]

Could be because there is no reason to set up a routine shuttle service to the moon. Last I heard there's nothing and nobody there.

[dead]

whos moon is it anyway?

It's mine.

One of my very distant ancestors called it.

[Arkie2]

Yeah, I guess so. I just expected to read a more tchnologically oriented thread. This doesn't sound right to me by the way. I keep a loose eye on space related developments and I'm pretty sure I'd be aware of a step as profound as private development of the moon in 2003. This sounds to me like a land salesman in Florida touting beachfront property in the 1960's.

[martian_22]

All your moons are belong to us.

[11B3]

"Could be because there is no reason to set up a routine shuttle service to the moon. Last I heard there's nothing and nobody there."

That we have been informed of. But since we faked the original landings anyway, it must be a delivery service for the ETs that run the world as a shadow government. Anyone got some more foil for me to wear on this one?

But seriously, you're right - something seems to be left out here. What in the hell are they going to accomplish that would offset the costs of the missions? That's the part I don't see yet.

[cibco]

"What in the hell are they going to accomplish that would offset the costs of the missions? That's the part I don't see yet."

Sell Segways on the side. ;0)

[patton]

shotgun!

[Brett66]

What in the hell are they going to accomplish that would offset the costs of the missions?

This article might help with the answer:

To The Moon, For A Fee

[mrsmith]

Maybe this will fill in a few blanks...
http://www.aerotechnews.com/starc/2002/091302/moon_mission.html
"Once launched, the Trailblazer will provide stunning, high-definition video and maps of the lunar surface (at 1 meter resolution), as well as new images of earth-rises over lunar craters. Additionally, the Trailblazer mission should provide the opportunity to view the equipment left behind from past Apollo and Russian landings.
The mission will culminate with the delivery of a time capsule containing personal cargo from Earth (such as messages and photographs), and a final "barnstorming" video as the probe impacts the lunar service. "

http://lists.erps.org/archives/erps-list/msg02914.shtml
"NOAA in particular gets involved because the payload in question has an imaging system, and NOAA has "shutter control" over US-owned Earth-imaging payloads. (This particular payload will primarily be imaging the Moon, but it *is* slated to shoot an Earth image now and then too.) "

[buccaneer81]

Is this the CEO?

[Brett66]

I thought he was:

[buccaneer81]

Wait... I forgot...

[buccaneer81]

Salvage 1