HOUSTON - NASA is accepting applications for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class. Those selected could fly to space for long-duration stays on the International Space Station and missions to the moon.

"We look forward to gathering applications and then being able to select from the largest pool possible," said Ellen Ochoa, NASA's chief of Flight Crew Operations at the Johnson Space Center. "Continuing our impressive record in successfully carrying out challenging human spaceflight missions depends on maintaining a talented and diverse astronaut corps."

To be considered, a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft.

HOUSTON - Veteran International Space Station astronaut and space shuttle flyer Ed Lu has left NASA to accept a position in the private sector. Lu flew on two shuttle missions and lived six months aboard the station as a member of the orbiting laboratory's seventh crew.

"Ed has done an exceptional job as an astronaut during his twelve years of service," said Chief of the Astronaut Office Steve Lindsey. "He contributed greatly to the construction and operations on the International Space Station, particularly in the very difficult period after the Columbia tragedy. Additionally, his involvement in development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle will help NASA tremendously as we look forward to exploring our solar system. He will be missed by the Astronaut Office and NASA. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

WASHINGTON - NASA has issued a request for proposals for Ares I mobile launcher construction. Ares I is the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle and its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The mobile launcher proposals are due to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 6, 2007.

The request for proposals states the procurement approach for obtaining the mobile launcher system. The mobile launcher will be used as a platform to assemble, test and service Ares I in existing facilities, transport the rocket to the pad, and support launches.

The selected contractor will supply all labor, materials and equipment to build the mobile launcher structure and its associated facility systems. These systems include utilities, fire safety, communications, lighting, elevators and life support. The request for proposal includes an option for an additional Ares I mobile launcher.

Teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan received a welcome call of support from First Lady Laura Bush Tuesday, one day before she and six crewmates launch into orbit aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavour.

"Mrs. Bush expressed congratulations from one schoolteacher to another and noted that she and the President appreciate Ms. Morgan's commitment to America's space program, to teaching, and to students," White House officials said of the First Lady's call in a statement.

Morgan and her six STS-118 crewmates are set to launch Wednesday at 6:36 p.m. EDT (2236 GMT) from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin Endeavour's construction mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

A new space shuttle tile inspection method using NASA-built, wireless scanners is replacing manual inspection. The new process begins with the upcoming shuttle mission, STS-118. Endeavour is scheduled to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 6:36 p.m. EDT.

Technicians have been using six new scanners to look for cracks and other imperfections in some of the 24,000 tiles that cover space shuttle Endeavour. The agency designed and built the new tools at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. In the past, workers at Kennedy visually analyzed tiles and measured dings and cracks with small hand-held scales.

A day after launching into orbit, the privately-built Genesis 2 expandable module successfully relayed high-resolution images taken on June 29 during on-orbit checkout procedures.

The two pictures confirmed the operation of the inflatable module's camera system followed by download to the Mission Operations center for the Las Vegas, Nevada-based spaceflight firm Bigelow Aerospace. The testing will continue as the ground team perfects the acquisition of the Genesis 2 signal.

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/070701_genesis2_firstimage.html

Suni Williams, KD5PLB, International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 15 Flight Engineer, came back to Earth Saturday, June 23 on the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-117), wrapping up a six month stay during which she became the new record holder for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. While on the ISS, Williams participated in 33 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts. ISS Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, holds the record for the most ARISS school contacts in a single mission at 37.

Complete story at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/06/26/

Enthusiasm was as strong as ever at the 56th Dayton Hamvention® at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Business was brisk among the hundreds of vendors in the indoor areas, despite generally excellent weather outside, which tends to draw hordes to the outdoor flea market area.

http://www.arrl.org/

A new Progress freighter launched to the International Space Station Friday at 11:25 p.m. EDT with more than 2.5 tons of fuel, air, water and other supplies and equipment aboard.

The station's 25th Progress unpiloted cargo carrier will bring to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,050 pounds of propellant, almost 100 pounds of air, more than 925 pounds of water and 3,042 pounds of dry cargo - a total of 5,125 pounds.

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/sarex/48hour/msg00642.html

LA JOLLA, Calif. - Pioneering astronaut Walter "Wally" Schirra, the only man who flew in all three of America's first human space projects - Mercury, Gemini and Apollo - died Wednesday. He was 84. Schirra's family reported he died of natural causes.

Schirra was one of America's original seven astronauts, selected in 1959, and was commander of the first crew to fly into space aboard an Apollo capsule, Apollo 7, following the tragic launchpad fire that claimed the lives of the crew of Apollo 1.

"With the passing of Wally Schirra, we at NASA note with sorrow the loss of yet another of the pioneers of human spaceflight," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said. "As a Mercury astronaut, Wally was a member of the first group of astronauts to be selected, often referred to as the Original Seven."