Today’s Deep Space Extra…The U.S. House joined its Senate appropriations colleagues this week in backing continued development of the Space Launch System, the exploration rocket intended to start NASA astronauts on future missions of deep space exploration.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA’s Space Launch System gets record funding from House appropriators
Alabama.com (5/25): NASA’s Space Launch System exploration rocket appears to be on firm footing based on the unfolding U.S. House and Senate appropriations process. This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved $2 billion for SLS development for 2017. Earlier, the Senate Appropriations Committee agreed to $2.15 billion, or $150 million more than for 2016. The two figures will be reconciled during the remaining appropriations processes for the 2017 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
NASA to inflate habitat at Space Station
CNN (5/25): Early Thursday, NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station joined experts in Mission Control to deploy the Bigelow Expandable Activities Module (BEAM) installed on the Tranquility module in April. BEAM is a prototype for a future in space habitat for astronauts, whether orbiting the moon, or Mars, exploring a planetary surface or living and working aboard a future commercial Earth orbiting space station. Experts will watch for two years how BEAM responds to temperature extremes, radiation as well as debris in Earth orbit.
Russian firm develops project of reusable spacecraft for lunar missions
Sputnik News (5/26): Energia, the Russian space corporation, will develop Ryvok, a reusable human spacecraft that could transport cosmonauts between the International Space Station and the moon, according to company representative Yuri Makushenko. NASA and Energia are in discussions over the development of a lunar orbiting space station, the representative said.
Space Science
Mars makes closest approach to Earth in 11 years on May 30
Space.com (5/25): Monday evening, Mars and the Earth will be closer together, 46.7 million miles, than they have been since 2005.
Report endorses greater use of CubeSat’s for science missions
Space News (5/25): CubeSats have the potential to carry out a range of space science missions for NASA and the National Science Foundation, according to a panel of experts in planetary science, engineering and physics assembled for a study by the National Academies of Science. Some examples include looking for sources of water on the moon. There are obstacles, however, including the availability of launch vehicles and whether large numbers of CubeSat’s contribute to orbital debris concerns.
This new NASA photo of Saturn and its rings is simply jaw-dropping
Space.com (5/25): A new photo from Cassini, the long running U.S. and European mission to Saturn, has captured spectacular images of the large planet’s ring system. Cassini’s mission is headed toward a conclusion in 2017.
Low Earth Orbit
NASA’s yearlong spaceman still has sore feet, fatigue
Associated Press via ABC News (5/25): Scott Kelly, the NASA astronaut who returned to Earth on Mar. 1 after a U.S. record 340 days in space aboard the International Space Station, spoke with colleagues from the agency’s Washington headquarters on Wednesday. Kelly, still sporting sore feet and stiff legs, says the long mission took a significant physical toll. Kelly, who retired soon after his return, told colleagues the U.S. and its partners can reach Mars if they make the commitment. Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko served as subjects in a range of experiments studying their physical and psychological responses to their long stay in orbit.
Russia to create new powerful plasma rocket engine
Sputnik International (5/25): Russia’s Kurchatov Institute will lead the development of a powerful space plasma rocket propulsion project, according to Roscosmos, the Russian space corporation.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
How big is the market for small launch vehicles?
Space News Magazine (4/11): With the growing popularity of CubeSats, the space launch market is working on a response, including the emergence of new dedicated launch vehicles. However, the strength of the small launch vehicle market is unclear.