In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA prepares letter on EM-1 slip to Congress. Future U.S., Italian space science mission will study galactic cosmic rays.
Human Space Exploration
NASA preparing letter to Congress to explain EM-1 slip
NASAspaceflight.com (6/21): Earlier this year, NASA assessed the possibility of adding astronauts to Exploration Mission-1, the planned first joint test launch of the Orion crew capsule and Space Launch System rocket. NASA’s experts found too many uncertainties and recommended the first Orion/SLS mission occur without astronauts. In the process, NASA leadership also decided EM-1 without crew faces a delay from 2018 until sometime in 2019. A better estimate of the EM-1 launch date, however, will likely not be clear until late summer of this year, according to the report.
Space Science
NASA, Italian counterpart partner to study cosmic x-rays
ExecutiveGov.com (6/22): Italy’s space agency will join with NASA to launch a mission to study the origins and interactions of galactic cosmic rays under an agreement signed by top officials from the two agencies this week at the Paris Air Show. Under the agreement, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer will launch around 2020.
High above Mars, a NASA orbiter spies the Curiosity Rover
The New York Times (6/22): One NASA Mars explorer, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, spots another robotic exploration star, NASA’s Curiosity Rover, climbing Mt. Sharp in Gale Crater. The image was gathered on June 5, with MRO 169 miles above Curiosity.
Is it time to rethink how we search for alien life?
Space.com (6/22): Veteran SETI astronomer Seth Shostak suggests that listening for radio communications and looking for bio markers may represent a limited approach to finding evidence of intelligent life beyond Earth.
NASA eyes close-up mission to Uranus, Neptune
Space.com (6/22): NASA is considering flyby, orbiter and atmospheric probe options for missions to distant Uranus and Neptune. Both planets came under the flyby scrutiny of NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1986 and 1989.
Other News
House SS&T hearing on in-space propulsion
Spacepolicyonline.com (6/22): The Space Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee will hold a hearing on June 29, 2017 at 10:00 am ET in 2318 Rayburn House Office Building on the topic of “In-Space Propulsion: Strategic Choices and Options.”
Isro’s PSLV-C38 places Cartosat-2s and 30 nano satellites in orbit
Times of India (6/23): The Indian Space Research Organization’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle succeeded in placing 31 satellites in polar orbit Friday. The primary payload was a Cartosat-2 Earth observation satellite. The remaining cargo included 29 small satellites from 14 different countries, including the U.S.
We’re one step closer to getting cheaper, faster Internet from space
Washington Post (6/22): The FCC said yes on Thursday to One Web’s plans for satellite based Internet service. The company plans a fleet of 720 spacecraft in orbit at 745 miles, with launches starting next year. Other startups are expected to compete.
ESA aims to privatize Space Rider unmanned spaceplane by 2025
Space News (6/22): The European Space Agency intends to privatize Europe’s Space Rider, an unmanned reusable orbital vehicle that could debut in three years with France’s Arianespace as the operator.
ESA kick starts Prometheus reusable engine with first funding tranche
Space News (6/22): The European Space Agency has initiated investments in a reusable rocket engine, Prometheus, which could be in service after 2020. Airbus Safran Launchers has received a contract to develop the liquid oxygen/methane power plant.