In Today’s Deep Space Extra… U.S., Russian and Japanese astronauts are expected to reach the International Space Station early Tuesday. China, Europe, Canada among those plotting lunar exploration plans.
Human Space Exploration
Russian, Japanese and US crew launch to space station on Soyuz MS-07
CollectSpace.com (12/17): U.S., Russian and Japanese astronauts Scott Tingle, Anton Shkaplerov and Norishge Kanai are on course to reach the International Space Station early Tuesday, after lifting off Sunday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft. Their arrival will restore the space station to six crew members.
NASA drops replica Orion spacecraft to test parachutes
Associated Press via Washington Post (12/15): NASA demonstrated a simulated Orion capsule could successfully descend to Earth with a parachute failure if necessary. The test was carried out on Friday at the U.S. Army Proving Ground near Yuma, Arizona, following a drop from a U.S. Air Force C-17 flying at 35,000 feet. An on-going series of Orion “drop tests” are to continue into next year. Orion, which can hold up to four astronauts, is designed to start human explorers on future missions of deep space exploration.
Thales Alenia working with three companies on Deep Space Gateway concepts
Coalition Members in the News- Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital ATK
Space News (12/15): Frances’ Thales Alenia has agreements with Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Orbital ATK for work on the U.S. companies’ respective concepts for a NASA-led Deep Space Gateway (DSG), a lunar-orbiting habitat for astronauts involved in activities on the lunar surface as well as lunar orbit. The Thales Alenia study activities are focused on structures, environmental controls and thermal controls. Not yet part of a former deep space exploration strategy, the DSG would be assembled using NASA’s Space Launch System as part of early Orion missions in the 2020s.
Federal government investing in space exploration, supporting more than 175 Canadian jobs
Canadian Space Agency (12/15): Canada’s government has committed $54 million to robotics activities associated with a continuing role as a primary International Space Station partner and participant in partner missions to the lunar environs.
Recycled SpaceX Dragon capsule makes 2nd delivery to Space Station
Space.com (12/17): NASA’s latest contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station arrived early Sunday with 4,800 pounds of supplies for the six-member crew, as well as science experiments and technology demonstrations. SpaceX’s 13th contracted cargo mission launched Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Living on the Moon: A Chinese conceptual lunar base
GB Times of Finland (12/15): Researchers at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), an institute under CASC, the main contractor for the Chinese space program, have developed a concept for a base on the lunar surface. The base would support Chinese human lunar missions in the 2030s. The modular structure would include a gym, habitat and laboratory as well as a depot for lunar rovers.
Space Science
NASA’s lunar rover could enable deep-space exploration
Houston Chronicle (12/17): Currently under development, NASA’s unmanned Lunar Prospector Rover would permit scientists to drill into the moon’s surface to search for sources of water, a resource for life support and rocket fuel.
SETI scientists report radio silence from interstellar object but will keep listening
GeekWire (12/15): Breakthrough Listen, a Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence initiative, is not giving up on its Oumuamua radio telescope observation campaign. Nothing has emerged yet, however. Oumuamua was recently spotted as a curious and large interstellar object entering the solar system.
Other News
Rocket Lab delays launch until next year
New Zealand Herald (12/16): Rocket Labs was unable to launch its new Electron rocket on its second test flight before a launch period window closed on December 15. Further attempts are planned for early next year. High winds, a power issue and a rising liquid oxygen propellant temperature led to delays ahead of the close.
What’s happening in space policy Dec. 18-31, 2017
Spacepolicyonline.com (12/17): Congress faces a deadline of Friday at midnight to pass some kind of temporary appropriations measure before departing for a holiday recess — if it wants to avoid a federal government shutdown. Meanwhile, Senate action on the nomination of Jim Bridenstine, the Oklahoma congressman and former naval aviator, to become NASA administrator remains on hold.