In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Congress listens to concerns over the International Space Station’s future. Orbital ATK’s ninth NASA contracted cargo mission heads to the ISS from Virginia’s Eastern shore. A Chinese communications satellite launch is to support a robotic lander/rover mission to moon’s far side.
Human Space Exploration
Antares rocket launches NASA cargo to Space Station in dazzling predawn liftoff
Coalition Member in the News – Orbital ATK
Space.com (5/21): Orbital ATK’s ninth NASA contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station lifted off from Wallops Island, Virginia, early Monday atop an Antares rocket. Orbital’s Cygnus, with a 7,400 pound cargo, is to reach the Station early Thursday. Orbital has named the cargo capsule for the late J.R. Thompson, a long time Orbital and NASA executive and propulsion engineer.
NASA wrestles with what to do with International Space Station after 2024
Spaceflightnow.com (5/20): NASA’s 2019 budget calls for an end to direct funding of the International Space Station by 2025, with the understanding that the space agency would join with others in becoming a client of a commercially operated alternative. However, independent experts appearing before U.S. Senate and House NASA oversight panels last week questioned whether the private sector has the financial footing to operate a Space Station. NASA’s need for a low Earth orbit research platform to support human missions to the Moon and Mars will extend well beyond 2025, according to agency managers.
JAXA eager to join with NASA in step-by-step human space exploration
Spacepolicyonline.com (5:19): With astronaut Takuya Onishi speaking on its behalf at recent Washington events, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has expressed an intent to join with NASA in future human deep space exploration. Like the Russian, European and Canadian space agencies, JAXA is a partner with NASA in the development and operation of the International Space Station. Onishi emphasized the challenge and explained the need for step by step efforts to reach the Moon and Mars, with the ISS serving as a test bed.
U.S. may order Russian Soyuz spacecraft to fly astronauts to ISS in 2020
Coalition Member in the News – Boeing
Sputnik News of Russia (5/18): U.S./Russian discussions are underway to procure additional Soyuz launches of astronauts to the International Space Station in 2020, while efforts by NASA, Boeing and SpaceX continue to complete development of U.S. commercial transportation capabilities.
Space Science
Long March 4C sends Chang’e 4 relay satellite toward Moon
Spaceflightinsider.com (5/21): A Chinese Long March 4 started a communications relay satellite on its way to the lunar realm early Monday with a liftoff atop a Long March 4 rocket. The spacecraft is to support a first ever robotic lander/rover mission to the moon’s far side by China later this year.
NASA asks for Europa lander science experiments and that’s a big deal
Ars Technica (5/18): NASA last week formally requested the science community to propose instruments for a robotic lander mission to Jupiter’s ice and ocean covered moon Europa. NASA is developing an orbiter/flyby mission to Europa, the Europa Clipper, which would launch and unfold in the 2020s. A follow on lander mission, however, is far from certain because of cost and complexity.
Back in action? Mars rover Curiosity to test new drilling technique Saturday
Space.com (5/18): Engineers this week plan to assess a new drilling technique attempt by the Mars Curiosity rover on Mars. The rock drilling, a significant part of assessing the planet’s past environment and possible habitability, came to an end in late 2016 due to a mechanical problem. Curiosity landed in August 2012.
It’s full of stars! NASA’s planet-hunting TESS probe sends back its first test image
GeekWire.com (5/18): NASA’s extra solar planet seeking TESS mission launched April 18. The spacecraft sent back a test image of the southern sky last week that suggests its cameras will have a rich field of view.
Other News
Coalition Member in the News – United Launch Alliance
Space News (5/19): United Launch Alliance (ULA) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced an agreement Saturday on a multi-year contract, ending a two week walkout affecting facilities at Cape Canaveral, Florida, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and Decatur, Alabama.
Earth’s magnetic field is drifting westward, and nobody knows why
Space.com (5/20): A Cambridge University scientist has noted some unusual changes in the Earth’s magnetic field apparently linked to activity within the planet’s outer core.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of May 20-26, 2018
Spacepolicyonline.com (5/20): The week begins with a trio of scheduled launches, a Chinese communications satellite that is to support the first ever mission, Chang’e-4, to attempt a soft landing on the Moon’s far side later this year; Orbital ATK’s ninth NASA contracted cargo mission to the International Space Station, launching from Wallops Island, Virginia; and the launch of NASA’ Grace Follow-on mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, as a Falcon 9 ride share on Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. Senate Appropriation’s Commerce, Justice and Science subcommittee convenes on NASA’s 2019 budget proposal Wednesday afternoon.