In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine leads a presentation Friday at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) marking the arrival of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Orion service module. In Washington, the National Space Council hosted discussions Thursday on NASA’s human lunar return and future budget concerns.
Human Space Exploration
NASA to broadcast Administrator’s welcome for Orion’s European powerhouse
NASA (11/13): NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine will host a presentation Friday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) that marks the arrival earlier this month of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) service module contribution to the Orion crew capsule. The 9 a.m., EST, event will be televised on NASA TV and streamed on the agency’s website. The service module will provide essential power and propulsion as well as air and water for Orion astronauts as they venture into deep space. The first European service module will be integrated at Kennedy for the first joint test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion, an uncrewed flight around the Moon and back to Earth called Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1).
Bridenstine worried about budget pressures on NASA
SpaceNews.com (11/16): NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine expressed concern over future budget support for NASA and its White House assignment to establish a permanent human presence in the lunar environs as a step toward the future exploration of Mars. His remarks were made before the National Space Council’s User Advisory Group (UAG), meeting in Washington. The space agency has counted on the support of U.S. Rep. Jim Culberson, of Houston, who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee responsible for NASA’s budget. Culberson was defeated by his Democratic opponent in the congressional Midterm elections earlier this month. Additionally, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is calling on federal agencies to make five percent budget cuts in 2020. “If that materializes, no, we’re not going to have what we need to go to the Moon,” said Bridenstine. “We’re certainly not going to have what we need to put boots on the Moon.”
Space Science
A cold ‘super-Earth’ may live around a nearby star
The Verge (11/14): Signs of a “super Earth” planet have been discovered around Barnard’s star, a faint red dwarf star within six light years of Earth. Relatively close, the extra solar planet discovery could become an object of study by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which is undergoing preparations for a March 2021 liftoff.
Spaceweather.com (11/16): The annual Leonid meteor shower peaks Saturday and Sunday nights. Its source is debris from the Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Look to the Southeast before sunrise.
Other News
NASA, Northrop Grumman postpone Space Station cargo ship launch to Saturday
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
Space.com (11/15): Northrop Grumman and NASA on Thursday postponed for a second day in a row the launch of the company’s 10th contracted resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) because of inclement weather at NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility launch site on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The launch of Northrop’s Antares rocket with the Cygnus cargo capsule containing a 7,400 pound cargo has been re-set for Saturday at 4:01 a.m., EST. That would set up a rendezvous with the Space Station early Monday.
Quietly, Japan has established itself as a power in the aerospace industry
Ars Technica (11/15): Japan has its sights set on a rise in global aerospace influence, with plans to establish its own GPS network and a network of military satellites. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, intends to play an increasing role, while confident in its ability to compete with rivals.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Qatari satellite from Kennedy Space Center (KSC), lands at sea
Florida Today (11/15): A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) with a Qatari communications satellite on Thursday. The 3:46 p.m., EST, liftoff was followed by a landing of the already once launched Falcon 9 first stage on a recovery ship at sea in the Atlantic east of the launch site.