In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Youth STEM advocate Abby Harrison leads nonprofit Mars Generation, plans future as deep space explorer.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Meet Abby Harrison, the college sophomore headed for Mars
USA Today (3/17): Abby Harrison has dreamed of becoming an astronaut since she was five years old. Now a sophomore at Wellesley College, Harrison leads The Mars Generation, a non-profit dedicated to encouraging youthful interest in the STEM fields.
Space Science
NASA twins study researchers take genetic data to next level
Universe Today (3/17): NASA astronaut Scott Kelly set a U.S. record of 340 days in space for a single mission as he returned to Earth from the International Space Station in March 2016. Though Scott’s twin brother, retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly remained behind, the two men made and are making a significant contribution to future human deep space travel by serving as subjects in a range of health research projects. The “twin studies” are looking at how long space missions affect genes and how those changes influence physical and psychological well-being.
An asteroid hunter explains how she’s protecting Earth from a killer space rock
Washington Post (3/17): At CalTech, Carrie Nugent, astronomer and the author of Asteroid Hunters, explains how her profession searches for near-Earth asteroids. “I think most people are surprised to learn that an asteroid impact is one of the most predictable and preventable natural disasters,” said Nugent, a member of NASA’s NEOWISE program.
Martian meteorite that sparked ‘primitive life’ claim gets a new look
Seeker (3/17): Spanish researchers say studies of AH84001, a four and a half billion year old Martian meteorite discovered in Antarctica in 1984, suggest it was exposed to water, an atmosphere and volcanism. If reflective of a biosphere on ancient Mars, the question is whether the habitable environment prevailed long enough to support biological activity.
Watch a fireball light up Seattle’s skies
GeekWire (3/17): The American Meteor Society logged dozens of reports late March 16 of a bright meteor in the darkened skies of the U.S. Northwest.
Why India is investing in space
Slate (3/17): India’s space pursuits can be traced to a desire to use high tech for problem solving and competing globally in the lucrative commercial space arena, experts suggest.
Low Earth Orbit
Delta IV launches WGS-9 to expand defense communications
Spaceflight Insider (3/18): A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket lifted off Saturday night with the ninth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The spacecraft is part of a constellation of satellites serving U.S. military services around the world and their allies.
Valentina Tereshkova, first woman to fly in space, celebrated in London exhibit
CollectSpace.com (3/16): The Science Museum of London recently hosted the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, who is the focus of a new exhibit chronicling her life. Tereshkova launched as a Soviet cosmonaut on June 16, 1963 aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft.
Space Station shut-eye: New LED lights may help astronauts (and you) sleep better
Space.com (3/17): LED lighting is replacing fluorescent lighting aboard the International Space Station to potentially improve the rest period for astronauts, one that will leave them more alert. The evaluation, which is focused on specific spectral settings, may improve sleep conditions on Earth as well.
SpaceX’s Dragon supply carrier wraps up 10th mission to Space Station
Spaceflightnow.com (3/19): NASA’s latest contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station concluded early Sunday with a Pacific Ocean splashdown and recovery. The mission, launched February 19 by SpaceX, delivered a new external sensor to monitor the health of the Earth’s atmosphere; a stem cell investigation for cancer treatment and another investigation of processes influencing bone and tissue injuries; and sensors to help develop a new commercial satellite servicing industry. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule returned with over 5,400 pounds of science gear and no longer needed equipment.
Air Force inviting industry to create GPS ideas, general says
Space News (3/18): The U.S. military’s open sourcing, or Plug Fest, is an effort to bring new capabilities to the U.S. Air Force managed Global Positioning System satellite constellation. The Air Force may decide to extend the practice to other space operations in an effort to streamline them, according to Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of March 19-24, 2017
Spacepolicyonline.com (3/20): NASA could see the launch of an agency-contracted Orbital ATK International Space Station resupply mission Friday night, possibly Thursday night. Friday will also mark the first in a series of three spacewalks from the International Space Station involving NASA’s Shane Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesque. Meanwhile, planetary scientists are meeting in the Houston suburb of The Woodlands this week for the annual Lunar and Planetary Science conference. In Washington, the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Prague Security Studies Institute will host a conference on space security issues.