In Today’s Deep Space Extra… At the International Astronautical Conference (IAC), NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said 2035 is doable for human landing on Mars. Female spacewalk duo uplifted by the excitement. U.S. is leading the world in space, according to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. The NASA led James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has stepped through a succession of pre-launch milestones
Human Space Exploration
NASA’s Jim Bridenstine says 2035 is doable for human landing on Mars provided budget is there
Tech Crunch (10/21): Astronauts could reach the surface of Mars by 2035, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Monday from the annual International Astronautical Conference (IAC), hosted this year in Washington D.C. His remarks on the timing came during a panel session with the leaders of global space agencies. Bridenstine qualified his response to a question on the timing. The timing depends on the provision of sufficient budgets from all participants.
Space agencies endorse continued cooperation in lunar exploration
SpaceNews.com (10/21): Opening day of the week long International Astronautical Conference (IAC) on Monday featured expressions of support for cooperation among leaders of global space agencies for human exploration of the Moon and beyond. Much of the suspense, however, lies with which global agencies step up with the financial commitments to bring together a timely human return to the surface of the Moon and preparations for Mars.
Moon dust could be a problem for future lunar explorers
Space.com (10/21): A cautionary note from NASA’s Apollo lunar explorers: the more time astronauts spend on the Moon, the more they will become covered with dust. And lunar dust is abrasive and hard but necessary to filter for health and cleanliness.
Female spacewalking duo uplifted by excitement below
Associated Press via New York Times (10/21): NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir said they feel uplifted by the earthly enthusiasm that accompanied their first ever two woman spacewalk last Friday outside the International Space Station (ISS). The duo replaced a troublesome power controller. “Hopefully it will become commonplace and it won’t even necessarily be something that’s a big deal down the road,” said Koch during a NASA news briefing on Monday from the orbiting six person science lab.
The world’s space agencies focus in on their roles for Gateway moon missions
GeekWire.com (10/21): On the first day of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Washington on Monday, the heads of the world’s major space agencies summarized their plans for a NASA led, human tended, lunar orbiting Gateway. All is yet to be finalized, including funding commitments. But Russia is assessing contributions comparable to NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)/Orion rocket and crew capsule. Japan and Europe are assessing logistics support and Canada is planning an advanced version of the International Space Station’s (ISS) robot arm. And if U.S. astronauts walk on the Moon first as the crew of the Artemis 3 mission, astronauts and cosmonauts from partner nations will get their chance to walk on future missions.
U.S. is leading world in space, VP Mike Pence says
Space.com (10/21): In opening day remarks before the International Astronautical Conference (IAC) in Washington D.C., on Monday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence declared the U.S. the world’s leader in space exploration, while declaring a willingness to work with other like-minded nations to move ahead with future exploration. Earlier this year, as chair of the White House National Space Council, Pence directed NASA to accelerate a human return to the surface of the Moon from 2028 to 2024.
Space Science
NASA space telescope achieves milestone of successfully withstanding launch stresses
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
Astrotechnews.com (10/21): The NASA led James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the designated successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, has stepped through a succession of pre-launch milestones at prime contractor Northrop Grumman facilities in Redondo Beach, California. The activities, including the ability to withstand launch stresses and a demonstration of the deployment of the tennis court sized sun shield, are steps forward in plans to launch the observatory in 2021.
NASA’s resilient Van Allen Probes shut down
Spaceflightnow.com (10/20): Launched August 30, 2012, NASA’s productive twin Van Allen Probe science mission has come to an end as of late last week. The two satellites have exhausted their fuel.
Other News
Rocket Lab, yep, Rocket Lab — has a plan to deliver satellites to the Moon
Ars Technica (10/21): Well on its way to developing a low cost launch service for small satellites, Rocket Lab, which is U.S. based but focused primarily on launching from New Zealand, announces that its Photon upper stage rocket will be capable of launching payloads to the Moon.
Iran to discuss possibility of sending its astronaut to ISS with Russia
Sputnik News of Russia (10/21): Iran intends to seek Russia’s assistance launching an Iranian astronaut into space, according to the head of the country’s space agency, Morteza Barari.