In Today’s Deep Space Extra… A 2017 U.S. appropriations bill with increased spending for NASA has cleared the House and now heads for the Senate and President Trump’s signature.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Congress advances FY2017 appropriations, space weather legislation
Spacepolicyonline.com (5/3): On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed the 2017 omnibus appropriations bill that includes $19.65 billion for NASA, which is $368 million more than last year. The measure, negotiated by House and Senate appropriators last weekend to fund operations through September 30, now goes to the Senate and then to President Trump for signature by midnight Friday to avoid a U.S. government shutdown. The House vote was 309 – 118.
Canada to build radar instrument for NASA Mars probe
Space News (5/3): Canada plans a radar sounder for NASA’s next Mars orbiter. The instrumentation will help reveal underground ice deposits that could be a promising resource for future human exploration of the red planet. The orbiter mission is planned for a 2022 launch.
If we successfully land on Mars, could we live there?
Astronomy Magazine (5/3): After a month’s long journey from Earth, human explorers face the challenges of reaching the surface of Mars safely, then sustaining themselves and moving about in the thin, dry atmosphere, cold temperatures and low gravity. NASA is working with the U.S. private sector and its international partners to address these challenges.
Space Science
NASA requests information on commercial lunar missions
Space News (5/3): In a Request for Information (RFI) issued earlier this week, NASA asks potential lunar surface launch services providers to identify themselves and their capabilities. The response deadline is June 2. NASA is seeking information from U.S. companies using domestically manufactured hardware for primary and secondary payloads and internationals for hosted payloads. The RFI suggests NASA might be interested in purchasing engineering and science data, as well as lunar sample returns.
Cassini traverses “big empty” on first grand finale pass
Sky & Telescope (5/3): NASA’s Cassini spacecraft discovered a welcome absence of ice and dust debris last week as it dove between the cloud tops of Saturn and the edge of the inner most ring. The absence of particulates bodes well for 21 upcoming dives by Cassini between the cloud tops and the rings. Cassini’s long-running orbital surveillance of the Saturn system is to come to an end in mid-September.
First results from Jupiter probe show huge magnetism and storms
New Scientist (5/3): Launched in 2011, NASA’s Juno mission spacecraft maneuvered into polar orbit around Jupiter last July 4. Findings from the initial circuits were presented at a science conference in Vienna. Early findings suggest that ammonia rules the large planet’s weather cycle; if Jupiter has a core, it may be “fuzzy” rather than solid; the magnetic field enveloping the solar system’s largest planet is massive.
Low Earth Orbit
Russia’s cosmonaut training center gets 200 applications from hopeful explorers
TASS of Russia (5/4): Russia’s latest efforts to recruit new astronauts, initiated in mid-March, has attracted about 200 applicants so far. The deadline for applications is July 14. Russia’s previous astronaut recruitment campaign was in 2012. As many as eight applicants will be selected for training.
SpaceX president says the company has no IPO plans
Reuters (5/3): SpaceX officials say they are not pursuing an initial public offering.
California plans for collecting taxes on spaceflight
San Francisco Chronicle (5/3): California’s Franchise Tax Board proposes a state tax on launches of people or property from California to space. One policy expert notes the plan could place California at a competitive disadvantage if other states with launch complexes do not impose a similar tax.
Vector Space makes 1st test launch of small-satellite rocket
Space.com (5/3): Startup Vector Space Systems conducted a successful test flight on Wednesday of its new small satellite launch services rocket, the Vector-R. Mojave, California served as the launch site.