In Today’s Deep Space Extra… The United Arab Emirates outlines vision for future Mars settlement.
Human Space Exploration
The United Arab Emirates launches a plan to colonize Mars by 2117
Los Angeles Times (5/31): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is joining a global line-up of nations and companies with ambitions of settling Mars. The Emirates-envisioned City of Wisdom would become home to 600,000 people on Mars around 2117. “We see Mars 2117 as a multinational effort, which would set out to create a coalition of equals working together to fulfill a unified objective,” said Saeed Gergawi, program director of the Mars project.
Space Science
Touching the sun: NASA mission renamed ‘Parker Solar Probe’
Space.com (5/31): NASA has announced the naming of its new solar probe, a spacecraft that will come closer to the sun than ever before, in honor of University of Chicago astrophysicist Eugene Parker, who predicted the existence of the solar wind. The Parker Solar Probe is planned for launch in mid-2018.
James Webb Space Telescope gets biggest test yet
Houston Chronicle (5/31): Officials at NASA’s Johnson Space Center outlined plans for a major pre-launch test of the James Webb Space Telescope, which was flown from Maryland’s Goddard Space Flight Center to Houston in May to undergo a lengthy low temperature exposure to deep space like conditions in a towering thermal vacuum chamber. Launch of the James Webb, the designated successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, is planned for October 2018.
Researchers think they know why Venus doesn’t have as many volcanoes as Earth
Universe Today (5/31): Venus and the Earth are about the same size. Scientists have been puzzled by why one of the two rocky planets, the Earth, has experienced more volcanic activity than Venus in the past. The answer may lie in the more “plastic” nature of the silicate crust on Venus, according to a study effort led by researchers at University of St. Andrews.
ISS and Low Earth Orbit
Boeing employs test dummies on Starliner safety trials
Spaceflightinsider.com (5/31): Boeing has borrowed a page from the automotive industry in using test dummies to evaluate seating aboard the CST-100 Starliner, which is currently in development under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Evaluations are underway at Boeing facilities in Mesa, Arizona. Spaceflight tests are anticipated for next year.
NASA is testing solar panels that unfurl like fruit roll-ups in space
Popular Mechanics (5/30): The Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) represents a new technique for deploying spacecraft solar arrays that resembles the unfurling of a tape measure. The device developed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is among the cargo awaiting launch to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s 11th NASA contracted cargo mission. The mission is scheduled for launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Thursday at 5:55 p.m., EDT. Once at the Station, ROSA is to be deployed and assessed for seven days for future use as a solar power source aboard commercial, military and civilian satellites.
Stratolaunch rolls out giant aircraft
Space News (5/31): Paul Allen backed Stratolaunch rolled out its giant carrier aircraft at the Mojave Air and Spaceport in California on Wednesday. The dual fuselage giant is the centerpiece of the company’s plans to begin commercial satellite launches possibly in 2019. Stratolaunch and Orbital ATK will partner for the launch of small satellites. Allen is the co-founder of Microsoft.
International Developments
Russia’s Phoenix rocket project to cut space launch costs by 20%
TASS of Russia (6/1): Russia’s $530 million development of Phoenix, a medium lift launch vehicle, is to begin in 2018. The goal is to lower launch costs by 20 percent.
Japan launches rocket with satellite to build its own GPS
AP via ABC News (5/31): The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has launched the second spacecraft of an independent, four satellite Global Positioning System. Two more spacecraft are to be launched by next spring, establishing a satellite navigation and guidance network called Michibiki with an accuracy of a few centimeters. Japan also relies on the U.S. GPS system.