In Today’s Deep Space Extra… The successful long-term human exploration of deep space will require sound policy as well money and technology, according to a pair of experts on the topic.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Further steps toward the frontier: Recent policy efforts on space settlement
The Space Review (9/26): Essayist Cody Knipfer, an associate with PoliSpace, a Washington-based space policy group, examines the origins and rise of the human settlement of space as a justification for government as well as commercial investments in future space exploration. “The settlement of outer space will not only be a literal journey of thousands of miles, but a long-term, continuing process,” he notes. “If space settlement is to be a cohesive, cross-cutting, national effort, the policy realm must also start taking key first steps. Now is the time to act.”
Unpopular truths about space settlement
The Space Review (9/26): Essayist Alan Wasser, explains why the human settlement of space will be challenged by property rights and how those are influenced legislatively.
Space Science
Geysers May Erupt on Europa, Jupiter’s Moon
New York Times (9/26): Scientists relying on observations from the Hubble Space Telescope announce more evidence of water plumes erupting from Europa, the moon of Jupiter. The water and thermal conditions for the briny liquid raise the potential for a habitable environment on the far-off moon.
The Universe Is Directionless, Study Finds
Space.com (9/26): In space, no matter which way you look, the view on the largest scale is the same.
Coronal Hole Turns Toward Earth
Spaceweather.com (9/26): An intense wave of solar activity should produce a strong geomagnetic storm at the Earth on Wednesday and Thursday. Bright polar auroras are predicted.
Low Earth Orbit
Roscosmos confirms plans to reduce space station crew
Space News (9/26): In March, Roscosmos, the Russian federal space agency, plans to reduce from three to two the number of cosmonauts posted aboard the normally six-person International Space Station. The reduction, confirmed Monday at the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, will permit Russia to save expenses on cargo missions. The move could be temporary if Russia can launch its long-delayed Multipurpose Laboratory Module to the station in late 2017 or early 2018. NASA staffs the station’s U.S. segment with combinations of three U.S., Canadian, European and Japanese astronauts.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
SpaceX performs first test of Raptor engine
Space News (9/26): The company’s new methane- and liquid-oxygen-fueled Raptor rocket engine has been test fired for the first time, SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced on Monday. Though he did not elaborate, the new engine is comparable to Blue Origin’s methane and lox fueled BE-4, according to the report. The announcement proceeded plans by Musk to outline a Mars settlement strategy before the International Astronautical Conference in Guadalajara.
Rocket Lab Opens Private Orbital Launch Site in New Zealand
Space.com (9/26): Rocket Lab, of Los Angeles, has completed the construction of a private sector launch complex for small orbital spacecraft in New Zealand. The company intends to launch four to five times a month from the site. The first missions are planned this year.