Today’s Deep Space Extra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. A NASA Space Launch System exploration rocket engine carried out a near nine minute ground test firing on Thursday. An exo-planet could be named for Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong. Astronomers find a “nearby” young Jupiter, the closest exo-planet identified with a ground based observatory. The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft accompanied Comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko as 67/P made its closest approach to the sun. Perseids sparkle. A Russian progress cargo capsule departed the International Space Station. U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, questions NASA’s handling of Orbital ATK, SpaceX rocket loss investigations.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA test-fires engine for next-gen megarocket
Space.com (8/13): NASA marked a milestone in the development of the Space Launch System exploration rocket on Friday with a nearly nine minute ground test firing of an RS-25 rocket engine. The upgraded engine that traces its heritage to NASA’s space shuttle program is headed for the first stage of the Space Launch System exploration rocket. A NASA test flight that will send an unpiloted Orion crew exploration capsule around the moon and back in late 2018 is counting on the SLS for propulsion.
NASA test-fires shuttle engine for SLS rocket
USA Today (8/13): An Aerojet Rocketdyne engine with ties to NASA’s space shuttle program roared to life at a NASA test facility in Mississippi on Thursday. Equipped with upgrades, the RS-25 family of engines will power the first stage of NASA’s Space Launch System exploration rocket. The first Space Launch System test flight is planned for late 2018.
NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong may have a planet named for him
Government Executive (8/13): The International Astronomical Union is hosting a public vote on the naming of 15 stars and 32 exo-planets. The balloting creates the possibility that the first distant planet discovered around a sun like star could be named for Neil Armstrong, commander of NASA’s Apollo 11, the first human moon landing mission. The planet designated 51Pegasi b would be Neil, the star, Apollonis.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Found! ‘Young Jupiter,’ the smallest exo-planet directly seen by telescope
Space.com (8/13): The smallest planet beyond the solar system studied with a ground-based observatory has been recorded. 51 Eradani b is a lot like a young Jupiter.
Rosetta’s comet just made its closest pass of the sun
Washington Post (8/13): Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko made its closest approach to the sun on Wednesday at 10 p.m., EDT. Along for the journey to observe are the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft and a Philae lander. Rosetta rendezvoused with the comet in August 2014 after a long journey. The comet orbits the sun every 6 1/2 years.
ESA managers face choice on Rosetta priorities
Space News (8/14): The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft moved safely away from the eruptive surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on Wednesday, as the comet made its closest approach to the sun in more than six years. Now, scientists on Earth face a choice: does Rosetta move close to search for Philae, the companion comet lander not heard from since July 9, or study the composition of the comet’s flowing tail. Comet 67P will not be cool enough for a close approach until mid-September. Philae is predicted to exhaust its solar power generating capabilities in November.
Perseid meteor shower in pictures
Discovery.com (8/13): The annual Perseid meteor shower is lighting up the night skies of the Earth’s northern hemisphere.
Low Earth Orbit
Russian Progress M-26M cargo craft poised for fiery re-entry.
Spaceflightinsider.com (8/13): Russia’s Progress 58 cargo capsule, which reached the International Space Station in mid-February, departed the six person orbital lab early Friday filled with trash. The freighter is expected to make a destructive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere shortly after 10 a.m., EDT. The undocking occurred at 6:19 a.m., EDT.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
House Science chairman bucks at special treatment for SpaceX
Space News (8/13): In an Aug. 4 letter to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science Committee, questions NASA’s decision to carry out an independent investigation of the Oct. 28 launch mishap of an Orbital ATK Antares rocket bound for the International Space Station with supplies, but not to do the same in response to a June 28 SpaceX Falcon 9 launch failure. The Falcon 9 was also bound for the International Space Station with supplies. Smith said the actions raised questions about the equity, fairness and fidelity of the investigations. Neither the companies nor NASA would comment further.