Today’s Deep Space Extra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. The Aquarius undersea lab provides shelter for U.S., European and Japanese astronauts for two week space simulation. NASA’s Space Launch System exploration rocket finds favor for major planetary science missions, including Europa visit. Martian moon Phobos could be stepping stone for human Mars mission. Recently discovered Kepler 452b may be Earth-like from a distance, but obtaining a firsthand look seems almost out of reach. China could seek signs of extraterrestrial intelligence with major new radio telescope. With the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft accompanying, Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is about to make its closest approach to the sun, a space first. Saturn and the annual Perseid meteor shower will grace August skies. U.S./China civil space talks near and so far without controversy. New York City area 16-year-old wins competition to fly a gene experiment aboard the International Space Station. Shuttle exhibit at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center opens personal tribute to Challenger, Columbia astronauts. NASA image captures full moon as backdrop for the International Space Station. Russia okays, Danish, Kazakh and Russian astronauts for September International Space Station visit. A look at major space related activities planned for the week ahead.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Astronauts test virtual-reality headset for space on ocean floor
Space.com (8/2): U.S., European and Japanese astronauts and engineers are set to surface Monday after two weeks aboard the Aquarius undersea laboratory. Participating astronauts Serena Auñón, of NASA, Luca Parmitano, of the European Space Agency, and Norishige Kanai, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, used the experience to test equipment and techniques for use on missions to future deep space destinations. Aquarius is submerged in Atlantic waters off the Florida Keys.
NASA’s Space Launch System can do more than human missions, could be “transformative for science”
WAAY TV.com, of Alabama (7/31): NASA’s Space Launch System exploration rocket could be tasked with more than human missions, the space agency’s John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for science, explained to the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee during a recent hearing. Jupiter’s moon Europa could be an early SLS enabled planetary science mission.
Mission to Phobos: The precursor to human Mars landing
America Space (7/31): The Martian moon Phobos is an interim destination of interest to those planning an eventual human mission to the red planet, according to the report. Like the moon and asteroids under study as stepping stones to Mars, Phobos offers an opportunity to test space hardware and exploration systems needed to reach the Martian surface.
Could human beings ever reach ‘Earth 2.0’?
NBC News (8/1): Kepler -452b, the most Earth-like planet yet discovered beyond the solar system, orbits in the habitable zone of its extra solar star. 452b may be rocky, host an atmosphere and liquid water. But at 1,400 light years away, learning more firsthand will be difficult.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
China headlines: Earth’s “ear” probes for sound from universe
Xinhuanet, of China (8/1): China looks to September 2016 for the opening of the Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, or FAST. At 500 meters across, FAST will become the world’s largest radio telescope. The $196 million observatory is expected to participate in the search for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence.
T-Minus 12 days to Perihelion, Rosetta’s comet up close and in 3D
Universe Today (8/1): Despite power and communications issues with the Philae lander, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has achieved much scientifically since an August 2014 rendezvous with the comet. Philae reached the comet’s surface on Nov. 12. On Aug 13, the comet will make its closest approach to the sun, with the Rosetta orbiter and Philae lander along for the ride, a space first.
Tour August’s sky: Perseids aplenty!
Sky and Telescope (7/31): This month’s sights include Saturn, the bright star Antares and the annual Perseid meteor shower, which is expected to peak in the early hours of Aug. 13.
Low Earth Orbit
Muted response from critics as State Department prepares for space talks with China
Spacepolicyonline.com (8/3): Washington and Beijing are so far quietly preparing for a civil space dialog at the end of October in China. The session was announced at the end of talks between diplomats June 22-24 and cited by the U.S. State Department as one of 127 “outcomes” arising from the initial discussions. The topics of interest for the late October meeting include environmental and scientific satellite data exchanges and satellite collision avoidance. The Pentagon, NASA, NOAA, FAA and U.S. Geological Survey will provide support for the U.S. State Department sponsored October talks.
16-year-old’s DNA experiment will fly in space
Space.com (7/31): Anna Sophia Boguraev, a New York City area 16-year-old, has prevailed in a contest to design an experiment for the International Space Station that will examine the influences of radiation and microgravity on the immune system of astronauts. The flight date has yet to be set. The Genes in Space competition was sponsored by Boeing, Math for America, miniPCR and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space.
Astronaut mementoes: Cowboy boots, prayer beads, lunch box
Associated Press via New York Times (8/2): Forever Remembered, a new space shuttle era display at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center pays a personal tribute to each of the 14 astronauts that perished in two tragedies, the launch and landing breakups of Challenger and Columbia in 1986 and 2003. The tribute at the Kennedy Visitor Center Complex includes for the first time on public display pieces of wreckage from both shuttle orbiters.
NASA’s latest image of the International Space Station is breathtaking
The Huffington Post (8/2): A new image from NASA shows the full moon as a backdrop for the six person International Space Station.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Kazakh cosmonaut to be sent to ISS instead of Sarah Brightman
Sputnik International, of Russia (7/31): Kazakh cosmonaut Aydin Aimbetov, Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov and European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, of Denmark, will launch Sept. 2 to the International Space Station for a 10 day mission, Roscosmos, the Russian federal space agency announced on Friday. Aimbetov replaces one time space tourist Sarah Brightman who cited a family matter for her decision earlier this year not to fly.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of August 3-31, 2015
Spacepolicyonline.com (8/2): Activities are slowing for August. In Washington, the U.S. House is in recess. The Senate will follow this week. Both chambers resume business the week of Sept. 8 with the matter of a Continuing Budget resolution pending to keep the government working as the 2016 fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Political party differences could make that a challenge.