Today’s Deep Space Extra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. NASA includes a possible human mission to the Martian moon Phobos in Space Launch System planning. Imagery of the Apollo moon walkers will help future explorers adjust to varying gravity levels during deep space missions. The Martian, set to open in theaters Oct. 2, injects a new level of reality in Mars exploration. Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, a cinematic marvel from the sixties, continues to inspire audiences with the possibilities of space exploration. The Houston Grand Opera collaborates with NASA on O Columbia, a production that examines the risks and rewards of space exploration. The European Space Agency assesses the consequences of a faulty sensor that will delay the launch of a joint Mars mission with Russia from January to March. Sunday brings a rare “super moon” lunar eclipse — when and where to observe. The Glenn Research Center pays tribute to NASA’s forerunner, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. United Launch Alliance turns to Orbital ATK for solid rocket boosters. Boeing likes New Mexico and Utah as landing sites for the CST-100 Starliner that is to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Human Deep Space Exploration
SLS manifest options aim for Phobos prior to 2039 Mars landing
NASAspaceflight.com (9/22): Space agency planning accommodates launches of NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket on human missions to the Martian moon Phobos ahead of a landing on Mars by 2039.
Moon bloopers, a NASA study
The Atlantic (9/22): Imagery of NASA’s Apollo moon walkers provides clues as to how human explorers will contend with the gravity variances they will encounter in deep space.
‘The Martian’ is entertaining science fiction rooted in fact
Science News (9/22): The Martian, set to debut in movie theaters Oct. 2, offers film audiences a rare realistic preview of the challenges future human explorers will face on the red planet.
Will we ever achieve the vision of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’?
Space.com (9/23): Stanley Kubrick’s landmark film about space travel debuted in 1968 to audiences intrigued by its vision of the future wrapped in a Cinerama format. Today 2001: A Space Odyssey remains a benchmark for the future of spaceflight, the prospects for artificial intelligence and the likelihood of contact with extraterrestrial life, writes Piers Bizony in an op-ed.
‘O Columbia’ opera explores spaceflight in chorus with NASA
Collectspace.com (9/21): The Houston Grand Opera in a collaboration with NASA presents O Columbia, an opera about space exploration that embraces the 2003 shuttle Columbia tragedy as its touchstone. “O Columbia opens not in outer space, but at sea, and in the past rather than the future,” explains composer Gregory Spears. “Over the course of the 70-minute performance, the English-language opera focuses on why the risks of exploration are worth the rewards, and how that has influenced our present and future paths into space.”
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Faulty component that delayed ExoMars affects other ESA programs
Space News (9/22): Recently, the European Space Agency announced it would delay from January to March the 2016 launch of its ExoMars orbiter, a joint effort with Russia. ESA blamed the delay on a faulty pressure sensor. The two sensors are on a prototype entry, descent and lander module that will be tested for a 2018 rover mission. The faulty component may have implications for other missions.
Sunday’s ‘supermoon’ total lunar eclipse: When and where to see it
Space.com (9/22): Sunday’s lunar eclipse promises to be a rare offering for sky watchers in North and South America, Europe and Africa. The event will unfold between Sunday at 9:07 p.m., EDT, and Monday at 12:27 a.m., EDT. The relative closeness of the Earth and Moon for this eclipse have not happened since 1982 and won’t again until 2033.
Low Earth Orbit
NASA Glenn launches a hall of fame
Cleveland Plain Dealer (9/22): NASA’s Glenn Research Center will mark the opening of its new hall of fame on Friday by honoring nine directors, engineers, scientists and designers. The opening will also mark the 100th anniversary of NASA’s forerunner, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
ULA rocket boosters deal moves it away from Aerojet Rocketdyne
Denver Business Journal (9/22): United Launch Alliance, the joint Boeing/Lockheed joint venture, announced Tuesday it has selected Orbital ATK to provide solid rocket boosters for future AtlasV and Vulcan rocket launches. The Orbital boosters will replace those currently supplied by Aerojet Rocketdyne. Aerojet’s recently reported $2 billion bid to acquire ULA was rejected.
Boeing identifies CST-100 prime landing sites
Spaceflightnow.com (9/22): Boeing’s CST-100, one of two U.S. spacecraft under development through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, will aim for parachute assisted landings in New Mexico and Utah, according to a Boeing manager and former NASA astronaut involved in the development. The Commercial Crew Program is leading the development of U.S. crew transportation services to and from the International Space Station and other orbital destinations.