Today’s Deep Space Extra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related reporting and commentary from across the globe. The challenges faced by astronauts assigned to explore Mars are likely to differ from those living aboard the International Space Station, according to two veteran fliers. Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin believes Mars water discovery will help in the settlement of Mars. A towering Mobile Launcher at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center will embrace the Space Launch System exploration rocket as it lifts off with the Orion capsule and astronauts for future deep space missions. NASA is close to a new strategy for pursuing the discovery of extra-terrestrial life, the agency’s chief scientist explains to a Congressional panel, the search may bear results in a decade to 20 years. NASA uses care to prevent the contamination of Mars with Earthly bacteria. The European Space Agency pursues contract agreements for a Mars rover planned for a May 2018 lift off. NASA may cooperate with China on a solar space mission with the European Space Agency as a partner. The U.S. Senate and House agree to a temporary extension of the “learning period” in FAA regulation of commercial space activities. United Launch Alliance wins an $882 million contract to launch U.S. Air Force payloads during the 2016 fiscal year, which starts Thursday.
Join @xploredeepspace tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 1, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, for a live Tweet Chat with @AstroJoe, Joe Cassady, a rocket scientist with Aerojet Rocketdyne who is working on NASA’s Journey to Mars. During this #SpaceChat, he will provide updates and answer questions about the activities and milestones that will enable the human journey to Mars in the 2030’s. Follow the conversation via the hashtag #SpaceChat.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Mars mission: How hard? NASA astronauts weigh in
Space.com (9/30): Will future astronauts have the skills and traits of Mark Watney? Portrayed by actor Matt Damon, Watney is the fictional lead in the new space drama The Martian, the story of a determined explorer stranded on Mars? Skills in meeting the psychological as well as the intellectual challenges could become increasingly important in the selection, training and assignment of astronauts for future deep space missions, say two former International Space Station astronauts with somewhat different views. The Martian opens in theaters on Friday.
Buzz Aldrin: Water on Mars is another small step for humankind
Time (9/29): Evidence presented by scientists this week of water on Mars will nurture his plans to settle the red planet with humans in the future, writes Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11’s lunar module pilot. Aldrin believes the liquid, saturated with briny perchlorates, can be filtered to make it suitable as a resource for humans.
Mobile launcher upgraded to launch NASA’s mammoth ‘Journey to Mars’ rocket
Universe Today (9/29): At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Mobile Launcher will embrace the Space Launch System exploration rocket before it lifts off on future missions to deep space. Towering 380 feet tall and weighing 10 1/2 tons, the steel structure will provide astronauts access to their Orion exploration capsule and channel exhaust as the giant rocket ignites. A test flight, Exploration Mission-1, is planned for late 2018.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
NASA astrobiology strategy nearing completion
Space News (9/29): Though running a year behind schedule, the completion of a NASA astrobiology strategy is near, the agency’s chief scientist, Ellen Stofan, told the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on Tuesday. Stofan said the wait was prompted by rapidly changing perspectives in the field. “It will come out shortly,” Stofan told lawmakers.
NASA doubles down on prediction of life beyond Earth discovery
The Hill (9/29): The discovery of life beyond Earth is possible within 10 to 20 years, NASA chief scientist Ellen Stofan tells the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on Tuesday. The discovery may, however, come in the form of past life, perhaps fossils, said Stofan. Mars is the current best target for the search, Stofan told lawmakers.
Why NASA didn’t just send over a rover to look for water on Mars
National Public Radio (9/29): NASA’s planetary protection policies may prevent robotic spacecraft, like the Curiosity rover, from investigating sites of Mars that may harbor evidence of past or present micro bacterial activity. The precautions prevent spacecraft with terrestrial bacteria from contaminating Mars and potentially making it possible to determine whether the red planet has life of its own.
ESA hopes to commit to 2018 Mars rover launch by December
Spaceflightnow.com (9/29): The European Space Agency intends a May 2018 launching of its six wheeled Exo Mars rover. First though, the agency must complete negotiations with its contractors for the vehicle as well as the space propulsion elements. The schedule is tight for the mission, which will rely on Russia for the Mars lander hardware.
NASA mulls participation in Sino-European small space mission
Space News (9/29): NASA is looking to the European Space Agency as a bridge to a cooperative space mission with China. SMILE, or the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer, could be the project, NASA’s top solar physicist told a NASA Advisory Council panel on Tuesday.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Senate joins House in extending FAA learning period for six months
Spacepolicyonline.com (9/29): A joint U.S. House/Senate extension of the FAA “learning period” provision for the regulation of U.S. commercial space activities is six months, or April 1. Separate and still pending Senate and House legislation would extend the period for 5 and 10 years respectively. An eventual compromise is anticipated.
Lockheed-Boeing launch venture wins $882 million U.S. contract
Reuters (9/29): United Launch Alliance, the Boeing, Lockheed Martin joint venture, received an $882 million U.S. Air Force contract on Tuesday for the launching of U.S. Air Force satellites during the 2016 fiscal year, which starts Thursday.