To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.
If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@space.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. House bill would shift money to work on NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket and Orion spacecraft. Budget cuts threaten NASA’s planetary science programs. Hubble finds evidence of water in the atmospheres of five alien planets. Scientists find theory to explain craggy nature of Europa’s ice covered oceans. U.S. House to hear testimony of prospects for alien life. Debris from China launch of Chang’e-3 lunar probe strikes homes of farmers. Apollo era data quantifies dust build up on the moon. Italy facing steep space cuts. Blue Origin reports advances with home grown rocket engine for commercial suborbital, orbital passenger flights. Contestants in contest for commercial suborbital spaceflight gather in Florida.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Rep. Mo Brooks sponsors bill to shift $500 million to SLS, other NASA programs
Huntsville Times (12/3): Brooks’ bill would provide the funds to NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket, Orion/Multi-Purpose crew vehicle and the International Space Station. The funds have been appropriated but held in reserve to cover possible termination costs, the Times reports.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
NASA might stop exploring the planets: Here’s why that’s terriblewhen we explore other planets, we reap the benefits on Earth (So do our cell phones)
The Atlantic (12/3): Sequestration and other budget pressures could jeopardize NASA’s planetary sciences program. In discussions with workers, NASA says future reductions in spending may come from a pursuit that provides new knowledge and advances in technology. Cassini, a long running mission to Saturn, could be among the programs in jeopardy.
Hubble Space Telescope finds water in atmospheres of five planets (video)
Huntsville Times (12/3): Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope detect the signature of water in the atmospheres of five exo-planets. The study published in the Astrophysics Journal marked the first time scientists have been able to conclusively measure and compare water’s presence among multiple planets.
Convection may explain Europa’s weird chaotic terrain
Discovery (12/4): Scientists find theory to explain “craggy” nature of Jupiter’s ice covered moon, Europa. The Jovian satellite is considered a potential habitat by astrobiologists. Yet, shrinking budgets threaten efforts to reach the surface of Europa with spacecraft.
With seven workdays left, House committee holds hearing on space aliens
Huffington Post (12/3): The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology will hear testimony from experts Wednesday on the prospects for life on alien planets. The session falls close to the end of the first year of the 113th Congress.
Chang’e-3 carrier debris hits farmers’ buildings
Global Times (12/4): Debris from the rocket launch that started China’s Chang’e-3 lander mission to the moon falls to Earth damaging the homes of two farmers, authorities report. No injuries, reported.
Moon wears dusty cloak: Old data from Apollo missions stir up debate about lunar dust
Science News (12/3): A re-examination of measurements gathered by Apollo astronauts quantifies dust build up. The accumulation of the dust is considered an obstacle to human lunar activity.
Low Earth Orbit
Italian defense officials fight to restore slashed space funding
Space News (12/3): Italy’s defense ministry warns of proposed 2014 cuts that will prevent it from doing no more than maintaining in orbit assets and ground facilities. Some officials say they will oppose cuts estimated at 43 percent over two years.
Commercial to Orbit
Seattle Times (12/3): Blue Origin reaches rocket test milestone. The high performance BE-3 liquid hydrogen/oxygen rocket engine figures in the company’s suborbital and orbital commercial space passenger planning.
SES-8 on its way to geostationary orbit following SpaceX’s commercial launch debut
Space News (12/3): Third try is a charm for SpaceX as it places its first commercial telecommunications satellite in geosynchronous transfer orbit with a launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., late Tuesday. The launch was for SES of Luxembourg.
Suborbital
Astronaut hopefuls face off for Axe Apollo’s free trip to space this week
Space.com (12/3): Over 100 contestants from all over the world will gather at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for the AXE Apollo Space Academy, part of a commercial contest developed to launch 25 people on a XCORP Aerospace Lynx spacecraft.
Brought to you by the Coalition for Space Exploration, CSExtra is a daily compilation of space industry news selected from hundreds of online media resources. The Coalition is not the author or reporter of any of the stories appearing in CSExtra and does not control and is not responsible for the content of any of these stories. The content available through CSExtra contains links to other websites and domains which are wholly independent of the Coalition, and the Coalition makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information contained in any such site or domain and does not pre-screen or approve any content. The Coalition does not endorse or receive any type of compensation from the included media outlets and is not responsible or liable in any way for any content of CSExtra or for any loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of any content appearing in CSExtra. For information on the Coalition, visit www.space.com or contact us via e-mail at Info@space.com.
