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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center begins launch pad acoustic testing of the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket using scale models. The SLS is intended to start U.S. explorers on future missions of deep space exploration. NASA will pay tribute to 17 astronauts who perished in the exploration of space during Friday’s Day of Remembrance. Golden Spike moves towards a commercial lunar exploration alternative. Elton John’s Rocket Man, blue grass style. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope challenges engineers to fold the large observatory’s components for a 2018 lift off. Russian experts suggest a water probe for NASA’s 2020 Mars rover mission. Space solar observatory captures the moon. China, Russia pose space security risks, U. S. Director of National Intelligence informs a U.S. Senate panel. International Space Station resilient to radiation, say Russian experts. European Space Agency sets course for Plato alien planet search mission. Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser logs critical design review milestone. The U.S. House Space Subcommittee to consider changes to the Commercial Space Launch Act. In Houston, Waypoint 2 prepares commercial astronaut training business.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Model of NASA’s space launch system undergoes sound suppression testing.
Spaceflight Insider (1/30): At NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, engineers subject scale models of NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket to crucial acoustic launch pad tests. NASA’s SLS is in development to start future U.S. astronauts on missions of deep space exploration.
NASA honors fallen astronauts with ‘Day of Remembrance’ Friday
Space.com (1/31): Friday marks NASA’s annual Day of Remembrance. This national memorial pays tribute to the 17 astronauts who lost their lives in the Apollo 1 fire and the shuttle Challenger and Columbia tragedies in the pursuit of human space exploration.
Space casualties a necessary tragedy: Column
USA Today (1/30): In a column, Rand Simberg recounts the risks of spaceflight, of late illustrated by the presumed loss of China’s short lived lunar rover, Jade Rabbit. However, the final week of January and opening of the following month have been especially tragic in America. Over the years, 17 astronauts have perished in the Apollo 1 fire as well as the shuttle Challenger and Columbia tragedies in the period.
Golden Spike still aims for human lunar surface expeditions by decade’s end
Forbes (1/30): While global governments ponder a return to the moon’s surface, Colorado-based Golden Spike Co. works on a commercial solution, short two person missions with spacewalks on the lunar surface and the opportunity to bring materials and small payloads back to Earth. Price tag: $1.55 billion. An orbital alternative is available.
This bluegrass ‘Rocketman’ cover by Iron Horse is awesome (Video)
Space.com (1/30): Elton John composed the space song. Iron Horse covers the tune bluegrass style. Performed on YouTube.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
How to pack a telescope (for a trip to space)
Atlantic (1/30): NASA is dreaming big with the James Webb Space Telescope. The designated successor to the Hubble Space Telescope is headed for a 2018 lift off to find and chronicle the earliest days of cosmic star and galaxy formation. The JWST is large though, it must be folded for lift off — a major technological challenge.
Russian scientists propose water probe for NASA Mars rover
Ria Novosti, of Russia (1/30): Scientists in Russia suggest NASA include an instrument to search for underground water as part of the NASA Mars 2020 rover mission.
Watch the Sun get photobombed by the Moon
Discovery.com (1/31): The Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft watches as the moon crosses the face of the sun early Thursday — and with a flare.
Low Earth Orbit
Spacepolicyonline.com (1/30): Though much of the background is classified, James Clapper, the U.S. director of National Intelligence, cites China and Russia as countries increasing their counter space capabilities. Clapper testified in an open Senate hearing this week.
Inspection of ISS outer surface shows station undamaged by cosmic radiation
Itar Tass, of Russia (1/30): External inspections of the International Space Station suggest the exterior has not been degraded by radiation exposures, the news service reports.
Planet-hunting Plato wins backing of European scientists for $1B medium-class mission
Space News (1/30): The European Space Agency advances deliberations for a new $1 billion mission of alien planet discovery.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
PR Newswire via Houston Chronicle (1/31): Sierra Nevada announces its latest milestone in the company’s goal of attaining flight certification for Dream Chaser, a U.S. commercial low Earth orbit spaceflight transportation vehicle.
House Science Committee to examine “necessary updates” to commercial launch law
Spacepolitics.com (1/30): The U.S. House Space Subcommittee will host a hearing next week on updates to the Commercial Space Launch Act.
Suborbital
Commercial space travel training firm gets FAA approval, but NASA’s role still TBD
Space News (1/30): In Houston, Waypoint 2 closes in on an arrangement to train commercial astronauts for space flight. The company proposes to use training facilities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, an arrangement that has received an FAA okay.
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