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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Space and the human connection. Worldwide space agencies prepare robotic spacecraft at Mars for Oct. 19 comet pass. NASA plots mining moon for water. Solar systems display variety. NASA IG finds fault with NASA planetary mission extension process. NASA’s Curiosity rover drilling at Mount Sharp. In London this week, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden urges Europe to back an International Space Station extension. Boeing, SpaceX cleared to resume Commercial Crew Program activities.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Why do we love leaving our mark in space? (video)
Christian Science Monitor (10/9): Earlier this week, NASA offered to collect and place names on a small microchip that will be flown aboard the Exploration Flight Test-1 Orion capsule scheduled for an unpiloted two orbit Dec. 4 test flight. The name chip will fly again on a future Mars mission, according to the space agency. The gesture represents a long tradition of naming celestial objects after the famous and taking memorabilia into space, according to CSM. NASA’s Orion will carry humans on future missions of deep space exploration.
It’s time to take the science out of space
The Huffington Post (10/9): “If we want the human race to thrive and grow, then we need to reach out,” writes Brian Clegg, author of the Final Frontier, in which he examines the link between science and space. Human space exploration has a justification of its own, Clegg concludes. “The old Star Trek introduction may be corny, but space truly is the final frontier, and we should be out there”.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
As comet nears Mars, NASA gears up for epic encounter
Space.com (10/9): On Oct. 19, the comet Siding Springs will cruise close to Mars. Global space agencies plan an all-out observing campaign with U.S, European or Indian spacecraft either in orbit around the red planet or roving the surface. NASA expects productive observations without a major risk to the spacecraft.
NASA is studying how to mine the Moon for water
Space.com (10/9): NASA is examining two strategies for extracting water on the moon. Water offers a source of water for drinking, oxygen for breathing as well as for rocket propellants. The two projects have been named Operation Flashlight and the Resource Prospector Mission.
Other solar systems don’t play by our rules
New York Times (10/9): Simulations and observations suggest the solar system may not be representative of all star and planetary systems, according to researchers at the University of California at Berkeley. Jupiter sized planets commonly orbit close to their stars in other systems.
NASA IG says planetary science senior review process needs work
Space News (10/9): NASA IG Paul K. Martin finds a lack of consistency in decisions among NASA administrators and managers on which planetary missions to extend, which to cut. More transparency, awareness of budget realities crucial, according to an IG audit.
Among the Martian hills: Curiosity rover peers at rocks of Mount Sharp
Universe Today (10/9): NASA’s Curiosity rover begins to drill rocks at Mount Sharp. Studies should indicate changing environmental conditions on the red planet. Curiosity landed on Mars in August 2012.
Low Earth Orbit
‘Stay with the Station’, NASA boss urges international partners
Flightglobal.com (10/9): In London this week, NASA administrator Charles Bolden urged European countries to back an extension of International Space Station operations from 2020 to 2024. Bolden’s remarks came Oct. 8 before the Royal Aeronautical Society’s space strategy conference
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
NASA clears commercial crew contractors to resume work
Spaceflightnow.com (10/9): NASA instructs Boeing and SpaceX to resume work on their Commercial Crew Program spacecraft, the CST-100 and crewed Dragon. Sierra Nevada challenged the Sept. 16 NASA awards to Boeing and SpaceX, and the space agency responded with a directive to hold up development. On Thursday, NASA cited crew risks and failure to meet obligations to international partners as the basis for its decision to resume work. Until NASA provides an alternative, the U.S. depends on Russia for astronaut access to the International Space Station.
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