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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. U.S. House, Senate poised for 2015 NASA budget deliberations this week. U.S. investments in NASA’s deep space mission essential for future economic growth, education. Humanity’s future lies in deep space, says NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. Mars captures attention of youngsters at USA Science and Engineering Festival. A 1970s take on future human space activities. Exo-moons: home to alien life? Sun calms after flare interrupts radio transmissions. Astronaut twins to be medical subjects in one year mission. U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame to induct two. Canada pulls satellite off Russian rocket over Ukraine policy. SpaceX protests U.S. Air Force rocket purchase. Russian satellite launches include communications relay spacecraft for International Space Station cosmonauts. A look at major space activities planned for the week ahead.
NASA 2015 Budget
House and Senate to tackle NASA policy and budget issues this week
Spacepolitics.com (4/27): U.S. House, Senate reconvene this week. House Science, Space and Technology Committee to consider new NASA authorization measure, including subcommittee requirement for NASA exploration road map, on Tuesday. House Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations subcommittee will mark up 2015 appropriations measure on Wednesday that addresses Asteroid Redirect Mission, commercial crew and planetary science spending. Senate CJS appropriations subcommittee to hold hearing on NASA 2015 budget Thursday.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Congress must fund deep space travel for U.S. economy’s sake
Orlando Sentinel (4/27): Charles Walker, the first U.S. commercial astronaut, urges investments in NASA human deep space missions to grow the economy through advances in technology, while inspiring the nation’s youngest citizens to pursue careers in science and technology. “These missions will also uncover new clues about the beginnings of the universe and how our solar system evolved,” writes Walker. “The discoveries we make will, in turn, inspire the next generation of American scientists and engineers so we continue to lead in space for decades to come.”
The future of humanity awaits in deep space, NASA Chief says
Space.com (4/25): Humanity’s future lies in deep space, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden explained to a University of Colorado audience earlier this month. Partners in the quest include the U.S. aerospace industry and international partners, says NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
Opinion: We need to define the long-term goal of space flight
Spaceflight Insider (4/27): Editorial points to long term survival of human race as the goal, finds space community divided over path forward.
D.C. students explore Mars from Earth at science festival
Washington Post (4/25): Students from around the world get a look at close-up photos of Mars at start of USA Science and Engineering Festival. NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover delivered the imagery.
NASA of the 1970s reveals how it thought the future would look
Houston Chronicle (4/25): Newly released concept drawings reveal space colony possibilities envisioned by researchers from NASA’s Ames Research Center and Stanford University in the 1970s.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Could aliens be living on Exo-moons?
Discovery.com (4/25): Discoveries of large volumes of water on the Jovian moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus raise the question. Possibly, one of those kinds of moons could be circling a planet like Kepler 186f. Scientists recently announced 186f as the first confirmed discovery of an Earth-sized planet orbiting its star within the habitable zone.
Spaceweather.com (4/27): Solar activity drops after major solar flare interrupts radio communications on Friday.
Low Earth Orbit
Astronaut twins to separate for the sake of space travel
National Public Radio (4/27): Twins Scott and Mark Kelly explain their medical research plans. Scott, a NASA astronaut, is training for a year-long flight to the International Space Station, the longest by an American. Twin Mark, a retired NASA astronaut, will serve as a ground based “control” for a range of medical tests investigating changes that can be attributed to spaceflight.
Two prepare to enter Space Hall of Fame
Florida Today (4/26): The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame to induct retired NASA shuttle veterans Jerry Ross and Shannon Lucid on Saturday in Florida.
Russian sanctions have killed Canadian satellite launch
Ottawa Citizen, of Canada (4/24): Canada removes satellite from Russian launch vehicle to protest annexation of Crimea.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
SpaceX formally protests initial EELV block buy contracts
Space News (4/25): SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announces suit over U.S. Air Force contract award to United Space Alliance for 36 national security space mission rockets. Musk argues competition should follow SpaceX Falcon 9 certification.
SpaceX gets closer to making a reusable rocket, sues Air Force
Los Angeles Times (4/25): SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says April 18 Falcon 9 launch for NASA successfully demonstrated progress toward demonstrating first stage reusability with controlled Atlantic splashdown. The Hawthorne, Calif., based company will attempt to make a first stage return to land by year’s end, Musk said.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk launch pad being developed near Brownsville
Brownsville Herald, of Texas (4/25): SpaceX CEO Elon Musk forecasts new spaceport in South Texas. FAA environment impact statement on use of Boca Chica Beach expected soon.
Proton-M rocket launches Kazakh, Russian satellites
Ria Novosti (4/28): Orbital deliveries of Kazakh, Russian communications satellites begins with Proton lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Russian spacecraft will relay live imagery from the International Space Station, much as NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite network does.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week: April 28-May 2, 2014
Spacepolicyonline.com (4/27): The U.S. House, Senate return after a two week break. NASA hosts exploration forum.
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