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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Three years after the final space shuttle mission, NASA focuses on human deep space exploration. Remembering Apollo 11’s historic journey to the moon 45 years ago this week. Virginia high school students tackle deep space radiation concerns with flight experiment. China’s lunar sample mission — a precursor to human exploration? Planetary Society provides timeline for solar sail flight experiment. NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft due at Pluto in one year. Weekend supermoon. Orbital Sciences launches cargo mission to the International Space Station; berthing expected early Wednesday. In Florida, lawmakers weigh change in state sponsored commercial launch complex. U.S. Dept. of Defense official says Pentagon months away from decision on Russia’s threat to halt exports of the RD-180 rocket engine used to launch U.S. national security missions. Virgin Galactic, supporters address FAA licensing concerns. A look at major space activities scheduled for the week ahead.
Human Deep Space Exploration
What have we accomplished in three years? Life after STS-135
Spaceflight Insider (7/12): July 2011 marked the end of NASA’s 30 year space shuttle program. Development of the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket and Orion crew capsule have dominated the agency’s planning for future human space flight since.
‘Totally different moon’: 45 years since Apollo 11 changed the world (part 2)
AmericaSpace.com (7/13): Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins lifted off on their historic journey to the moon 45 years ago this Wednesday. What was it like during the few days en route? The crew spoke little as they prepared their Columbia capsule for lunar orbit and the Eagle lander for the descent to the moon’s surface.
Is China’s next moon probe a preparation for a manned lunar landing?
Wired.com (7/11): China’s Chang’e-5 mission, a robotic lunar sample return mission scheduled for 2017, could be a precursor for a Chinese led human moon landing, the website reports, based on what it terms ” suggestive evidence” the descent vehicle could be scaled up for humans.
Virginia students help NASA tackle radiation problem
Associated Press via Washington Post (7/12): Experiment devised by Virginia high school students will measure space radiation and effectiveness of shielding during first unpiloted test flight of NASA’s Orion capsule scheduled for December.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Surfin’ on sunlight! Privately funded solar sail to launch by 2016
Space.com (7/11): The Planetary Society, of Pasadena, Calif., prepares for 2016 launch of Light Sail experiment. Once deployed from a CubeSat, a thin sail will catch the sun’s radiance as a propulsion source while in Earth orbit. Eventually, solar sails may be able to power spacecraft deep into the solar system.
Mark your calendars: In a year, we’ll arrive at Pluto
NPR (7/13): Launched in January 2006, NASA’s New Horizons mission spacecraft is to fly within 6,000 miles of distant Pluto on July 14, 2015. “It’s a distant realm ripe for exploration,” NPR reports. New Horizons will become the first spacecraft to reach Pluto.
Washington Post (7/12): The moon was full and close to the Earth this weekend. Astronomers say the two events produce a “supermoon.”
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Orbital Sciences launches second paid cargo mission to ISS
Space News (7/13): Orbital Sciences second contracted re-supply mission to International Space Station lifts off Sunday. The Antares/Cygnus rocket and cargo vessel launched from Virginia’s eastern shore at 12:52 a.m., EDT. Arrival at the six person space station is expected early Wednesday. Antares propulsion is provided by Aerojet Rocketdyne and ATK.
Flawless: Antares sends ‘Janice Voss’ Cygnus spacecraft with cargo for ISS to orbit
Spaceflight Insider (7/14): Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus cargo vessel begins three day journey to the six person International Space Station with a flawless lift off atop a two-stage Antares rocket powered by Aerojet Rocketdyne first stage engines and ATK rocket motor. Orbital mission, named for the late Janice Voss, a former NASA astronaut and Orbital Sciences engineer, carries 3,668 pounds of research equipment, food and other supplies.
Lawmakers fire up alternatives for Shiloh complex
Florida Today (7/12): Florida lawmakers urge NASA, U.S. Air Force to help establish an alternative to the environmental sensitive Shiloh for a future state sponsored commercial launch complex. Shiloh sits in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
U.S. seeks decision soon on ending dependence on Russian rocket engines
Wall Street Journal (7/13): The Pentagon will decide in months on a response to Russian threats to halt export of the RD-180 rocket engine that powers the first stage of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V for U.S. national security missions, predicts Frank Kendall, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense. The options include greater use of the ULA Delta IV, development of a domestic alternative to the RD-180 at a cost of $2 billion over seven years and another U.S. launch services company.
Suborbital
Virgin Galactic launch license on hold while legislative fix is sought
Parabolic Arc (7/1): Virgin Galactic, FAA and lawmakers work to iron out licensing requirements for SpaceShipTwo, the suborbital passenger carrier.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of July 13-18, 2014
Spacepolicyonline.com (7/12): Orbital Sciences resupply mission to the International Space Station is on course for a berthing early Wednesday. In Washington, lawmakers are set to discuss a domestic replacement for the imported Russian RD-180 rocket engine used to launch U.S. national security missions.
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