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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. U.S. budget issues drive political differences over NASA’s future, according to report. NASA previews mega welder apparatus at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans crucial to the production of the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket. Top NASA officials visit Mississippi’s Stennis Space Center, where the Space Launch System core stage will undergo future testing. Veteran reporter recalls challenges of reaching the moon with U.S. astronauts. European scientists announce landing site for the Rosetta mission’s Philae lander. Earth weathers solar eruptions. China achieves a reconnaissance independence. The International Space Station takes on new Earth observing responsibilities. NASA selects commercial suborbital launch services providers. A look at major space related activities scheduled for the week ahead.
NASA’s 2015 Budget
Tight NASA budgets reveal old rifts over mission
Houston Chronicle (9/14): Washington politics may jeopardize NASA’s budget and future mission after a period of relative bi-partisan support, according to the report. Some favor the moon over an asteroid as a next human destination. Others question why the space agency faces a small decline in its proposed 2015 budget as it prepares key elements of future human exploration, the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket and Orion crew capsule, for early test flights. Uncertain budgets rather than technical issues now represent the biggest risk to progress, says one former NASA official.
Human Deep Space Exploration
World’s largest spacecraft welder unveiled at Michoud
WVUE-TV, of New Orleans (9/12): NASA Administrator Charles Bolden joined a delegation of agency, Boeing and Lockheed Martin contractor associates late last week at the Michoud Assembly Center in New Orleans to mark the opening of the towering welding facility that will be used to manufacture the core stage of the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket. NASA has its sights set on the future human exploration of Mars, says Bolden.
NASA officials: Stennis will help launch US into deep space
Biloxi Sun Herald, of Mississippi (9/12): NASA’s Administrator Charles Bolden and other top agency officials visited the Stennis Space Center where the core stage of the Space Launch System and its rocket engines will be tested in the future. The refurbished B-2 test stand at the Mississippi facility once filled a similar role for the Apollo Saturn V rocket. The SLS will enable future human deep space missions, with Mars as the long range goal, Bolden told those gathered.
Jay Barbree retells U.S.’s difficult, but glorious ascent to moon
Florida Today (9/14): NBC’s Barbree offers a compelling account of America’s race to the moon. The late Neil Armstrong’s participation in the saga is highlighted.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Rosetta lander Philae to aim for comet’s `head’
Euro News (9/15): Scientists announced their landing site selection Monday for the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission Philae lander. Rosetta rendezvoused with the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in early August for a lengthy trip around the sun. Philae is to depart Rosetta for the comet’s surface in November.
Double CME Impact Sparks Geomagnetic Storm
Space Weather.com (9/13): The sun calms after two coronal mass ejections reached the Earth on Friday and Saturday, triggering the most intense geo magnetic storm so far this year. Aurora were visible as far south as Maine.
NASA releases new tips for finding alien life
Washington Post (9/15): Thousands of NASA sponsored simulations point to the qualities of an alien planet where life as we know it may exist. An atmosphere with methane, oxygen and ozone appears to offer the best prospects.
Low Earth Orbit
China Quickly Weaning Itself Off Earth Observation Data Bought from Abroad
Space News (9/12): China is succeeding in developing and operating medium to high resolution Earth observing spacecraft, reducing its need for foreign sourcing.
ISS Serves As Eagle Eye For Earth
Aviation Week & Space Technology (9/15): New sensors will permit the International Space Station to take on a new role, observing the Earth. RapidScat, the first in the new series, is bound for the space station this month. RapidScat will measure wind direction and speed over the oceans.
Suborbital
NASA Selects Commercial Space Companies to Provide Suborbital Flight Services
Spaceflight Insider (Sept. 12): NASA’s new contractor lineup to carry out suborbital research flights are Masten Space Systems, of Mojave, California; Paragon Space Development Corp., of Tuscon; Up Aerospace Inc., of Highlands Ranch, Co., and Virgin Galactic of New York City.
The Week Ahead
What’s Happening in Space Policy September 15-20, 2014
Space Policy Online (9/14): A budget-continuing resolution for the opening of fiscal year 2015 may find its way onto the congressional calendar for what may be the last week of the current Congressional session. The 2015 fiscal year began Oct. 1. With no action, a U.S. government shutdown looms.
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