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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. NASA’s Orion test flight is just the first step in a much needed greater commitment to U.S. space exploration, say two former astronauts. NASA postpones decision on Asteroid Retrieval Mission destination until 2015. Europe’s Rosetta mission stands out in 2014 space achievements. Will Rosetta’s Philae lander come back to life? NASA’s Curiosity rover confirms presence of methane on Mars, but source unknown. Russia names new woman cosmonaut. U.S. satellites spot Christmas lights from space. Virginia committed to launch pad repairs. India tests new rocket, unpiloted crew capsule.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Orion Test Is the First Step in NASA’s Bold Space Program
Huffington Post (12/18): Former NASA astronauts Fred Gregory and Tom Jones urge more U.S. investment in space exploration and technology. Recalling the words of John Kennedy, they call for a “great new enterprise,” one that leads to improved education and innovation as well as missions to new space destinations. The Orion crew exploration vehicle’s recent successful test flight is the first step, they note in an op-ed.
NASA Delays Decision on Asteroid Redirect Mission Options
Spacepolicyonline (12/17): NASA was to decide Wednesday on whether its proposed Asteroid Redirect Mission will target a small asteroid or a boulder on the surface of a larger asteroid. In either case, the targeted object is to be maneuvered into a stable orbit around the moon so that U.S. astronauts launched aboard an Orion capsule atop a Space Launch System heavy lift rocket can visit. A top agency official says the decision has been moved to early 2015 so the challenges can be further assessed.
NASA Delays Asteroid Redirect Mission Concept Selection until 2015
Planetary Society (12/17): NASA is now looking to early 2015 for a decision on whether its proposed Asteroid Redirect Mission will target a small asteroid or a boulder from a large asteroid, Robert Lightfoot, the agency’s associate administrator, told a news briefing on Wednesday. The redirect mission would attempt to maneuver the small asteroid or boulder into orbit around the moon, where it could be explored by astronauts.
NASA Delays Decision On Asteroid Redirect Mission Option
Space News (12/17): Look to January for a decision from NASA on whether it plans to redirect a small asteroid , or the boulder from a larger asteroid, into an orbit around the moon, says Robert Lightfoot, the space agency’s associate administrator. More information is needed regarding how the space agency will capture the space rock, says Lightfoot.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Year in Space: Rosetta Mission’s Comet Landing Takes the Prize
NBC News (12/18): The European Space Agency’s successful bid to rendezvous the Rosetta spacecraft with a comet and dispatch a small lander, Philae, to the surface stands out as the top space achievement of 2014, according to a range of news publications.
Comet lander’s location still eludes scientists
Nature News (12/17): The whereabouts of the European Space Agency’s Philae lander on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko are uncertain after the spacecraft descended to the comet’s surface in early November. ESA is hopeful Philae’s solar arrays will recharge the lander’s batteries.
New Pictures Of Philae’s Lonely Resting Spot On The Comet Emerge
Universe Today (12/17): European scientists, engineers work to establish the location of the Rosetta mission’s Philae lander on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Their latest efforts were displayed Wednesday at the American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco.
European Comet Lander May Wake Up from Space Slumber
Space.com (12/17): The European Space Agency looks to early 2015 for a decision on the welfare of Philae, the lander that descended to a bumpy landing on the surface of the distant comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, then lost power.
NASA Curiosity Rover Discovers Methane and Organics on Mars
America Space (12/17): Curiosity’s more than two-year trek across Mars’ Gale Crater produces evidence of atmospheric methane gas and carbon based organics. Both discoveries point to a possibility Mars once hosted microbial life.
Low Earth Orbit
Second woman joins team of Russian cosmonauts
TASS (12/17): Russia’s space agency selects a second woman for its current corps of cosmonaut. Anna Kikina, 30, is trained in engineering and economics and enjoys sporting activities.
U.S. satellite spies holiday lights from space
Los Angeles Times (12/17): Earth observation satellites reveal how much North America lights up for Christmas.
Commercial to Orbit
Launch pad where rocket exploded back next year
Associated Press via Houston Chronicle (12/17): The state of Virginia backs repairs to the Wallops Island Flight Facility launch pad damaged Oct. 28 in the loss of an Orbital Sciences Antares rocket as it lifted off on a resupply mission to the International Space Station.
India tests its heaviest space launch vehicle, eyes global market
Reuters (12/18): India test launches a powerful new rocket with an unpiloted crew capsule. The rocket is intended to make India a more powerful competitor in the global launch services market. The capsule could provide India with an independent human space capability.
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