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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Co-chairs of the recent National Research Council report on the future of U.S. human space exploration present their findings to the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee on Wednesday. Parachute recovery system for NASA’s Orion spacecraft weathers tough Arizona drop test. NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket promises amazing statistics. NASA engineers prepare to re-attempt test flight of the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator from a Pacific Ocean test range. Newly discovered “super Earth” looms in the habitable zone of its nearby star. Talented, rag tag group of soldiers bid to recover aging NASA solar probe. International Space Station astronauts embrace friendly rivalry over World Cup soccer matches. U.S. in the midst of a sprite fest. Universal Space Network wins Boeing prime contractor role in new Global Express Ka-band satellite communications network.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Unity on Mars mission easier said than done
USA Today (6/25): Co-chairs of the recent National Research Council report on the future of U.S. human space exploration, Pathways to Exploration, testified before the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee on Wednesday. They offered a strategy for reaching Mars with astronauts within the next three decades–unprecedented unity, funding and international teamwork. The strategy prompted a partisan discussion.
NASA’s Next Manned Spaceship Passes ‘Most Complex’ Parachute Test
Space.com (6/25): At the U.S. Army Proving Grounds in Yuma, Ariz., the parachute recovery system for Orion cleared a challenging drop test on Wednesday. Released from 35,000 feet by a U.S. Air Force C-17 jet transport, the unpiloted Orion simulator demonstrated the ability to land safely following the release of the parachute system cover and an intentional flaw in the reefing of one of the three large main parachutes. Orion is under development to launch and return U.S. astronauts assigned to missions of deep space exploration.
Some Mind Blowing Facts About NASA’s Space Launch System, The World’s Largest Rocket!
The Inquisitr (6/24): “The Space Launch System happens to be the biggest, most capable rocket ever built by humans ever since the dawn of the space age,” the Inquisitr reports. “When it makes its first flight in 2017, it will break some long held records that have been standing for over 40 years.”
NASA’s New Mars-Landing Tech Gets 1st Test Flight Saturday
Space.com (6/25): NASA engineers will try again Saturday to launch a test flight of the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator from Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. High winds at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility earlier this month forced them to suspend the first launch campaign of the year. The inflatable heat shield is designed to enable the launching of large payloads to the Martian surface.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Nearby Alien Planet May Be Capable of Supporting Life
Space.com (6/25): A recently discovered alien planet not so far from Earth in cosmic terms could host life, say astronomers. Gliese 832c lies 16 light years away. Five times larger than Earth, the newly discovered world circles its host star every 36 Earth days. This “habitable zone” world was discovered by characterizing “wobbles” in the host star, Gliese 832.
For Him, Satellite Reboot is about Reconnecting with an Old Friend
Los Angeles Times (6/25): Robert Farquhar, a NASA veteran, leads private efforts to recover control of the International Sun-Earth Explorer 3, a long silent Cold War era solar probe. Both Farquhar and the spacecraft share a long ago near-death experience.
Low Earth Orbit
ISS astronauts betting on USA World Cup victory
Florida Today (6/25): In interviews with the sports press, the U.S. and European crew aboard the International Space Station express a healthy rivalry over Thursday’s World Cup soccer match between the U.S. and Germany. A loss could mean shaved heads for two American crew members or a German head adorned with the painting of a U.S. flag.
A Unique View of Russia From Space
Moscow Times (6/25): Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev finds the International Space Station a worthy perch for his photography. Moscow dazzles in photograph by astronaut.
Spaceweather.com (6/25): Heavy U.S. thunderstorm activity generates a bumper crop of sprites, a form of electrical activity that jumps from the tops of thunderstorms.
Commercial to Orbit
USN-led Team Nabs Global Xpress Gateway Contract
Space News (6/25): Boeing selects Universal Space Network as prime contractor support for U.S. military Ka-band gateway tied to Inmarsat’s new Global Express satellite mobile communications network. The gateway will be located near Santiago, Chile. As the builder of four satellites for the network, Boeing agreed to purchase 10 percent of the network’s capacity for resale to U.S. government customers.
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