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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Ancient meteor impacts, like one recently discovered in Germany, may have contributed to the rise of life on Earth. Stirring lunar eclipse. Comet ISON makes a photo inspired comeback. Saturn forges a small moon. SpaceX scrubs third commercial resupply mission launch to the International Space Station on Monday over helium leak; second attempt may come Friday. Space station astronauts prep for April 22 spacewalk. Despite a rise in tensions between the U.S. and Russia over Crimea, Congress seems reluctant to fortify NASA efforts to nurture commercial crew launch services. Essay suggests reusable propulsion a key to lower cost space activities. SpaceX and NASA sign long term lease agreement for commercial use of Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Science Shot: Meteorite impacts could have fostered life on early Earth
Science News (4/14): Ancient meteor impacts may have ties to life on Earth. Scientists point to an impact in the south of Germany 14.6 million years ago as evidence.
Stay “up all night” to watch the lunar eclipse
NASA (4/15): Photos and comments on spectacular lunar eclipse early Tuesday.
Comet ISON makes a comeback in photo contest
NBC News (4/14): ISON, once anticipated as the Comet of the century, reveals why it had so much promise until it encountered the sun.
Saturn may have given birth to a baby Moon
Discovery.com (4/14): Ring of Saturn reveals formation of new moon.
Low Earth Orbit
SpaceX scrubs NASA cargo launch after helium leak
Space News (4/14): Leak of helium on SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage halts launch of Dragon capsule with nearly 5,000 pounds of research gear and other supplies for the International Space Station. Next launch opportunity may come Friday at 3:35 p.m., EDT. Dragon will take two days to reach the six person space station.
SpaceX resupply launch scrubbed by helium leak
Spaceflightnow.com (4/14): Friday offers the next available launch opportunity for the third SpaceX Dragon cargo mission. However, the early weather outlook carries a 60 percent chance of unfavorable weather for a lift off at 3:25 p.m., EDT.
SpaceX launch delayed again, likely bumps Antares launch at Wallops
Hampton Roads Daily Press, of Virginia (4/14): Delays in SpaceX Dragon International Space Station resupply mission originally scheduled for March 16 likely to push Orbital Sciences’ next Cygnus cargo launching into June.
Dragon cargo craft launch scrubbed; Station crew preps for spacewalk
NASA (4/14): NASA astronauts Steve Swanson and Rick Mastracchio prepare for International Space Station spacewalk set for no earlier than April 22. The two men will replace a failed backup computer control assembly that manages solar array operations, thermal control and other functions.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Commercial crew, Crimea, and Congress
The Space Review (4/14): Despite heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia over Crimea, Congress appears unlikely to respond with major funding increases for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, writes TSR editor Jeff Foust. The space agency suggests it could have one, or possibly more, commercial companies launching astronauts to the International Space Station by 2017. Since the shuttle’s 2011 retirement, Russia’s Soyuz has provided the only transportation source.
The Space Review (4/14): Reusability in rocket stages remains a tenant of an expanding space economy, writes Ajay P. Kothari, president of Astrox Corporation.
NASA signs deal with SpaceX for Shuttle launch pad lease
Sen (4/14): SpaceX receives a 20 year lease for use of Launch Pad 39A, a former shuttle launch pad, at the Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX will use the pad to launch Falcon 9 resupply flights to the International Space Station.
Florida Today (4/14): SpaceX could begin cargo launches to the International Space Station from recently leased Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center early next year. And if SpaceX wins a services contract under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, astronauts could depart for space from 39A aboard SpaceX rockets by 2017.
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