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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Engineers begin acoustic testing of NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket. Russia reveals plans for a rival to NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket. NASA looks to September test flight as space debut for Orion crew exploration vehicle. NASA looking to resources on the moon and Mars to demonstrate production of water and oxygen for future explorers. Moon, asteroids suited for missions to prepare for Mars, say Russian experts. NASA marking anniversaries of Apollo1, Challenger and Columbia tragedies this week. China’s Jade Rabbit moon lander appears down for the count, say experts. Astronomers believe nearest star, Alpha Centauri B, may offer new opportunities to seek evidence of extraterrestrial life. A. Thomas Young to be honored by Space Foundation for career contributions to space exploration. Russian to sign International Space Station extension agreement. NASA to purchase Soyuz crew transportation services through 2017. Russia looks to prolonged solo operations of the space station — if necessary. Veteran NASA shuttle commander takes the stick at Virgin Galactic.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA ramps up Space Launch System sound suppression testing
NASA (1/28): NASA began acoustic testing on a scale model of NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket at the Marshall Space Flight Center on Jan. 16. The tests will influence the SLS launch pad design and procedures dealing with sound waves from the rocket at lift off. The big rocket is intended to start U.S. explorers on new missions of deep space exploration.
Russian Space Agency plans world’s biggest rocket
Ria Novosti, of Russia (1/28): Roscosmos, the Russian federal space agency, will soon propose the world’s largest rocket, one capable of lofting 160 metric tons to low Earth orbit, when upgraded. The Russian launcher could be larger than NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket. Such capabilities are necessary for human deep space missions, according to the publication.
Time (1/28): NASA is focused on a key unpiloted test flight of the new Orion crew capsule in September. Success could remove the “conditionals” that accompany NASA’s future human deep space exploration plans, reports Time. After initial space flight tests, NASA intends to launch Orion capsules atop the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket with U.S. astronauts on missions to deep space destinations.
NASA highlights Orion’s progress in lead up to critical EFT-1 mission
Spaceflight Insider (1/28): NASA outlined the status of the space agency’s Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) spacecraft on Jan. 22, 2014.
NASA to make water on the Moon and oxygen on Mars
Discovery.com (1/28): The strategy involves exploiting resources found at potential destinations. Rocket fuel is one resource that could ensure explores have transportation back to Earth. “Every pound that you don’t have to launch from the Earth of dumb mass — things like water and air and propellant — means that you can add a pound of intelligent mass — an experiment, a computer, something designed to accomplish some job or give us some capability,” lunar geologist Paul Spudis, with the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, told Discovery News.
Mars exploration technologies should be tested on Moon and asteroids, experts say
Itar-Tass, of Russia, (1/28): Two top Russian space policy makers endorse mission to the moon and asteroids as precursors to the exploration and settlement of Mars. Mars should be a priority for colonization and research, they suggest.
Slate.com (1/28): This week is especially painful for the global space community. It marks the anniversaries of three space tragedies, the losses of 17 U.S. astronauts in the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia tragedies. In an op-ed, blogger Phil Plait suggests the deaths underpin the importance of space exploration to the nation’s future.
NASA 2013 astronaut class to visit White House for State of STEM (SoSTEM) address
NASA (1/27): NASA’s newest class of eight astronauts will visit the White House along with Washington area students on Wednesday to participate in the annual White House State of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (SoSTEM) speech. John Holdren, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will deliver the address.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
China’s Jade Rabbit rover may be doomed on the Moon
National Public Radio (1/28): China’s Chang’e-3 mission lunar rover, Jade Rabbit, appears to be doomed, say experts. Launched Dec. 1, China’s lunar mission touched down on Dec. 14 to headlines around the globe. It was the first terrestrial spacecraft to make the journey to the moon’s surface in nearly four decades, NPR reports.
“Superhabitable” worlds: Possible home for extraterrestrial life
Coalition for Space Exploration (1/28): The nearest star, Alpha Centauri B, may host an emerging planetary system that could offer the best opportunity to seek evidence for extraterrestrial life.
Former NASA executive to receive Space Foundation’s lifetime achievement award
Colorado Springs Gazette (1/28): Long time Lockheed Martin executive A. Thomas Young will be honored on May 21 with a life time achievement award by the Space Foundation. Young was the mission director for NASA’s 1976 Viking mission landings on Mars. Young logged a 20 year career with the space agency and has led a range of key advisory tasks involving national space policy.
Low Earth Orbit
Interfax, of Russia (1/28): The U.S. and Russian will soon sign a treaty extending operations aboard the International Space Station from 2020 t0 2024, according to Vitaly Lopota, president and general designer of Russia’s Energia Rocket and Space Corporation. The White House proposed as much earlier this month.
NASA to order more Soyuz seats
Space News (1/27): NASA plans to purchase crew transportation to the International Space Station from the Russians through 2017, the U.S. space agency announced this week. Also included in the pending Soyuz order, which will be NASA’s second in as many years, is emergency crew rescue services through the spring of 2018, NASA said, in a disclosure that did not reveal the cost. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program initiative is working with three companies to provide a domestic alternative, potentially by 2017.
Russia could go it alone after International Space Station closes
Ria Novosti, of Russia (1/28): The U.S. is proposing a four year extension of International Space Station operations, from 2020 to 2024. Even though, Russia’s space station contractor is looking at preserving the station’s Russian segment even longer — if the partnership moves away. Still to be launched is Russia’s Multipurpose Laboratory Module, which is now expected in the 2018 to 2020 time frame.
Suborbital
Former Space Shuttle Commander flies Virgin Galactic’s private spaceship for 1st time
Space.com (1/28): C. J. “Rick” Sturckow, the retired NASA shuttle commander, flew Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo earlier this month. Sturckow joined Virgin Galactic after serving as the commander or pilot of four space shuttle flights.
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