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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Japan prepares for a second ambitious asteroid mission. Solar flares erupt from new sun spot. Early Wednesday, Russia launches Progress resupply mission on fast track to the International Space Station. NASA, partners perfect flying robots aboard the International Space Station. NASA to pursue new research sharing activities aboard the space station. Orbital Sciences loses Cygnus spacecraft in rocket explosion moments after liftoff on Space Station re-supply mission. No casualties in Antares/Cygnus launch explosion. NASA left with one operational Space Station resupply services company in explosion aftermath. President Obama briefed on launch blast. Students watch as their experiments are destroyed in rocket blast. United Launch Alliance looks to Atlas 5 transition as 50th mission launch approaches.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
JAXA shows off second-generation asteroid explorer
Asahi Shimbun, of Japan (10/28): The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency debuted Hyabusa II, the spacecraft scheduled to lift off on Nov. 30 on the nation’s second robotic mission to an asteroid. The mission will visit asteroid 1999 JU3 over a six year mission. The findings may shed light on life’s origins on Earth.
Massive flares erupt from largest sunspot in 25 years
New Scientist (10/28): Recent giant sunspot triggers multiple solar flares. Some terrestrial radio blackouts have been attributed to the rise in solar activity.
Low Earth Orbit
Russia launches unmanned supply ship toward Space Station
Space.com (10/29): A Russian rocket carrying the Progress 57 re-supply capsule lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday at 3:09 a.m., EDT, for the International space Station. The capsule was on a course to carry out an automated docking with the station at 6:09 a.m., onboard were nearly 5,800 pounds of supplies.
NASA is kicking Space Station technology up to the next level
NBC News (10/28): NASA advances camera equipped, free flying robots aboard the International Space Station. Soon these flying machines will have the run of the Space Station.
“Hello, ISS? This is Huntsville”
WHNT-TV, of Huntsville (10/29): Partner nations involved in the International Space Station program will share the results of their research programs, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announces during a visit to the Marshall Space Flight Center. More than 1,500 science investigations have transpired so far.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
NASA, Orbital begin Antares loss investigation
Aviation Week (10/28): Orbital Sciences third re-supply mission to the ISS exploded seconds after lifting off Tuesday from NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility at 6:22 p.m., EDT. The first stage of Orbital’s Antares rocket began to come apart about 10 seconds after liftoff. Range safety officials sent a destruct command moments later. The launch pad, it appears, experienced significant damage. Orbital, is investigating.
Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares rocket crashes moments after liftoff – updated
Spacepolicyonline.com (10/28): Orbital, NASA report no injuries from the explosion of Orbital Science’s Antares rocket moments after lifting off on a cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station. The six person station is well stock with food and other provisions to continue scheduled operations well into 2015, according to NASA.
Antares rocket, bound for Space Station, explodes
New York Times (10/28): NASA, Orbital Science Corp. report no casualties as a result of the Antares/Cygnus failure moments after lift off from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The incident may raise questions about whether NASA has done enough to ensure the reliability of its commercial resupply services providers. Cygnus was carrying 5,000 pounds of scientific experiments and crew supplies as it lifted off. The Orbital freighter was to berth with the Space Station early Sunday.
NASA down to one commercial supplier to ISS
USA Today (10/29): Orbital Sciences rocket explosion leaves NASA with just one U.S. commercial re supplier for the International Space Station. SpaceX, the second supplier, is preparing for a December mission.
Antares rocket explodes after liftoff
Space News (10/28): Orbital Sciences two-stage Antares rocket exploded at the base of the first stage, followed by a second explosion as the hardware fell back to the ground.
NASA rocket explodes shortly after launch
The Hill (10/28): President Obama was briefed on the Antares rocket loss.
Houston students lose experiments in rocket blast
Houston Chronicle (10/28): Students from three Houston schools witness Antares explosion up close. The students were gathered at the Virginia launch site on Tuesday to watch as experiments they developed for the International Space Station were launched.
What does future hold for Atlas V rocket?
Florida Today (10/29): United Launch Alliance prepares for a transition away from the Atlas 5 rocket as the launch vehicle nears its 50th mission on Wednesday. One factor is the Atlas 5’s use of Russian RD-180 rocket engines for the first stage. Russian interference in Ukraine has prompted action among Washington policy makers to develop a domestic alternative.
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