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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Space Launch System test firing exercises “brains” for NASA’s big deep space rocket. Photos from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter locate Britain’s lost Beagle2 lander. Pluto now under sustained scrutiny by NASA’s New Horizons mission spacecraft. U.S., Russian astronauts near late March launch initiating the first year long stay aboard the International Space Station. Medical experts will look at ISS marathoners for obstacles to future human deep space missions. NASA plans three near term spacewalks to re-configure the International Space Station. U.S. Government Accountability Office warns of delays in U.S. weather satellite deployments. British entertainer and space tourist Sarah Brightman to begin training for a 10 day visit to the International Space Station in September.
Human Deep Space Exploration
First SLS engine blazes to life in Mississippi test firing igniting NASA’s path to deep space
Universe Today (1/15): A recent NASA rocket engine test will advance development of the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket, a towering propulsion source for future U.S. human deep space exploration. The Jan. 9 test firing included an engine controller that will serve as the “brains” of the big rocket’s first stage. Four of the rocket engines once used by NASA’s space shuttle will power the first stage.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Lost Beagle2 probe found ‘intact’ on Mars
BBC, of London (1/16): Recent imagery gathered by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has located Britain’s missing Beagle 2 lander. The British probe accompanied the European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission to the red planet in 2003. On Christmas Day, the small instrumented probe attempted to land on the red planet using parachutes and air bags. It was presumed Beagle 2 crashed. The MRO images reveal Beagle 2 landed but failed to fully deploy solar panels and communications antennas.
New Horizons lined up for final approach to Pluto
Spaceflightnow.com (1/15): NASA’s New Horizons mission spacecraft has begun to gather around the clock data on distant Pluto. New Horizons, managed by the Applied Physics Laboratory, is on course for the first ever close flyby of Pluto in July. New Horizons was launched on its long journey in 2006.
Low Earth Orbit
Long haul: Astronauts prepare to spend an entire year on Space Station
NBC News (1/15): The first two of what could become more astronauts from the U.S. and its partners in the International Space Station program are preparing to begin a one year mission aboard the orbiting science laboratory in late March. NASA’s Scott Kelly and Russia’s Mikhail Kornienko are training to lift off on March 27.
Astronauts prepare for a full year in space
Houston Chronicle (1/15): By the end of March, U.S. and Russian astronauts Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko expect to lift off for a yearlong stay aboard the International Space Station. The space marathon, the longest flight ever by a U. S. astronaut, is meant to pave the way for future human deep space exploration by revealing how humans respond to the physical and mental challenges.
NASA plans three February EVAs to kick off 50th year of spacewalking
AmericaSpace.com (1/15): Upcoming NASA choreographed spacewalks from the International Space Station will help to prepare for the docking of space agency nurtured Commercial Crew Program spacecraft developed by Boeing and SpaceX.
GAO warns on schedule risks for NOAA’s Polar and GEO weather satellites
Spacepolicyonline.com (1/15): On Thursday, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued audit reports on two NOAA weather satellite programs, the Joint Polar Satellite System and the new GOES-R series of geostationary weather sentries. The auditing found cost growth that could lead to launch delays and data gaps.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Singer Sarah Brightman preparing for Space Station visit
Reuters via the New York Times (1/15): Sarah Brightman’s mission is set for September 2015. At $52 million, the British singer is in line to become the eighth “space tourist” to travel to the International Space Station aboard a vacant seat on a Russian rocket.
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