To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.
If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@space.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. In the U.S., aspirations of launching humans to Mars is paced by funding and technology. President Obama, a Democrat, and Ted Cruz, a conservative Republican, agree that the human exploration of Mars is a goal. Lockheed Martin executive Matt Kramer to help guide Coalition for Space Exploration. European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission chips away at comet’s mysteries. Moon Express creates new Florida jobs in pursuit of $20 million Google Lunar X-Prize. Jupiter reveals shades of three moons. NASA’s Opportunity rover marks 11 years on Mars. Scientists identify strange source of gamma rays. Robot arms unpack and install NASA Earth observatory outside the International Space Station. NASA’s Scott Kelly prepared for a ground breaking year in space. Former astronaut Mike Massimino shapes Hubble display at New York’s Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Upcoming 2016 U.S. budget proposal could reveal U.S. position on continued imports of Russian rocket engines. FAA looks at looser regulations for secondary satellite payloads. NASA’s chief technologist leaving for Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. NASA’s Alan Lindenmoyer blends government, private sector space.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Mars mission moving at speed of Congress
The Hill (1/22): A ranking NASA official says U.S. aspirations of exploring Mars with humans are moving ahead, paced by available funding and advances in technology. “We think of this as a long-term endeavor,” said Greg Williams, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for policy and plans in the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.
Cruz, Obama agree on mission to Mars
The Hill (1/22): Statements from President Obama’s State of the Union address this week and comments from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas conservative, suggest they agree that U.S. astronauts should explore Mars.
Ted Cruz is now the “Chairman of Space”
Spaceflightinsider.com (1/22): The Texas conservative will chair the U.S. Senate’s Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Space, and Competitiveness, with a vow to focus NASA’s future on core missions including human deep space exploration, including development of the Orion crew exploration capsule and the Space Launch System heavy lift rocket. His panel establishes Congressional policy on NASA activities.
Lockheed Martin exec helps lead Coalition for Space Exploration
Denver Post (1/22): Matt Kramer, director of external communications for Lockheed Martin Space Systems, says public engagement is a key to advancing U.S. space exploration. Kramer also serves as deputy chairman of the Coalition for Space Exploration. The group is chaired by Kevin Kane, director of congressional relations for ATK.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Rosetta finds out much about a comet, even with a wayward lander
New York Times (1/22): Scientists associated with the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission published the latest results of the spacecraft’s encounter with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in the journal Science. Since maneuvering into a long term orbit around the comet in August, Rosetta has revealed a planet like terrain — boulders, steep cliffs and depressions. The fate of the Philae lander, which dropped to the comet’s surface in November before losing contact, is still a mystery. Scientists are hopeful they will reconnect with Philae as the comet nears the sun.
Moon Express to take over Cape Canaveral launch site
Space News (1/22): Working through Space Florida, Moon Express will make use of Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., to build and test its lunar lander. Moon Express is a contestant for the $20 million Google Lunar X-Prize. The arrangement is expected to create 25 to 50 new jobs.
See 3 moons of Jupiter perform rare triple transit Friday night
Space.com (1/22): In darkness Friday, three of Jupiter’s moons will cross the face of their home planet. The rare phenomenon can be observed from Earth with a telescope.
At 11-year mark, Opportunity rover shows Mars’ true colors
NBC News (1/22): NASA’s Opportunity rover marks its 11th year on the Martian surface with an impressive photograph of the landscape from the rim of Endeavour Crater.
Gamma-ray signals from beyond our galaxy pinpointed for 1st time
Space.com (1/22): The Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy to the Milky Way, is the source of three bright gamma ray signals. One is considered a new source for the powerful emissions, a super bubble of gas.
Low Earth Orbit
CRS-5: Dextre grabs CATS from the belly of a Dragon
NASAspaceflightnow.com (1/22): Early Thursday, Canadian and Japanese robot arms aboard the International Space Station were commanded by ground controllers to remove an Earth atmospheric pollution sensor from a Dragon resupply capsule berthed to the six person orbiting laboratory on Jan. 12. Using the two mechanical limbs, controllers installed the Cloud Aerosol Transport System outside the Japanese Kibo module to measure and characterize pollutants in the Earth’s atmosphere.
NASA’s ultimate space twin experiment ready for launch
Discovery.com (1/22): Veteran NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is preparing for a March 27 liftoff on a yearlong mission to the International Space Station. Thanks to his twin, Mark, the long mission will help to reveal whether the experience produces genetic changes. Scott Kelly will carry out the one year assignment with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko.
Ex-astronaut takes on educational role at Intrepid
Crain’s New York Business (1/22): Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino is the new senior adviser for space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, of New York. A half dozen years ago, Massimino was circling the Earth aboard the space shuttle, part of the last crew of astronauts assigned to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. The telescope and its history are the focus of a new museum display.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
10 things to watch in the 2016 budget request
Aviation Week & Space Technology (1/22): Two of the 10 include the fate of Russian rocket engine imports and future launch contracts for U.S. national security payloads. Russia’s RD-180 rocket engine provides first stage propulsion for the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5. Tensions between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s intervention in Ukraine could lead to development of a U.S. alternative.
FAA aims to make tag-along payloads a lighter burden for launch providers
Space News (1/22): A change in regulations would provide launch services providers leeway in meeting liability requirements for less than primary payloads. The change could encourage more student involvement in space experiments.
NASA space technology chief leaving for Ball Aerospace
Space News (1/22): NASA chief technologist Michael Gazarik will depart the agency for Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. of Boulder, Colo.
Linking NASA and the private sector to further space lexploration
Washington Post (1/22): Alan Lindenmoyer, head of NASA’s Commercial Cargo and Crew Program Office, is finding ways to merge NASA’s space exploration and operations goals with the U.S. private sector. The office established a framework for the delivery of supplies to the six person International Space Station using commercial launch services to lower costs. A similar strategy is in work for the transportation of astronauts to and from Earth orbit.
Brought to you by the Coalition for Space Exploration, CSExtra is a daily compilation of space industry news selected from hundreds of online media resources. The Coalition is not the author or reporter of any of the stories appearing in CSExtra and does not control and is not responsible for the content of any of these stories. The content available through CSExtra contains links to other websites and domains which are wholly independent of the Coalition, and the Coalition makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information contained in any such site or domain and does not pre-screen or approve any content. The Coalition does not endorse or receive any type of compensation from the included media outlets and is not responsible or liable in any way for any content of CSExtra or for any loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of any content appearing in CSExtra. For information on the Coalition, visit www.space.com or contact us via e-mail at Info@space.com.