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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. NASA turns to advocates of space exploration for suggestions on shelter, social interactions and more for astronauts headed to Mars. Scientists track the origins of Mercury’s magnetic field to the early solar system. Astronomers map dark matter in the Milky Way. Launched April 28, Russia’s failed Progress 59 resupply mission to the International Space Station re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean Thursday night. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti recalls the best of her soon to conclude flight to the International Space Station. Pending legislation in the U.S. Senate would delay, for another five years, FAA regulation of U.S. commercial space flight. The legislature in Texas considers changes to its aerospace and aviation advisory panel.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA announces Journey to Mars contest for ideas to enable human presence on Red Planet
America Space (5/7): NASA urges members of the public with an interest in space exploration to make suggestions for shelter, food, water, breathable air, communication, exercise, social interactions and medicine.
What do you think humans need to live sustainably on Mars?
Newsweek (5/7): NASA’s new Journey to Mars challenge seeks suggestions from the public on how to support astronauts traveling to and living on the red planet.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Mercury’s magnetic field kicked in 4B years ago, study shows
Reuters (5/7): Mercury, studied closely by NASA’s recently concluded Messenger mission, hosts an aged magnetic field that surrounds the small planet.
Sky and Telescope (5/7): Scientists take on the challenging task of mapping the structure of dark matter in the Milky Way.
Low Earth Orbit
Out-of-control Russian cargo spaceship falls back to Earth
Space.com (5/8): Trackers in Russia and elsewhere report the overnight atmospheric re-entry of Russia’s uncontrolled Progress 59 resupply capsule with 6,100 pounds of undelivered cargo. The freighter was launched April 28 but experienced difficulties as it separated from a Soyuz rocket third stage. The capsule fell to Earth over the central Pacific Ocean on Thursday at 10:04 p.m., EDT, according to Roscosmos, the Russian federal space agency. Experts from around the world say the failed International Space Station cargo mission could bring changes to the way spacecraft are tracked.
Russian government probe blames loss of space cargo vehicle on rocket failure
TASS, of Russia (5/7): A state commission in Russia has pledged a report on the failed launching of the Progress 59 International Space Station cargo capsule by May 13. The difficulties surfaced as the capsule separated from the Soyuz launch vehicle’s third stage, following lift off on April 28.
Progress M-27M reenters, Russians propose changes to ISS schedule
Spacepolicyonline.com (5/7): As an investigation into the failed Progress 59 resupply mission unfolds, Russia considers changes to the schedules for launching near term crew and cargo to the ISS, according to Russian news reports.
Samantha Cristoforetti: 5 memorable moments from the Italian astronaut’s time in space
ABC News (5/7): European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti discusses her top thrills from her space flight. Christoforetti is due to return to Earth with NASA’s Terry Virts and Russia’s Anton Shkaplerov next week after nearly six months aboard the International Space Station.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Senate bill would again delay full commercial space regulation
Space News (5/7): Pending legislation in the U.S. Senate would put aside FAA regulation of U.S. commercial spaceflight for another five years.
Suborbital
Texas House passes space bill co-authored by Craddick
Midland Reporter-Telegram, of Texas (5/7): The measure would restructure the state’s aerospace and aviation advisory committee to include members from each Texas spaceport development corporation.
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