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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. The U.S. private sector could be a significant part of a future deep space exploration strategy. U.S. exploration plans promise big scientific rewards, says NASA’s science chief. Assessing lunar resources is a key step in future deep exploration planning, says British expert. The search for Earth-like planets beyond the solar system is making new strides with NASA’s Kepler space telescope. Messenger mission managers work plan to extend Mercury mission as the spacecraft takes its closest look at the tiny planet closest to the sun. Comet Lovejoy reaches prime time viewing. Washington’s Air and Space Museum pays tribute to the history of astronaut spacewalks. Launch of next U.S. cargo mission to the International Space Station slips to Saturday at the earliest.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Bolden hints at commercial participation on human deep space efforts
Spaceflight Insider (1/7): U.S. commercial companies could play important roles in NASA aspirations to resume deep space exploration with humans, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden remarked during a visit to the Kennedy Space Center this week. Bolden made the remarks during a photo opportunity with the NASA/Lockheed Martin Orion capsule that carried out a successful unmanned test flight on Dec. 5.
America Space (1/7): NASA is charting a human and robotic path of space exploration with great scientific potential, says John Grunsfeld, NASA’s associate administrator and former astronaut, in a wide ranging interview. The goal of reaching Mars with humans is the focus of the efforts.
Is Moon mining economically feasible?
Space.com (1/7): A new assessment of the moon’s resources and what they mean for future exploration from by Ian Crawford, a professor of planetary science and astrobiology at Birkbeck College, London, finds abundant resources of potential economic interest. Yet, it’s difficult to point to just one of primary interest. “It’s quite complicated,” he told Space.com. “It’s not simple at all.” Determining how much water ice is harbored at the moon’s poles is a priority, Crawford notes.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Search for the first true alien Earth heats up
Space.com (1/7): NASA’s Kepler space telescope science team reveals new strides in the search for Earth like planets circling distant stars at the winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle. Eight new planets were described at the gathering this week, two of them described as the most Earth-like yet found.
NASA’s Messenger probe to fly close to Mercury before final boost
Spaceflight Insider.com (1/7): NASA’s Messenger mission to planet Mercury is drawing to a close as the on board fuel supply depletes. The probe could crash into the planet in March. Managers, however, plan to use helium pressurant in the fuel tank for a final boost to extend the study of Mercury by several weeks. Messenger was launched in 2004.
‘New Year’s comet’ Lovejoy reaches its peak: Watch for it
NBC News (1/7): Comet Lovejoy moved close to the Earth on Wednesday and is visible in the night sky — if you know where to look. The viewing is aided by a telescope or binoculars.
Low Earth Orbit
Outside the Spacecraft: Exhibit celebrates 50 years of astronaut spacewalks
Collectspace.com (1/7): In Washington, the Air and Space Museum will debut its “Outside the Spacecraft: 50 Years of Extra-Vehicular Activity” exhibit today, Jan. 8. The tribute to spacewalks will span six months.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
SpaceX CRS-5 slips another day to January 10
Spacepolicyonline.com (1/7): SpaceX announces its next attempt to launch a re-supply mission to the International Space Station has slipped to Saturday. The first attempt to lift off on Tuesday was delayed by problems with a second stage steering mechanism. Saturday’s launch time from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., is 4:47 a.m., EST. The next opportunity to launch slips to Jan. 13.
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