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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. The Space Launch System’s Orbital ATK solid rocket booster scores high with March 11 ground test. NASA’s lead technologist discuss challenges of marshaling technologies for Mars exploration. Editorial opposes NASA Earth science reductions to boost exploration, planetary science. Sea salt plus radiation equals dark streaks on Jupiter’s moon Europa. A mechanical squid may be just right for early exploration of Europa’s deep seas. The moon and the asteroids are candidates for mining in two decades, according to NASA expert. Ceres’ shiny spots likely ice. Russia seeks delays in International Space Station crew and cargo operations in response to last month’s Progress re-supply mission failure. Russia points to Soyuz third stage damage as to blame for late April Progress mission loss. A U.S. Senate bill backs extension of International Space Station operations through 2024. Cape Canaveral offers tourists record number of opportunities to witness rocket launches. Industry hopes to resurrect Atlas V. NASA, state of Florida close in on arrangement to make former shuttle runway available to commercial users. NASA’s Wallops Island Launch Facility to look at environmental impact of reusable rocket and human space activities.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Orbital ATK and NASA release initial findings from SLS booster QM-1 test fire
America Space (5/12): Orbital ATK’s Mar. 11 Qualification Motor-1 ground test firing was a success for the solid rocket booster design that will become a key component of NASA Space Launch System heavy lift rocket. The SLS is under development to start humans on future missions of deep space exploration.
Q&A | NASA space technology chief Steve Jurczyk
Space News (5/12): Steve Jurczyk discusses the challenges of leading NASA’s $600 million a year Space Technology Mission Directorate. The organization is involved in developing NASA’s proposed Asteroid Redirect Mission and Solar Electric Propulsion that could be a key to reaching Mars with humans.
Gains for SLS and Orion would not justify pain inflicted on Earth science
Space News (5/12): An editorial opposes a U.S. House NASA authorization measure for 2016-17 that could back a reduction in Earth science spending, as more funds are shifted to human exploration and planetary science.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
All 5 of Pluto’s known moons spied by NASA probe (photo)
Space.com (5/12): NASA’s New Horizons mission snaps first family portrait of distant Pluto and its moons, including faint Kerberos and Styx. The New Horizons spacecraft is nearing the first ever spacecraft flyby of Pluto on July 14.
Mystery dark material on Jupiter’s moon Europa could be sea salt
Pasadena Star-News, of California (5/12): In labs at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, scientists demonstrate how a reaction between sea salt and radiation might explain curious dark markings on Jupiter’s ice and ocean covered moon Europa. The findings may be a significant contributor in determining whether Europa hosts a habitable environment.
Squid-like rover could explore salty seas of Jupiter’s moon Europa
NBC News (5/12): A squid-like robot may the explorer best suited to dip below the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa to search the watery realm for evidence of life.
Space mining decades away: NASA scientist
Canadian Press (5/12): Prospecting the moon and asteroids for resources is likely two decades away, according to a NASA scientist who joined the Canadian Institute of Mining’s annual gathering in Montreal.
Dawn spacecraft images reveal “ice rinks” on Ceres
Scientific American (5/12): Dazzling bright discs observed on the surface of Ceres by NASA’s Dawn mission may be water ice deposits, according to scientists who have sifted through the possible alternatives. Ceres is the largest asteroid in the solar system’s main asteroid belt.
Low Earth Orbit
Russia delays upcoming ISS flights in wake of Progress failure
CBS News (5/12): Three of the International Space Station’s six astronauts will not be returning to Earth late Wednesday as planned, nor will three more be launching on May 26. Russia asks for delays in each while it completes an investigation into the failure of the Progress 59 re-supply mission launched April 28. The return of U.S., Russian and European astronauts will be delayed until early June.
Depressurization of third stage tanks to blame for loss of Progress craft Roscosmos
TASS, of Russia, (5/12): Nearly nine minutes into an April 28 climb to orbit, Russia’s Progress 59 resupply mission spacecraft to the International Space Station experienced depressurization of the Soyuz launch vehicle third state oxidizer and fuel tanks, according to an investigation by a Russian state commission. With the damage, the space freighter failed to reach the six person space station.
Senate Commercial Space Launch bill includes extending ISS to 2024
Spacepolicyonline.com (5/12): Proposed bipartisan U.S. Senate legislation to update the Commercial Space Launch Act backs an extension of International Space Station operations through 2024. The six person station counts on U.S. commercial missions for new supplies. NASA is backing the development of commercial crew transportation services to the orbital outpost as well.
3, 2, 1… Liftoff! Cape Canaveral fuels up for a record year of rocket launches
Orlando City’s Magazine (5/12): With a record 24 rocket launches planned for 2015, Central Florida offers tourists a prime spot to watch.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Industry team hopes to resurrect Atlas V post RD-180
Aviation Week & Space Technology (5/11): Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dynetics and Shafer discuss a revival of the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket with Aerojet’s AR-1 rocket engines as a propulsion source. Earlier, ULA said it intends to replace the Atlas V with the new Vulcan rocket for the launching of U.S. national security payloads. Imports of Russia’s RD-180 rocket engine for the Atlas V became controversial after Russia’s interference in Ukraine.
KSC, state near deal for shuttle runway
Florida Today (5/12): NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the state of Florida move close to an arrangement that would position the former space shuttle runway for commercial space operations. XCOR, Sierra Nevada and Stratolaunch Systems are among the potential users, according to the report.
NASA Wallops takes step toward manned space flights
Salisbury Daily Times, of Maryland (5/13): Officials at NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility on Virginia’s eastern shore initiate an environmental assessment of reusable rocket and human spacecraft landings as a potential economic benefit to Maryland and Virginia.
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