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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. NASA joins with the U.S. Navy to rehearse ocean recovery operations for the Orion crew capsule. NASA, ATK complete critical design review of Space Launch System solid rocket boosters. Europe’s Rosetta probe impresses with close up comet photos. Top U.S. scientist predicts detection of alien life within two decades. New Stephen Hawking film is a tear jerker. Astronomers embrace opportunity to unravel rare “fast radio bursts” from deep space. Hubble Space Telescope images help to explain stellar explosions. NASA’s Cassini probe provides data on odd polar storm on Saturn. Report suggests some in Russia would like to return supervision of the Cosmonaut Training Center to the military. Florida Gov. Marco Rubio confident in his state’s position atop U.S. commercial space.
Human Deep Space Exploration
US Navy practices retrieving Orion spacecraft
Associated Press via Houston Chronicle (8/6): The U.S. Navy joins NASA in rehearsing the recovery of the Orion capsule in Pacific waters off the California coast. The drills are leading the way toward an unpiloted December orbital flight test of Orion that will simulate re-entry conditions from a lunar flight. The exercise involved divers, helicopters and a new airbag system to steady and protect the capsule in the ocean waters while it is recovered.
ATK Passes Critical Design Review for NASA’s Space Launch System Booster
Yahoo Finance (8/7): ATK and NASA complete the critical design review phase for the five segment solid rocket boosters that will help to power NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket into orbit. The first test flight of the SLS is planned for 2017. The SLS and Orion are in development by NASA to start human explorers on missions of deep space exploration. A key Utah ground test firing of the booster design is set for late this year/early next year.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Rosetta beams back best ever views of a comet
Spaceflightnow.com (8/6): The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft captures the clearest close up photos yet of a distant comet. After a 10 year flight, Rosetta reached comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko early Wednesday to begin a long term series of observations.
Wall Street Journal (8/6): Europe’s Rosetta probe encounters distant comet for an orbital encounter.
The Rosetta space probe, after 10-year journey, makes rendezvous with comet
Washington Post (8/6) Europe’s mission to a comet is different than those that came before.
Alien Life ‘Inevitable’ and we Could Detect it Within 20 Years
Discovery.com (8/6): Scientists are likely to detect the signatures of alien life on planets beyond the solar system within 20 years, predicts Sara Seeger, MIT professor of planetary science and physics. The James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled for launching in October 2018, will be among the first observatories capable of a direct detection of the chemicals produced by biological processes in the atmospheres of those planets.
This Trailer for Stephen Hawking Biopic ‘Theory of Everything’ Will Make You Cry
Space.com (8/7): Film drama set to open in November chronicles the life of British physicist Stephen Hawking, whose brilliant and challenging life has advanced the works of Albert Einstein and others.
These Bizarre Deep-Space Radio Blasts Have Astronomers Baffled
Space.com (8/6): Astronomers probe phenomena surrounding rare fast radio bursts.
Hubble spots a ‘zombie star’: What it is and why it matters
Los Angeles Times (8/6): Astronomers probe mystery over deep space explosions involving twin stars with data from the Hubble Space Telescope.
New York Times (8/6): Astronomers seek to unravel the dynamics behind a supernaturally shaped storm on Saturn using the NASA-led Cassini mission probe.
Low Earth Orbit
Russian Cosmonaut Training Center wants to be part of military again
Interfax, of Russia (8/6): Officials at Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center propose a return of operations to the Russian military to raise professional standards, according to the report.
Commercial to Orbit
Florida remains nation’s space hub, Rubio says
Florida Today (8/6): Florida Gov. Marco Rubio offers assurances that Florida will remain a leader in space launch services despite a decision by SpaceX this week to establish a commercial launch complex in South Texas. Rubio’s remarks echo those of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida.
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