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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Scientists identify what may be the first grains of matter from beyond the solar system captured by NASA’s well-traveled Stardust spacecraft. The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft sends close-up 3-D images of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. NASA embraces reforms for operations of the SOFIA airborne observatory. Orbital Sciences cargo capsule departs the International Space Station early Friday. Space shuttle mock up raised atop Boeing 747 for display at Space Center Houston. Scientists seek citizen help in the identification of Earth observation photos. U.S. State Department official stresses case for recent Chinese anti-satellite test.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
NASA Probe May Have Caught Dust from Interstellar Space, a First
Space.com (8/14): Volunteers assist scientists in the identification of interstellar particles trapped by NASA’s Stardust spacecraft. The Stardust capsule with the tiny samples, the first characterized as having origins beyond the solar system, parachuted to Earth in the Utah desert in 2006. The pursuit of the particles is detailed in the current issue of the journal Science. In all, seven types of deep space matter were identified.
See Rosetta’s Comet Up Close and in Stunning 3-D
Discovery.com (8/14): The European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft provides close-up 3-D images of the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Rosetta caught up with the comet on Aug. 6 and will accompany 67P C-G around the sun.
Space Politics.com (8/14): NASA offers details of plans to reform observation practices with SOFIA, a joint project with Germany. SOFIA is an airborne infrared observatory.
Low Earth Orbit
Cygnus departs: Orbital spacecraft completes primary mission
NASAspaceflight.com (8/15): Orbital Science’s second commercial cargo mission to the six person International Space Station drew to a close early Friday with the departure of the Janice Voss resupply capsule. The Cygnus freighter docked July 16 with crew supplies and research gear. The capsule was filled with trash before its departure.
A show of Independence: Space shuttle replica gets a big lift at Space Center Houston
Galveston County Daily News (8/14): Space Center Houston, with critical help from Boeing, raises the mock shuttle orbiter Independence atop NASA 905, the Boeing 747 that served as the agency’s primary shuttle carrier aircraft (SCA). The SCA with its piggy back payload is the centerpiece of a new Space Center Houston shuttle history display.
Can you help scientists identify thousands of pictures of Earth taken from space?
Alabama.com (8/14): NASA seeks citizen assistance with photo IDs of Earth locations snapped from the International Space Station.
State Department’s Frank Rose Presses Case on Chinese ASAT Test
Spacepolicyonline.com (8/14): U.S. State Department official emphasizes likelihood China conducted a nondestructive anti-satellite test in late July, though China identified the exercise as a missile intercept test.
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