To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.
If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@space.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. The first NASA/Lockheed Martin developed Orion capsule heads for a Florida launch pad and an unpiloted Dec. 4 test flight. U.S. should ramp up space exploration, writes former U.S. State Department official. The European Space Agency attempts to make history on Wednesday with the first ever landing of a spacecraft on a distant comet; landing expected at 10:34 a.m., EST. Philae lander heads for comet with thruster issue. New U.S., Russian and European International Space Station crew departs for Kazakh launch site. Russia points to Dec. 25 for the inaugural launching of its new Angara rocket.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA’s Orion capsule heads to Cape launch pad
Florida Today (11/11): The NASA/Lockheed Martin developed Orion capsule made a weather delayed departure from the Kennedy Space Center late Tuesday and headed for Space Launch Complex 37 at the neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Central Florida. Once at SLC-37, Orion will be hoisted atop a waiting Delta 4 Heavy rocket for a Dec. 4 unpiloted test flight. Stormy weather prompted a 24 hour delay in the transfer. Orion along with the new Space Launch System heavy lift rocket is designed to start humans on future missions of deep space exploration.
Exploration flight test-1 Orion moved to SLC-37 in preparation for launch
Spaceflightinsider.com (11/12): Orion’s long awaited transfer to a Florida launch pad for Exploration Flight Test-1 unfolds late Tuesday with enthusiasm from NASA and Lockheed Martin managers and workers. The long over the road transfer began at 8:55 p.m., EST.
American leadership in space — now or never
American Thinker (11/12): In an op-ed, former U.S. assistant secretary of state Robert Charles urges America to “dig deep” to establish new leadership in space. Charles notes Chinese and Russian ambitions to reach deep space with human explorers.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Unprecedented cosmic choreography essential to landing on comet
Spaceflightnow.com (11/11): Luck, skill and patience are critical to the European Space Agency’s bold bid to achieve the first ever landing of a spacecraft on a comet. ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft rendezvoused with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in early August. Preparations to launch the Philae lander, part of Rosetta, onto the surface of the comet followed.
Live coverage: Philae begins 7-hour descent to comet
Spaceflightnow.com (11/11): The Philae lander departed ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft for the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on Wednesday at 4:05 a.m., EST. A thruster on the lander, designed to hold Philae on the comet’s surface, appeared not to be working properly. Spaceflightnow.com, is providing live updates of the lander’s seven hour trip to the surface from the European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany.
Rosetta space probe poised to release comet lander
CBS News (11/11): The Philae lander is expected to reach the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on Wednesday about 10:34 a.m., EST. Philae was transported to the distant comet aboard Europe’s Rosetta spacecraft.
UT Arlington professor’s invention set for comet landing
Dallas Morning News (11/11): University of Texas Arlington Chemist Dan Armstrong’s technology will permit the comet lander to look for chemical evidence linking organic compounds on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko to life on Earth.
Wednesday, humans will land a probe on a comet for the first time ever
Washington Post (11/11): Rosetta’s journey and that of the Philae lander to the surface of Comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko: how it happened and what happens next.
Comet lander powered up after electronics glitch
Spaceflightnow.com (11/11): Some anxious moments passed on the eve of Europe’s closely watched comet landing. Philae, the lander, took more than one attempt to power up before its solo journey to the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Low Earth Orbit
Main crew of ISS next expedition heads to Baikonur
ITAR TASS, of Russia (11/11): Future International Space Station crew members Terry Virts, of NASA; Anton Shkaplerov, of Russia; and Samantha Cristoforetti, of Italy, depart their Star City, Russia training center for the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Their Soyuz launch is set for late Nov. 23. They’re trained to replace U.S. astronaut Rex Wiseman, Russia’s Max Suraev and the European Space Agency’s Alexander Gerst, who returned to Earth from the space station earlier this week.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Maiden launch of heavy Angara rocket is due December 25
Sputnik International (11/12): Russia sets Dec. 25 for the inaugural launch of the new Angara medium to heavy lift rocket series. With all parts produced in Russia, Angara will replace the venerable Proton launcher family. Missions ranging from the delivery of communications satellites to high Earth orbit to the dispatching of deep space planetary probes are envisioned.
Brought to you by the Coalition for Space Exploration, CSExtra is a daily compilation of space industry news selected from hundreds of online media resources. The Coalition is not the author or reporter of any of the stories appearing in CSExtra and does not control and is not responsible for the content of any of these stories. The content available through CSExtra contains links to other websites and domains which are wholly independent of the Coalition, and the Coalition makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information contained in any such site or domain and does not pre-screen or approve any content. The Coalition does not endorse or receive any type of compensation from the included media outlets and is not responsible or liable in any way for any content of CSExtra or for any loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of any content appearing in CSExtra. For information on the Coalition, visit www.space.com or contact us via e-mail at Info@space.com.