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. NASA future programs are resource challenged, caution’s NASA’s inspector general in a legislatively required annual report. The human exploration of Mars will tell us more about the Earth, NASA chief scientist informs a London gathering. NASA/Lockheed Martin’s Orion emerging as humanity’s best deep space hope. Alabama youngster ready for Mars. Urge to explore overwhelms. NASA’s Morpheus prototype planetary lander ready for flight test encore. Europe’s valiant Philae lander transmits comet data before falling silent. Leonid meteor shower peaking. Russia mulls solo space station, according to report. An ever changing Earth as tracked from space. Russian company previews plans for reusable rocket engine. A look at major space related activities planned for the week ahead.
NASA’s 2015 Budget
NASA IG adds voice to chorus that NASA lacks adequate funding
Spacepolicyonline.com (11/15): NASA’s inspector general finds the space agency facing seven top level challenges in carrying out its programs with a future of flat budgets.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Humans on Mars by 2035? NASA’s sci-fi dream could be reality
CNN (11/17): In London, NASA chief scientist Ellen Stofan finds an eager audience for her message, “In a sense, it’s our destiny to move beyond this planet, and Mars is the logical choice.” Exploring Mars will increase our understanding of the Earth, according to the NASA geologist.
Guest column: Orion effort will come full circle with test flight
Florida Today (11/16): The Lockheed Martin/NASA Exploration Flight Test-1 represents a successful merging of spacecraft assembly and launch operations in Central Florida, writes Lynda Weatherman, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. The launch of Orion on its first unpiloted test flight is set for Dec. 4.
Huntsville Times (11/14): Twelve time Space Camp vet Alyssa Carson, 13, strives for the chance to become first human on Mars.
Pushing into space not free, but worth it
CNN (11/15): “The urge to explore and push ourselves out into the universe is not mutually exclusive from the effort to improve our own minds and environment,” writes Gene Seymour, film critic. In an op-ed, Seymour assesses the public response to global space achievements, both the enthusiasm and the grousing.
A new dawn: The troubled history and future promise of NASA’s Orion program (part 2)
AmericaSpace.com (11/16): NASA’s Orion crew exploration vehicle, a cornerstone of the cancelled Bush Administration’s Constellation program, survives to make its space debut on Dec. 4. The publication provides a look at the future of Orion’s role in human deep space exploration as well as the capsule’s early development.
Morpheus prototype lander ready for new series of flight tests at Kennedy Space Center
AmericaSpace.com (11/16): At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, engineers are readying the prototype planetary lander Morpheus for a series of year end test flights. They will evaluate recent upgrades to the methane fueled test vehicle.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
CBS News via Spaceflightnow.com (11/15): Communications with the European Space Agency’s Philae lander ceased Friday, two days after the spacecraft made history by touching down on the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The premature cutoff was due to a bouncy landing that left Philae in a shaded area and unable to recharge internal batteries from solar panels. The lander managed to transmit science data and photos before communications ceased.
Philae comet lander falls silent as batteries run out
Space.com (11/15): Philae lander operated for 57 hours before its gradual power outage stopped operations prematurely. “It has been a huge success, the whole team is delighted,” Philae lander manager Stephan Ulamec of the DLR German Aerospace Agency who tracked the comet landing from ESA’s Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany, said in an ESA statement. “Despite the unplanned series of three touchdowns, all of our instruments could be operated and now it’s time to see what we’ve got.”
Philae’s batteries have drained, Comet lander sleeps
Discovery.com (11/15): European Space Agency managers command a turn of Philae’s solar arrays into a slightly more favorable position to gather sunlight before communications cease. The adjustment raises a small possibility of recharging the batteries at a future time.
Opinion: ESA’s Comet landing highlights a public accustomed to less
Spaceflight Insider (11/16): The European Space Agency’s Rosetta/Philae mission to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko represents a triumph for ESA and the world, according to an op-ed.
Leonid meteor shower peaks Monday: How to see it
Space.com (11/15): The annual Leonid meteor shower peaks early this week.
Low Earth Orbit
Out of ISS: Russia going solo with space station?
Russia Today (11/17): Russia mulls the prospects for a solo space station, starting in 2017. The orbital outpost would be served in part by Russian missions launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, now under construction. One purpose would be to test hardware for future lunar exploration. Meanwhile, the U.S. seeks an extension of International Space Station operations from 2020 to 2024.
No place like space to see shocking changes on Earth
Houston Chronicle (11/14): NASA spacecraft images reveal “world of change” on the planet below.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Russia’s Energomash dreams up reusable rocket engine design
Moscow Times (11/14): A top Russian propulsion company outlines plans for a rocket engine that could be used for up to 10 times. The Russian engines would be encapsulated after reaching orbit and descend to Earth for re-use.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of November 17-21, 2014
Spacepolicyonline.com (11/16): The U.S. House and Senate are in session. Discussions continue over a 2015 budget strategy.
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.