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Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. NASA’s Space Launch System closes in on critical design review and plans for an inaugural unpiloted test flight in 2018. Journey to Space, a compelling documentary on the future of U.S. human exploration opens across the U.S. Experts outline the challenges of reaching, settling Mars. In Washington, the new chair of the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee questions whether NASA is pursuing its core mission, an occasional challenge that has never led to a fundamental change. Why Mars One’s compelling ambitions to establish a human settlement on the red planet troublesome ethicists. Scientists find a second combination asteroid and comet. New NASA, Planetary Resources software permits amateurs to discover asteroids. NASA’s Mars Opportunity rover finds new mineral combinations. NASA’s MESSENGER mission finds new features in the planet’s mantle. China simulates a docking in lunar orbit as part of plans to land on the moon, then gather and return samples to the Earth. China will open its lunar missions to participation from the private sector. U.S. and Russian space agencies point to the fall for a new short term agreement on the launching of NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. Virgin Galactic’s LaunchOne could be launching small satellites by the end of 2016. XCOR names a new CEO.
Human Deep Space Exploration
SLS program pushing toward critical design review
NASA Spaceflight.com (3/16): NASA’s Space Launch System heavy lift rocket is nearing critical design review, a key milestone that will transition the big launch vehicle from design to production. The first test launch, potentially in 2018, will sent an unpiloted Orion capsule around the moon. Both the SLS and Orion are cornerstones of NASA’s plans to start U.S. explorers on missions of deep space exploration.
Now playing: ‘Journey to Space’ launches into giant-screen theaters
Collectspace.com (3/16): Narrated by Star Trek’s Patrick Stewart, Journey to Space, is now showing at NASA visitor centers, space museums and science centers across the United States. More openings are planned for the large-format documentary that showcases NASA’s plans for future human exploration, including missions to Mars.
Are humans really headed to Mars anytime soon?
National Public Radio (3/17): Whether it’s NASA in the lead or a nonprofit venture like Mars One, the challenge of reaching the Martian surface with human explorers or settlers is challenged by lengthy isolation, risk from spaceflight radiation and the dusty Martian environment. Then, there is the expense, note expert engineers and aerospace historians.
The Space Review (3/16): What’s NASA’s core mission? U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the new chairman of the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee, raised the issue in a hearing last week on NASA priorities. Cruz suggested NASA was taking from exploration and giving to Earth sciences. Perhaps, Earth studies should be transitioned from NASA to another federal agency, suggested a fellow lawmaker on the panel. Another panelist suggested NASA’s problem was an inadequate budget. Essayist Jeff Foust suggests the discussion over NASA’s priorities is a familiar one that seldom changes much.
Failure to launch: The technical, ethical, and legal case against Mars One
The Space Review (3/16): The Dutch nonprofit Mars One has secured global attention with plans to establish a colony on Mars in the mid-2020s with volunteers eager to compete for the opportunity to leave the Earth and not return. Essayists Michael Listner and Christopher Newman find the endeavor compelling. But the challenges that must be overcome are beyond the capabilities of the Dutch sponsor, they write. Both authors are attorneys.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
Asteroid-comet hybrid found with surprise ring system
Discovery.com (3/16): A second comet/asteroid hybrid with rings like Saturn is found orbiting the sun in the region between Jupiter and Pluto, according to scientists. The find, the second in four years, suggests that these objects known as centaurs may not be as rare as initially believed.
Hunt asteroids at home with NASA’s new software
Popular Mechanics (3/16): NASA and Planetary Resources have teamed to enlist public help through computer programs to identify asteroids that might be on a collision course with the Earth or serve as suitable destinations for NASA’s proposed Asteroid Redirect Mission. And for Planetary Resources, the discoveries may be potential sites for mining.
Whoa! Opportunity discovers matchless purplish rocks at spectacular Mars overlook
America Space (3/16): NASA’s Opportunity rover finds new mineral combinations at Endeavour crater on Mars.
Mercury’s hidden mantle shows up in new maps
SEN (3/16): The NASA funded MESSENGER mission to the small planet Mercury is coming to a conclusion in April. The orbiter has succeeded in probing the surface with X-rays and gamma rays, revealing new features in the mantle between the core and crust.
Chinese moon probe performs sample-return tech test in lunar orbit
Space.com (3/16): In China, engineers demonstrate docking technologies that will be required for a future robotic mission, Chang’e 5, to collect samples of the moon and return them to Earth. The demonstration was carried out in lunar orbit earlier this month using the service module from a Chinese lunar mission launched in late 2014. Chang’e 5 is slotted for a 2017 lift off.
Private companies asked to join moon program
China Daily (3/17): China plans to open participation in its lunar exploration ventures, so far unmanned, to private enterprise, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which oversees space programs.
Low Earth Orbit
Roscosmos, NASA to sign contract on using Soyuz spaceships to take U.S. astronauts to ISS
TASS, of Russia (3/16): NASA and the Russian space agency are working toward a fall agreement to transport astronauts to the International Space Station on Soyuz rockets into 2018 and ensure their return into 2019. Meanwhile, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is working with two U.S. companies, Boeing and SpaceX, to establish commercial transportation services by late 2017. The new agreements will ensure a U.S. presence on the Space Station in case there is a delay in the development.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Virgin Galactic’s LauncherOne on schedule for 2016 first launch
Space News (3/16): Plans for a new commercial launch vehicle from Virgin Galactic hinge on a growing enthusiasm for small but capable satellites to support a demand for communications services. LauncherOne’s first lift off is planned by the end of 2016.
Suborbital
XCOR Aerospace picks ex-Air Force official as new CEO
Space.com (3/16): XCOR Aerospace has selected a new CEO. John “Jay” Gibson will succeed Jeff Greason. Greason will remain with XCOR as chief technology officer and focus on the final development of the company’s Lynx suborbital space planes and other projects.
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