In Today’s Deep Space Extra… At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, workers are carefully assembling an Orion spacecraft for the first test flight of the Space Launch System, Exploration Mission-1. The late 2018 launch will send an unpiloted Orion capsule on a trip around the moon and back to Earth for an ocean splashdown and recovery. EM-2, with astronauts, is to follow in 2021.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA’s Orion Space Capsule on Course for 2018 Trip Around the Moon
Space.com (9/10): While many at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center were preparing the Osiris-Rex asteroid sample return mission for a successful Sept. 8 liftoff, others at the Central Florida launch site were carefully assembling an Orion spacecraft for the inaugural launch of the the agency’s Space Launch System exploration rocket in late 2018. The uncrewed Exploration Mission-1 will send Orion on a three week trip around the moon and back to Earth for an ocean splashdown and recovery. The test flight will set the stage for Exploration Mission-2, a similar flight with astronauts, which NASA has said will launch no later than 2023. Internally NASA is committed to an EM-2 launch in late 2021. “We’re committed to 2021, and we’re on track for that,” said Scott Wilson, NASA manager of production operations for the Orion Program.
NASA’s Other Asteroid Mission: Grab A Chunk And Put It In Orbit Around The Moon
National Public Radio (9/10): The launching last week of NASA’s Osiris-Rex sample return mission to the asteroid Bennu gathered wide public attention. The agency’s Asteroid Redirect Mission may do even more as NASA tests a solar electric propulsion system to robotically snag a multi-ton boulder from the surface of another asteroid, 2008 EV-5. The hefty asteroid rock would be maneuvered into orbit around the moon in the mid-2020s, where astronauts launched aboard NASA’s new Space Launch System and Orion capsule could visit.
Space Science
Scientists will be busy during NASA’s 7-year OSIRIS-REx mission
Orlando Sentinel (9/9): NASA’s Sept. 8 Osiris-Rex spacecraft launching initiated a two year journey to the asteroid Bennu and a seven year round trip to Bennu and back to Earth in all. It won’t be wait and watch for the mission’s science team. There are instruments on the spacecraft to check out from the Earth and interactions with software to rehearse. Once at Bennu, there is an asteroid to map thoroughly in order to select the best site to approach to collect a sample of the soil for return to Earth.
A Jewel In The Rough: Juno Returns First Rich Scientific Harvest From Jupiter
AmericaSpace.com (9/11): NASA’s Juno space mission to Jupiter has transmitted new imagery and data about the giant planet during its first close approach on Aug. 27. The imagery reveals distinctive cloud patterns at the north pole and auroral activity at both poles. Juno maneuvered into orbit around Jupiter on July 4.
The Book That Predicted Proxima b [Excerpt]
Scientific American (9/8): Writer Stephen Baxter’s 2013 science fiction novel Proxima foretells the discovery of an Earth like planet around the neighboring star Proxima Centauri. An actual discovery of the planet, Proxima b, was announced earlier this year by a team of astronomers led by Guillem Anglada-Escude. “Uncanny,” says Anglada-Escude of Baxter’s foresight.
Nanodust Cloud Shrouding the Moon Is Spawned by Meteoroid Impacts
Space.com (9/9): It turns out the moon has a thin cloud veil whose source is dust like particles from meteorite impacts. NASA’s LADEE mission explored the moon’s exosphere up close in 2013-14. The impacts remain difficult to predict. A second long running NASA lunar mission, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, is in search of a recent significant impact from Mar. 17, 2013.
Robonaut’s NASA Grandparent Is Up For Sale
Seeker (9/10): Like astronauts, humanoids — robots that resemble humans — have played important roles in space exploration. Robonaut 2 now shares room with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. While its ancestors, including one used to test space suit garments, never made it too space, they have found homes in prestigious museums or private collections of space memorabilia.
Low Earth Orbit
Design a 3-D Printed Tool for Astronauts to Use Aboard the Space Station
Space.com (9/9): The ISS Design Challenge, sponsored by Mouser Electronics, offers an opportunity for college students to suggest tools for International Space Station astronauts. Top concepts could be manufactured with 3-D printing hardware aboard the six person orbiting science laboratory. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, a previous space station commander, will be among the judges.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Decision on Vulcan engine could slip to 2017
Space News (9/12): A decision on Blue Origin’s BE-4 as the main engine for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan next generation launch vehicle will await a key ground test firing, according to ULA chief executive Tory Bruno. The test could occur late this year, or sometime in early 2017. ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is also considering Aerojet Rocketdyne’s AR-1 as the main engine for Vulcan.
Suborbital
Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos are getting closer to flying tourists to space
Washington Post (9/9): Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo last week completed its first test flight in two years, a captive carry trip to 50,000 feet over Mojave, Calif., while secured beneath its mother ship, WhiteKnightTwo. Meanwhile, Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos announced plans for an October test flight of his suborbital New Shepard rocket’s abort system in West Texas. Both companies are counting down to their first passenger flights.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of September 12-16, 2016
Spacepolicyonline.com (9/11): Space policy forums are scheduled this week in California, Washington, London and Vienna. They include the AIAA’s Space 2016 Conference in Long Beach, Calif., Tuesday through Thursday. In Washington, the U.S. House and Senate will be in session.