In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA’s Kennedy Space Center remains closed today as damage assessments from Hurricane Matthew continue. The European service module contribution to NASA’s Orion crew capsule is at the NASA Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Station undergoing acoustic and launch vibration testing this year. Actual Orion and service module hardware is due at Plum Brook next year for testing ahead of the planned Exploration Mission-1 test flight in late 2018.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Hurricane Matthew Grazes Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral
Universe Today (10/9): Initial post Hurricane Matthew inspections of the Kennedy Space Center reveal wind and water damage to roofs, downed power lines and limited water intrusion. There was a lot of debris scattered across Kennedy as well as the adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Over the weekend, teams continued to assess the CCAFS launch pads, buildings and infrastructure. Some buildings suffered severe damage.
Orion service module passes major shake test at NASA’s Plum Brook Station
Spaceflight Insider (10/9): The European Space Agency’s service module contribution to NASA’s Orion capsule has been undergoing ground testing at NASA’s Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Station since spring. This testing was the first to replicate the acoustic launch environment and vibrations of the lift off. Orion and ESA service module flight hardware will come together at Glenn late next year for more testing ahead of Exploration Mission-1, a late 2018 uncrewed test flight of the Space Launch System, Orion and the service module.
Space Science
NASA plans for Mars missions beyond 2020 remain uncertain
Space News (10/7): Currently the launch of NASA’s next surface rover, Mars 2020, is the only mission in line for the voyage to the red planet. Being challenged by budget restrictions, organizers would like to have a new orbiter with high resolution cameras ready to launch by the next launch opportunity in 2022.
Low Earth Orbit
Russia, China ready to launch new Space Station crews
Spacepolicyonline.com (10/7): Russia resets the launch of its Soyuz MS-02 with three U.S. and Russian astronauts to the International Space Station for Oct. 19. Once set for Sept. 23, the launch was delayed by an electrical short discovered in pre-launch ground testing. China also plans to launch its first pair of astronauts to the small, new Tiangong-2 space station this month. The station was launched in September.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
China’s private space industry prepares to compete with SpaceX and Blue Origin
Popular Science (10/7): In China, a commercial launch industry is emerging to compete with U.S. entrepreneurs Elon Musk of SpaceX and Jeff Bezos of Blue Origin.
Major Space Related Events for the Week
Major space related events for the week of October 9-14, 2016
Spacepolicyonline.com (10/9): This week’s activities includes the return to flight of Orbital ATK’s Antares launch vehicle on NASA contracted re-supply missions to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, Las Cruces, New Mexico will host the annual International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight this week.