In Today’s Deep Space Extra… The processing of lunar resources for commercial applications could be a key to U.S. preeminence in space, according to key U.S. lawmaker.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Bridenstine: This is our Sputnik moment & the Moon will ensure U.S. preeminence in space
Spacepolicyonline.com (11/3): Human cislunar and lunar activities, including the industrial extractions of ice from the Moon’s poles to produce propellants to re-fuel satellites and valuable platinum metals for high tech applications, are essential to America’s future pre-eminence in space, according to U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine. The Oklahoma congressman and member of the House Science, Space and Technology and Armed Services committees spoke before NASA’s Lunar Exploration and Analysis Group in Maryland.
NASA wants Moon robots to pave the way for Mars missions
Inverse (11/2): A NASA request for information issued earlier this week seeks partners and proposals for lunar robotic activities that would establish capabilities required to establish a human outpost on Mars. Responses are due by Dec. 9.
Editorial Board: Next president will set course for space
Orlando Sentinel (11/3): Florida is emerging as a key battleground state in the U.S. presidential election, a circumstance that has prompted contenders Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to elaborate some on their space policy intentions, according to the Sentinel. The paper’s assessment finds Clinton’s formula for sharing costs among industry, international partners and taxpayers most realistic.
Space Science
World’s largest space telescope is complete, expected to launch in 2018
Space.com (11/2): Construction of the James Webb Space Telescope, the U.S./European/Canadian successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, is complete after 20 years, space agency officials announced Wednesday at the Goddard Space Flight Center. After more ground tests at Goddard and at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the telescope will be ready to lift off in late 2018. The JWST will study the most distant reaches of the universe and the atmospheres of exo-planets for signs of bio-signatures.
A new experiment could sniff out signs of alien life on Mars and beyond
Mashable (11/2): A LIDAR sensor used by the U.S. military to detect pathogens and toxins in the atmosphere is being re purposed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to fit on a Mars rover to seek evidence of organic molecules in Martian dust clouds. The Bio-Indicator Lidar Instrument could also be fitted aboard planetary orbiters for the same purpose.
NASA’S new asteroid alert system gives 5 whole days of warning
Universe Today (11/2): NASA’s Scout program harnesses the observing powers of the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) on Hawaii and other observatories to spot, track and assess the size of Near Earth Objects, or asteroids that could pose a collision threat to the Earth. So far, 15,000 NEOs have been confirmed.
Saturn’s gorgeous rings may be dwarf planet carcasses
Space.com (11/2): The distinctive rings around giant Saturn and possibly other outer solar system planets may be the fragmented remains of Kuiper Belt Objects that were ripped apart during the solar system’s early era, a new study by Japanese scientists suggests.
Space invader on Mars: Curiosity finds a meteorite
Seeker (11/2): NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover studies a nickel-iron meteorite in the red planet’s surface. Curiosity, which landed in August 2012, is climbing the slopes of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater in an effort to determine when the planet’s once wet and warmer climate changed to more desert-like conditions.
Low Earth Orbit
NASA congratulates the Cubs on its World Series victory in the best way possible
Fast Company (11/3): NASA congratulates the Chicago Cubs for their World Series win Wednesday night with a photo of the Second City from Earth orbit.
Nations ask to play part in space lab
China.org (11/3): Other nations are interested in operations aboard the space station China plans to assemble in Earth orbit between 2018 and 2022, according to an official of the state-owned China Great Wall Industry Corp. However, Fu Zhiheng, the corporation’s vice president, did not identify them in an interview.
Canada’s first woman in space, astronaut Roberta Bondar, honored with coin
Collectspace.com (11/2): Bondar, a neurologist who flew aboard NASA’s shuttle Discovery in 1992, has been honored with a special Canadian coin. “My view from Discovery 25 years ago forever changed my view of Earth and instilled in me a commitment to protect this magnificent planet. This special coin symbolizes the beauty of Earth from space,” she said.