In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Trump administration backs the Space Launch System and Orion as it weighs future role for “new space.”
Human Deep Space Exploration
The big changes that may (not) be coming to NASA
Space News (2/10): The Trump administration has signaled support for the Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule development as the new president’s space policy plans slowly unfold. Despite some reports, there is no plan to pit NASA programs against those of “new space” as the agency charts its way ahead.
House ready to introduce new 2017 spending bills
Space News (2/10): The U.S. House is ready to re-introduce spending bills for 2017, according to U.S. Representative John Culberson, chair of the appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA. While releasing few details at a Washington presentation last week, the Texas lawmaker stressed the need to keep the Space Launch System, a corner stone of NASA plans to resume human deep space exploration, on track.
Insider exclusive: JSC’s astronaut office innovating a path forward
Spaceflight Insider (2/10): At NASA’s Johnson Space Center, veteran astronaut Rick Mastracchio and Anne Hasbrook, Orion program assistant manager for integration, discuss how the next U.S. human spacecraft is taking automation to new levels. At great distances from the Earth, Orion and its crews will not be able to depend on Mission Control for timely expertise.
Space Science
Three sites where NASA might retrieve its first Mars rock
Nature (2/11): NASA has narrowed the number of top candidate landing sites on Mars for the agency’s Mars 2020 rover from eight to three. The selections came at the conclusion of a three day workshop in Monrovia, California. Jezero crater, home to a possible ancient lake on Mars, is the top choice. Mission planners are not expected to make a final decision until a year or two before lift-off.
NASA’s ‘Europa report’ details how it could land a spacecraft on Jupiter’s moon
Verge (2/10): NASA’s lengthy pre-phase ‘A’ assessment explains how it might land a life-detecting spacecraft on the surface of Jupiter’s ice and ocean covered moon, Europa. The Jovian moon is considered a high priority science destination in the search for life beyond the Earth. Congress sought the study.
Meet asteroid 2017 BQ6 a giant, spinning brick
Universe Today (2/12): Asteroid 2017 BQ6 was radar imaged as it sped past the Earth on February 7, at more than six times the distance from the Earth to the moon. Its 660 feet in length allowed for an unusual shape.
Low Earth Orbit
Officials mull proposal for manned mission to refurbish Hubble Telescope
Wall Street Journal (2/12): An industry proposal, presented to the Trump administration, would launch astronauts to the Hubble Space Telescope for upgrades within the next few years. Launched in 1990, Hubble was last upgraded by shuttle astronauts in 2009.
Astronaut Hall of Fame to name 2017 inductees
Florida Today (2/11): The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame plans to announce two new inductees on Tuesday, who will join 93 current members.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Fire returns to flame trench at Apollo-era launch pad in Florida
Spaceflightnow.com (2/12): A SpaceX Falcon 9 assigned to the company’s next NASA contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station roared to life briefly on Sunday in a test of the first stage. Lift off is planned for Sunday, the first from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A since NASA’s final shuttle mission in 2011.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space Related activities for the week of February 13-18, 2017
Spacepolicyonline.com (2/12): NASA’s past, present and future is the theme for a U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee hearing scheduled for Thursday in Washington. Tuesday is globally recognized as “Asteroid Day.” The next NASA contracted resupply mission to the International Space Station is planned for launch on Saturday.