In Today’s Deep Space Extra… President Trump declares a U.S. return to the moon to prepare for the future human exploration of Mars and other deep space destinations.
Human Space Exploration
Trump policy directive makes moon NASA’s official goal for human exploration
Spaceflightinsider.com (12/12): “After 45 years, it is time to return humans to the region of the moon even as we look toward Mars,” stated Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, president and CEO of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, who was among those gathered at the White House on Monday for President Trump’s remarks. Lockheed Martin, NASA’s prime contractor for the Orion crew capsule, was among others quick to respond favorably to the strategy.
Trump announces that the moon is astronauts’ next destination
New York Times (12/11): More details on America’s return to the lunar surface with human explorers are expected to accompany the Trump administration’s 2019 budget presentation to Congress in February, including a timeline, costs and proposed activities. The President’s directive restores an exploratory direction last formulated by former President George W. Bush in 2004.
Text of remarks at signing of Trump space policy directive and a list of attendees
Spacepolicyonline.com (12/11): The transcript of President Trump’s remarks focuses U.S. space exploration efforts on deep space, with the moon as the first destination beyond the low Earth orbit International Space Station. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, chair of the recently re-established National Space Council, were joined at the White House Monday by about two dozen astronauts, among them Harrison Schmitt, the surviving member of the NASA’s Apollo 17 crew that landed on the lunar terrain 45 years ago Monday. Also present was NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who has accumulated 665 days in space over her career, the most by an American and more than any woman.
Space Science
The Space Review (12/11): NASA’s deliberations over the New Frontiers classification of its planetary science missions has scientists eager for a new opportunity to visit neighboring Venus. By next spring the suspense could ease as NASA narrows its options.
Breakthrough Listen will check interstellar object just to make sure it’s not a starship
Geek Wire (12/11): Oumuamua, an interstellar planetary body moving though the solar system, was discovered in October with the Pan-STARRS ground observatory in Hawaii. On Wednesday, Breakthrough Listen, will train a West Virginia radar telescope on this visiting object just to make sure it’s not under the guidance of an intelligent civilization. Oumusmua is moving along at a crisp 196,000 miles per hour at about 200 million miles from Earth and speeding away.
Cassini may be dead, but a new era of Saturn science has just begun
Los Angeles Times (12/11): The long running NASA led Cassini mission to Saturn, which ended in September, still has much to reveal about the giant ringed planet, according to scientists attending the American Geophysical Union meeting in New Orleans this week. Among the latest findings, Saturn has an electrically charged ionosphere and falling microscopic ice particles called “ring rain.”
Other News
Electron countdown aborted at engine start, next launch attempt Wednesday
Spaceflightnow.com (12/12): Efforts by Rocket Lab to launch the U.S./New Zealand Electron rocket for small satellite payloads was halted 2 seconds from liftoff late Monday. Another attempt to send the rocket on its second test flight from New Zealand this year is planned for no earlier than Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., EST.
Liability for space debris collisions and the Kessler Syndrome (part 1)
The Space Review (12/11): Now 50, the Outer Space Treaty offers a challenge to the growing numbers of countries, international alliances, commercial companies and presumably soon space tourists over efforts to manage risk and shoulder the consequences of reaching for space.