In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine places the entire agency’s workforce on telework status, except for mission essential activities, in response to coronavirus concerns. The NASA Inspector General’s office expresses concern over Mobile Launch Platform development for the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew capsule.
All NASA Centers on Mandatory Telework (excepting mission essential functions)
NASA Administrator March 17 statement on agency response to coronavirus
NASA (3/17): Late Tuesday, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine directed all NASA civil servants and contractors to observe a Stage 3 mandatory telework status until further notice. Only mission essential personnel will be expected to report to the agency’s headquarters and field centers because of the growing coronavirus concerns.
Human Space Exploration
Report finds delays and cost overruns in SLS mobile launch platform development
SpaceNews.com (3/17): In an audit issued Tuesday, NASA’s inspector general expressed concerns over the cost, technical issues and oversight of efforts to develop two mobile launch platforms for the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion crew capsule, each under development to transport human explorers to the Moon and Mars. The report estimated the cost of the initial mobile launcher at nearly $1 billion though it will not be used for more than four missions. A second mobile launcher, pursued to support launches of the SLS equipped with the more powerful Exploration Upper Stage, is being developed under a $486 million design/build contract.
Can astronauts use GPS to navigate on the Moon? NASA scientists say yes
IEEE Spectrum (3/17): Existing U.S., European and Russian Earth orbiting satellite navigation constellations could be leveraged to provide a resource for human exploration activities on the Moon, according an a study by experts at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Their accuracy for activities on the lunar surface could be further enhanced with a small number of lunar orbiters equipped with transmitters. The findings were presented before the IEEE Aerospace Conference earlier this month.
Space Science
The 2020 vernal equinox will bring the earliest spring to the US in 124 years
Space.com (3/17): Thursday marks the transition from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere, and summer to autumn in the southern hemisphere. The transition occurs earlier than usual in the U.S. thanks to this year’s leap year and daylight savings time.
Other News
Rocket Lab gets NASA certification for official smallsat launches
TechCrunch (3/17): NASA’s certification of Rocket Lab is “Certification One,” meaning qualified to launch high priority small satellite missions.
Rocket Lab buys Sinclair Interplanetary satellite company
New Zealand Herald (3/17): Rocket Lab, of Huntington Beach, California, has acquired Toronto, Canada based Sinclair Interplanetary, a supplier of small satellite hardware components.
China develops new system to quickly find fallen rocket debris
Xinhuanet of China (3/18): China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center reports development of a positioning system to quickly locate the debris falling from rockets launched from the site. Unlike most launch complexes operated in other countries, China’s are not located along a coastline, meaning the boosters, fairings and upper stages shed during launches can fall onto populated areas.
Free space projects for kids (and adults) stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak
Space.com (3/17): With most of us stuck at home for longer than usual as much of the world is battling the coronavirus pandemic, now is a good time to get caught up on space exploration — no matter what your age or focus. NASA’s website has a plethora of opportunities for kids and adults alike to learn more about astronomy and spaceflight. Whether you want to be an astronaut, kill some time learning about the universe or help the agency work on future space exploration activities, there’s no lack of things to do.