In Today’s Deep Space Extra… The Perseverance rover’s MOXIE instrument has extracted oxygen from Mars’ atmosphere. Space is vital for Earth Day, states United Launch Alliance’s CEO Tory Bruno in an op-ed.
Human Space Exploration
Final puzzle piece for Artemis I rocket set for trip to Kennedy Space Center
Coalition Members in the News – Boeing, Northrop Grumman
Orlando Sentinel (4/21): The core stage for NASA’s initial Space Launch System (SLS) rocket has been removed from its test stand at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi in preparation for its trip by barge through the Gulf of Mexico to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). There, it will be joined by the other elements assigned to the Artemis I mission, an uncrewed, integrated test flight around the Moon of the rocket and Orion spacecraft ahead of crewed missions. The SLS core stage has undergone extensive testing at Stennis over the past year.
NASA reaches out to commercial partners for new spacesuits and spacewalk tech
Coalition Member in the News – Boeing
Space.com (4/21): Earlier this month, NASA issued a Request for Information (RFI) from the U.S. space industry seeking ideas for space garments and technology aids for astronauts assigned to future destinations. The agency wants to receive input on the feasibility of shifting its exploration spacewalk acquisition activities to a service-based model like the procurement for commercial cargo and crew services that currently serve the International Space Station.
China is set to launch first module of massive space station
Scientific American (4/21): China is poised to launch the first module of its planned space station at the end of April. At least 10 more launches of additional modules, crews and cargo are expected to follow. Designed for a more than 10-year lifecycle, the Chinese station will have volume for three astronauts and research activities, docking ports for more modules, external robotic arms and airlock for spacewalk maintenance.
Space Science
NASA’s Perseverance rover makes oxygen on Mars for the 1st time
Space.com (4/21): In another ground breaker for NASA’s Perseverance rover, MOXIE, a key onboard instrument, has demonstrated the extraction of oxygen from the Red Planet’s thin carbon dioxide atmosphere. It’s the demonstration of a technology that could provide a resource for future human explorers. “MOXIE has more work to do, but the results from this technology demonstration are full of promise as we move toward our goal of one day seeing humans on Mars,” said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Mars Express and the case of the large, mysterious Martian volcano cloud
NASAspaceflight.com (4/21): A research team identified the puzzling source of a cloud that forms daily during the spring and summer at the Arsia Mons volcano in the equatorial region of Mars. Using observations from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express orbiter and other spacecraft, they believe the source of the cloud formation to be rising winds forced upward by the structure of the volcano.
Opinion
Space is vital for Earth Day
Coalition Member in the News – United Launch Alliance
SpaceNews.com (4/22): In a new opinion piece, United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) CEO Tory Bruno argues that space is crucial for solving Earth’s problems. “One might even say that Space is really all about Earth. From Space, we monitor forests, deserts and regions under stress in order to better protect them” says Bruno, adding that he is making a personal commitment at his company to continue to play a crucial role in the advancement of Earth science and the observation of our changing climate.
Other News
Nelson sails through NASA administrator confirmation hearing
SpaceNews.com (4/21): Former U.S. Sen Bill Nelson, of Florida, President Biden’s nominee to serve as NASA Administrator, drew no signs of opposition on Wednesday as he appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee as part of his confirmation process. Nelson, a strong supporter of the space agency, however, offered few specifics. He did promise the committee’s chair, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington, that he will support efforts to back more than one commercial lunar Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis program. NASA last week awarded only one Option A contract to carry out an uncrewed demonstration lunar landing with an HLS followed by the first crewed landing of the program.
Apollo 13 astronauts raise a toast to their recovery with new statue
Collectspace.com (4/18): Apollo 13 astronauts Jim Lovell and Fred Haise joined a celebration at Space Center Houston (SCH), the visitors center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC), last Saturday to mark the 51st anniversary of their 1970 mission to the Moon, which was successfully aborted after an oxygen tank explosion. A bronze statue depicting the two astronauts and fellow Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert (deceased) as they stepped off a Navy helicopter onto an aircraft carrier, marking their recovery, was formally dedicated as part of the event.