To subscribe to CSExtra via RSS feed click here.
If you would prefer to receive CSExtra in e-mail format, e-mail us at Info@space.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Friday’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space activities from around the world. In Florida, NASA mission managers clear shuttle Discovery for lift off on a 39th and final flight at 3:04 p.m. High winds could be a factor, say forecasters. NASA’s Deep Impact mission scores an impressive photo session with comet Hartley 2. In Washington, experts predict continued budget uncertainty in the federal government, including at NASA, as control shifts to Republicans in January. China launches a weather satellite. Burt Rutan retires.
1. From Spaceflightnow.com: Early Friday, NASA’s Mission Management Team gives launch teams at the Kennedy Space Center permission to fuel the shuttle Discovery on a 39th and final mission. Lift off is set for 3:04 p.m., EDT, weather permitting. The MMT will be watching gusty winds behind the cold front that crossed Florida on Thursday forcing an early launch scrub. For updates.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/status.html
A. From Florida Today: The United Space Alliance shuttle workforce continues to decline. Lay off notices will go out today to 320 personnel at NASA shuttle prime contractor today, including 171 in Florida. Their last day will be Jan. 7.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101105/NEWS02/11050336/1086/More+layoffs+coming+today+at+United+Space+Alliance
B. From Florida Today: Spectators from as far away as New York line up in campers along U.S. 1 in Titusville, Fla., to watch Discovery’s lift off. Crowds build as NASA shuttle program nears retirement.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101105/NEWS01/11050326/1086/Titusville+campers+wait+for+space+shuttle+launch
2. From The Coalition For Space Exploration: NASA’s Deep Impact probe scores a hit with scientists on Thursday, as it sails close to the comet Hartley 2 with cameras rolling.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/blog/wow-first-imagery-from-comet-flyby
A. From the Los Angeles Times: The comet Hartley 2 encounter comes five years after Deep Impact became the first mission to make contact with a comet. Comet Temple 1 was struck by a Deep Impact probe for a first-ever look at the interior of a comet.
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-sci-comet-20101105,0,991946.story
B. From Space.com: Deep Impact transmits five images of Hartley 2 following Thursday’s encounter.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/scienceastronomy/comet-hartley-2-deep-impact-flyby-surprises-101104.html
C. From the Houston Chronicle: Deep Impact’s encounter with Hartley 2 was science on a budget. The spacecraft was recycled from an earlier comet mission.
http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2010/11/take_a_look_at_these_exceptional_images_of_comet_h.html
3. From Space News: Two experts offer their opinion on the impact of the Nov. 2 elections on NASA’s future. They predict an austere budget environment.
http://www.spacenews.com/commentaries/101104-asks-experts-gop-takeover-house-mean-space.html
A. From the Huntsville Times: Work by Congress on a federal budget, including NASA spending, will likely fall to the new Congress in early 2011. Alabama congressional forces contend.
http://blog.al.com/space-news/2010/11/nasa_could_be_in_budget_limbo.html
B. From Florida Today, under Republican control, the new Congress could roll back spending at NASA and other agencies to 2008 levels. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101105/NEWS02/101105001/1006/NEWS01/Extra+NASA+funds+unsure+after+election
4. From Rianovosti of Russia: China launches a weather satellite.
http://en.rian.ru/science/20101105/161216505.html
5. From Discovery.com: Famed space and aircraft designer Burt Rutan retires. His creations include SpaceShipOne and SpaceShipTwo.
http://news.discovery.com/space/spaceshipone-designer-burt-rutan-retiring.html
Brought to you by the Coalition for Space Exploration, CSExtra is a daily compilation of space industry news selected from hundreds of online media resources. The Coalition is not the author or reporter of any of the stories appearing in CSExtra and does not control and is not responsible for the content of any of these stories. The content available through CSExtra contains links to other websites and domains which are wholly independent of the Coalition, and the Coalition makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information contained in any such site or domain and does not pre-screen or approve any content. The Coalition does not endorse or receive any type of compensation from the included media outlets and is not responsible or liable in any way for any content of CSExtra or for any loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of any content appearing in CSExtra. For information on the Coalition, visit www.space.com or contact us via e-mail at Info@space.com.