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Saturday’s CSExtra features a roundup of reports on space activities around the globe. Three U.S. and Russian astronauts descend to a safe landing in Kazakhstan aboard a Soyuz capsule, ending a 176-day mission to the International Space Station. In Washington, the House adjourns without taking action on a new 2010 NASA authorization bill.
1. From Spaceflightnow.com: International Space Station residents Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko return to Earth safely early Saturday, touching down in northern Kazakhstan. Problems with the station’s docking system on Sept. 23 prevented their scheduled return to Earth. During a one day delay, station flight engineer Fyodor Yurchikhin made repairs to free a balky latching mechanism, permitting the Soyuz capsule to depart. The capsule was on the ground at 1:23 a.m., EDT.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/station/exp24/100924landing/index3.html
A. From the Associated Press via the Los Angeles Times and others: The Soyuz capsule and crew score a “bulls eye,” as the three U.S. and Russian astronauts land in north central Kazakhstan.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fgw-soyuz-20100925,0,4761318.story
2. From Space News: The House adjourns for the November elections on Sept. 24 without taking action on the 2010 NASA Authorization measure presented by the House Science and Technology Committee earlier this week. Passage of the bill is now considered unlikely until after the Nov. 2 elections. However, it looks like the House will be ready to pass a continuing resolution on Sept. 29. The CR will restrict spending at NASA and other agencies to 2011 levels, once the 2011 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.
http://www.spacenews.com/policy/100924-house-without-action-nasa-bill.html
A. From Spacepolitics.com: Some commercial space groups shun a House authorization measure released this week. The bill is intended to increase support for NASA-financed commercial space transportation services. The total is well below that backed by President Obama’s 2011 budget. http://www.spacepolitics.com/2010/09/24/no-love-for-the-house-compromise-bill/
B. From the Hill: The revision of the House 2010 NASA Authorization measure may nudge it closer to the Senate bill, but the bill spells the end of the road for much of the previous Administration’s Constellation back-to-the-moon program.
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/120767-house-compromise-spells-bad-news-for-nasas-constellation-program.
C. From the Houston Chronicle: In an op-ed, U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, of Houston, writes that Congress is obligated to back a strong human space exploration program led by NASA. The House version of a 2010 NASA authorization bill is more aligned with that goal than a Senate version, Olson writes.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7217132.html
3. From The National Review. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden heads for the Middle East and beyond on behalf of the space agency in the coming days. The travels will take him and his delegation to the Czech Republic, Nepal and Saudi Arabia. Much of the journey will involve participation in science and technical conferences. In Saudi Arabia, Bolden will participate in a 25th anniversary commemoration of STS 51G, a shuttle flight that included an Arab astronaut.
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/247655/about-boldens-saudi-trip-brian-bolduc
4. From Florida Today: Saturday is family day at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Shuttle Discovery has been prepped at the launch pad for a special photo opportunity. Many of the 900 shuttle program workers who face lay offs next Friday are expected to attend.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100924031
5. From Wired News: The web site offers a look at prospective landing sites for NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover. Curiosity is heading toward a November 2011 launching to the Red Planet. Prospective landing sites include Mawrth Vallis, a rugged region rich in clay minerals that could reveal more about the prospect of life on Mars.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/09/mars-landing-gallery/?pid=269&pageid=36703
A. From Aviation Week & Space Technology: The Mars Rover Curiosity will carry a French laser designed to enhance mineral studies of Martian rocks.
http://web02.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/asd/2010/09/24/09.xml&headline=Laser%20Instrument%20For%20Mars%20Rover%20Delivered
6. From the Coalition for Space Exploration: NASA’s Cassini spacecraft captures spectacular images of the aurora illuminating the planet Saturn, Saturn’s rings and moons.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/blog/captured-by-cassini-%e2%80%93-saturn%e2%80%99s-aurora
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