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Saturday CSExtra finds possible new developments on the space policy front as NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver meets with the editorial board of the Huntsville Times. In Washington, NASA meets with prospective providers of commercial space transportation services. The Space X Dragon capsules passes a drop test. NASA lays the groundwork for an extra flight of the shuttle in late June using Atlantis. Plus NASA asks the public for help in waking up the astronauts on the final shuttle missions.
1. From the Huntsville Times: In a meeting with the Times’ editorial board, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver says the Administration and Congress are settling their difference over the space agency’s future. The Administration failed to work with congressional leaders as it introduced plans to cancel the Constellation back-to-the-moon program she tells the board, Garver says. A new heavy lift rocket will be a priority, and Marshall will lead the development, Garver adds. In its 2011 budget proposal, the White House sought to wait on a heavy lift strategy until 2015, following a period of technology development.
http://blog.al.com/space-news/2010/08/deputy_nasa_leader_lori_garver.html
A. From Spacepolitics.com: Garver’s comments to the Huntsville Times suggest the White House is willing to accelerate its heavy lift plans.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2010/08/20/nasa-learns-to-stop-worrying-and-love-heavy-lift/
2. From Space News: In Washington, NASA offers assurances to prospective providers of commercial space transportation of its commitment to using their services. The $5.8 billion the White House wants to spend over the next five years on the initiative should support four providers, according to NASA officials. The comments were delivered at an Aug. 19 industry event. Thirty five companies responded to a NASA solicitation seeking input on the plans. The Senate and House have not been as supportive, and NASA officials said they will adjust to the final legislative agreements.
http://www.spacenews.com/civil/100820-nasa-ease-doubts-commercial-crew-support.html
A. From the Los Angeles Times: SpaceX announces Friday that is conducted a successful drop test of the Dragon capsule that may one day carry passengers into orbit. The test was carried out Aug. 12 near Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., from an altitude of 14,000 feet. Under parachute the capsule settled into the Pacific Ocean.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/08/spacex-dragon-rocket-falcon-9.html
B. From Spaceflightnow.com: A SpaceX orbital test flight featuring a flight worthy Dragon capsule is a few months away, according to company founder Elon Musk. Musk says his engineers are moving cautiously with launch preparations once targeted for September. An early June test flight with a Dragon mock up was considered a commercial space industry milestone.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/002/100820update/
3. From CBS and Spaceflightnow.com: NASA eyes June 28, 2011, as the launch date for a currently unscheduled final shuttle mission. Both the House and Senate favor the additional mission using orbiter Atlantis. Atlantis will be readied as the rescue mission for the final scheduled shuttle flight, the launching of Endeavour in late February. The change in planning would slip the rescue mission, if needed, from an April to a late June launching. Atlantis will carry supplies and a crew of just four astronauts if the flight changes from rescue to scheduled status.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/100820june/
4. From Space.com: NASA asks the public to help it select the wake up music for the astronauts assigned to NASA’s final scheduled shuttle missions in early November and late February.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/news/nasa-space-shuttle-astronauts-songs-contest-100820.html
5. From Space.com: At the University of Hawaii, scientists propose a two-observatory network to watch for asteroids and comets on a collision course with the Earth. ATLAS, Asteroid Terrestrial Last Alert System, would afford a notice of at least several hours before a catastrophic impact.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/news/asteroid-threat-early-warning-system-proposed-100820.html
6. From Space.com: The White Knight Two carrier jet for SpaceShipTwo incurs landing gear damage at its Mojave, CA base. The big jet was landing at the time.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/news/virgin-galactic-space-tourist-jet-whiteknighttwo-damage-100820.html
7. From USA Today: The FAA turns to eight universities for its Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation and a new mission, making sure that commercial spacecraft with passengers don’t collide with one another.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/08/sorry-sir-you-cant-park-that-rocket-there—-faa-starts-space-traffic-control-work-1/1.
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