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.
Now on orbit – the Coalition for Space Exploration’s latest Think Outside the Circle PSA. Benefits of space surround us.
Learn more about how technologies we develop to explore space keep us closer and safer on Earth.
Click here to watch the PSA, get free downloads and enter to win prizes.
Thursday’s CSExtra offers a roundup of the latest reporting on space-related events from around the world. In Florida, shuttle Atlantis undergoes a key launch pad test of the external fuel tank. A lengthy lunar eclipse entertains star gazers around the globe, though not in North America. Black holes surfaced early and often in the early universe, observations with NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory suggest. The U. S. often warns Russia and China of prospective satellite collisions. Several lawmakers complain in letters to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden that his agency is either not complying with or moving quickly enough to comply with the 2010 NASA Authorization Act. The Space Station could become the victim of under use, a NASA official informs a Washington audience. Iran launches a reconnaissance satellite. A NASA led Saturn mission experiences an electrical problem.
1. From Spaceflightnow.com: Shuttle Atlantis under goes a External Tank fueling test on Wednesday to check stringer support beams for possible cracks. The stringer region will undergo post-test X-rays. Also, there were signs of a possible leak in a main engine fuel valve. The valve will be examined, and potentially replaced. Initial indications show no impact to a planned July 8 launch of Atlantis.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/110615tanking/index2.html
A. From KHOU-TV in Houston: Former NASA engineers and technicians search for new jobs as the shuttle era winds to a close. “It’s the end of the world for some people,” said one job seeker at an aerospace job fair. The shuttle era will end with the 12-day Atlantis flight.
http://www.khou.com/news/Ex-Nasa-employees-struggle-to-find-new-opportunities–123955339.html
2. From Space.com: A lengthy lunar eclipse thrills millions on Wednesday. However, not in North America. The moon displayed an eerie hue to those who witnessed the 100 minutes of totality, the most for any single lunar eclipse since 2000.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/11984-photos-total-lunar-eclipse-june-2011-skywatchers.html
3. From Space.com: Black holes appeared early and often in the early universe, playing a significant influence in the way galaxies evolved, a new study using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory concludes
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/11972-secrets-earliest-black-holes-universe-galaxies.html
4. From spaceflightnow.com: Russia and China have receive hundreds of warnings from the U. S. of potential collisions between their satellites and space debris, the U. S. State Department reports.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1106/15debris/
5. From Spacepolitics.com: U. S. Sen. Richard Shelby, of Alabama, urges NASA Administrator Charles Bolden to host a competition for the development of the Space Launch System. The SLS, a heavy lift rocket, would power NASA’s Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, formerly known as Orion, on future deep space missions with astronauts. NASA has yet to reveal its plans for the big rocket, though Congressional legislation urged the space agency to make use of previous propulsion investments where appropriate. California senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer made a similar recommendation to compete the SLS work.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/06/15/shelby-calls-for-sls-competition/
A. From Spacepolicyonline.com: House members from states with key NASA installations accuse NASA Administrator Charles Bolden of failing to respond in timely fashion to provisions of the 2010 NASA Authorization Act. The legislation calls upon NASA to develop a crew capsule and a heavy lift rocket for future missions of exploration.
http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1634:republican-lawmakers-criticize-nasas-lack-of-compliance-with-law&catid=67:news&Itemid=27
6. From Spacepolicyonline.com: Mark Uhran, NASA’s assistant associate administrator for the International Space Station, tells a Washington luncheon that the space station’s best days are just ahead. However, the success of the long running project depends on access to the station for non government users, he tells the Space Transportation Association. http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1635:uhran-best-is-yet-to-come-for-iss-unless-the-opportunity-is-missed&catid=67:news&Itemid=27
7. From the Jerusalem Post: Iran successfully launches a reconnaissance satellite.
http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=225154
8. From the Associated Press via the Washington Post: The NASA-led multinational Cassini mission to Jupiter encounters an instrument short circuit this week that ground based experts are attempting to work around. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/engineers-troubleshooting-cassini-instrument-after-voltage-spike/2011/06/15/AGZqHWWH_story.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.