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Thursday’s CSExtra offers a collection of the latest reporting on space-related activities from across the globe. NASA unveils a strategy for an evolvable heavy lift rocket, the Space Launch System, to support the nation’s future human space exploration aspirations. The initial price tag is $18 billion. The much anticipated announcement is widely reported. Meanwhile, Senate appropriators draw up a NASA budget for 2012 that adds new funding for the beleaguered James Webb Space Telescope, a project the House intends to cancel. Three astronauts prepare to depart the International Space Station. A newly discovered comet meets a fiery end. NASA funds studies of solar electric propulsion as a potential contributor to future human exploration. A look back at the first man made object to reach the moon. It was Soviet.
1. From the New York Times: NASA unveils plans for a powerful new rocket that will serve as the backbone for human spaceflight for decades to come. “We’re investing in technologies to live and work in space…,” says NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. The Space Launch System symbolizes the agency’s enduring desire to aim far and dream big. But it also reflects a shrinking of near-term ambitions as budget cutters seek to rein in federal spending the Times reports.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/science/space/15nasa.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=NASA&st=cse
A. From USA Today: NASA Administrator Charles Bolden points to an asteroid and an eventual voyage to Mars as destinations for humans made possible with the Space Launch System. The cost of the rocket’s early development, plus work on a crew capsule and upgraded launch facilities are placed at $18 billion over six years. “At least now we have the White House and much of Congress pushing on the same direction on this rocket,” long time space historian Howard McCurdy tells USA Today. “Will that be enough to save the other parts of NASA is the question.”
B. From Spaceflightnow.com: In Washington, NASA unveils its strategy for a new heavy lift rocket, the Space Launch System. When fully developed, the two stage rocket will out perform the Saturn V moon rocket and support missions to a range of deep space missions. NASA’s ultimate goal is Mars. Meanwhile, the project promises to provide jobs and ensure U. S. leadership in space. say NASA and Congressional supporters.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1109/14heavylift/
C. From the Associated Press via the Washington Post: A large new rocket carries a tall price tag. Some budget veterans question whether the mood in Congress is in line with a new start like the Space Launch System. Others say the project approximates what NASA spent on the space shuttle annually, about $3 billion. The shuttle fleet was retired in July.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/apnewsbreak-nasa-plans-rocket-bigger-than-apollos-saturn-v-to-send-humans-far-past-moon/2011/09/14/gIQAlviURK_story.html
D. From the Houston Chronicle: NASA’s Space Launch System is seen as a stabilizing influence on the Johnson Space Center, where thousands of jobs were lost as the shuttle program came to a close. Agency leaders urged employees to work closely with the Marshall Space Flight Center, where the big rocket will be developed. Outside experts question the willingness of Congress to support the program over the long haul.
http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Rocket-design-for-giant-leap-gets-go-ahead-2171299.php
E. From the Huntsville Times of Alabama: The Space Launch System could stabilize NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center workforce in Huntsville, but it is unlikely t bring new jobs, according to officials at the installation.
http://blog.al.com/space-news/2011/09/new_heavy-lift_rocket_will_sta.html
F. From the Orlando Sentinel: Opinions vary on the future of NASA’s Space Launch System. Some worry that a plan lacking specific planetary destinations and timetables will have difficulty achieving the support that may be necessary to sustain the long running effort. Others are concerned the cost of the SLS will not leave money for landers and other hardware that will be needed for human missions.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-nasa-rocket-plan-20110914,0,3595313.story
2. From Spacepolitics.com: The Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice and Science subcommittee on Wednesday approves a $17.9 billion top line for NASA for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. The White House sought $18.7 billion. The House approved $16.8 billion in July. The Senate version offers new life for the James Webb Space Telescope, which according to the subcommittee will receive the funding it needs to launch in 2018. The House sought to kill the over budget observatory. The Senate provides $530 million for the James Webb, or $150 million more than the president’s request.
http://www.spacepolitics.com/2011/09/14/senate-appropriators-propose-17-9-billion-for-nasa/
3. From Florida Today: Aboard the International Space Station, Russian Andrey Borisenko transfers command to American Mike Fossum. Borisenko, Alexander Samokutyaev, also of Russia, and American Ron Garan are scheduled to depart the station on Thursday and descend to Earth aboard a Soyuz capsule, touching down on Friday at 12:01 a.m., EDT. Fossum, Japan’s Satoshi Furukawa and Sergei Volkov of Russia will remain on the outpost to await three newcomers, whose arrival has been delayed by the Aug. 24th failure of an un-piloted Soyuz rocket carrying supplies to the station.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110915/NEWS02/109150301/ISS-lose-three-crew-members
4. From Spaceweather.com via Space.com: Amateur astronomers capture images of a newly discovery comet just before it dives into the sun.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/12953-sun-diving-comet-death-solar-storm-photos.html
5. From the Associated Press via the Houston Chronicle: NASA looks to five companies to develop concepts for solar electric space propulsion for human exploration. The lineup includes Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Analytical Mechanics Associates.
http://www.chron.com/default/article/Lockheed-Ball-chosen-for-solar-propulsion-concept-2170232.php
6. From the New York Times: A look back at the first man made object to reach the moon. It was a Soviet space probe and it crashed on Sept. 14, 1959
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sept-14-1959-soviet-space-probe-is-first-human-made-object-to-reach-moon/?scp=4&sq=NASA&st=cse
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