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.
Today’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. NASA’s first Space Launch System test flight is doable by November 2018, says soon to retire Boeing program manager. NASA’s Kepler exo-planet hunter will receive a National Air and Space Museum trophy. NASA’s Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover finishes red planet marathon, receives new software to correct memory issues. India grants six month extension to first Mars orbital mission. Now in orbit around the largest known asteroid, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft is ready for science. Russian rocket moved to launch pad for Friday launching of NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko on one year mission to the International Space Station. United Launch Alliance CEO Tony Bruno tells NBC new reusable rocket will cut costs. Russian space costs soar. Russia considers six month tourist mission to the International Space Station.
Human Deep Space Exploration
An interview with Boeing’s outgoing SLS program manager
Space News (3/24): Boeing’s Space Launch System program manager Ginger Barnes discusses the challenges of developing NASA’s heavy lift rocket, designed to start humans on future missions of deep space exploration. Boeing, working with other contractors, is confident the large rocket will lift off on its first test flight no later than November 2018. Barnes plans to retire in May.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
NASA’s Kepler planet-hunting mission wins Smithsonian Trophy
Space.com (3/24): NASA’s Kepler mission team will receive the National Air and Space Museum’s 2015 Current Achievement Trophy in Washington ceremonies on Wednesday. Kepler’s credits include the discovery of the first Earth-like planet around a distant star.
NASA’s Opportunity Mars rover finishes world’s first off-Earth marathon
Pasadena Star News, of California (3/24): After more than 11 years on the Martian surface, NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity logs as much distance as a human marathon runner, 26.2 miles. Initially, Opportunity was expected to function for 90 days. The rover’s research has helped to confirm past environmental conditions on the red planet suitable for microbial life.
Rover Opportunity reformatted to continue conquering Mars
Discovery.com (3/24): Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have made major changes to the software aboard the Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover. The software transplant appears to have removed recent memory issues. Opportunity landed in January 2004.
Mars mission completes 6 months, life extended
Outlook India (3/24): India announces a six month extension of its first Mars mission, an orbiter that reached the red planet last September. Low fuel use by the spacecraft will enable additional studies of the Martian surface and atmosphere.
What’s next for the Dawn mission?
Popular Science (3/23): NASA’s Dawn spacecraft established an orbital link with the large asteroid Ceres earlier this month. What’s next? Dawn engineer Keri Beam explains the science agenda.
Low Earth Orbit
Astronaut Scott Kelly ready to test his health on a 1-year space mission
Huntsville Times (3/24): U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko are poised to begin the first year long mission aboard the International Space Station with a late Friday lift off. Studies of the two men’s physical and psychological health are expected to support the future human exploration of Mars. Scott’s Earth bound identical twin, the former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, will give the venture an added dimension by participating in research that indicates whether long duration spaceflight induces genetic change.
Manned Soyuz spacecraft scheduled to blast off to ISS on March 27
TASS, of Russia (3/25): Russia’s TMA-16M spacecraft reaches its launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan atop a Soyuz rocket on Wednesday. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on Friday at 3:42 p.m., EDT, with NASA’s Scott Kelly, Russia’s Mikhail Kornienko and Gennady Padalka. Kelly and Kornienko have trained to spend a year aboard the orbiting science laboratory.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
NBC News (3/24): NBC receives an inside look at United Launch Alliance production facilities and reports the Boeing/Lockheed Martin joint venture plans to pursue a new lower cost reusable rocket. “I’m here to transform the company,” says new CEO and president Tony Bruno.
Cost of Russian space projects grows by 27%
Sputnik News, of Russia (3/24): Major Russian space projects are facing a 27 percent cost increase because of the country’s current economic circumstances, reports a Russian space agency official. Falling oil prices and Western sanctions imposed because of Russian actions in the Ukraine are contributors, according to the report.
Russian space agency offers half-year space tourist flights to ISS
TASS, or Russia (3/24): Russia’s says it will offer potential tourists a six month flight opportunity aboard the International Space Station.
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.