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.
Wednesday’s CSExtra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space-related activities from around the world. NASA announces field center program assignments for Marshall, Johnson and Kennedy. In orbit, Discovery’s astronauts install the final U.S. segment module on the International Space Station and prepare for a second spacewalk. Russia nixes plans for a unique space station family portrait. In Washington, the House adopts a budget Continuing Resolution that would keep the federal government operating through March 14. Can Florida stake a claim to the commercial suborbital space business? Dodging asteroids. Former shuttle astronaut Mike Lounge, who was among shuttle Discovery’s return to flight crew after the Challenger accident, dies.
1. From the Huntsville Times: NASA announces field center program responsibilities on Tuesday. The Marshall Space Flight Center will lead the development of the Space Launch System, an effort to develop a new heavy lift rocket for deep space exploration missions. The Johnson Space Center will lead the Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle development, which will presumably build on Orion development. The Kennedy Space Center will lead the agency’s commercial crew spacecraft development.
http://blog.al.com/space-news/2011/03/nasa_names_marshall_space_flig.html
2. From Space.com: Discovery’s astronauts install the last habitable U.S. compartment on the International Space Station. The module will be used to store research equipment and other supplies.
http://www.exploredeepspace.com/10992-space-station-extra-storage-room.html
A. From Yahoonews.com: Discovery’s astronauts will tackle a second and final mission spacewalk on Wednesday, pursuing a range of maintenance activities outside the International Space Station.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110302/ap_on_sc/us_space_shuttle
B. From Spaceflightnow.com: Russia says no to an opportunity to take an International Space Station family portrait.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/110301fd6/index2.html
3. From Spacepolicyonline.com: The House adopts a budget Continuing Resolution that will extend federal operations from March 4 to March 18. Some provisions that cut spending will not affect federal space programs, including NASA. The Senate will consider the measure next. The legislation trims $4 billion in spending, but not at NASA.
http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1458:house-passes-two-week-cr-action-moves-to-senate&catid=67:news&Itemid=27
A. From USAToday: A summary of NASA’s budgetary challenges. They include a legal requirement to fund the cancelled Constellation program, while attempting to initiate a commercial space transportation industry and develop a heavy lift rocket and multi-purpose crew capsule for exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2011-03-02-NASA02_ST_N.htm
4. From Florida Today: An editorial noting the potential for commercial suborbital space travel to expand the economy and create jobs in Central Florida.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110302/OPINION/110301033/Our-views-An-emerging-market-March-2-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p
5. From Discovery.com: Dodging asteroids. Should we? Can we?
http://news.discovery.com/space/asteroid-detection-and-deflection-110228.html
6. From Collectspace.com: NASA astronaut Mike Lounge, who flew aboard Discovery on the first mission after the Challenger tragedy, has died of complications from liver cancer. Lounge, who made three trips to space, was 64.
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-030111a.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.