Deep Space Extra

Here is a list of news that were published in our Newsletter the weeks of January 1st and January 6th, 2024:

Human Space Exploration:

• Outgoing NASA administrator urges incoming leaders to stick with Artemis plan
  Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• NASA emphasizes role of the Moon as testbed for future human Mars missions;
• Planning for space rescue
  Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• NASA sees strong support for strategy to maintain continuous human presence in LEO;
• Using an oil industry framework to map space resources;
• India launch SpaDeX space docking demonstration, begins assembly of human-rated launch vehicle;
• A Cold War mystery: Why did Jimmy Carter save the space shuttle?
• NASA is considering designs and simulations to prepare astronauts for lighting conditions around the Lunar South Pole;

Space Science

• Intuitive Machines set for second landing, looking to build a lunar economy;
• Food grows better on the Moon than on Mars, scientists find;
• Roman’s Telescope and instruments are joined;
• Spacecraft buzzes Mercury’s north pole and beams back stunning photos;
• Rocket Lab asks NASA to open up MSR to commercial competition;
• Astronomers are losing the night sky (and radio sky) to satellite mega constellations;
• Satellites watch as LA wildfires burn out of control in California (video);
• NASA won’t decide on Mars Sample Return plan until mid-2026;
• Blue Ghost Lunar Lander scheduled to launch on January 15th;
• The lunar surface remelted, obscuring an easy answer to its true age;
• Will comet G3 ATLAS perform at Perihelion?
• How Pluto captured its largest moon Charon with a 10-hour icy ‘kiss’
• Chance of flares;
• ESA targets 2035 for second mission to Mars;
• We finally know where to look for life on Mars;
• Was 2024 the year we finally started to understand dark energy?
• Parker Solar Probe makes history as scientists urge future investments in heliophysics research;
• Nelson: Decision on Mars Sample Return expected before new administration takes office;

Opinion

• How to conduct safe and robust medical research in the new space ageWell planned and assessed research into how private as well as professional astronauts respond to the physical and psychological challenges of spaceflight is essential, according to Dr. Dorit Donoviel, executive director of the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), a NASA-funded consortium, in an op-ed. “This is painstaking work, but it’s a necessary investment for our future in space, ensuring a robust new economy and a sustainable research platform for new discoveries,” writes Donoviel.

Other News;

• Blue Origin postpones first launch of New Glenn rocket due three-hours for landing;
• Researchers propose U.N. goal to curb space debris;
• Once-in-a-160000-year comet G3 ATLAS could shine as bright as Venus next week. Here’s what to expect;
• NASA launches partnership with 3 Florida universities to enhance space research, technology capabilities;
• NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab closed due to raging LA fires;
• Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane soars past 1 year in orbit
  Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• DeSantis: Move NASA headquarters to Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, Florida;
• How NASA and Sierra Space are preparing for Dream Chaser space plane’s 1st flight to ISS;
• Interstellar and Toyota forge strategic partnership;
• India delays 1st space docking of SpaDeX satellites, ‘further validation’ needed;
• China launches Shijian-25 satellite to test on-orbit refueling and mission extension technologies
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;
• Blue Origin sets the date for first launch of New Glenn rocket on orbital test mission;
• SpaceX to test vehicle upgrades and payload deployment on next Starship flight;
• ‘Incredible piece of machinery’: Former NASA chief looks forward to Blue Origin New Glenn launch;
• As the U.S. and China race to the Moon, these loopholes in space law could cause conflict;
• China to debut new Long March and commercial rockets in 2025;
• Russia just launched the 2,000th Semyorka rocket – it’s both a triumph and tragedy;
• Space debris crash in Kenya village believed to be from leftover rocket hardware;
• How space legislation fared in the118th Congress and a look ahead;
• Blue Origin counts down to inaugural launch of New Glenn rocket;
• Blue Origin hot fires New Glenn rocket for first time and scores FAA license for test launch;
• Starlink launch concludes record-breaking 2024;

Major Space Related Activities for the Week of Jan 6th:

• Though specific launch dates have not been announced, the space community anticipates the inaugural launch of Blue Origin’s heavy lift New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral possibly on Wednesday between 1 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. EST.
• In addition, the seventh test launch of SpaceX’s Super Heavy/Starship from south Texas may take place on Friday.
• NASA leadership has scheduled a media telecon update on a revised Mars Sample Return mission plan for Tuesday at 1 p.m. EST with audio-only streaming over plus.nasa.gov.
• The AIAA’s annual week-long SciTech Forum begins Monday in Orlando. Tuesday’s forum presentations include NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free, who will speak on “NASA’s Strategy to Define the Next Era of Continuous Human Presence in Low Earth Orbit.”
• The U.S. House and Senate are in session this week and will meet in a joint session Monday to certify the results from the November 5 election. Services in Washington, D.C. for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29, are planned this week as well.

Major Space Related Activities for the Week of Jan 1st:

• As his term ends, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has indicated he will approve a new Mars Sample Return (MSR) strategy by the end of this year through consultation with the commercial sector, academia, NASA employees and others to address previous cost and schedule issues.
• The AIAA’s weeklong SciTech conference convenes on Monday and includes a keynote by Laurie Leshin, director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
• NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free speaks Tuesday on “NASA’s Strategy to Define the Next Era of Continuous Human Presence in Low Earth Orbit.”
• The 119th Congress, whose members were elected on November 5, will convene Friday and be in session on Monday..

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