Deep Space Extra

Here is a list of news that were published in our Newsletter the week of March 25, 2024:

Human Space Exploration:

• NASA reveals its planetary science goals for Artemis III
• Boeing, NASA target May 1 for first crewed flight of Starliner to the Space Station;
  Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• Russia’s Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft docks to ISS;
• NASA and Boeing prepare for Starliner crewed test flight in May;
• Russia launches crew of three, including U.S. astronaut, to Space Station;

Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;

• Boeing begins fueling Starliner capsule ahead of 1st astronaut launch;
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;
• SpaceX’s Dragon capsule docks at ISS on 30th cargo mission for NASA
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;

Space Science

• Overlooked Apollo data from the 1970s reveals huge record of ‘hidden’ Moonquakes;
• Japan’s SLIM probe resumes after lunar night;
• NASA optimistic about resolving Voyager 1 computer problem;
• NASA invites *you* to collect science data during the April 8 eclipse;
• Why NASA will fire three rockets at the solar eclipse;
• Chinese scientists call for focus on asteroid missions;
• Mars’ Gale Crater was filled with water for much longer than anyone thought;
• Euclid ‘dark universe’ telescope’s vision restored by deicing campaign;
• Lessons from the first CLPS lunar landing missions;
• NASA’s attempt to bring home part of Mars is unprecedented. The mission’s problems are not;
• Researchers find a way to detect signs of extraterrestrial life in a single grain of ice;
• Moon mining rover unveiled, set to help extract oxygen and metals from lunar soil for NASA’s space missions
• Massive explosions may be visible on the Sun during the April 8 total solar eclipse

Other News

• On-orbit servicing mission planned for military satellite in 2025
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;
• The Delta IV Heavy, a rocket whose time has come and gone, will fly once more;
• Governor Abbott launches Texas Space Commission;
• George Abbey dies at 91;
• Space Force, Space Command seek over $2 billion for unfunded programs to counter anti-satellite threats
  Coalition Member in the News – L3Harris;
• China’s Queqiao-2 relay satellite enters lunar orbit;
• Severe geomagnetic storm — the strongest in years;
• Biden signs final FY2024 appropriations package;

 

Major Space Related Activities for the Week

• NASA’s Crew-7 astronauts, who returned to Earth on March 12 will host a news briefing of their mission on Monday at 2:30 p.m. EDT. In addition, NASA will air and stream the docking of Russia’s Soyuz MS-25 mission at 11:09 a.m. EDT with the hatch opening at 1:40 p.m. EDT, over NASA TV and www.nasa.gov/nasalive
• Thursday will mark the final launch of United Launch Alliance (ULA)’s Delta IV Heavy rocket at 1:40 p.m. EDT. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload is classified.
• The NASA Advisory Council’s Space Committee gathers Monday with the agency’s cost challenged science mission agenda a prime topic, including the absence of funding in the 2025 budget proposal for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission.
• The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is hosting a Civil Space Budget webinar on Wednesday, with expert analysis on the challenges that await NOAA and the FAA as well as NASA.
• On Capitol Hill, Congress is in recess after passing a second “minibus” appropriations bill at the end of last week appropriating funding for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year for agencies not previously funded to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter:
Don’t miss the latest developments in space policy, science, and exploration with Deep Space Extra, delivered directly to your inbox from Monday to Friday.