Deep Space Extra

Here is a list of news that were published in our Newsletter the week of November 11, 2024:

Human Space Exploration:

• Intuitive Machines calls for “infrastructure-first” focus for Artemis;
• Artemis II’s Orion capsule goes into altitude chamber to prep for 2025 Moon mission (photo)
  Coalition Member in the News – Lockheed Martin;
• Denmark becomes 48th nation to sign Artemis Accords for space exploration;
• U.S., Russia disagree on causes, risks of leaks on ISS;
• China reveals reusable cargo shuttle design for Tiangong space station (video);
• ‘I weigh the same’: NASA astronaut Suni Williams refutes tabloid health claims (video)
  Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• ISRO to establish a lunar space station by 2040, dedicated to Moon missions;
• Back from space, NASA crew discusses mission, but declines to address post-flight medical issue;
• SpaceX Dragon fires thrusters to boost ISS orbit for the 1st time
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;
• NASA extends ISS cargo contracts through 2030
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;

Space Science

• A new mission to Pluto could answer the questions raised by New Horizons;
• Microsoft collaborates with NASA on Earth Copilot, an AI guide to our planet’s data;
• Could a supernova ever destroy Earth?
• Lessons from ancient Earth’s atmosphere: From hostile to hospitable;
• JPL announces new round of layoffs;
• James Webb Space Telescope finds galaxies pointing toward a dark matter alternative;
• Millennium Space delivers two spacecraft for upcoming NASA mission
  Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• The U.S. Congress will hold another UFO hearing this week. Here’s how to watch;
• China’s space agency brought the 1st lunar far side samples to Earth this year –  here’s what’s next;
• NASA’s Roman space telescope gets ready to stare at distant suns to find alien planets;

Opinion

• Space trash is falling from the sky. And that’s not the worst of it.
  In an op-ed, the Washington Post newspaper notes that with increasing numbers of satellite launches, the global community must come together to do a better job of recognizing and regulating orbital debris. “The first imperative is assessing the problem,” according to the editorial. “Every satellite launch should include a plan for the instrument’s eventual disposal.”

Other News;

• China launches first Haiyang-4 oceanography satellite;
• Chinese official endorses cooperation with the U.S. on space exploration;
• Northrop Grumman eyes 2026 launch of robot-armed satellite servicer
  Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman;
• Here’s what Trump’s win means for NASA
  Coalition Member in the News – Boeing;
• UFO whistleblowers tell Congress ‘we are not alone in the cosmos’ (video);
• NASA faces disruptive presidential transition;
• NASA astronaut Jonny Kim is a rarity among rarities;
• Space and defense sectors brace for potential Trump policy shifts;
• Sierra Space clears design review in military satellite program
  Coalition Members in the News – L3Harris, Lockheed Martin;
• Spaceplane developer Reaction Engines goes bankrupt;
• Webinar – Redesigning Space: The Power of Collaboration;
• Expending the expendables: More launch companies are betting their future on reusability;
• Next Ariane 6 launch slips to early 2025;
• European Space Agency and Arianespace at a crossroads;
• $200-million Texas space center will support Moon, Mars exploration;

Major Space Related Activities for the Week

• In recess prior to the November 5 election, the U.S. House and Senate return to Washington this week approving a budget for the 2025 fiscal year that began October 1 on the agenda. The current budget resolution expires December 20, and the next session of Congress is not sworn in until January.
• The Beyond Earth Institute convenes its annual conference on Tuesday and Wednesday with forthcoming space policy as a focus.
• NASA’s International Space Station Advisory Committee meets Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. EST for the first time in several years with virtual public access available.
• Also gathering this week are NASA’s Planetary Science Advisory Committee on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 7th Global Satellite Servicing Forum on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium from Wednesday through Friday. Each of the three has previously offered virtual participation options.

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