In Today’s Deep Space Extra…Washington’s National Air and Space Museum to mark 40th anniversary with displays and all night programming that features advances in U.S. space exploration and aviation.
Human Deep Space Exploration
National Air and Space Museum goes digital, showcases past and future
Spacepolicyonline.com (6/30): The National Air and Space Museum, of Washington, plans an all-night celebration as the museum celebrates its 40th anniversary with many upgrades to displays and exhibits, marking advances in human space exploration and aviation. The programming will be webcast all night long and major events will be broadcast Friday night on C-SPAN.
Space Science
Juno probe on course for Jupiter encounter
CBS News (6/30): NASA’s Jupiter-bound Juno spacecraft received its final pre-July 4th encounter commands on Thursday. The spacecraft, launched in August 2011 as the cornerstone of a $1.1 billion mission, is bracing for a 35-minute braking maneuver that will place it in a strategic orbit to dive below Jupiter’s cloud tops. The Independence Day maneuver is scheduled for 11:18 p.m. EDT.
Apple links with NASA to make music from space
USA Today (6/30): The space agency joined with Apple to turn the sounds of space relayed by Juno from distant Jupiter into music that will be available to Apple iTune and Apple Music subscribers. “The goal is to make science and technology more accessible and relatable to everyone,” said Apple Vice President Robert Kondrk. The partnership does not involve an exchange of funds.
NASA must decide soon on Dawn mission’s next act
Spaceflightnow.com (6/30): NASA’s Dawn mission probe ended its long primary mission on Thursday as the first spacecraft to pay orbital visits to two planetary objects — the large asteroids Vesta and, since March 2015, Ceres. Now the space agency must decide quickly, by July 12, whether Dawn will travel to yet a third asteroid belt destination. Dawn launched in September 2007.
Biggest mysteries of the dwarf planet Ceres
Space.com (6/30): NASA’s Dawn mission spacecraft may have just scratched the surface when it comes to the mysteries surrounding the dwarf planet Ceres after orbiting for more than a year. Did Ceres form in the main asteroid belt or elsewhere in the solar system? Does it have an extensive ice interior? Then, there are the bright features like those in the intriguing impact crater Occator.
Unique sand ripples found on Mars
Science (6/30): The Martian sand ripples observed by NASA’s Curiosity rover in late 2015 and early 2016 are characteristic of those seen underwater in streambeds on Earth. Their size is controlled by the thickness of the Martian atmosphere, according to the report.
Rosetta spacecraft to give ‘final kiss’ to comet on crash-landing
Reuters (6/30): The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission to the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko will come to a close after 12 years on Sept. 30. Rossetta will be commanded to crash land on the comet it rendezvoused with in August 2014.
Low Earth Orbit
Tucson firm wins NASA contract for space water-purification system
Arizona Daily Star (6/30): The Paragon Space Development Co., has contracted with NASA to improve the water recycling capabilities of the International Space Station. The technology is considered a critical part of efforts to reach Mars and other deep space destinations with human explorers.
Russia, Mexico continue talks on space cooperation
Sputnik News (6/30): Russia’s ambassador to Mexico, Eduard Malayan, disclosed the discussions exploring greater cooperation in an interview.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
ULA downsizing triggers hundreds of layoffs, buyouts
Denver Business Journal (6/30): United Launch Alliance announced a 350-person workforce reduction on Thursday, through buyouts and involuntary layoffs as the Centennial, Colo. rocket maker restructures. Works sites in Texas, California, Florida and Alabama as well as Colorado were affected.
China announces success in technology to refuel satellites in orbit
Xinhuanet (6/30): The inaugural launch of China’s Long March 7 rocket last week included a satellite refueling demonstration. The milestone was announced Thursday by China’s National University of Defense Technology.
Stratospheric ‘space-balloons’ set to revolutionize global satellite industry
Forbes (6/30): Tucson, Ariz.-based World View believes a new family of very high altitude balloons called “stratollites” could take on many duties assigned to orbiting satellites at a lower cost. CEO Jane Poynter emphasizes that the technology is so new the range of potential applications and problem-solving potential for stratollites are “literally mind-boggling,” according to the report. Those include front-line first responder support in the event of natural disasters and simply keeping an eye on the number of cars in a remote parking lot.