In today’s Deep Space Extra…Buzz Aldrin says Colonize Mars! Not the Moon!
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA getting closer to “Boots on Mars” with Colorado companies’ help
The Denver Post (4/15): A key to the human exploration of Mars is reducing our dependence on the Earth, explains Dava Newman, NASA’s deputy administrator, during her participation in the 32nd Space Symposium in Colorado Springs last week. Research aboard the International Space Station is helping, Newman noted. She also praised the efforts of Colorado companies, including Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sierra Nevada and Ball Aerospace in reaching the goal.
Turn up the bass! Orion Service Module to begin acoustic testing at Plum Brook Station
Spaceflight Insider (4/16): Monday will mark the start of a rigorous round of acoustic testing for the Orion capsule’s European Space Agency provided service module at NASA’s Glenn Research Center Plumbrook Station. The service module will provide the crewed Orion spacecraft with power, air, propulsion and cooling. The acoustic testing is expected to take six weeks.
Buzz Aldrin: Colonize Mars! Not the Moon!
Inverse (4/15): Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin, one of the world’s most vocal supporters of a human settlement on Mars, emerges as the witty story teller in his new memoir, No Dream is Too High. “Permanence is key, right from the get-go. Some of my colleagues don’t feel that establishing a settlement on Mars is wise; others consider it a suicide mission” writes Aldrin. “I disagree. Over a period of six or seven years, we can construct a habitat and laboratory on Mars.”
Space Science
Planets, asteroids are in Lockheed Martin’s 2016 travel plans
Denver Business Journal (4/17): Lockheed Martin’s prime contractor status with NASA finds the company involved in a range of missions this year, including development of the Orion capsule for human deep space exploration. The planetary science probe Juno is to reach Jupiter on July 4. OSIRIS REx is to launch on the first U.S. asteroid sample return mission on Sept. 8.
Get Ready: Mars Reverses Its Course In the Sky Saturday
Space.com (4/15): Mars is nearing its closest approach to Earth since late 2005 in just six weeks. At the moment, the red planet is visible to the southeast just before midnight as a bright yellow-orange point of light. It will grow brighter as the distance from Earth grows closer and move westerly in the night sky.
Kepler calling: With a glitch overcome, the space probe hunts on
Pittsburgh Gazette (4/16): NASA’s Kepler alien planet hunting space telescope team overcame a significant but still to be identified operational issue last week. The team’s members are working to resume a new search for planets that orbit far from their host stars or that wander through the cosmos without a host star.
Low Earth Orbit
Expandable crew module attached to space station
CBS News (4/15): The Bigelow Expandable Activities Module delivered to the International Space Station last week on the most recent U.S. commercial re-supply mission was removed from the freighter early Saturday morning using Canadian robot arm operations and attached to the orbiting lab’s Tranquility module. The prototype module for human habitation in Earth orbit and deep space is scheduled to be expanded in late May from its current 7 feet in length and 8 feet in diameter to 13 feet in length and 10 feet in diameter. A two year observation period is to follow.
Jennifer Lawrence joins astronaut-studded ‘A Beautiful Planet’ IMAX premiere
Collectspace (4/18): U.S., Russian and European astronauts gathered in New York City Saturday night for the opening of A Beautiful Planet, the latest 3D documentary about life in space. The film displays Earth’s beauty as seen from the International Space Station and urges its audiences to become good stewards. Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, who completed a 340 day stay at the station in early March, were among those at the premier.
Commercial to Orbit
NOAA Moves Forward on Commercial Weather Data Pilot – UPDATE
Spacepolicyonline (4/16): NOAA will move ahead with a pilot project to incorporate private sector services into its traditional weather and space weather modeling and forecasting. A division of the U.S. Commerce Department, NOAA acknowledges that the transition favored by Congress will be challenging.
Deal to bring satellite builder OneWeb to Space Coast
Florida Today (4/17): Space Florida and OneWeb will announce plans this week for a satellite assembly facility at Exploration Park near Cape Canaveral launch complexes, the newspaper reports. The satellite work will add a new dimension to Blue Origin’s recently announced rocket manufacturing plans at the industrial park.
The Week Ahead
What’s Happening in Space Policy April 18-22, 2016
Spacepolicyonline.com (4/17): In Washington, the U.S. Senate and House have space appropriations and authorization activities scheduled this week. NASA’s Destination Station arrives in the nation’s capital on Tuesday to kickoff a three day event. Friday is Earth Day.