In Today’s Deep Space Extra…NASA’s Kepler space telescope is back in action!
Human Deep Space Exploration
China Official Says Film ‘The Martian’ Shows Americans Want Space Cooperation
Reuters via New York Times (4/22): China plans to become more transparent with its space ambitions, according to Xu Dazhe, the chief of the China National Space Administration. The Martian, a popular film about a U.S. astronaut stranded on Mars and China’s role in the rescue, suggests Washington and Beijing will cooperate at some future point, Dazhe said.
Space Science
Kepler resumes science operations
Space News (4/22): NASA’s Kepler space telescope resumed its planet search activities on Friday, according to a status update from Charlie Sobeck, the mission manager. A new search campaign was placed on hold earlier this month when Kepler, launched in 2009, entered an “emergency mode.” Though ground communications have resumed, the cause of the interruption is still under investigation.
NOAA Gets Space Weather Boost from Senate Appropriators
Spacepolicyonline.com (4/23): U.S. Senate appropriators back efforts at NOAA to replace aging spacecraft dedicated to space weather forecasting. The action supports what appears to be a growing awareness among U.S. lawmakers over the importance of keeping an eye on solar phenomena, including activities that can disrupt orbiting satellites as well at terrestrial power grids.
China Headlines: China hopes to reach Mars in 2021
Xinhuanet (4/22): China plans an ambitious planetary science mission to Mars that would launch in 2020. The mission encompasses orbital and surface operations, including the deployment of a rover. A 2021 arrival would coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party.
How to Harvest Terawatts of Solar Power on the Moon
Discovery Magazine (4/22): Japan warms to the possibility of harvesting solar power from the moon, following the 2011 Fukishima nuclear accident and the political fallout.
Low Earth Orbit
British astronaut Tim Peake sets off-world record running marathon in space
Collectspace.com (4/24): Early Sunday, British astronaut Tim Peake ran a treadmill version of the London Marathon aboard the International Space Station. Peake, who covered the 26.2 miles in just over 3 hours, 35 minutes, extended good luck wishes to those in London as they set out on the Earthly version of the race. Peake’s time bettered that of NASA astronaut Suni Williams, who ran the Boston Marathon from the space station in April 2007.
Reusable space launcher model to be tested soon
The Hindu (4/24): India is preparing to test launch the prototypes for a winged reusable launch vehicle and a launch pad abort system. The RLV test is planned for May or June, said A.S. Kiran Kumar, chairman of Indian Space Research Organization
China aiming for reusable manned spacecraft: chief engineer
Xinhuanet (4/24): “It’s our next goal to reuse manned spacecraft. We want to make our space exploration cost-effective,” said Zhou Jianping, chief engineer of Japan’s human space program, as China marked Space Day, newly designated by the government to commemorate China’s first satellite launch on April 24, 1970.
North Korea Says Submarine Ballistic Missile Test `Great Success’
Reuters vis Huffington Post (4/24): North Korea claims success in the test launch of a submarine based ballistic missile, the latest in a series of nuclear weaponry demonstrations since January. The underwater launch took place off North Korea’s east coast.
Commercial to Orbit
First Rocket Made Ready for Launch at Russia’s Vostochny Spaceport
Sputnik News (4/23): A Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle has been positioned for liftoff this week, the first space launch from Russia’s new Vostochny Cosmodrome. Construction began in 2012 to reduce Moscow’s reliance on Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The Week Ahead
What’s Happening in Space Policy April 25-29, 2016
Spacepolicyonline.com (4/24): Activities scheduled this week include the first space vehicle launch from Russia’s new Vostochny Cosmodrome. Legislative and National Academy of Sciences sponsored space policy activities are planned in Washington.