In Today’s Deep Space Extra… The public’s fascination with the human exploration of Mars and why we should go continues to grow.
Human Deep Space Exploration
A year on Mars
The Space Review (5/31): Reaching Mars with human explorers has become a topic of growing interest, especially in Washington. The recently wrapped up Human to Mars Summit in the nation’s capital hosted by Explore Mars, Inc., is among the latest in the lineup, according to essayist Dwayne Day. Day credits The Martian, a film drama about an astronaut stranded on the red planet, with fueling the interest. The fascination with Mars and the discussion over why the nation should go is likely to continue, he writes.
Space Science
Following New Horizons’ long mission, Pluto gets a forever stamp
The New York Times (6/1): NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto is featured in a new series of U.S. Postal Service stamps. Two stamps commemorating the mission launched in 2006 became available on Tuesday. New Horizons carried out the first flyby of Pluto in July 2015.
Young exoplanet found nestled close to its star
Science News (5/31): Scientists identify perhaps the youngest exo-planet yet. CI Tau b, is a hefty 11 times as large as Jupiter, and two million years old. CI Taub b circles close to its star just 450 light years from the Earth.
Petitioning the U.S. to take the lead in space solar power
The Space Review (6/1): The demand for energy continues to grow, as does the capability to respond with a solar energy source that addresses global environmental and security concerns. It’s time for the American public to elevate the case for solar power onto the political radar, writes essayist Mike Snead, president of the Spacefaring Institute.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
So far, so good for NASA’s new inflatable room in space
Ars Technica (6/1): On Saturday, NASA’s Mission Control Center and the astronauts aboard the International Space Station worked overtime to ensure the Bigelow Expandable Activities Module (BEAM) deployed successfully from its berthing port on the International Space Station. Astronauts are a week away from entering the new module for the first time. BEAM is a prototype for a habitat that could house astronauts on deep space missions.
Re-engined Antares rocket completes ground test firing
Spaceflightnow.com (5/31): Orbital ATK test fired the first stage of its upgraded Antares rocket Tuesday at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Virginia’s eastern shore. The Dulles, Va., based company is preparing to resume NASA contracted resupply missions to the International Space Station from the launch complex, following an October 2014 launch mishap that prompted new rocket engines for Antares and a rebuilding of the launch pad.
Russian space industry nine times behind U.S. says Rogozin
The Moscow Times (5/27): Russia has drifted well behind the United States in the exploration of space, according to Dimtry Rogozin, Russia’s deputy prime minister. Rogozin said later his remarks of last week were taken out of context.
Suborbital
XCOR lays off employees to focus on engine development
Space News (5/31): XCOR places work on its Lynx suborbital space plane on hold and turns its attention to the development of a new rocket engine under a contract with United Launch Alliance.