In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs begin Artemis I pre-launch testing and checkout push. Nanoracks names new CEO.
Human Space Exploration
EGS, Jacobs begin Artemis 1 pre-launch testing and checkout push
Coalition Members in the News – Boeing, Jacobs, Lockheed Martin
NASAspaceflight.com (11/11): NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program and prime launch processing contractor Jacobs started the final stretch of integrated testing and checkout (ITCO) in early November and are aiming to complete the remaining work in the VAB to enable the first trip to the pad around the end of the year. The upcoming stretch of tests conducted between the launch control center and the VAB at Launch Complex 39 will verify all the connections between the vehicle and ground systems, followed by final functional checks of spacecraft and rocket machinery. After final closeouts, the integrated Artemis I vehicle will be rolled to Pad 39B for the first time for its last big pre-launch test, the Wet Dress Rehearsal.
Crew-3 arrives at ISS
SpaceNews.com (11/11): The Crew-3 Endurance Dragon successfully docked to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday at 6:32 p.m. EST, delivering NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn and Kayla Barron and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer for a six-month expedition. The quartet was greeted by cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, the ISS’s Expedition 66 commander, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei and cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov. The newcomers launched late Wednesday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC).
Space Science
A ‘quasi-moon’ asteroid companion of Earth that may actually be a moon relic
Space.com (11/11): Kamo’oalewa, discovered in 2016, may be a piece of the Moon chipped away by an ancient asteroid impact. The object is categorized as a quasi-satellite, or a space rock that circles the sun in an orbit so similar to that of the Earth that it constantly stays close to the planet. Estimated at 130 feet in width, Kamo’oalewa may have resided close to the Earth for a century. Findings by University of Arizona scientists that the object’s composition matches that of lunar samples returned to Earth by the Apollo astronauts were published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
The Moon has enough oxygen to sustain billions of people buried beneath its surface
Futurism (11/11): A Southern Cross University researcher has presented evidence that the top layers of regolith on the surface of the Moon have enough oxygen available to support 8 billion people for about 100,000 years. A challenge now is to demonstrate technologies for extracting the oxygen, a resource for future human lunar exploration. NASA is working with Australia on a rover mission to gather lunar rocks and demonstrate oxygen extraction. Researcher John Grant first published his findings in The Conversation.
Other News
Nanoracks hires new CEO
Coalition Members in the News – Lockheed Martin, Nanoracks
SpaceNews.com (11/12): Nanoracks announced that Jeffrey Manber, its CEO since 2009, was moving to Voyager Space Holdings, which owns a majority stake in Nanoracks. At Voyager, Manber will be President of International and Space Stations. Succeeding Manber as chief executive is Amela Wilson. She previously held executive positions in aerospace and defense companies, most recently as senior vice president and general manager of Mercury Systems.
South Korea to develop reusable rocket with 100-ton thrust engines
SpaceNews.com (11/11) Starting next year, South Korea is to pursue development of a reusable rocket with multiple liquid-fueled 100-ton thrust engines. Potential missions include a lunar lander and deployment of a global positioning system.
Space Force leader suggests education secretary should be on the National Space Council
SpaceNews.com (11/11): Early education about the value created by space should be a national priority, said Chief Master Sgt. Roger Towberman during a live webcast interview. That is why it might be a good idea to have the secretary of education on the National Space Council, the top enlisted leader of the U.S. Space Force stated.