In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Might the Outer Space Treaty slow commercial activities on other planetary bodies? A photographic look behind the scenes of NASA’s Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) that merges the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion for the first time. A Martian settlement proposal would house early settlers in domes linked by tunnels.
Human Space Flight
NASA, Department of Energy testing ‘Kilopower’ space nuclear reactor
SpaceFlightInsider.com (11/26): The Kilopower project is a joint effort by NASA and the Department of Energy to develop a nuclear power source for the Martian surface. The fission powered Sterling generator initiative is led by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, the Marshall and Glenn field centers.
If no one owns the moon, can anyone make money up there?
New York Times (11/26): Might the Cold War era Outer Space Treaty, which bans ownership, interfere with plans by the commercial space industry to make a return on lunar investments? The FAA has approved a private sector mission by Moon Express, one that could lead to robotic exploration and development at the lunar south pole. But it’s unclear whether more will follow.
Behind the scenes as NASA tests the most powerful rocket ever
Wired (11/22): Wired offers a photographic journey through the buildup of the first joint Space Launch System (SLS)/Orion mission, a 25 day journey around the moon for the crew capsule, though this time without astronauts on board. The Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) test flight planned for late 2019 will be followed in the early 2020s by a similar flight with astronauts. Much of the imagery comes from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, the Marshall Space Flight Center, Stennis Space Center, Langley Research Center and Johnson Space Center.
Canada’s early Deep Space Gateway (DSG) plans
SpaceQ (11/1): Canada’s contribution to a NASA led Deep Space Gateway, a lunar orbiting habit and potential departure point for astronauts headed for the lunar surface and Mars, might be an upgraded robot arm like the one it developed for the International Space Station and space shuttle.
Government eyes manned lunar surface mission
The Japan Times (11/26): Japan seeks a role in the lunar orbiting, NASA led Deep Space Gateway (DSG), a proposition that would pave the way for a lunar surface mission by a Japanese astronaut, according sources close to the Japanese government. Building on its ISS partnership, Japan hopes to build upon its standing in space commerce and science.
Roscosmos & S7 airlines to create orbital spaceport
Russia Today (10/26): The proposed government/airline partnership would establish an orbital port for assembling, refueling rockets bound for the moon and Mars as well as other orbital destinations, according to a Russian aerospace industry source.
MIT team wins Mars City design contest for ‘Redwood Forest’ idea
Space.com (11/25): A concept for a Mars settlement from MIT tops a joint NASA/European Space Agency competition for a Martian settlement. Redwood Forest, the concept, consists of individual surface habitats connected by a network of tunnels and makes use of Martian derived resources to sustain human explorers. Each of the dome habitats in Redwood Forest would house about 50 settlers, and the entire settlement would consist of about 200 of the domes.
Space Science
How the mission to Mars is starting in Littleton
KUSA-TV of Denver (11/21): NASA’s next Mars mission, the InSight lander, is coming together at Lockheed Martin in Littleton, Colorado. Earlier this month, the spacecraft completed a pre-launch thermal vacuum test. Due to launch in May 2018 after a two year delay to replace a French seismometer with a vacuum leak, InSight should reach the red planet in late November 2018. Once on the ground, the spacecraft will study the planet’s interior, providing information that may help to explain how often Mars is struck by meteors and how rocky planets everywhere form.
An interstellar visitor both familiar and alien
New York Times (11/22): An asteroid from another solar system, Oumuamua (Oh-moo-a-moo-a), Hawaiian for “scout” or “messenger,” is moving on quickly. But the discovery in October of an alien asteroid 800 yards long has astronomers pondering whether there may be more. Some are advocating a planetary science mission to approach the intruder to learn more.
Other News
Universe Today (11/21): The launching of the 13th NASA contracted SpaceX/Dragon resupply mission to the International Space Station is set for December 4. The launching will mark the resumption of launch operations from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The pad was heavily damaged on September 1, 2016, when a SpaceX Falcon 9 assigned to a commercial satellite launch exploded during a fueling test.
Can Japan clean up outer space?
The Diplomat (11/21): Despite legal challenges, Japan is experimenting with strategies to help mitigate Earth’s growing orbital debris hazards. The efforts include space tethers and laser technologies.
Astroscale to partner with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. on orbital debris removal mission
Space News (11/21): In London, Astroscale, a company developing technologies for removing orbital debris, announced a contract award to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL), for the initial development of a demonstration mission planned for 2019. The demo will feature a chaser and a target spacecraft that will converge, then conclude with a deorbit.
The short life and death of a space tourism company
Air and Space Smithsonian Magazine (12/1): XCOR’s vision of frequent suborbital passenger travel ends in bankruptcy, but the dream of space travel for those who are not professional astronauts lives on.
China launches classified payload with Long March 2C rocket from Xichang
GB Times of Finland (11/25): A Chinese Long March 2 boosted a secretive payload into orbit on Friday, possibly three Yaogan reconnaissance satellites.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of November 26 to December 1, 2017
Spacepolicyonline.com (11/26): Congress returns from recess, with the current budget Continuing Resolution (CR) set to expire December 8 and plans to recess again on December 14. The National Academies of Science hosts NASA science and human exploration committee sessions in Washington D.C. and the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A NASA Global Exploration Roadmap session is planned for Wednesday and Thursday from NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee plans a hearing on the nomination of Barry Myers as NOAA’s Administrator.