In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Prime contractors for NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule are working with NASA to advance development of their human deep space exploration systems within the Trump administration.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Op-ed | 2017 promises twists, turns and a flurry of launch activity
Space News (2/3): Op-ed predictions for 2017 include a U.S. space policy discussion that ends up favoring a lunar base as a near-term destination for astronauts over a longer term goal of reaching Mars; debate but continued support for development of the Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule; fading support for Earth sciences and planetary defenses; more commercial launch activity, with an upsurge by China, following 2016 setbacks for Russia’s Proton and SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The perspective comes from Chris Quilty, president of Quilty Analytics, research and consulting firm.
Former Clevelander researching feasibility of living on Mars
Connecticut Post (2/4): In Hawaii, six volunteers are spending eight months in a geodesic dome as part of a NASA-funded Mars mission research project called the Hawaii Space Exploration Analogue and Simulation. Communications with “Earth” are limited to texts and subject to time delays corresponding to the distance between the Earth and Mars. Space suits must be worn by crew members when leaving the dome to explore.
Italy to invest 40 million euros in joint project with Russia to simulate space flights
TASS of Russia (2/6): An Italian academic and business consortium plans to invest in Russian-led deep space mission simulations. The sessions are planned to run between 2017 and 2021. An arm of Russia’s Academy of Sciences is acting as the organizer. Russia was host to the previous MARS 500, a 520-day Mars mission simulation in which participants were isolated.
The evolution of U.S. space suits from Mercury to today
Spaceflight Insider (2/3): U.S. space suits have advanced from Mercury to the current Orion and Commercial Crew eras along two lines: launch/entry and spacewalk.
Space Science
Scientists say spaceflight alters your microbiome
Inverse (2/4): Early studies involving U.S. space mission record-setter Scott Kelly reveal changes in the bacteria that populate the human digestive track, a finding that will be factored into future long-duration space exploration missions. Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko ended a 340 day mission to the International Space Station in early March 2016. The two men served as subjects in 10 physical and mental health experiments. Kelly’s twin brother, Mark, remained on Earth but served as a subject with Scott in a series of genetic experiments.
Newly discovered bus-size asteroid zips harmlessly by Earth (video)
Space.com (2/4): Measuring between 36 and 82 feet long, the asteroid designated 2017 BS32 slipped half the distance between the Earth and moon on Feb. 2. It was the fourth incident of its kind in the past four weeks. In 2016, there were almost none. Discovering asteroids before close encounters with the Earth remains a challenge.
See a flirtatious lunar eclipse this Friday night
Universe Today (2/5): The moon will be full on Friday, when it lines up behind the Earth and Sun in such a way that some of the Earth’s shadow will fall across the lunar surface, causing a penumbra eclipse. The shadowing will occur during the early evening for North American viewers.
Low Earth Orbit
Fox highlights NASA’s role in Houston with interviews from space
USA Today (2/5): Fox Sports’ Super Bowl pre-game coverage featured a live interview with U.S. astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Host city Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center as well as Space Station astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson.
NASA provides ‘insider’s’ look of JSC ahead of Super Bowl LI
Spaceflight Insider (2/5): Houston-hosted Super Bowl 51 allowed NASA’s Johnson Space Center to offer a behind the scenes look at Mission Control and astronaut training facilities. After supporting 16 years of continuous human occupation of the International Space Station, NASA is prepping for its first human forays into deep space since the Apollo moon missions.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Exclusive: Boeing’s space taxis to use more than 600 3-D printed parts
New York Times (2/7): Boeing plans to feature 3-D printing technologies in the production of the company’s CST-100 Starliner, which is in development under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program for the transportation of astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Oxford Performance Materials will be the supplier.
Google is selling its satellite business to Planet Lab
Fortune (2/3): Google’s Terra Bella will become part of Planet Lab, the two companies announced Friday.