In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA looks to award a contract for the first component of a human tended Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway next year. The U.S. House passes legislation affecting the regulation of future commercial space activities. China offers a timeline for a Mars sample return and other planetary science missions.
Human Space Exploration
NASA to make orbiting lunar base decision in early 2019
Coalition Members in the News – Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital ATK
Orlando Sentinel (4/24): NASA is working with five companies on a possible contract to launch the first component of a human tended Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway in orbit around the Moon as soon as 2019. The timeline responds to President Trump’s Space Policy Directive-1 from late last year plus many more months of planning by NASA on human exploration objectives beyond the International Space Station (ISS). Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital ATK, Sierra Nevada Corp. and Space Systems/Loral are under consideration to provide the gateway’s power and propulsion element.
Space Science
NASA InSight Lander to get first look at `heart’ of Mars
NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (4/24): NASA’s InSight Lander is poised to liftoff as soon as May 5 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on the first mission intended to reveal subsurface processes on Mars. Is there a core and what is its nature? Are their quakes? What happens when a meteorite strikes? Findings may offer clues as to the absence of a Martian magnetic field and what the environment will be like for future human explorers.
China outlines roadmap for deep space exploration
Xinhuanet, of China (4/25): The China National Space Administration laid out plans Tuesday for future deep space planetary missions, including a 2028 attempt at a Mars sample return. Other destinations include the asteroid belt and Jupiter. The blue print includes lunar operations as well, a robotic research station in about a decade, with visits by human explorers to follow.
Facial recognition deep learning software is surprisingly good at identifying galaxies too
Universe Today (4/24): Astronomers are benefiting from a new machine learning technology. The software is assisting them in the identification of galaxies and assess their evolution.
Other News
House passes legislation creating, reforming commercial space regulation
Spacepolicyonline.com (4/24): The U.S. House Tuesday passed the American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act, legislation updating the regulation of commercial remote sensing satellites and establishing the Department of Commerce as the federal agency responsible for new kinds of private sector space activity. Though passed with bi-partisan support, Democrats may seek additional checks and balances in areas affecting human space exploration, planetary protection and national security. Some are concerned as well whether Commerce will be adequately funded and staffed.
SpaceX set to debut Falcon 9 rocket upgrades with launch next week
Spaceflightnow.com (4/24): SpaceX’s upgraded Block 5 Falcon 9 rocket is set to debut May 4 with the launching of a communications satellite for Bangladesh from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Upgrades are intended to help meet NASA Commercial Crew Program requirements for launching astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
We have liftoff: Santa Maria Discovery Museum launches phase two of Vandenberg Launch Experience
Lompoc Record (4/23): NASA’s next Mars lander, Mars InSight is to launch as soon as May 5 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., a first for the long serving military launch complex. As a forerunner, Vandenberg has joined with the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum to develop the Vandenberg Launch Experience a hands-on, state-of-the-art simulation of the rocket launch process for fans of all ages. The launch experience accompanies a replica of the shuttle Discovery also on display.
