In Today’s Deep Space Extra… It’s Earth Day! NASA researchers look ahead. NASA is bringing oversight of the commercialization of low Earth orbit under a single management chain. Astronauts may return to using suborbital flights as part of training. Iran launches a military mission, according to reports.
Human Space Exploration
NASA reorganizing to sharpen LEO commercialization efforts, MacDonald to oversee CASIS
Spacepolicyonline.com (4/21): NASA is reorganizing elements of its human space flight oversight that are focused on commercialization of low Earth orbit activities. The move follows the April 6 release of an Independent Review Team assessment of CASIS, the nonprofit that oversees commercial, academic and non NASA government activities using the U.S. National Laboratory assets of the International Space Station (ISS). The assessment was critical of CASIS as well as NASA’s oversight. Alex MacDonald, NASA’s chief economist, has been assigned as the new ISS National Laboratory program executive to carry out reforms.
NASA astronauts may train on private suborbital spaceships
Space.com (4/21): NASA may look to commercial suborbital spaceflight companies to help train astronauts for future missions, according to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.
Russian space official tests positive for coronavirus after attending Soyuz crew launch to Space Station
Space.com (4/21): A high ranking official with Russia’s RSC Energia, Evegeny Mikrin, has tested positive for the coronavirus after attending the launch of the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from Kazakhstan to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 9 with a NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts. Potential contamination of the orbiting science lab is “impossible,” a spokesman for Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, told Space.com.
Space Science
On Earth Day 50, NASA researchers look to the future
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (4/21): Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a recognition of the planet’s many natural resources and the need for everyone to take good care of their surroundings. Some top scientists, including representatives from NASA, look ahead to the challenges. The topics include crop and water management, disaster preparedness and pollution control.
50 years of Earth Day: What’s better today, and what’s worse
New York Times (4/21): The past half century has brought improvements in air and water quality, though new concerns for climate change, global biodiversity and deforestation. The article examines concerns on 20 fronts. Many are monitored now from space.
Stunning images of a ‘churning’ Jupiter emerge after NASA spacecraft’s close shave last week
Forbes (4/21): Images of giant Jupiter’s dynamic and colorful cloud formations were transmitted back to Earth last week by NASA’s Juno orbiter mission, which was launched in 2011.
Other News
Lockheed Martin beginning to feel impact of pandemic
Coalition Member in the News – Lockheed Martin
SpaceNews.com (4/21): Lockheed Martin is experiencing an impact across its business units from the coronavirus epidemic, Marillyn Hewitt, the company’s chair, president and CEO, noted during an earnings call on Tuesday. The impact within the aerospace giant’s space division, however, has been limited.
Iran’s Guard says it launched satellite amid U.S. tensions
Associated Press via ABC News (4/22): Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced the launch early Wednesday of its first military satellite, an action reported as likely to raise tensions with the U.S. in the region.