In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA contracts with Northrop Grumman to advance the development of a Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) for a lunar orbiting, human tended Gateway.
Human Space Exploration
NASA issues contract to Northrop Grumman for Gateway module
Coalition Members in the News – Maxar Technologies, Northrop Grumman
SpaceNews.com (6/6): Under the terms of a $187 contract with Northrop Grumman announced by NASA late Friday, the company will continue the design work on a lunar orbiting, human tended Gateway, an initial two module temporary way point for astronauts launched aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew capsule to transition to commercial lunar landers to be shuttled to and from the surface of the Moon. The Northrop Grumman Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) is to be mated to a Maxar Technologies Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) as a combined payload for launch in late 2023. Together with international contributions, the Gateway is to support a sustained human presence at the Moon to prepare explorers for a mission to Mars in the 2030’s.
China will begin constructing its space station in 2021
Universe Today (6/6): Xuntian, is a high resolution space telescope that will co orbit with China’s planned space station. The 66 ton space station capable of hosting three astronauts for up to six months is to begin assembly in 2021 and planned for completion over 11 launches. Operations are to begin in 2023. Xuntian will be able to dock with the space station for repairs and upgrades.
Elon Musk tells SpaceX employees that its Starship rocket is the top priority now
CNBC (6/7): Without jeopardizing the unfolding SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), company founder Elon Musk has instructed workers to make the success of the Starship their immediate focus. Demo-2 launched a Crew Dragon with NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the ISS on May 30 for a one to four month stay. Starship undergoing test in South Texas is to be a reusable rocket envisioned to launch dozens of human explorers to the Moon and Mars.
Space Science
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe flies by the sun in 5th close encounter
Space.com (6/7): Launched in August 2018, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will wrap up its fifth close encounter with the sun on June 28. The spacecraft and instruments were developed to help unravel the extremely high temperature of the sun’s atmosphere, or corona, and the mechanisms by which the corona generates the solar wind. Parker reached the lowest point on Sunday of the close pass that began May 9.
An astronomer calculated that Earth’s intelligent life is probably ‘rare.’ Here’s what that means
Space.com (6/7): Using Bayesian analysis techniques, a Columbia University astronomer suggests that while life would very likely arise again if the Earth were to start over, the emergence of intelligence is likely rare and slow to emerge. Others assess the premise.
Eclipse season 2020 has arrived! Catch 2 lunar eclipses and a ‘ring of fire’ this summer
Space.com (6/5): Just to know, two lunar and one solar eclipse are in the offing through early July. However, there will be little opportunity for view directly from North America. Seek virtual viewing opportunities.
Other News
Chinese private launch firms advance with methane engines, launch preparations and new funding
SpaceNews.com (6/5): China’s private sector is aggressively developing new commercial launch vehicles. Emerging launch vehicles will be propelled a variety of propellants including liquid methane. iSpace plans a vertical launch and landing test later this year.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of June 7-13, 2020
Coalition Member in the News – Dynetics (Leidos)
Spacepolicyonline.com (6/7): In Washington D.C., space-related legislative hearings get under way this week, but not on the civil space front. The National Academies’ Space Studies Board (SSB) and Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB) will virtually convene annual meetings on Monday that run through Thursday. The joint session includes a briefing from Scott Pace, executive director of the National Space Council, on Tuesday at 12:25 p.m., EDT., followed by a Hubble Space Telescope tribute and a briefing at 3 p.m., EDT from Ken Bowersox, the acting associate administrator of NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Directorate. The American Astronautical Society (AAS) will host a virtual presentation on NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS) for lunar exploration with contractor representatives from Blue Origin, Dynetics and SpaceX on Thursday at 3 p.m. EDT.