In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Concerns arise over compatibility between the planned Europa Clipper spacecraft and a possible Space Launch System (SLS) rocket launch. The potential for wide economic gains linked to production of transplant tissues, organs, and other high tech assets could lead to growing support for human space exploration. The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (Coalition) announces that president and CEO Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar will leave her executive role and transition to the Board of Directors (Emerita) by the end of the year.
Human Space Exploration
Final Kounotori cargo spacecraft leaves ISS
Spaceflightinsider.com (8/18): The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans to transition to an advanced version of the Kounotori, H-II Transfer Vehicle, or HTV, the resupply
capsule that departed the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday. The future upgrade, the HTV-X, could deliver cargo to a NASA led lunar orbiting, human tended Gateway as well as the Space Station. In all, the HTV launched nine times with cargo to the ISS, most recently in May. It departed with trash on Tuesday for a planned destructive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.
Space Science
Compatibility issues further complicate decision on Europa Clipper launch vehicle
SpacenNews.com (8/18): Some members of Congress eager to pursue Europa Clipper, a planetary science mission to the ice and ocean covered moon of Jupiter, have backed the use of a NASA Space Launch System (SLS) rocket rather than a commercial launch vehicle to hasten the journey from Earth. However, details that surfaced earlier this week in a presentation before NASA’s Planetary Science Advisory Committee reveal concerns of possible compatibility issues between the SLS and the Europa Clipper spacecraft. The technically challenging mission is moving toward a critical design review in December, which could decide whether backers must seek an alternative, perhaps a Delta IV or Falcon Heavy. Clipper, potentially ready for a 2024 launch, is to be followed by a Europa lander mission. Both missions seek to determine if Europa hosts habitable environments.
Five reasons to explore Mars
Brookings Institute (8/18): NASA’s Perseverance Mars 2020 rover mission and future studies of the surface samples it studies and caches for return to Earth will help to settle the question of whether life emerged beyond Earth and make other contributions, according to Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation. Those include advancing technology innovation, space tourism, space mining and advances on other scientific fronts.
Citizen scientists discover dozens of new cosmic neighbors in NASA data
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (8/18): There are nearly 100 brown dwarf stars, many not all that far from the sun. We perhaps never would have known of them if not for Backward Worlds: Planet 9, a NASA funded citizen science initiative. Two NASA space telescopes, the Spitzer Space Telescope and NEOWISE were prominent providers of data that allowed for the collaboration between amateur and professional astronomers eager to learn more about the cosmic neighborhood.
Other News
Coalition for Deep Space Exploration announces leadership transition
SpaceRef.com (8/18): The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (Coalition) announced Tuesday that Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar will step down as president and CEO of the organization and transition to the Board of Directors (Emerita) by the end of the year. Dr. Dittmar was praised for her leadership by Charles Precourt, a Coalition Board member and retired NASA astronaut. “Mary Lynne is a transformational leader,” Precourt stated. “We sincerely thank her for her leadership and are thrilled that she will be continuing to advise the organization as a member of the Coalition Board.” Dr. Dittmar will continue to serve as president and CEO of the Coalition until new leadership is appointed. “Today, it is more important than ever for the Coalition to continue its mission to build lasting support for human space exploration, space science, and the economic development of space while promoting continued partnership with NASA and investment of resources in the industry,” said Dr. Dittmar. “I am proud to have been a part of all that our team was able to accomplish during my five-year term, and look forward to my new role with the Coalition Board.” Raines International is leading the search for a successor.
Fort Worth one of 3 Texas cities Sen. Cruz wants selected as U.S. Space Command headquarters
Coalition Members in the News – Boeing, Jacobs, Lockheed Martin, Paragon Space Development Corporation
KTVT-Dallas/Fort Worth (8/18): U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas and chair of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, is urging the Secretary of the Air Force to strongly consider the cities of Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio as possible headquarters for the U.S. Space Command. Each has ties to air and space, including military, academic and industrial assets of value, Cruz noted in a letter to the secretary.
SpaceX launches 58 Starlink satellites and 3 SkySats, sticks rocket landing
Space.com (8/18): SpaceX successfully launched the core stage of a Falcon 9 for a company record sixth time on Tuesday, all in launching another 58 of the company’s Starlink division internet connectivity satellites and three new commercial Planet Skynet Earth observation network spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The Falcon 9 first stage was recovered once again as were the two fairing halves.