In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA’s prospective commercial human lunar contenders include Dynetics, experienced, though lesser known than Blue Origin and SpaceX. Russia prepares for the long anticipated launch of the Nauka science module to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021.
Human Space Exploration
Meet Dynetics, the company racing against SpaceX and Blue Origin to return astronauts to the Moon
Coalition Members in the News – Astrobotic, Boeing, Dynetics, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Maxar, Northrop Grumman, United Launch Alliance
CNBC (8/19): Dynetics, one of three commercial competitors selected by NASA to partner in the initial stages for the development of a commercial Human Landing System (HLS) to shuttle astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface of the Moon, acknowledges that on some fronts its lesser known than SpaceX and Blue Origin. However, Dynetics’ strong legacy has produced a strategy that includes ALPACA, a four person lunar lander with a robust four engine design and a fuel conservation strategy that makes it a contender for further development.
Russia’s Nauka ISS module arrives at Baikonur for final launch preparations
NASAspaceflight.com (8/19): Long in development by Russia, Nauka, the latest habitable module intended to join the International Space Station (ISS), has arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, its launch site. There, the multipurpose science module is undergoing preparations for an April 2021 Proton launch and a linkup to the Station’s Russian segment at a port now occupied by the Pirs module. The science module has been in development for 13 years. Pirs must depart with preparation by cosmonaut spacewalks.
Why we should build astronaut cities in Moon and Mars lava tubes
Forbes (8/19): European researchers make the case for finding lava tubes on the Moon and Mars to serve as potential sites for human settlements. The tubes could offer explorers protection from the hazards of space radiation and in the case of Mars, global dust storms. Findings were published in the Earth-Science Review.
Space Science
NASA’s planetary science program shifts priority to asteroid missions
Coalition Members in the News – Aerojet Rocketdyne, United Launch Alliance
SpaceNews.com (8/19): Pleased it met a constrained launch window on July 30 for the successful sendoff of the Perseverance Mars 2020 rover mission despite constraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, NASA’s planetary science division is now ready to emphasize asteroid exploration. Upcoming are the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) and Lucy missions, both scheduled for launch in 2021. DART is a demonstration of a technology to alter the course of an asteroid that poses an impact threat to the Earth. Lucy is to fly by two Trojan asteroids orbiting the sun with Jupiter.
Japan’s Hayabusa2 asteroid sample-return capsule cleared for landing in Australia
Space.com (8/19): Australia has formally cleared the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Hayabusa 2 asteroid sample return container for a parachute assisted descent into remote Woomera. Launched in late 2014, Hayabusa 2 spent 2019 in close proximity to the asteroid Ryugu, including landings to gather surface and subsurface samples that will be returned to Earth. The return is planned for December 6. Scientists are hopeful the asteroid materials will help explain planet formation including the contributions made by asteroids to the delivery of water and organics, the building blocks of life.
The sun might have once had a binary companion star
Universe Today (8/19): A study led by Harvard University astronomers suggests the sun may once have had a binary companion that was later kicked out of the solar system. If so, a binary star system phase may help to explain the presence of the Oort cloud, a collection of cometary material in the outer reaches of the solar system. Findings were published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Scientists: Exploding star likely caused mass extinction on Earth
Futurism (8/19): A star explosion 359 million years ago some 65 light years from Earth may have led to an extinction event, according to a University of Illinois led research effort. The prospect is based on the discovery of radioactive isotopes found in rocks, according to the research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Most life on Earth then was found in the oceans. The rise in radioactivity was attributed to loss of atmospheric ozone, a shield against space radiation.
Other News
Japanese startup raises $28 million to help fund Moon mission
Bloomberg News (8/20): Startup iSpace, of Tokyo, raised $28 million from Japanese investors this week to fund its first commercial lunar mission. The one time Google Lunar X-Prize contestant has raised a total of $125 million. Billing itself as a lunar scientific and commercial payload delivery service, iSpace plans lander and rover missions in 2022 and 2023 to gather imagery and environmental and telemetry data for its future clients.
Russia and China playing musical chairs in zero gravity
WarOnTheRocks (8/14): Despite levels of mutual mistrust, Russia and China have found it of value to cooperate to counter concerns over rising American military capabilities in space, ballistic missile defenses in particular. The recent success of the NASA/SpaceX Demo-2 mission in which the U.S. exercised a capability to launch astronauts for the first time since 2011 also presents Russia with an economic concern. Yet working with China exposes Russia to a risk of technology theft. Despite reasons for mistrust, space offers both an opportunity to exhibit global leadership, a concern to U.S. national security.
Space Force technology roadmap to emphasize partnerships with private sector
SpaceNews.com (8/19): The lead for U.S. Space Force technology and innovation, Maj. Gen. Kimberly Crider, says the newest branch of the U.S. military will turn to the nation’s commercial sector to achieve its wish list. A key goal is “ensuring that we have a strong industry base and that we can influence policy effectively to ensure we have the capabilities that we need,” Crist told a virtual Ascend conference hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) on Wednesday.
Ethiopia to launch a second satellite in October with the help of China
Africanews.space (8/19): Space in Africa reports that Ethiopia plans the launch of a second satellite into space in October with China’s help. The remote sensing small satellite also offers a hands on learning experience for the engineers at the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute. China is contributing financial and technical support as well the launch.