In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA’s Artemis era Mobile Launcher trekked to Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for lunar mission evaluation. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission spacecraft successfully touched down on the asteroid Bennu Tuesday evening. The James Webb Space Telescope remains on track for October 2021 launch.
Human Space Exploration
Mobile Launcher for Artemis-1 takes multi-hour trek to launch pad
Americaspace.com (10/20): NASA’s new Kennedy Space Center (KSC) ground systems Mobile Launcher moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to Launch Pad 39B on Tuesday to participate in countdown evaluation activities for Artemis I, the first planned uncrewed launch of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew capsule. The mission, planned for 2021, will propel Orion on a multi-week test flight around the Moon and back to Earth.
Space Science
OSIRIS-REx touches down on asteroid
SpaceNews.com (10/20): NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission successfully touched down on the surface of Bennu Tuesday evening. Scientists and mission managers were optimistic the encounter led to the collection of between 2 ounces and 4.4 pounds of nickel sized pebbles and soil for return to Earth in 2023. Over the next few days, the mission team will attempt to assess just how much material was gathered with onboard imagery and spinning the spacecraft to compare the pre and post landing moments of inertia.
JWST remains on track for October 2021 launch
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
SpaceNews.com (10/20): During an update this week on preparations for the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), program scientist Eric Smith told NASA’s Astrophysics Advisory Committee the observatory remains on schedule for an October 31, 2021 liftoff. There are, however, technical issues that are being addressed to ensure the telescope is launched safely and deploys correctly. The observatory is undergoing mission preparations at Northrop Grumman facilities in Redondo Beach, California.
Other News
Lunar tech company Astrobotic opens Pittsburgh control center for landers headed to the Moon
Coalition Member in the News – Astrobotic Technology, Inc.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette (10/21): Astrobotic has opened a new facility to build and test lunar landers and rovers and a mission control center to operate its latest technologies once they have reached the Moon. Since 2007, the company has been working to design and build technology to help make the Moon and outer space more accessible and is on track to land the first commercial lander on the Moon.
NASA and Energy Department sign cooperative agreement
Coalition Member in the News – Lockheed Martin
SpaceNews.com (10/21): NASA and the Department of Energy announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation in space nuclear power, science, and engineering. The MOU also intends to create a more formal method of collaboration and establishes an executive committee to implement the MOU, which will be jointly chaired by NASA’s deputy administrator and the deputy secretary of energy.