In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Lockheed Martin to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne. Work on NASA’s lunar Human Lander System (HLS) brings four U.S. aerospace competitors closer together. Jupiter and Saturn will glow shoulder to shoulder shortly after sunset Monday.
Human Space Exploration
Lockheed Martin’s Lisa Callahan on building a lunar lander collaboratively (and during COVID)
Coalition Members in the News – Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
Techcrunch.com (12/17): Lockheed Martin and partners Northrop Grumman and Draper are allied with Blue Origin for the development of a reusable Human Lander System (HLS) to shuttle astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface of the Moon. The partnership is working productively despite challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic, Lisa Callahan, Lockheed vice president and general manager of commercial civil space, told a recent virtual meeting. “It’s a merging of different cultures, and I think everyone on the team is growing because of it,” she said.
From Webster to space, Nanoracks’ airlock attached to the International Space Station
Coalition Member in the News – Nanoracks
Houston Chronicle (12/20): The commercial Bishop airlock developed by Nanoracks launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a December 6/7 resupply mission. The airlock was transferred from its SpaceX Dragon capsule and berthed to the Station’s U.S. segment Tranquility module late Saturday. The transfer was made using Canada’s robot arm. (Behind Paywall)
MIT to use the ISS to test smart, electronic textiles for use in spacesuits and spacecraft
ISSnationallab.org (12/14): MIT will work with the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory to develop fiber like sensors that could be stitched into the fabric of space suits to warn astronauts of debris impacts and other potential hazards. The technology will be tested outside the Space Station.
Space Science
NASA’s Webb sunshield successfully unfolds and tensions in final tests
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (12/18): The spacious sunshield for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which NASA is preparing with prime contractor Northrop Grumman for launch in late 2021, has cleared a critical ground test at the company’s facilities in Redondo Beach, Calif. As large as a tennis court, the flexible shield was deployed and tensioned just as it will be after launching. The observatory’s mission is to study the light from the first stars and galaxies and seek out signs of biomarkers in the atmospheres of Earth-like planets.
NASA moves Mars Sample Return program into next phase of development
SpaceNews.com (12/19): As last week came to a close, NASA announced it was proceeding to Phase A development of a joint mission with the European Space Agency (ESA) to return samples of the Martian crust to Earth. The samples will be gathered by NASA’s Mars Perseverance 2020 Rover, which is on course to land on the Red Planet on February 18, 2021. The plan is to launch sample return mission elements in 2026 to support a return to Earth with the samples in 2031.
Jupiter and Saturn’s great conjunction is the best in 800 years. Here’s how to see it
Scientific American (12/17): The solar system’s two largest planets move as close as they get for 800 years on Monday night, the first day of Winter. From the naked eye they appear almost as a very bright star. Look to the west toward the crescent Moon after sunset.
China’s Chang’e-5 retrieves 1,731 grams of Moon samples
Xinhuanet of China (12/19): China’s Chang’e 5 lunar sample return mission, carried out between late November and mid-December, delivered 1,731 grams, or 3.8 pounds, of surface and subsurface material back to Earth, the China National Space Agency (CNSA) announced Saturday morning. (Editor’s Note: Xinhuanet is the official state-run press agency of the Chinese government.)
Maverick astrophysicist calls for unusually intense solar cycle, straying from consensus view
Washington Post (12/19): The 25th 11-year-long solar cycle is just getting underway. Unlike many in his profession, National Center for Atmospheric Research astrophysicist Scott McIntosh believes it will be an unusually active cycle. Solar weather is important to the Earth. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CME) can unleash radiation into the Earth’s atmosphere, posing a threat to those aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as well as air travelers, interfere with satellite operations and even inflict significant damage to the Earth’s power grids.
Other News
Lockheed Martin to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne for $4.4 billion
Coalition Members in the News – Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, United Launch Alliance
SpaceNews.com (12/20): Lockheed Martin announced Sunday plans to acquire rocket engine and missile manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne for $4.4 billion to increase its footprint in the space arena. Stockholders and regulators must approve the acquisition, which could close in the latter half of 2021.
OneWeb resumes deployment of 650-satellite broadband network
Coalition Member in the News – RUAG Space
Spaceflightnow.com (12/18): A Soyuz rocket launched from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome placed 36 small broadband internet satellites in orbit for OneWebb on Friday. The company, which recently emerged from bankruptcy, now counts 110 of a planned 650 satellite constellation in orbit.
Members of the U.S. Space Force will now be called ‘Guardians’
The Verge (12/18): Vice President Mike Pence announced Friday that members of the new U.S. Space Force will be called “guardians,” just as those in the Air Force are called airmen or the Navy are called sailors. The designation was recommended by members of the new branch of the military as their one-year anniversary approached.
First ‘Guardian’ in space: NASA astronaut on ISS enters Space Force
Space.com (12/18): NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins transferred from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Space Force on Friday while serving aboard the International Space Station (ISS), a first. The transfer also coincided with the Space Force’s first anniversary.
SpaceX launches classified U.S. spy satellite, sticks rocket landing to cap record year
Space.com (12/20): SpaceX launched a classified satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Saturday at 9 a.m., EST. The previously flown Falcon 9 first stage was recovered with a landing at the adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of December 20 – 31, 2020
Spacepolicyonline.com (12/20): As the week began, the U.S. House and Senate managed to avert a shutdown of the federal government at midnight Sunday by agreeing to a one-day budget Continuing Resolution (CR) that remains in effect through Monday at midnight. The brief extension permits further deliberations on Covid-19 relief and 2021 appropriations legislation. The two houses were not able to come together on a budget for the 2021 fiscal year that began October 1, and NASA is among the agencies working their way forward at 2020 spending levels.