In Today’s Deep Space Extra… President-elect Trump’s transition team brings thoughtful exchange to NASA, according to a high-ranking agency participant. Hidden Figures joins Rogue One atop the nation’s box office.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA science chief seeks to allay concerns about transition
Space News (1/7): President-elect Donald Trump’s NASA transition team has had a thoughtful exchange with space agency scientists, Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science, told a gathering of scientist/astronomers gathered at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society last week. Changes of some sort are to be expected, he told the audience.
‘Hidden Figures’ ties ‘Rogue One’ at box office
Los Angeles Times (1/8): Hidden Figures, the story of the role played by a team of African American women in the early years of the U.S. human space program, joined Rogue One, the latest chapter in the lucrative Star Wars saga, at the top of the weekend box office, with each earning about $22 million. Hidden Figures emerged from limited to full release. Rogue One, has held atop the box office since opening four weeks ago.
Space Science
NASA asks scientists to start planning first JWST observations
Space News (1/6): NASA asks for proposed observations using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the designated space observatory successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. JWST is undergoing ground testing and final preparations for a late 2018 launch. Scientists expect the space telescope to study the earliest stars and galaxies, and examine the atmospheres of exo-planets for signs of biological activity.
A metal ball the size of Massachusetts that NASA wants to explore
New York Times (1/6): The bright asteroid Psyche appears to be a metal world, much different than the typical planetary body made off dust and ice. NASA intends to launch a new mission to Psyche in 2023. The seven-year journey is intended to help explain how the solar system formed.
‘Levitating’ moon dust explained in new NASA study
Space.com (1/6): NASA research may explain a lunar dust phenomena. Based on studies conducted in science laboratories, experts say that ultraviolet radiation and electrically charged gases could lift dust on the moon and move it for great distances across the lunar surface. The studies may explain a lunar glow reported by NASA’s Apollo astronauts.
Hubble is mapping ‘interstellar ecology’ to track NASA’s Voyager probes
Seeker.com (1/6): Scientists are using the Hubble Space Telescope to observe the scientifically ground-breaking course of the two Voyager probes launched by NASA in the mid-1970s to explore the outer reaches of the solar system. Both robotic spacecraft are still going. The most distant human objects ever launched, Voyager 1 and 2, are headed well beyond the sun’s influence.
See Earth and its moon from Mars in stunning new NASA photo
National Geographic (1/7): How do the Earth and moon appear from Mars? NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, 127 million miles away, offers the view.
Low Earth Orbit
Spacewalking astronauts tackle Space Station power system upgrade
Space.com (1/6): NASA space walkers Shane Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson advanced a long-running effort to exchange more efficient lithium ion batteries for nickel hydrogen batteries outside the International Space Station. Friday’s spacewalk lasted six and a half hours, long enough to install three of the new batteries. A second spacewalk to install three more of the new batteries is planned for this Friday. In total, 24 lithium ion batteries are to replace 48 of the nickel hydrogen batteries. The complete swap out also involving robotics will take about two years.
First African-American astronaut to board the International Space Station
Huffington Post (1/6): NASA astronaut Jeannette Epps, a New York native, is to become the first female African-American to live and work aboard the International Space Station. Epps’ launch is planned for May 2018. An aerospace engineer and former CIA technical intelligence officer, Epps was selected by NASA for astronaut training in 2009.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
FAA signs off on SpaceX mishap investigation
Spaceflightnow.com (1/9): On Friday, the FAA granted SpaceX a license for the company’s first Falcon 9 launch since the September 1 launch pad fire and explosion at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The license, for ten future launches of the Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Florida, was granted after the FAA concurred with the company’s explanation for the loss. The launch of ten Iridium communications satellites was initially set for Monday at 1:22 p.m., EST, or 10:22 a.m., local time.
Next SpaceX launch slipped to avoid stormy weather, range conflict
Spaceflightnow.com (1/8): SpaceX’s first Falcon 9 launch attempt since the September 1 fire and explosion, slips from January 9 to no earlier than January 14 due to a rainy and windy forecast for the Vandenberg Air Force Base, California launch site.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of January 8-14, 2017
Spacepolicyonline.com (1/8): In Washington, the U.S. Senate will commence hearings on nominees to fill President-elect Trump’s cabinet. The AIAA will host a SciTech forum in Grapevine, Texas. The NASA Advisory Council’s Earth Sciences Subcommittee convenes at the Kennedy Space Center. On Friday, NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough will team with European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet for a spacewalk to install new Lithium Ion rechargeable power storage batteries outside the International Space Station.