In Today’s Deep Space Extra… A National Academies of Sciences studies offers analysis on what it will take for NASA to lead a human expedition to Mars in 2039. ULA delivers Vulcan test article to Cape Canaveral for pathfinder operations.
Human Space Exploration
Aggressive nuclear propulsion R&D effort needed to send humans to Mars in 2039
Coalition Member in the News – Aerojet Rocketdyne
Spacepolicyonline.com (2/12): If NASA’s goal is to launch humans to Mars in 2039, it must expeditiously develop a timeline and funding strategy for one of two nuclear propulsion strategies, according to a panel of experts assembled by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine at the space agency’s request. Both Nuclear Thermal Propulsion and Nuclear Electric Propulsion were assessed by the panel with a conclusion that each faces significant development challenges.
Space Science
NASA rover faces ‘seven minutes of terror’ before landing on Mars
Reuters (2/14): NASA’s Perseverance 2020 Mars rover is on course for a dramatic touchdown on Mars on Thursday, after a 293 million journey that began with a July 30, 2020 liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The entry-descent-landing (EDL) is known within NASA as the “Seven Minutes of Terror” because of all the events that must go right, including heat shield function, parachute deployments and activation of a sky crane for a powered descent. Landing is set for 3:55 p.m. EST.
China’s Yutu 2 rover finds ‘milestone’ on far side of the Moon
Space.com (2/13): China’s Yutu 2 lunar rover has found a possible surprise at its exploration site at the Moon’s far side south pole, a rock that is shard like in its appearance and embedded upright in the surface. It may be recent impact ejecta.
Other news
House Science, Space, And Technology Committee Democratic Caucus organizes for the 117th Congress
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee (2/12): Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) was elected Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “Over the last year, we witnessed some of the most impactful moments for U.S. space exploration in decades. As someone who has long supported NASA’s important work on earth sciences, I am also excited to advance a climate-driven agenda, working hand in hand with NASA’s new climate advisor and advancing research into cleaner modes of flight…” said Congressman Beyer.
Russia launches cargo ship heading for International Space Station
Spaceflightnow.com (2/15): A Russian Progress resupply capsule launched to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan late Sunday. The cargo capsule’s supplies include hardware to attempt repairs to a small but persistent air leak on the ISS’s Russian segment. When it departs, the capsule will take with it the Pirs docking module, clearing a docking port on the Zvezda service module, the central hub of the station’s Russian segment, for the arrival of the Nauka laboratory later this year.
ULA delivers Vulcan test article to Cape Canaveral for ‘pathfinder’ operations
Coalition Member in the News: Astrobotic, Boeing, United Launch Alliance
Spaceflightnow.com (2/13): The United Launch Alliance (ULA) pathfinder first stage that will pave the way for the company’s Vulcan Centaur rocket’s inaugural launch planned for later this year, arrived at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Saturday for testing. The Pathfinding Tanking Test (PTT) booster, a flight configuration Vulcan Centaur fitted with a pair of BE-4 development engines, was built in Decatur, Alabama and began its trip to Florida on February 4.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of February 14-20, 2021
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
Spacepolicyonline.com (2/14): Perhaps the most visible event this week is the landing of NASA’s Perseverance rover on the Red Planet late Thursday afternoon. Briefings and live landing coverage will be available on NASA TV and streamed at www.nasa.gov/nasalive. NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) also meets on Thursday. Northrop Grumman’s 15th resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled to launch an 8,000-pound cargo from NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility on Saturday at 12:36 p.m. EST.