In Today’s Deep Space Extra… The Biden Administration’s budget request for discretionary spending, including for agencies such as NASA, could be headed to Congress next week. Ingenuity slated to take flight April 8.
Human Space Exploration
First Biden budget request could be out next week
Spacepolicyonline.com (3/24): At least a portion of the Biden Administration’s budget request for 2022, including that for NASA and other discretionary agencies, could be sent to Congress next week. The space community is waiting to see what Biden has in mind for NASA. The administration has made positive comments about the Mars Perseverance mission and the goal of returning Martian samples to Earth and has expressed support for the Artemis program. However, the real proof of support is in the budget; and what Congress will do with it is another matter.
NASA to offer funding for initial studies of commercial space stations
Coalition Member in the News – Axiom Space
SpaceNews.com (3/23): NASA on Tuesday unveiled its latest strategy to pursue the development of low Earth orbit commercial free flyers to eventually take over the role of the International Space Station (ISS) as the agency transitions the focus of its human operations to deep space destinations, first the Moon, then Mars. The strategy relies on a two-phase approach that will get underway in April with a solicitation for draft proposals from the private sector.
Space Science
NASA lays out plans for its first flights on Mars
Arstechnica.com (3/23): Ingenuity, the small helicopter drone transported to Mars aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars 2020 rover, which landed in Jezero Crater on February 18, is close to taking flight. NASA announced Tuesday the initial flight could take place as soon as April 8. The plan calls for five flights during a 31-day window, with checkouts of the system between each. During this time, Perseverance won’t be able to move on to its main science mission.
Part of Wright brothers’ 1st airplane on NASA’s Mars chopper
Associated Press (3/23): NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter is carrying a small piece of fabric inherited from the Wright Flyer, the airplane invented by “the Wright brothers,” Orville and Wilbur, that became the first aircraft to carry out a controlled flight on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio, the Wright Brothers’ hometown, donated the postage-sized piece of fabric from the plane’s left wing at NASA’s request.
Remains of impact that created the Moon may lie deep within Earth
Science Magazine (3/23): Material wrapped at the Earth’s core may be the remains of Theia, the theorized object believed to have struck the Earth during the solar system’s planet-forming era to create the Moon. The theory from an Arizona State University researcher was presented at last week’s virtual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).
Opinion
The next space race
SpaceNews.com (3/23): In an op-ed, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee that funds NASA, finds the nation in a new space race and pitted against China and Russia. He calls on Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee for NASA administrator, and on legislators to keep 2024 as their goal for returning human explorers to the surface of the Moon. “However, if we postpone and delay the Artemis mission to 2025, 2026 or even 2030, there is no doubt we will lose this space race to Russia and China,” writes Moran.
Other News
20 trailblazing women in astronomy and astrophysics
Space.com (3/23): From discovering planets to following comets, women have played a crucial role in astronomy. As the world celebrates women’s contributions to different fields during Women’s History Month, here’s a list of 20 women who have helped humanity expand its understanding of the universe.