In Today’s Deep Space Extra… James Webb Space Telescope continues toward October 31 launch. New images of Jupiter’s atmosphere reveal details in different light.

 

Human Space Exploration

Russia says it’s quitting the ISS, but it’s also testing a new ISS module
Futurism (5/11): Though Russia has declared its intent to move on from the International Space Station (ISS) in order to establish a new independent orbital outpost of its own, Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, continues to prepare Nauka, a Multipurpose Laboratory Module, for launch to the 15 nation orbital outpost in the coming months.

 

Space Science

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope unfolds its giant mirror for last time ahead of October 31 launch
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
Space.com (5/11): NASA continues to strive toward October 31 for the launch of the NASA-led James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) mission. This week, pre-launch preparations focused on the deployment of the 6.5-meter primary mirror are concluding at Northrop Grumman facilities in Redondo Beach, California. The launch planned for October 31 from French Guiana atop an Ariane 5 rocket is not restricted by a launch window.

NASA really wants a Mars sample return mission. Here’s what’s in store.
Coalition Member in the News – Lockheed Martin
Space.com (5/12): Plans are firming up to bring a sample of Mars back to Earth in 2031. A joint webinar held last month by NASA and Lockheed Martin, which has participated in NASA sample return missions before, discussed the Mars sample return mission and how NASA’s Perseverance rover will support that effort. The hope is that, by bringing some of the Red Planet back to Earth, we can gain more insight into Mars’ potential for life by using high-resolution lab instruments to examine Martian rocks.

Stunning new images of Jupiter reveal atmosphere details in different light (video)
Space.com (5/11): Obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope and an observatory in Hawaii, new imagery of Jupiter at different wavelengths offers new insight into the forces driving a colorful but stormy atmosphere with counter rotating bands of clouds.

 

Other News

China hit back at NASA’s chief for saying it failed to meet ‘responsible standards’ in letting a rocket fall uncontrolled back to Earth
Businessinsider.com (5/11): On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry rejected criticism from NASA and others in the U.S. for the uncontrolled reentry of a large Long March 5B rocket stage over the weekend, with some debris falling into the Indian Ocean.

Space Force renames Florida-based launch wing Space Launch Delta 45
SpaceNews.com (5/11): In an announcement Tuesday, the U.S. Space Force intends to rename the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, as Space Launch Delta 30. Also, the U.S. Space Force has officially renamed the 45th Space Wing that oversees Florida’s launch range as Space Launch Delta 45.