New Episode of The Deep Space Podcast Available Now
This week, we are excited to welcome Frank Slazer, the Coalition’s very own President and CEO, to the Deep Space Podcast’s Leadership in Space Series. In this episode, Slazer shares his vision for the organization moving forward and speaks about how he sees it changing to a more robust advocacy model. Our guest also speaks about the traits that he considers to be crucial in a leader and what he’s learned about leadership in the space field after over 40 years of work in the sector. Click here to listen to the episode.
In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Putin dismisses the suggestion that Russia is preparing to dissolve its partnership in space with the U.S. NASA pursues greener propulsion.
Human Space Exploration
Putin wants continued space cooperation with U.S.
Spacepolicyonline.com (6/14): Two days prior to a summit with President Joe Biden, Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed a desire to continue a partnership in space with the U.S. and suggested there has been a misunderstanding over comments that the countries’ partnership in the International Space Station (ISS) could end. Putin’s comments to NBC News emerged a day before NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Rogozin were to participate jointly in the Global Space Exploration (GLEX) conference underway this week in St. Petersburg, Russia.
NASA gives details of upcoming spacewalks
USA Today (6/14): International Space Station (ISS) astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Shane Kimbrough are preparing for a Wednesday spacewalk intended to equip the orbital lab with the first new Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) to supplement aging original solar panels and boost electrical generation in support of the many science experiments and technology demonstrations underway or planned. They will install a second ROSA with a spacewalk on Sunday. Six ROSAs will be launched to the ISS and installed with spacewalks over the coming months.
China prepares to send astronauts to new space station
Theguardian.com (6/15): A Long March 2F rocket carrying three astronauts in the Shenzhou-12 capsule is being prepared for launch on Thursday to China’s new Tiangong space station, whose first element, Tianhe, was launched on April 29, followed by an uncrewed cargo mission. The latest crew is set to spend three months at the new station, whose assembly is expected to continue over the next 18 months.
Space Science
The world’s first wooden satellite will launch this year
Space.com (6/15): The Finnish company Arctic Astronautics plans to launch a CubeSat constructed with a special plywood exterior and a variety of protective coatings equipped with a “selfie” camera in November. The destination is a 300- to 370-mile-high polar orbit, where the ability of the wooden exterior to withstand the space environment will be monitored.
Other News
NASA pursues greener, more efficient spacecraft propulsion
Coalition Member in the News – Aerojet Rocketdyne
UPI (6/14): NASA and industry will conduct missions over the next year to test greener and more efficient spacecraft propellant and solar power. Spacecraft traditionally relied on chemicals such as hydrazine, which has toxic fumes, or liquefied oxygen, which has to be supercooled and is highly explosive. New fuels without those risks have lower handling costs and improved safety. NASA tested a new fume-free fuel known as ASCENT in 2019 on an experimental satellite, the GPIM. The agency now plans to use the same fuel in the Lunar Flashlight, a CubeSat that will fly to the Moon on the Artemis I mission. Engine-maker Aerojet Rocketdyne builds engines that use the ASCENT fuel.
Live coverage: Minotaur 1 rocket set for launch from Virginia
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
Spaceflightnow.com (6/15): A Northrop Grumman Minotaur 1 rocket is set for launch this morning from Wallops Island, Virginia. The four-stage, solid-fueled rocket will carry three payloads into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
New Virginia spaceport head seeks to increase launch activity
Coalition Member in the News – Northrop Grumman
SpaceNews.com (6/13): Roosevelt “Ted” Mercer Jr., a retired U.S. Air Force major general, has been named by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) to take the reins as chief executive of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, operators of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island. In his new role, Mercer said he will steer the complex toward a leading role in space exploration, research, and economic activity.