In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Experts discuss President-elect Trump’s space priorities and possible choices for NASA administrator. Human Mars mission drama premieres tonight.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Trump space policy to aim for Mars and beyond
Forbes.com (11/14): President-elect Trump’s space policy will place more emphasis on deep space, including human exploration beyond Mars by the end of the century, according to those advising him. Other considerations include forging agreements for operations of the International Space Station beyond 2028 and investments in hypersonics, according to the report.
NASA administrator Bridenstine? His name’s in the mix for Trump’s space team
Space News (11/11): U.S. Representative Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma has been legislatively active in shaping U.S. space policy. His proposed American Space Renaissance Act was introduced last April. The former U.S. naval aviator has been mentioned as a possible future NASA administrator.
FY2017 appropriations — It’s not over till it’s over
Spacepolicyonline.com (11/12): 2017 U.S. fiscal year spending has been shaped by a Continuing Resolution since October 1. The current CR expires Dec. 9, leaving in question whether lawmakers will complete the process, pass an omnibus spending bill, or agree on an additional CR(s) so that the budgeting process is left to the newly elected Congress and president in January. Early in 2016, it appeared NASA’s budget could increase by $1 billion more than President Obama requested for 2017, a prospect that now seems less certain.
Watch the ‘Mars’ premiere tonight, 9/8C
National Geographic (11/13): A new six-part series — part science, part drama — explaining the first human mission to Mars debuts tonight on the National Geographic channel. Produced by Ron Howard, the series is based on “Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet,” from space and science writer Leonard David.
Space Science
Night delight: ‘Supermoon’ to grace Earth’s skies
Reuters (11/11): The moon is appearing larger than it has in seven decades. The rare “supermoon” occurs when the elliptical orbit of the moon brings it close to Earth during its full moon phase. The closest approach occurred Monday at 6:23 a.m., EST. However, the visual effect will be apparent for several days.
NASA emphasizes importance of Earth science given concerns about budget cuts
Space News (11/11): Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s new associate administrator for space science, stressed the value of the nation’s Earth science research efforts in remarks presented ahead of the December 12 launching of the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System mission. CYGNSS includes eight small satellites to monitor hurricane development. Some legislators believe other federal agencies should take on Earth science duties.
Isro creates ‘lunar craters’, conducts tests for Chandrayaan-2 mission
Hindustan Times, of India (11/11): The Indian Space Research Organization has prepared a lunar-scape test site for its Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander. A 2017-18 launch is anticipated for the mission that will include an orbiter, lander and rover equipped with science instruments.
Low Earth Orbit
How to be a parent when you’re an astronaut in space
New York Post (11/13): Previous NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and John Grunsfeld explain the challenges of parenthood while preparing for and carrying out spaceflights.
China’s second launch of the week puts Yunhai-1 into orbit
GB Times, of Finland (11/12): Yunhai-1, a Chinese weather satellite, was launched from the Juiquan Satellite Launch Center late Friday. The spacecraft is the first in a constellation of satellites for atmospheric, marine and space environment observation, disaster prevention and mitigation, and scientific experiments.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Ariane 6 gets full funding from ESA
Spaceflight Insider (11/12): The European Space Agency approved a final $1.9 billion toward the development of the new Ariane 6 launch vehicle. Development is underway at Airbus Safran with the premiere launch planned for 2020.
WorldView-4 successfully launches atop Atlas V
Spaceflight Insider (11/11): Digital Globe’s WorldView-4 high resolution Earth-observing satellite climbed to orbit atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on Friday at 1:30 p.m. EST.
Major Space Related Activities for the Week
Major space related activities for the week of November 14-19, 2016
Spacepolicyonline.com (11/13): The U.S. House and Senate reconvene for the week after a break for elections, and then adjourn for Thanksgiving, with the current budget Continuing Resolution set to expire on December 9. U.S., Russian and European astronauts launch to the International Space Station on Thursday. A new NOAA weather satellite, GOES R/16, is scheduled to launch on Saturday. A number of space conferences and workshops are scheduled this week as well.