In Today’s Deep Space Extra… The White House report endorses FAA oversight of commercial space missions.
Human Deep Space Exploration
The Space Launch System “jobs program”
Spudis Lunar Resources Blog (5/2): NASA’s Space Launch System exploration rocket provides the U.S. with the most credible propulsion source for the human exploration of deep space destinations that range from the moon to Mars, writes planetary scientist Paul Spudis. The SLS is less expensive and more reliable than turning to risky, multiple launches of smaller, commercial rockets, he writes. As to the charge that the SLS is a “jobs program,” Spudis notes that some federal “jobs” are intended to establish and maintain national capabilities that are determined to be important or vital to the security and prosperity of the nation. The veteran scientist advocates human lunar activities focused on developing “in situ” resources, including rocket propellants from ice deposits, for future deep space operations.
Shepard’s Mercury flight was first step on the long journey to Mars
NASA Kennedy Space Center via Electronic Component News Magazine (5/2): On May 2, 1971, Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard introduced the U.S. to the exploration of outer space. Shepard’s 15 minute flight led to NASA’s Apollo era missions to the lunar surface for a dozen explorers, the reusable shuttle and assembly of the International Space Station. Each venture was a chapter in the eventual human exploration of Mars, writes the space agency’s Bob Granath.
An overview of the American Space Renaissance Act (part 2)
The Space Review (5/2): Portions of the Act introduced April 14 by Oklahoma congressman Jim Bridenstine would change the selection and term of the NASA administrator and establish a multiyear budgeting process for the agency. The legislation would establishing a pioneering doctrine guiding the U.S. to Mars and setting a goal of being among the first nations to explore other destinations with significant private sector participation, writes attorney Michael J. Listner, founder of the think tank Space Law & Policy Solutions.
Space Science
Europe’s Mars life-detection mission postponed
Discovery.com (5/2): The European Space Agency announced Monday that it has reached an agreement with Roscosmos, the Russian federal space agency, to delay from 2018 until 2020 the launching of the second phase of their joint ExoMars mission to search for life on the red planet because of schedule issues. The partnership launched the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Schiaparelli lander from Kazakhstan as the first phase of ExoMars on Mar. 14. They are due at Mars in October.
NASA’s JPL selects former employee to take over as director
Pasadena Star News, of California (5/2): Cal Tech University signs Michael Watkins, University of Texas chair of aerospace engineering and director of the Center for Space Research, as the next director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Cal Tech manages JPL for NASA. Watkins replaces Charles Elachi, who retires at the end of June. Watkins, a 22 year employee of JPL, departed for Texas in 2015.
These 3 alien planets around a tiny, cold star just might support life
Space.com (5/2): European and U.S. astronomers report the discovery of three potentially habitable Earth sized planets circling a small, cool star. The small red star, Trappist-1, is 39 light years from the Earth. Belgium’s Michaël Gillon, who led the study team, suggests such small stars may be productive places to seek life beyond the Earth using current technologies.
Boiling water may have carved mysterious streaks on Mars, study finds
Los Angeles Times (5/2): Scientists are learning more about Recurring Slope Linae, distinctive surface features on Mars that may not have an Earthly analogue. Last year, scientists pointed to salty underground water and moisture in the Martian atmosphere as the source of the channel like surface markings that come and go with the seasons. A new study, published in Nature Geoscience, suggests the surface water, whether fresh or briny, rises from underground and boils away rapidly in the thin atmosphere, leaving the distinctive markings.
Scientists assemble fresh global map of Pluto comprising sharpest flyby images
Universe Today (5/1): NASA’s New Horizons team has compiled a new map of Pluto using the highest resolution images gathered from the spacecraft’s historic July 14 flyby of the dwarf planet.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
White House report endorses FAA oversight of commercial space missions
Space News (5/2): A report prepared by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy favors FAA oversight of nontraditional commercial space missions, including those that would seek to obtain resources from asteroids. That oversight would include assessing possible U.S. national security or international treaty conflicts.
Boeing borrows from inventory to speed docking adapter delivery
Spaceflightnow.com (5/1): The Boeing Co. is working to provide NASA with a third International Docking Adapter (IDA) for installation aboard the International Space Station to receive the Boeing Starliner CST-100 and SpaceX Dragon capsules currently in development under the agency’s commercial crew program. NASA plans to inaugurate the launches of space station astronauts on the two commercial vehicles by the end of 2017. The first IDA was destroyed in a June 2015 SpaceX launch mishap. A replacement is scheduled to launch to the space station on the next SpaceX re-supply mission for installation this year as the first of the two eventual docking ports.
A new chapter for a commercial space pioneer
The Space Review (5/2): Agile Aerospace, co-founded by Jeff Greason, formerly of XCOR Aerospace, seeks to accelerate the pace of new launch vehicle development in much the same way the satellite development is being transformed by smallsats. “Agile Aero is currently building up its roster of potential clients, as well as its workforce and advisers,” writes TSR editor Jeff Foust.