In Today’s Deep Space Extra… U.S. presidential contenders offer broad space policy objectives as anticipated close contest heads to a vote.
Human Deep Space Exploration
Closing arguments for space in the 2016 campaign
The Space Review (11/7): Perhaps too little and too late, U.S. presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump began to reveal elements of a future space policy as the campaign season drew to a close and the battleground state Florida remained in play. Clinton stated plans to follow the current administration’s course, including keeping Mars as the long term goal for human exploration. Trump’s campaign was more terse, suggesting his administration would defer to Congress on key issues but emphasize science and exploration as well as restoration of the cabinet level National Space Council to coordinate policy.
NASA creates working group to get Orion ESM back on schedule
NASAspaceflightnow.com (11/7): A collaboration between the NASA/ Lockheed Martin Orion crew exploration capsule development effort and the European Space Agency to equip Orion with a European service module continues to bump up against scheduling issues. NASA would like to carry out the first unpiloted launch of the Space Launch System exploration rocket with a service module equipped Orion in late 2018. ESA is struggling to meet the schedule for flight hardware. NASA has formed a working group to address the issue, according to the report.
Why NASA may ferry the first cosmonaut to the moon
Popular Science (11/7): A NASA led effort to establish a base in lunar orbit with the Space Launch System exploration rocket and Orion crew capsule between 2023 and 2028 could provide a means for astronauts from countries that contribute hardware to make the journey as well. Russia’s role may be to furnish the lunar orbiting station with an airlock.
A national space policy for this century
The Space Review (11/7): A team of U.S. Air Force colleagues offer their version of a far reaching space policy. Their clean sheet strategy that would emphasize new technology as well as national security by fostering an industry capable of developing and operating reusable rockets; mining the moon and asteroids; sending a camera equipped probe to Proxima Centauri to send back pictures; and policing Earth orbit of manmade debris.
ESA to ask its governments in December for $12 billion
Space news (11/7): European Space Agency Director-General Jan Woerner plans to outline a 2020-2024 extension of International Space Station operations and support for a second service module to fly with NASA’s Orion crew exploration capsule when the agency’s ministerial council meets in early December. In all, the agency wants the equivalent of $12.2 billion in multi-year funding from its 22 member nations to support future projects. ESA is the only major Space Station partner that has not agreed to the extension proposed by the U.S. However, the meeting will seek funding for the extension only through 2021. ESA is also working a joint effort with Russia for a 2020 Mars mission called ExoMars.
Mars One merges with failed mobile payment company so it can sell stock
Ars Technica (11/7): Mars One, the five-year-old Dutch entity with aspirations for establishing a human settlement on Mars, announced plans for a reverse merger on Monday that will place the for-profit arm of the venture on Germany’s Frankfort Stock Exchange to raise capital. The nonprofit arm of Mars One envisions reaching the red planet with four settlers in 2027 at a cost of $6 billion, with more to follow. InFin Innovative Finance AG is to acquire Mars One. With stockholder approval, the combined entity will be renamed Mars One Ventures AG.
Space Science
‘Millions’ needed to continue Europe’s Mars mission: ESA chief
Physics.org (11/7): The European Space Agency’s joint effort with Russia to seek evidence of life on the Martian surface, ExoMars, will need several hundred million euros to proceed with a 2020 launching, according to ESA Director General Jan Woerner. A precursor ExoMars mission reached the red planet last month with the Trace Gas Orbiter and the Schiaparelli lander, which crashed to the surface during descent. Each 100 million euros equals $110.5 million. Funding concerns led to a previous delay of the 2020 rover. Representatives from the 22 member nations are to discuss the matter on November 21-22. A meeting of ESA’s ministerial alliance is set for early December.
Innovation a priority for new NASA science chief
Space News (11/7): Technical innovation is crucial to the future of NASA planetary science missions, according to the University of Michigan’s Thomas Zurbuchen, who recently joined NASA as associate administrator of the science mission directorate.
Some of the deepest & sharpest shots of the moon from Earth
Universe Today (11/7): Some of the best images of the moon come from Earth and talented photographers who travel to remote locations with the best equipment.
Low Earth Orbit
I voted from space: Lone American off planet casts ballot
Associated Press via New York Times (11/7): NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, one of just three men aboard the International Space Station and the sole occupant from the U.S., voted in today’s elections from space. A 1997 Texas law established the balloting procedures.