In Today’s Deep Space Extra… Support within the space and science communities for NASA’s Journey to Mars is growing, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden tells space professionals gathered in Colorado Springs for the 32nd annual Space Symposium.
Human Deep Space Exploration
‘Mars matters’ for the future of space exploration, NASA chief says
Space.com (4/12): A consensus of support is beginning to emerge within the scientific and policy communities around NASA’s plans for sending U.S. astronauts to Mars in the 2030s, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden told an audience of professionals in those and other space-related fields gathered for the 32nd annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs on Tuesday. The goal as outlined by President Obama six years ago has fostered advances in U.S. human and commercial spaceflight, planetary science and astronomy among other sectors, said Bolden.
Bridenstine releases American Space Renaissance Act, welcomes comment
Spacepolicyonline.com (4/12): U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine will introduce legislation this week, the American Space Renaissance Act, a comprehensive bill structured to back U.S. pre-eminence in space on a range of fronts. One legislative theme would encourage pioneering with a policy that calls upon NASA to arrive first at new space destinations. The lawmaker previewed the 110-page bill at the 32nd annual Space Symposium underway this week in Colorado Springs.
Why Congress’s newest space advocate says the U.S. faces a ‘Sputnik moment’
Washington Post (4/13): Breakthroughs in space technology are no longer assured, cautioned U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine in remarks Tuesday before the 32nd annual Space Symposium in which the Oklahoma lawmaker outlined his proposed American Space Renaissance Act, broad legislation touching on national security and commercial as well as civil space activities. “Our very way of life depends on space,” said Bridenstine, who believes NASA should be focused on human exploration and pioneering.
Space Science
Reaching for the stars, across 4.37 light-years
New York Times (4/12): Russian financier Yuri Milner, astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and other prominent scientists outlined plans on Tuesday to develop a small robotic spacecraft for a trip to the neighboring galaxy Alpha Centauri, which is nearly 4.4 light years away. Project Breakthrough Starshot consists of an iPhone sized spacecraft with a thin sail pushed toward its destination with an Earth-based laser. The equipment will take two decades to develop and the trip itself another 20 years.
The laws of cosmology may need a re-write
Universe Today (4/12): A Johns Hopkins University-led research team finds reason to question some guideline used to estimate the expansion of the universe, factors like dark energy, dark matter, Cepheid variables and the cosmic background radiation.
Strange fractures seen on Pluto’s surface; study considers feasibility of orbiter
Spaceflight Insider (4/12): New imagery from NASA’s New Horizons mission reveals a spider-like pattern of cracks on the surface of Pluto. The inside of the cracks has a reddish hue. New Horizons carried out the first flyby of distant Pluto on July 14. Some believe the discoveries deserve a follow on to the long mission, an orbiter equipped for sustained observations on the frontiers of the solar system.
Low Earth Orbit
Russia working on new space technology
TASS, or Russia (4/13): Russia’s president joined celebrations of Cosmonautics Day in Russia on Tuesday, an annual tribute to the first human spaceflight. The single orbit of the Earth was flown by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. Russia holds a leading position in the global space arena Valery Putin told a concert audience, citing advances in rocketry, construction of the new Vostochny Space Center and work aboard the International Space Station.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Orbital ATK signs Intelsat as first satellite servicing customer
Space News (4/12): Orbital ATK announced the formation of a new satellite servicing division, Space Logistics LLC, on Tuesday at the 32nd Space Symposium underway in Colorado Springs this week. Orbital’s first satellite servicing customer will be Intelsat. The satellite operator is seeking a five-year life extension for one of its communications spacecraft.
Is Britain’s 5-year-old space investment locomotive running out of steam
Space News (4/12): In Britain, observers note signs the government’s once rising investments in space to drive economic growth may be waning.