In Today’s Deep Space Extra… NASA outlines latest strides to upgrade ground systems for future Space Launch System, Orion missions of human deep space exploration.
Human Deep Space Exploration
NASA trumpets milestone in potential Mars travel: System reviews
Orlando Sentinel (3/29): On Tuesday, NASA announced new strides in the agency’s efforts with key contractors to develop the ground systems at the Kennedy Space Center to support future Space Launch System exploration vehicle launches of the Orion space capsule with astronauts on mission of deep space exploration. “Modernizing the ground systems for our journey to Mars also ensures long-term sustainability and affordability to meet future needs of the multi-use spaceport,” said Bill Hill, NASA’s deputy associate administrator of the Exploration System Development Division.
Space Science
Jupiter just got hit by a comet or asteroid … again (video)
Space.com (3/29): Earlier this month, amateur astronomers spotted giant Jupiter undergoing an assault from an asteroid or comet impact. The invader was more likely an asteroid, say experts.
U.S. military rules out collision as cause of Hitomi satellite’s woes
Spaceflightnow.com (3/29): The failure of Japan’s recently launched Hitomi space observatory was not due to an orbital collision, according to U.S. Air Force satellite tracking experts. Launched on Feb. 17, the X-ray observatory experienced a puzzling communications loss last weekend.
Japan is tracking tumbling and damaged satellite
Discovery.com (3/29): Japan’s Hitomi X-ray observatory is tumbling as it orbits. Trackers say they have received only cryptic signals from the recently damaged spacecraft launched in February.
Low Earth Orbit
China launches 22nd BeiDou navigation satellite
Xinhuanet, of China (30): Beijing successfully launched the latest in a constellation of Chinese global navigation system satellites early Wednesday.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
The science of expansion: NASA highlights SpaceX CRS-8 experiments
Spaceflight Insider (3/29): NASA’s next commercially contracted re-supply mission to the International Space Station will deliver a wide range of science research and technology demonstration.
Scientists are sending fungi into space in the hope of developing new medicines
Space.com (3/29): Soon to launch, NASA’s next commercial re-supply mission to the International Space Station will include studies of fungi that may reveal how four strains respond to an absence of gravity as well as radiation. The stress responses may include the production of substances valuable as new medicines.
U.S. launch companies lobby to maintain ban on use of Indian rockets
Space News (3/29): The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration urges U.S. satellite companies to exclude India in their evaluation of launch service providers. Launch services owned and controlled by the Indian government threaten to “distort the conditions of competition” in the global launch-services market, according to a recent advisory from the FAA’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee.