Today’s Deep Space Extra offers the latest reporting and commentary on space related activities from across the globe. Already touted for its scientific and engineering grounding, the film The Martian receives critical acclaim on the eve of its debut in theaters. Cast from The Martian visited NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, hours before the fictional story of a future U.S. astronaut stranded on Mars opens in theaters. More photos from NASA’s New Horizon’s mission reveal rugged Charon, the moon of distant Pluto. Europe’s Moonspike raises money for a moon landing. Another lunar venture, Moon Express, turns to Rocket Labs for a private lunar sample return project. Scientists report a major Earth extinction event included volcanism as well as an asteroid impact. A Russian Progress cargo mission launches and docks successfully with the International Space Station. Moves in the U.S. House could restore the Export-Import Bank, an aerospace asset. A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 launches Mexico’s Morales 3 communications satellite. A Swiss hotel offers a “Space Suite.”
Human Deep Space Exploration
Review: In ‘The Martian,’ marooned but not alone
The New York Times (10/1): Friday’s widely anticipated opening of the space drama The Martian includes praise from a film critic who finds the production “epic and intimate.” The film follows story of the fictional astronaut Mark Watney as he struggles to survive after being stranded on Mars.
At KSC, “The Martian” helps NASA imagine Mars mission
Florida Today (10/1): Cast members from The Martian, the movie drama about a future NASA astronaut stranded on Mars, gather at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center a day before the film makes its debut in theaters.
Unmanned Deep Space Exploration
NASA releases best photos yet of Pluto’s jumbo moon, Charon
Associated Press via New York Times (10/1): A new round of images from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft reveals Pluto’s moon Charon as a distant rugged frontier, with lots of massive canyons and surface fractures. New Horizons carried out the first ever flyby of Pluto on July 14.
European venture seeks to raise $1 million for lunar mission
Space News (10/1): A British start up, Moonspike, seeks $1 million in crowd sourced funds to launch and deliver a payload, a very small flash drive with photos, to the moon.
Private moon landing set for 2017
Space.com (10/1): Moon Express turns to Rocket Lab for a series of launches that could lead to the first private lunar landings. The first launches are planned for 2017. Moon Express is also vying for the $30 million Lunar X-Prize.
Scientists suggest a new, earth-shaking twist on the demise of the dinosaurs
Washington Post (10/1): A major Earth extinction event has long been attributed to an asteroid or comet collision 66 million years ago. Now, scientists are saying the devastation may have been linked to massive volcanic eruptions in India as well. Together, the catastrophic events filled the air with toxic gases, wiping out 70 percent of life on Earth. The findings were published in the journal Science.
Low Earth Orbit
Progress M-29M completes fast track ISS resupply run
NASASpaceflight.com (10/1): Six hours after lifting off from Kazakhstan at midafternoon on Thursday, Russia’s Progress 61 cargo capsule docked successfully with the International Space Station, delivering just over three tons of fuel, water, crew equipment and research equipment.
Commercial to Low Earth Orbit
Discharge petition could be next step for Ex-Im bank reauthorization
Spacepolicyonline.com (10/2): Supporters of the U.S. Export – Import Bank are attempting a new strategy to bring a re-authorization measure to a vote in the U.S. House. The bank, which assists in the sale of U.S. satellites and launch services to foreign customers, lost its authorization to take on new business on June 30, when lawmakers were unable to agree on a re-authorization. Several U.S. aerospace companies report they have lost sales abroad as a result.
Live coverage: Atlas 5 countdown and launch journal
Spaceflightnow.com (10/2): United Launch Alliance placed Mexico’s Morelos 3 communications satellite in orbit early Friday with the launch of an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Lift off was at 6:28 a.m., EDT.
Hotel offers $2,000-a-night ‘Space Station’ experience
CNN (10/1): A Swiss hotel features at new “Space Suite,” complete with a zero gravity bed and other appointments including a steam bath that simulate a view of the universe.