What You Missed Last Week

Jan 21, 2024

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter:
Don’t miss the latest developments in space policy, science, and exploration with Deep Space Extra, delivered directly to your inbox from Monday to Friday.

 

Signup

Here is a list of news that were published in our Newsletter the week of January 15, 2024:

Human Space Exploration:

  • SpaceX launches private Ax-3 mission to ISS, 1st Turkish astronaut on board;
  • Tianzhou-7 reaches Tiangong in China’s first space station mission of 2024;
  • Artemis gets strong support from House committee members, but not Mike Griffin;
  • SpaceX orders 24-hour delay for commercial space station flight;
  • Ax-3 crew prepares for ambitious Space Station mission;
  • Airbus and Voyager finalize Starlab joint venture;
  • Twenty years of chasing the moon;
  • Living on the moon: Inside Artemis’ Foundation Habitat;
  • NASA’s Lunar Retroreflector Network could make landing on the moon much easier;
  • SpaceX says propellant venting caused loss of second Starship;
  • For Gaganyaan astronauts, ISRO may opt for Russian-made spacesuits;

 

Space Science

  • Astrobotic’s lunar lander falls into South Pacific after missing out on Moon landing;
  • Japan will attempt to land a spacecraft of the Moon precisely;
  • Water ice buried at Mars’ equator is over 2 miles thick;
  • Planetary surfaces: Why study them? Can they help us find life elsewhere?
  • Early galaxies were shaped like surfboards and pool noodles, James Webb Space Telescope finds;
  • NASA’s robotic, self-assembling structures could be the next phase of space construction;
  • Japan’s SLIM spacecraft lowers orbit ahead of Friday moon landing attempt;
  • NASA Selects a Sample Return Mission to Venus;
  • No, the James Webb Space Telescope hasn’t found life out there – at least not yet;
  • NASA names Vogel new head of Space Technology;
  • NASA selects new technology to help search for life on Mars;
  • Discovery changes understanding of water’s history on the moon;
  • Decade-long Dark Energy Survey offers new insights into the expansion of the universe;
  • No alien life needed: Dark streaks in Venus’ atmosphere can be explained by iron minerals;
  • Peregrine lunar lander on Earth reentry trajectory;
  • Astronomers discover “invisible” galaxy;

 

Other News

  • Shutdown averted for a few more weeks;
  • Taking stock: Private investment in space companies rebounded in 2023;
  • DoD seeks less space classification, more collaboration with allies and commercial partners;
  • Vulcan launch demonstrates new solid rocket boosters;
  • Axiom and SpaceX are disrupting Europe’s traditional pathway to space;
  • Shhh, NASA reveals its new quiet supersonic aircraft;
  • Army to refine requirements for next-generation satellite terminals;
  • With a week to go, House in disarray over funding as partial shutdown looms;
  • Japan launches IGS-Optical 8 reconnaissance satellite;

 

Major Space Related Activities for the Week

  • The U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee’s space and aeronautics subcommittee has scheduled a hearing regarding NASA’s Artemis program for Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST and entitled “Returning to the moon: Keeping Artemis on Track.”
  • Last week, NASA leadership announced delays in the first two crewed Artemis missions, Artemis II and III. Artemis II, a 10-day mission around the moon with three NASA and a Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut, has moved from late 2024 to September 2025. Artemis III, the first post-Apollo mission to soft land astronauts on the moon has moved from late 2025 to September 2026. The changes are to address technical issues with scheduling focused on maintaining safety.
  • The launch of Axiom Space’s third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), one that includes an all-European crew of four, is planned for Wednesday at 5:11 p.m. EST. NASA will broadcast launch coverage over NASA TV and stream coverage beginning at 3:15 p.m. EST.
  • The AX-3 crew is to dock at the ISS for a 14-day stay on Friday at 5:15 a.m. EST.
  • On Thursday at 12 p.m. EST, NASA will join Astrobotic Technology for a news briefing on Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander, which experienced a propellant leak following a liftoff early January 8, a setback that has prevented a lunar landing attempt. On Friday at 10:20 a.m. EST, Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is to attempt a lunar landing, following its September 6 launch. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans to livestream the event beginning at 9 a.m. EST.
  • On Capitol Hill in Washington, Congress will be attempting to come together to prevent a government shutdown. Currently, two staggered budget continuing resolutions that are holding 2024 spending at 2023 fiscal year levels are set to expire on January 19 and February 2.