Archive for the ‘Space News’ Category
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January 24th, 2015
More fallout from the October 31st mid-air destruction of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo above the Mojave Air and Space Port – killing one test pilot and injuring another.
The Los Angeles Times reports Jan. 23 that Virgin Galactic will take over testing of the suborbital rocket plane, limiting the role of Scaled Composites that designed and fabricated the vehicle.
According to the LA Times story, citing Kevin Mickey, the president of Scaled Composites, Scaled would be a consultant to Virgin Galactic.
For the full LA Times story, go to:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-virgin-galactic-update-20150124-story.html#
Work is underway on SpaceShipTwo, number two.
Credit: Virgin Galactic
Also take a look at this video from Virgin Galactic “Introducing our Second Spaceship” that was published on Jan 15, 2015.
The Virgin Galactic video features interviews with key team members and behind the scenes shots of the firm’s Spaceship factory.
Go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=84503534&v=qsL6NCUWtdA&x-yt-ts=1421914688#t=45
Posted in 
Credit: NASA/JPL
Add in another exploration tool for use on the Red Planet – a small helicopter.
The JPL robotics folks have proposed a tiny helicopter scout, one that could act as a science payload on the NASA Mars 2020 mission.
This aerial system could be deployed by the Mars 2020 rover, and would work in partnership with the mobile rover.
The lightweight device measures 3.6 feet (1.1 meters) across from the tip of one blade to the other.
Credit: NASA/JPL
Into thin air
Features of the system include: total mass of roughly 2 pounds (1 kilogram; counter-rotating propellers designed for use the thin Martian air; powered by solar charged batteries; a high resolution downward looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain; and a communication system to relay data to the rover.
According to a “2014 Robotics Activities at JPL” paper by Richard Volpe, the operations mode for this helicopter would make it an aerial asset for expanding the exploration of the terrain ahead of the rover, for target selection, path selection, and geologic context.
As envisioned, for safety the helicopter would never be directly near the rover. Instead, it would be dropped off on the ground, and only become active after the rover has driven away by a sufficient distance.
Daily flight
Individual daily flights would be limited to a short duration of approximately 3 minutes due to power, but it should attain roughly 330 feet (100 meters) altitude and around a 20,000 foot (600 meter) ground track.
Daily communication of helicopter data will provide overhead image resolution, some ten times greater than orbital images, and greater area coverage than can be seen from the rover.
Credit: NIAC/Anthony Colozza/Ohio Aerospace Institute
Entomopter proposal
A flying device on Mars has been proposed in the past.
Several years ago, the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (now the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program) funded the idea of using an entomopter for future Mars atmospheric flyer exploration missions.
Anthony Colozza at the Ohio Aerospace Institute blueprinted an entomopter using biomimetics and advanced circulation control techniques to achieve substantially higher lift than possible through conventional design.
Credit: NASA/JSC by Mark Dowman of John Frassanito & Associates
While the helicopter idea is getting attention — and has been touted as a possible add-on to the Mars 2020 mobile laboratory — Mars hardware that takes flight, including balloons, may well become part of the exploration toolkit of a human expedition to the red planet.
Check out this Mars helicopter video at:
This four-image mosaic comprises Rosetta navigation camera images taken from a distance of 18 miles (28.4 kilometers) from the center of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on January 16.
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission launched in 2004 and arrived at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on August 6, 2014.
It is the first mission in history to rendezvous with a comet, escort it as it orbits the Sun, and deploy a lander to its surface.
The Rosetta orbiter continues to crank out impressive images of the comet as it enters nearly 270 days at the comet.
On 8/13/2015 the comet will make its closest approach to the Sun.
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA
Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA
SpaceShipTwo suborbital craft disintegrated in a test flight last year, killing one pilot and injuring another.
Credit: Virgin Galactic
Is California’s Kern County the next frontier for aerospace innovation?
When you think of Kern County’s economy, two things may jump to mind: oil and agriculture.
But there’s another big player in the county’s economy – aerospace. County economic development officials estimate that around 20,000 people are employed in the sector – and one of the fastest growing areas has been in the field of commercial spaceflight.
The Mojave Air and Space Port in eastern Kern County is home to a number of startups specializing in the field.
But last year that tight knit community was rocked by tragedy when Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo was destroyed in a test flight, killing co-pilot Mike Alsbury and seriously injuring the other co-pilot.
Virgin Galactic pilot Todd Ericson and NTSB investigators at SpaceShipTwo accident site.
Credit: NTSB
Now three months after that accident, where does the world of commercial spaceflight go from here?Listen to this Valley Public Radio (VPR) — part of the NPR digital network – program on the topic, aired January 20, 2015, hosted by VPR’s Joe Moore and Ezra David Romero.
Guests: Leonard David, space journalist, and Stuart Witt – the CEO of the Mojave Air and Spaceport, the nation’s first inland spaceport and home to Scaled Composites, which has conducted tests of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo.
The nearly 18 minute discussion can be heard at:
http://kvpr.org/post/kern-county-next-frontier-aerospace-innovation
Credit: White House
U.S. President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union before Congress on January 20th.
Within that address, Obama noted the first launch of the Orion spacecraft as part of a “re-energized” American space program that will send American astronauts to the Red Planet. In addition, the U.S. President acknowledged the upcoming year-long mission of astronaut Scott Kelly, who was in the audience at the State of the Union.
NASA astronaut Scott Kelly stands as he is recognized by President Barack Obama, while First lady Michelle Obama, front left, and other guest applaud, during the State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 20, 2015. This March, Astronaut Scott Kelly will launch to the International Space Station and become the first American to live and work aboard the orbiting laboratory for a year-long mission. While living on the International Space Station, Kelly and the rest of the crew will carry out hundreds of research experiments and work on cutting-edge technology development that will inspire students here at home in science, technology, engineering and math.
Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Obama also remarked that 2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record, citing the contributions to understand climate change at NASA, NOAA and at universities.
Here are those remarks by President Obama as prepared for delivery:
“I want Americans to win the race for the kinds of discoveries that unleash new jobs — converting sunlight into liquid fuel; creating revolutionary prosthetics, so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kid; pushing out into the Solar System not just to visit, but to stay. Last month, we launched a new spacecraft as part of a re-energized space program that will send American astronauts to Mars. In two months, to prepare us for those missions, Scott Kelly will begin a year-long stay in space. Good luck, Captain — and make sure to Instagram it.”
“2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record. Now, one year doesn’t make a trend, but this does — 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century.”
“I’ve heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they’re not scientists; that we don’t have enough information to act. Well, I’m not a scientist, either. But you know what — I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and NOAA, and at our major universities. The best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, we’ll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration, conflict, and hunger around the globe. The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. We should act like it.”
Credit: ESA
The European Space Agency (ESA) has posted an informative video – Destination Moon – that spotlights ESA’s vision of what lunar exploration could be.
This 8-minute clip provides an overview of the past, present, and future of Moon exploration, from the lunar cataclysm to replanting humans back on the Moon’s surface.
Why is the Moon important for science? What resources does the Moon have? Is there water? Why should we go back and how will we do it?
For this video, go to:
http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2015/01/Destination_Moon
ESA is looking to the future of space exploration using robots ranging from small humanoid robots to larger construction robots with varying degrees of autonomy and flexibility.
A video animation shows advanced concepts of robots designed to explore, prepare and help humans in the very harsh conditions found on the Moon and beyond. For many of the concepts shown, ESA has already developed real-life prototypes, including the multifunctional wheels seen on the first robot in this video.
Go to:
http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2013/09/Advanced-concept_robots
Yet another set of videos available feature interviews with different officials on why and how Europe should invest in a mission to the Moon. The program also provides an explanation of the different steps taken before the lunar human outpost.
Note: Roll B includes images of Apollo astronauts on the moon, unedited versions of the above noted interviews and images of the moon. In the French version, interviews are in English and are not translated.
Go to:
http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/1994/01/Moon_Programme
The message from Senator Ted Cruz – Republican from Texas: “Focus NASA on its core mission: exploring space…and more of it.”
Cruz has announced that he will chair the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Space, and Competitiveness.
Ted Cruz, Republican senator from Texas, poked his head into NASA’s Orion last year at the Johnson Space Center. Orion program manager Mark Geyer (left) discusses the workings of the spacecraft with the lawmaker.
Credit: Lockheed Martin
“Texas has a long and cherished history when it comes to space exploration and my top priority as Chairman will be to help refocus NASA on its core priority of exploring space,” Cruz stated in a recent communiqué on his Senate website.
Senator Ted Cruz
Credit: Office of Ted Cruz
“We need to get back to the hard sciences, to manned space exploration, and to the innovation that has been integral to the mission of NASA.”
A number of space leaders have lauded the lawmaker’s vision for NASA, and echo his call to “fully ignite” American imagination, including Walter Cunningham, former NASA astronaut and Apollo 7 pilot.
To read the Cruz message on the space program, go to:
This image was taken January 16 by Front Hazcam: Right B onboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 869.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
This image was taken January 14 by Curiosity’s Mastcam: Right camera on Sol 868.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has performed a mini-drill test to assess whether the “Mojave” rock is appropriate for full-depth drilling to collect a sample. Cracking of the rock has made freshly exposed surfaces available for inspection.
Using an onboard focusing process, the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) aboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity created this product by merging two to eight images previously taken by the MAHLI, located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm. Curiosity performed the merge on MAHLI January 16, 2015, Sol 869.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Mojave displays copious slender features — slightly smaller than grains of rice — that appear to be mineral crystals. A chance to learn their composition prompted the Curiosity science team to choose Mojave as the next rock-drilling target to further investigate Mars’ Gale Crater. The features might be a salt mineral left behind when lakewater evaporated.
Software upgrade for wheel wear
In a Jan. 14 statement, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) noted that this coming week there will be a weeklong pause in science operations to install a new version of rover flight software, possibly before completion of the drilling and sample delivery.
The software is the fourth new version of the onboard software since the rover’s August 2012 landing.
Real wheel wear! Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager snagged this image on January 14, 2015, Sol 868 of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
One of the software upgrades will improve the rover’s ability to autonomously identify and drive in “good” terrain – landscape that can help reduce the observable wear and tear on Curiosity’s wheels.
In-orbit explosions can be related to the mixing of residual fuel that remain in tanks or fuel lines once a rocket stage or satellite is discarded in Earth orbit. The resulting explosion can destroy the object and spread its mass across numerous fragments with a wide spectrum of masses and imparted speeds.
Credit: ESA
It’s a heavenly mess and needs tending!
Here’s a new story from me posted on Space.com:
Dealing with Space Junk: The Rocky Road Ahead
by Leonard David, Space.com’s Space Insider Columnist
January 16, 2015 07:00am ET
http://www.space.com/28288-space-junk-problem-conference.html
Orbital debris experts gathered in November to take part in the University of Maryland Center for Orbital Debris Education and Research (CODER) meeting.
Credit: Leonard David
Sitting duck! The huge International Space Station has already had a number of close-encounters of the debris kind.
Credit: NASA
The UK-led Beagle-2 Mars lander, which hitched a ride on ESA’s Mars Express mission and was lost on Mars since 2003, has been found in images taken by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This color image has been sharpened to show possible details of the Beagle-2 lander on the surface of Mars.
Credit: Univ. of Arizona HIRISE/NASA/Leicester
Talk about close…but no cigar!
Lost on Mars since 2003, scientists from the United Kingdom and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced today that images taken by the super-powerful HiRISE camera system onboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show the ill-fated Beagle-2.
Beagle-2 was the UK’s first mission to another planet.
The missing-in-action Beagle-2 lander was deployed by ESA’s Mars Express orbiter back in December 2003. But nothing was heard from the lander after its scheduled touchdown.
But the new images show the lander partially deployed on the surface. That means that the entry, descent and landing sequence worked and it did successfully land on Mars on Christmas Day 2003.
The UK-led Beagle-2 Mars lander was lost on Mars since 2003. It reportedly has been found in images taken by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This close-up image has been sharpened to show possible details of the Beagle-2 lander on the surface of Mars.
Credit: HiRISE/NASA/JPL/Parker/Leicester
Partially deployed
Beagle-2 has been spotted in what appears to be a “partially deployed configuration,” according to a ESA press statement.
The find and seek team involved Beagle-2 team members, as well as ESA and U.S. researchers.
Only one, two or at most three of the four spacecraft solar panels are open. The main parachute can be seen, along with what is thought to be the rear cover with its pilot/drogue parachute still attached close by.
“The size, shape, color and separation of the features are consistent with Beagle-2 and its landing components, and lie within the expected landing area at a distance of about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from its center,” according to the press statement.
Furthermore, other possible features that can be culled from the imagery: the Beagle-2 landing airbags and possibly mission’s front heatshield.
Artist’s impression of Beagle-2. The first radio contact with the lander was expected shortly after the scheduled landing time…but no signal was received.
Credit: ESA/Denman productions
Beagle-2 bottom line
The bottom line for Beagle-2: “The partial deployment explains why no signals were ever received from the lander,” an ESA press statement explains.
“Full deployment of all solar panels was needed to expose the radio antenna to transmit data and receive commands from Earth.”
That being the case, without releasing all its solar panels that would have exposed the antenna, “there is no possibility of reviving Beagle-2 and recover data from it,” ESA stated.
Scenario speculation
In a University of Arizona statement, operators of the HiRISE camera gear, the images reveal only two or three of the motorized solar panels, but that may be due to their favorable tilts for sun glints.
According to the UK Space Agency, if some panels failed to deploy, reasons could include obstruction from an airbag remaining in the proximity of the lander due to gas leakage, or a damaged mechanism or structure or broken electrical connection, perhaps due to unexpected shock loads during landing. The scenario of local terrain topology, including rocks blocking the deployment, is considered unlikely given images of the landing area, which show few rocks, but this cannot be ruled out, noted the Univ. of Arizona press release.
Further imaging and analysis is planned to narrow the options for what happened. Slope and height derived from the HiRISE images show that Beagle 2 landed on comparable flat terrain with no major hazards.
NOTE: Watch Beagle-2 leader, professor Mark Sims, discuss the mission and what this new discovery means. Video was issued by University of Leicester Press Office and can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAKAJR4N6zQ
