Fwd: nasa news

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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: March 13, 2015 at 9:22:36 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: nasa news

Happy flex Friday everyone.   Be safe and have a great weekend.

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• Cruz Accuses NASA Of Losing Its "Core Mission" With Earth Science Research.

• Ganymede May Have More Water Under Its Surface Than Earth.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• BEAM Ready To Be Shipped To KSC For September Launch.

• Ochoa First In List Of Notable Women's Achievements.

• "Spectacular" Images Highlight Astronauts' Return From ISS.

• Lockheed Martin Proposes New Jupiter Spacecraft For NASA Cargo Missions.

• Antares Launch Failure Investigation Expected To Be Completed This Month.

• With One Test Down, SLS Has "More Hurdles" Ahead.

• Students Display Their ISS Experiments.

• Device Could Solve Astronauts' Eye Problems.

• Cristoforetti Takes Video Of UK From ISS.

• NASA Engineer Video Chats With Kids.

• Ford To Speak At Community Center.

LEADING THE NEWS

Cruz Accuses NASA Of Losing Its "Core Mission" With Earth Science Research.

USA Today (3/12, King, 4.95M) reports that during Thursday's hearing by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation subcommittee on space, Sen. Ted Cruz, who chairs the body, told NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, "Almost any American would agree that the core function of NASA is to explore space. ... That's what inspires little boys and little girls across this country. It's what sets NASA apart from any other agency. I am concerned that NASA has lost its full focus on that core mission." According to the article, Cruz thought that NASA was spending too much "of its limited resources" on Earth science missions, when it should be focusing on getting astronauts to Mars, a sentiment that was reiterated by Sen. Cory Gardner. In response, Bolden told the panel how the two are "interconnected," saying, "We can't go anywhere if the Kennedy Space Center (in Florida) goes underwater and we don't know it. ... It is absolutely critical that we understand Earth's environment because this is the only place we have to live." Bolden, noting that NASA has lowered its human space exploration costs by using private companies, added, "We have now progressed farther on this path in sending humans to Mars than at any point in NASA's history. ... And this budget will keep us marching forward."

Ganymede May Have More Water Under Its Surface Than Earth.

The AP (3/12, Chang) reports that Jim Green, director of planetary science at NASA headquarters, said, "The solar system is now looking like a pretty soggy place" because of findings that Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede, has even more water than the Earth beneath its surface. By looking at the moon's auroras using the Hubble telescope, scientists led by Joachim Saur of the University of Cologne were able to find "the most convincing" indications of Ganymede's interior ocean. The article notes that the ESA is next planning to launch a mission to Jupiter in 2022 which will "slip into orbit around Ganymede for a close-up look – the first attempt at orbiting an icy moon."

       

       

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HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

BEAM Ready To Be Shipped To KSC For September Launch.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/12, Velotta, 398K) reports that yesterday, Robert Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace, and William Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations, briefed reporters on Bigelow Aerospace's Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which is about to be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center for its September launch to the ISS. Once there, it will be attached to the station in order to see how well the inflatable habitat performs in space. While the habitat could be used by astronauts, Gerstenmaier said, "We'll leave it up to those on the ISS (International Space Station) as to how much time they spend in it." Gerstenmaier added, "What has happened here in the past 2¼ years is a tremendous accomplishment for Bob and his team."

        According to the KLAS-TV Las Vegas (3/13, 114K) website, yesterday was "a coming out party of sorts" for Bigelow, who was officially handing over BEAM to NASA. Gerstenmaier said, "We're really learning how to operate in space, how to move the human presence into the solar system. ... This is really the first step for doing this." Meanwhile, the article notes that mockups seen at Bigelow Aerospace during the press conference "hinted" that the company had further plans to have larger versions as possible bases.

        In an article for Popular Science (3/12, 6.72M), Ryan Bradley comments that yesterday was a "victory" for Bigelow, which is "very much in the proving phases." When asked whether the venture will be profitable, Bigelow said that his company is "waiting on the transportation."

        The KSNV-TV Las Vegas (3/12, 12K) website, KVVU-TV Las Vegas (3/13, Miller, 68K) website, and Parabolic Arc (3/12, Messier) also cover the story.

Ochoa First In List Of Notable Women's Achievements.

Newsday (3/13, 1.41M), in honor of Women's History Month, lists women who have accomplished "something that no other woman had done before." The first of those listed was Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space and director of the Johnson Space Center.

"Spectacular" Images Highlight Astronauts' Return From ISS.

ABC World News (3/12, story 13, 0:15, Muir, 5.84M), in continuing coverage, broadcast "spectacular images" from Wednesday's return of astronaut Barry Wilmore and two cosmonauts from the ISS.

        The CBS Evening News (3/12, story 10, 0:15, Pelley, 5.08M) broadcast that there was "some concern" during the return when contact with the Soyuz capsule was lost for a time. However, the broadcast noted that everyone is "doing fine."

        According to TIME (3/12, Kluger, 19.19M), the image of the astronaut's return "looks peaceful," but in actuality the trip back "was more harrowing than usual" because of fog that blocked sight of the capsule.

        The Business Insider (3/13, Orwig, 2.26M), Foreign Policy (3/12, Drennan, 325K), io9 (3/12, McKinnon, 883K), The Verge (3/12, Vincent, 876K), Gizmodo (3/12, Nagy, 1.04M), and the Smithsonian (3/12, Blakemore, 284K) website cover the astronaut's return by commenting on the images taken in very positive terms.

Lockheed Martin Proposes New Jupiter Spacecraft For NASA Cargo Missions.

The Denver Business Journal (3/12, Avery, Subscription Publication, 62K) "TechFlash" blog reports that Lockheed Martin Space Systems (LMSS) revealed that it will construct "a new Jupiter spacecraft adapted from designs of interplanetary space probes the company has built for NASA." Lockheed would like NASA to select the Jupiter spacecraft, with its new "Exoliner" cargo-carrying module, for its next round of ISS cargo resupply contracts, claiming the system could be ready by 2018. Once launched, Jupiter would stay in space to "connect future Exoliner containers launched to the ISS...launch small satellites for NASA or private companies, or...conduct Earth observation for science." Because the "avionics, power and other features" located on the Jupiter would not need launching with each cargo mission, the company claims that its proposal is "more capable and cost effective for NASA." According to the article, LMSS also considered Jupiter to be the beginning piece of a deep space architecture because "without modification," Jupiter could be used with Orion and Space Launch System.

        Aviation Week (3/12, Morring, 2K) notes that James Crocker, vice president and general manager for LMSS' new international unit, said that "venture capitalists and commercial operators" and international partners have been supportive of the mission design. However, according to the article, for the time being, the ISS would be the "key" location "to refine the systems needed for the push deeper into the Solar System that the Jupiter partnership hopes to commercialize."

        SPACE (3/12, Wall, 236K) also covers the story.

        ULA Could Be A "Big Winner" Depending On Contract Selection. The Denver Business Journal (3/12, Avery, Subscription Publication, 62K) "TechFlash" blog reports that with Boeing and Lockheed Martin competing in this round of commercial resupply contracts, the United Launch Alliance may be "a big winner" because it is a joint venture of those two companies. Furthermore, Boeing, Lockheed, and fellow bidder Sierra Nevada Corp. Space Systems would use a ULA Atlas V rocket to launch their cargo spacecrafts. The article notes that civilian launches like the ones under the contract would not be banned from using Russian engines, but the fact that the Atlas V still has one makes the rocket "politically controversial."

Antares Launch Failure Investigation Expected To Be Completed This Month.

Reuters (3/12, Shalal) reports that Orbital ATK CEO David Thompson said Thursday that the company's investigation into last year's Antares rocket launch failure should be completed this month. Thompson also revealed that his company would respond to an Air Force request for information, which could lead to a new competition for 28 satellite launches.

With One Test Down, SLS Has "More Hurdles" Ahead.

In one of the few articles continuing coverage of Wednesday's successful rocket booster test fire for the Space Launch System, New Scientist (3/12, Rutkin, 11K) reports that the rocket is "bigger, better and stronger." While "everything seems" to have performed as expected during the test, the article notes that the SLS has "more hurdles" to overcome, such as next year's "a cold temperature test."

        Roscosmos Will No Longer Build SLS "Rival" Due To Budget Issues. Sen (3/13, Zak) reports that because of its "significant budgetary pressures" Roscosmos' "rival" to the Space Launch System has been "indefinitely postponed." The article notes that the news from the agency's Scientific and Technical Council was delivered a day after NASA's "spectacular test firing." Meanwhile, the policy-making group decided to approve "preliminary development of an upgraded rocket designated Angara-A5V." This will involve adding "radical upgrades" to the Angara-5 rocket, which made its first launch last year. The article notes that according to Roscosmos, the rocket could conduct "piloted missions to the vicinity of the Moon and to its surface."

        Sputnik News (3/12) also covers the story.

        Roscosmos Will Conduct International Lunar Exploration Program. Sputnik News (3/12) reports that Vladimir Mitin, a deputy head of the manned program department at Roscosmos, said that Russia plans to initiate a lunar exploration program with international partners. However, the article notes that Mitin did not say who those partners would be.

Students Display Their ISS Experiments.

The KBJR-TV Duluth, MN (3/12, Frasier, 2K) website reports that Marshall High School students were at the Duluth Children's Museum Thursday to display their "frogs into space science project," which will examine "the effects of microgravity on developing frog embryos." The project, part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, will be launched this June to the ISS.

        Meanwhile, the Oskaloosa (IA) Herald Online (3/12, Nollen) reports Oskaloosa High School students also showed off their science projects at the Project Based Learning Showcase on Tuesday. The article briefly notes that one of the projects involved an experiment "to study the effects of zero gravity on plants" that was conducted at the ISS.

Device Could Solve Astronauts' Eye Problems.

The KELO-TV Sioux Falls, SD (3/12, Wonnenberg, 18K) website reports on John Berdahl's work to help astronauts reach Mars by protecting their eyes. Berdahl said that "one of the biggest health obstacles that astronauts face in getting the first person to Mars" is the swelling of the optic nerve seen experienced by ISS astronauts. This can lead to vision problems. In order to combat the syndrome known as VIIP, Berdahl has developed a device "to balance the pressure in the eye with brain pressure." Berdahl said that the research is "a real big deal" because not only could it help astronauts in space, but it could also treat glaucoma, "the second leading cause of blindness in the world."

Cristoforetti Takes Video Of UK From ISS.

The Western Morning News (UK) (3/12) reports in continuing coverage on the video of the UK taken by astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti aboard the ISS, which flew over the region recently. The West Morning News writes that Westcountry appears "blissfully unblemished by the glow of light pollution," as do Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset. Westcountry has been dubbed a Dark Sky Discovery Site, meaning the lack of light pollution there gives it an edge for star gazers.

NASA Engineer Video Chats With Kids.

The Queens (NY) Chronicle (3/12, O'Reilly, 101K) reports on an event held at One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, where children got to video chat with NASA's Eric Alexander. Alexander, a member of the engineering directorate, told the young participants that they "are the future engineers and astronauts who will lead this program."

Ford To Speak At Community Center.

The WSJV-TV South Bend, IN (3/12, Ducharme, 3K) website reports that astronaut Kevin A. Ford will speak on Thursday March 26 at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center. His presentation is called "Follow Your Dreams." Ford joined NASA in 2000.