Weekly Spacecraft Mission News (English, German) – 21.05.20

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Mondrover: Dank Laserstrahl in dunkle Mondkrater

Wie würden sich dunkle Krater auf dem Mond erkunden lassen, ohne dabei auf nukleare Antriebe zu setzen? Dieser Frage hat sich auch die europäische Weltraumagentur ESA angenommen und nun ein innovatives Konzept vorgestellt: Ein Mondrover könnte durch einen Laserstrahl auch aus größerer Entfernung mit Energie versorgt werden. (14. Mai 2020)

Laserbetriebener Rover zur Erforschung schattiger Mondkrater

Ein Laserstrahl, der durch die Dunkelheit scheint, könnte die robotergestützte Erkundung der faszinierendsten Orte unseres Sonnensystems antreiben: die ständig im Schatten liegenden Krater abseits der Mondpole, die vermutlich reich an Wassereis und anderen wertvollen Materialien sind.

ExoMars rover upgrades and parachute tests

The second ExoMars mission, scheduled for launch to the Red Planet in 2022, is taking advantage of the extra time to upgrade some of the rover’s instruments and get ready for the next parachute high-altitude drop tests.

Chinas Raumstation „Himmelspalast“ ist T-förmig und hat drei Module

Chinesische Medien haben jetzt Einzelheiten über die geplante erste Raumstation mitgeteilt, deren Bau 2022 abgeschlossen sein soll. Die drei Module des Himmelpalastes seien T-förmig angeordnet und hätten zusammen eine Masse von etwa 66 Tonnen. Die Station sei für drei Raumfahrer ausgelegt und werde die Erde auf einer Bahnhöhe zwischen 340 […]

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Goes Through Trials by Fire, Ice, Light and Sound

The agency’s new Mars rover is put through a series of tests in vacuum chambers, acoustic chambers and more to get ready for the Red Planet.

NASA to Make Announcement About WFIRST Space Telescope Mission

ASA will host a special edition of NASA Science Live at 11 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 20, to share an exciting announcement about the agency’s Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission.

WFIRST Telescope Named For ‘Mother of Hubble’ Nancy Grace Roman

Today, NASA announced that it is naming its next-generation space telescope, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), in honor of Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first Chief Astronomer, who paved the way for space telescopes focused on the broader universe. The newly named Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (or Roman Space Telescope, for short), is set to launch in the mid-2020s. The Space Telescope Science Institute will serve as the science operations center for the Roman Space Telescope. In that role, the Institute will plan, schedule, and carry out observations, process and archive mission datasets, and engage and inform the astronomical community and the public.

Ist das Starlink-Problem schon bald Geschichte?

Am 17. Mai um 9:53 MESZ sollen wieder 60 Starlinks auf die Reise geschickt werden – die nächste Lichterkette am Himmel also wie in den Videos oben nach diversen früheren Starts? Das schon, erst einmal – aber etwas ist vor dem achten Start anders: Ende April hat SpaceX kurz nach dem siebten einen detaillierter Plan zur Verdunklung der Satelliten in absehbarer Zukunft vorgelegt, der zuvor am 27. April vor US-Astronomie-Funktionären präsentiert worden war – die langwierigen Verhandlungen der vergangenen Monate, von denen nur wenig bekannt geworden war, scheinen Früchte zu tragen.

SpaceX’s 1st Dragon capsule for astronauts arrives at launch site for historic mission

The spacecraft that will fly SpaceX’s first-ever crewed mission has reached the launch site ahead of next week’s epic liftoff.

SpaceX just one week away from launching 1st astronauts on Crew Dragon for NASA

SpaceX is scheduled to launch Demo-2 next Wednesday (May 27), a mission that will send NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station.

Besatzung des Crew Dragon in Cape Canaveral erwartet

Die Besatzung des Raumschiffes Crew Dragon von SpaceX wird am (heutigen) Mittwochabend auf dem Weltraumbahnhof Cape Canaveral (Florida) erwartet. Die US-Luft- und Raumfahrtbehörde NASA kündigte die Ankunft von Bob Behnken und Doug Hurley für 22:00 Uhr deutscher Zeit an. Damit beginnt für die beiden NASA-Astronauten die letzte […]

NASA Telescope Named For ‘Mother of Hubble’ Nancy Grace Roman

NASA is naming its next-generation space telescope currently under development, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), in honor of Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer, who paved the way for space telescopes focused on the broader universe.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe starts sun observation marathon

NASA’s sun-grazing spacecraft is gathering the most data ever on its upcoming skim past our star, with instruments turned on for nearly two months.

New European Drawer Rack set for Space Station

When the Japanese HTV-9 cargo vehicle launches to the International Space Station on 20 May it will carry a part of Europe in its pressurised module. The second iteration of the European Drawer Rack (EDR-2) is destined for the European Columbus laboratory and will provide even greater opportunities for science in space.

Crew Preps for Japanese Cargo, Studies Effects of Planetary Missions

Japan’s ninth mission to resupply the International Space Station has been given a “go” to launch on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. EDT. The Expedition 63 crew continues prepare for its arrival and robotic capture on Memorial Day.

Japanese Cargo, SpaceX Crew Dragon Activities Ramping Up

The International Space Station is getting ready for a new Japanese cargo mission and the first Commercial Crew before the end of the month. Expedition 63 Commander Chris Cassidy joined Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner Friday afternoon to train for the arrival of a Japanese cargo craft after it launches on May 20 at 1:30 p.m. EDT. The duo practiced the robotic capture techniques they will use when they command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to grapple Japan’s ninth H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-9) when it arrives on May 25 at 8:15 a.m.

Flying Robots, Ultrasound Eye Scans Top Science Schedule

Flying robots and ultrasound eye scans were the top science activities aboard the International Space Station today. The Expedition 63 crew also serviced a variety of lab hardware and tested a wearable health monitor. Free-flying robotic assistants called AstroBees were checked out as Commander Chris Cassidy once again tested their ability to autonomously navigate the orbiting lab. The veteran astronaut then shut down and docked the small cube-shaped devices inside the Kibo laboratory module from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

Video: Crew Dragon transported to launch pad 39A

SpaceX’s first Crew Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts into orbit arrived at launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida late Friday, May 15, to be attached to its Falcon 9 rocket. The capsule will carry NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station.

Crew Dragon capsule meets Falcon 9 rocket inside launch pad hangar

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft arrives at the Falcon 9 rocket hangar at pad 39A late Friday, May 15, for integration with its launch vehicle. The Crew Dragon is set for launch May 27 with astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Japanese Cargo Vehicle Lifts Off To Resupply Station Crew

Carrying four tons of supplies, water, spare parts and experiment hardware for the Expedition 63 crew aboard the International Space Station, HTV-9 launched from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on Wednesday, May 20 at 1:31 p.m. EDT (2:31 a.m. Thursday, May 21, Japan time).

Seen from space: COVID-19 and the environment

As the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives across the globe, Earth-observing satellites take the pulse of our planet from space. While the global lockdown has had a massive impact on daily life and the economy, there have been environmental benefits that are visible from space. How can we preserve these positives when returning to ‘business as usual’?

Earth from Space: San Francisco Bay

In this week’s edition of the Earth from Space programme, the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over San Francisco Bay in the US state of California

Station Crew Sees Typhoon from Space

The crew of the International Space Station snapped this image of this typhoon in the South Pacific Ocean on May 13, 2020.

Swarm probes weakening of Earth’s magnetic field

In an area stretching from Africa to South America, Earth’s magnetic field is gradually weakening. This strange behaviour has geophysicists puzzled and is causing technical disturbances in satellites orbiting Earth. Scientists are using data from ESA’s Swarm constellation to improve our understanding of this area known as the ‘South Atlantic Anomaly.’

Celebrating Our Artemis Naming Anniversary

This week marks one year since I named America’s 21st-century lunar exploration program Artemis after the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon. As we fast-tracked our goal of landing the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024, and establishing a sustainable lunar presence later this decade, NASA and our partners have made incredible progress.

NASA enttäuscht über Reaktion Russlands auf ihr Artemis-Programm

ie US-Luft- und Raumfahrtbehörde NASA hat sich enttäuscht über die erste Reaktion Russlands auf ihr Artemis-Programm (Artemis Accords) zur Erschließung des Mondes geäußert. Er hoffe aber, dass Moskau das Dokument unterstützt, wenn es dessen Wesen verstehe, sagte NASA-Vize Mike Gold, der für die internationalen Beziehungen der Behörde zuständig ist. Der […]

What Are The Artemis Accords And Why Do We Need Them?

“NASA has formally announced the “Artemis Accords” – a series of principles and processes whereby America and other countries would agree to a common set of principles covering how the Moon is to be explored and its resources utilized. But what are these accords and why do we need them? Given the renewed and expanded interest by many nations to explore the Moon this makes sense. There are two main issues involved here. One has to do with the common sense approaches that need to be made among multiple parties to ensure that things go smoothly. The other is the legalistic and diplomatic tedium that goes into international agreements.”

“Artemis Accords” der Nasa: Amerika schreibt neue Regeln für den Mond

Wassereis für Raketenantriebe, Helium-3 als Energiequelle: Der Mond hat interessante Rohstoffe – doch wer darf sie nutzen? Die Nasa will Partner jetzt dazu bringen, eine umstrittene Rechtsposition zu stützen.

Mud volcanoes may spew on Mars, scientists say

Some Mars volcanoes may erupt with mud rather than molten rock, a new study suggests.

Get lost in Jupiter’s haze thanks to new pictures from NASA spacecraft

For your weekend enjoyment, we present another installment of Jupiter’s beautifully swirly atmosphere.

TESS is Also Helping Astronomers Study Bizarre Pulsating Stars

NASA’s TESS, or Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite has one main job: finding exoplanets. But it’s also helping astronomers study a strange type of star that has so far defied thorough explanation. Those stars are Delta Scuti stars, named after their prototype. Delta Scuti stars exhibit strange pulsating patterns, and they rotate rapidly. So far, astronomers …

First Look: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Fully Stowed

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has been successfully folded and stowed into the same configuration it will have when loaded onto an Ariane 5 rocket for launch next year.

SpaceX fires up Starship SN4 prototype for 3rd time (video)

SpaceX tested the engine on its latest Starship prototype again yesterday (May 19), and the trial produced a little more flame than the company had planned.

Fjodor Jurtschichin geht mit der russischen Raumfahrt hart ins Gericht

Einer der erfahrensten russischen Kosmonauten, Fjodor Jurtschichin, geht mit der Raumfahrt seines Landes hart ins Gericht. Nüchtern betrachtet müsse man zugeben, dass die USA heute die Weltraumhauptmacht auf unserem Planeten sind, sagte er in einer Online-Präsentation zum Thema Sport und Kosmos, wie die Nachrichtenagentur RIA Nowosti […]

Russische Kosmonauten nehmen Training wieder auf

Nach rund eineinhalbmonatiger Unterbrechung wegen der Coronavirus-Pandemie hat das Kosmonautenausbildungszentrum (ZPK) Juri Gagarin im Sternenstädtchen bei Moskau am Donnerstag wieder die Arbeit aufgenommen. Begonnen wurde das Training mit Elementen, die nur wenige Instrukteure erfordern und die korrekte Einhaltung der strengen Sicherheitsvorschriften erlauben, wurde mitgeteilt.

ArianeGroup-Chef Roussel befürchtet Startverschiebung von Ariane 6 auf 2021

Der Chef des Konzerns ArianeGroup, André-Hubert Roussel, befürchtet eine Verschiebung des Erststarts der neuen Europarakete Ariane 6 vom zweiten Halbjahr 2020 auf das nächste Jahr. Bis zum Ausbruch der Coronavirus-Pandemie habe man in der Zeitplanung gelegen, sagte er der Zeitung Le Figaro vom Donnerstag. Nun sei die zusätzliche Zeitreserve aber […]

The NASA monopoly on US orbital spaceflight is ending

NASA’s monopoly on American activities in low-Earth orbit (LEO) is ending, and that’s just what the space agency wants.

You can dock a SpaceX Crew Dragon at the space station in this free simulator

If you always wanted to pilot a spaceship, here’s your big chance to simulate the experience.

Neues Kerbal-Update bringt Ariane 5 und echte ESA-Missionen

Am 1. Juli erhalten Spielerinnen und Spieler für ihre Weltraumsimulation Kerbal Space Program das kostenlose Update „Shared Horizons“, mithilfe dessen sie eine Ariane-5-Trägerrakete bauen und echte ESA-Missionen bewältigen können.

Colonizing Mars may require humanity to tweak its DNA

Genetic enhancement could allow humanity to push surprisingly far out into the final frontier.

Nancy Grace Roman: The Mother of Hubble

Nancy Grace Roman (1925-2018), NASA’s first chief astronomer, is known as the ‘Mother of Hubble.’

Annie and John Glenn Arrive for the Gemini IV Flight

Annie and John Glenn arrive at the Mission Control Center for the Gemini IV launch on June 4, 1965. John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth.