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Marshall selected to lead NASA human lunar lander program
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will manage the agency’s efforts to develop a lander needed to achieve the goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2024, an announcement overshadowed by political wrangling about what center should be responsible.
Chandrayaan-2: India’s lunar maneuvers continue
India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, is scheduled to enter lunar orbit Aug. 20 following a relatively circuitous journey to the moon.
NASA to seek independent review of ISS National Laboratory
NASA will perform an independent review of the non-profit organization that runs the portion of the International Space Station designated a national laboratory while also calling for a “strategic pause” in that organization’s work.
Scientists worry about long-term future of NASA’s Mars exploration program
As NASA gears up a decade-long effort to return samples from Mars, some scientists are worried that the campaign may not leave any funding available for other robotic missions to the planet.
Robonaut to return to ISS
As Russia prepares to launch an experimental humanoid robot to the International Space Station later this month, a similar NASA robot is being readied for a return to the station after repairs on Earth.
ESA confirms second ExoMars parachute test failure
The European Space Agency said Aug. 12 that another test of the parachutes that will be used on the ExoMars 2020 lander mission failed last week, putting the schedule of the mission into jeopardy.
NASA seeking proposals for cubesats on second SLS launch
NASA is soliciting proposals to fly cubesats on the second flight of its Space Launch System, even as those cubesats chosen for the first SLS launch patiently await their ride.
NOAA seeks to “kick the tires” on new instruments, mission concepts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to conduct technology demonstrations and pathfinder projects as it prepares to update its Earth observation constellations.
Blue Canyon Technologies continues NASA cubesat operations
Small satellite manufacturer Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) announced plans Aug. 5 to continue operating two NASA-funded cubesats, TEMPEST-D and HaloSat, from its mission operations center in Boulder, Colorado.
Senator criticizes cost and schedule issues with NASA programs
The chairman of a key Senate committee said he’s “troubled” by cost and schedule growth on major NASA programs and is asking the agency for more information on their status.
How NASA’s return to the moon will be different from its first journeys there
NASA’s renewed effort to return humans to the moon draws inescapable parallels to Apollo a half-century ago.
GOES-17 instrument problem blamed on blocked heat pipe
A report released Aug. 1 concluded that a problem with an instrument on the GOES-17 weather satellite is likely caused by some kind of blockage in a system used to cool the instrument.
ESA evaluates data from Iceye, Planet and Spire Global
The European Space Agency announced plans July 29 to evaluate data from Iceye’s radar satellite constellation, Planet’s electro optical satellites and Spire Global’s weather, maritime- and aviation-tracking satellites to complement its own Earth observation constellation.
NASA seeks “industrialization” of low Earth orbit with ISS commercialization strategy
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine says he believes the agency’s new strategy for increasing commercial use of the ISS will lead to an “industrialization” of low Earth orbit, although experts warn it may take time for those markets to emerge.
Planetary Society declares solar sailing mission a success
The Planetary Society announced July 31 that a small satellite it launched a month earlier had successfully demonstrated the ability to change its orbit with a solar sail.
Blue Origin and SpaceX among winners of NASA technology agreements for lunar landers and launch vehicles
Blue Origin and SpaceX have secured multiple agreements with NASA intended to support the development of technologies for launch vehicles and lunar landers.
