(Just a heads up, I’m trying different editing techniques, so you might hear a few odd hiccups or glitches, I’m
(Just a heads up, I’m trying different editing techniques, so you might hear a few odd hiccups or glitches, I’m still getting the hang of this, trying to make it faster and easier, sorry if it’s kinda weird sounding.)
Welcome to episode 10 of the Unity module. Only two months left before we move on to Destiny. It’s October, so that means there’s plenty of spoopy stuff out there to get spooped by, but not in space news. It’s been a busy month for launches and discoveries and observations. I know I’m missing out on a bunch of stuff, so be sure to go check out the link up in the bar that says “Get your space fix” for places to go to learn more outside of my little show.
Like I said, there’s a lot to go through so let’s just dive right on in.
==SPECIAL UPDATES==
• Elon Musk reveals revised plan for ITS/BFR and Mars – Link
(Correction to the size of the BFR)
==Astronomy==
• James Webb launch slips to 2019 – Link
• What the flux? Tabby’s star mystery may be solved. – Link
• LIGO and partners announce gravitational waves and visible spectrum observation – Link
• Kilonova blasts local area with heavy elements, the same two neutron stars detected by LIGO – Link
==Earth Science==
• OSIRIS-REx sends back photo of Earth and Moon – Link
• NASA monitors California’s wildfires from space – Link 1, Link 2
==Planetary Science==
• Hubble discovers comet displaying activity further out than any before – Link
• Ring discovered around egg-shaped dwarf planet Haumea – Link
• Dawn gears up for an extended mission around Ceres – Link
• Mars rover drill might return to service – Link
• The solar system gets a visitor from beyond – Link
==Launches and Rocketry==
• Ariane 5 launches two satellite – Link
• Atlas V launches NRO payload after several scrubs – Link
• ULA and SpaceX win contracts from NASA to launch Earth-observing satellites – Link
• Progress moves forward on ground support systems/mobile launch platform for SLS – Link
• Old rocket learns new tricks, Minotaur launches satellite – Link
==SpaceX News==
• SpaceX launches the next 10 satellites for Iridium – Link
• SpaceX successfully launches SES 11/Echostar 105 after delays, successfully lands 1st stage – Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
• SpaceX planning a surprise launch? – Link
• Iridium switches two launches over to Flight Proven Falcon 9’s – Link
• SpaceX launches and lands for the third time in three weeks – Link
==International==
• China resumes launch operations after failures – Link 1, Link 2
• Japan successfully launches new navigation satellite on top of H-2A – Link
• Modified Russian ICBM launches new environmental monitor for Europe – Link
• ESA’s dark energy observer delayed due to issues with the detector – Link
==ISS News==
• Station crew performs three crucial spacewalks – Link 1, Link 2
• BEAM gets an extension on the ISS – Link
• Progress resupply launches for 2 day trip to ISS after scrub – Link 1, Link 2
• ULA, Bigelow, and Masten have their sights set on the Moon, new CisLunar space station currently under construction – Link
==Upcoming Launches==
ALL LAUNCH DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO THE NATURE OF ROCKETRY – this manifest is current as of Monday, October 30
Nov. 7/8 – 8:42:30 pm EST (on the 7th)
Vega – MN35-13 – ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
Earth observing satellite for the Moroccan government
Nov. 10 – 4:47:03-4:48:05 a.m. EST; 1:47:03-1:48:05 a.m. PST
Delta 2 – JPSS 1 – SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
The first spacecraft in the Joint Polar Satellite System for NOAA, weather observing constellation. Delta will fly in the 7920 configuration, meaning the 7000 series, with 9 strap-on solid fuel boosters, the typical Aerojet AJ10 second stage engine, and no third stage
Nov. 11 – 7:37 a.m. EST
Antares – OA-8 – Pad 0A, Wallops Island, Virginia
9th Cygnas cargo freighter on the 8th operational resupply mission to the ISS, named the Gene Cernan for the astronaut who was the last man to walk on the Moon. Antares will fly in the 230 configuration, with two RD-181 first stage engines and a Castor 30XL second stage.
Nov. 15/16 – 8:00-10:00 p.m. EST (on the 15th)
Falcon 9 – Zuma – LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Unknown payload called “Zuma” arranged to be launched by SpaceX through Northrop Grumman, arranged on behalf of the US government. The first stage will be returning to LZ-1 at Cape Canaveral, meaning the payload is relatively light.
Nov. 15 – Time TBD
Long March 4C – Fengyun 3D – Taiyuan, China
A weather satellite aimed for polar orbit.
Nov. 28 – Time TBD
Soyuz 2-1b – Meteor M2-1 – Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia
A polar-orbiting weather satellite and several secondary payloads, including Earth observation CubeSats for Planet and Spire. The Soyuz will use a Fregat upper stage.
Date/Time TBD
Long March 3B – Beidou – Xichang, China
Two satellites for China’s Beidou navigation network
Date/Time TBD
Epsilon – ASNARO 2 – Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
Radar Earth observation satellite developed by Japan Space Systems and NEC Corp. Second for the ASNARO program, which stands for Advanced Satellite with New System ARchitecture for Observation.
4th Quarter, Date/Time TBD
Electron • Still Testing – Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Second orbital test flight, carrying small spacecraft into orbit. Several commercial CubeSats are expected.
Late 2017 – Date/Time TBD
Falcon Heavy – Demo Flight – LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
We don’t know if this will happen in November, or if it will get pushed to December. Right now, it’s looking like the latter is more likely. This is the maiden flight of the heavy-lift version of SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9, pressing three core boosters with a total of 27 Merlin 1D engines into service at liftoff, generating 22,819 kN (5.13 million lbs) of thrust at sea level. Confidence isn’t terribly high among the staff at SpaceX that the vehicle will make orbit, but here’s to hoping that the delays mean they can make it more likely. They really need it to work on the first try to earn the trust of customers.
All of the administrations and organizations mentioned have accounts on various social media platforms in case you’re interested in learning more. If space news once a month isn’t enough, check out the links in the “Get Your Space Fix!” page, just click on it up there next to ‘contact’ at the top of the page.
Contact:
Email: Show AT CommittedToLaunch DOT com
Twitter @LaunchCommit
Image credit: Bigelow Aerospace, ULA
==Keep looking up, space fans==