November 20, 2016

Space Coast-Based ENSCO Wins USAF Satellite Network Modernization Contract (Source: ENSCO)
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) announced the award of the Range and Network Systems Engineering and Integration (RN SE&I) contract, a $145 million contract, to Cocoa Beach-based ENSCO. This is the largest contract win in ENSCO history and will support the Range and Network Division in its mission to develop, modernize and sustain the premier launch and test range systems and modernization of the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN), and the standard training systems for the space enterprise and tracking of space objects. (11/19)

Hypersonic Flight Is Coming: Will the US Lead the Way? (Source: Space.com)
The world is at the start of a renaissance in supersonic and hypersonic flight that will transform aviation, but the effort will need steady commitment and funding if the U.S. wants to lead the way, congressional leaders and industry officials said at a forum late last month. "What's exciting about aerospace today is that we are in a point here where suddenly, things are happening all across the board in areas that just haven't been happening for quite a while," said former U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke. Click here. (11/7)

Designing a spacesuit for Mars - Independent Conceptual Design Assessment by Paragon (Source: Mars One)
Mars One is pleased to present the initial Conceptual Design Assessment of Mars One's Surface Exploration Suit (SES) by Paragon Space Development Corporation. It includes the soft-goods and hardware associated with the Pressure Suit and the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) that provides the necessary functions for humans to survive in the pressure suit when outside the habitat. (11/15)

Symposium in Oman Aims to Raise Awareness on Peaceful Uses of Space Applications (Source: SpaceWatch)
Under the auspices of Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Oman’s Minister of Transport and Communications, the National Symposium on “The Peaceful Uses of Space Applications and Technologies for Comprehensive Development” began on Sunday, 30 October, and concluded on Monday on 31 October 2016, in Muscat, Oman.

Among those who attended included undersecretaries and chiefs executive officers (CEOs) of companies, as well as interested people and specialists. The two-day symposium was organised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. (11/19)

Looking for Life on Mars — in Chile (Source: ASU)
Two geoscientists at Arizona State University have made a discovery among hot springs in Chile that may spur scientists to revisit a location on Mars explored several years ago by NASA's Spirit rover. The discovery involves fingerlike structures that form in the hot spring deposits by processes that combine biological and non-biological activity.

The Chilean hot springs are at a place called El Tatio and lie at the edge of the extremely dry Atacama Desert, one of the best "Mars analog" sites on Earth. (11/17)

NASA Weighs its Options on Orion, SLS for Deep-Space Exploration (Source: Denver Business Journal)
NASA is looking for ways to cut the cost of taking astronauts on missions past the moon after 2023 and will consider alternatives to its Orion deep-space capsule being built by Jefferson County-based Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co.

The space agency published a request for information Thursday afternoon seeking input from companies, NASA research centers and others about making it financially sustainable to launch annual deep-space missions to areas around the moon and out of the nation on a footing for missions to Mars in the 2030s. (11/19)

United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches GOES-R Satellite for NASA and NOAA (Source: ULA)
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-series (GOES-R) for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 Nov. 19 at 6:42 p.m. EST.

The Atlas V launched the GOES-R spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit. As the next generation of GOES satellites, GOES-R will produce images of weather patterns and severe storms as frequently as every 30 seconds. This is ULA’s 10th launch in 2016 and the 113th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006. (11/19)