April 2, 2017

NASA Unveils New Searchable Multimedia Library (Source: Space Daily)
NASA officially has launched a new resource to help the public search and download out-of-this-world images, videos and audio files by keyword and metadata searches from NASA.gov. The NASA Image and Video Library website consolidates imagery spread across more than 60 collections into one searchable location.

NASA Image and Video Library allows users to search, discover and download a treasure trove of more than 140,000 NASA images, videos and audio files from across the agency's many missions in aeronautics, astrophysics, Earth science, human spaceflight, and more. Users now can embed content in their own sites and choose from multiple resolutions to download. The website also displays the metadata associated with images. Click here. (3/30)

71 Russian Rocket Engines Defective (Source: Moscow Times)
Nearly every engine stockpiled for use on the upper stages of Russia's Proton rocket has defects, an investigation concluded. Igor Arbuzov, head of state rocket engine manufacturer Energomash, said that 71 engines built by Voronezh Mechanical Plant for use on the Proton's second and third stages require "complete overhauls" to correct defects found in the engines. Proton launches were halted after the discovery of the engine defects, linked to the use of incorrect solder in the engines, prompting the broader review. The report did not indicate if that finding would further delay Proton's return to flight, planned for April or May. (3/31)

SpaceX Sets Sights on 24-hour Rocket Reuse (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
With a successful reused rocket booster launch under his belt, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has set his sights on a new goal: relaunching a rocket within 24 hours. SpaceX still has other hurdles ahead of him before he proves reusing rockets is a permanent part of the commercial space program . Notably, SpaceX has to show it can re-fly a booster a third time. Then a fourth. Then a fifth.

“If they demonstrate that they can reuse it once, that’s one thing,” said Ray Lugo, director of the University of Central Florida’s Space Institute. “But their model is reusing it lots of times. If they can do that without major refurbishment, it’ll change the industry, because they can then sell launches for way less than anyone else.”

Musk also said he expects to eventually launch the same rockets as many as 10 times without much refurbishment. With refurbishment? He estimated Thursday that it could relaunch as many as 100 times. (3/31)