December 10, 2017

Blue Origin Preparing to Resume Test Flights From West Texas (Source: Space News)
An airspace closure notice published by the Federal Aviation Administration Dec. 9 suggests Blue Origin is preparing to resume test flights of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle after a hiatus of more than a year.

The Notice to Airman, or NOTAM, published by the FAA on its website Dec. 9 closes airspace above Blue Origin’s test site between Dec. 11 and 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern each day. The closure is to “provide a safe environment for rocket launch and recovery.” The NOTAM does not give additional details about the planned activities, but does identify Blue Origin as the point of contact regarding the airspace closure. (12/9)

How SpaceX's Monster Mars Rocket Compares to the Most Powerful Rockets in the World (Source: Business Insider)
With the announcements of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy and Big Falcon Rocket, Blue Origin's New Glenn, and NASA's Space Launch System, it can be tough to tell one rocket apart from the other. Following is a transcription of the video. NASA’s Saturn V rocket was the pinnacle of technology during the Apollo era. More than 40 years after its final flight, it’s still the world’s most powerful rocket. But that’s finally about to change.

NASA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin are developing their most impressive rockets yet. Here’s how America’s monster rockets of the future measure up to NASA’s moon rocket. Click here. (12/7)

Cal Poly Pomona on a Quest to Launch a Liquid-Fueled Rocket Into Space (Source: Press-Enterprise)
Cal Poly Pomona has joined the race to become the first university to launch a liquid-fueled rocket into space, the university announced Friday. At a kickoff event on campus, Cal Poly unveiled its College of Engineering Liquid Rocket Lab and Mobile Operation Center Assembly Trailer and offered details about its newly expanded rocketry program. Students from Lorbeer Middle School in Diamond Bar attended the event and learned about unmanned aerial vehicles. (12/8)

Is Water Really on Mars? (Source: Voice of America)
A new study suggests that dark markings on the planet Mars represent sand – not water. Research in 2015 had suggested that lines on some Martian hills were evidence of water. Yet American scientists now say these lines appear more like dry, steep flows of sand. If water is present, they said, it is likely to be a small amount. Water in liquid form would be necessary for microbial life.

NASA, the American space agency, said more research is needed. Michael Meyer is the lead scientist for NASA's Mars exploration program. He noted that the latest study does not reject the presence of water. But he admitted, "It just may not be as exciting as the idea of rivers going down the sides of cliffs." NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter provided the images of dark lines. Thousands have been reported on the Red Planet. (12/9)

Is Elon Musk Even Allowed to Send His Car to Space? (Source: The Verge)
After much fanfare, Elon Musk made it clear that he does plan to launch his Tesla Roadster to Mars on the Falcon Heavy next year — but questions remained over whether the mission is allowed. Are there any major federal hurdles SpaceX has to overcome in order to launch the very first sports car into deep space?

Musk initially said he wanted to send the car to Mars orbit, which could raise concerns about planetary protection. That’s the concept of preventing contamination of worlds in our Solar System with Earth life. Honoring planetary protection is a matter of international law, as it’s mandated in the Outer Space Treaty — a 50-year-old document that dictates guidelines for what countries can and cannot do in space. And the US is ultimately responsible for US commercial space companies adhering to the treaty.

The Tesla Roadster isn’t really going to Mars, though, so SpaceX isn’t going to run afoul of international space law; instead, the car will be delivered near where Mars orbits around the Sun, about 141 million miles from Earth, and then left to travel forever through space, according to further clarification from Musk. As long as the Roadster doesn’t interfere with the Red Planet, SpaceX should be fine. (12/9)

Countdown to Rocket Lab's Next Test Flight (Source: RNZ)
Rocket Lab opened the 10-day launching window on Friday but high winds have so far stopped the launch. It is the second of three test flights as the company prepares to become a commercial operation. People could watch the launch via a live stream on Rocket Lab's Facebook page or on YouTube. Founder Peter Beck said he was optimistic about sending paying customers into space soon and said a space for a satellite on board the rocket would cost about $10 million. (12/9)