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- Space News, 11th December
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Best image of the week
The Seven Sisters Star Cluster
This incredible image, taken by Francesco Pelizzo, captures “The seven sisters star cluster“.
This cluster is located around 440 light-years away. We can see around 7 stars with our naked eye, thus it receives that name.
Last week news
NASA's Artemis Program Delays
NASA has announced further delays in its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon. The crewed Artemis II mission, initially scheduled for September 2025, is now planned for April 2026. Consequently, the Artemis III mission, intended to land astronauts on the lunar surface, has been postponed to mid-2027. These delays are primarily due to issues with the Orion spacecraft's heat shield, which experienced unexpected wear during reentry.
China's Lunar Ambitions
China is progressing toward its goal of landing astronauts on the Moon's south pole by 2030. The region is of particular interest due to the presence of water-ice, which could support human habitation and be utilized for fuel production. Additionally, the area is rich in Helium-3, a potential resource for future energy production. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has expressed concerns about China's lunar ambitions, emphasizing the importance of the U.S. landing first to prevent potential territorial claims.
Innovative Spacecraft Concepts
Designer Oscar Viñals has unveiled plans for a futuristic spacecraft named "Titan Cosmos," capable of transporting astronauts to Mars in just 39 days—approximately twice as fast as current projections for SpaceX missions. This reusable spacecraft aims to perform various missions, including satellite deployment, deep-space exploration, and asteroid mining. The design incorporates advanced technologies to reduce interplanetary travel times and alleviate the psychological pressures associated with long-duration missions.
International Space Station Transition
The International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for decommissioning in 2030, marking the end of its 30-year service. NASA plans to transition to a more commercialized approach, relying on private companies to build and operate new space stations in low-Earth orbit. This strategy aims to reduce costs and stimulate a thriving space economy. However, there are concerns about potential delays and the economic viability of these commercial stations, as they need to be operational by 2029 to ensure continuity.
Upcoming events
December 11, 2024
International Space Station (ISS) Educational Event: NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Nick Hague will engage with students from Stuttgart Elementary School in Europe, answering questions about life and work aboard the ISS. This event aims to inspire and educate the next generation about space exploration.
December 12, 2024
SpaceX CRS-31 Cargo Craft Undocking: The SpaceX CRS-31 cargo spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the ISS at 11:05 a.m. EST. This mission has delivered essential supplies and scientific experiments to the station, and its return will bring back research samples for analysis on Earth.
ISS Educational Outreach: NASA astronaut Nick Hague will participate in an educational event with the Kwajalein School System in the Marshall Islands, discussing space missions and scientific endeavors aboard the ISS.
December 13-14, 2024
Geminid Meteor Shower Peak: The Geminids, one of the most prolific meteor showers, will peak during the nights of December 13 and 14, offering up to 120 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. However, the bright moonlight from the approaching Full Cold Moon may hinder visibility. Observers are advised to find dark locations and use objects to block out the moonlight for better viewing.
December 15, 2024
Full Cold Moon: The final full moon of the year, known as the Cold Moon, will occur on December 15 at 9:02 a.m. UK time. This celestial event is easily observable without special equipment, though binoculars or telescopes can enhance the experience.
December 16-18, 2024
New Space Economy (NSE) ExpoForum: Held at Fiera di Roma, Italy, this event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the commercialization and future trends of space exploration. The forum aims to foster collaboration and innovation within the space sector.
Mobile wallpaperToday’s wallpaper is from Hubble telescope. It captures NGC 7714, also called as the Ring of Blue and Gold, for its bright colorful colors. It’s located at around 100 million light-years away in the constellation os Pisces. |  NGC 7714 |
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