Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
september 2014

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space

NASA announces contracts to transport American astronauts to International Space Station

September 23, 2014

On September 23, NASA announced that they have contracted two private companies, Boeing and SpaceX, to transport American astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA Administrator Charles Bolden stated that the contracts are part of an effort to end U.S. reliance on Russia to transport crews by 2017. Additionally, the transition of low-Earth orbit transport to private industry will allow the agency to focus its resources on deep space missions, including the long-term goal of transporting humans to Mars.

NASA engineers and spaceflight specialists will oversee and certify the transport development, and each contractor will conduct between two and six missions overall. Before conducting missions to the ISS, at least one crewed test flight, with at least one NASA astronaut on board, will be required of each company. The two companies will sign Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contracts; Boeing will receive $4.2 billion and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will receive $2.6 billion.

The expanded capacity provided by Boeing and SpaceX will enable the crew of the ISS to grow and allow them to conduct more research in the microgravity laboratory on board.

Sources: NASA, Reuters

NASA calls on citizen scientists to help with mission to Mars

September 24, 2014

On September 20, NASA announced the Mars Balance Mass Challenge, a new contest seeking design ideas for spacecraft payloads entering the atmosphere on Mars. Contestants have been asked to design a payload of up to 150 kg that will function as an ejectable balance for the spacecraft, but also serve as a technological or scientific instrument to study the planet’s atmosphere or other properties.

The Mars Balance Mass Challenge is hosted by NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, a creation of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). According to NASA Chief Technologist David Miller, the challenge is intended to engage the public and citizen scientists and to foster a “maker community.” The challenge was announced at the World Maker Faire in New York.

Ideas must be submitted by November 21. The winner will be announced in mid-January and awarded a prize of $20,000.

Source: NASA