Discussing Lunar Exploration Plans on This Week @NASA – February 15, 2019

TL;DR

NASA discusses plans for lunar landers, resumes testing of the Space Launch System rocket engine, and announces the completion of the Mars rover mission.

Transcript

Working with industry to develop new lunar landers … Testing resumes with our Space Launch System rocket engine … And, after a job well done – the end of the line for one of our Mars rovers … a few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA! We hosted an industry forum at our headquarters in Washington, to talk to American companies about... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎟️ NASA is actively collaborating with industry partners to develop sustainable lunar landers for future human missions to the Moon.
• 🚀 The Space Launch System rocket engine testing has resumed, bringing NASA closer to launching astronauts on missions to the Moon.
• 🎟️ The successful completion of the Mars rover mission highlights the remarkable endurance and achievements of Opportunity.
• 🤘 NASA's selection of the SPHEREx mission demonstrates the agency's commitment to studying the universe's history and searching for signs of life in planetary systems.
• 🛰️ The MAVEN spacecraft is adjusting its orbit around Mars to act as a data-relay satellite for the upcoming Mars 2020 rover mission.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the purpose of the industry forum hosted by NASA?

The forum aimed to engage American companies in the development of reusable lunar landers and supporting systems for future Moon missions, following Space Policy Directive-1.

Q: What is the role of the Gateway in NASA's lunar mission approach?

The Gateway, located in lunar orbit, will serve as an outpost to support trips to and from the lunar surface, ensuring sustainability in future Moon missions.

Q: How did the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity surpass its mission expectations?

Opportunity exceeded its intended mission length of 90 Martian days and traveled over 28 miles on Mars during its nearly 15-year operations, far surpassing its initial targets.

Q: What is the objective of the SPHEREx mission?

The SPHEREx mission, launching in 2023, aims to collect data on more than 100 million stars in the Milky Way and over 300 million galaxies to help astronomers understand the evolution of the universe and the prevalence of life ingredients.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA held an industry forum to discuss the development of reusable lunar landers for future human missions to the Moon, in line with Space Policy Directive-1.

• A hot fire test of an RS-25 engine controller for the Space Launch System rocket was conducted at Stennis Space Center.

• The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's mission ended after 15 years and over 28 miles of exploration on Mars.