A New Opportunity to Deliver Payloads to the Moon on This Week @NASA – August 2, 2019

TL;DR

NASA announces new opportunities for industry to participate in Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) efforts to deliver payloads to the Moon and partners with 13 U.S. companies for technological advancements. TESS discovers three new planets orbiting a faint star, and NASA administrators attend an international space station research conference.

Transcript

The latest opportunity for payload delivery services to the Moon … New partnerships to help advance the commercial space business … And a “hat trick” for one of our planet-hunting spacecraft … a few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA! On July 30, we announced the latest opportunity for industry to participate in our Commercial Lun... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 NASA is actively seeking industry participation in lunar payload delivery, indicating a shift towards collaboration and private sector involvement in space exploration.
• 👩‍🚀 The Artemis program's aim to send the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024 reflects NASA's commitment to diversity and inclusivity in space exploration.
• ❓ TESS continues to expand our understanding of exoplanets, discovering unique planetary systems that challenge our current knowledge.
• 👾 The International Space Station plays a crucial role not only in scientific research but also in developing technologies that will enable future missions to deep space.
• 👾 Partnerships between NASA and private companies position commercial space ventures as catalysts for innovation and potential contributors to future NASA missions.
• 😋 The food, fuel, and supplies delivered by the Russian Progress cargo spacecraft are vital for sustaining the crew onboard the International Space Station.
• 🎯 The inclusion of the South Pole as a target for lunar landers showcases NASA's interest in exploring previously unexplored regions of the Moon.

Questions & Answers

Q: How is NASA involving industry in lunar payload delivery?

NASA announced an opportunity for industry to participate in the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) efforts to deliver payloads to the Moon. Companies are encouraged to develop lunar landers capable of landing heavier payloads, especially at the Moon's South Pole, as part of the Artemis program.

Q: What is NASA offering to the 13 U.S. companies it has partnered with?

As part of the partnerships with the 13 U.S. companies, NASA will provide expertise, facilities, hardware, and software at no cost. This support aims to help these companies advance their own space ventures and bring new capabilities to the commercial space sector, which could benefit future NASA missions.

Q: What did TESS discover with regards to new exoplanets?

TESS discovered three new planets orbiting a faint, cool star located approximately 73 light-years from Earth. One of the planets is about 25% larger than Earth and is likely a rocky world. The other two planets, known as mini-Neptunes, belong to a type not observed in our solar system. Further exploration of this system may provide insights into the formation of these mini-Neptunes alongside a nearly Earth-size world.

Q: What is the purpose of the International Space Station Research & Development Conference attended by NASA administrators?

The International Space Station Research & Development Conference serves as a platform to showcase discoveries and research conducted on the space station. It highlights the ISS's dual role in improving and enriching the lives of people on Earth, as well as serving as a test-bed for technological advancements needed for deep space exploration.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA invites industry to develop lunar landers capable of landing heavier payloads on the Moon as part of the Artemis program, which aims to send the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024.

• NASA partners with 13 U.S. companies to support their space ventures by providing expertise, facilities, hardware, and software at no cost.

• The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) discovers three new planets, including a rocky world larger than Earth and two mini-Neptunes, orbiting a faint star.

• NASA administrators attend the International Space Station Research & Development Conference to highlight the station's role in improving life on Earth and advancing technological advancements for deep space exploration.

• An unpiloted Russian Progress cargo spacecraft delivers food, fuel, and supplies to the International Space Station.