Space Exploration
- SpaceX, Blue Origin and Others Picked by NASA for Moon Lander (NASA) – The Artemis moon program seeks to get astronauts back to the moon by 2024. These companies will vie for the ability to build NASA’s private moon lander.
- Spike in Oxygen on Mars Puzzles Scientists (National Geographic) – There is currently no conclusive explanation for what causes the spring and summer oxygen spikes found by the Curiosity rover.
Astronomy | Astrophysics | Cosmology
- Brightest X-Ray Burst Discovered (astronomy.com) – The International Space Station’s Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) spotted this 20-second burst with the approximate energy that the sun releases in 10 days.
- First Direct Evidence of Water Vapor on an Icy Jupiter Moon (astronomy.com) – Since the 1960s, it has been believed that there is an ocean below Europa’s icy shell. The recent measurement is evidence of water eruptions.
Startups | Deals
- Voyager Space Holdings to Support Space Startups (SpaceNews) – The Denver-based holding company plans to provide long-term funding and infrastructure support to companies beyond the seed stage with over a few million in revenue.
Good Reads
- Holograms Hint at Fate of Black Holes (Quanta) – A holographic solution to Hawking’s black hole information paradox might point the way to a theory of quantum gravity.
- How Two Intruders From Interstellar Space Are Upending Astronomy (Nature) – While Oumuamua’s oblong shape was unexpected, Comet 2I/Borisov appears more like a conventional comet. Borisov will make its closest approach to the Sun in early December.
Interesting Finds
- Tracking and Photographing Secret Spacecraft (Popular Mechanics) – Those looking to capture images of the International Space Station, booster rockets or satellites can do so with the right equipment.
Launches
- Falcon 9 to Launch SpaceX CRS-19 Dragon Resupply Mission to International Space Station (Kennedy Space Center) – Lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station scheduled for 12:51 p.m. on December 4.
- Boeing CST-100 Starliner (NASA) – An uncrewed test of the capsule designed to take up to seven astronauts to the space station has a target launch date of December 17, 2019 from Cape Canaveral.
Events
- Techstars Allied Space Accelerator (Techstars) – The program will run in partnership with the U.S. Air Force and Norwegian Space Agency for 13 weeks from June to September 2020. Currently accepting applications through March 1, 2020.
- National Space Society Conference (National Space Society) – The 2020 conference will be held at the Embassy Suites in Dallas on May 28–31st.