New Horizons Reaching Kuiper Belt Main Outer Edge @50AU, Seeks 2nd Mission Extension

New Horizons, first dedicated Pluto system and Kuiper Belt explorer, is heading toward the next phase in its already extended primary mission, requiring a second extension to realize further KBO and interstellar observations. In its 16th year in space, NH may operate through 2030s, sending valuable data from the Solar System ‘3rd Zone’ which stretches from 30-50 AU and contains millions of objects including 35,000+ larger than 100 km. NH team is using time on Subaru Telescope to locate suitable candidates to possibly perform another KBO flyby and conduct distant observations of nearly 2 dozen unique KBOs, after flying by Pluto at 12,500 km / Charon at 28,800 km in 2015, and Arrokoth at 3,500 km in 2019. Overlapping the KB main outer edge at 50 AU is a second region called the scattered disk, which continues to nearly 1,000 AU. Currently at 49.80 AU with one-way light time of 6 hrs 56 mins, NH is set to become the 5th interstellar-destined craft when it reaches interstellar space ~122 AU. It is expected to be traveling at ~13 km/s when it crosses 100 AU in 2038. Breakthrough Starshot StarChip nanocraft fitted with light sails are planned to travel at 20% the speed of light (0.2 c) taking only 20 years to reach Alpha Centauri at 4.37 LY. (Image Credits: NASA, JHUAPL, SwRI)

MONDAY

Australian Space Forum Places Spotlight on National Ambitions, Industry and Science

Now hosted by the new Andy Thomas Space Foundation (ATSF), in partnership with the Australian Space Agency (ASA), South Australian Space Industry Centre and SmartSat CRC, the 11th bi-annual Australian Space Forum is set to meet in-person at Adelaide Convention Centre and virtually March 31. Funded by the South Australian Government, guided by motto ‘Quod Invenias Explorans Spatium Progressus Est Humanitatis’ (Human Progress Is In Space Exploration) ATSF was founded by Australian / American Astronaut (T) Andrew Thomas (spouse of Shannon Walker, currently in space serving as crewmember of ISS Expedition 64) and first Head of ASA, (B) Megan Clark. Organizational objectives include Advancing Space Education, Raising Space Awareness and Contributing to the National Space Community. The Forum will consist of 4 panels: National Space Landscape, featuring current ASA Head Enrico Palermo and Geoscience Australia CEO James Johnson; Education & Outreach with keynote from Amanda Caples, lead scientist for the US$1.5B Breakthrough Victoria Fund; Quantum Engineering / Communication R&D with keynote from University of New South Wales Professor Andrea Morello; and Advanced Manufacturing R&D, focusing on 3D printing, extraterrestrial mining and ISRU. Adelaide was the site of 2017 IAC (catalyzing ASA formation) due to efforts of Space Lawyer Michael Davis, CEO of ATSF, who is spearheading a 2024 bid, competing against Budapest and Milan for the coveted hosting role. (Image Credits: ASA, Adelaide Convention Center, ATSF)

Mar 29 — Moon: 5.9° NNE of Spica, 11:00; at perigee (distance 360,302 km), 20:16.

Mar 29 — Mercury: 1.28° SE of Neptune, 18:00.

Continued From…
NET Early 2021 — ISRO, Launch SSLV / Demonstration Launch, Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India: New Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to launch on first orbital test flight.

NET Mar — International Astronautical Federation, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Online: IAC 2021 Press Conference; providing updates for 72nd IAC being held Oct 25-29.

Mar 15 – Apr 15 — W. M. Keck Observatory, CFHT, Kamuela HI: 2021 Waimea Solar System Walk.

Mar 22 – Apr 1 — International Astronautical Federation, Online / Paris, France: IAF Spring Meetings 2021.

TUESDAY

Mar 30 — AIAA, Online / Reston VA: Due Date: ASCEND Call for Papers and Sessions.

Mar 30 – Apr 1 — European Space Agency, Online / Noordwijk, The Netherlands: Workshop on Simulation for European Space Programmes (SESP 2021).

WEDNESDAY

Mar 31 — European Space Agency, Online / Europe: ESA accepts astronaut applications starting today.

Mar 31 — Andy Thomas Space Foundation, Adelaide, Australia: 11th Australian Space Forum; at Adelaide Convention Centre, featuring Australian Space Agency Head Enrico Palermo.