NASA failed with InSight Mars Mission; Will China Stand Out? - http://clapway.com/2015/12/26/nasa-failed-with-insight-mars-mission-will-china-stand-out/

The InSight Mars Mission has officially been suspended. NASA was planning on sending a rover to the planet Mars. However, because of complications, this mission is now not happening anytime soon. This is extremely unfortunate news for everyone at NASA.

NASA SHUTS DOWN THE INSIGHT MARS MISSION

The InSight Mars Mission was set to send a rover over there in March of 2016. However, the team at NASA discovered a leak in one of the rover’s instruments. The plan was for this rover to analyze seismic activity on Mars. This leak was actually fixed in the past. However, the problem is the leak came back again. The company officially decided that there was not enough time to fix it again, and they suspended the operation.

JOHN GRUNSFELD TALKS ABOUT THE INSIGHT MARS MISSION

John Grunsfeld is the associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. He talked about the InSight Mars Mission. Grunsfeld mentions how space exploration is very unforgiving. He says that NASA pushes the boundaries as far as they can go, but sometimes it just does not work. He states how a decision to forward this project will be decided in the next couple of months. However, Grunsfeld points out that no matter what happens, NASA is fully committed to Mars.

CHINA’S SPACE PROGRAM STANDS OUT

One aspect that should be kept in mind is how well China has done with its space program. China is aiming at having a manned space station up and running no later than 2020. Not only that but China has already landed a rover on the Moon. Perhaps China could help out with the InSight Mars Mission. They are clearly very adept with space exploration, so why not?

THE NASA CURIOSITY ROVER IS STILL ALONE

As many people know, the NASA Curiosity Rover is currently on Mars. Curiosity has already sent back several photos of the mysterious red planet. However, now it will remain there alone. The Curiosity Rover is just going to have to wait patiently for the InSight to eventually arrive. There is no doubt that NASA is not going to give up on this project. They have already stated how much effort they have put into the InSight Mars Mission. However, the new timetable is unknown at this time. Hopefully, they will fix the leak and eventually get the InSight to Mars.

NASA failed with InSight Mars Mission; Will China Stand Out?

China May Soon Join International Space Station - http://clapway.com/2015/05/29/china-may-soon-join-international-space-station-123/

United States legislation preventing NASA from collaborating with the China National Space Administration may soon be relaxed.

Historic talks began between the US and China may soon reverse legislation that prevented NASA from working together with the Chinese Space Agency. The policy was written and implemented by the United States Congress in 2011, and it forbade NASA from working in any way whatsoever with China. However, both the US and Russia’s Roscosmos have recently met with China in order to discuss permitting Chinese spacecraft to dock at the space station. Russia has agreed to let Chinese spacecraft dock, while the US is still debating whether or not to go against the old legislation. Still, the United States’ willingness to sit down with China and at least discuss the possibility of working together in space is a far cry from the embargo-like policies our government showed in 2011.

International Space Station talks Between US and China are promising.

The willingness of the two governments to cooperate seems like it may lead to a positive outcome for China. Many, including famous former Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, are optimistic about talks between the two superpowers. It is likely that Chinese astronauts will at least visit the International Space Station in a few years.

China could bring its own spacecraft to the International Space Station

China actually has its own spacecraft capable of docking at ISS, the Shenzhou. If an entire Shenzhou crew were to dock at the space station, the stay would have to be a short one. ISS only has systems capable of housing six astronauts, so a visit any longer than a few weeks would be a bad idea. The alternative to bringing the Chinese-built spacecraft would be to fly a Chinese astronaut or two aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

In that case, the Chinese astronauts could stay for a longer period of time, months instead of weeks. They may even become full crew members, helping the others while living on board. It is unclear which of the scenarios will occur, as talks are still preliminary and China’s wishes aren’t fully known. Either way, it’d be great to see the US, China, and Russia all collaborating together in space in the name of science.

China May Soon Join International Space Station