Today’s Tidbits: September 26, 2017

Here are our tidbits for today, September 26, 2017.  Don’t forget to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.

China’s Lunar Sample Return Mission Slips

Jeff Foust (@jeff_foust) of Space News is live tweeting news from the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia.  Yesterday Tian Yulong of China’s space agency (CNSA) confirmed what many expected — the launch of the Chang’e-5 lunar sample return mission will be delayed because of the failure of China’s new Long March 5 rocket in July.

Tian: Long March 5 investigation ongoing, hope to have details by the end of the year. Will adjust schedules of Chang’e-5 and 4. #IAC2017

— Jeff Foust (@jeff_foust) September 25, 2017

Chang’e-5 was supposed to launch in November of this year.  Jeff’s tweet also says Chang’e-4 will be delayed. Originally designed as a back up to China’s lunar lander/rover Chang’e-3/Yutu, Chang’e-4 is being reformulated as a spacecraft to land on the Moon’s far side.  If successful, it will be the first spacecraft to do so.  Launch was expected in 2018 (preceded by a communications relay satellite to enable the lander to communicate back to Earth).

Corporate Personnel Changes at Northrop Grumman

Two top executives at Northrop Grumman will retire at the end of the year according to a company announcement.  Northrop Grumman is in the process of acquiring Orbital ATK.

Northrop Grumman’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Gloria Flach, and Corporate Vice President for Government Relations, Sid Ashworth, will retire.

• Kathy Warden will become President and COO of the company on January 1, 2018.  She is currently Corporate Vice President and president, Mission Systems.  She will oversee the company’s three operating sectors and the integration of Orbital ATK into the company once that transaction is complete (expected in the spring of 2018).
• Mark Caylor will succeed Warden as Corporate VP and president, Mission Systems.
• Shawn Purvis will become Corporate VP and president, Enterprise Services.
• Lesley Kalan will succeed Ashworth as Corporate VP, Government Relations.

Wes Bush, chairman, CEO, and (currently) president of Northrop Grumman thanked Flach and Ashworth and welcomed the others to their new roles “as we continue to focus on driving top performance for our customers, shareholders and employees.”

Apply to Fly Experiments on SNC’s Dream Chaser

The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs has opened a Call for Interest for applications to fly experiments on Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser spacecraft.  All U.N. member states are eligible to apply “and developing and emerging countries are particularly encouraged” to do so.

Press release: @UNOOSA & @SierraNevCorp issue Call for Interest for UN Member States 2 participate in space mission: https://t.co/tkz9pmOlhR

— UNOOSA (@UNOOSA) September 26, 2017

NASA Issues New Hubble E-Book

Just can’t get enough of those Hubble pictures…

Explore our amazing solar system…and beyond, with this new e-Book from @NASAHubble! Learn more and download it here: https://t.co/NmYOvN4Vmc pic.twitter.com/uVDOUFmmxL

— NASA (@NASA) September 26, 2017