International Space Station

New ISS Airlock:  The International Space Station will get a new, private airlock in 2019  Houston-based Nanoracks has reached an agreement with NASA for the installation of a cargo airlock on the U.S. segment of the International Space Station, possibly at the Tranquility module. Boeing will assemble and install a compatible berthing mechanism. The new hardware could be installed in 2019. Nanoracks expects to use the airlock to increase the numbers of small satellites it can launch from the Space Station.

 Long-Duration Space Flight:  First results on Scott Kelly after year in space reveal space travel changes DNA  NASA’s offers the initial results of its twins study, a look at how long duration spaceflight alters the body’s genetics. The findings are based on studies of NASA’s Scott Kelly, who spent 340 days aboard the International Space Station in 2015-16 and his twin brother, Mark Kelly, a retired NASA astronaut who remained on Earth.

Citizens for Space Exploration – a pro-space, taxpayer, grassroots advocacy group (http://www.bayareahouston.com/content/c_s_e/c_s_e) – has traveled to Washington, D.C. the past 24 years to meet face-to-face with Members/staff of Congress to discuss the value of America’s investment in space exploration. In order to sustain that dialogue on a regular basis, Citizens distributes “Space Exploration Update” to Congressional offices on a weekly basis. The intent is to provide an easy, quick way to stay abreast of key human space exploration program and policy developments.