Space Highlights - November 23, 2016

November 23, 2016

After multiple delays, the next-generation GOES-R weather satellite was finally launched into orbit this past weekend, aboard an Atlas V rocket.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/goes-r-weather-satellite-launch/
http://www.space.com/34777-powerful-weather-satellite-launches-goesr-goes16.html


SpaceX has won a contract to launch a Global Surface Water Survey satellite for NASA in 2021.
http://www.ibtimes.com/spacex-wins-nasa-contract-global-surface-water-survey-satellite-launch-2021-2450233


China has launched its fourth Tianlian 1 communications satellite aboard a Long March 3C booster.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/china-national-space-administration/long-march-3c-launches-fourth-tianlian-1-communications-satellite/


Europe launched four more Galileo geopositioning satellites this past week, aboard an Ariane 5 booster.
http://fortune.com/2016/11/17/galileo-satellite-launch/


SpaceX has filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, to launch up to 4,425 satellites into orbit in the coming years.  Only 1,419 active satellites are currently in orbit around Earth.
http://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-internet-satellite-constellation-2016-11


The EchoStar XXI satellite has arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome for launch aboard a Russian rocket.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/echostar-xxi-satellite-arrives-at-baikonur-cosmodrome-for-launch-300367801.html


Arriving at the International Space Station this past week, at 56 years old, U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson has become the oldest woman to go into space.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/20/502798752/at-56-peggy-whitson-becomes-oldest-female-astronaut


Two Chinese astronauts returned to Earth after 32 days in orbit, in what was China's sixth manned space flight and the longest Chinese manned mission to date.
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/32562/20161122/chinese-astronuts-return-earth-safely-longest-manned-space-mission.htm


NASA's Cassini spacecraft is preparing for a series of 20 "ring grazing" orbits, as it prepares to wrap up its mission to Saturn.
http://phys.org/news/2016-11-cassini-ring-grazing-orbits.html


A recently released study, comparing rock and mineral formations recorded by NASA's Spirit mars rover to formations left at high-altitude hot springs on Earth, suggests that some of the features identified on the Martian surface resemble those formed by microbial life on Earth.
http://www.space.com/34795-mars-life-nasa-spirit-rover.html


NASA has released additional images of Ceres' mysterious "bright spot," as captured by the Dawn spacecraft.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161122130643.htm