Space Highlights - February 2, 2017

February 2, 2017

India's ISRO has added another small payload to its PSLV-C37 launch, scheduled for later this month, bringing the record-setting launch attempt to 104 satellites in total.
http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/isro-adds-another-passenger-to-the-pslv-c37-mission-104-satellite-launch-rescheduled-to-mid-february-360514.html


SpaceX has added a new launch order from satellite operator Iridium Communications, adding an additional five satellites.  The next SpaceX launch attempt is scheduled for later this month.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-spacex-launch-order-20170131-story.html


In the first launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket from Arianespace's French Guiana launch site, Spain's SmallGEO satellite was successfully placed into orbit.
http://spacenews.com/european-soyuz-launches-smallgeo-satellite-for-hispasat/


Five independent teams are lined up to attempt the first-ever, private moon landing, hoping to win Google's Lunar XPRIZE competition.
http://nypost.com/2017/01/29/the-new-space-race-private-moon-launches-by-dec-31/


NASA has released new close-up images of Saturn's rings from the Cassini spacecraft, taken from its adjusted, "ring-grazing" orbits.
http://www.space.com/35538-saturn-rings-amazing-closeup-cassini-photos.html
http://www.popsci.com/cassini-photos-saturn-rings


Evidence continues to mount that the underlying surface of the dwarf planet Ceres, which is believed to be made up largely of ice, has been cloaked by dust from surrounding asteroids and asteroid impacts.  Instruments on the Dawn spacecraft continue to point to an underlying icy crust and mantle.
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/194573/20170126/asteroid-dust-cloaks-true-composition-of-dwarf-planet-ceres.htm
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=49818


NASA is preparing for another close flyby of Jupiter by the Juno spacecraft later this week.
http://www.ibtimes.com/nasas-juno-preps-fourth-jupiter-flyby-all-8-science-instruments-be-switched-2485102


Scientists report that they have detected water vapor in the atmosphere of a "hot jupiter" exoplanet.  Originally identified 20 years agao, 51 Pegasi b was the first "hot Jupiter" to be discovered.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23331111-800-water-spotted-in-the-atmosphere-of-nearby-hot-jupiter-exoplanet/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&campaign_id=RSS%7CNSNS-