posted 03-07-2020 08:06 AM               

Please use this thread to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on scheduled space events, space-related public venues and the world's space agencies.

posted 03-07-2020 08:13 AM               

The Institute has announced that all events with over 150 attendees are cancelled, through May 15. In alignment with this new policy, all MIT Space Week events are cancelling our in-person activities.

The City of Austin has cancelled the March dates for SXSW and SXSW EDU. SXSW will faithfully follow the City’s directions.

In response to recently identified Coronavirus cases in the Houston area, NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) management is updating the policies regarding all tours and guests on site. These changes will be effective March 7, and include:

No tours of Building 30 [Mission Control Center] and Ellington Field, and no floor access to Building 9 [Space Vehicle Mockup Facility] and the deck of the NBL [Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory] will be allowed until further notice.

posted 03-09-2020 10:15 AM               

On Sunday, March 8, we received confirmation that an Ames employee tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe the exposure at the center has been limited, but — out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with NASA Headquarters and the NASA Chief Heath and Medical Officer in accordance to agency response plans — Ames Research Center will temporarily go to a mandatory telework status until further notice.

posted 03-09-2020 04:14 PM               

NASA Administrator Statement on Coronavirus Situation

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine:

"On Sunday, March 8, we received confirmation an employee at NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe the exposure at the center has been limited, but -- out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with Ames' Center Director Eugene Tu, NASA Chief Heath and Medical Officer Dr. J.D. Polk, and in accordance to agency response plans -- Ames Research Center is temporarily on mandatory telework status with restricted access to the center until further notice.

"Limiting personnel at the center will allow Ames medical personnel and public health officials to determine potential contacts and assess areas that may require additional cleaning and mitigate potential exposure to center personnel. Working with county officials, Ames leadership and medical personnel are working to trace the contacts of the employee and notifying individuals who may have had significant contact with that person.

"Access to Ames is restricted to essential personnel only as required to safeguard life, property, and critical mission functions approved at the level of the associate center director. More guidance will follow for those who do not have equipment to work from home or who work in labs or other facilities requiring similar technical equipment that are fixed assets.

"In addition, due to the current uncertainty about the coronavirus situation in the United States and its potential impact on travel during the next few weeks, three NASA Earth Science airborne science campaigns slated to deploy across the country this spring have rescheduled their field activity until later in the year. The campaigns are DeltaX, Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere (DCOTTS), and Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE), which would include flights from Ames. The scientific returns of these projects are not expected to be impacted by this change of plans.

"Last Friday's agencywide voluntary telework exercise was a good test of NASA's large-scale preparedness with no reported issues to the overall IT system. I've asked all NASA employees to continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the agency's Chief Health and Medical Officer, and if they have questions, don't hesitate to talk with their supervisor.

"You've heard the agency's leadership say the protection and care of our NASA team is the top priority and critical to the success of the agency's mission, and it's true. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves, we'll continue to closely monitor and coordinate with federal, state, and community officials to take any further appropriate steps to help safeguard the NASA family."

posted 03-10-2020 02:30 PM               

In light of recent cases of the COVID-19 virus in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, we regret to inform you that we must postpone our annual 58th Goddard Symposium.

In light of recent cases of the COVID-19 virus in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, and in keeping with the National Space Club & Foundation's deep commitment to the space community it serves, we regret to inform you that we must postpone our annual Goddard Memorial Dinner, originally scheduled for Friday, March 20th.

posted 03-11-2020 09:17 AM               

"We are limiting the size of meetings and we are limiting non essential business travel but that doesn't include launch and rockets obviously," said Tory Bruno, United Launch Alliance CEO. "Our teams have to travel to launch sites to make that happen, that's business essential."

Other measures include screening all visitors who come into ULA facilities and having employees self quarantine if they believe they were exposed to the virus, Bruno said.

Charlie Precourt, vice president of propulsion systems at Northrop Grumman, said his company was following similar policies as those described by Bruno.

SpaceX President and Chief Operating Office Gwynne Shotwell did not comment specifically on the impact of coronavirus on the company

Clay Mowry, vice president of sales at Blue Origin, said the company has set up an internal task force to cope with coronavirus, which has Blue Origin's home state of Washington hard.

Employees telework and are only asked to conduct essential travel. Preparations for the first flight of the New Shepard suborbital rocket continue as planned. "Fortunately New Shepard can fly with a very small team," said Mowry.

posted 03-11-2020 05:04 PM               

The Smithsonian is continuing to welcome guests to our museums, however some programs have been postponed or canceled as a public health precaution (see list below and visit our calendar of events for the latest updates).

Women in Aviation and Space Family Day, previously scheduled for Saturday, March 14, has been canceled.

Conforming to guidelines set by King County and the State of Washington to minimize the spread of COVID-19, and in keeping with the community's best interest, the Museum is joining other area attractions in temporarily closing its campus and the Museum's Restoration Center and Reserve Collection, located on Paine Field in Everett, to the public after 5 p.m. today [March 11]. No date for reopening has been set.

posted 03-11-2020 08:26 PM               

We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive.

Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks' will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?

We'll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves!

posted 03-12-2020 01:49 PM               

Cosmosphere Postpones Anniversary Celebrations Due to COVID-19

The Cosmosphere announced today that it will reschedule the events associated with the Apollo 13 50th Anniversary celebration planned for April 3 and 4 and the STS-31: Hubble 30th Anniversary celebration scheduled for May 8 and 9 in light of the growing impact of COVID-19.

"We are honored that individuals from 22 states and six foreign countries purchased tickets to the Apollo 13 event," said Jim Remar, Cosmosphere CEO. "It is for the safety of them and of our Honored Guests that we have made this decision."

Information has been sent to all ticket holders and guests apprising them of the situation.

The Cosmosphere will continue to be open to visitors as it monitors the situation and best practices to provide a safe environment should that situation change; immediate action will be taken and the public will be notified.

posted 03-12-2020 06:23 PM               

Exhibition Updates:

Hands-on interactives and touchscreens, including the lunar touchrock, at both locations will be closed until further notice.

The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater and Airbus IMAX Theater are temporarily closed.

Event Updates:

Apollo 13 NASS Member Screening and Discussion, previously scheduled for Thursday, April 23, has been postponed

posted 03-12-2020 07:50 PM               

Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo To Close March 14

As a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), all Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and in New York City, including the National Zoo, will temporarily close to the public starting Saturday, March 14.

The health and safety of Smithsonian visitors, staff and volunteers is a top priority. We are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and maintain ongoing communication with local health officials and the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the situation, we are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on a week-to-week basis on our websites.

posted 03-12-2020 07:55 PM               

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will close for two weeks beginning tomorrow, March 13, at 5 p.m., through Friday, March 27.

posted 03-13-2020 10:06 AM               

Space Foundation Postpones 36th Space Symposium

The Space Foundation issued a statement today announcing the 36th Space Symposium, previously scheduled for March 30 - April 2, 2020, has been postponed:

"The Space Foundation is working with its partners, The Broadmoor, the City of Colorado Springs, and its members and other key stakeholders to identify future dates and details that will assemble the world's space community again in Colorado.

"In the coming days, we will be issuing additional guidance about those steps and the identified path forward. We ask for your patience as that guidance is assembled and conveyed to our partners, attendees, the public, and the space community we are proud to serve.

"From the beginning, the Space Foundation has valued its stewardship role in assembling the diverse members of the world's space community. Those efforts will continue forward as we look toward future assemblies, programs, and activities that expand and diversify the space economy; inspire and educate every generation to take their place in this bold frontier; and, advocate that space has a place for us all.

"Thank you for your attention and support."

posted 03-13-2020 01:48 PM               

To protect the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and employees, the Rocket Center is closing the museum, Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m. The museum will remain closed through Friday, April 3, to limit potential exposure of COVID-19 to visitors and staff.

At this time, Space Camp remains open for the small number of U.S. students currently scheduled to attend. Center leadership and our nursing staff are closely monitoring the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation and are closely following the guidelines of the CDC.

Yuri's Night L.A. is cancelling the party under the Shuttle and announcing a global online celebration of the power of space to bring us together (even in times of uncertainly!!)

After thoughtful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the upcoming Apollo 13 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala, originally scheduled for April 18th at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

The “Apollo 13: The Mission Control Story” celebration scheduled for April 11 at the San Diego Air & Space Museum has been postponed due to ongoing public health initiatives, the Museum announced today.

posted 03-14-2020 11:09 AM               

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to Close Temporarily Due to Threat of COVID-19

Out of an abundance of extreme caution and in the best interest of our guests and crewmembers, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will temporarily be closed as of March 16, 2020 until further notice. During this closure guests will not be permitted onto visitor complex grounds.

As always, the health and safety of our employees and guests is the highest priority for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Our goal is also to mitigate the spread of the virus.

When it became evident that the coronavirus disease posed a health concern to the public, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex upgraded the already comprehensive and extensive availability of hand sanitizer throughout the park. As well, since that time, we have also increased the routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces in the workplace and at workstations, countertops, doorknobs and ticket counters.

Leadership will continue to monitor the situation and when it is deemed safe for guests to return, the entire facility will be cleaned and sanitized prior to re-opening. This will include Kennedy Space Center Tour buses, all attractions, eateries and theaters at the main campus and at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Date specific Daily Admission tickets for the period we are closed will be refunded. Unexpired Daily Admission tickets will still be valid for use. Private programs, such as ATX, Overnight Adventures, Special Interest Bus Tours and Dine With An Astronaut programs will be canceled and refunds will automatically be issued for activities scheduled on these days. During this temporary closure, the Reservations Department will also be unavailable. To complete a reservation for a future date, please [url=]visit our website[/URL].

To help protect against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and help ensure guest and employee safety, we have taken and will continue taking actions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus based on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our management continues to work closely with local, state and federal experts on this topic to ensure that we are up to date on the situation as it evolves.

posted 03-14-2020 01:08 PM               

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will temporarily close beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020 as a public health precaution in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

We received notice from the County just this morning, Friday, March 13, that all of museum row will be closed for two weeks effective at 5 p.m. tonight. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the situation, we are not announcing an exact re-open date at this time but will provide updates on a week-to-week basis.

posted 03-14-2020 01:16 PM               

Marshall Space Flight Center Director Statement on Coronavirus Situation

The following is a statement from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Director Jody Singer:

"NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is moving into Stage 3 of our agency response framework, with mandatory telework effective immediately and until further notice.

"On the evening of Friday, March 13, we received confirmation that one of our employees tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Contact tracing will begin immediately in order to identify and notify individuals who may have had significant contact with that employee.

"Access to the center will be restricted to mission-essential personnel only, as defined in the response framework. More guidance will follow for those who do not have equipment to work from home or who work in labs or other facilities requiring similar technical equipment that is a fixed asset.

"The status of the center will be updated regularly and communicated to all employees. Please stay in close contact with your supervisor. I, along with my center leadership team and agency leaders, greatly appreciate your understanding, patience, and support through this challenging period of time."

posted 03-14-2020 03:33 PM               

Space Center Houston Closes March 15-27

In response to the latest guidelines and information from city, state, and federal officials, Space Center Houston will close to the general public effective today, Saturday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m., and will remain closed through Friday, March 27.

As Houston’s leading science and space exploration learning center and trusted community space, we are acting in an abundance of caution with the health and safety of our guests, staff and volunteers as our top priority and responsibility. There have been no cases of exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reported in connection with the center.

The closure includes regular operating hours and all public, education, and private programs and events. We will continue to monitor the situation and update you with any new developments.

We will continue to pay our salaried and hourly staff throughout this closure.

Given the evolving nature of the outbreak, we will carefully reassess the situation in the coming weeks and share updates on our website and social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) as they become available.

While we are closed, we will work hard and creatively to bring Space Center Houston to the public. Our goal will be to continue to inspire all generations through the wonders of space exploration and to do our part to keep our community connected during this difficult time.

posted 03-14-2020 06:47 PM               

NASA Administrator Statement on Agency Coronavirus Status

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine:

"As we navigate this difficult time, the protection and care of the NASA family continues to be our top priority and the key consideration as we make decisions on how to move forward. NASA leadership is coordinating closely with the White House Coronavirus Task Force and interagency partners in our nation's unified response to coronavirus (COVID-19), and regularly re-evaluating the conditions at each center.

"As you are aware, Ames Research Center in California was elevated to Stage 3 of NASA's Response Framework after an onsite case of COVID-19 was confirmed on March 8. We recently received confirmation that an employee at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama has tested positive for COVID-19. As with Ames – in consultation with Marshall Center Director Jody Singer, NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. J.D. Polk, and in accordance to agency response plans ­– Marshall has been elevated to Stage 3 and is in mandatory telework status, with restricted access to the center until further notice.

"While we do not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any other NASA center as of today, March 14, out of an abundance of caution, all other NASA centers are transitioning to Stage 2 of our response framework. Center directors have been in contact with their employees about this status change and steps moving forward.

"In Stage 2, telework is strongly encouraged for employees who can work remotely. I've directed employees to take home their laptop computer, power cord, NASA badge, and any other equipment needed to work effectively from an alternate location, as well as essential personal items they may need. The workforce is asked to stay in regular contact with supervisors. Travel that is not mission-essential, as defined in the response framework, will be limited agencywide.

"More information on leave and telework is available on the NASA People website.

"As I've told the NASA community, if you are performing mission-essential work on center, do not go to work if you feel sick. Everyone should take extra precautions to protect themselves and others. I've asked employees to please continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the agency's chief health and medical officer, and if they have questions, don't hesitate to talk with their supervisor.

"As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we'll continue to closely monitor and coordinate with federal, state, and community officials to take any further appropriate steps to help safeguard the NASA family. The NASA People website is regularly updated with employee additional guidance.

"The vigilance our workforce has displayed in our response to coronavirus is remarkable and has placed our agency in a position of strength as we confront this national emergency. I'm grateful for all the members of the NASA community and everything they're doing to care for the health of our workforce and keeping the mission going. We will get through this together and NASA will continue to accomplish amazing things for our country and all of humanity."

posted 03-16-2020 12:00 AM               

NASA visitor centers and space museums close as coronavirus precaution

Many of the NASA visitor centers and space history museums located across the United States have now temporarily closed as a public health precaution, supporting the effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The safety measure has also postponed plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NASA's Apollo 13 mission in April.

posted 03-16-2020 08:02 AM               

Guiana Space Center suspends launch campaigns

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the need to fully implement the measures decided by the French government, launch campaigns under way at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana have been suspended. These launch preparations will resume as soon as allowed by health conditions.

This exceptional measure is designed to protect the health of employees and the local population, while also maintaining the security needed to prepare for scheduled launches.

Arianespace, French space agency CNES and all companies involved at CSG are currently overseeing operations to place launchers and satellites in safe standby condition, in line with standard procedures.

posted 03-16-2020 10:30 AM               

Given global concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), INFINITY Science Center will be closing our facility starting on March 17, 2020 with plans to reopen on April 1, 2020.

In addition, our INFINITY Gala has been postponed until October 17, 2020.

posted 03-16-2020 02:51 PM               

The Apollo 13th 50th Anniversary dinner is postponed due to the public health emergency.

The event will be rescheduled and tickets that have been pre-purchased will be applied to the newly rescheduled event. That new event date will be announced as soon as it is available and we will keep you updated on the details in the coming weeks. We look forward to celebrating together at a time when we too will celebrate triumph through teamwork.

posted 03-16-2020 03:09 PM               

Today Cosmosphere announced it will close effective Tuesday, March 17 and plans to reopen Wednesday, April 1. Staff positions related to visitors and programming duties will be asked to stay home.

"The decision to close temporarily is not one Cosmosphere leadership made lightly," said Jim Remar, Cosmosphere CEO. "We know the impact on our staff will be significant. Prudence and safety eclipse all other factors in this decision, even as we look for ways to mitigate the financial burden it brings."

posted 03-16-2020 06:59 PM               

Please be advised that the 34th annual Space Awards Gala will no longer be held on April 17th, and is postponed to a future yet-to-be-determined date. This decision is made due to our concerns for public safety and our desire to follow CDC best practices that curtail transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The Foundation is coordinating with the Hyatt Regency and other key stakeholders and will issue further guidance to corporate and government attendees in the coming weeks.

posted 03-17-2020 11:49 AM               

The American Space Museum, in all caution and respect for our communities, will be closed until further notice. We look forward to re-opening after the situation has passed.

posted 03-17-2020 07:11 PM               

NASA Administrator March 17 Statement on Agency Response to Coronavirus

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine:

"Agency leadership continues to monitor developments regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) around the nation. We are closely following the advice of health professionals and the White House Coronavirus Task Force to keep our workforce safe. Implementing best practices early and quickly will increase likelihoods for better outcomes.

"This evening, NASA leadership has decided to elevate all centers and facilities to Stage 3 of NASA's Response Framework. Effective immediately, all employees and contractors will move to mandatory telework until further notice. Mission-essential personnel will continue to be granted access onsite. Please contact your supervisor as soon as possible if you have any questions.

"Although a limited amount of employees have tested positive for COVID-19, it is imperative that we take this pre-emptive step to thwart further spreading of the virus among the workforce and our communities. A list of collaboration tools and information supporting telework is available on NASA's Remote Collaboration Services webpage.

"I strongly encourage you and your families to follow all local, state and federal guidelines to stay healthy and to help slow the spread of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website lists many resources available if you need help, specific state health websites can be found here. Additionally, I urge all NASA employees to follow President Trump's Coronavirus Guidelines for America, announced yesterday afternoon. You can find these 15 Day guidelines here.

"Agency leadership will continue to monitor the rapidly-evolving risks COVID-19 poses to our workforce. You should anticipate continued frequent communication from your center director, myself and others. Up-to-date agency announcements and guidelines are available on the NASA People website, please check it often.

"NASA's early and thoughtful actions in coordination with our country's unified response to this health emergency is an incredible display of national solidarity. Thank you for your vigilance and flexibility. I am confident your diligence and commitment will ensure our mission will continue. Please make certain you are giving the appropriate attention to your health and that of your family."

posted 03-19-2020 06:53 AM               

Buzz Aldrin knows a thing or two about quarantines. After returning from the Moon in 1969, Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins spent 21 days in quarantine to prevent the spread of any contagions they might have brought back from the lunar surface.

Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, I spoke with Aldrin on Tuesday by telephone. He is at home, hunkering down, and doing fine health-wise. Aldrin turned 90 years old in January, and at this age, he is in the very highest of risk categories for COVID-19.

posted 03-19-2020 09:38 AM            

The National Space Society has announced that its annual International Space Development Conference (NSS ISDC), formerly scheduled for May 28-31 in Frisco, Texas, will not be held as planned. The organization is working with its partners to review its options and make plans to support the conference moving ahead.

posted 03-19-2020 06:57 PM               

March 19 Administrator Statement on Agency Response to Coronavirus

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine:

"NASA leadership is determined to make the health and safety of its workforce its top priority as we navigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. To that end, the agency's Michoud Assembly Facility and Stennis Space Center are moving to Stage 4 of the NASA Response Framework, effective Friday, March 20.

"The change at Stennis was made due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the community around the center, the number of self-isolation cases within our workforce there, and one confirmed case among our Stennis team. While there are no confirmed cases at Michoud, the facility is moving to Stage 4 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the local area, in accordance with local and federal guidelines.

"Mandatory telework is in effect for NASA personnel at both facilities until further notice. Additionally, all travel is suspended. These measures are being taken to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 and protect our communities.

"Access to Stennis and Michoud will be limited to personnel required to maintain the safety and security of the center, as approved by agency leadership and the resident agencies. All previously approved exceptions for onsite work are rescinded and new approvals will be required in order to gain access to the center.

"NASA will temporarily suspend production and testing of Space Launch System and Orion hardware. The NASA and contractors teams will complete an orderly shutdown that puts all hardware in a safe condition until work can resume. Once this is complete, personnel allowed onsite will be limited to those needed to protect life and critical infrastructure.

"We realize there will be impacts to NASA missions, but as our teams work to analyze the full picture and reduce risks we understand that our top priority is the health and safety of the NASA workforce.

"I ask all members of the NASA workforce to stay in close contact with your supervisor and check the NASA People website regularly for updates. Also, in these difficult times, do not hesitate to reach out to the NASA Employee Assistance Program, if needed.

"I will continue to say, so none of us forget – there is no team better prepared for doing hard things. Take care of yourself, your family, and your NASA team."

posted 03-20-2020 01:32 PM               

In response to the latest city, state and federal guidelines, we have decided to extend Space Center Houston's closure to the general public through Sunday, April 12. The health and safety of our guests, employees, volunteers and local community is our utmost priority.

posted 03-20-2020 04:38 PM               

NASA Leadership Assessing Mission Impacts of Coronavirus

To protect the health and safety of the NASA workforce as the nation responds to coronavirus (COVID-19), agency leadership recently completed the first assessment of work underway across all missions, projects, and programs. The goal was to identify tasks that can be done remotely by employees at home, mission-essential work that must be performed on-site, and on-site work that will be paused.

"We are going to take care of our people. That's our first priority," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. "Technology allows us to do a lot of what we need to do remotely, but, where hands-on work is required, it is difficult or impossible to comply with CDC guidelines while processing spaceflight hardware, and where we can't safely do that we're going to have to suspend work and focus on the mission critical activities."

The agency has defined mission-essential work as that which must be performed to maintain critical mission operations to ensure the schedule of time-sensitive mission-critical launches, or work to protect life and critical infrastructure. This includes work to support America's national security and mission-essential functions for the nation. NASA leadership will continually assess all activities as the situation evolves.

NASA's Mars 2020 mission, which includes the Perseverance Rover and Mars Helicopter, remains a high priority for the agency, and launch and other mission preparations will continue. Much of the work is being done by employees and contractors who work remotely across the agency. Assessments by agency leadership are underway for anyone required to work in areas under restriction, such as NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, especially after the recent announcement by California's governor.

The James Webb Space Telescope team, also in California, is suspending integration and testing operations. Decisions could be adjusted as the situation continues to unfold over the weekend and into next week. The decision was made to ensure the safety of the workforce. The observatory remains safe in its cleanroom environment.

Also in California, work continues by Lockheed Martin on X-59 NASA's first large-scale, piloted X-plane in more than 30 years, while NASA oversight and inspections will be conducted almost exclusively virtually.

Work on the agency's Artemis program continues with limited production of hardware and software for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. SLS and Orion manufacturing and testing activities at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility and Stennis Space Center are temporarily on hold. The Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft will be shipped from the agency's Glenn Research Center to its Kennedy Space Center where it eventually will be attached on top of SLS for the Artemis I lunar mission. Assembly and processing work is continuing on the Artemis II Orion spacecraft at Kennedy.

Since the Human Landing System program leverages capabilities across the agency, it already functions as a virtual team to conduct engineering analysis and other work, and it has seen minimal impact from the requirement for mandatory telework. Most development work on the Gateway program continues and can be done remotely, however, any on-site activity beyond securing hardware is temporarily suspended until further notice.

NASA's Ames Research Center is keeping the agency's supercomputing resources online, as well as the NASA IT Security Operations Center and in-flight spacecraft operations.

All work associated with supporting International Space Station operations continues. Flight controllers are working in the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center in Houston, where a number of additional measures went into effect in early March to reduce the risk of exposure to the team.

Astronaut training continues, as do preparations for the launch April 9 of NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and two Russian cosmonauts. NASA and its international and commercial partners always take steps to prevent the crew from bringing illnesses like the cold or flu to the International Space Station. As with all crewed launches, crews must stay in quarantine for two weeks before they launch. This process ensures that they aren't sick or incubating an illness when they get to the space station and is called "health stabilization."

Work also continues on the agency's Commercial Crew Program, a critical element to maintaining safe operations on the International Space Station and a sustained U.S. presence on the orbiting laboratory. Commercial resupply activities and future missions also will go on as scheduled in order to keep the space station crew fully supplied and safe.

NASA also is supporting mission-essential operations for all spacecraft. This encompasses the Hubble Space Telescope and space communications network, as well as satellite missions that support the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of Defense, including those that provide critical weather and GPS data.

Most of the agency remains under a Stage 3 status, with mandatory telework for all employees with limited exceptions for on-site work. Ames, Michoud, and Stennis are at Stage 4 with personnel on-site to protect life and critical infrastructure. NASA leadership continues to monitor developments regarding COVID-19 around the nation and follow the guidance from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local and state health officials in order to keep the NASA community safe.

posted 03-21-2020 05:07 PM               

The seventh meeting of the National Space Council, scheduled to take place on March 24, 2020 at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., has been postponed. A new date for the meeting will be determined.

posted 03-21-2020 05:49 PM               

The specifics have been changing rapidly, but when the borders closed — the Russian borders — to non-Russian passport holders, that put a challenge for us because now the launch guests who go into and out of Moscow to get the Baikonur couldn't get back through Moscow. So that closed the gates for us and that was the final straw that we pulled the plug on launch support for for my guests.

As us crew members on a Soyuz rocket, we get 15 guests to come, including our spouse and children and that sort of thing. And so none of those folks will come.

We actually didn't enter quarantine early. Just because by weird, weird timing, our period of time where we entered quarantine as planned sort of lined up with when all of the severe restrictions started falling in place for world citizens. So we were probably a little cautious in the days immediately prior to official quarantine starting, but we didn't start any earlier.

posted 03-23-2020 07:25 PM               

According to sources familiar with the company's activities, Bigelow Aerospace's 68 employees were informed that they were being laid off, effective immediately. An additional 20 employees were laid off the previous week.

Those sources said that the company, based in North Las Vegas, Nevada, was halting operations because of what one person described as a "perfect storm of problems" that included the coronavirus pandemic. On March 20, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed an emergency directive ordering all "nonessential" businesses to close.

A company spokesperson confirmed March 23 that the company laid off all its employees because of the governor's order, and that it faced "fines, penalties and threats of having our business license revoked" if it remained open. The spokesperson added that the company planned to hire workers back once the emergency directive was lifted, although other sources interpreted the layoffs as a permanent measure.