Thursday, March 21, 2024

SpaceX's 30th Cargo Resupply Mission: Pre-Launch | International Space Station

SpaceX's 30th Cargo Resupply Mission: Pre-Launch | International Space Station






New research and technology demonstrations for NASA are set to launch aboard the agency’s SpaceX 30th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for 4:55 p.m. EDT Thursday, March 21, 2024, lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral,  Florida. There is currently a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the launch pad for liftoff.

NASA and international partners are launching scientific investigations on the 30th SpaceX commercial resupply services mission, including tests of technologies to monitor sea ice, automate 3D mapping, and to create nanoparticle solar cells. 

The Dragon cargo craft will also deliver food and supplies as well as a set of sensors for the free-flying Astrobee robots and a new botany experiment to examine how two types of grass capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

Dragon will autonomously dock to the zenith port of the Harmony module at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23. 

Read more about some of the research making the journey to the orbiting laboratory: 

https://go.nasa.gov/3SS9mhA


Image Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Image Date: March 19, 2024


#NASA #Space #ISS #Earth #Science #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #DragonSpacecraft #CRS30 #CommercialResupplyServices #Astronauts #Cosmonauts #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #SpaceLaboratory #Spaceport #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #Russia #Expedition70 #Expedition71 #STEM #Education

An 'Underachieving' Black Hole Identified | NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory

An 'Underachieving' Black Hole Identified | NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory

Astronomers have revealed that a brilliant supermassive black hole is not living up to expectations. Although it is responsible for high levels of radiation and powerful jets, this giant black hole is not as influential as many of its counterparts in other galaxies.

A new study using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory looked at the closest quasar to Earth that is in a cluster of galaxies. Quasars are a rare and extreme class of supermassive black holes that are furiously pulling material inwards, producing intense radiation and sometimes powerful jets. Known as H1821+643, this newly-studied quasar is about 3.4 billion light-years from Earth and contains a black hole weighing about four billion times that of the Sun.

Most growing supermassive black holes pull material in less quickly than those in quasars. Astronomers have studied the impact of these more common black holes by observing ones in the centers of galaxy clusters. Regular outbursts from such black holes prevent the huge amounts of superheated gas they are embedded in from cooling down. This limits how many stars form in their host galaxies and how much fuel gets funneled toward the black hole.

Astronomers know much less about how much influence quasars in galaxy clusters have on their surroundings. This new study with Chandra found that H1821+643 appears to have relinquished much of the control imposed by more slowly growing black holes. In other words, the black hole’s appetite is not matched by its influence.

The giant black hole is generating a lot less heat than most of the others in the centers of galaxy clusters. This allows the hot gas to rapidly cool down and form new stars, and also act as a fuel source for the black hole.

While this black hole may be underachieving by not pumping heat into its environment, the current state of affairs will likely not last forever. Eventually the rapid fuel intake by the black hole should increase the power of its jets and strongly heat the gas. The growth of the black hole and its galaxy should then drastically slow down.


Video Credit: NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory

Duration: 3 minutes

Release Date: March 21, 2024


#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Quasar #H1821643 #BlackHole #Draco #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #NASAChandra #ChandraObservatory #Xray #MSFC#Infrared #SpaceTelescope #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA's "Espacio a Tierra" | Crew-8, partiendo: 15 de marzo de 2024

NASA's "Espacio a Tierra" | Crew-8, partiendo: 15 de marzo de 2024

Espacio a Tierra, la versión en español de las cápsulas Space to Ground de la NASA, te informa semanalmente de lo que está sucediendo en la Estación Espacial Internacional.

Aprende más sobre la ciencia a bordo de la estación espacial: 

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-research-and-technology/ciencia-en-la-estacion/

Ciencia de la NASA: https://ciencia.nasa.gov

Para obtener más información sobre la ciencia de la NASA, suscríbete al boletín semanal: https://www.nasa.gov/suscribete


Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Duration: 5 minutes

Release Date: March 20, 2024


#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #NASAenespañol #español #Astronauts #SpaceX #SpaceXCrew7 #JasminMoghbeli #UnitedStates #AndreasMogensen #Europe #ESA #SatoshiFurukawa #JAXA #Japan #日本 #Cosmonaut #KonstantinBorisov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition70 #HumanSpaceflight #HD #Video

Expedition 71 Preflight | Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

Expedition 71 Preflight | Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya, top, Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, bottom, wave farewell prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft for a launch attempt, Thursday, March 21, 2024 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
Expedition 71 Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya talk as they prepare to have their Russian Sokol suits press checked as they and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson prepare for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station
Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked as she and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya prepare for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station
Expedition 71 backup crewmember NASA astronaut Don Pettit shows a photo he made on his smart phone of NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson having her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked, Thursday, March 21, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan
Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya, right, wave as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch attempt to the International Space Station, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

The March 21, 2024, launch of the crewed Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft was scrubbed at the 20-second mark today. More information on the viability of the next available launch opportunity is forthcoming. These pictures from are a sneak preview ahead of the next launch attempt.

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are preparing to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft. 

Dyson will spend approximately six months on the space station. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will spend approximately 12 days aboard the orbital complex.

Dyson will return to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth in April on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/


Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: March 21, 2024


#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Science #SoyuzRocket #SoyuzMS25Spacecraft #BaikonurCosmodrome #Kazakhstan #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition71 #HumanSpaceflight #JSC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Expedition 71 Pre-Launch Press Conference in Kazakhstan

Expedition 71 Pre-Launch Press Conference in Kazakhstan


Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Dyson, Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft on Thursday, March 21. 

Dyson will spend approximately six months on the space station. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will spend approximately 12 days aboard the orbital complex.

Dyson will return to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/


Video Credit: Центр подготовки космонавтов имени Ю.А.Гагарина/Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

Duration: 38 minutes

Capture Date: March 20, 2024


#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Science #SoyuzRocket #SoyuzMS25Spacecraft #BaikonurCosmodrome #Kazakhstan #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition71 #HumanSpaceflight #JSC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Expedition 71 Pre-Launch Crew Meeting & Press Conference in Kazakhstan: Part 2

Expedition 71 Pre-Launch Crew Meeting & Press Conference in Kazakhstan: Part 2

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Russia, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya, right, are seen during the State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch of Expedition 71 to the International Space Station, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson
Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya




Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Russia, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 a the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Russia, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference and State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Dyson, Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft on Thursday, March 21. 

Dyson will spend approximately six months on the space station. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will spend approximately 12 days aboard the orbital complex.

Dyson will return to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/


Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: March 20, 2024


#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Science #SoyuzRocket #SoyuzMS25Spacecraft #BaikonurCosmodrome #Kazakhstan #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition71 #HumanSpaceflight #JSC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Expedition 71 Pre-Launch Crew Press Conference in Kazakhstan: Part 1

Expedition 71 Pre-Launch Crew Press Conference in Kazakhstan: Part 1

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Russia, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 a the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan


Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson


Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Dyson, Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft on Thursday, March 21. 

Dyson will spend approximately six months on the space station. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will spend approximately 12 days aboard the orbital complex.

Dyson will return to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/


Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: March 20, 2024


#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Science #SoyuzRocket #SoyuzMS25Spacecraft #BaikonurCosmodrome #Kazakhstan #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition71 #HumanSpaceflight #JSC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Exploring Next-Gen Spacesuits with Former NASA Astronauts | Collins Aerospace

Exploring Next-Gen Spacesuits with Former NASA Astronauts | Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace is building new space suits for NASA's Artemis Moon Missions. Former NASA astronauts Danny Olivas and Dan Burbank delve into the cutting-edge world of next-generation spacesuit capabilities. In this video, these seasoned space explorers share their insights and expertise on the latest advancements in spacesuit technology, offering a glimpse into the future of space exploration.

Learn more:  https://collins.aero/3QSLRoU

Former NASA Astronaut John Daniel “Danny” Olivas Official Biography

https://www.nasa.gov/people/dr-john-daniel-danny-olivas-pe/

Former NASA Astronaut Dan Burbank Official Biography (PDF)

https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/burbank.pdf


Video Credit: Collins Aerospace

Duration: 2 minutes

Release Date: March 20, 2024


#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #ISS #Microgravity #Moon #ArtemisProgram #Astronauts #DannyOlivas #DanBurbank #Spacesuits #xEVAS #EVA #Spacewalks #Moonwalks #Marswalks #HumanSpaceflight #CollinsAerospace #MoonToMars #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #SpaceTechnology #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Expedition 71 Soyuz Rocket: Traditional Blessings from Russian Orthodox Priest

Expedition 71 Soyuz Rocket: Traditional Blessings from Russian Orthodox Priest









Russian Orthodox Priest Father Daniil gives blessings at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad with the Soyuz rocket in the background, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Kazakhstan. Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft on March 21. 

Dyson will spend approximately six months on the space station. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will spend approximately 12 days aboard the orbital complex.

Dyson will return to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.


Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Release Date: March 20, 2024


#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Science #SoyuzRocket #SoyuzMS25Spacecraft #BaikonurCosmodrome #Kazakhstan #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition71 #HumanSpaceflight #JSC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

NASA Astronaut Moments: Tracy Dyson | International Space Station

NASA Astronaut Moments: Tracy Dyson | International Space Station

A veteran of two spaceflights, NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson is prepared for her third mission to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft, launching from Kazakhstan on March 21, 2024. This mission as an Expedition 70 and 71 flight engineer is a testament to the California native’s lifetime dedication to exploration and to her deep admiration for her dad, who taught her electrician skills she’s used in space. Over the next six months, Dyson will study how fire spreads and behaves in space with the Combustion Integrated Rack and will contribute to the Crew Earth Observations study. 

Dyson will travel to the station with Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Russia and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya, both of whom will spend approximately 12 days aboard the orbital complex.

Dyson will return to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/


Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Duration: 7 minutes, 38 seconds

Release Date: March 19, 2024



#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SoyuzRocket #BaikonurCosmodrome #SoyuzMS25Crew #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #SpaceLaboratory #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Science on SpaceX's 30th Cargo Resupply Mission | International Space Station

Science on SpaceX's 30th Cargo Resupply Mission | International Space Station

NASA and international partners are scheduled to launch scientific investigations on the 30th SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station, including tests of technologies to monitor sea ice, automate 3D mapping, and create nanoparticle solar cells. The company’s Dragon cargo spacecraft is NASA’s SpaceX 30th commercial resupply mission to the station. It is currently scheduled for launch at 4:55 p.m. EDT Thursday, March 21, 2024, from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida. 

The Dragon cargo craft will deliver food, supplies, and new science investigations to the crew, including a set of sensors for the free-flying Astrobee robots and a new botany experiment to examine how two types of grass capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

Dragon will autonomously dock to the zenith port of the Harmony module at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23. 

Read more about some of the research making the journey to the orbiting laboratory: 

https://go.nasa.gov/3SS9mhA


Credit: NASA

Producer: Nicole Rose

Duration: 1 minute

Release Date: Feb. 26, 2024


#NASA #Space #ISS #Earth #Science #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #DragonSpacecraft #CRS30 #CommercialResupplyServices #Astronauts #Cosmonauts #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #SpaceLaboratory #Spaceport #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #Russia #Expedition70 #Expedition71 #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Tracy Dyson of NASA | International Space Station

Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Tracy Dyson of NASA | International Space Station

NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson participated in live virtual interviews on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, ahead of her launch to the International Space Station. Dyson is scheduled to launch aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft Thursday, March 21, and will spend approximately six months on the space station. She will travel to the station with Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy of Russia and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya, both of whom will spend approximately 12 days aboard the orbital complex.

During her expedition, Dyson will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations that help prepare humans for future space missions and benefit people on Earth. Among the hundreds of experiments ongoing during her mission, Dyson will continue to study how fire spreads and behaves in space with the Combustion Integrated Rack, as well as contribute to the long-running Crew Earth Observations study by photographing Earth to better understand how our planet is changing over time. 

Dyson will spend six months on the station, returning to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/


Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Duration: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Release Date: Feb. 26, 2024


#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SoyuzRocket #BaikonurCosmodrome #SoyuzMS25Crew #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition71 #Kazakhstan #Қазақстан #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Expedition 71 Crew Prepares for Launch in Kazakhstan | International Space Station

Expedition 71 Crew Prepares for Launch in Kazakhstan | International Space Station

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the International Space Station’s Expedition 71 crew, NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, Soyuz commander Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos (Russia) and Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya participated in a variety of activities March 6-18, 2024, as they prepared for their upcoming mission. Dyson, Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya are set to launch March 21 from Baikonur in the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station. 

The backup Soyuz crewmates also attended the preparation activities, including NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner and Anastasia Lenkova of Belarus. The footage includes the crew’s arrival in Baikonur, their Soyuz fit checks in the Cosmodrome’s Integration Facility and other training milestones.

Dyson will spend six months on the station, returning to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.


Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) 

Duration: 12 minutes, 46 seconds

Release Date: March 18, 2024


#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SoyuzRocket #BaikonurCosmodrome #SoyuzMS25Crew #Astronaut #LoralOHara #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition71 #Kazakhstan #Қазақстан #STEM #Education #HD #Video

The SOAR Telescope: A Southern Celestial Wayfinder in Chile

The SOAR Telescope: A Southern Celestial Wayfinder in Chile


The stars are perfectly aligned in this image of the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope, located on Cerro Pachón in Chile and operated by Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab. The Milky Way galaxy appears to be pouring out of the open dome and spilling across the colorful sky. The wash of yellow and green near the horizon is a mix of airglow and light pollution from nearby villages. Where the two colors transition, the Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud shine through (lower left). However, near the center of this image is a truly notable grouping: the constellation Crux. Also known as the Southern Cross, it is discoverable by its red star (the top of the cross) and three nearby blue stars that form a cross shape. This grouping of stars has been a beacon for both European and Pacific Islander navigators for centuries. Its navigational use is akin to Polaris, but instead of directing people to the North Pole, Crux points—roughly—towards the South Pole.

NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft intentionally crashed into Dimorphos, the asteroid moonlet in the double-asteroid system of Didymos on September 26, 2022. This was the first planetary defense test in which an impact of a spacecraft attempted to modify the orbit of an asteroid. The SOAR Telescope imaged the more than 10,000 kilometers long trail of debris blasted from the surface of Dimorphos two days after the impact. These observations are allowing scientists to gain knowledge about the nature of the surface of Dimorphos, how much material was ejected by the collision, how fast it was ejected, and the distribution of particle sizes in the expanding dust cloud—for example, whether the impact caused the moonlet to throw off big chunks of material or mostly fine dust. Analyzing this information will help scientists protect Earth and its inhabitants by better understanding the amount and nature of the ejecta resulting from an impact, and how that might modify an asteroid’s orbit.

This gigantic 900-megapixel photo was taken as part of the NOIRLab 2022 Photo Expedition to all the NOIRLab sites. Tomas Slovinský, the photographer, is a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.


Image Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/T. Slovinský

Release Date: March 13, 2024


#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #SOARTelescope #CerroPachón #Chile #Airglow #Stars #Crux #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #SMC #LMC #Galaxies #DARTMission #Asteroids #Dimorphos #Didymos #PlanetaryDefense #SolarSystem #JHUAPL #NOIRLab #AURA #NSF #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Monday, March 18, 2024

NASA Astronaut Thomas Stafford: Commander of First U.S.-Russian Space Mission

NASA Astronaut Thomas Stafford: Commander of First U.S.-Russian Space Mission

Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford: Official NASA Portrait (April 12, 1972)

Apollo 10 Lunar Orbit Mission: Left to right, are Eugene A. Cernan, lunar module pilot; John W. Young, command module pilot; and Thomas P. Stafford, commander. In the background is the Apollo 10 space vehicle on Pad B, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, Florida (May 13, 1969)

Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo 9 commander, is suited up at the Kennedy Space Center for a Countdown Demonstration Test (May 13, 1969)

Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, Gemini-6 prime crew pilot, is pictured onboard the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever in the Gulf of Mexico during water egress training (August 23, 1965)
Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford (foreground), command pilot, and Eugene A. Cernan, pilot, walk up the ramp at Pad 19 during the Gemini-9A prelaunch countdown (June 3, 1966)
Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, command pilot of the Gemini-9 prime crew, undergoes familiarization training with the Gemini-9 spacecraft at the McDonnell plant in St. Louis (February 8, 1966)

Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, pilot, is pictured in the Gemini-6 spacecraft in the White Room atop Pad 19 prior to the closing of the hatches during the Gemini-6 prelaunch countdown. In the background (partially out of view) is astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr., command pilot.

Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford (left) and cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov participate in Apollo-Soyuz Test Project joint crew training in Building 35 at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Stafford and Leonov are the commanders of their respective prime crews. They are in the Soviet Soyuz Orbital Module mock-up.

NASA statement: "We are mourning the passing of Thomas P. Stafford at the age of 93 (September 17, 1930—March 18, 2024). In December 1965, Stafford piloted Gemini VI, the first rendezvous in space, and helped develop techniques to prove the basic theory and practicality of space rendezvous. 

Later he commanded Gemini IX and performed a demonstration of an early rendezvous that would be used in the Apollo lunar missions, the first optical rendezvous, and a lunar orbit abort rendezvous. 

He served as the commander of the Apollo 10 ‘dress rehearsal’ mission preparing for the first Moon landing and as Apollo commander of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) mission, a joint space flight culminating in the historic first meeting in space between American Astronauts and Soviet Cosmonauts, which ended the International space race.

Throughout his career, Stafford helped us push the boundaries of what's possible in air and space, flying more than 100 different types of aircraft."

Former NASA Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford - Official NASA Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stafford_thomas.pdf


Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)


#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Astronauts #Astronaut #ThomasStafford #Pilot #GeminiVI #GeminiIX #ApolloProgram #ApolloSoyuzTestProject #ASTP #SovietUnion #Russia #Россия #UnitedStates #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #History #NASARemembers #STEM #Education

Expedition 71 Soyuz Rocket Rollout in Kazakhstan | International Space Station

Expedition 71 Soyuz Rocket Rollout in Kazakhstan | International Space Station

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz 2.1a rocket that will launch the Soyuz MS-25 crew to the International Space Station rolled out from its integration building to the launch pad for final preparations. While that took place, NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Soyuz commander Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos and Belarus cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya of Belarus completed their training for their launch aboard the Soyuz to the orbital outpost scheduled for March 21, 2024.

Dyson will spend six months on the station, returning to Earth in September on Soyuz MS-25 while Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth April 2 on Soyuz MS-24 along with NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, who has been aboard the orbital complex since last September.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

https://www.nasa.gov/people/tracy-caldwell-dyson-2/

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.


Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Duration: 4 minutes, 29 seconds

Release Date: March 18, 2024


#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SoyuzRocket #BaikonurCosmodrome #SoyuzMS25Crew #Astronaut #TracyDyson #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #OlegNovitskiy #Russia #Россия #MarinaVasilevskaya #Belarus #Беларусь #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition71 #Kazakhstan #Қазақстан #STEM #Education #HD #Video