Friends of NASA

Friday, March 22, 2024

Gateway - Lunar Space Station Plan | NASA's Johnson Space Center

Gateway - Lunar Space Station Plan | NASA's Johnson Space Center

The Gateway space station will be humanity's first space station to orbit the Moon in support of the Artemis missions to return humans to the lunar surface for scientific discovery and chart a path for the first human missions to Mars and beyond.

Gateway is essential to the Artemis architecture, along with the Space Launch System, Orion spacecraft, Human Landing System, and spacesuits that will enable extensive exploration of the Moon’s South Pole.

Learn more about the NASA-led Lunar Gateway Program:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/gateway/

Through Artemis, NASA aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, heralding a new era for space exploration and utilization. The NASA-led Artemis program is a new generation of lunar exploration missions designed to send humans farther into space than ever before. The Artemis missions are increasingly complex endeavors that will lay the foundation for sustainable human and robotic exploration of Earth's only natural satellite, the Moon.

While NASA is leading the Artemis missions, international partnerships will play a key role in achieving a sustainable and robust presence on the Moon while preparing to conduct a historic human mission to Mars.

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

Duration: 42 seconds

Release Date: March 22, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Moon #Gateway #LunarGateway #ArtemisProgram #Mars #MoonToMars #Engineering #SpaceTechnology #UnitedStates #Europe #ESA #Canada #CSA #Japan #JAXA #UAE #MBRSC #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education #HD #Video

SpaceX CRS-30 Cargo Resupply Mission Launch | International Space Station

SpaceX CRS-30 Cargo Resupply Mission Launch | International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the CRS-30 Dragon spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral in Florida on March 21, 2024

Falcon 9 First Stage Landing

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the CRS-30 Dragon spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral in Florida on March 21, 2024 at 4:55pm. NASA and international partners are sending 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.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage (B1080) landed on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral, having previously supported five missions: Ax-2, ESA Euclid, Ax-3 and two Starlink missions. CRS-30 is the fourth flight for this Dragon spacecraft. It previously flew CRS-22, CRS-24, and CRS-27 to the space station.

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.

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

Capture Date: March 21, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Earth #Science #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #DragonSpacecraft #CRS30Launch #CommercialResupplyServices #Astronauts #Cosmonauts #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #SpaceLaboratory #Spaceport #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #Russia #Expedition70 #Expedition71 #STEM #Education

NASA's Space to Ground: CRS-30 Launch | Week of March 22, 2024

NASA's Space to Ground: CRS-30 Launch | Week of March 22, 2024

NASA's Space to Ground is your weekly update on what's happening aboard the International Space Station. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the CRS-30 Dragon spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral in Florida on March 21, 2024 at 4:55pm. NASA and international partners are sending 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.

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

Learn more about the important research being operated on Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science

For more information about STEM on Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Education

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

Duration: 2 minutes

Release Date: March 22, 2024

Thursday, March 21, 2024

China's Second Moon Communications Satellite Supports New Exploration Missions

China's Second Moon Communications Satellite Supports New Exploration Missions

Queqiao-2, or Magpie Bridge-2, will serve as a relay platform for the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program, providing Earth-Moon communications services for Chang'e-4, Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8 missions. It is another key step for supporting future lunar exploration missions, such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon.

Due to the Moon's perpetual one-sided facing away from Earth, probes landing on its far side are obstructed by the Moon itself, hindering direct measurement, control communication, and data transmission with Earth.

As the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration project focuses on landing exploration and sampling sites primarily situated in the Moon's South Pole and far side areas, the need arises for more versatile and robust relay satellites. These satellites will serve as a new relay communication station on the Moon for communication.

"As for now, following the successful launch of Queqiao-2, it is poised to fulfill subsequent missions including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, Chang'e-8, and other related endeavors," said Ge, China National Space Administration's spokesman for Queqiao-2's launch.

The main goal of the fourth phase is to carry out scientific exploration on the Moon's South Pole and set up a fundamental type of lunar scientific research station. The fourth phase will be carried out in three steps, with the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 probes being launched before 2030.

The Chang'e-6 is expected to be launched in the first half of 2024. The Chang'e-8 will constitute, together with Chang'e-7, the basic model of a lunar research station.

Queqiao-1 was launched in 2018 and supported the Chang'e 4 lunar farside mission.

Credit: China National Space Administration (CNSA)/China Central Television (CCTV)

Duration: 2 minutes, 45 seconds

Release Date: March 20, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #Moon #LunarCommunicationSatellites #Queqiao2 #鹊桥二号中继星 #LongMarch8Y3Rocket #长征八号遥三 #CNSA #CASC #Wenchang #Hainan #SpaceTechnology #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Successfully Launches Second Lunar Communications Satellite: Queqiao-2

China Successfully Launches Second Lunar Communications Satellite: Queqiao-2

China successfully launched into preset orbit the Queqiao-2 relay communication satellite. The Long March-8 Y3 carrier rocket took off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's Hainan Province at 8:31 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The satellite separated from the carrier rocket 24 minutes after liftoff. The solar panels and communication antennas unfolded afterward. It then entered the planned Earth-Moon transfer orbit with the perigee at 200 kilometers and the apogee at 420,000 kilometers, marking a successful launch. CGTN interviewed excited spectators about the launch.

Queqiao-1 was launched in 2018 and supported the Chang'e 4 lunar farside mission.

Credit: China Global Television Network (CGTN)

Duration: 1 minute, 7 seconds

Release Date: March 20, 2024

SpaceX CRS-30 Cargo Resupply Mission Launch | International Space Station

SpaceX CRS-30 Cargo Resupply Mission Launch | International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the CRS-30 Dragon spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral in Florida, on March 21, 2024, at 20:55 UTC (16:55 EDT). The CRS-30 Dragon cargo spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock to the International Space Station on March 23, 2024, at approximately 11:30 UTC (07:30 EDT).

Video Credit: NASA/SpaceX
Acknowledgement: SciNews

Duration: 2 minutes, 51 seconds

Release Date: 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

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 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.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

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

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: March 20, 2024

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

Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya

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

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson Biography:

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

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: March 20, 2024

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.

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

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.

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

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Friday, March 22, 2024

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