Saturday, April 20, 2024

NASA Apollo 9 Test Mission 1969: Scott & Schweickart on Spacewalk above Earth

NASA Apollo 9 Test Mission 1969: Scott & Schweickart on Spacewalk above Earth

Excellent view of the docked Apollo 9 Command and Service Modules (CSM) and Lunar Module (LM), with Earth in the background, during astronaut David R. Scott's stand-up extravehicular activity (EVA), on the fourth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission. Scott, command module pilot, is standing in the open hatch of the Command Module (CM). Astronaut Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot, took this photograph of Scott from the porch of the LM. Inside the LM was astronaut James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander.
Image Date: March 3, 1969

Astronaut Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot, is photographed from the Command Module (CM) "Gumdrop" during his extravehicular activity (EVA) on the fourth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission. He holds, in his right hand, a thermal sample which he is retrieving from the Lunar Module (LM) exterior. The Command and Service Modules (CSM) and LM "Spider" are docked. Schweickart, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), is standing in "golden slippers" (foot restraints) on the LM porch. Visible on his back are the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) and Oxygen Purge System (OPS). Astronaut James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander, was inside the LM. Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls in the CM.
Image Date: March 6, 1969
Astronaut Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot, operates a 70mm Hasselblad camera during his extravehicular activity (EVA) on the fourth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission. The Command and Service Modules (CSM) and Lunar Module (LM) "Spider" are docked. This view was taken from the Command Module (CM) "Gumdrop". Schweickart, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), is standing in "golden slippers" on the LM porch. On his back, partially visible, are a Portable Life Support System (PLSS) and an Oxygen Purge System (OPS). Astronaut James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander, was inside the "Spider". Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls in the CM.
Image Date: March 6, 1969

A View of the Apollo 9 Lunar Module (LM), "Spider," in a lunar lading configuration, as photographed from the Command and Service Modules (CSM) on the fifth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission. The landing gear on the "Spider" has been deployed. Inside the "Spider" were astronauts James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls in the Command Module (CM), "Gumdrop," while the other two astronauts checked out the LM.
Image Date: March 7, 1969

Fabulous view of the Apollo 9 Lunar Module, "Spider," in a lunar landing configuration, as photographed from the Command and Service Modules on the fifth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission. The landing gear on the "Spider" has been deployed. Lunar surface probes (sensors) extend out from the landing gear foot pads. Inside the "Spider" were astronauts James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls in the Command Module, "Gumdrop," while the other two astronauts checked out the Lunar Module.
Image Date: March 7, 1969

A view of the Apollo 9 Lunar Module (LM), "Spider", in a lunar landing configuration, as photographed from the Command and Service Modules (CSM) on the fifth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission. The landing gear on the "Spider" has been deployed. Lunar surface probes (sensors) extend out from landing gear foot pads. Inside the "Spider" were astronauts James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander, and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls in the Command Module (CM), "Gumdrop", while the other two astronauts checked out the Lunar Module.
Image Date: March 7, 1969
NASA Apollo 9 Official Mission Patch (1969)

The primary objective of Apollo 9 during its flight March 3-13, 1969 was an Earth-orbital engineering test of the first crewed lunar module, or LM. Other prime objectives included an overall checkout of launch vehicle and spacecraft systems, the crew, and procedures. This was done by performing an integrated series of flight tasks with the command module, or CM, the service module, or SM, the joined command and service module, or CSM, the LM and S-IVB stage while they were linked in launch or various docked configurations, and while they were flying independently. The LM was to be tested as a self-sufficient spacecraft, and was also to perform active rendezvous and docking maneuvers paralleling those scheduled for the following Apollo 10 lunar-orbit mission.

Apollo 9 Crew

Commander James McDivitt 

Command Module Pilot David Scott

Lunar Module Pilot Russell Schweickart

The flight plan’s top priority was the CSM and LM rendezvous and docking. This was performed twice—once while the LM was still attached to the S-IVB, and again when the LM was active. Further goals included internal crew transfer from the docked CSM to the LM; special tests of the LM’s support systems; crew procedures; and tests of flight equipment and the extravehicular activity, or EVA, mobility unit. The crew also configured the LM to support a two-hour EVA, and simulated an LM crew rescue, which was the only planned EVA from the LM before an actual lunar landing.

The LM descent and ascent engines fired on orbital change patterns to simulate a lunar-orbit rendezvous and backup abort procedures. The CSM service propulsion system, or SPS, fired five times, including a simulation of an active rendezvous to rescue an LM that had become inactivate.

All prime mission objectives were met. All major spacecraft systems were successfully demonstrated. The few off-nominal conditions that developed did not affect achievement of the major goals.


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

Image Dates: March 3-7, 1969


#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planet #Earth #Moon #ApolloProgram #Apollo9 #ServiceModule #LunarModule #SpaceflightTest #EarthOrbit #Astronauts #JamesMcDivitt #DavidScott #RussellSchweickart #EVA #SpaceExploration #History #STEM #Education

Artemis II Moon Mission: Orion Spacecraft Testing | NASA Kennedy

Artemis II Moon Mission: Orion Spacecraft Testing | NASA Kennedy

On April 10, 2024, the Artemis II Orion spacecraft is seen inside the west altitude chamber in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it will undergo electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing.




NASA's Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II Moon Mission is undergoing altitude chamber testing at the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This puts the spacecraft through conditions as close as possible to the environment it will experience in the vacuum of deep space.


Four astronauts will venture around the Moon in the Orion spacecraft on Artemis II. It will be the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through the Artemis campaign.

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

Image Credit: NASA/David Wellendorf
Image Dates: Feb. 1, 2024-April 10, 2024

#NASA #ESA #CSA #Space #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIIMission #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #DeepSpace #Astronauts #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #ReidWiseman #MoonToMars #Science #SpaceExploration #HumanSpaceflight #KSC #NASAKennedy #Florida #UnitedStates #Canada #Europe #STEM #Education

NASA T-34C Aircraft in Flight | Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA T-34C Aircraft in Flight | Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center


NASA research pilot Nils Larson and photographer Jim Ross complete aerobatic maneuvers in a NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California owned T-34C aircraft during a proficiency flight. 

The NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) is an aeronautical research center. Its primary campus is located inside Edwards Air Force Base in California and is considered NASA's premier site for aeronautical research. 

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) in California:

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/home/index.html


Image Credit: NASA/Jim Ross

Image Date: Sept. 15, 2023


#NASA #Artemis #Moon #Aerospace #Flight #Aviation #Aircraft #T34CAircraft #Technology #Engineering #Civilian #Research #Aeronautical #FlightTests #Armstrong #AFRC #EdwardsAFB #California #UnitedStates #Photography #STEM #Education

Rare Sighting of ‘Doomed’ SOHO Sungrazing Comet: Solar Eclipse 2024

Rare Sighting of ‘Doomed’ SOHO Sungrazing Comet: Solar Eclipse 2024


Early on April 8, 2024, a citizen scientist found a comet in images from the European Space Agency/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). It follows the recent discovery of SOHO’s 5000th comet. However, this one—named Comet SOHO-5008—was special for another reason.

Karl Battams, manager of the SOHO Sungrazer Project, predicted that comet SOHO-5008 would be visible during the total solar eclipse. It was due to plunge parts of the United States and Mexico into darkness later that same day.

Petr Horálek, from the Institute of Physics in Opava (Czechia), was in Mexico for the eclipse. The clouds cleared and Petr took this beautiful shot of the Sun’s awe-inspiring corona. To the lower left of the Sun, Comet SOHO-5008 is visible.

Soon after Petr captured the comet on camera, it met its demise, coming so close to the Sun that it disintegrated.

Observations of these ‘sungrazing’ comets from the ground are extremely rare, and this sighting was only possible thanks to the total solar eclipse.

The image is a composite of 100 frames, with the wide corona imaged at a focal length of 200 mm (exposure time from 1/4000 to 2 seconds) and the inner corona imaged at a focal length of 1100 mm (exposure time from 1/500 to 4 seconds).

SOHO’s prowess as a comet-hunter was unplanned, but turned out to be an unexpected success. With its clear view of the Sun’s surroundings, SOHO can easily spot sungrazing comets. This has made it the most prolific discoverer of comets in astronomical history.

SOHO is a cooperative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. Mission control is based at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland. SOHO’s Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph Experiment (LASCO), the instrument that provides most of the comet imagery, was built by an international consortium, led by the US Naval Research Lab.

To learn more about the Sungrazer Project, visit: 

https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science/the-sungrazer-project/


Credits: Petr Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava), Josef Kujal (Astronomy Society in Hradec Králové), Milan Hlaváč

Release Date: April 19, 2024


#NASA #ESA #Space #Astronomy #Hubble #Sun #Comet #CometSOHO5008 #Comets #OortCloud #Science #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #Cosmos #Universe #SOHO #Europe #GSFC #NRL #UnitedStates #SungrazerProject #CitizenScience #Astrophotographer #PetrHorálek #Volunteers #STEM #Education

Friday, April 19, 2024

China's Five-Hundred-Meter Radio Telescope Detects over 900 New Pulsars

China's Five-Hundred-Meter Radio Telescope Detects over 900 New Pulsars

China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, has identified more than 900 new pulsars since its debut in 2016, its operator said Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

The National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) said that the pulsars included over 120 binary pulsars, more than 170 millisecond pulsars, and 80 faint and intermittent pulsars.

Pulsars, or fast-spinning neutron stars, originate from the imploded cores of massive dying stars through supernova explosions.

Pulsar observation, an important task for FAST, can be used to confirm the existence of gravitational radiation and black holes and study the laws of physics in extreme environments.

According to FAST's operator, less than 3,000 pulsars had been discovered worldwide over the past 50-plus years since the discovery of the first pulsar. The number of new pulsars discovered by FAST is more than three times the total number of pulsars found by telescopes outside China during the same period.

In recent years, FAST has achieved notable success in the study of fast radio bursts, neutral hydrogen, and pulsars, greatly expanding the scope of the human exploration of the universe.

Dubbed the "China Sky Eye," the telescope is located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in the country's southwestern province of Guizhou. It has a reception area equal to 30 standard football fields.

Learn more about FAST in China: 

https://fast.bao.ac.cn/


Video Credit: New China TV

Duration: 2 minutes, 14 seconds 

Release Date: April 17, 2024


#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Pulsars #FRB #FastRadioBursts #RadioTelescope #FAST #五百米口径球面射电望远镜 #Physics #Astrophysics #GuizhouProvince #China #NAOC #CAS #STEM #Education #HD #Video

STEM Careers: NASA Space Waste Engineer Annie Meier | Kennedy Space Center

STEM Careers: NASA Space Waste Engineer Annie Meier | Kennedy Space Center

As the saying goes, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure” and at NASA, Annie Meier is that person! Annie is a space waste engineer working on technologies to convert waste into vital resources for human space travel. Trash can be used to produce important gasses and even water—commodities astronauts traveling to another planet can’t just pick up along the way. 

Ready to convert your passion for sustainability into a career? 

Don’t waste time, start preparing today with this hands-on activity:

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-water-filter/


Video Credit: NASA STEM

Duration: 7 minutes, 41 seconds

Release Date: April 18, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceTechnology #ChemicalEngineering #ChemicalEngineer #STEMWomen #SpaceWaste #WasteManagement #Astronauts #UnitedStates #Expedition70 #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceLaboratory #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA's Space to Ground: On Top of It | Week of April 19, 2024

NASA's Space to Ground: On Top of It | Week of April 19, 2024

NASA's Space to Ground is your weekly update on what's happening aboard the International Space Station. Cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub of Russia continue to prepare for an April 25, 2024, spacewalk that will see the Roscosmos duo work outside in the vacuum of space for about seven hours. Meanwhile, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are to become the first to launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for no earlier than 10:34 p.m. EDT Monday, May 6, from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex-41. The astronauts will spend about a week at the orbiting laboratory before the crew capsule makes a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the southwestern United States.

After successful completion of the mission, NASA will begin the final process of certifying Starliner and its systems for crewed rotation missions to the space station.

Follow Expedition 70 Updates: 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 70 Crew

Station Commander: Oleg Kononenko (Russia)

Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin (Russia)

NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominik, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps

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


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

Image Dates: April 19, 2024

 

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Astronauts #UnitedStates #BoeingStarliner #BoeingOFT2 #Cosmonauts #Spacewalk #EVA #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition70 #Expedition71 #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceLaboratory #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Thursday, April 18, 2024

China Satellites Successfully Complete Earth-Moon Communications Tests

China Satellites Successfully Complete Earth-Moon Communications Tests

China's experimental satellites Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 that accompanied the Queqiao-2 relay satellite to the Moon in March 2024, have conducted successful new experiments on lunar communication and navigation technologies, China's Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) said on April 13, 2024.

The satellites carried out tests of high-reliability transmission and routing between Earth and the lunar surface. They also transmitted back the latest close-up images of the Moon.

The DSEL says the test satellites will conduct more experiments on lunar communication and navigation technologies, so as to provide strong support for design and construction of the planned International Lunar Research Station and China's own Queqiao integrated satellite network for lunar communication, navigation and remote sensing.

Tiandu-1, weighing 61 kilograms, is equipped with a Ka-band dual-frequency communicator, a laser retroreflector, and a space router.

Tiandu-2, weighing 15 kilograms, is fitted with communication and navigation devices.

China successfully launched the two test satellites along with the Queqiao-2 on March 20.

This orbital configuration provides several advantages over Queqiao, launched in 2018 for Earth-Moon relay communications.

Queqiao-2's orbit is closer to the Moon, greatly improving data transmission rates compared to Queqiao's distant path. It also enhances communication coverage of the lunar south pole region versus Queqiao's position around the Earth-Moon L2 Lagrangian point.

This optimized orbit is more fuel-efficient, allowing Queqiao-2 to maintain operations for an extended period using minimal propellant. Queqiao-2 will provide the relay services planned for ongoing lunar probes Chang'e-4 and the upcoming Chang'e-6 mission, conducting scientific exploration periodically.

The deployment of the Queqiao-2 relay satellite is a key step for China's future lunar exploration missions including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8.

The landing and sample collection sites for China's moon missions in the coming years are mainly in the lunar south pole region or on the far side of the moon. A more powerful relay satellite with more functions is necessary to provide communications and data transmission services for the missions, China National Space Administration (CNSA) said.

Chang'e-6 is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2024, while Chang'e-7 will be launched around 2026, and Chang'e-8 around 2028. Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 will form the basic model of a lunar research station to carry out further exploration of the lunar environment, according to the CNSA.


Video Credit: CCTV Video News Agency

Duration: 1 minute, 15 seconds

Release Date: April 13, 2024


#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #Moon #CommunicationSatellites #SpaceCommunicationNetworks #Queqiao2 #鹊桥二号中继星 #Tiandu1 #Tiandu2 #DSEL #CNSA  #SpaceTechnology #LunarResearch #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Astronomy Careers: Maintaining a Radio Telescope

Astronomy Careers: Maintaining a Radio Telescope

The Green Bank Observatory is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. To keep the telescope moving takes a lot of work. In this video, we meet technical manager, Anthony Nucilli who keeps the telescope turning smoothly.

The Green Bank Observatory (previously National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank) is an astronomical observatory located in the National Radio Quiet Zone in Green Bank, West Virginia, U.S. It is the operator of the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope.

This “clip” is part of the STEM in 30 episode: Astronomy Careers - More Than Meets the Eye - STEM in 30 Season 9 - Episode 7.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@airandspace


Video Credit: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)

Release Date: April 18, 2024


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Earth #RadioAstronomy #GreenBankObservatory #WestVirginia #UnitedStates #Astronomers #Technology #Engineering #STEMCareers #Smithsonian #NationalAirandSpace #NASM #STEM #Education #HD #Video

New Project: Travel Through NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory Images in 3D

New Project: Travel Through NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory Images in 3D

A new project provides special 3D “experiences” on Instagram using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes through augmented reality, allowing users to travel virtually through objects in space. These new experiences of astronomical objects—including the debris fields of exploded stars—are being released to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of operations from Chandra, NASA’s flagship X-ray telescope.

In recent years, Instagram experiences—previously referred to as filters—of NASA mission control, the International Space Station, and the Perseverance Rover on Mars have allowed users to virtually explore what NASA does. This new set of Chandra Instagram filters joins this space-themed collection.

The new Instagram experiences are created from 3D models based on data collected by Chandra and other telescopes along with mathematical models. Traditionally, it has been very difficult to gather 3D data of objects in space due to their two-dimensional projection on the sky. New instruments and techniques, however, have allowed astronomers in recent years to construct data-driven models of what these distant objects look like in three dimensions.

These advancements in astronomy have paralleled the explosion of opportunities in virtual, extended, and augmented reality. Such technologies provide virtual digital experiences, which now extend beyond Earth and into the cosmos.

This new set of Chandra Instagram filters was made possible by a collaboration including NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, as well as students and researchers at Brown University.

Setting this Chandra set apart from other Instagram experiences, they will include an option to also listen to sonifications of data of the same object. Sonification is the process of translating data into sounds and notes, instead of colors as is typically done in communicating astronomical data. This is a project that Chandra has led on behalf of NASA.


Video Credit: NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory

Duration: 2 minutes, 31 seconds

Release Date: April 18, 2024


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Visualizations #3DModels #AugmentedReality #Instagram #InstagramFilters #Stars #Nebluae #Galaxies #Cosmos #Universe #NASAChandra #XrayObservatory #SpaceTelescope #JPL #SmithsonianInstitution #BrownUniversity #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #Sonification #Audio #HD #Video

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

China Shenzhou-18 Crew Rocket Moved to Launchpad | China Space Station

China Shenzhou-18 Crew Rocket Moved to Launchpad | China Space Station

The combination of the Shenzhou-18 spaceship and a Long March-2F Y18 carrier rocket has been vertically transferred to the launching area at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Wednesday morning, April 17, 2024. Shenzhou-18 will transport the seventh crew of three astronauts to the China Space Station and replace the Shenzhou-17 crew currently onboard.

Weighing over 40 tons, with a total height of nearly 60 meters, the combination has four support points distributed along the circumference of the rocket's core stage that measures only 3.35 meters in diameter. The total weight of the combination and the launch platform is nearly 800 tons.

According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the facilities and equipment at the launch site are in good condition, and various pre-launch function checks and joint tests will be carried out as planned. The manned spaceship will be launched at an appropriate time in the near future, said the CMSA.

Shenzhou-17 Crew:

Hongbo Tang (Commander)

Shengjie Tang (Mission Specialist)

Xinlin Jiang (Mission Specialist)

The Shenzhou-18 crew members will be announced shortly before launch.

"This will be the first manned mission conducted in April since we started building the space station. Considering the characteristics of high winds and dust during this season, we have conducted statistical analysis of meteorological data over the past 30 years in the launch site, and formulated targeted preventive measures and response strategies. Meanwhile, we have updated power supply system of certain facilities, strengthened equipment operation assessments and status checks, and organized interdisciplinary collaborative training and emergency drills. We have also improved the comprehensive situational awareness and critical information collection and dissemination capabilities of the launch site, optimized our product testing projects and timing, therefore, further improving the site's ability to handle continuous missions," said Wang Xuewu, deputy director of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.


Video Credit: CCTV Video News Agency

Duration: 1 minute, 54 seconds

Release Date: April 17, 2024

#NASA #Space #China #中国 #Rocket #Long March2FY18 #Shenzhou18 #神舟十八 #CrewSpacecraft #Taikonauts #Astronauts #SpaceLaboratory #CSS #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站#TiangongSpaceStation #CMSA #国家航天局 #Science #SpaceTechnology #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA's "Espacio a Tierra" | Encima de la sombra: 12 de abril de 2024

NASA's "Espacio a Tierra" | Encima de la sombra: 12 de abril 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: 4 minutes, 21 seconds

Release Date: April 16, 2024

#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Science #NASAenespañol #español #Earth #Moon #Sun #SolarEclipses #SolarEclipse #SolarEclipse2024 #Astronauts #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Expedition70 #HumanSpaceflight #JSC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

The Milky Way Galaxy over Quercy Park in France

The Milky Way Galaxy over Quercy Park in France

Astrophotographer Julien Looten: "For the first Milky Way of the year 2024, I take you to Quercy Park, in the Southwest of France, sometimes nicknamed 'the Quercy's Black Triangle.' It has been renowned since the 2000s for offering one of the most beautiful night skies in France for stargazing. Indeed, the almost complete absence of light pollution, due to the low number of nearby cities and villages as well as the efforts of local officials to turn off streetlights, allows for the admiration and capture of the Milky Way."

"Here is a portrait of the Milky Way, reflected in the calm waters of Lacam Lake!"

"Water is very scarce in Quercy as it easily seeps into the ground . . . This lake was an invaluable source in the Middle Ages for shepherds and their flocks! Capturing this kind of shot is always a challenge; it requires perfectly calm water, without currents or wind, as well as a very clear sky . . . Those conditions were met that evening! Thus, the Milky Way reveals itself both in the sky and in the landscape, for the greatest pleasure of the eyes."

Technical details: Panorama composed of 10 photographs - 13 seconds per shot (no tracking or stacking) - ISO 1600 - Sigma 28mm f/1.4 (f/1.6) - Canon 6D Astrodon Camera 

Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park

https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/explorer/decouvrir-les-lieux-emblematiques/les-causses-du-quercy/

International Dark-Sky Association

https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution


Image Credit: Julien Looten

Release Date: April 16, 2024


#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #Stars #MilkyWayGalaxy #Galaxy #LightPollution #CitizenScience #Astrophotographer #JulienLooten #Astrophotography #Cosmos #Universe #SolarSystem #QuercyPark #MidiPyrénées #France #STEM #Education

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Astronauts: Williams, Fincke & Wilmore

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Astronauts: Williams, Fincke & Wilmore

From left to right, NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Suni Williams (left), pilot ; Mike Fincke, backup pilot; and Butch Wilmore, commander, pose in front of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft 
From left to right, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore pose in front of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft






Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, set to carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) to the International Space Station, rolls out of the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The spacecraft was being transported to United Launch Alliance's Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral to be lifted and connected to the Atlas V rocket for launch no earlier than Monday, May 6, 2024.

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: 

boeing.com/starliner

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew


Image Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Image Date: April 16, 2024


#NASA #Space #ISS #Boeing #StarlinerSpacecraft #Starliner #CST100 #Astronauts #SunitaWilliams #MikeFincke #ButchWilmore #ULA #Rocket #Atlas5 #CommercialCrew #OFT2Test #OFT2 #HumanSpaceflight #Science #SpaceTechnology #CapeCanaveral #Spaceport #Florida #LaunchAmerica #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft: Launchpad Arrival | NASA Kennedy

Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft: Launchpad Arrival | NASA Kennedy









The Boeing Starliner spacecraft is lifted at the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Starliner will be secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station for the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. The spacecraft rolled out from Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center earlier in the day.

This is an important milestone ahead of the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission launch on May 6, 2024.

Starliner will carry NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station for a docking to the forward port of the Harmony module. Ahead of Starliner’s launch, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 crewmates will board the Dragon spacecraft, currently docked to the forward port, for a relocation to the zenith port of Harmony to allow for Starliner docking. The date shift also allows additional time for the crew aboard the microgravity laboratory to complete science and cargo logistics ahead of the departure of the Dragon cargo spacecraft.

As part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, Starliner will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Williams and Wilmore will spend about a week docked to the International Space Station ahead of a return to Earth in the western United States. The flight test will help NASA verify whether the Starliner system is ready to fly regular crew rotation missions to space station for the agency.

Through the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), NASA is working with business partners to build rockets and spacecraft. The Commercial Crew Program has made it possible for astronauts to launch to space from the United States once again.

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: 

boeing.com/starliner

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew


Image Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Image Date: April 16, 2024


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Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Prepared for Crew Launch | NASA Kennedy

Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Prepared for Crew Launch | NASA Kennedy

See Boeing teams and United Launch Alliance (ULA) crews roll Starliner out of Boeing factory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center—an important milestone ahead of the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission launch on May 6, 2024.

Teams transported the spacecraft to the ULA Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41. There, teams stacked Starliner atop the Atlas V rocket that will carry it to orbit on its Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station. 

Following a review of the International Space Station operations, NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test now is targeting no earlier than Monday, May 6, 2024, for Starliner’s first launch with astronauts to the orbital complex. The date adjustment optimizes space station schedule of activities planned toward the end of April, including a cargo spacecraft undocking and a crew spacecraft port relocation required for Starliner docking. NASA and Boeing also are performing prelaunch closeout work and completing final certification for flight.

Starliner will carry NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station for a docking to the forward port of the Harmony module. Ahead of Starliner’s launch, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 crewmates will board the Dragon spacecraft, currently docked to the forward port, for a relocation to the zenith port of Harmony to allow for Starliner docking. The date shift also allows additional time for the crew aboard the microgravity laboratory to complete science and cargo logistics ahead of the departure of the Dragon cargo spacecraft.

As part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, Starliner will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Williams and Wilmore will spend about a week docked to the International Space Station ahead of a return to Earth in the western United States. The flight test will help NASA verify whether the Starliner system is ready to fly regular crew rotation missions to space station for the agency.

Through the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), NASA is working with business partners to build rockets and spacecraft. The Commercial Crew Program has made it possible for astronauts to launch to space from the United States once again.

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: 

boeing.com/starliner

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew


Video Credit: Boeing

Duration: 1 minute, 13 seconds

Release Date: April 16, 2024


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