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Thursday, June 06, 2024

Video Recap: Chang'e-6 Science Mission to Return Far Side Moon Samples

Video Recap: Chang'e-6 Science Mission to Return Far Side Moon Samples

The ascender of China's Chang'e-6 probe successfully rendezvoused and docked with the orbiter-returner combination in lunar orbit at 14:48 Beijing time on Thursday, June 6, 2024, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced. Shortly after the docking procedure, the container carrying the lunar samples collected on the far side of the Moon was safely transferred from the ascender to the returner at 15:24.

This is the second time China has achieved a probe rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit following the success of the Chang'e-5 mission back in December 2020.

Launched from south China's Hainan Province on May 3, 2024, the Chang'e-6 mission set out to retrieve the first-ever lunar samples from the far side of the Moon, making it a groundbreaking accomplishment in the history of human lunar exploration.

The lander-ascender combination, separated from the orbiter-returner combination on May 30, touched down at the designated landing area in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on June 2.

The SPA basin (43°±2° south latitude, 154°±4° west longitude) is a large impact crater on the far side of the Moon. At roughly 2,500 km (1,600 mi) in diameter and between 6.2 and 8.2 km (3.9–5.1 mi) deep, it is the largest, oldest, and deepest basin recognized on the Moon.

The Chang'e-6 lander finished its intelligent and rapid sampling work, and the samples were stowed in a container inside the ascender of the probe as planned.

After that, the combination separated, with the lander staying on the lunar surface, whereas the ascender lifted off from lunar surface Tuesday morning, June 4, carrying samples collected from the Moon's far side.

A 3,000-newton engine, after working for about six minutes, pushed the ascender to the preset lunar orbit with a perigee of about 15 kilometers and an apogee of about 180 kilometers.

After one to three course corrections over the next five days, the Chang'e-6 ascender-returner combination will reach a position around 5,000 kilometers above the Earth, where the returner will separate from the orbiter and start the phase of re-entering the atmosphere and returning to Earth. It will touchdown at a planned landing area at Siziwang Banner in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This will mark the end of the Chang'e-6's 53-day journey of flying to the moon and back.

Video Credit: China National Space Administration (CNSA)

Duration: 6 minutes

Release Date: June 6, 2024

#NASA #CNSA #ESA #Space #Astronomy #Science #China #中国 #Moon #Change6 #嫦娥六号 #LunarSampleReturn #FarSide #SouthPole #Queqiao2Satellite #SpaceTechnology #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #InternationalCooperation #France #CNES #Italy #ASI #Sweden #History #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Surprisingly STEM: Exploration Geologist Angela Garcia | NASA Artemis Program

Surprisingly STEM: Exploration Geologist Angela Garcia | NASA Artemis Program

Here at NASA, we do not take "geology for granite." Enjoy this rock-solid episode of Surprisingly STEM and learn how exploration geologist Angela Garcia is training NASA astronauts to explore for the crater good of humanity.

NASA uses field tests to simulate missions to prepare for deep space destinations. The Arizona desert has been a training ground for lunar exploration since the Apollo era because of the many similarities to the lunar terrain, including craters, faults and volcanic features.

Learn more about NASA’s Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program:

https://www.nasa.gov/extravehicular-activity-and-human-surface-mobility/

Use this gem of a STEM activity to dig in a little deeper: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/edible-rocks/

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Education

"We are launching STEM Engagement to new heights with learning resources that connect teachers, students, parents and caregivers to the inspiring work at NASA. Join us as we apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics to explore space, improve aeronautics, examine Earth and strive to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon with the Artemis program."

Video Credit: NASA STEM

Duration: 5 minutes, 42 seconds

Release Date: June 6, 2024

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Geology #Geologist #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIII #Astronauts #HumanSpaceflight #JETT #JETT5 #Moonwalks #MoonwalkSimulation #Training #MoonToMars #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #GSFC #JSC #Jacobs #Arizona #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

SpaceX Starship & Super Heavy Flight Test#4 | SpaceX Starbase in Texas

SpaceX Starship & Super Heavy Flight Test#4 | SpaceX Starbase in Texas

Note: A thin heatshield tile was used and two tiles were completely removed from Starship to measure how hot things get without tiles in those locations, while also testing thermal protection options

The fourth flight test of Starship launched Thursday morning, June 6, 2024, at 8:50 a.m. Eastern time from the company’s Starbase test site at Boca Chica, Texas. The Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage made it back to the Earth's surface intact.

The ascent appeared to go as planned other than the failure of one of 33 Raptor engines in the Super Heavy booster to ignite. The vehicle continued a controlled descent and performed a landing burn before splashing down in the Indian Ocean about 65 minutes after liftoff.

"Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean!” said Elon Musk, chief executive of SpaceX.

Starship’s third flight test made strides towards a future of rapidly reliable reusable rockets. The test completed several firsts, including the first Starship reentry from space, the first ever opening and closing of Starship’s payload door in space, and a successful propellant transfer demonstration. This last test provided valuable data for eventual ship-to-ship propellant transfers that will enable missions like returning astronauts to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program.

The fourth flight test was focused on achieving orbit to demonstrate the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy. The primary objectives were to execute a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico with the Super Heavy booster, and achieving a controlled entry of Starship.

To accomplish this, several software and hardware upgrades were made to increase overall reliability and address lessons learned from Flight 3. The SpaceX team also implemented operational changes, including the jettison of the Super Heavy’s hot-stage following boostback to reduce booster mass for the final phase of flight.

Flight 4 flew a similar trajectory as the previous flight test with Starship targeted to splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This flight path did not require a deorbit burn for reentry, maximizing public safety while still providing the opportunity to meet SpaceX's primary objective of a controlled Starship reentry.

The fourth flight of Starship aims to bring it closer to rapidly reusability. The goal of SpaceX is to build a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.

"Starship is essential to both SpaceX’s plans to deploy its next-generation Starship system as well as for NASA, which will use a lunar lander version of Starship for landing astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis III mission through the Human Landing System (HLS) program."

Key Starship Parameters:

Height: 121m/397ft

Diameter: 9m/29.5ft

Payload to LEO: 100 – 150t (fully reusable)

Satellites: "Starship is designed to deliver satellites further and at a lower marginal cost per launch than our current Falcon vehicles. With a payload compartment larger than any fairing currently in operation or development, Starship creates possibilities for new missions, including space telescopes even larger than the James Webb."

Super Heavy is the first stage, or booster, of the Starship launch system. Powered by 33 Raptor engines using sub-cooled liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX), Super Heavy is fully reusable and will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere to land back at the launch site.

Starship's Engines: Raptors

"The Raptor engine is a reusable methalox staged-combustion engine that powers the Starship launch system. Raptor engines began flight testing on the Starship prototype rockets in July 2019, becoming the first full-flow staged combustion rocket engine ever flown."

Raptor Engine Parameters:

Diameter: 1.3m/4ft

Height: 3.1m/10.2ft

Thrust: 230tf/500 klbf

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):

https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

Image Credit: SpaceX

Capture Date: June 6, 2024

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #Mars #Moon #MoonToMars #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIII #Starship #FlightTest #Spacecraft #SuperHeavyRocket #ElonMusk #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #Starbase #BocaChica #Texas #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Planet Mars Images: June 2024 | NASA Mars Curiosity & Perseverance Rovers

Planet Mars Images: June 2024 | NASA Mars Curiosity & Perseverance Rovers

Mars 2020 - sol 1162

MSL - sol 4205

MSL - sol 4202

Mars 2020 - sol 1169

MSL - sol 4205

MSL - sol 4199

MSL - sol 4202

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Celebrating 11+ Years on Mars (2012-2024)

Mission Name: Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)

Rover Name: Curiosity

Main Job: To determine if Mars was ever habitable to microbial life.

Launch: Nov. 6, 2011

Landing Date: Aug. 5, 2012, Gale Crater, Mars

Celebrating 3+ Years on Mars

Mission Name: Mars 2020

Rover Name: Perseverance

Main Job: Seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for return to Earth.

Launch: July 30, 2020

Landing: Feb. 18, 2021, Jezero Crater, Mars

For more information on NASA's Mars missions, visit: mars.nasa.gov

Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Processing: Kevin M. Gill

Image Release Dates: June 1-5, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Mars #RedPlanet #Planet #Astrobiology #Geology #CuriosityRover #MSL #MountSharp #GaleCrater #PerseveranceRover #Mars2020 #JezeroCrater #Robotics #SpaceTechnology #SpaceEngineering #JPL #Caltech #UnitedStates #CitizenScience #KevinGill #STEM #Education

NASA PREFIRE & ICE Earth Science Mission Launch | Rocket Lab

NASA PREFIRE & ICE Earth Science Mission Launch | Rocket Lab

'PREFIRE and Ice' was the second of two back-to-back dedicated Electron launches for NASA's PREFIRE mission (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment).

The ‘PREFIRE and Ice’ Mission was launched on June 5th, 2024 from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand—just eleven days after the first PREFIRE launch, ‘Ready, Aim, PREFIRE,’ was successfully launched on May 25th, 2024 from the same launch site.

NASA’s PREFIRE Mission consists of two shoebox-size cube satellites that will measure the amount of heat Earth radiates into space from Earth’s poles. Data from the PREFIRE Mission will help researchers better predict how Earth’s ice, seas, and weather will change in a warming world.

At the heart of the PREFIRE mission is Earth’s energy budget—the balance between incoming heat energy from the Sun and the outgoing heat given off by the planet. The difference between the two is what determines the planet’s temperature and climate. Much of the heat radiated from the Arctic and Antarctica is emitted as far-infrared radiation, but there is currently no detailed measurement of this type of energy. The water vapor content of the atmosphere, along with the presence, structure, and composition of clouds, influences the amount of far-infrared radiation that escapes into space from Earth’s poles. Data collected from PREFIRE will give researchers information on where and when far-infrared energy radiates from the Arctic and Antarctic environments into space.

For more information:

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/prefire

https://prefire.ssec.wisc.edu/

Image Credit: Rocket Lab

Duration: 48 seconds

Capture Date: June 5, 2024

#NASA #Space #Science #Satellites #Earth #Planet #EarthScience #PolarRegions #Arctic #Antarctic #Meltwater #PREFIREMission #Infrared #Atmosphere #Oceans #Climate #ClimateChange #GreenhouseGases #GlobalHeating #EarthObservatory #JPL #Caltech #UnitedStates #RocketLab #ElectronRocket #NewZealand #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Chang'e-6 Lunar Orbit Docking with Far Side Moon Samples Completed

China Chang'e-6 Lunar Orbit Docking with Far Side Moon Samples Completed

Shortly after the docking procedure, the container carrying the lunar samples collected on the far side of the Moon was safely transferred from the ascender to the returner at 15:24, said the CNSA.

This is the second time China has achieved a probe rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit following the success of the Chang'e-5 mission back in December 2020.

The probe's lander-ascender combination safely touched down at its designated landing area in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on Sunday, June 2. After it completed its collection of lunar samples on Sunday and Monday, the probe blasting off from the lunar surface with the precious cargo on Tuesday morning.

After re-uniting with the orbiter and completing the sample transfer on Thursday, the combination will now continue to orbit the Moon while awaiting the optimal time to start its return journey back to Earth.

The probe's returner, carrying the samples, will make its planned touchdown in the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the CNSA.

In 2020, Chang'e-5 was the first lunar sample-return mission since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976. The mission made China the third country to return samples from the Moon after the United States and the Soviet Union.

Video Credit: CCTV Video News Agency

Duration: 1 minute, 12 seconds

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Wednesday, June 05, 2024

Launch Day Highlights of Starliner Pre-launch, Launch & Orbital Insertion | NASA

Launch Day Highlights of Starliner Pre-launch, Launch & Orbital Insertion | NASA

In these launch day highlights the pre-launch, launch, and orbital insertion is covered as NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched atop an Atlas 5 rocket on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station June 5, 2024, from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Boeing’s Crewed Flight Test (CFT) is scheduled to dock to the forward port of Harmony on June 6 to complete a series of test objectives ahead of spacecraft certification as part of the Commercial Crew Program.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

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

Duration: 30 minutes

Release Date: June 5, 2024

#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Boeing #Starliner #CST100 #AtlasVRocket #CommercialCrewProgram #CFT #Astronauts #SuniWilliams #BarryWilmore #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #LaunchAmerica #NASAKennedy #ULA #SLC41 #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Butch Wilmore: Commander of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test | NASA Johnson

Butch Wilmore: Commander of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test | NASA Johnson

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are supporting NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station. The duo launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida on June 5, 2024. NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore is the commander of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission. This will be his third trip to the International Space Station. In 2009, he served as a pilot aboard space shuttle Atlantis for STS-129. Additionally, Wilmore served as a flight engineer for Expedition 41 until November 2014, when he assumed command of the space station upon arrival of the Expedition 42 crew. He returned to Earth the following March. Prior to being selected by NASA in 2000, the Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, native obtained both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, before graduating with another master’s degree in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is also a graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, and has completed four operational deployments during his tenure as a fleet naval officer and aviator.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

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

Duration: 3 minutes, 19 seconds

Release Date: June 5, 2024

Suni Williams: Pilot of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test | Johnson Space Center

Suni Williams: Pilot of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test | Johnson Space Center

NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams is the pilot of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission. She is a veteran of two missions: Expedition 14/15 in 2006 through 2007, and Expedition 32/33 in 2012. The Needham, Massachusetts, native conducted seven spacewalks over the course of her career, totaling 50 hours and 40 minutes. Before her career began as a NASA astronaut in 1998, Williams graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, before obtaining her master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne. In total, she has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

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

Duration: 3 minutes, 24 seconds

Release Date: June 5, 2024

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Mission Overview | Johnson Space Center

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Mission Overview | Johnson Space Center

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will support NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station. The duo launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida on June 5, 2024. The mission serves as the final flight test for the Starliner spacecraft and will be its first mission with crew. The mission will also validate the transportation system, including the launch pad, rocket, spacecraft, in-orbit operational capabilities, and return to Earth with astronauts aboard. Following launch, Wilmore and Williams will spend about a week aboard the space station and then return to Earth, landing in the western United States.

Wilmore is the commander for the mission. A veteran of two spaceflights, Wilmore has spent 178 days in space. In 2009, he served as a pilot aboard space shuttle Atlantis for STS-129. He served as a flight engineer for Expedition 41 until November 2014, when he assumed command of the station upon arrival of the Expedition 42 crew. He returned to Earth the following March. Wilmore was selected by NASA in 2000 to become an astronaut. He is a graduate of the United States Test Pilot School and holds a both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville. He is a retired captain in the U.S. Navy.

Williams is the pilot for the mission. She has spent 322 days in space across two missions: Expedition 14/15 in 2006 through 2007, and Expedition 32/33 in 2012. The Massachusetts native has conducted seven spacewalks, totaling 50 hours and 40 minutes. Williams was selected by NASA in 1998 to become an astronaut. She is a retired captain in the U.S. Navy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

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

Duration: 3 minutes

Release Date: June 5, 2024

NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test: Atlas V Launch | United Launch Alliance

NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test: Atlas V Launch | United Launch Alliance

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aboard launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Florida. NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) is the first launch with astronauts of the Boeing CFT-100 spacecraft and United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. The flight test, which launched at 10:52 a.m. EDT, serves as an end-to-end demonstration of Boeing’s crew transportation system and will carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to and from the orbiting laboratory.

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit:

boeing.com/starliner

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program works with the American aerospace industry to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station on American-made rockets and spacecraft launching from American soil.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

Image Credit: United Launch Alliance (ULA)

Capture Date: June 5, 2024

NASA Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch Highlights | Boeing

NASA Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch Highlights | Boeing

Take a closer look at the Boeing Starliner's NASA Commercial Crew launch earlier today, June 5, 2024, atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

Starliner is now on its way to the International Space Station with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board. Soon, the spacecraft will dock, the hatches will open, and the International Space Station crew will welcome them to their home on orbit.

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: www.boeing.com/Starliner

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

Video Credit: Boeing Space

Duration: 1 minute, 29 seconds

Release Date: June 5, 2024

NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch | International Space Station

NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Launch | International Space Station

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: United Launch Alliance (ULA)/NASA/Isaac Watson

Release Date: June 5, 2024

NASA's Message for World Environment Day

NASA's Message for World Environment Day

World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated annually on June 5 and "encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment."

"As we explore further into the universe and search for habitable worlds to ponder the possibility of life elsewhere, we realize that our home world is a precious oasis in the cosmos."

—NASA astronaut, Dr. Jessica Meir 👩‍🚀 🌎 🚀

Watch as NASA astronaut, Dr. Jessica Meir, shares a unique view on our home planet from space.

Prior to becoming an astronaut, her career as a scientist focused on the physiology of animals in extreme environments. Meir most recently served as flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 61 and 62, and participated in the first all-female spacewalks.

First held in 1973, World Environment Day has been "a platform for raising awareness on environmental issues as marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, sustainable development and wildlife crime."

NASA Astronaut Dr. Jessica Meir's Official Biography

https://www.nasa.gov/people/jessica-u-meir/

NASA's Earth Observing Science Missions

https://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Video Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Duration: 4 minutes, 40 seconds

Release Date: June 5, 2024

#NASA #Space #Science #ISS #Earth #WED2024 #WorldEnvironmentDay2024 #Astronaut #JessicaMeir #GenerationRestoration #Environment #EnvironmentalProtection #EarthObservation #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #UnitedStates #UnitedNations #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education #HD #Video