Lenticular Galaxy NGC 4694 in Virgo | Hubble Space Telescope

Lenticular Galaxy NGC 4694 in Virgo | Hubble Space Telescope

Most galaxies we are familiar with fall into one of two easily-identified types. Spiral galaxies are young and energetic, filled with the gas needed to form new stars and sporting spiral arms hosting hot, bright stars. Elliptical galaxies have a much more pedestrian look, their light coming from a uniform population of older and redder stars. However, other galaxies require in-depth study to understand, such is in the case of NGC 4694—a galaxy located 54 million light-years from Earth in the Virgo galaxy cluster. NGC 4694 is a lenticular galaxy. It shares features of spiral and elliptical galaxies.

NGC 4694 has a smooth-looking, armless disc that—like an elliptical galaxy—is nearly devoid of star formation. However, its stellar population is still relatively young and new stars are still actively forming in its core, powering the brightness we can see in this image and giving it a markedly different stellar profile from that of a classic elliptical galaxy. The galaxy is also suffused by the kinds of gas and dust normally seen in a young and sprightly spiral; elliptical galaxies often do host significant quantities of dust, but not the gas needed to form new stars. NGC 4694 is surrounded by a huge cloud of invisible hydrogen gas, fuel for star formation. This stellar activity is the reason for Hubble’s observations here.

As this Hubble image shows, the dust in this galaxy forms chaotic structures that indicate a kind of disturbance. It turns out that the cloud of hydrogen gas around NGC 4694 forms a long bridge to a nearby, faint dwarf galaxy named VCC 2062. The two galaxies have undergone a violent collision, and the larger NGC 4694 is accreting gas from the smaller galaxy. Based on its peculiar shape and its star-forming activity, NGC 4694 has been classified as a lenticular galaxy: lacking the unmistakable arms of a spiral, but not so bereft of gas as an elliptical galaxy, and still with a galactic bulge and disc.

Image Description: An oval-shaped galaxy seen tilted at an angle. It glows brightly at its central point with the radiated light dimming out to the edge of the oval. Reddish-brown, patchy dust spreads out from the core and covers much of the galaxy’s top half, as well as the outer edge, obscuring part of its light. Stars can be seen around and in front of the galaxy.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, D. Thilker

Release Date: Sept. 30, 2024

#NASA #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #Galaxy #NGC4694 #LenticularGalaxy #VCC2062 #DwarfGalaxy #Virgo #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #HubbleSpaceTelescope #HST #ESA #Europe #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Astronaut Hague & Cosmonaut Gorbunov Welcomed to International Space Station

Astronaut Hague & Cosmonaut Gorbunov Welcomed to International Space Station

On Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia entered the International Space Station after opening the hatch between the space station and the pressurized mating adapter at 7:04 p.m. EDT before opening the hatch to Dragon.

Hague and Gorbunov were then welcomed by the space station’s Expedition 72 crew, including NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, Don Petitt, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia.

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.

Expedition 72 Updates:

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

Expedition 72 Crew

Station Commander: Suni Williams

Roscosmos (Russia): Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, Aleksandr Gorbunov

NASA: Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit, Nick Hague

Video Credit: NASA/SpaceX

Duration: 3 minutes, 30 seconds

Capture Date: Sept. 29, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #SpacecraftDocking #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Astronaut Hague & Cosmonaut Gorbunov Dock at International Space Station

Astronaut Hague & Cosmonaut Gorbunov Dock at International Space Station

On Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia entered the International Space Station after opening the hatch between the space station and the pressurized mating adapter at 7:04 p.m. EDT before opening the hatch to Dragon.

Hague and Gorbunov were then welcomed by the space station’s Expedition 72 crew, including NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, Don Petitt, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia.

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.

Expedition 72 Updates:

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

Expedition 72 Crew

Station Commander: Suni Williams

Roscosmos (Russia): Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, Aleksandr Gorbunov

NASA: Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit, Nick Hague

Video Credit: NASA/SpaceX

Duration: 40 seconds

Capture Date: Sept. 29, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #SpacecraftDocking #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Aurora, Orbital Sunrise & Comet C/2023 A3 | International Space Station

Aurora, Orbital Sunrise & Comet C/2023 A3 | International Space Station

NASA Astronaut Matthew Dominick: "Comet rises up over the horizon just before orbital sunrise with aurora streaking by." 

Technical details: 50mm, 1.2, 1/4s, ISO 6400

C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is a comet from the solar system's Oort cloud discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory east of Nanjing, China, on January 9, 2023, and independently found by the automated Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in South Africa on February 22, 2023. ATLAS is funded by NASA's planetary defense office, and developed and operated by the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. C/2023 A3 passed perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) at a distance of 0.39 AU (58 million km; 36 million miles) on September 27, 2024.

The Oort cloud is theorized to be a vast cloud of icy planetesimals surrounding the Sun at distances ranging from 2,000 to 200,000 AU (0.03 to 3.2 light-years). The concept of such a cloud was proposed in 1950 by the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, in whose honor the idea was named. Oort proposed that the bodies in this cloud replenish and keep constant the number of long-period comets entering the inner Solar System—where they are eventually consumed and destroyed during close approaches to the Sun.

Expedition 72 Updates:

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

Expedition 72 Crew

Station Commander: Suni Williams

Roscosmos (Russia): Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner 

NASA: Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit

Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center/M. Dominick

Release Date: Sept. 29, 2024

#NASA #Space #Science #ISS #Planet #Earth #Aurora #OrbitalSunrise #Comets #CometTsuchinshanATLAS #C2023A3 #SolarSystem #Astronaut #MatthewDominick #AstronautPhotography #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition72 #China #中国 #SouthAfrica #STEM #Education

Aurora & Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) | International Space Station

Aurora & Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) | International Space Station

NASA Astronaut Matthew Dominick: "Comet rises above the horizon just before orbital sunrise amongst aurora and swirling satellites."

Technical details: Timelapse composed from 1/4s, 50mm, f1.2, ISP 6400 images played at 30fps.

C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is a comet from the solar system's Oort cloud discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory east of Nanjing, China, on January 9, 2023, and independently found by the automated Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in South Africa on February 22, 2023. ATLAS is funded by NASA's planetary defense office, and developed and operated by the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. C/2023 A3 will pass perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) at a distance of 0.39 AU (58 million km; 36 million miles) on September 27, 2024. This is when it can be best viewed with the naked eye from the ground on Earth.

The Oort cloud is theorized to be a vast cloud of icy planetesimals surrounding the Sun at distances ranging from 2,000 to 200,000 AU (0.03 to 3.2 light-years). The concept of such a cloud was proposed in 1950 by the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, in whose honor the idea was named. Oort proposed that the bodies in this cloud replenish and keep constant the number of long-period comets entering the inner Solar System—where they are eventually consumed and destroyed during close approaches to the Sun.

Expedition 72 Updates:

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

Expedition 72 Crew

Station Commander: Suni Williams

Roscosmos (Russia): Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner 

NASA: Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit

Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center/M. Dominick

Duration: 26 seconds

Release Date: Sept. 29, 2024

#NASA #Space #Science #ISS #Planet #Earth #Aurora #Comets #CometTsuchinshanATLAS #C2023A3 #SolarSystem #Astronaut #MatthewDominick #AstronautPhotography #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition72 #China #中国 #SouthAfrica #STEM #Education #Timelapse #HD #Video

Earth from Space | Polaris Dawn Mission

Earth from Space | Polaris Dawn Mission

During their five day mission, the Polaris Dawn crew completed 75 orbits around Earth!

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down on September 15, 2024, off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.

Polaris Dawn Crew

Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker

Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot

Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker

Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer

Polaris Dawn completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew tested Starlink-laser based communications and conducted a wide range of research in microgravity involving ~36 studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions related to human health.

The Polaris Dawn Mission flew a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that went higher than any mission to date since the Apollo program, reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth. Orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Dawn conducted research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health, while testing laser-based communications.

"Completing the first commercial extravehicular activity in low-Earth orbit is an important first step towards a future where millions of humans are visiting, working, and living on the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in our solar system."

This was the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4.

Learn more about the Polaris Program:

https://polarisprogram.com

Image Credit: Polaris Program

Release Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #PolarisDawn #CrewDragonSpacecraft #EVA #Spacewalks #Spacesuits #SpaceTechnology #Astronauts #JaredIsaacman #ScottPoteet #SarahGillis #AnnaMenon #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #UnitedStates #OverviewEffect #OrbitalPerspective #STEM #Education

International Space Station: "Humanity’s Lab in Space" | NASA

International Space Station: "Humanity’s Lab in Space" | NASA

Narrated by Adam Savage: "Orbiting more than 200 miles (320 km) above Earth, the International Space Station is a powerhouse of cutting-edge science that is unlocking discoveries not possible on Earth. We are testing technologies that are critical to our return to the Moon and contributing to medical and social breakthroughs that improve life on our home planet."

"After more than two decades of results, we continue to inspire future generations from a platform that is one of the largest international collaborations of our time."

Learn more about the research being conducted on station: https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science      

Follow updates on the science conducted aboard the space station: https://x.com/iss_research  

Special thanks to Adam Savage for lending his voice to the project.

Expedition 72 Updates:

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

Expedition 72 Crew

Station Commander: Suni Williams

Roscosmos (Russia): Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner 

NASA: Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit

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.

Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Producer: Nicole Rose

Duration: 3 minutes

Release Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #Astronauts #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #JAXA #Japan #日本 #CSA #Canada #ESA #Europe #SpaceLaboratory #MicrogravityResearch #Expedition72 #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education #HD #Video

5 Ways NASA Uses Solar Power | NASA Goddard

5 Ways NASA Uses Solar Power | NASA Goddard

From studying life on Earth to powering spacecraft across the solar system, NASA uses solar power to explore near and far. In September 2024, the Heliophysics Big Year theme is Environment and Sustainability. The Heliophysics Big Year is a global celebration of the Sun’s influence on Earth and the entire solar system. From Oct. 14, 2023, to Dec. 24, 2024, the Heliophysics Big Year celebrates under a theme, sharing opportunities to participate in many solar science events and activities. During the Heliophysics Big Year, participation is not limited to science—NASA invites everyone to celebrate the Sun with as many Sun-related activities as they can.

To learn more about NASA’s history with solar power, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/sun/how-nasa-uses-and-improves-solar-power/

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Producer: Lacey Young (MORI Associates)

Editor: Lacey Young (MORI Associates)

Writer: Lacey Young (MORI Associates), Mara Johnson-Groh (Rothe Enterprises, Inc.), Miles Hatfield (MORI Associates)

Duration: 1 minute, 37 seconds

Release Date: Sept. 25, 2024

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #HeliophysicsBigYear #Earth #Moon #SpaceWeather #Sun #Star #SolarSystem #SolarPower #SpaceTechnology #Astrophysics #Heliophysics #Physics #Spacecraft #Satellites #GSFC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #History #HD #Video

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9/Flight Day 1 Highlights | International Space Station

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9/Flight Day 1 Highlights | International Space Station

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft Sept. 28, 2024, on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

The crew members are scheduled to arrive at the International Space Station on Sept. 29 where they will conduct an approximately five-month mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future human exploration through the agency’s Artemis missions, which will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future expeditions to Mars. Upon return, Hague and Gorbunov will be joined by NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in the two open seats.

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/SpaceX

Duration: 45 minutes

Capture Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #Falcon9Rocket #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #KSC #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Mission | International Space Station

Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Mission | International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia onboard, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket First Stage Landing

NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission Emblem

   

Commander Nick Hague of NASA and Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov of Roscosmos (Russia) successfully lifted off aboard their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket at 1:17 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from Cape Canaveral. 

The Dragon duo are on a 28.5 hour ride in low Earth orbit before docking to the Harmony module’s forward port at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hague and Gorbunov will open the hatch about an hour-and-a-half later and join Expedition 72 before returning to Earth after a 5-month mission in February 2025. 

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew the Crew-4, Ax-2, and Ax-3 missions to and from the International Space Station. 

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the Crew-9 will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.

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/Kim Shiflett/SpaceX

Capture Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #Falcon9Rocket #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #KSC #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Launch | International Space Station

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Launch | International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia onboard, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

    

Commander Nick Hague of NASA and Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov of Roscosmos (Russia) successfully lifted off aboard their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket at 1:17 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from Cape Canaveral. 

The Dragon duo are on a 28.5 hour ride in low Earth orbit before docking to the Harmony module’s forward port at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hague and Gorbunov will open the hatch about an hour-and-a-half later and join Expedition 72 before returning to Earth after a 5-month mission in February 2025. 

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew the Crew-4, Ax-2, and Ax-3 missions to and from the International Space Station. 

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the Crew-9 will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.

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/Keegan Barber/Kim Shiflett

Capture Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #Falcon9Rocket #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #KSC #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Liftoff of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission | International Space Station

Liftoff of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission | International Space Station

Commander Nick Hague of NASA and Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov of Roscosmos (Russia) successfully lifted off aboard their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket at 1:17 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from Cape Canaveral. 

The Dragon duo are on a 28.5 hour ride in low Earth orbit before docking to the Harmony module’s forward port at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hague and Gorbunov will open the hatch about an hour-and-a-half later and join Expedition 72 before returning to Earth after a 5-month mission in February 2025. 

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew the Crew-4, Ax-2, and Ax-3 missions to and from the International Space Station. 

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the Crew-9 will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.

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/SpaceX

Duration: 32 seconds

Capture Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #Falcon9Rocket #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #KSC #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission: Launch Day | International Space Station

NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission: Launch Day | International Space Station

Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia, left, and NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, are seen as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral to board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-9 mission launch, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia and NASA astronaut Nick Hague, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, speak with family and friends as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Space Launch Complex 40

Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia bids farewell as he prepares to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Space Launch Complex 40

NASA astronaut Nick Hague greets NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, second from left, prior to departing the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Space Launch Complex 40

NASA astronaut Nick Hague speaks with family as he prepares to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Space Launch Complex 40

Two SpaceX Crew-9 crewmates are counting down to a Saturday launch, weather permitting, and beginning a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. 

Commander Nick Hague of NASA and Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov of Roscosmos (Russia) are at Kennedy Space Center in Florida preparing for their liftoff aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft targeted for no earlier than 1:17 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 28, 2024 after the impact of Hurricane Helene. 

The duo plan to ride Dragon in low Earth orbit for a day before docking to the Harmony module’s forward port at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hague and Gorbunov will open the hatch about an hour-and-a-half later and join Expedition 72 before returning to Earth in February 2025. 

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/Keegan Barber

Image Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #Falcon9Rocket #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #KSC #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission: Ready for Launch | International Space Station

NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission: Ready for Launch | International Space Station

Crew-9 Mission Commander & Pilot: NASA Astronaut Nick Hague

Crew-9 Mission Specialist & Roscosmos Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of Russia

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Mission launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida

NASA's Kennedy Space Center: Crew-9 Launch countdown underway

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 during a brief static fire test ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Mission launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida

NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission Emblem

Two SpaceX Crew-9 crewmates are counting down to a Saturday launch, weather permitting, and beginning a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. 

Commander Nick Hague of NASA and Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov of Roscosmos (Russia) are at Kennedy Space Center in Florida preparing for their liftoff aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft targeted for no earlier than 1:17 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 28, 2024 after the impact of Hurricane Helene. 

The duo plan to ride Dragon in low Earth orbit for a day before docking to the Harmony module’s forward port at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Hague and Gorbunov will open the hatch about an hour-and-a-half later and join Expedition 72 before returning to Earth in February 2025. 

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 Credits: NASA/SpaceX

Image Release Dates: Sept. 24-28, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #SpaceXCrew9 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #Falcon9Rocket #Astronaut #NickHague #Cosmonaut #AleksandrGorbunov #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #CCP #Expedition72 #KSC #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

China Unveils Moon-Landing Spacesuit for First Time

China Unveils Moon-Landing Spacesuit for First Time

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Saturday, September 28, 2024, unveiled the exterior design of the country's Moon-landing spacesuit for the first time, soliciting its name from the public. At the unveiling ceremony held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, a technician appeared wearing the Moon-landing suit, showcasing its design through various movements and gestures.

Ribbons have always been an important element in the design of Chinese spacesuits, and the overall design of the Moon-landing suit is inspired by traditional Chinese armor, giving it a rugged and resolute appearance.

"The Feitian extra-vehicular activity (EVA) suit is designed for use in low Earth orbit, where astronauts float in a microgravity environment. Therefore, we chose the ribbon element to convey a sense of free flow. The Moon-landing suit is designed for lunar explorations, such as walking and working on the Moon surface, so we would also like to convey a strong-willed and unswerving feeling, which we integrated organically into the suit's design," said Zhang Wanxin, director of the Spacesuit Engineering Office and deputy chief designer of the Astronaut System at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

The Feitian EVA suit is China's first domestically-designed spacesuit. Feitian, literally meaning flying in the sky, is the name of a legendary Buddhist goddess.

After the demonstration, Yang Liwei, deputy chief designer of China's crewed space program and China's first astronaut, together with the technician, launched the naming campaign for the Moon-landing suit from the public.

All individuals, legal entities, and organizations passionate about China's crewed lunar exploration program are welcome to participate. The campaign will close at 24:00 on October 31, 2024.

Video Credit: CCTV

Duration: 1 minute, 41 seconds

Release Date: Sept. 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #Earth #China #中国 #Moon #LongMarch10Rocket #Taikonauts #Astronauts #Spacesuit #FeitianSpacesuit #EVA #Spacewalk #HumanSpaceflight #CLEP #CNSA #CMSA #国家航天局 #Science #SpaceTechnology #SpaceEngineering #Chongqing #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Sunset on SpaceX Flight 5 Starship at Starbase Texas

Sunset on SpaceX Flight 5 Starship at Starbase Texas

"Development, manufacturing, testing, and launch of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket—collectively referred to as Starship—takes place at Starbase in Texas. One of the world’s first commercial spaceports designed for orbital missions, launches from Starbase will provide access to destinations in 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

Learn more about Starship:

https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):

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

Image Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Release Date: Sept. 26, 2024

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