NASA Awards Audit Services Contracts

NASA has awarded contracts to six companies to provide agencywide contract auditing support services, previously performed by the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

September 30, 2016
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NASA Highlights Science on Next Commercial Resupply Mission to International Space Station

NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct 5, to discuss select science investigations launching on the next Orbital ATK commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station.

September 30, 2016
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NASA, France to Collaborate on Aircraft Noise Research

During bilateral meetings in Daejeon, South Korea, NASA and France’s Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales (ONERA) signed an agreement Tuesday to collaborate on research that focuses on mitigating the effects of civil air transportation noise.

September 30, 2016
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NASA TV to Broadcast Hispanic Heritage Event, Aspira con NASA / Aspire with NASA

NASA will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the agency’s headquarters in Washington Tuesday, Oct. 4, with stories of aspiration, inspiration and exploration. The event will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website at 10 a.m. EDT.

September 30, 2016
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Space Station's Expandable Habitat

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is seen attached to the Tranquility module of the International Space Station. BEAM is an is an experimental expandable habitat. Expandable habitats, occasionally described as inflatable habitats, greatly decrease the amount of transport volume for future space missions. via NASA http://ift.tt/2dKqV2g

ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/29/2016

Group Combustion Module (GCM) Installation: FE-5 continued with the third day of installation and preparation for the GCM experiment and was to perform two pressure decay leak checks. After the first check, a leak was detected in the Air/O2 line, thus aborting the second check until specialist can determine the cause and develop a solution. The Elucidation of Flame Spread and Group Combustion Excitation Mechanism of Randomly-distributed Droplet Clouds (Group Combustion) investigation by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) tests a theory that fuel sprays change from partial to group combustion as flames spread across a cloud of droplets. In the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) in the Kibo module, droplets of decane, a component of gasoline or kerosene, are arranged randomly on thin-fiber lattice points, and the flame and droplet positions and temperature distribution are measured as the flame spreads. Microgravity blocks convection, which on Earth would quickly disperse the droplets and combustion products before such measurements could be made.  Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM): FE-6 ingressed BEAM and temporarily installed the Internal Wireless Instrumentation System (IWIS) Remote Sensing Unit (RSU) in Node 3 and the Triaxial Accelerometer (TAA) in BEAM. Following the instrument installation, FE-6 performed a modal test by imparting loads onto BEAM and measuring the acceleration throughout the module. Expandable habitats, occasionally described as inflatable habitats, greatly decrease the amount of transport volume for future space missions. These “expandables” weigh less and take up less room on a rocket while allowing additional space for living and working. They also provide protection from solar and cosmic radiation, space debris, and other contaminants. Crews traveling to the moon, Mars, asteroids, or other destinations could potentially use them as habitable structures ENERGY (Astronaut’s Energy Requirement for Long-Term Space Flight: FE-5 began the first day of the 11 day ENERGY experiment. Intended to measure an Astronaut’s Energy Requirements, ENERGY will require FE-5 to consume standardized meals today and tomorrow, in addition to diet logging over the entire 11 day duration. Today FE-5 also setup the Armband Activity Monitor which will be worn through the duration of the experiment, took water samples, and setup the oxygen uptake measurements (XTP). Energy investigation measures an Astronaut’s Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight, a crucial factor needed for sending the correct amount of the right types of food with space crews. Astronauts often lose body mass with extended stays in space for reasons that remain unclear, although increased exercise as a microgravity countermeasure may be a factor. Knowing details of astronaut metabolism and activity, combined with other conditions, will help ensure that crews are properly nourished on long missions.  Today’s Planned Activities All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted. Personal CO2 Monitor iPad Application Restart Soyuz 731 Descent Procedure Update Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media URAGAN. Observation and photography RS Photo Cameras Sync Up to Station Time EKON-M. Observations and photography Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) Leak Check 1 [Cancelled] Fine Motor Skills Experiment Test – Subject Replacement ПУ-1 in АСУ Hard To Wet Sample Module Inspection Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) Water Recovery System Waste Water Tank Drain Init Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation Mating New Control Panel Telemetry Cable to БИТС2-12 Group Combustion Module (GCM) Experiment Laptop Terminal 2 (ELT2)  Setup Replacement ПУ-1 Control Panel in [АСУ] Water Recovery System Waste Water Tank Drain Termination MRM2 comm config to support the P/L Ops Kulonovskiy Kristall Experiment Run MRM2 Comm Reconfig for Nominal Ops KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL Habitability Human Factors Questionnaires – Subject Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations – Subject Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill Remove Items in Front of N3A for Hatch Access Photo/TV N3/BEAM Camcorder Setup ARED Platform Fold Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) BEAM Ingress Air sampling in BEAM module using AK-1M sampler before air duct installation Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) Leak Check 2 Replacement of CO2 Filter Unit ИК0501 Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle TAA Install in BEAM СОЖ maintenance Tape Distributed Impact Detection System (DIDS) sensors Modal Test Armband Activity Monitor Setup Progress 432 [OA] Stowage Ops with IMS Support ENERGY Water Sample Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) pressure gauge check and Valve Operations. PAO Preparation Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config LAB Setup Energy PFS Setup Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab Deconfigure IWIS DDS Data Download to BEAM SSC OTKLIK. Hardware Monitoring BEAM Cleanup and Egress Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill Return Items Back to N3A Location That Were Removed for BEAM Ingress ARED Platform Unfold Back to Nominal Position Ghost Camera Stow INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) pressure gauge check and Valve Operations. CB/ISS CREW CONFERENCE Flight Director/ISS CREW CONFERENCE Crew Choice Event Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle Personal CO2 Monitor Doff and Charge Completed Task List Items None  Ground Activities All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted. Lab MCA Zero Calibration [Delayed] Three-Day Look Ahead: Friday, 09/30: Energy Experiment, PGT TAK Data Gather Saturday, 10/01: Finemotor Skills, Hard to Wet Surfaces, Energy Conclude Sunday, 10/02: Crew Off Duty QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                               Component Status Elektron On Vozdukh Manual [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) On [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) Off Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Standby Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Process Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Reprocess Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Off Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 Full Up  

September 30, 2016 at 12:00AM
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Rosetta is gone

Today there is one less spacecraft returning science data from beyond Earth. The European Space Operations Centre received the final transmission from Rosetta at 11:19 September 30, UT.

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Sentinel-1A Satellite Slammed by Space Debris

ULA Congressional Delegation Criticizes SpaceX For A Totally Legal Mishap Investigation

Congress members question whether SpaceX should conduct its own investigation, LA Times

"The letter, dated Thursday, also cited SpaceX's prior explosion in June 2015 while carrying cargo for NASA to the International Space Station. The Hawthorne space company led its own investigation for that launch failure. Under federal law, SpaceX is allowed to conduct its own investigation. SpaceX ... and other companies lobbied successfully to extend the law last year. The FAA oversees such investigations. The Congress members said the investigation responses raised "serious concerns about the authority provided to commercial providers and the protection of national space assets."

"Ten Republican Congress members led by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) have sent a letter to the heads of the Air Force, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration questioning whether SpaceX should be allowed to lead its own investigation ... Coffman's congressional district includes United Launch Alliance's headquarters. Many of the congressmen represent states where ULA has operations."

Keith's note: But wait. ULA did their own internal review when the first stage of the Atlas V delivering OA-6 Cygnus shut down early. Oops. H/t to Tim B.

United Launch Alliance Provides Update to OA-6 Cygnus Launch

"Per standard processes when a flight data item such as this has been identified, the ULA engineering team, along with our engine supplier and several government customers, forms a robust review team. The review team assessed all flight and operational data to determine direct and root causes and implemented the appropriate corrective actions for future flights. .. "We would like to thank our customers and supplier partners for their outstanding collaboration in the detailed review of this anomaly."

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NASA Awards Contract for Information Technology Support Services

NASA has awarded its Goddard Information Technology Integration Support Services (GITISS) contract to Business Integra, Inc. of Bethesda, Maryland.

September 29, 2016
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Rosetta spacecraft may be dying, but Rosetta science will go on

The Rosetta mission will end tomorrow when the spacecraft impacts the comet. ESA took advantage of the presence of hundreds of members of the media to put on a showcase of Rosetta science. If there’s one thing I learned today from all the science presentations, it’s this: Rosetta data will be informing scientific work for decades to come.

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Dawn Journal: 9th Anniversary

Nine years ago today, Dawn set sail on an epic journey of discovery and adventure. The intrepid explorer has sailed the cosmic seas and collected treasures that far exceeded anything anticipated or even hoped for.

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Testing the James Webb Space Telescope Pathfinder

In this photograph taken on Sept. 1, 2016, the James Webb Space Telescope Pathfinder structure has been configured for the Thermal Pathfinder Test at NASA Johnson Space Center's giant thermal vacuum chamber, called Chamber A. The Pathfinder is a test version of the structure that supports the telescope. via NASA http://ift.tt/2dufZGQ

ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/28/2016

Marangoni Experiment (Dynamic Surf 3): Overnight another run of the Marangoni experiment occurred in the Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF). The Dynamic Surf investigation is part of a series of JAXA experiments studying Marangoni convection driven by the presence of surface tension gradients produced by a temperature difference at a liquid/gas interface. By observing and understanding how a silicone oil liquid bridge moves, researchers can learn about how heat is transferred in microgravity and ultimately drive the design and development of more efficient fluid flow based systems and devices.  Hard to Wet Surfaces: FE-6 performed the sample processing, setup of the Sample Module, and initiated automated photography of the samples. Throughout the day, FE-5 and FE-6 periodically remixed the samples before finally downlinking the day’s photographs and stowing the experiment. The Hard to Wet Surfaces (Eli Lilly-Hard to Wet Surfaces) investigation studies how certain materials used in the pharmaceutical industry dissolve in water while in microgravity. Results from this investigation could help improve the design of tablets that dissolve in the body to deliver drugs, thereby improving drug design for medicines used in space and on Earth. Group Combustion Module (GCM) Installation: Today, FE-5 continued with day 2 of installation and preparation for the GCM experiment. FE-5 installed the Combustion Chamber (CC) that the crew assembled yesterday and the Gas Bottle Unit (GBU) Air into the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Work Volume. The Elucidation of Flame Spread and Group Combustion Excitation Mechanism of Randomly-distributed Droplet Clouds (Group Combustion) investigation by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) tests a theory that fuel sprays change from partial to group combustion as flames spread across a cloud of droplets. In the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) in the Kibo module, droplets of decane, a component of gasoline or kerosene, are arranged randomly on thin-fiber lattice points, and the flame and droplet positions and temperature distribution are measured as the flame spreads. Microgravity blocks convection, which on Earth would quickly disperse the droplets and combustion products before such measurements could be made. Sound Level Meter (SLM) Survey:  Today FE-6 performed SLM acoustic measurements. The Node 3 diagnostic SLM survey plan called for eight sets of measurements, encompassing various Node 3 Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) fan speeds and Rheostat Air Mix Valve (RAMV) settings with the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Distillation Assembly (DA) and Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Pump either on or off depending on the portion of the survey plan being worked, totaling 52 SLM measurements.  In addition, standard SLM measurements of the US Lab and Service Module (SM) were taken.   Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. Fine Motor Skills Experiment Test – Subject Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Processing Э-NOC. Execution experiment Multi Omics FOS Stow Hard To Wet Surfaces D2Xs Battery Charge Multi Omics FOS Preparation Ghost Camera Setup for Modal Test Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix. Sound Level Meter (SLM) Setup and Operations Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix. ENERGY Big Picture Words Reading  ENERGY Equipment Pre-gather Strata Card Changeout Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix Sound Level Meter (SLM) Data Transfer ISS air pressurization from ТГК Dose Tracker Data Entry Subject Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config LAB Setup Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis Greetings Video Recording XF305 Camcorder Setup Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) Install Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab Modal Test Hardware Unstow Air Heater Fan [БВН]  64P PROGRESS checkout IWIS Install for Modal Test Group Combustion Module (GCM) Gas Bottle Unit Air (GBU) Install СОЖ maintenance Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record HARD TO WET SURFACES CAMERA RESTART Completed Task List Items JAXA Report Part 6 (Active) Ground Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. N3 system reconfigurations for SLM measurements RPCM AL1A4A_B and LAD62B_A Firmware Update Three-Day Look Ahead: Thursday, 09/29: BEAM Ingress and Modal Test, Energy setup Friday, 09/30: Energy Experiment, PGT TAK Data Gather Saturday, 10/01: Finemotor Skills, Hard to Wet Surfaces, Energy Conclude  QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                               Component Status Elektron On Vozdukh Manual [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) On [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) Off Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Process Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Reprocess Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Off Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 Full Up

September 29, 2016 at 12:00AM
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Elon Musk Wants to Put a Million People on Mars

OSIRIS-REx’s cameras see first light

As OSIRIS-REx speeds away from Earth, it’s been turning on and testing out its various engineering functions and science instruments. Proof of happy instrument status has come from several cameras, including the star tracker, MapCam, and StowCam.

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You Cannot Explore The Universe When Your Head Is Stuck In The Sand

Humans to Mars: a deeply disturbing idea, Linda Billings

"I have deep moral qualms about this idea, as it appeals to a small fraction of humankind and proposes what would inevitably be an elitist enterprise. Would it be ethical to enable people with enough money to buy a ticket to leave our troubled Earth behind? Would it be ethical for government(s) to subsidize such an enterprise? In Musk's disturbing "vision" - a nightmare in my mind - how many poverty-stricken Bangladeshis or Congolese, how many permanently displaced Syrian refugees, will come up with $200,000 - or $2,000, for that matter - to "start anew," as the colonization zealots say they want to do? I participated in a conference this past weekend about "social and conceptual issues in astrobiology." Among the questions we 30 attendees were asked to consider in our discussions were: "Should humans seek to exploit and/or colonize space? If so, how should this be done? Are there truly universal principals of biology, psychology, morality, etc. that would apply to extraterrestrial life?" My views on these questions are: No. We should not do it. No."

Keith's note: I have known Linda for 30 years and have a lot of resect for her work. But I thought this whole "but people are starving in [fill in the blank]" or "why spend money in space when we should spend it on Earth" mindset was a thing of the 1960 and 1970s. If you want to go after budgets to fix social inequalities then NASA is not the place to start - there is much more low hanging fruit elsewhere.

Decades of public opinion polls, popular media, and other cultural phenomena strongly point to a public viewpoint on space that is exactly opposite of what Linda claims. Moreover her viewpoint flies in the face of human history. People explore. Then they colonize. Then they move on to explore some more because that is what people do. In particular I am not certain why this tiny group of 30 space people (no doubt the usual suspects at meetings like this) meeting in their little echo chamber is in any way representative of what America's 300+ million - or the billions who live elsewhere think about exploring space.

Look at China and India - countries with vast, pressing social issues - issues that surely could use more money. Yet these countries are dedicating large resources toward exploring space - often times repeating what other countries did decades ago. What is it that they have discovered about exploring space that space people in America seem to have forgotten? Meanwhile, as NASA runs in circles with inadequate budgets driven by plans that they were never going to be capable of implementing, the private sector has amassed the resources to do things on their own in space - for their own reasons.

NASA has been 20 years away from sending humans to Mars for over 40 years. Clearly the NASA approach to sending humans on Mars no longer works. Its time for someone else to do it. If not Elon Musk then some other billionaire(s) will certainly step up to the plate. And if not the U.S. then other countries will.

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ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/27/2016

Group Combustion Module (GCM) Installation:  Today, FE-5 with the assistance of FE-6, started the first of two days of installation and preparation for the GCM experiment.  The crew began with assembly of the GCM attaching cameras and the Fuel Supply Syringe.  Following GCM setup, the crew then began configuration of the Combustion Chamber attaching the necessary valves and filters.  The GCM will then be installed into the Combustion Chamber.  The Elucidation of Flame Spread and Group Combustion Excitation Mechanism of Randomly-distributed Droplet Clouds (Group Combustion) investigation by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) tests a theory that fuel sprays change from partial to group combustion as flames spread across a cloud of droplets.  In the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) in the Kibo module, droplets of decane, a component of gasoline or kerosene, are arranged randomly on thin-fiber lattice points, and the flame and droplet positions and temperature distribution are measured as the flame spreads.  Microgravity blocks convection, which on Earth would quickly disperse the droplets and combustion products before such measurements could be made. Hard to Wet Surfaces:  FE-6 performed the battery charging activities for the Hard to Wet Surfaces payload.  Later today, the crew will verify the configuration and field of view of the camera used to collect data of the payload.  The Hard to Wet Surfaces (Eli Lilly-Hard to Wet Surfaces) investigation studies how certain materials used in the pharmaceutical industry dissolve in water while in microgravity.  Results from this investigation could help improve the design of tablets that dissolve in the body to deliver drugs, thereby improving drug design for medicines used in space and on Earth.  Marangoni Experiment (Dynamic Surf 3):  Last week ground controllers performed an Image Processing Unit (IPU) video check and determined the front cover fasteners required tightening.  FE-5 performed the tightening over the weekend and subsequent IPU checks confirmed a good configuration to resume Dynamic Surf operations.  Last night, ground controllers initiated the first of two overnight of the Marangoni sessions in the Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF).  The Dynamic Surf investigation is part of a series of JAXA experiments studying Marangoni convection driven by the presence of surface tension gradients produced by a temperature difference at a liquid/gas interface.  By observing and understanding how a silicone oil liquid bridge moves, researchers can learn about how heat is transferred in microgravity and ultimately drive the design and development of more efficient fluid flow based systems and devices. Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Latching End Effector (LEE) Survey:  Today, Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) and maneuvered the SSRMS to the survey position for LEE B.  The EHDC was then used to survey the LEE Snare cables as it was done last Monday, but with different points of view and optimizing the lighting conditions for still imagery.  SSRMS performance today was nominal.  Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) Replacement:  This morning the crew changed out the Urine Hose and Receptacle that was installed yesterday, recovering WHC functionality.  Yesterday, after the crew replaced the Urine Hose and Receptacle as part of regularly scheduled maintenance, the WHC Pump Separator unexpectedly continued to run after the crew closed a urine valve.  After cycling the valve, the Pump Separator did turn off.  WHC is approved for use at this time. JEM ORU Transfer Interface (JOTI) and Robotics External Leak Locator (RELL) Installation on Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (A/L) Slide Table:  FE-6 ingressed Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 (PMA2), retrieved the JOTI hardware, and installed the JOTI on the JEM A/L Slide Table.  Afterwards, the crew installed the Robotics External Leak Locator (RELL) onto the JOTI, and retracted the Slide Table inside the JEM A/L.  RELL is a technology demonstration designed to locate external ISS ammonia (NH3) leaks.  Prior to using it for locating actual leaks, an on-orbit test needs to be performed to understand the background environment of ISS and how that affects leak locating.  This on-orbit test will be scheduled later in Increment 49. Today’s Planned Activities All activities completed unless otherwise noted. WHC Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace XF305 Camcorder Setup Group Combustion Module (GCM) Familiarization Group Combustion Module (GCM) Setup MRM2 comm config to support the P/L Ops Kulonovskiy Kristall Experiment Run. Node 2 Endcone Unstow PMA2 Ingress MRM2 Comm Reconfig for Nominal Ops KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Copy and Downlink Data Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) Setup VIZIR. Experiment set up and start using СКПИ P/L. PMA2 Stowage Retrieval PMA2 Surface Inspection for Condensation PMA2 Egress Group Combustion Module (GCM) Install Node 2 Endcone Unstow Group Combustion Module (GCM) Install Support Water Recovery System Waste Water Tank Drain Init (Deferred) BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activities Module) Modal Test Review Water Recovery System Waste Water Tank Drain Termination (Deferred) Filling (separation) of ЕДВ (КОВ) for Elektron or ЕДВ-СВ JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Calibration Check Structures and Mechanisms JEM ORU Xfer I/F and Robo Ext Leak Locator Installation Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test СОЖ Maintenance VIZIR. СКПИ Closeout Ops. JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side Download Pille Dosimeter Readings Exercise Data Downlink via OCA Hard To Wet Surfaces Set Up Check Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Calibration Check Data Record Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle Personal CO2 Monitor iPad Application Restart Completed Task List Items None  Ground Activities All activities completed unless otherwise noted. Robotics Ground Control for SSRMS LEE Survey Three-Day Look Ahead: Wednesday, 09/28: Combustion Module Installation and Checkout, Finemotor Skills, Hard to Wet Surfaces Thursday, 09/29: BEAM Ingress and Modal Test Friday, 09/30: Energy Experiment, WSTA Fills QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                               Component Status Elektron On Vozdukh Manual [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) On [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) Off Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) […]

September 28, 2016 at 12:00AM
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NASA, China to Collaborate on Air Traffic Management Research

NASA and the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment (CAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on aeronautics research that will advance air transportation automation for U.S. and Chinese aviation operations in China.

September 28, 2016
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'Pandora's Cluster' Seen by Spitzer

This image of galaxy cluster Abell 2744, also called Pandora's Cluster, was taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cWcwMr

NASA Information Security Is Still Broken

Follow-up Evaluation of NASA's Implementation of Executive Order 13526, Classified National Security Information, NASA OIG

"Although NASA has taken steps to implement our prior recommendations, we continued to identify inconsistencies in the Agency's application of CNSI policies and procedures that led to improper marking of classified documents. This occurred because of insufficient identification and training of classifiers. Further, implementation of the Agency's self-inspection program was not fully effective because NASA Centers did not consistently review documents to verify the accuracy of classified markings. Improved identification and training of classification officials and effective self-inspections would help ensure classified information at NASA is managed in accordance with Federal requirements."

Information Security: NASA Needs to Improve Controls over Selected High-Impact Systems. GAO-16-688SU, September 23, GAO (Restricted report)

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NASA Television to Provide Coverage of European Mission Comet Touchdown

NASA Television and the agency’s website will air the conclusion of ESA’s (European Space Agency’s) Rosetta mission from 6:15 to 8 a.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 30, with NASA commentary, interviews and analysis of the successful mission. The Rosetta mission will end with the controlled decent of the spacecraft onto the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Geras

September 28, 2016
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SpaceX and the Blank Slate

SpaceX's plans to colonize Mars differ considerably from NASA's Journey to Mars ambitions. But direct comparison is difficult. SpaceX is able to wipe the slate clean and start fresh with a bold new approach to humans in space. NASA has no such luxury, and must use existing pieces and people to make their goals a reality.

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The First Photo of the Sun

A million people in 40 to 100 years: SpaceX unveils plan to colonize Mars

After much anticipation, Elon Musk revealed his plans to colonize Mars. Here are the details, some questions yet to be answered, and a few thoughts on how this could change the way we think about human spaceflight.

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DC Think Tankers Testify On That China Space Race Thing

Subcommittee Examines China's Space Exploration Capabilities and Achievements, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Democrats

"Now, almost 50 years since that historic event, some are asking if we are again in a space race, but this time with China. Two weeks ago, China successfully placed in orbit its Tiangong-2 experimental orbiting space lab. And that accomplishment comes on the heels of China's landing a robotic rover on the Moon, with plans announced to do the same on Mars. So, should we be concerned that China is may be closing the gap in spaceflight capabilities?"

Chairman Smith Opening Statement: Are We Losing the Space Race to China?

"China continues to make progress. We cannot resign ourselves to the remembrance of past achievements. It is time for the United States to reassert its leadership. For over fifty years, the United States has been committed to the peaceful use and exploration of outer space. Our philosophical principles of freedom, the rule of law, and transparency are evident in the actions we take. The United States shares scientific data and findings, promotes international cooperation, and maintains international peace and security in outer space. The world has benefited from U.S. space leadership."

Witness Statements: Dennis Shea, Mark Stokes, Dean Cheng, James Lewis

Earlier China postings

It is obvious that @HouseScience deliberately invited 4 witnesses who are against any U.S. interaction with China in space — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 27, 2016

Rep Perlmutter @Ed4Colorado just noted that all of the witnesses "nod in agreement with each other". Duh. That was done on purpose. — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 27, 2016

If you watched China Space Race hearing you saw the DC think tank echo chamber in action. Where you stand depends on where you sit. $$$ — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 27, 2016

James Lewis @CSIS "China's goals are political ours are scientific" Another space expert who does not know how NASA works. — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 27, 2016

(sigh) @RepJBridenstine is attacking China for its bad behavior - yet he ignores exactly the same bad behaviors by Russia. #Bias — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 27, 2016

Rep. Bridenstein "the space race is over and we won" OK - If we "won" then why is everyone complaining that we are losing the race? — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 27, 2016

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Jupiters Europa from Spacecraft Galileo

What mysteries might be solved by peering into this crystal ball? In this case, the ball is actually a moon of Jupiter, the crystals are ice, and the moon is not only dirty but cracked beyond repair. Nevertheless, speculation is rampant that oceans exist under Europa's fractured ice-plains that could support life. This speculation was bolstered again this week by released images from the Hubble Space Telescope indicating that plumes of water vapor sometimes emanate from the ice-crusted moon -- plumes that might bring microscopic sea life to the surface. Europa, roughly the size of Earth's Moon, is pictured here in natural color as photographed in 1996 by the now-defunct Jupiter-orbiting Galileo spacecraft. Future observations by Hubble and planned missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope later this decade and a Europa flyby mission in the 2020s may further humanity's understanding not only of Europa and the early Solar System but also of the possibility that life exists elsewhere in the universe. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cI4cSM

Did SpaceX Just Change The Rules?

The @SpaceX architecture described by @ElonMusk makes anything @NASA has contemplated thus far pale by comparison #ParadigmShift #IAC2016 http://pic.twitter.com/2JEIfGOCId

— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 27, 2016

Elon Musk's presentation charts (pdf)

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Official Video: SpaceX Interplanetary Transport System

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New Science Mission Directorate Leadership

Thomas Zurbuchen Named Head of NASA Science Mission Directorate, NASA

"NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has named Thomas Zurbuchen as the new associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington, effective Monday, Oct. 3. Zurbuchen is a professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He also is the university's founding director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Engineering. Zurbuchen's experience includes research in solar and heliospheric physics, experimental space research, space systems, and innovation and entrepreneurship."

Memo From Acting NASA Science Mission Directorate AA Geoff Yoder, NASA

"My NASA experience has been challenging, exciting, full of new discoveries, and more importantly part of a unique family. I am excited to transition into my next phase of life and plan to retire from NASA December 2016. I don't know what the future holds for me but if history is any indication, I will be blessed with meeting new challenges, opportunities, and making new friends."

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Thomas Zurbuchen Named Head of NASA Science Mission Directorate

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has named Thomas Zurbuchen as the new associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, effective Monday, Oct. 3.

September 27, 2016
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Rosetta end-of-mission event schedule

A schedule of what to expect during Rosetta's final hours September 29 and 30, and how you can follow online.

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Water Swirls, Gulf of St. Lawrence

Orbiting above eastern North America, a crew member on the International Space Station photographed a dense pattern of eddies in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Caught briefly in the Sun’s “glint point,” reflections off the water surface show an interlinked mass of swirls and eddies in the shallow water north of Prince Edward Island. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cAykkg

Does SpaceX Have The Right Stuff For Mars? Does NASA?

Elon Musk has a lot to prove at today's Mars colonization announcement, The Verge

"This isn't a phone, or a new app, or new headphones - it's not a consumer product at all. Rockets are far too expensive; space colonies are more expensive still. If Musk doesn't announce financial backing, it means the presentation is meant to convince someone - probably NASA - to fund him. But this is an extraordinarily awkward time to try to win over money, since one of his rockets blew up earlier this month."

Get Ready, Elon Musk Is About to Outline His Plan to Colonize Mars, Popular Mechanics

"The new Mars shuttle and BFR are only design ideas that have been teased by SpaceX, so it remains to be seen whether a concrete plan to develop one or both of these new spaceflight systems - or something completely unknown to the public at this point - will be revealed during Musk's speech."

Elon Musk to discuss his vision for how he plans to colonize Mars, Washington Post

"Then in 2020, SpaceX would fly multiple Falcon Heavy rockets, he said in an interview with The Post earlier this year. The goal of those missions would be to perfect the difficult art of landing large objects on the Mars surface. If everything goes according to plan, SpaceX would launch a new, more powerful rocket in 2022, and then with crews in 2024."

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Astrophoto: Dusty Star Birth and Future Spectacular Death in the Swan

ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/26/2016

Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP)/Small Fine Arm Attachment Mechanism (SAM) removal: FE-5 retracted the Japanese Experiment Module Airlock (JEMAL) slide table into the module and removed the MPEP and SAM.  Tomorrow, the crew will ingress Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 (PMA2) to retrieve the JEM ORU Transfer Interface (JOTI) and install it on the Slide Table to support the Robotics External Leak Locator (RELL).  Lab Window Inspection and Cleaning:  Today, the crew inspected the Lab Window for contamination and damage. This inspection attempts to document any contamination or damage there may be on any of the Window pane surfaces.  After the inspection, the crew cleaned the inboard surface of Lab Window Primary Pressure Pane.  The cleaning is being performed to enhance the optics for the METEOR Payload installed in the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF). Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Quarterly Maintenance: Today, the crew completed regularly scheduled ARED maintenance. They greased the Vibration Isolation System (VIS) rails and rollers and inspected the X-rotation dashpots and main arm bearings.  In addition, the crew performed an ARED Flywheel Cylinder Evacuation that was scheduled for later this week.  Cygnus Capture On-board Training (OBT):  FE-5 and FE-6 participated in a conference with ground specialist to discuss the overall Cygnus (OA-5) capture training plan.  FE-5 and FE-6 reviewed the capture procedure, Backaway Cue Card and Capture Cue card.  Finally the crew performed the computer based training (CBT) review of the OA-5 mission profile, rendezvous crew procedures and interfaces for monitoring and commanding Cygnus.  OA-5 is scheduled to arrive at the ISS in October. Story Time from Space: Over the weekend, FE-6 recorded the reading of two books, “The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm” and “Rosie Revere, Engineer”, as part of Story Time from Space. Story Time consists of reading seven children’s books with space/science/cooperation themes as an advocacy Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) and Literacy project. The Story Time project provides an opportunity to deliver ISS research content to communities that have not previously been engaged in the space program. Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) Routine Maintenance:  The crew performed a change out of the WHC UR and insert filter. Following the change out, WHC exhibited some off nominal signatures.  The crew performed initial troubleshooting steps, and will continue troubleshooting tomorrow to regain functionality of the WHC. In the meantime, the crew will use the [ACY]. Today’s Planned Activities All activities completed unless otherwise noted. Multi Omics Saliva Operations МО-8. H/W set up EKON-M. Observations and photography Multi Omics Saliva sample MELFI Insertion Body Mass Measurement – BMMD Multi Omics Question MO-8 equipment stowage Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill XF305 Camcorder Setup JEM Airlock Slide Table Extension to JPM Side BAR. Performing experiment JEM Airlock Capture Mechanism Release MPEP Removal from SAM SAM removal from JEM Airlock Slide Table Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Quarterly Maintenance JEM Airlock Slide Table Retraction from JPM Side Robot Startup Lab Window Inspection Photo/TV Camera Setup On-Board Training (OBT) Cygnus Conference On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Robotics Review MRM2 comm config to support the P/L Ops Kulonovskiy Kristall H/W setup On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Rendezvous Review Kulonovskiy Kristall Experiment Ops Tagup with specialists Meteor Partial Removal LAB Window Inspection Review LAB Window Inspection MRM2 Comm Reconfig for Nominal Ops In-Flight Maintenance (IFM) Lab Window Cleaning LAB Window Inspection Cleanup Kulonovskiy Kristall –  Data Copy and Downlink Meteor Partial Installation ELEKTRON purge after deactivation СОЖ maintenance Personal CO2 Monitor Donn Completed Task List Items Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus Sample Insert/Retrieve [Completed Sunday] Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations [Completed Sunday] Manufacturing Device Print Removal, Clean and Stow [Completed Sunday] Swap Station Support Computers (SSCs) 5 & 17 for ROBoT [Completed Sunday] ROBoT Software Startup [Completed Sunday] Story Time Book Rhino Read [Completed Sunday] Story Time Book Rosie Read [Completed Sunday] ZBook Server Location Assessment [Completed Sunday] WHC Urine Receptacle and Insert Filter R&R BEAM IMV Coupling Verification AQM Relocate Water Sample Reclaim JAXA Video Taking Part 6 (Active) Ground Activities All activities completed unless otherwise noted. N3 MCA Zero Calibration Lab MCA Activation Three-Day Look Ahead: Tuesday, 09/27: PMA2 Ingress, JOTI/RELL Installation in JEMAL Slide Table Wednesday, 09/28: Finemotor Skills, Hard to Wet Surfaces Thursday, 09/29: BEAM Ingress and Modal Test  QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                               Component Status Elektron On Vozdukh Manual [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) Off [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) On Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Standby Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Reprocess Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Off Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 Full Up

September 27, 2016 at 12:00AM
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Passing a Kidney Stone Can Be a Real Roller Coaster Ride

What Charlie Bolden Really Said At #IAC2016

This is what #NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden really said moments ago at #IAC2016 http://pic.twitter.com/LUmrX0KbJ8

— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 26, 2016

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New Findings are Conclusive: Europa is crying out for exploration

New scientific findings add to the evidence that Europa is spouting its liquid ocean into space. NASA has a mission to Europa in the works, but it wouldn't launch for at least a decade. Congress can make it faster, but it all depends on whether they can pass a budget this year.

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Water Plumes on Europa

Evidence of Water Vapor Plumes on Europa, NASA

"Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have imaged what may be water vapor plumes erupting off the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa. This finding bolsters other Hubble observations suggesting the icy moon erupts with high altitude water vapor plumes. The observation increases the possibility that missions to Europa may be able to sample Europa's ocean without having to drill through miles of ice."

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Tectonics on Mercury

Mercury is Tectonically Active, NASA

"Images obtained by NASA's MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft reveal previously undetected small fault scarps-- cliff-like landforms that resemble stair steps. These scarps are small enough that scientists believe they must be geologically young, which means Mercury is still contracting and that Earth is not the only tectonically active planet in our solar system, as previously thought."

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NASA’s Hubble Spots Possible Water Plumes Erupting on Jupiter's Moon Europa

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have imaged what may be water vapor plumes erupting off the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa. This finding bolsters other Hubble observations suggesting the icy moon erupts with high altitude water vapor plumes.

September 26, 2016
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Tectonically Active Planet Mercury

New NASA-funded research suggests that Mercury is contracting even today, joining Earth as a tectonically active planet. Images obtained by NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft reveal previously undetected small fault scarps— cliff-like landforms that resemble stair steps. via NASA http://ift.tt/2d3OfXI

NASA Headquarters Is For Sale

NASA's HQ, one of D.C.'s largest federal leases, offered for sale, Washington Business Journal

"Piedmont Office Realty Trust wants to shed one of the largest federally leased office properties in Greater Washington, NASA's Southwest Washington headquarters - another sign that investment sales activity is gaining momentum heading into the fall buying season."

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SpaceX Vs #JourneyToMars - Fighting The Status Quo

Elon Musk's dream of going to Mars is SpaceX's biggest strength, and its biggest distraction, Quartz

"Scott Pace, a former NASA official, said that any company attempting to do as much as SpaceX needed to carefully assess whether it was pushing its workers too hard. "It would be ambitious for any company to do a schedule like that," Pace says. "When you look at changes in launch schedule that are increasing over historical norms, you should be worried whether or not schedule pressure is putting unacceptable strains on the workforce." SpaceX rejects out of hand the idea that it is pushing its workers too hard."

Between a rocket and a hard place: Elon Musk to give the speech of his life, Ars Technica

"It also seems likely that NASA won't offer substantial support, either. The space agency is building its own heavy lift rocket, the Space Launch System, and has its own #JourneyToMars. NASA's administrator, Charles Bolden, has wholeheartedly supported SpaceX and commercial space activities in low-Earth orbit, but has been far less effusive about private businesses venturing into deep space on their own. Earlier this month Bolden flatly stated he was not a "big fan" of private companies building heavy-lift rockets. With its Falcon Heavy and BFR, that is exactly what SpaceX is doing."

- Why SpaceX May Get Humans to Mars - First, earlier post
- Yet Another NASA Mars "Plan" Without A Plan - or a Budget, earlier post
- NASA's SpaceX Mars Mission Briefing That NASA Is Not Telling You About, earlier post
- Update on NASA's #JourneyToNowhere, earlier post
- NASA Is Still Kicking The Can Down The Road on the #JourneyToMars, earlier post

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No, NASA Didn’t Change Your Astrological Sign

Raptor Roars

SpaceX propulsion just achieved first firing of the Raptor interplanetary transport engine http://pic.twitter.com/vRleyJvBkx

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2016

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Saturn from Above

This image of Saturn could not have been taken from Earth. No Earth based picture could possibly view the night side of Saturn and the corresponding shadow cast across Saturn's rings. Since Earth is much closer to the Sun than Saturn, only the day side of the ringed planet is visible from the Earth. In fact, this image mosaic was taken earlier this year by the robotic Cassini spacecraft now orbiting Saturn, just before filming a 44-hour video of Saturn rotating. The beautiful rings of Saturn are seen in full expanse, while cloud details are visible including the polar hexagon surrounding the north pole. The Cassini mission is now in its final year as the spacecraft is scheduled to be programmed to dive into Saturn's atmosphere next September. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cu6CBa

Gary Johnson's Stance on Space Exploration

Gaffe-prone Gary Johnson says humans must inhabit other planets, NY Daily News

"Gary Johnson might want to study up about Earth before worrying about other planets. The Libertarian Party presidential nominee -- who earlier this month infamously failed to recognize the Syrian city of Aleppo during a nationally televised interview -- said Sunday that the human race will ultimately be forced to live on other planets. "I mean, the plate tectonics at one point, Africa and South America separated and I am talking now about the Earth and the fact that we have existed for billions of years and will going forward," the gaffe-prone former New Mexico governor said on ABC's "This Week." "We do have to inhabit other planets. I mean, the future of the human race ... is space exploration. So, no, we should be prudent with the environment. We care about the environment," he said."

Gary Johnson's Solution For Climate Change Involves Moving to Other Planets, Gizmodo

"Look, what it points to also is the fact that we do have to inhabit other planets," Johnson continued. "The future of the human race is space exploration."

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Heart and Soul and Double Cluster

This rich starfield spans almost 10 degrees across the sky toward the northern constellations Cassiopeia and Perseus. On the left, heart-shaped cosmic cloud IC 1805 and IC 1848 are popularly known as the Heart and Soul nebulae. Easy to spot on the right are star clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884 also known as h and Chi Perseii, or just the Double Cluster. Heart and Soul, with their own embedded clusters of young stars a million or so years old, are each over 200 light-years across and 6 to 7 thousand light-years away. In fact, they are part of a large, active star forming complex sprawling along the Perseus spiral arm of our Milky Way Galaxy. The Double Cluster is located at about the same distance as the Heart and Soul nebulae. Separated by only a few hundred light-years, h and Chi Perseii are physically close together, and both clusters are estimated to be about 13 million years old. Their proximity and similar stellar ages suggest both clusters are likely a product of the same star-forming region. via NASA http://ift.tt/2d6Gz3C

Infinity Squared: An Astonishing Time-Lapse Animation Of the Night Sky

NASA Awards Contract for Security Services at its Stennis Space Center

NASA has awarded a contract to RiverTech, LLC, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a range of security services at the agency’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

September 23, 2016
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NASA Awards Launch Range Operations Services Contract

NASA has awarded a sole-source bridge contract to LJT and Associates Inc. of Columbia, Maryland, to continue critical launch range operations support at the agency’s Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia.

September 23, 2016
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SpaceX Identifies Possible Cause in Pad Explosion

SpaceX AMOS-6 Anomaly Update 23 September 2016, SpaceX

"At this stage of the investigation, preliminary review of the data and debris suggests that a large breach in the cryogenic helium system of the second stage liquid oxygen tank took place. All plausible causes are being tracked in an extensive fault tree and carefully investigated. Through the fault tree and data review process, we have exonerated any connection with last year's CRS-7 mishap."

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Dialogue to Continue with China on Space Debris

U.S., China will meet this year to talk space debris, SpaceNews

"In a keynote speech here Sept. 22 at the AMOS conference, Frank Rose, the assistant secretary of State for arms control, verification and compliance, said that the upcoming discussion would likely include talk of space debris.

While representatives from the U.S. and China have met previously to talk about civil uses of space, the two sides met for a separate discussion of military space topics for the first time in May. Space debris has been a divisive issue between the countries for nearly a decade."

Related: More satellite collision warnings to come with Space Fence data, SpaceNews

"A senior Pentagon official said the U.S. Air Force will need to rethink how it issues satellite collision warnings when a new space object tracking system goes online or risk overwhelming satellite operators and hardware systems with overly cautious alerts."

Marc's note: This isn't an issue that's going to go away. All nations must eventually sit down and deal with space debris. And its going to come at a cost. A safe, secure space environment is in everyone's best interest.

Next Thursday, September 29th at 2:30 pm ET, SpaceRef will broadcast live the International Astronautical Congress plenary session "Projection and Stability of the Orbital Debris Environment in the Light of Planned Mega-Constellation Deployments" which deals with space debris.

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Hubble Views a Colorful Demise of a Sun-like Star

This star is ending its life by casting off its outer layers of gas, which formed a cocoon around the star's remaining core. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cMFYGB

Shaking Hands with Pele

ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/22/2016

Story Time From Space: FE-6 completed the video recording that was started yesterday that demonstrates how a balance scale can be used to exhibit balance in microgravity.  Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded aboard the ISS. Crew members read five science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related children’s books in orbit, and complete simple science concept experiments. Crew members videotape themselves reading the books and completing demonstrations. Video and data collected during the demonstrations are downlinked to the ground and posted in a video library with accompanying educational materials.  Water Monitoring Suite – Microbial Monitoring System (WMS-MMS): FE-6 performed two MMS runs today.  Both runs were obtained from the Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) water analysis sample bag, and analysis will be performed on ISS unfiltered water.  The first utilized a low DNA concentration pouch, the second the high DNA concentration pouch. The WMS is a set of hardware that monitors microbes, silica and organic material in the water supply on the ISS. The hardware ensures crew members can test and monitor the safety of their water supplies on future space missions, especially on long-duration missions to Mars, asteroids or other destinations where Earth-based testing would be difficult or impossible.  Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Hydraulic Components Remove & Replace (R&R): The crew performed preventive maintenance to R&R the urine valve block, urine lines, urine pressure sensors and WHC flush water tank empty pressure sensor. Ocular Ultrasounds:  FE-5 and FE-6 assisted each other in performing routine medical eye imaging ultrasound.  The ultrasound images will be used to identify changes in globe morphology and document optic nerve sheath diameter, optic nerve sheath tortuosity, globe axial measurements, and choroidal engorgement. Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. In Flight Maintenance Starboard Crew Quarters Light Installation JAXA Video Taking Part 6 Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations EHS Carbon Dioxide Monitor Data Download SPLANKH. SPLANHOGRAF Setup, Initiate EGEG Recording SEISMOPROGNOZ. Downlink data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (МКСД) Hard Drive (start) Story Time from Space Balance Demonstration Story Time From Space  Historical Photo In-Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Tool Gather Progress 432 [AO] Stowage Ops with IMS Support Microbial Monitoring System MWA Preparation Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Water Hydraulics Components R&R Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis Microbial Monitoring System Sample Setup Environmental Health System (EHS) – Intravehicular Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (IV-TEPC) Relocate Increment 49 Safety Video Follow-Up Health Maintenance System (HMS) Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) SPLANKH. Terminate EGEG Recording. Closeout Ops Microbial Monitoring System Sample SEISMOPROGNOZ. Download data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (МКСД) HDD (end) and start backup В3 Fan Screen Cleaning in MRM2 Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill OTKLIK. Hardware Monitoring Verification of ИП-1 Flow Sensor Position Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan СОЖ maintenance IMS Delta File Prep Ultrasound 2 Guided Data Export Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Post Exam Microbial Monitoring System Sample Setup Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config LAB Setup Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record Microbial Monitoring System Sample Flight Director/ISS CREW CONFERENCE Microbial Monitoring System Data Transfer  Completed Task List Items EVA Tool Stow Part 4 CO2 Monitor Data Download Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE) Procedure Review MWA Preparations for CFE Experiment Ground Activities All activities were completed otherwise noted. Data bus characterization Test (LB_PMCU_2 and LB_PMCU_4) Battery 2B1 Capacity Test Three-Day Look Ahead: Friday, 09/23: Plant RNA, Cubesat Deployer Removal from MPEP, HRF Resupply, Lab MCA Pumpout Saturday, 09/24: Weekly Housekeeping, Crew Off Duty, Finemotor test Sunday, 09/25: Crew Off Duty  QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                               Component Status Elektron On Vozdukh Manual [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) Off [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) On Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Idle Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Standby Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Process Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Off Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 Full Up  

September 23, 2016 at 12:00AM
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Sunset at Edmontonhenge

On September 18, the setting Sun illuminated both sides of the steep brick and steel canyon otherwise known as Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, planet Earth. The Stonehenge-like alignment is captured from the middle of the road in this daring snapshot. In Edmonton streets are laid out on a grid almost oriented along the cardinal directions, so aligned Edmonton sunsets (and sunrises) occur along the nearly east-west streets twice a year, close to the Equinox. In fact, at today's Equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator at 1421 UT and on this day the Sun will rise due east and set due west, bringing approximately equal hours of day and night to denizens of planet Earth. The September Equinox marks the astronomical beginning of Fall in the north and Spring in the southern hemisphere. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cTwMRD

NASA Launches iTech Innovation Program for the Journey to Mars and Beyond

NASA iTech Fosters Technology Needed for Journey to Mars

"NASA is seeking innovative technology for the agency's future exploration missions in the solar system and beyond, including the Journey to Mars, from other U.S. government agencies, academia, the aerospace industry and the public through the new iTech initiative."

"NASA's iTech initiative is a yearlong effort to find innovative ideas through a call for white papers that address challenges that will fill gaps in five critical areas identified by NASA as having a potential impact on future exploration. The technology areas are: radiation protection; life support systems in space; astronaut crew health; in-space propulsion; and the ability to achieve very high-resolution measurements of key greenhouse gases."

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Juno and Marble Movie update at Apojove 1

Juno is on its second of two long orbits around Jupiter, reaching apojove (its farthest distance from the planet) today.

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Practicing Orion Spacecraft Recovery After Splashdown

A group of U.S. Navy divers, Air Force pararescuemen and Coast Guard rescue swimmers practice Orion underway recovery techniques in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to prepare for the first test flight of an uncrewed Orion spacecraft with the agency’s Space Launch System rocket during Exploration Mission (EM-1). via NASA http://ift.tt/2cZqSuR

As SpaceX Heads to Mars with its Red Dragon Program, NASA Tags Along, A Win-Win for Both

NASA FISO Presentation: NASA Collaboration with SpaceX's Red Dragon Mission

"Now available is the September 21, 2016 NASA Future In-Space Operations (FISO) telecon material. The speakers was Philip McAlister (NASA HQ) who discussed "NASA Collaboration with SpaceX's Red Dragon Mission".

Note: The audio file and presentation are online and available to download.

NASA to have limited role in SpaceX's planned Mars campaign, Spaceflight Now

"Expertise, input and advice from seasoned NASA engineers will improve SpaceX's chances of nailing the first commercial landing on Mars as soon as late 2018, a senior space agency official said Wednesday, but Elon Musk's space transport company will likely seek more independence from U.S. government support on later expeditions to the red planet."

Programming note: SpaceRef will broadcast live Elon Musk's presentation, Making Humans a Multiplanetary Species, from the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara next week on Tuesday, September 27 at 12:30 pm ET.

Marc's note: We certainly live in a new age of exploration when a private space company is embarking on a mission that no government has yet to undertake.

That mission, to send an uncrewed technology demonstration human spacecraft mission to land on Mars has never been attempted. And make no mistake this is not the spacecraft that SpaceX would send to Mars with humans. It's a technology demonstration. The data collected by this mission will be invaluable to future manned missions to Mars and elsewhere.

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ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/21/2016

Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber Adapter Plate Attachment: FE-5 installed the Combustion Chamber adapter plate in the MSPR Work Volume.  Next week, the crew will be installing and with ground support, initiating the Group Combustion experiment. The Group Combustion investigation tests a theory that fuel sprays change from partial to group combustion as flames spread across a cloud of droplets. In the Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack in the Kibo module, droplets of decane, a component of gasoline or kerosene, are arranged randomly on thin-fiber lattice points, and the flame and droplet positions and temperature distribution are measured as the flame spreads. Microgravity blocks convection, which on Earth would quickly disperse the droplets and combustion products before such measurements could be made. Personal Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitor: FE-6 donned four Personal CO2 Monitors, wearing them for several hours attached to various locations on the crew’s clothes.  The crewmember then doffed the monitors, downloaded the data, powered off and stowed the monitors.  The Personal CO2 Monitor demonstrates a new capability to continuously monitor the astronauts’ immediate surroundings on the ISS.  All human spacecraft must be designed with environmental control systems that remove CO2 from the air that their crews breathe, but the space environment can still lead to “pockets” of CO2 that are difficult to detect and remove. The Personal CO2 Monitor demonstrates a system capable of unobtrusively collecting and downlinking individual crew members’ CO2 exposure for weeks to months.  The Personal CO2 Monitor also demonstrates Modular Wearable Architecture Base Board, allowing rapid certification of future wearable devices.  Story Time From Space: FE-6 was scheduled to record a demonstration using a balance scale to show how a balance can be used to compare mass in a free-fall/microgravity environment.  The setup of the activity ran longer than expected, and the crew will perform the actual experiment in the morning.  Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded aboard the ISS. Crew members read five science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related children’s books in orbit, and complete simple science concept experiments. Crew members videotape themselves reading the books and completing demonstrations. Video and data collected during the demonstrations are downlinked to the ground and posted in a video library with accompanying educational materials. Eye Exams:  FE-5 and FE-6 assisted each other in performing routine eye exams using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and fundoscopy hardware. OCT is used to measure retinal thickness, volume, and retinal nerve fiber layer, and the fundoscope is used to obtain images of the retinal surface.   Today’s Planned Activities All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted. In Flight Maintenance Starboard Crew Quarters Light Installation JAXA Video Taking Part 6 JEM OA-5 Trash Preparation Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations – Subject EHS Carbon Dioxide Monitor Data Download Biochemical urine test Regenegation of Micropurification unit (БМП) Ф2 cartridge (begin) Manufacturing Device Print Removal, Clean and Stow Multi Omics FOS Preparation Meteor Hard Drive Swapout PILOT-T. Preparation for the experiment Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber Adapter Plate Attachment. PILOT-T. Experiment Ops. Manufacturing Device Velcro Attach Environmental Health System (EHS) – Coliform Water Sample Analysis Crew Arrival Prep PILOT-Т. Closeout Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT Setup Filling ЕДВ (KOВ) for Elektron Story Time from Space Balance Demonstration Story Time From Space  Historical Photo Clean Bench (CB) Valve Checkout (Deferred) СОЖ maintenance Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System O2 Repress Part 1 Health Maintenance System (HMS) – OCT Exam Cleaning of ЦВ1 circulation fan mesh screen Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT Stow Personal CO2 Monitor Crew Survey Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System O2 Repress Part 2 Health Maintenance System (HMS) Eye Exam – Fundoscope SPLANH. Preparation for experiment Health Maintenance System (HMS) CMO – Fundoscope Health Maintenance System (HMS) Fundoscope Tear Down and Stow Completed Task List Items Node 1 Dragon Unpack EVA Tool Stow Part 4 (Active) Ground Activities All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted. PCA Repress from NORS O2 Tank BEAM SSC software update TRRJ Survey  Three-Day Look Ahead: Thursday, 09/22: Ultrasound Scan, Water Hydraulics Components R&R, MMS sample, Increment 48 Safety Video Follow-Up Friday, 09/23: Plant RNA, Cubesat Deployer Removal from MPEP, HRF Resupply, Lab MCA Pumpdown Saturday, 09/24: Weekly Housekeeping, Crew Off Duty QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                               Component Status Elektron On Vozdukh Manual [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) Off [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) On Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Idle Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Standby Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Standby Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Off Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 Full Up  

September 22, 2016 at 12:00AM
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An Exploding Volcano Slowed Global Warming. Briefly.

Will Congress Get the 2016 NASA Transition Authorization Act and Other Bills Approved?

Senate Commerce and House SS&T Committees Approve Space Bills, Space Policy Online

"The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee each held markups today of space-related legislation. The Senate committee approved the 2016 NASA Transition Authorization Act and the INSPIRE Women Act. The House committee approved the TREAT Astronauts Act. Congress is only scheduled to be in session for a few more weeks in 2016, but if all parties are sufficiently motivated to reach compromise, there is more than enough time to get the bills to the President's desk before the end of the 114th Congress."

"The bill authorizes $19.508 billion for NASA for FY2017. It does not address funding beyond that one year, which begins October 1. The total is the same as approved by the House Appropriations Committee in its version of the FY2017 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill, which has not been considered by the House yet. It is $202 million more than the Senate Appropriations Committee approved. The money is allocated to NASA's budget accounts in line with the Senate Appropriations CJS bill except that the extra $202 million is added to the Exploration account, which pays for SLS and Orion."

Marc's note: While Marcia almost sounds optimistic, there isn't much time left to get these bills passed. As usual, leaving bills to the last minute is par for the course. We'll see what jockeying occurs in the next few weeks.

Related:

- Commerce Approves NASA Transition Act, BOTS Act, and 3 Other Bills
- Chairman John Thune - Majority Statement - NASA Transition Act, 4 Other Bills
- Senator Bill Nelson - Minority Statement - NASA Transition Act, 4 Other Bills
- Bipartisan Astronaut Health Bill Passes Out of Committee
- The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Congratulates Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Approval of NASA Transition Authorization Act
- CompTIA Supports NASA Authorization Bill

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Has China Lost Control of Tiangong-1?

China's Tiangong-1 space station 'out of control' and will crash to Earth, The Guardian

"China's first space station is expected to come crashing down to Earth next year, fuelling concerns that Chinese space authorities have lost control of the 8.5-tonne module."

"Based on our calculation and analysis, most parts of the space lab will burn up during falling," the deputy director of China's manned space engineering office, Wu Ping, was quoted as saying by official news agency Xinhua."

"Jonathan McDowell, renowned Harvard astrophysicist and space industry enthusiast, said the announcement suggested China had lost control of the station and that it would re-enter the Earth's atmosphere "naturally."

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Where to find rapidly released space image data

Interested in playing with recent space image data? Here's a list of places to get the freshest photos from space.

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NASA iTech Fosters Technology Needed for Journey to Mars

NASA is seeking innovative technology for the agency’s future exploration missions in the solar system and beyond, including the Journey to Mars, from other U.S. government agencies, academia, the aerospace industry and the public through the new iTech initiative.

September 21, 2016
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One Billion Base Pairs Sequenced on the Space Station

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins checks a sample for air bubbles prior to loading it in the biomolecule sequencer. When Rubins’ expedition began, zero base pairs of DNA had been sequenced in space. Within just a few weeks, she and the Biomolecule Sequencer team had sequenced their one billionth base of DNA aboard the orbiting laboratory. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cRwlW4

Jack Garman one of the Wonder Boys of the Apollo 11 Flight Control Team Passes Away

Jack Garman, NASA engineer who 'saved' Apollo 11 from alarms, dies at 72

"John "Jack" Garman, a NASA engineer whose knowledge of the computer aboard Apollo 11 saved the historic first lunar landing from a last-minute abort, died on Tuesday (Sept. 20). He was 72."

Steve Bales and Jack Garman: Wonder Boys of the Apollo 11 Flight Control Team By Craig Collins, NASA (In the NASA's Innovators and Unsung Heroes Series)

Americans who know a bit about the Apollo Space Program may recall that the first manned lunar landing - during the Apollo 11 mission - was a split-second away from being aborted. Twenty-six-year-old guidance officer Steve Bales was a key flight control team member who kept his cool while the onboard computer in the lunar module sent out a series of alarms.

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Rosetta's Final Resting Place Has Been Chosen

ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/20/2016

Japanese Experiment Module Airlock (JEMAL) Repressurization: This morning, FE-5 initiated a repress of the JEMAL then performed a leak check of the airlock.  Later this week, the crew will remove the NRCSD from the airlock.  Water Monitoring Suite – Microbial Monitoring System (WMS – MMS): FE-6 began operations with the MMS subset of the WMS experiment.  The crew reviewed an On-Board Training (OBT) video then configured the hardware to sample a low and high DNA concentration sample using the Razor Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Microbial Monitoring System.  The WMS is a set of hardware that monitors microbes, silica and organic material in the water supply on the ISS. The hardware ensures crew members can test and monitor the safety of their water supplies on future space missions, especially on long-duration missions to Mars, asteroids or other destinations where Earth-based testing would be difficult or impossible. Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) Sample Removal: FE-5 removed a sample from the ELF Experiment Volume and replaced it with a new sample.  Ground controllers will use the new sample to continue the checkout of the software and facility.  The next planned use of the ELF facility is the Group Combustion experiment, currently scheduled for next week. The Group Combustion investigation tests a theory that fuel sprays change from partial to group combustion as flames spread across a cloud of droplets. In the Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack in the Kibo module, droplets of decane, a component of gasoline or kerosene, are arranged randomly on thin-fiber lattice points, and the flame and droplet positions and temperature distribution are measured as the flame spreads. Microgravity blocks convection, which on Earth would quickly disperse the droplets and combustion products before such measurements could be made.  Eli Lilly Hard To Wet Surfaces: FE-6 set up the Hard to Wet Surfaces Sample Module image, injected buffer solutions into the sample vials then mixed all six sample vials inside the Sample Module.  The crew aligned and focused the D2Xs Camera and took manual photos utilizing EarthKAM software on the SSC. Automated photography was then initiated using the D2Xs Camera’s intervalometer. The Hard to Wet Surfaces (Eli Lilly-Hard to Wet Surfaces) investigation studies how certain materials used in the pharmaceutical industry dissolve in water while in microgravity. Results from this investigation could help improve the design of tablets that dissolve in the body to deliver drugs, thereby improving drug design for medicines used in space and on Earth. Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Closeout: The crew performed closeout following the Mouse Epigenetics experiment.  FE-5 removed, cleaned, and stowed the Mouse Habitat Unit, Glovebox, and Backup Power units.  CBEF is a JAXA subrack facility located in the Saibo (living cell) Experiment Rack. The CBEF is used in various life science experiments, such as cultivating cells and plants in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The CBEF consists of an incubator and control equipment for control and communications. The incubator unit consists of a microgravity compartment and a 1-G compartment. The 1-G compartment has a centrifuge that can control gravity from 0.1 to 2.0 G during gravity contrast experiments with the microgravity compartment. The CBEF incubator can control temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration for cultivation of cells and plants.  Today’s Planned Activities All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted. ВКС Laptops Antivirus software checkout Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test Regeneration of Micropurification unit (БМП) Ф1cartridge (begin) JEM Airlock Press Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test Microbial Monitoring System On-Board Training Review Laptop vent grills maintenance Microbial Monitoring System Hardware Gather Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire Microbial Monitoring System MWA Preparation JEM Airlock Leak Check KOSMOKARD. Closeout XF305 Camcorder Setup Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) Sample Removal Laptop vent grills maintenance Microbial Monitoring System Sample Setup Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill Flushing of БВ1, БВ2 connectors of Progress #432 (Aft) Rodnik system Dose Tracker Data Entry Subject Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup Microbial Monitoring System Sample PAO Preparation Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM Mouse Epigenetics Closeout Part2 Microbial Monitoring System Data Transfer Glove Box Closeout 5 Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Processing ТГК 63P stowage operations with the use of IMS (СИ) Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Configuration Change 2 Plug-in Plan Universal Serial Bus Charger Deploy Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Backup Power Retrieve Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix. 48 Soyuz Wireless Station Support Computer (SSC) Connect Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix. Habitability Walk-through Video – Subject Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix. Delta file prep СОЖ maintenance Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix Set 2 Hard To Wet Surfaces OBT Review Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix. Crew Medical Officer (CMO) On Board Training (OBT) Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix Set 3 Hard To Wet Surfaces Sample Remix Set 4 CONTENT. Experiment Ops URISYS Hardware Setup Hard To Wet Surfaces Image Transfer SPLANKH. Diet Restrictions Reminder Regeneration of Micropurification unit (БМП) Ф1 cartridge (finish) Completed Task List Items Manufacturing Device Print Removal, Clean and Stow Orbital Trash Prep  Ground Activities All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted. Battery 4B1 Reconditioning Plasma Contactor Unit (PCU) Annual Checkout Three-Day Look Ahead: Wednesday, 09/21: Ocular Health, Personal CO2 Monitor, Clean Bench Valve Checkout, MSPR Combustion Chamber Adapter Plate Thursday, 09/22: Ultrasound Scan, Water Hydraulics Components R&R, MMS sample Friday, 09/23: Plant RNA, Cubesat Deployer Removal from MPEP QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                               Component Status Elektron On Vozdukh Manual [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) On [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) Off Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Idle Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Standby Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Process Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Off Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) […]

September 21, 2016 at 12:00AM
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Five things we learned from our #RocketRoadTrip

We're back from our #RocketRoadTrip through four states with NASA field centers involved in the agency's Journey to Mars program. We'll be sorting through our material for quite some time, but meanwhile, here are five key things we learned.

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The Helix Nebula in Infrared

What makes this cosmic eye look so red? Dust. The featured image from the robotic Spitzer Space Telescope shows infrared light from the well-studied Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) a mere 700 light-years away in the constellation of the Water Carrier Aquarius. The two light-year diameter shroud of dust and gas around a central white dwarf has long been considered an excellent example of a planetary nebula, representing the final stages in the evolution of a Sun-like star. But the Spitzer data show the nebula's central star itself is immersed in a surprisingly bright infrared glow. Models suggest the glow is produced by a dust debris disk. Even though the nebular material was ejected from the star many thousands of years ago, the close-in dust could have been generated by collisions in a reservoir of objects analogous to our own solar system's Kuiper Belt or cometary Oort cloud. Had the comet-like bodies formed in the distant planetary system, they would have survived even the dramatic late stages of the star's evolution. via NASA http://ift.tt/2d57iOX

NASA to Hold Media Call on Evidence of Surprising Activity on Europa

NASA will host a teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 26, to present new findings from images captured by the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa.

September 20, 2016
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Some beautiful new (old) views of Neptune and Triton

Beautiful new amateur work with 27-year-old Voyager data.

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NASA Future In-Space Operations: Low-Latency Teleoperations for the Evolvable Mars Campaign

NASA FISO Presentation: Low-Latency Teleoperations for the Evolvable Mars Campaign

"Now available is the September 7, 2016 NASA Future In-Space Operations (FISO) telecon material. The speakers were Mark Lupisella, Jack Bleacher and Michael Wright of NASA GSFC who discussed "Low-Latency Teleoperations for the Evolvable Mars Campaign".

Note: The audio file and presentation are online and available to download.

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David Weaver Is Leaving NASA

Keith's note: Sources report that NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications David Weaver is leaving the agency for a position at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

David S. Weaver, NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications

"David Weaver became NASA's associate administrator for the Office of Communications on July 18, 2010. Weaver is a senior public administration professional with 25 years of experience in government, politics, media relations and public policy."

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Space Station Flight Over the Southern Tip of Italy

The southern tip of Italy is visible in this image taken by the Expedition 49 crew aboard the International Space Station on Sept. 17, 2016. The brightly lit city of Naples can be seen in the bottom section of the image. A Russian Soyuz spacecraft can be seen in the foreground. via NASA http://ift.tt/2cAAbBy

ISS Crew Could be Short Staffed for Another Month and Half

Manned flights to ISS to be rescheduled -- Roscosmos, TASS

"The schedule of manned flights to the International Space Station (ISS) will be changed after the launch of Soyuz MS-02 spacecraft was postponed due to technical malfunction, the press service of Russian space agency Roscosmos told reporters on Tuesday."

Marc's note: Originally scheduled for this Friday, the launch of the Soyuz MS-02 has been delayed until November 1 though it has also been reported by Interfax that October 12th was also considered.

There is an unspecified issue with the Soyuz MS-02 spacecraft. Plans for a November 16th launch of the follow-on Soyuz MS-03 are proceeding as planned with no issues. So is this a one-off issue? Or could the issue crop up on Soyuz MS-03?

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