Media are invited to learn about NASA’s deep space exploration plans and view hardware for the world’s most powerful rocket, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), at the agency’s Rocket Day, Wednesday, Oct. 11, at NASA locations in Mississippi and Louisiana.
September 29, 2017
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2017年9月29日 星期五
ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/28/2017
MagVector: The crew completed setup activities and began the 7-day MagVector #14 experiment run. The European Space Agency (ESA) MagVector investigation studies how Earth’s magnetic field interacts with an electrical conductor. Using extremely sensitive magnetic sensors placed around and above a conductor, researchers can gain insight into ways that the magnetic field influences how conductors work. This research not only helps improve future International Space Station experiments and electrical experiments, but it could offer insights into how magnetic fields influence electrical conductors in general, the backbone of our technology. At Home in Space Questionnaire and Photo: The crew took photos to document ISS culture in support of the At Home in Space investigation. This Canadian Space Agency experiment assesses culture, values, and psychosocial adaptation of astronauts to a space environment shared by multinational crews on long-duration missions. It is hypothesized that astronauts develop a shared space culture that is an adaptive strategy for handling cultural differences and they deal with the isolated confined environment of the spacecraft by creating a home in space. At Home in Space uses a questionnaire to investigate individual and culturally related differences, family functioning, values, coping with stress, and post-experience growth. Circadian Rhythms: The 51S crewmember removed and stowed the Double Sensors and Thermolab Unit equipment that was used to complete a 36 hour Circadian Rhythms session that began on Tuesday. Circadian Rhythms investigates the role of synchronized circadian rhythms, or the “biological clock,” and how it changes during long-duration spaceflight. Researchers hypothesize that a non-24-hour cycle of light and dark affects crewmembers’ circadian clocks. The investigation also addresses the effects of reduced physical activity, microgravity and an artificially controlled environment. Changes in body composition and body temperature, which also occur in microgravity, can affect crewmembers’ circadian rhythms as well. Understanding how these phenomena affect the biological clock will improve performance and health for future crewmembers. Two Phase Flow: The crew setup the Two Phase Flow laptop in the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR). The Two Phase Flow investigation seeks to build a database on the heat transfer efficiency of liquids in space that can be used in the design of high-performance thermal management systems for future space platforms. Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Camera Robot: Following yesterday’s checkout activities, today the crew conducted a cable swap to allow the ground team to perform a software update. This device is a free-flying camera robot that provides real time video downlink and photographs. It is expected to reduce the crew time requirements to support video recording of activities, especially at the blind spot of existing JEM internal cameras. Meteor Hard Disk Drive and Antivirus Update: The crew removed and replaced the hard drive in the Meteor laptop located in the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF) and transfered an updated Antivirus file to the laptop. The Meteor payload is a visible spectroscopy instrument with the primary purpose of observing meteors in Earth orbit. Meteor uses image analysis to provide information on the physical and chemical properties of the meteoroid dust, such as size, density, and chemical composition. Since the parent comets or asteroids for most of the meteor showers are identified, the study of the meteoroid dust on orbit provides information about the parent comets and asteroids. Device for the study of Critical Liquids and Crystallization) DECLIC Hose Relocation: The DECLIC supply and return hoses from the Upper Control Panel (UCP) to the Lower Control Panel (LCP) were relocated to continue troubleshooting the moderate temperature loop (MTL) flow issues to the DECLIC directional solidification insert (DSL). DECLIC is a multi-user facility utilized to study transparent media and their phase transitions in microgravity onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The DSI portion of the DECLIC multi-user facility experiment will study a series of benchmark experiments on transparent alloys that freeze like metals under microgravity onboard the International Space Station (ISS) using SCN (succinonitrile-a transparent organic substance in the liquid state that is used to study the phenomena related to solidification processes) based alloys. The DSI insert will be installed for the second run of the three series of DECLIC experiments. Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device (SLAMMD) Hardware Setup and Control Run: The crew performed a SLAMMD control run by setting up the calibration arm and attaching the calibration mass, prior to setting the software to implement a control run and payload body mass measurement. SLAMMD follows Newton’s Second Law of Motion by having two springs generate a known force against a crewmember mounted on an extension arm, the resulting acceleration being used to calculate the subject’s mass. The device is accurate to 0.5 pounds over a range from 90 pounds to 240 pounds. Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) preparations: Today the crew configured EVA tools, inspected the EVA Mobility Unit (EMU) Sublimators, performed an EMU loop scrub, filled the Liquid Cooled Ventilation Garment (LCVG), recharged the EMU water, and performed a conductivity test on that water in preparation for the upcoming trio of EVAs in October. The goals of the EVAs include Remove and Replace (R&R) of a Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Latching End Effector (LEE), lubrication of the LEEs, and R&R of two external cameras. Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Reminder for On-Orbit Fitcheck Verification (OFV) RELAXATSIYA. Charging battery for Relaksatstiya experiment (initiate) At Home In Space Culture Photo Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Scrub iPad Air 2 Install Part 1 Rechecking basic sets of Quick Release Screw Clamps (ЗВБ) in MRM1 and DC1. Video recording and downlink via OCA. Tagup with specialists as necessary European Modular Cultivation System Gas Valve Close Equipment Lock (E-LK) Preparation JEM Camera Robot Cable Swap Replacement of Pretreat Container (E-K) and hose, Replacement of Pretreat and Water Dispenser (ДкиВ) in [АСУ]. [АСУ] Activation after Replacement Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Subject Preparing For Upcoming MagVector Science Run Circadian Rhythms Deinstrumentation Two Phase Flow(TPF) Experiment Laptop Terminal 2(ELT2) Relocation Two Phase Flow(TPF) MMA Laptop Terminal 2(MLT2) […]
September 29, 2017 at 12:00AM
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NASA Opens Media Accreditation for November Space Station Cargo
Media accreditation is open for the launch of the eighth Orbital ATK cargo resupply flight to the International Space Station from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
September 29, 2017
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95 Minutes Over Jupiter
This sequence of color-enhanced images shows how quickly the viewing geometry changes for NASA’s Juno spacecraft as it swoops by Jupiter. via NASA http://ift.tt/2yMOui7
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk updates Mars colonization plans
Jason Davis • September 29, 2017
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk updates Mars colonization plans
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk presented an updated version of his Mars colonization plans today, during a widely anticipated talk at the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia.
The new concept features a slightly smaller rocket and spacecraft designed for a broader range of applications beyond Mars, including a Moon base and point-to-point Earth transport. SpaceX will eventually phase out its Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon vehicles completely, relying on its new Mars architecture for all missions.
Today's plans are an evolution of the concept Musk revealed at last year's International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico. That presentation unveiled an audacious plan to place a million people on Mars in 40 to 100 years. The updated concept does not drastically depart from SpaceX's original plan, but does add insights into how the new rocket and spacecraft—which Musk estimated would cost $10 billion to develop—might be funded.
"The most important thing I want to convey in this presentation is that I think we have figured out how to pay for it," Musk said.
SpaceX
SpaceX vehicles on Mars
An evolving concept
Musk's plan to colonize Mars revolves around a large rocket, codenamed the BFR, which blasts a spaceship carrying up to 100 people into orbit before returning to the launch pad for an upright landing. The rocket then blasts off again carrying a fresh load of fuel for the transport ship. The colonists then depart for Mars.
During landing, 99 percent of the vehicle's energy will be shed by trawling through Mars' atmosphere, Musk said, before a final landing burn settles the vehicle onto the Martian surface.
As for the booster itself, it is now shorter, smaller in width and equipped with less engines. This table shows how the vehicle concept has evolved:
Paying for it
In order to make the rocket affordable, Musk said SpaceX will rely on cost savings from reusability, as well as combining all of the company's vehicles into a single product line.
"We want to have one booster and ship that replaces Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon," he said. "If we can do that, all those resources can be applied to this system."
Musk said the larger transport ship would enhance the company's core business offering: launching satellites. He showed off an artist's concept of a Mars craft deploying a supersized-version of the Hubble Space Telescope into Earth orbit, and also said the transport ship could capture defunct satellites and other space debris for return to Earth.
Another possible SpaceX revenue stream is Moon landings.
NASA currently plans to construct a small space station in lunar orbit called the Deep Space Gateway that could serve as a jumping-off point for commercial or international partners interested in landing on the Moon. There is speculation the Trump administration might direct NASA to get more involved with surface operations, leading multiple companies to present lunar vehicle concepts that could compete for government funding. Notably, Lockheed Martin presented a Mars lander of its own earlier today, and said the design was flexible enough for lunar applications.
Musk also said a single tank of fuel, delivered in Earth orbit, would be enough for the transport ship to travel to the lunar surface and return.
A final, equally ambitious revenue stream for the project could be point-to-point Earth flights. SpaceX released a new video depicting a 39-minute passenger flight from New York to Shanghai.
SpaceX
SpaceX Moon base
Details, details
Like last year's talk, Musk's presentation was big on aspiration but short on detail. He spoke for less than an hour, and did not take questions from the audience.
SpaceX's previous plan called for landing its first transport ship on Mars in 2022. The timeline Musk gave today was similar; two cargo landers would land on Mars in 2022, with four vehicles launching in 2024. Two of those 2024 ships would be crewed, meaning, in Musk's timeline, humans could walk on Mars in just seven years.
"That's not a typo," he said. "Though it is aspirational."
SpaceX is known for its overly ambitious timelines. The company's yet-to-be-launched Falcon Heavy was originally slated to fly as early as late 2013. On average, major SpaceX predications are delayed by about two years.
Musk did, however, note the company was on track to launch up to 30 rockets in 2018—roughly half the world's missions. His goal of using that success to fulfill his Mars dreams does not appear to have diminished.
"Fundamentally, the future is vastly more exciting if we're a spacefaring civilization and a multi-planet species than if we're not," he said.
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Planetary Society Is For And Against Mars Colonization Or Something
Ready for the #SpaceX presentation at #IAC2017 🚀 http://pic.twitter.com/uagp9Lnux9
— Planetary Society (@exploreplanets) September 29, 2017
+100 RT @starstryder: RT @SciBry: The highs and lows of the last week remind us why the future must be in robotic, not crewed, space flight.
— Emily Lakdawalla (@elakdawalla) November 12, 2014
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SpaceX Just Declared SLS To Be Irrelevant
One thing to notice about the @ElonMusk #IAC2017 presentation - no mention of @NASA_SLS. #irrelevant
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 29, 2017
Its the future everyone #IAC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/gBg8TYcS1i
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 29, 2017
And of course @ElonMusk wants to carry more cargo to the ISS #IAC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/wrAEoSMWWI
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 29, 2017
Comparing #BFR and Saturn V #IAC2017 http://pic.twitter.com/BvG2JV2Vt9
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 29, 2017
Live webcast from #IAC2017 with @ElonMusk describing his plans for the Moon and Mars https://t.co/0wxLf7iyGS starts at 12:30 am EDT http://pic.twitter.com/MFfZUjpBRY
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 29, 2017
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Puppis A Supernova Remnant
Driven by the explosion of a massive star, supernova remnant Puppis A is blasting into the surrounding interstellar medium about 7,000 light-years away. At that distance, this colorful telescopic field based on broadband and narrowband optical image data is about 60 light-years across. As the supernova remnant (upper right) expands into its clumpy, non-uniform surroundings, shocked filaments of oxygen atoms glow in green-blue hues. Hydrogen and nitrogen are in red. Light from the initial supernova itself, triggered by the collapse of the massive star's core, would have reached Earth about 3,700 years ago. The Puppis A remnant is actually seen through outlying emission from the closer but more ancient Vela supernova remnant, near the crowded plane of our Milky Way galaxy. Still glowing across the electromagnetic spectrum Puppis A remains one of the brightest sources in the X-ray sky. via NASA http://ift.tt/2xOgBiH
2017年9月28日 星期四
Another Big Launch Delay For Webb Space Telescope
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to be Launched Spring 2019
"The change in launch timing is not indicative of hardware or technical performance concerns," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate at Headquarters in Washington. "Rather, the integration of the various spacecraft elements is taking longer than expected." ... The additional environmental testing time of the fully assembled observatory--the telescope and the spacecraft--will ensure that Webb will be fully tested before launching into space. All the rigorous tests of the telescope and the spacecraft to date show the mission is meeting its required performance levels. Existing program budget accommodates the change in launch date, and the change will not affect planned science observations."
- Webb, The Giant Money Sponge, earlier post (2010)
- GAO Assessment of NASA Includes a Look at Webb's Overruns, earlier post (2012)
- TRW Selected as Prime Contractor To Build NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, earlier post (2002)
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Earth flyby tests OSIRIS-REx's cameras
Emily Lakdawalla • September 28, 2017
Earth flyby tests OSIRIS-REx's cameras
As expected, OSIRIS-REx's Earth flyby on September 22 was a success. The spacecraft coasted past Antarctica at 16:52 UT, using Earth's gravity to bend the spacecraft's trajectory onto a course toward Bennu's tilted orbit. It hit its target within 6 kilometers and 1 second, principal investigator Dante Lauretta says. The next time OSIRIS-REx returns to Earth, on September 24, 2023, it will be carrying samples of asteroid material.
NASA / GSFC / UA
Ocean world from OSIRIS-REx MapCam
OSIRIS-REx flew past Earth on September 22, 2017 and took this photo shortly after. The Pacific Ocean covers nearly the entire visible globe. The Sun is nearly behind the spacecraft, and a bright area on the ocean near the center of the view is specular reflection from the watery surface. The image is a composite of three photos taken through infrared, green, and blue filters. The infrared filter causes land that would appear green to appear red. "Icicles" at the top are caused by detector read-out register bleed-through, which occurs at the very short exposure times required for a close-up view of a bright planet.
Most of OSIRIS-REx's science instruments turned on after the flyby in order to train themselves on the receding Earth-Moon system. The observation sequences were very similar to what the spacecraft will do during proximity ops at Bennu. The main difference was camera exposure time: Bennu has a very low albedo, so exposure times for brighter Earth had to be set very short. In addition to instrument checkout, the flyby also gave the team operational practice. They are geographically distributed in multiple locations, so this was the first time to see how everything flowed together. Everything flowed great, and the result is some lovely images of our home worlds.
NASA / GSFC / UA
OSIRIS-REx' first departing view of Earth after flyby
This image was taken from a range of 110,000 kilometers, following the September 22, 2017 Earth Gravity Assist flyby. It was captured by NavCam 1, a wide-angle black-and-white imager that is one of three cameras comprising TAGCAMS (the Touch-and-Go Camera System), which is part of OSIRIS-REx’s guidance, navigation, and control system. NavCam images will track starfields and landmarks on Bennu to determine the spacecraft position during mission operations. It has been cropped and rotated so that Earth’s north pole is located at the top. The Baja Peninsula is visible above and to the right of center. Cloud cover and the Pacific Ocean dominate most of the image, but Hurricane Maria and the remnants of Hurricane Jose can be seen in the far upper-right portion of the image, off the east coast of the United States.
Deputy principal investigator Heather Enos said all data was received as expected. It's not at all uncommon for at least one instrument to go into safe mode during early operational activities like Earth flybys, so OSIRIS-REx's success bodes well for the robustness of the mission. Other early data, from OSIRIS-REX's hunt for Trojan asteroids accompanying Earth in its orbit, revealed that the performance of its highest-resolution PolyCam was better than expected. The better performance means they can begin attempting to spot Bennu as early as July, although they may not spot it until August.
NASA / GSFC / UA
OSIRIS-REx NavCam view of Earth and the Moon together
This black-and-white image of the Earth-Moon system was captured on September 25, 2017 by the wide-angle NavCam 1 on OSIRIS-REx. At the time this image was taken, the spacecraft was retreating from Earth after performing an Earth Gravity Assist maneuver on September 22. Earth and the Moon are 401,200 kilometers apart, and the spacecraft is 1,297,000 kilometers from Earth and 1,185,000 kilometers from the Moon.
Expect more Earth flyby images to be released every dew days. Sadly, the mission has no plans to release raw image data as past missions have done. However, Enos said they do plan on relatively rapid data release to the Planetary Data System, with quarterly deliveries of data from the period 3 to 6 months prior.
Since the Earth flyby there have been three five-hour periods of science observations, one just a few hours after closest approach, one on September 24 from a range of about 1.2 million kilometers, one yesterday from 3 million kilometers. One more, on October 1, will be at a range of 5 million kilometers. Why wait until they're so far away?
Remember what OSIRIS-REx was designed to do. It's supposed to map and then approach very closely to a very small object. Bennu's size is estimated at about 500 meters. The Moon is 7000 times larger than that, and Earth 26000 times larger. So take the distances OSIRIS-REx travels from Earth and the Moon before testing out its instruments, and divide them by 10000, and you get an idea of how Bennu might appear to OSIRIS-REx from different reasonable ranges. The four post-flyby observation periods at ranges of 100,000, a million, 3 million, and 5 million kilometers are like observing Bennu from ranges of 10, 100, 300, and 500 kilometers. (Remember this when you wonder why all of OSIRIS-REx's approach images of Bennu just look pointlike. Bennu is small.)
OSIRIS-REx has a lot of cameras. In anticipation of more pictures being released, here is a brief summary of their capabilities:
- OCAMS is a suite of three science cameras: PolyCam, MapCam, and SamCam. All share a common detector design, 1024 pixels square. (Read more here.)
- PolyCam has highest resolution (0.0139 mrad pixel scale) and narrowest field of view (0.8 degrees). It will be first to spot Bennu. It is focusable from a range of 200 meters to infinity. It is black-and-white. Bennu will become more than a pointlike object to PolyCam at a distance of about 37,000 kilometers.
- MapCam is intermediate in resolution (0.068 mrad) and field of view (4 degrees). It can take panchromatic (black-and-white) images and also has a filter wheel with 4 color filters with blue, green, and near-infrared wavelengths, so it can produce approximately natural color images. MapCam images of Earth show continents red where you would expect green because chlorophyll is highly reflective in the near-infrared. MapCam is usually in focus from 125 meters to infinity, but one of MapCam's filter positions has a panchromatic diopter lens that allows it to focus at ranges between 25 and 35 meters (without color capability). Bennu will become more than a pointlike object to MapCam at a distance of about 7500 kilometers.
- SamCam has lowest resolution (0.354 mrad) and widest field of view (20.8 degrees). It will be used to photograph sampling activities. It is in focus from 3 meters to infinity, and has a diopter that allows it to be in focus at 2 meters. Although it has a filter wheel, the filter wheel is more like a dust cover -- it contains three identical panchromatic filters so that a new one can be rotated in place if one gets covered with dust, plus the diopter and two lens caps. Bennu will become more than a pointlike object to PolyCam at a distance of about 1400 kilometers.
- TAGCAMS is a suite of three engineering cameras: two Navcams and a Stowcam. They have the same pixel format (2592 by 1944) and the same wide field of view, 44 by 32 degrees. (Read more here.)
- The Navcams have monochrome sensors and are focused at infinity. They are designed to image the asteroid and background stars down to 4th magnitude for navigation purposes. There are two for redundancy.
- Stowcam has a Bayer color sensor and is very nearsighted, focused at the distance of the sample return capsule from the camera. It is designed to document transfer of the sample to the sample return capsule.
Finally, I'll share some images not taken by OSIRIS-REx, but rather, of OSIRIS-REx. Earth flybys are special in part because we get a brief chance to lay eyes on our precious deep space travelers, even if we can only see them as points of light among the stars. Here are a few such views:
Over the weekend, Jost Jahn, using the ROTAT telescope, was the 1st individual to #SpotTheSpacecraft (green circle): https://t.co/SLhDZL3Y4q http://pic.twitter.com/M1PPx5Famb
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) September 19, 2017
The 2nd individual to #SpotTheSpacecraft (circled in green) was David Rankin, who took this image from Utah: https://t.co/bR1uFyi0U0 🔭 http://pic.twitter.com/GIIM3pJJj8
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) September 19, 2017
Takaaki Oribe caught this image of yours truly from the Saji Observatory in Japan on Sept. 18: https://t.co/QhrHf1ltCg #SpotTheSpacecraft http://pic.twitter.com/XFCXPDPDB4
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) September 21, 2017
On Sept. 20, Mike Read imaged me cruising along with the Spacewatch 0.9-m telescope on Kitt Peak: https://t.co/582fJGNZKl #SpotTheSpacecraft http://pic.twitter.com/VFp00sRQig
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) September 22, 2017
#OSIRISREx and NGC134 2017 Sep 22 15:10 UTC #iTelescopeT30 #SpotTheSpacecraft http://pic.twitter.com/96fkDj8eZp
— 井上毅（いのうえたけし） (@INOUE_Takeshi_) September 22, 2017
#SpotTheSpacecraft New observations of @OSIRISREx appearing brighter & faster in the sky as it approaches the #Earth https://t.co/5tz69x1aX3 http://pic.twitter.com/x5hpBKVWM4
— Elecnor Deimos (@ElecnorDeimos) September 22, 2017
Jason Davis contributed to this article.
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This Week in NASA History: Second Crewed Skylab Mission Splashes Down – Sept. 25, 1973
This week in 1973, the second crewed Skylab mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean following a successful 59-day mission in the orbiting laboratory. via NASA http://ift.tt/2wWUaUt
South Carolina Students to Speak with NASA Astronaut on Space Station
Students at Laing Middle School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston, will speak with a NASA astronaut living, working and doing research aboard the International Space Station at 11:30 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 2.
September 28, 2017
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ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/27/2017
Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutron (RaDI-N): After retrieving the RaDI-N hardware from the Russian crewmembers, a USOS crewmember deployed eight Space Bubble Detectors around the ISS for the Radi-N experiment. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) RaDI-N investigation will be conducted by measuring neutron radiation levels while onboard the ISS. RaDI-N uses bubble detectors as neutron monitors which have been designed to only detect neutrons and ignore all other radiation. At Home in Space Questionnaire and Photo: The crew completed an At Home in Space questionnaire and took photos to document ISS culture. This Canadian Space Agency experiment assesses culture, values, and psychosocial adaptation of astronauts to a space environment shared by multinational crews on long-duration missions. It is hypothesized that astronauts develop a shared space culture that is an adaptive strategy for handling cultural differences and they deal with the isolated confined environment of the spacecraft by creating a home in space. At Home in Space uses a questionnaire to investigate individual and culturally related differences, family functioning, values, coping with stress, and post-experience growth. Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Camera Robot: The Crew setup and activated the JEM Camera Robot before assisting ground teams with the 4th flight checkout activity. This device is a free-flying camera robot that provides real time video downlink and photographs. It is expected to reduce the crew time requirements to support video recording of activities, especially at the blind spot of existing JEM internal cameras. Veggie-01 Installation: The crew assembled the veggie hardware before installing it into the EXPRESS Rack, and conducting checkout activities. The Vegetable Production System (Veggie) is a deployable plant growth unit capable of producing salad-type crops to provide the crew with a palatable, nutritious, and safe source of fresh food and a tool to support relaxation and recreation. The Veggie facility provides lighting and nutrient delivery, but utilizes the cabin environment for temperature control and as a source of carbon dioxide to promote growth. Human Research Program (HRP) Collections (Biochemical Profile, Repository): A 51S crewmember completed the Flight Day (FD) 60 urine sample collection that began yesterday in support of the Biochemical Profile and Repository experiments. The samples were placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The Biochemical Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples are obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body. Repository is a storage bank used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. This repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions. Marrow: Today a 51S crewmember conducted breath and ambient air sample collections for the Marrow investigation, which looks at the effect of microgravity on bone marrow. It is believed that microgravity, like long-duration bed rest on Earth, has a negative effect on the bone marrow and the blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow. Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) preparations: Today the crew reviewed EVA procedures, conducted a conference with EVA specialists on the ground to review procedures, prepared the Contingency Water Container (CWC) and configured EVA tools in preparation for the upcoming trio of EVAs in October. The goals of the EVAs include Remove and Replace (R&R) of a Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Latching End Effector (LEE), lubrication of the LEEs, and R&R of two external cameras. ISS Reboost – Today ground teams commanded an ISS reboost using the Aft Progress (67P) thrusters. This reboost set up the proper conditions for a 2-Orbit rendezvous profile for the 68 Progress arrival on 10/12/17. This maneuver was the first of three burns to set up the proper conditions for the 51S landing (12/14/17) and the 53S launch and docking (12/17/17). The second burn is expected to occur on 11/02/17 and the third is expected to occur on 11/22/17. Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. Marrow Breath And Ambient Air Sample Collection – Subject HRF Generic Urine Collection Male – Subject HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations Regeneration of Micropurification Unit (БМП) Ф2 Cartridge (start Handover of Increment 53 Crew TIMER. Experiment setup and initiation of video recording ALGOMETRIYA. Pressure and Thermal Algometry preparation and measurement session. Tagup with specialists as necessary MOTOCARD. Photography of Diasled S/N 03 holster and БП-015 unit MOTOKARD. Execution experiment In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygeine Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace Monitoring closure of shutters on SM windows 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 (Note 8) Public Affairs Office (PAO) Social Media Event Health Maintenance System (HMS) – ESA Nutritional Assessment MOTOCARD. Photography of the Experiment Ops At Home In Space Culture Photo On-Orbit Hearing Assessment (O-OHA) with EarQ Software Setup and Test Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Power Up At Home In Space Questionnaire CALCIUM. Experiment Session 5 VEGGIE-01 Hardware On-Board Training VEGGIE-01 Installation TIMER. Experiment Ops Video Termination and Cleanup Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Subject PAO hardware setup. Audi/Video check with Glavny (Ku + S-band) TV conference with Channel One correspondent (Ku + S-band TV conference with Participants of the International Youth Forum “Nations Dialogue” in Bulgaria (Ku + S-band) ALGOMETRIYA. Strain Measurements Mode Verification of ИП-1 Flow Sensor Position Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Partial Stow USOS Window Shutter Close INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review Filling (separation) of ЕДВ (КОВ) for Elektron or ЕДВ-СВ Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Conference СОЖ maintenance Extra Vehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Compatible Water Container Iodine (CWC-I) Degas XF305 Camcorder Setup T61p USB Camera Setup for JEM Camera Robot Checkout JEM Camera Robot Activation […]
September 28, 2017 at 12:00AM
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Briefing, NASA Television Coverage Set for Upcoming US Spacewalks
Three American astronauts aboard the International Space Station will embark on a trio of spacewalks in October to perform station maintenance. NASA Television and the agency’s website will provide live coverage of the spacewalks, as well as a briefing to discuss the work to be performed.
September 28, 2017
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Is Mars habitable? With the right technologies, yes
Max Fagin • September 28, 2017
Is Mars habitable? With the right technologies, yes
What do we mean when we say an environment is “habitable”? When referring to exoplanets, the term “habitability” is usually equated to whether or not liquid water can exist on the planet’s surface. But that doesn’t always answer the question of whether humans can inhabit a given environment. After all, Earth’s South Pole doesn’t have liquid water on the surface. Neither does low-Earth orbit. Yet resourceful humans have been inhabiting both locations for decades.
What about Mars? Mars is on the outer boundary of our solar system’s habitable zone, and we know what looks like briny, liquid water can exist on the surface for short periods of time. But does that really make Mars habitable? From a practical standpoint, the answer depends on what technologies we bring there to create our own artificial habitable zones on the surface.
Long-term habitation on Mars will require us to master the conversion of raw Martian materials into resources we can use to survive. Fortunately, Mars has a wealth of these materials, making it arguably the most human-habitable place in the solar system, other than the Earth itself.
In a 2014 conference at the NASA Ames Research Center, Dr. Chris McKay, a planetary scientist and founding member of The Mars Society, presented a list of Mars’ most important resources that early Martian colonists would exploit to make the planet habitable. Here’s a look at each of those resources, in the order of ease McKay predicted they would be accessed:
Atmospheric CO2
Mars’ atmosphere is its most easily accessible resource, providing feedstock for manufacturing methane propellant. The chemistry involved in separating it is simple, low power, and has been employed on Earth for more than a century.
SpaceX
SpaceX Raptor
SpaceX’s Raptor engine is designed to burn methane manufactured from atmospheric CO
2on Mars.
Atmospheric N2 and argon
When pressurizing large surface habitats, an inert buffer gas minimizes the amount of oxygen required and reduces the risk of fire. The second and third most prevalent gases in Mars’ atmosphere (nitrogen and argon) fill this role very effectively, and can be easily separated with technologies borrowed from the terrestrial chemical industry.
H2O from the atmosphere and polar ice
Mars is a dry planet compared to the Earth, but compared to other celestial bodies like the moon and asteroids, its water budget is quite generous. Mars has a polar cap composed of a mixture of water-ice and CO2 dry ice, and even at non-polar latitudes, water-ice is known to exist a few meters under the surface regolith. This water can be purified and consumed, or electrolyzed to produce O2 and hydrogen, which can be further combined with atmospheric CO2 to produce a range of useful plastics.
NASA / Made In Space
3D printed multitool
A multitool 3D-printed on the ISS out of ABS, a common plastic that can be manufactured from chemicals available in the Martian atmosphere.
Perchlorates in the regolith
The greatest physiological obstacles currently standing in the way of extended habitation of the surface of Mars is arguably not radiation, but the fact that analysis of the Martian regolith by NASA’s Curiosity rover indicates the regolith is, by weight, composed of about 1 percent toxic ClO4, otherwise known as perchlorates.
To put that level perspective, the state of California recommends exposure of perchlorates be limited to .000001 percent by weight. However, assuming adequate provisions can be made to isolate Martian colonists from exposure to the regolith, or biomedical solutions can be found to the thyroid problems caused by extended perchlorate exposure, it could be used as a cheap-to-manufacture, easy-to-store, high-performance solid rocket propellant for launch vehicles.
Nitrates in the regolith
Nitrates are a useful fertilizer for Martian crops grown in Martian greenhouses from Martian regolith. NASA’s Curiosity rover found nitrates at about 1,100 parts per million in drill samples it analyzed. Perchlorates in the soil could have to be leeched out first, using water.
Basaltic Rocks
Like Earth rocks, Martian rocks are rich in metal oxides like FeO, SiO and AlO. Breaking these tightly bound oxides is an energy intensive process, but if that obstacle can be overcome, they can be mined to produce structural metals, and optical-quality glass.
Fluorine
Depending on the location, Martian rocks contain up to 10 percent fluorine by weight, in the form of fluorapatite or fluorites. While less useful for industrial manufacturing, fluorine is excellent for manufacturing perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), a family of potent greenhouse gases that, once released, remain in the Martian atmosphere for thousands of years, contributing to the greenhouse effect that Mars will require to maintain a terraformed climate and hydrosphere.
NASA, J. Bell (Cornell University), and M. Wolff (Space Science Institute)
Mars during the 2003 opposition
This photo was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope during Mars' closest approach to Earth in over 60,000 years, on August 27, 2003.
The technologies to extract and employ some of these resources have existed for more than a century (such as the ability to turn CO2 and H2 into methane). Other technologies have yet to advance beyond the lab demonstration phase. But with these and other technologies in hand, Mars would be not just habitable planet, but a second home.
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2017年9月27日 星期三
ASA And Russia Are Only Studying Deep Space Gateway - Not Building It
NASA, Roscosmos Sign Joint Statement on Researching, Exploring Deep Space
"This joint statement reflects the common vision for human exploration that NASA and Roscosmos share. Both agencies, as well as other International Space Station partners, see the gateway as a strategic component of human space exploration architecture that warrants additional study. NASA has already engaged industry partners in gateway concept studies. Roscosmos and other space station partner agencies are preparing to do the same."
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Fall 2017 issue of The Planetary Report now available
Donna Stevens • September 27, 2017
Fall 2017 issue of The Planetary Report now available
The September Equinox edition of The Planetary Report, our special Cassini issue, is ready to download here.
When one needs to convey the general concept of a planet, a photo or a drawing of Saturn does the job. Its beautiful and unique ring system makes Saturn the most iconic and photogenic world in our solar system.
Launched 20 years ago, and hard at work in the Saturn system for 13 of those years, Cassini’s views of Saturn, along with its rings and moons, became a part of our everyday lives. It’s hard to accept that, as of September 15, the spacecraft is no longer. Its conveyor belt of gifts has stopped.
However, planetary scientists have thousands of images and mountains of other Cassini data to pore over for a long time to come. From this mine of data, marvelous discoveries will continue to be ours.
The Planetary Society
September Equinox 2017 issue
Of course, it was not possible to expound much on Cassini’s achievements in these pages—we don’t have the room! But we were able to ask a handful of planetary scientists to share some highlights of the data gleaned at Saturn and to fit these insights into our growing understanding of how things work in this cosmos we inhabit.
In “The Seasonal Giant,” Leigh Fletcher describes Saturn’s storms and ever-changing atmosphere.
Luke Dones reports on what Cassini has taught us about Saturn’s ethereal and mysterious rings.
Titan needed two articles: Sarah Hörst describes Titan’s very complex atmosphere, while Elizabeth Turtle shows us Cassini-Huygens’ discoveries on its surface.
Candice Hansen-Koharcheck discusses tiny, but very active Enceladus and its relation to Saturn’s E ring.
Emily Lakdawalla devotes a page to Saturn’s panoply of moons, several of which were discovered by Cassini.
Project Scientist Linda Spilker introduces the issue, and Casey Dreier closes it by asking, “With Cassini Gone, Now What?”
The Planetary Society has supported and shared the work of the Cassini-Huygens mission from beginning to end—and beyond. That’s what we do. We help make space exploration happen. Thank you for being a part of this great adventure.
Happy reading!
Donna Stevens
Editor
The Planeary Report
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Rift on Pine Island Glacier
A new iceberg calved from Pine Island Glacier—one of the main outlets where ice from the interior of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet flows into the ocean. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite captured this natural-color image on September 21, 2017, just before the break. via NASA http://ift.tt/2yGFCud
ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/26/2017
Marrow: Today a 51S crewmember completed their Flight Day (FD) 60 breath and ambient air sample collections for the Marrow investigation, which looks at the effect of microgravity on bone marrow. It is believed that microgravity, like long-duration bed rest on Earth, has a negative effect on the bone marrow and the blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow. BioLab Glovebox Health Check: Today the crew exchanged the BioLab Glovebox gloves with new ones, and performed periodic health check of the BioLab Glovebox seals and gloves including sensors for the fan status, delta pressure, temperature and relative humidity. This procedure can also be used to perform individual ground-only checks of the Biolab Glovebox pressure, temperature, relative humidity and fan status. The BioLab is a multiuser research facility located in the Columbus laboratory. It is used to perform space biology experiments on microorganisms, cells, tissue cultures, small plants, and small invertebrates. BioLab allows scientists to study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on biological organisms. Circadian Rhythms: Today a crewmember instrumented themselves with Thermolab Double Sensors and mount the Thermolab Unit to their belt, which will begin 36 hours of monitoring for the Circadian Rhythms investigation. Circadian Rhythms investigates the role of synchronized circadian rhythms, or the “biological clock,” and how it changes during long-duration spaceflight. Researchers hypothesize that a non-24-hour cycle of light and dark affects crew members’ circadian clocks. The investigation also addresses the effects of reduced physical activity, microgravity and an artificially controlled environment. Changes in body composition and body temperature, which also occur in microgravity, can affect crew members’ circadian rhythms as well. Understanding how these phenomena affect the biological clock will improve performance and health for future crew members. Human Research Program (HRP) Collections (Biochemical Profile, Repository): A 52S crewmember completed their Flight Day (FD) 15 urine sample collections in support of the Biochemical Profile and Repository experiments. A 52S crewmember completed their FD-60 urine samples, and with operator assistance, conduct blood sample collections. The blood samples will be processed for double spin operations using the Refrigerated Centrifuge prior to being placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The Biochemical Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples are obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body. Repository is a storage bank used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. This repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions. Lighting Effects Meter Readings: The crew setup and configured the Light Meter hardware and obtained the Light Meter readings before downloading the data, and stowing the hardware. The Lighting Effects investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance. European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) Gas Valve Open: The crew manually opened the EMCS Gas Valves, which is conducted within 24 hours prior to the start of the EMCS Experiment. The European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) is an ESA experiment facility that is dedicated to studying plant biology in a reduced gravity environment. It supports the cultivation, stimulation, and crew-assisted operation of biological experiments under controlled conditions (e.g. temperature, atmospheric composition, water supply, illumination, observation, and gravity). The facility has performed multi-generation (seed-to-seed) experiments and studies the effects of gravity and light on early development and growth, signal perception and transduction in plant tropisms. Experiments with insects, amphibia, and invertebrates as well as studies with cell and tissue cultures are also foreseen in EMCS. VEG-03: The crew completed on-board training and installed the Root Mat and Plant Pillows. They powered up and set intervals, before filling Root Mats in support of the VEG-03 experiment. Veg-03 is a direct follow-on to the Veg-01 hardware validation test, which demonstrated plant growth in the Veggie facility. Organisms grow differently in space, from single-celled bacteria to plants and humans. But future long-duration space missions will require crew members to grow their own food, so understanding how plants respond to microgravity is an important step toward that goal. Veg-03 uses the Veggie plant growth facility to cultivate a type of cabbage, lettuce and mizuna which are harvested on-orbit with samples returned to Earth for testing. Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) preparations: Today the crew reviewed EVA tasks, configured tools, performed EVA Mobility Unit (EMU) fit verifications, and performed Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) checkouts in preparation for the upcoming trio of EVAs in October. The goals of the EVAs include Remove and Replace (R&R) of a Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Latching End Effector (LEE), lubrication of the LEEs, and R&R of two external cameras. Today’s Planned Activities All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Reminder for On-Orbit Fitcheck Verification (OFV) Measurements HRF Generic Urine Collection Male – Subject HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Double Spin Collection HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Double Spin HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Portable Onboard Computers (POC) Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) Software Review Inventory audit of СМО ССГО and СГО АСУ accessories Demating telemetry connector from [ТВМ] (А13). HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Conclude Stow Terminal Computer [ТВМ] (А13) Replacement. VEGGIE Software On-Board Training Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring VEG Series Experiment On-Board Training. Lighting Effects Light Meter Readings Alternate 1 VEG-03 Experiment Install Mating [ТВМ] (А13) telemetry connector. Study of cardiovascular system under graded physical CYCLE load. Gathering reference data for the development and manufacture of keys for mating / demating hydraulic connectors of the Replaceable Pump Panel СПН unit. Tagup with specialists […]
September 27, 2017 at 12:00AM
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2017年9月26日 星期二
First National Space Council Meeting Date Announced
Vice President Mike Pence Announces First Meeting of The National Space Council
"Today, Vice President Mike Pence announced the first meeting of the National Space Council is scheduled for October 5, 2017 at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The meeting, titled "Leading the Next Frontier: An Event with the National Space Council," will include testimonials from expert witnesses who represent the sectors of the space industry: Civil Space, Commercial Space, and National Security Space. ... Additional details about the meeting are forthcoming."
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Bridenstine Gets A Thumbs Up From Sean O'Keefe
Jim Bridenstine is the leader NASA needs, op ed by Sean O'Keefe, The Hill
"Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), the president's nominee for NASA administrator, is facing criticism regarding his qualifications for the job. These concerns seem to be rooted in a clear preference instead for a nominee possessing skills or experience as a scientist, engineer or technologist. Perhaps most critically, some have dismissed Bridenstine's experience as inadequate given that he is an elected politician. But if history is any guide, technical skills are not necessarily requisites for success leading this storied agency. While several previous NASA leaders were credentialed or experienced in such disciplines, this was not a clear determinant for success. And contrary to the critical view, Bridenstine arguably has the best qualifications for success given the challenges ahead."
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OSIRIS-REx Views the Earth During Flyby
A color composite image of Earth was taken on Sept. 22, 2017, by the MapCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. via NASA http://ift.tt/2xD7UHx
ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/25/2017
Human Research Program (HRP) Collections (Biochemical Profile, Repository): Over the weekend a 52S crewmember completed Flight Day (FD) 15 urine sample collections in support of the Biochemical Profile and Repository experiments. Today another 52S crewmember completed their FD-15 urine samples, and with operator assistance, conducted blood sample collections. The blood samples were processed for double spin operations using the Refrigerated Centrifuge prior to being placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The Biochemical Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples are obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body. Repository is a storage bank used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. This repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions. Lighting Effects: A 52S crewmember completed a Visual Performance Test by stowing the test hardware in their crew quarters, setting the light to the correct mode, turning all other light sources in the crew quarters off, before performing a Numerical Verification Test and a Color Discrimination Test. The completed tests were photographed and downlinked. The Lighting Effects investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance. Miniature Exercise Device (MED-2) Exercise Evaluation: 51S crewmembers exercised using MED-2 with body markers and multiple camcorders for ground evaluation. The ISS’s exercise equipment is large and bulky, while the MED-2 aims to demonstrate small robotic actuators can provide motion and resistance for crew workout sessions, reducing the size and weight of exercise equipment for long-duration space missions. The MED-2 investigation is a system to test key technologies needed to develop space based exercise equipment that may provide appropriate countermeasures to the adverse effects of microgravity. This technology is critical for the initial design and development of second and third generation Counter Measure Systems (CMS) hardware that is an order of magnitude lighter and smaller than existing ISS class of CMS hardware and that has significantly greater reliability. Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) Gas Chromatograph (GC) Installation: The crew installed the GC instrument package to support continued operations of the CIR for the upcoming ACME investigation. During the installation, the crew cleaned and contained a small leak that was noticed from a helium bottle. In an activity unrelated to today’s GC installation package, the crew checked a suspected bad cable connection to see if it was the cause of current Image Processing and Storage Unit (IPSU) data issues. After reporting that the connection appeared to be fully mated, the crew was asked to break and reseat the connector before downlinking photos for ground teams to assess. The CIR is used to perform combustion experiments in microgravity. The CIR can be reconfigured easily on orbit to accommodate a variety of combustion experiments. It consists of an optics bench, a combustion chamber, a fuel and oxidizer management system, environmental management systems, and interfaces for science diagnostics and experiment specific equipment. Fine Motor Skills (FMS): A 51S crewmember completed a FD 60 FMS session which is executed on a touchscreen tablet, where the subject performs a series of interactive tasks. The investigation studies how fine motor skills are affected by long-term microgravity exposure, different phases of microgravity adaptation, and sensorimotor recovery after returning to Earth gravity. The goal of FMS is to answer how fine motor performance in microgravity trend/vary over the duration of a six-month and year-long space mission; how fine motor performance on orbit compare with that of a closely matched participant on Earth; and how performance trend/vary before and after gravitational transitions, including the periods of early flight adaptation, and very early/near immediate post-flight periods. Sally Ride Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM) Node 2 Setup and Activation: The crew setup the payload components for EarthKAM in Node 2 for a week-long imaging session. Sally Ride EarthKAM allows thousands of students to photograph and examine Earth from a space crew’s perspective. Using the Internet, the students control a special digital camera mounted on-board the International Space Station. This enables them to photograph the Earth’s coastlines, mountain ranges and other geographic items of interest from the unique vantage point of space. The team at Sally Ride EarthKAM then posts these photographs on the Internet for the public and participating classrooms around the world to view. MagVector: Because the generically used MagVector USB stick was reported broken, the crew retrieved a new USB stick to support the 14th MagVector experiment run that begins later this week. The European Space Agency (ESA) MagVector investigation studies how Earth’s magnetic field interacts with an electrical conductor. Using extremely sensitive magnetic sensors placed around and above a conductor, researchers can gain insight into ways that the magnetic field influences how conductors work. This research not only helps improve future International Space Station experiments and electrical experiments, but it could offer insights into how magnetic fields influence electrical conductors in general, the backbone of our technology. EVA preparations: Today the crew inspected tethers and modified the Ballscrew Lubrication Tool (BLT) depth gauge. These tasks are required to prepare for the upcoming trio of EVAs in October. The goals of the EVAs include R&R of one SSRMS LEE, lubrication of the LEEs, and R&R of two external cameras. Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. CIR GC Instrumentation Package Installation Combustion Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open/Close COL cabin restow after MARES deployment Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis EarthKAM Node 2 Setup […]
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Cassinis Last Ring Portrait at Saturn
How should Cassini say farewell to Saturn? Three days before plunging into Saturn's sunny side, the robotic Cassini spacecraft swooped far behind Saturn's night side with cameras blazing. Thirty-six of these images have been merged -- by an alert and adept citizen scientist -- into a last full-ring portrait of Cassini's home planet for the past 13 years. The Sun is just above the frame, causing Saturn to cast a dark shadow onto its enormous rings. This shadow position cannot be imaged from Earth and will not be visible again until another Earth-launched spaceship visits the ringed giant. Data and images from Cassini's mission-ending dive into Saturn's atmosphere on September 15 continue to be analyzed. via NASA http://ift.tt/2wMUGtg
2017年9月25日 星期一
Vice President Pence Visits NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Vice President Mike Pence offered his thanks Monday to employees working on NASA’s human spaceflight programs during a tour of the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
September 26, 2017
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Review: 'Discovery' is a bold, new addition to the Star Trek franchise
Jason Davis • September 25, 2017
Review: 'Discovery' is a bold, new addition to the Star Trek franchise
Few things bring Star Trek fans more excitement—and also anxiety—than the debut of a new Trek series.
I wasn't old enough to grasp how big of a deal The Next Generation was when it premiered in 1987, brazenly introducing a Shakespearean, English actor to fill the captain's chair previously held by William Shatner. But by 1993, when Deep Space Nine debuted, I was a full-blown Trekkie. I remember a rollercoaster of emotions as I watched the Enterprise depart DS9 during the first episode, leaving an unfamiliar cast to fend for itself on the edge of Federation space. By the end, I was hooked, and to this day I maintain Deep Space Nine was underrated, with some particularly phenomenal episodes later in the series.
I didn't get to see Voyager start in 1995 because our local cable provider didn't carry UPN, the United Paramount Network. I settled for reading fan magazines and listening to the soundtrack on CD, before I was finally able to catch up later in the series. Six years later, when the prequel Enterprise premiered, I found the concept exciting. Admirals wearing ties! Klingons in Oklahoma corn fields! Neptune and back in six minutes! My enthusiasm quickly fizzled once the opening credits played. No cool montage showing humanity's progression in space was enough for me to forgive the choice of "Where My Heart Will Take Me" for the theme song.
Sixteen years later, all of this was in my mind as I sat down to watch the sixth and latest Trek series, Star Trek: Discovery. Any attempt to build on the Star Trek franchise is sure to be met with fans' scrutiny, and on top of that, this is another prequel, fitting in the Trek timeline after Enterprise but before the original five-year mission of Kirk and Spock. In today's nostalgia-saturated culture, it will be quite a challenge for CBS to make Discovery a good television show, a good sci-fi show, and last but not least, a good Star Trek show.
I would, however, argue this is the most opportune time for a new Star Trek series since the original show debuted in 1966. Kirk and Spock hit the airwaves during the height of the Vietnam War, amid civil rights protests and the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, with the world seemingly more divided than ever, what better time for a show originally dedicated to a utopian vision of humans exploring the galaxy?
Warning: spoilers ahead!
CBS
Star Trek: Discovery cast members
From left: Science officer Saru (Doug Jones), first officer Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh).
The plot thus far
Discovery debuted Sunday night with two episodes: The Vulcan Hello, and Battle at the Binary Stars. The first episode aired on broadcast CBS here in America, but the second, and all subsequent episodes, are available only on CBS All Access, an online, subscription-based service. Discovery is the service's flagship program, and CBS is counting on a large Trek audience to sign up. New episodes comes out on Sundays.
Discovery focuses on the Federation-Klingon war that paves the way for the groups' perpetual conflict throughout the rest of the series. On the Federation side, we start on the starship Shenzhou (apparently named after China's human spaceflight vehicle), which is severely damaged during the humans' first major battle with the Klingons. Soon, we'll end up on another ship: the Discovery.
The lead character is Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), whose parents were killed during an incident with the Klingons. She was raised on Vulcan by Sarek, Spock's father, and became the first human to attend the prestigious Vulcan Science Academy. In the opening episode, she's the first officer on the Shenzhou.
The Klingon Empire we know from other Star Trek shows and movies does not yet exist. A leader named T'Kuvma (Chris Obi) believes he is the second coming of Kahless, the legendary Klingon warrior-God, and attempts to unite all Klingon houses under a single banner.
While examining an ancient Klingon relic-ship in Federation space, Burnham accidentally kills a Klingon, and things go downhill from there. The incident gives T'Kuvma the excuse he needs to start a war with the Federation, and Burnham, seeing what's about to happen, tries to convince her captain, mentor and friend, Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), to attack first. When Georgiou balks at the idea, Burnham goes rogue, using the Vulcan neck pinch to incapacitate Georgiou and take control of the Shenzhou. But it's too late; the Klingons attack, war breaks out, and in a final battle aboard the Klingon flagship, both Georgiou and T'Kuvma are killed. Burnham is sentenced to life and prison.
Something different
I expected Discovery to be a cross between Enterprise and the new reboot movies. Instead, Discovery turned out to be something else entirely. It's definitely Star Trek, with all the wooden, technical, dialogue that is the franchise's staple. The producers also appear to have been inspired by the multitude of non-traditional shows now available from other production studios like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. As a result, Discovery alternates between edgy and familiar, keeping the viewer off-balance just enough to create occasional jaw-dropping moments that come from good story flow rather than blinding special effects.
The sets are beautiful. The candle-laden Klingon ship was rich and detailed, and the slow pacing of the Klingons' subtitled dialogue gives scenes added drama. The notion that the Federation is an assimilating, colonial force hiding behind a "we come in peace" mantra is a new angle, and T'Kuvma's rousing speech before the Klingons open fire is some top-notch Trek.
Star Trek has always been comparatively diverse in its casting choices, and Discovery continues that trend by casting a woman of color as the lead character. Unfortunately, the writers have her quickly fall from grace. It was a fresh idea, but a little sloppy in execution. When Burnham neck-pinches her captain, it's hard not to cringe. I found it hard to believe that a starship commander—one raised on Vulcan, at that—would feel so strongly about her judgment to incite mutiny. Can you imagine Commander Riker knocking out Captain Picard? "That wouldn't happen," I remember mumbling to my wife, who was also watching. "And there would be huge consequences."
In fact, the action did have consequences. Burnham is sentenced to life in prison (by an oddly shadowed tribunal of officers), and in previews for the rest of the series, it looks like she's going to have quite a struggle working her way back up through the ranks. There is precedent for this storyline: the Maquis officers in Star Trek Voyager. How Burnham's story plays out over the rest of the series will be interesting to watch.
VIDEO
The promises and perils of the war plot
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Discovery showrunner Aaron Harberts said there are major parallels between the show and the social and political divides currently seen in the U.S. Racial purity, isolationism and ethics will all figure prominently.
Star Trek has always tackled social and cultural issues, but with the exception of the later seasons of Deep Space Nine, it doesn't usually do so with war. Some of the most memorable scenes in Star Trek history involve diplomacy and brainy solutions rather than ships slugging it out on the front lines.
That doesn't mean Discovery won't work, providing the writers focus on the bigger picture rather than jamming every episode full of starship battles. Deep Space Nine's treatment of the Dominion War was fantastic. Panic and suspicion from the changeling threat led to martial law on Earth. Kira's band of resistance fighters undermined the Dominion on occupied DS9. And the ongoing tension between Gul Dukat, Damar and Weyoun was fantastic, as the Cardassians began to realize they were second-class citizens in the Dominion.
Discovery's choice to explore Klingon politics is also a great idea. The Next Generation did a fantastic job on this front over the course of the show, focusing on Worf's struggles to reclaim his house's honor while raising a son. The two-part episode "Redemption," featuring a Klingon Civil War, was very good.
Just inspire, please
I'm still confused as to why Discovery needed to be a prequel. Given the vast possibilities for modern TV shows and the richness of the post-Voyager Trek universe, why did the creators confine Discovery to a prequel that has to fit within the constraints of a particular timeline? Writer Nicholas Meyer (the legendary Wrath of Khan director) addressed this by saying creator Bryan Fuller (who has since left the show) "didn't want to use the same characters from other series." Yet we've already seen Spock's father Sarek, and from previews, it looks we'll meet the legendary con man Henry Mudd as well.
Executive producer Brannon Braga also said going too far into the future risks plausible technology and design. But as has been pointed out by numerous fans, some of the touchscreens and holograms look like they fit better at the end of the Star Trek timeline. Did CBS think we wouldn't accept a bridge with physical buttons? Plenty of other shows serve up retro settings; I'm not sure why Discovery couldn't do the same.
Ultimately, I can forgive these annoyances. TV shows are products of their time, and though I'm happy to wax poetic about the olden days of Star Trek, comparing Discovery to its predecessors too much isn't fair. Too much nostalgia makes you closed-minded, and it's a slippery slope before you find yourself on the wrong end of a Ghostbusters casting argument. Kirk and Spock were great. Picard was great. Let Burnham and Discovery be great in their own way.
My biggest hope is that Star Trek: Discovery introduces a new generation of fans to the wonders of spaceflight the way older Star Trek shows did for me. In a darkening world, Star Trek dares to promote a hopeful future where we humans put aside our differences to explore the cosmos.
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NASA, international partners consider solar sail for Deep Space Gateway
Anatoly Zak • September 25, 2017
NASA, international partners consider solar sail for Deep Space Gateway
It sounds like it comes straight from an Arthur C. Clarke story, but an international team of engineers is considering equipping a future human outpost orbiting the Moon with a solar sail. Harnessing the slight pressure of solar radiation, a super-thin reflective film might help steer the Deep Space Gateway, or DSG, which is being designed by five space agencies to succeed the International Space Station.
The solar sail concept was presented last month by the Canadian Space Agency, or CSA, at the latest meeting of ISS partners. The event, specifically dedicated to DSG planning, was held at the European space center, ESTEC, in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
At this point, ISS partners are still debating whether to use the sail for practical purposes on the near-lunar station, or only as an add-on experiment to demonstrate its future potential, including possible use on a Mars-bound spacecraft. One of the declared goals of the DSG is to test technologies which could pave the way to the first human journey to the Red Planet.
It is likely the first time solar sailing technology has been considered for a spacecraft carrying humans. Only Japan's IKAROS, launched with aboard the Venus-bound Akatsuki spacecraft in 2010, has demonstrated controlled flight by light. The Planetary Society's LightSail 2 spacecraft, scheduled to launch next year, would be the second.
Anatoly Zak / RussianSpaceWeb.com
Artist's conception of Deep Space Gateway with solar sail
A Canadian Space Agency proposal would place a solar sail on the outside of the Deep Space Gateway in lunar orbit.
According to an internal document presented to the ISS Exploration Capabilities Study Team, Canadian specialists believe a solar sail could play a secondary role in orienting the DSG, saving fuel for traditional rocket thrusters designed to maintain the outpost's position. Under this proposal, the main thrust for the station's maneuvers still comes from electric propulsion and traditional liquid propellant engines.
The baseline concept used for initial calculations calls for a rectangular sail spanning an area of about 50 square meters, deployed on the exterior of the station by a robotic arm. This could reportedly save at least 9 kilograms of hydrazine per year needed to keep the outpost correctly oriented in space. Although a relatively small number, 9 kilograms per year adds up over the station's projected 15-year mission, especially when considering the tremendous cost of delivering cargo to lunar orbit. The station's current design allocates 135 kilograms of hydrazine fuel for counteracting gravitational disturbances, as well as solar radiation pressure exerted on the station's exterior in lunar orbit. At least part of this attitude-control job could be shifted to a solar sail.
When the solar sail is not needed, it could be either folded or hidden behind the station's solar panels relative to the Sun, so that solar radiation no longer presses on its surface.
Besides the rectangular panel, other shapes and designs are also on the table, including discs and umbrella-type structures. One clever concept proposed to attach a foldable sail to a robotic arm, which will bend around its elbow to unfurl the sail like an old-fashioned fan.
The final architecture of the solar sail is important because the design team is hard-pressed to keep the mass of the sail structure to an absolute minimum to justify its effectiveness. Very preliminary estimates show the mass of the solar sail system could be kept between 38 and 52 kilograms.
Potentially, the solar sail could also be used as an extra power-generating array, but the cost-benefit analysis of such a combination is also in the early stages. Engineers will also be challenged to pick the right compromise between the size and mass of the sail; the bigger the sail, the faster it can steer the station, but the larger it gets, the more weight penalties it brings to the whole project.
NASA
Orion approaches the Deep Space Gateway
NASA's Orion spacecraft approaches the Deep Space Gateway in lunar orbit.
To keep the mass of the sail to a minimum, engineers considered Dupont's polyamide film, which measures just 7 to 25 micrometers thick.
Before its journey to the vicinity of the Moon, a prototype of the sail could be brought to the ISS to test its deployment mechanism and operations.
The Canadian Space Agency has yet to provide any public information on the solar sail concept for the near-lunar station, but in March, the agency announced Canada is "exploring how to contribute to the exciting new opportunities that will ensue as humanity takes its next steps into the solar system."
In another press release August 18, the CSA announced it had award a $2.75 million contract to the aerospace company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, perhaps best known for the country's Canadarm systems. The official goal of the contract was to identify the requirements to build a deep-space exploration robotics system, which could be used to operate and maintain a future space station near the Moon. "This early-stage analysis will contribute to a better understanding of the technologies and equipment needed to support future international missions beyond the International Space Station," the announcement said.
According to a NASA source, the solar sailing concept will need further analysis, but is already being seen as promising and considered to be a good candidate at least as a demonstrator aboard the DSG, if not a fully operational system.
The construction of the Deep-Space Gateway is expected to begin in the first half of the 2020s with the help of NASA's SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. The near-lunar outpost will be the main destination for the Orion during the next decade, promising to give NASA and its partner agencies enough experience for human missions beyond the Moon and, possibly, to Mars in the 2030s.
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