Akatsuki begins a productive science mission at Venus

Japan's Akatsuki Venus orbiter is well into its science mission, and has already produced surprising science results. The mission, originally planned to last two years, could last as many as five, monitoring Venus' atmosphere over the long term.

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Lockheed Proposes to have Humans Orbiting Mars by 2028

Lockheed Martin proposed a system to send humans to orbit Mars in the year 2028—a concept that shares many core values with The Planetary Society's report, Humans Orbiting Mars, we released last year.

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Cards Against Humanity Just Paid for a Young Woman’s College Tuition

May 19, 2000, Early Morning Liftoff of Atlantis on STS-101 Mission

Flames from the solid rocket boosters lit up the clouds of smoke and steam trailing behind shuttle Atlantis on May 19, 2000, as it lifted off on mission STS-101. It was the shuttle program's third space station assembly flight, and first space flight for astronaut Jeff Williams, currently aboard the station as a member of the Expedition 47 crew. via NASA http://ift.tt/20aXPa5

White Spots Blemish the Face of Ceres

ISS Daily Summary Report – 05/18/16

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) NanoRacks Cubesat Deployer #7 (NRCSD 7) Deployment: This morning, operations which began Monday were completed with the deployment of four Dove satellites and four LEMUR-2 satellites.  All satellites were deployed on time as commanded.  The empty deployer will be returned to the JEM Airlock.   Rodent Research-3 (RR-3) Operations: Yesterday the crew completed operations on 5 rodents. They performed operations on 5 more rodents today and are scheduled for 5 each day for the remainder of the week.  The crew performed bone densitometry measurments and then transferred the rodents to the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) for sample processing. This investigation studies the molecular and physical changes to the musculoskeletal system that occur in space. Results will expand scientists’ understanding of muscle atrophy and bone loss in space while testing an antibody that has been known to prevent muscle wasting in mice on Earth.   Environmental Health System (EHS) Microbial Air and Surface Sampling: The crew took surface and air samples for microbial analysis using the Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) with Petri Dishes. The EHS monitors the atmosphere for gaseous contaminants from nonmetallic materials off-gassing, combustion products, and propellants, microbial contaminants from crewmembers and Station activities, water quality, acoustics, and radiation levels.   Dose Tracker: The crew completed entries for medication tracking today. This investigation documents the medication usage of crew members before and during their missions by capturing data regarding medication use during spaceflight, including side effect qualities, frequencies and severities. The data is expected to either support or counter anecdotal evidence of medication ineffectiveness during flight and unusual side effects experienced during flight. It is also expected that specific, near-real-time questioning about symptom relief and side effects will provide the data required to establish whether spaceflight-associated alterations in pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD) is occurring during missions.   Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: The crew recorded and submitted a walk-through video documenting observations of an area or activity providing insight related to human factors and habitability. The Habitability investigation collects observations about the relationship between crew members and their environment on the International Space Station. Observations during the 1-year mission, as well as 6-month missions, can help spacecraft designers understand how much habitable volume is required, and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crew members need.   LAB Forward (Fwd) Starboard (Stbd) Inter-Module Ventilation (IMV) Cleaning: During the IMV reconfig it was discovered that this fan is not performing as expected, most likely due to Foreign Object Debris (FOD). Today the crew inspected and cleaned the fan and silencer inlets. The crew subsequently used the Velocicalc tool to take flow measurements in the Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) 1, Airlock (AL), Node 1 (N1), Cupola, Oxygen Generation System (OGA) rack and Node 2 (N2) ventilation inlets and outlets as part of system health monitoring.   Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED): The crew reported a loud banging noise during ARED rope exercise.  They determined that the right cable arm rope was off its guides and the exercise rope did not retract as far as it should.  The ARED is go for bar exercises but no-go for rope exercises. Ground teams are assessing the problem. Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) fault:  The UPA experienced a fault, likely due to belt slippage inside the distillation assembly.  The Waste Hygiene Compartment (WHC) has been configured to use its internal EDV while ground teams assess recovery of the UPA. Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 2283 Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT) COSMOCARD. Closeout Ops r/g 2262 CubeSat Deployment Photos Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) Equipment Removal DOSETRK Questionnaire Completion BIOCARD. Operator Assistance During the Experiment / r/g 1907 BIOCARD. Experiment Ops r/g 1907 Manufacturing Device Removal and stowage WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV Rodent Research (RR) Node 2 Camcorder Settings Adjustment DOSETRK Questionnaire Completion HABIT Data Recording to iPad Camcorder setup to capture T2 exercise Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back Study of cardiovascular system under graded physical load on Cycle Ergometer Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Adjustment Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion Stow Video Equipment to capture T2 Exercise Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan MOTOCARD. Experiment Ops r/g 2275 Russian Joint Research (RJR) Collecting Surface Samples using SSK DOSETRK Crew Conference Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion In Flight Maintenance (IFM) LAB Forward Starboard Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Fan Cleaning MOTOCARD. Operator Assistance with the Experiment / r/g 2274 Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops СОЖ Maintenance Rodent Research Closeout Ops Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion IMV Flow Measurement HABIT Video Recording CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 2283 WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV Laptop preparation and АСН-К Progress 432 (Aft) Test Configuration Setup On MCC Go: Changeout of Elektron purification column assembly (БКО) Install No.1507074 r/g 2234 Russian Joint Research (RJR) ISS Microbial Air Samples HABIT Task Video End Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan Private Medical Conference Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion Wet Lab RNA SmartCycler Payload Teardown Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan Verification of ИП-1 Flow Sensor Position Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops CORRECTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Experiment setup / r/g 2284 IMS Delta File Prep Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back Surface Sample Kit (SSK) Collection/Incubation Rodent Research Closeout Ops Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion Private Medical Conference CONTENT. Experiment Ops / r/g 2277 SPLANH. Preparation for Experiment / r/g 2273 Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Kit Sample Collection Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3 CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 2283 NEUROIMMUNITET. Saliva Collection / […]

May 19, 2016 at 01:36AM
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Halo from Atacama

Influenced by the strong Pacific El Nino, cloudy skies have more often come to Chile's high Atacama Desert this season, despite its reputation as an astronomer's paradise. Located in one of the driest, darkest places on planet Earth, domes of the region's twin 6.5 meter Magellan telescopes of Carnegie Las Campanas Observatory were closed on May 13. Still, a first quarter Moon and bright stars shine through in this panoramic night skyscape, the lunar disk surrounded by a beautiful, bright halo. The angular radius of the halo is 22 degrees. Not determined by the brightness or phase of the Moon itself, the angle is set by the hexagonal geometry of atmospheric ice crystals that reflect and refract the moonlight. On that night, the brilliant star just inside the halo's radius was really planet Jupiter. The brightest star flanking the halo to the far left is Canopus, with Arcturus on the halo's right. via NASA http://ift.tt/1YBQOP5