Color Variations on Mount Sharp, Mars

The foreground of this scene from the Mast Camera (Mastcam) on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows purple-hued rocks near the rover's late-2016 location on lower Mount Sharp. The scene's middle distance includes higher layers that are future destinations for the mission. via NASA http://ift.tt/2hwMORD

ISS Daily Summary Report – 12/13/2016

HII Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-6 Capture/Berthing: This morning, the crew captured HTV-6 at 4:37 am CST using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). Following capture, Robotics Ground Controllers used the SSRMS to maneuver the HTV-6 into position to support the inspection of the HTV-6 Passive Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) and maneuver the HTV-6 to the N2 Nadir install position.  Ground Controllers the completed the N2 nadir CBM capture and bolting to complete the HTV installation.  Following installation, the crew pressurized the vestibule, performed vestibule outfitting, and ingressed the vehicle. The Robotic Ground Controllers have released the HTV6 and maneuvered the SSRMS to grapple the HTV6 External Platform (EP). Here, HTV Berthing Camera System (HBCS) was checked out on both strings and SSRMS is now providing power to the EP for heaters on 1 string (camera and batteries). Lighting Effects: The crew performed a visual assessment tests in the Crew Quarters (CQs), using the newly installed Solid State Lighting Assemblies (SSLAs) and hope to better quantify and qualify how lighting can effect habitability of spacecraft.  The light bulbs on the ISS are being replaced with a new system designed for improved crew health and wellness. The Testing Solid State Lighting Countermeasures to Improve Circadian Adaptation, Sleep, and Performance During High Fidelity Analog and Flight Studies for the International Space Station (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. Results from this investigation also have major implications for people on Earth who use electric lights.  Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Laptop Computer (MLC) Shell Swap: During Packed Bed Reactor Experiment (PBRE) operations, ground teams observed power and connectivity issues with the MLC.  The crew performed a shell swap, removing the internal components and installing them in a backup laptop shell.  Following the swap, ground teams observed connectivity issues, and the crew was instructed to verify connection to the power brick a power cycle which recovered the MLC.  No loss of science was reported during the MLC recovery and PBRE proceeded to downlink files after the recovery. PBRE studies the behavior of gases and liquids when they flow simultaneously through a column filled with fixed porous media. The porous media or “packing” can be made of different shapes and materials and are used widely in chemical engineering as a means to enhance the contact between two immiscible fluid phases (e.g., liquid-gas, water-oil, etc.). Packed columns can serve as reactors, scrubbers, strippers, etc. in systems where efficient interphase contact is desired, both on Earth and in space.  Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. RWS Setup Configure Hot Backup (LAB) and Main (Cupola) RWS for approach monitoring and HTV capture. Robotic Workstation (RWS) High Definition (HD) Monitor Downlink Personal CO2 Monitor iPad Application Restart Portable Computer System (PCS) Command Verification USOS Window Shutter Close Closure of Window Shutters ##6, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 14. HTV  Approach Monitoring БМП Ф2 Adsorbent Cartridge Regen (start) Making a documentary about life onboard the ISS CONTURE-2. Photography PELIKAN. FSS Hardware Batteries Charging (start) ИП-1 Sensors Deployment Monitoring HTV Approach Monitoring Vacuum Cleaning of ВД1 and ВД2 Air Ducts in MRM2 SSRMS HTV Grapple Water Drain from EDV Centerline Berthing Camera System (CBCS) Powerup on Node 2 Nadir R&R of ПФ1 and ПФ2 Dust Filters and Cleaning of B1 and B2 Fan Screens in DC1 (ФГБ1ГА_С_4 bag 433-14 (00058352R). Dispose of the Removed Filters, Update IMS) Habitability Human Factors Questionnaires – Subject EDV (KOV) Degassing for Elektron or EDV-SV Crew exchanges MSG MLC Shell as well as inserting current MSG hard drive. Lab Cam if available to view over the shoulder video. PELIKAN. Observation and Photography with FSS Hardware. СОЖ Maintenance Lighting Effects Visual Performance Tests Light Setting – Subject Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle Preparation for Storage Battery Current Converter ПТАБ-1М Functionality Test (Position А302) Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE. HAM Radio Session with Vologda College Students. Vacuum Cleaning of the Vents of FGB Interior Panels (panels 201, 301, 401) IMS Delta File Prep Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Part 2 KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Photography during the Experiment Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill HTV HARDWARE COMMAND PANEL (HCP)  Inhibit and Stow Remove Centerline Berthing Camera System (CBCS) from Node 2 Nadir Hatch Video Recording for Russia Today Node 2 to HTV Pressurization and Leak Check Video Recording of Greetings Node 2 Nadir to HTV Vestibule Outfitting Part 1 Robotic Workstation (RWS) Teardown Photo TV Robotic Workstation Monitor Deactivation Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3 Making a documentary about life onboard the ISS Meteor Shutter Open Stow Syringes used in H2O Conductivity Test Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle БМП Ф2 Adsorbent Cartridge Regen (end) Completed Task List Items CAST Session 1 SSC13 Harddrive Swap EMU Resize (In Work) Ground Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. PCBM Inspection HTV-6 Install N2 Nadir CBM Bolting Three-Day Look Ahead: Wednesday, 12/14: HTV Ingress/Safety Review, Finemotor, Aquapad, Microbial Monitoring System Thursday, 12/15: HTV Cargo Ops, J-SSOD5 Install, Eye Exams, Neuromapping, Aquamembrane Friday, 12/16: HMS Ultrasound, CUCU Cable Reroute, EVA Resize, EVA Tool Config QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:                Component Status Elektron Off 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 Idle Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Process Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Process Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Off Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 Full Up  

December 14, 2016 at 12:00AM
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Baby Exoplanets Carve Grooves into Their Nursery

Lunar orbit beckons: NASA’s next four years of human spaceflight

Our six-part Horizon Goal series concludes with a look at the future of NASA's human spaceflight program. As NASA prepares to set up shop beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time since 1972, are changes coming for the agency's Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule?

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Meteors over Four Girl Mountains

On some nights it rains meteors. Peaking over the next two nights, asteroid dust is expected to rain down on Earth during the annual Geminids meteor shower. This year, unfortunately, fainter Geminids will be harder to see because of the brightness of the Long Nights Full Moon, which occurs Wednesday. Pictured, an image from this year's Perseids meteor shower in August captured multiple streaks over Four Girls Mountain in central China. The bright Pleaides open star cluster appears toward the upper right, while numerous emission nebulas are visible in red, many superposed on the diagonal band of the Milky Way. via NASA http://ift.tt/2gHbmsn

NASA Administrator Apprentice Update: Status Quo Candidates

Sen. Jeff Sessions Exerts Wide Influence Over Trump Space Plans, Wall Street Journal

"One sign of the influence Mr. Sessions has with the president-elect is that job seekers actively seek his support. Three former astronauts, including retired Air Force Lt. General Thomas Stafford, who was the head of NASA's astronaut corps and later was instrumental in development of the B-2 Stealth bomber, have urged the Alabama lawmaker to support [Doug] Cooke's bid to head NASA."

More False Memories About the Origin (and Cost) of SLS, earlier post

"This op ed piece also appeared in The Hill last week. Oddly the same exact words in the Mike Griffin/Dan Dumbacher op ed in the Huntsville times ("Contrary to some suggestions, the SLS will be very competitive with the advertised price of commercial U.S. systems - on the order of $4.5 million per ton of payload.") are to be found in an op ed "U.S. will keep lead in space with NASA's launch system" that appeared several days ago in the Orlando Sentinel - but this op ed has Doug Cooke and Steve Cook as the authors. If you read the Huntsville Times and Orlando Sentinel op eds side by side you will see that they were clearly written by the same people. Once again the Ares V mafia is mounting a PR effort to convince everyone that they were right all along."

Keith's note: Steve Cook is on the NASA Landing Team headed by Griffin loyalist Chris Shank. And lest we forget, Mike Griffin is still trying to worm his way back into NASA. Although I cannot find any indication that Griffin ever publicly endorsed Trump (I can't find any evidence that Doug Cooke did either) Mike Griffin did make a $500 political contribution - but to Jeb Bush.

Together Cooke, Cook, Shank, and Griffin represent the self-proclaimed "Band of Brothers" that originally gave us the Ares 1/Ares V cost/schedule nightmares - with the cancelled Ares V reborn as the new cost/schedule nightmare SLS. Haven't we seen this movie before?

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NASA Administrator Apprentice Update

Rep. Jim Bridenstine: Why Trump Won, Frontpage Magazine

"And then who was campaigning for Donald Trump? Donald Trump and Mike Pence. And I got so frustrated. By then Hillary Clinton also had Al Gore and all these others, and I got so frustrated I sent a tweet. Ha! And it got a lot of attention. And in the tweet I said: "Given the stakes of this election if Paul Ryan is not for Donald Trump then I am not for Paul Ryan." It is true that Donald Trump has not been in the political arena nor has he been in the politically correct arena. He lives in a quite frankly vulgar industry - the entertainment industry. And I will also tell you that he reflects that."

Keith's note: The Trump cabinet nominees announced thus far run the range from prior supporter to prior opponents. And most of them have no government and/or agency-related subject matter experience. In this case he's loyal but not exactly complementary. So ... comments like this may hurt and/or help Bridenstine in his quest for the NASA (USAF) job. Who knows. Welcome to NASA Administrator Apprentice.

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