Draggendrop Veteran Posted October 21, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted October 21, 2015 ESA's first technology nanosatellite reporting for duty Led by GomSpace in Denmark, GomX-3 is a 3-unit CubeSat mission to demonstrate aircraft ADS-B signal reception and geostationary telecommunication satellite spot beam signal quality using an L-band reconfigurable software-defined radio receiver. A miniaturised high data rate X-band transmitter developed by Syrlinks and funded by France's CNES space agency is being flown as a third-party payload. The satellite was deployed from the International Space Station on 5 October 2015. Image courtesy ESA ESA's first technology-testing CubeSat, released last week from the International Space Station, is in good health and is set to start work on its six-month mission. "This tiny satellite was developed in only a year and now we are very pleased with the rapid progress made during the first few days in orbit to check its readiness for its mission," notes Roger Walker, overseeing ESA's technology CubeSat effort. GomX-3 was designed and built for ESA by Denmark's Gomspace company. Engineer David Gerhardt adds: "Following its release from the Station on 5 October, much of the satellite's proving phase is complete, demonstrating that it is operational and in good health. "We are now taking the first steps towards putting its technology payloads through their paces." Despite its small size of 10x10x30 cm, the nanosatellite precisely controls its orientation by spinning miniaturised 'reaction wheels' at varying speeds. This precision is an important factor in the effectiveness of the mission's technology-testing payloads. One task will see GomX-3 pointing up towards to detect radio signals from telecom satellites in geostationary orbit to assess their overall transmission efficiency. The processing software can be changed in flight, allowing the receiver to be reconfigured and used in extremely flexible ways, of wider interest for future ESA missions. The CubeSat also carries a miniaturised version of a transmitter being flown on ESA's Proba-V minisatellite for downloading data rapidly at X-band radio frequencies. Developed by the French Syrlinks company in cooperation with France's CNES space agency, the antenna will aim at X-band ground stations in the CNES network. Once the communications link has been tested over the coming months, the transmitter will be available to fly on future nanosatellites to boost their amount of downloaded data. GomX-3 also sports a receiver to detect navigation signals from aircraft. The satellite points its distinctive helical antenna to Earth and has already picked up a tens of thousands of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast, or ADS-B, signals from aircraft since the day after launch. ESA's 2013-launched Proba-V first confirmed the feasibility of ADS-B detection from orbit, opening up the prospect of a global aircraft monitoring system incorporating remote regions not covered by ground-based air traffic control. Gomspace's GomX-1, launched in 2013 and still operational, showed ADS-B detection could also be performed from smaller satellites, like CubeSats. GomX-3's receiver is an improved design. "This is the first of many ESA nanosatellite missions," concludes Roger. "Our aim is to test new technologies and techniques or fly promising payloads in a more rapid affordable way, with more CubeSat launches next year." http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ESAs_first_technology_nanosatellite_reporting_for_duty_999.html This is a great little testbed....and the software configurable structure is really important to test.... ----------------------------------------------------- Journaling: How Astronauts Chronicle Missions While on orbit, astronauts write in their personal journals at least three times per week. LOG ENTRY: SOL 25 Remember those old math questions you had in Algebra class? Where water is entering a container at a certain rate and leaving at a different rate and you need to figure out when it'll be empty? Well, that concept is critical to the "Mark Watney doesn't die" project I'm working on. I need to create calories. And I need enough to last four years. I figure if I don't get rescued by Ares 4, I'm dead anyway. So that's my target: four years. - From: "The Martian" - a novel by Andy Weir Weir's novel, The Martian, is largely told through the mission journals of astronaut Mark Watney, who is mistakenly left alone on Mars. Even though this story is fictional, journaling has and will always play an important role in any journey. It's a simple yet invaluable tool used by behavioral scientists to help assess the mental and emotional states associated with life in long-term isolation and confinement. The Human Research Program studies this at NASA. As the Space Shuttle Program came to a close and NASA began focusing on much longer duration space missions aboard the International Space Station, Jack Stuster, behavioral scientist, began to wonder "if anyone had considered the behavioral issues that might be involved in long duration isolation and confinement in space." From this thought, the Behavioral Issues Associated with Isolation and Confinement: Review and Analysis of Astronaut Journals investigation was born. The investigation, now in its second phase, focuses on the astronaut journals of each six-person space station crew. The objective is to identify equipment, habitat, and procedural factors that can help humans when adjusting to isolation and confinement while ensuring they remain effective and productive during future long-duration space expeditions, such as a journey to Mars. While on orbit, astronauts write in their personal journals at least three times per week. Journals can be either typed on a laptop or recorded as an audio file. Journaling provides an outlet for emotions, Stuster said. They are a personal record of events and data that can be used to derive recommendations for future missions. NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly is participating in the journals investigation as part of the One-Year Mission aboard the space station. "The journals are analyzed by first categorizing, and then counting," Stuster said. Each statement in the journal entry is assigned to a primary category based on the subject of the statement; secondary and third-level categories also can be assigned, depending on the content. Then the statement is assigned a code to indicate whether the tone is positive, negative or neutral. From this, a metric is derived by subtracting the proportion of negative entries from the proportion of positive entries. Stuster calls the metric "net-positivity-negativity." Phase one of the Journals investigation analyzed the journals of 10 NASA astronauts, both men and women, who spent an average of 188 days aboard the space station as members of two- and three-person crews. These participating astronauts wrote nearly 285,000 words in their journals -- the equivalent of a 1,100-page book. Stuster is currently analyzing the journals of 10 additional astronauts who were members of a six-person crew, with the intention of comparing the results to identify any differences caused by crew size. Stuster previously studied many exploration logs and personal journals from past explorers. He found there are highly predictable problems that will be encountered by future space crew, including strong-willed crew mates, cultural differences, misunderstandings and communication delays. To mitigate potential problems among crew members, Stuster said, team building exercises, training in intercultural relations, and instruction concerning coping strategies should be included in astronaut training for long-duration space expeditions. Benefits of the study include learning how astronauts and cosmonauts find ways to adapt to the isolation, confinement and other stressors of life aboard the ISS. These insights will help NASA design equipment and procedures for future space exploration. Study results also show those of us on Earth that it is possible for people from different backgrounds and cultures to live in harmony, even under very stressful conditions. Journals have been written as long as humans have been exploring. Mark Watney used log entries to chronicle his experience of being left alone on a planet in the novel. He hoped someone would one day find his journal and Earth would know he tried his best to survive. He also logged every problem he encountered and detailed his solutions. As NASA prepares for a journey to Mars, the journals of real astronauts are finding solutions to problems that future crew members might never encounter. http://spaceref.com/astronauts-2/journaling-how-astronauts-chronicle-missions.html -------------------------------------- Dust particles from afar The Ulysses mission was a joint project of NASA and ESA. One of the missions's goals was to measure interstellar dust particles that make their way into the solar system. Image courtesy ESA. When in 1990 the solar probe Ulysses embarked on its 19-year-long exploration tour, the participating researchers turned their attention not only to our Sun, but also to significantly smaller research objects: interstellar dust particles advancing from the depth of space into our solar system. Ulysses was the first mission with the goal to measure these tiny visitors and successfully detected more than 900 of them. Researchers under the leadership of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany and the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Switzerland present a comprehensive analysis of this largest data set of interstellar particles in three articles published in the magazine "The Astrophysical Journal". Their conclusion: Within the solar system velocity and flight direction of the dust particles can change more strongly than previously thought. Perpetually our solar system moves through the Milky Way. For approximately 100 000 years it has been passing through the Local Interstellar Cloud, a cloud of interstellar matter, measuring about 30 light-years in diameter. Microscopic dust particles from this cloud make their way into the interior of our solar system. For researchers, they are messengers from the depths of space and provide basic information about our more distant cosmic home. In the past, several spacecraft have identified and characterized these "newcomers". These spacecraft include Galileo and Cassini, which traveled to the gas planets Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the mission Stardust, which in 2006 returned captured interstellar dust particles to Earth. "Nevertheless, the data from Ulysses, that we have now evaluated the first time in their entirety, are unique," explains Harald Kruger from the MPS, Principal Investigator of the Ulysses dust detector. For 16 years the instrument examined the stream of particles from outside our solar system almost without interruption. Compared to this, other missions provided only snapshots. "In addition, Ulysses' observational position was optimal," says Veerle Sterken from the ISSI, who led the analysis together with Harald Kruger. Ulysses is the only spacecraft so far that has left the orbital plane of the planets and has flown over the Sun's poles. While interplanetary dust produced within our planetary system is concentrated in the orbital plane, interstellar dust can be measured well outside this plane. "Under the influence of the Sun and the interplanetary magnetic field, the dust particles change their trajectories," explains Peter Strub from MPS. Depending on the mass of the particles, the gravitational pull and the radiation pressure of the Sun as well as the interplanetary magnetic field within the solar system change their flight direction and speed. "Since the Sun and particularly the interplanetary magnetic field are subject to an approximately twelve-year cycle, only long-term measurements can truly unravel this influence", the researcher adds. From the data of the more than 900 particles, the researchers could extract the most detailed information on mass, size, and flight direction of interstellar dust so far. Computer simulations helped to understand the various contributions of the Sun and the interplanetary field and to separate them. The study confirms earlier analyzes, according to which the interstellar dust always traverses the solar system in approximately the same direction. It corresponds to the direction in which the solar system and the Local Interstellar Cloud move relatively to each other. "Minor deviations from this main direction depend on the mass of the particles and the influence of the Sun," says Strub. In 2005, however, a different picture emerged: The far-traveled particles reached the dust detector from a shifted direction. "Our simulations suggest that this effect is likely due to the variations of the solar and interplanetary magnetic field," says Veerle Sterken from ISSI who performed the simulations and led the interpretation of the data. "Altered intial conditions within the Local Interstellar Cloud are likely not the reason." The researchers also took a close look at the size and properties of the particles. While the majority of the dust particles has a diameter of between a half and 0.05 micrometers, there are also some remarkably large specimens of several micrometers size. "Efforts to characterize the dust outside our solar system with the help of ground-based observations from Earth have not revealed such large sizes", says Kruger. In return, the very small particles, which astronomers typically find with telescopes, cannot be found in Ulysses measurements. As computer simulations show, compared to their mass these tiny particles become strongly electrically charged within the solar system, are deflected and thus filtered out of the main interstellar dust stream. The simulations also indicate that the exotic dust has a low density and is therefore porous. "Ulysses' dust detector cannot measure the particles' inner structure directly", says Sterken. "However, on the computer we can try out different densities. With porous particles the observational data can be reconstructed best", the Belgian scientist adds. The composition of the interstellar particles cannot be determined with the dust instrument onboard Ulysses. However, this is possible with the successor instrument on the Cassini spacecraft developed at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg. Its measurements will allow for completely new insights into the origin and evolution of interstellar particles. Measurements with dust detectors thus provide a look into the Local Interstellar Cloud, which can only be studied by observations from Earth otherwise. In the future, dust researchers want to propose space missions to the European Space Agency to investigate interstellar dust. The Ulysses space mission was a joint project of ESA and NASA. The Ulysses dust detector was built and operated at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, with the participation of the German Center for Aerospace. The German Research Foundation and the International Space Science Institute in Switzerland made the evaluation of the long-term measurements of interstellar dust possible. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Dust_particles_from_afar_999.html ------------------------------------------- James Webb Space Telescope Documentary Will Launch in Early 2016 Caption: Artist's illustration of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which is scheduled to launch in October 2018.Credit: NASA A documentary about NASA's yet-to-launch James Webb Space Telescope will premiere on two science-themed television channels in early 2016. Officials for the second White House Astronomy Night announced on Tuesday (Oct. 19) that the documentary, entitled "Telescope," will air on both Discovery Channel and Science Channel as part of a special "Weekend of Science Programming." The announcement was made at the astronomy event, hosted by President Barack Obama, and confirmed in a statement from the Discovery Channel, obtained exclusively by Space.com. The $8.8 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which is scheduled to blast off in late 2018, is touted as the successor to NASA's venerable Hubble Space Telescope, which has been observing the heavens for 25 years. Some of Hubble's major discoveries include nailing down the age of the universe, and finding that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. The infrared-optimized JWST will peer further back in time to view the universe's first galaxies, and will also assist in exoplanet hunting — something that Hubble does but was not designed for. JWST is also expected to look at targets that Hubble imaged, such as galaxies and star clusters, to obtain further information. The two telescopes are expected to operate concurrently for at least several years, allowing for collaborations. (Hubble should last through at least 2020, barring any unforeseen failures, the telescope's operators have said.) "A new generation has been inspired to design and build the greatest telescope yet — NASA's James Webb Space Telescope — which is 100 times more powerful than Hubble, and will be a veritable time machine capable of taking us back to the origins of our universe and of identifying the signature of life on planets far outside our solar system," the statement said. "Telescope" will show viewers how JWST was built and also explore the questions of where humans came from and how the universe arose, officials added. "'Telescope' is Discovery's latest foray into space, part of a deep and lasting commitment to telling compelling stories about human ingenuity and our drive to understand the world around us," said John Hoffman, executive vice president of documentaries and specials for Discovery Channel, an email to Space.com. "Academy Award nominee Nathaniel Kahn turns his keen lens to the story of NASA's mission to build the most powerful telescope in history and reveal the deepest secrets of the universe. It will premiere as part of a special weekend of science programming on both Discovery Channel and Science Channel." An exact airdate for the documentary has not yet been released. http://www.space.com/30877-james-webb-space-telescope-documentary.html Later..... BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597097674 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted October 22, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted October 22, 2015 NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 20 October 2015 Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of Australia taken from the International Space Station on Twitter with the caption, "#EarthArt A single pass over the #Australian continent. Picture 6 of 17. #YearInSpace". Credit: Scott Kelly/NASA NanoRack Cubesat Deployer 6 (NRCSD#6) Latch Inspection and Return to the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock: Kelly obtained photographs for verification of the Cubesat Quad Deployers secondary latch positions. He then opened the Airlock outer hatch, extended the Slide Table out of the Airlock, and monitored the soft dock of the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform with the NRCSD attached to it to the slide table by the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS). Later, he retracted the slide table into the Airlock and closed the outer hatch. Tomorrow, Kelly will pressurize the Airlock and perform a leak check prior to safing the door on Deployer #6, which contains two cubesats that were not able to be launched. Plant Gravity Sensing 2 (PGS2) Run 1 Closeout: Yui closed out Plant Gravity Sensing 2 Run1 today. He removed culture dishes from the Photon Counting Units in the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Incubator Unit and stowed the PGS2 hardware. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation: Yui configured Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) suits 3003 and 3010 for loop scrubbing. Samples containing 250 mL of the water were obtained after the loop scrub activity to determine the effectiveness of the filtering. 10 mL of this water sample was used for a conductivity test and the remaining water will be sent to the ground for chemical analysis. Yui then reconfigured Loop Scrub hardware for Iodination of Ion Filters on both suits. As part of a separate activity, Lindgren utilized the EMU Caution & Warning System (ECWS) Trainer to review operations of the EMU Enhanced Caution and Warning System and practiced EVA Cuff Checklist procedures. Later in the day, Kelly and Lindgren worked together and configured EVA tools needed for upcoming ISS Upgrades EVA, scheduled for October 28th. X2R14 Software Transition: Flight Controllers continue to update Multiplexer/Demultiplexers (MDMs) with the latest software suite. Today, they successfully loaded the LSYS3 R6 software onto the LAB-3 MDM and the N2SYS2 R4 software onto the Node 2-2 MDM. X2R14 software transition activities will continue through Wednesday afternoon. Possible Conjunction with Object # 39861 (SL-16 Debris): Ground teams are evaluating tracking data for a possible conjunction with object # 39861. The time of closest approach is Wednesday, Wednesday, October 21 at 6:01 PM CDT. Concern level on the item is currently medium and teams are evaluating the potential for a Pre-Determined Debris Avoidance Maneuver (PDAM). Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Fault: Overnight, the Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) faulted during a reprocess cycle. The error code indicated an issue with the Fluids Control and Pump Assembly (FCPA). This morning ground teams attempted to re-activate UPA but were not successful. The UPA faulted to the same failure indications. This FCPA has operated for about 1065 hours and is beyond the on-orbit Mean Time between Failure (MBTF) of 600 hours. Currently there are two spare FCPAs on-orbit with an additional spare arriving onboard Orbital 4. Teams will continue to review the data and develop a forward plan. Three-Day Look Ahead:Wednesday, 10/21: EVA Safer Practice, EVA Tool Config, Ocular Health, EVA Camera Setup, X2R14Thursday, 10/22: EMU Water Recharge, EMU OFVFriday, 10/23: 43S OBT Drill, EVA Procedure Review QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group: Component - StatusElektron - OnVozdukh - Manual[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - Off[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - OnCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - StandbyCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - OperateMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - ShutdownMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - OperateOxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - StandbyUrine Processing Assembly (UPA) - ShutdownTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - OffTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-20-october-2015.html Space Station Live: Just the Stats, Ma’amVideo is 5:22 min -------------------------------------------------- Big, 'Spooky' Asteroid to Fly by Earth on Halloween An asteroid the size of a football stadium will zoom past Earth on Halloween, in a close encounter that astronomers view as far more treat than trick. The massive asteroid 2015 TB145 will come within 310,000 miles (500,000 kilometers) of the planet — or about 1.3 times the distance from Earth to the moon — on the afternoon of Oct. 31, just three weeks after the space rock was discovered, according to NASA. There's no threat of an impact on this pass, NASA officials said. Astronomers estimate that the diameter of 2015 TB145, which is also known as "Spooky," to be between 950 feet and 2,130 feet (290 to 650 meters). The Halloween flyby will mark the closest known encounter with such a big asteroid until August 2027, researchers said. [Potentially Dangerous Asteroids (Images)] Scientists based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, plan to observe 2015 TB145 on Halloween using radio dishes at the space agency's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California, as well as the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and possibly the huge Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. "The flyby presents a truly outstanding scientific opportunity to study the physical properties of this object," the researchers wrote in an online observing plan. The asteroid, which will be traveling 78,000 mph (125,500 km/h) relative to Earth during the flyby, "should be one of the best radar targets of the year," they added. The public will be able to track 2015 TB145 as well, thanks to the online Slooh Community Observatory. At 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) on Oct. 31,Slooh will air a live webcast of the asteroid featuring time-lapse views of "Spooky," which completes one lap around the sun every three years, captured by powerful telescopes. "It's frightening to think an asteroid this size, approaching so close to Earth, was discovered only 21 days before its closest approach, which just happens to be on Halloween," Slooh host Paul Cox said in a statement. "If that doesn't give you the chills, nothing will." "Slooh members are tracking the asteroid every night in order to reduce the great uncertainty of its position, size and highly unusual orbit," Cox added. "We can't afford to lose sight of an object this big, which has happened repeatedly in the past." An asteroid the size of 2015 TB145 would do major damage if it were to slam into Earth. For example, the near-Earth object (NEO) that caused the famous "Tunguska event," which destroyed 800 square miles (about 2,070 square km) of Siberian forest in 1908, is thought to have been just 130 feet (40 m) or so in diameter — about 10 percent as wide as 2015 TB145. Scientists have discovered about 13,000 NEOs to date, out of a population that numbers in the millions. Indeed, there are a lot of potentially dangerous space rocks zipping around out there undetected. In fact, less than 1 percent of the estimated 1 million NEOs at least 100 feet (30 m) wide have been found, NASA officials have said. But there is some good news for Earthlings: Models suggest that about 95 percent of the potential "civilization enders" — mountain-size space rocks at least 0.6 miles (1 km) across — have already been detected, and none of those are on a collision course with Earth for the foreseeable future. http://www.space.com/30887-spooky-asteroid-halloween-earth-flyby.html Halloween asteroid flyby will 'narrowly' miss Earth at the end of October - TomoNewsvideo is 1:16 min Two Asteroids Set for Halloween Flybyvideo is 1:00 min Now....Are you a little upset yet.........that this article is "all glossed over" for scientific analysis.....and no one asked, how the hell do you not see an asteroid, which is 5 and 1/2 football fields big, travelling at high speed, and only a tad outside the moon's orbit...and only catch it a few weeks ago....so let's gloss over the screwup oversight, and make it out like it was expected all along for research....when we have a ton of equipment and personel scanning the skies every day! Check out the article link..the normal animated orbit is there, play the video...3 weeks of tracking only..... /s news headlines...Sorry folks, we in the science community missed a high speed asteroid, the size of the Empire State building, which will cross a bit outside the moons orbit.....we had no idea that it was out there, but will tell you nothing is expected that close till next year...because we are good at what we do...confidence inspiring, isn't it.....This is the reason for the emphasis and requirement for an "International NEO watch program"...maybe this will nudge them into action.... By the way, another small asteroid will pass, further out...the one they were watching before this one popped out and said "greeting's earthlings". /s Later...... BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597099276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim K Global Moderator Posted November 1, 2015 Global Moderator Share Posted November 1, 2015 BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597113766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 The NASA ISS Cargo Resupply Services Round 2 contracts are due to be announced in November, with SpaceX (Dragon), Orbital-ATK (Cygnus), Boeing (Cargo Starliner), Sierra Nevada (Cargo Dream Chaser) and Lockheed (Jupiter/Exoliner) competing. Lockheed had been rumored out for cost reasons, and today we hear this, BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597113962 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 3, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 3, 2015 Back again...unscheduled hospital visit.....COPD, inflammation of lungs, extreme difficulty breathing...will be a bit slow getting up to speed again...... Space station marks 15 years inhabited by astronauts Astronauts celebrated 15 years of circling the Earth aboard the International Space Station Monday, a new milestone for an orbiting space lab that some say deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. With operations expected to last another decade, the world's space agencies are now looking to the outpost to provide key data on how future space pioneers may withstand the rigors of venturing further, perhaps even to Mars. "We do a lot of experiments up here but I think the most important experiment is the space station as an orbiting vehicle that keeps humans alive in space for long periods of time," said NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, during a live press conference with the station's crew to mark 15 years of continuous habitation. Along with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, Kelly is spending one year at the ISS so scientists can study the effects of long-term spaceflight on the body and mind. Any trip to Mars would likely last years, raising the issue of harmful radiation. But it could also help scientists understand how to nourish astronauts for long periods and how to maintain healthy crew psychology. "The space station really is a bridge," US astronaut Kjell Lindgren told the media conference. "It is a test bed for the technologies we need to develop and understand in order to have a successful trip to Mars." Space pioneersThe ISS was just a two-module unit when the first crew to inhabit the research laboratory project arrived on November 2, 2000. They were American astronaut Bill Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko. Since then, a rotating cast of more than 220 of the world's elite astronauts have lived and worked at the ISS, which includes 16 participating nations and is led by the United States and Russia. Modules were added over time and today the football-stadium-sized outfit represents about $100 billion dollars in investment and provides as much living space as a six-bedroom house. Traveling at an altitude of about 250 miles (400 kilometers) and a speed of about 17,500 miles (28,000 kilometers) per hour, the space station circles the Earth once every 90 minutes. Typically, six crew at a time eat, sleep and float around in the microgravity environment, working 35 hours per week on a host of science projects for a mission duration of about six months. After one crew of three astronauts departs, three replacements blast off aboard a Russian Soyuz spaceship, now the only mode of transport to and from the ISS after the US space shuttle program was retired in 2011. Peace Prize?John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, called the 15th anniversary an "incredible achievement," and said "the international partnership that built and maintains the station is a shining example, moreover, of what humanity can accomplish when we work together in peace." In the past, NASA administrator Charles Bolden has said the project is worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. Asked about that assertion, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, who also took part in Monday's news conference, said Bolden is "100 percent right." "People on the ground sometimes fail to hear each other, to see each other. Here in space, this is impossible," Kononenko said through a translator. "Everyone is important here and the success of the program -- and sometimes even life -- depends on what each and every one of us does." The six crewmen currently living in space planned to mark the anniversary with a communal dinner and some reflection, said Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui. "We are going to have a meal together," he said. "And also we would like to talk about the future." http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Space_station_marks_15_years_inhabited_by_astronauts_999.html Nice article...this is what it's all about.....sharing the adventure..... ------------------------------------------- Lowe's Is Launching A Commercial 3D Printer Into Space Lowe's Innovation Labs, the disruptive innovation hub of Lowe's Companies, Inc., has partnered with aerospace company Made in Space, to become the first to launch a commercial 3D printer to space. The printer, the first permanent additive manufacturing facility for the International Space Station (ISS), will bring tools and technology to astronauts in space. At the same time here on earth, Lowe's is launching the next-generation Lowe's Holoroom - an in-store and at-home virtual reality design tool that enables customers to envision the room of their dreams. The Lowe's 3D printer is slated to arrive at the ISS in early 2016, making Lowe's the first retailer to have a presence in space. From 200 miles above Earth, astronauts can use 3D printing technology to create a tool on-demand and produce parts they may not have onboard and immediately available. Customers are already using Lowe's Innovation Labs' 3D scanning and printing services to produce custom or hard-to-find replacement parts. "Lowe's and Made in Space share a vision of how 3D printing can revolutionize retail and home improvement, while also changing the way astronauts work in space," said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe's Innovation Labs. "This is just the beginning of a broader partnership with Made in Space that will bring tools to space and new technology to Earth." "For the first time, astronauts can now manufacture what they need, when they need it in space," said Jason Dunn, chief technology officer and co-founder of Made in Space. "We have successfully demonstrated the technology's capabilities in space. And now with the launch of the permanent additive manufacturing facility to the ISS, we are enabling humanity to manufacture things off the planet." In 2014, Lowe's Innovation Labs introduced its first proof of concept, the Lowe's Holoroom. The augmented reality design experience was successfully tested in stores in the Toronto area for six months and led to the next-generation Lowe's Holoroom that will be installed in 19 stores across the United States beginning next month. The Holoroom has evolved from a single platform augmented reality solution to a virtual reality design and visualization tool that leverages Oculus Rift optic technology in stores and Google Cardboard viewers that consumers can take home. Lowe's Innovation Labs and Google collaborated to create a shareable Holoroom experience that combines YouTube's 360-degree video capabilities with Google Cardboard to enable customers to enjoy and share their virtual kitchen or bathroom design whenever and wherever they choose. "The next-generation Holoroom continues to fulfill our long-term vision for how augmented and virtual reality technologies can help customers have more confidence and more fun with home improvement," Nel said. "We can't wait to see what our customers create as they bring their imagination to life with these new tools." Lowe's created Lowe's Innovation Labs in 2014 to develop disruptive technologies by bringing together uncommon partners with a commitment to get technology out of the lab and into the real world. In its first year, Lowe's Innovation Labs collaborated with startups to introduce the first-generation Lowe's Holoroom, the OSHbot autonomous retail service robot and in-store and online 3D scanning and printing. http://spaceref.com/nasa-hack-space/lowes-is-launching-a-commercial-3d-printer-into-space.html Lowe's 3D Printing with Made in Space , video is 2:26 min NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 28 October 2015 NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 28 October 2015.NASA NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren ended their spacewalk at 3:19 p.m. EDT with the repressurization of the U.S. Quest airlock, having completed most of the major tasks planned for their excursion outside the International Space Station. Kelly and Lindgren applied a thermal cover on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer; applied grease to a number of components in one of the latching ends of the Canadarm2 robotic arm; and began work to rig power and data system cables for the future installation of a docking port to the station that will be used for the arrival of the Boeing Starliner CST-100 and SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Greasing numerous parts of the robotic arm took somewhat longer than anticipated, and flight controllers chose to forego the lubrication of one component. However, engineers are satisfied the work that was completed sufficiently enhances the performance of the latching end effector. A lower priority task to reinstall a valve on the station will be assigned to crew members during a future spacewalk. The 7-hour and 16-minute spacewalk was a first for both astronauts. Crew members have now spent a total of 1,184 hours and 16 minutes conducting space station assembly and maintenance during 189 spacewalks. Kelly and Lindgren will venture outside the International Space Station again on Friday, Nov. 6. The two spacewalks were scheduled around milestones in space. Tomorrow, Kelly becomes the U.S. astronaut who has lived in space the longest during a single U.S. spaceflight, and Monday the crew celebrates the 15th year of a continuous human presence in space aboard the station. During the second spacewalk, the astronauts will restore a truss cooling system to its original configuration following a 2012 spacewalk in which another team of astronauts attempted to isolate a leak of ammonia coolant. They also will top off ammonia on the station's truss reservoirs. NASA Television coverage will begin at 5:45 a.m. EST ahead of the spacewalk's planned start time of 7:10 a.m. Three-Day Look Ahead:Thursday, 10/29: 1/2 Duty Day, Post EVA Activities, Plant Gravity Sensing 2, VIABLE TrainingFriday, 10/30: EVA Preparation, JEMAL ExHAM installSaturday, 10/31: Weekly Cleaning, Crew Off Duty QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group: Component - StatusElektron - OffVozdukh - Manual[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - OffCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - OffCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - OperateMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - ShutdownMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - OperateOxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - ProcessUrine Processing Assembly (UPA) - StandbyTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - OffTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-28-october-2015.html --------------------------------------------------- NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 October 2015 Expedition 45 Commander Scott Kelly has been in space longer than any other NASA astronaut. Today he exceeds Michael Lopez-Alegria's record of 215 days on a single spaceflight. He passed Michael Fincke's record of 382 cumulative days in space on Oct. 16. Kelly also completed his first spacewalk along with Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren on Wednesday. The duo worked outside for seven hours and 16 minutes on a series of tasks to service and upgrade the International Space Station. They wrapped a dark matter detection experiment in a thermal blanket, lubricated the tip of the Canadarm2 robotic arm and then routed power and data cables for a future docking port. Meanwhile, the crew is back at work today on advanced space science and routine laboratory maintenance. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui explored how plants grow without gravity to guide them. Kelly recorded his impressions of the space station's living and working space for the Habitability study. Lindgren trained for the VIABLE experiment that researches microbe development on station surfaces. The cosmonauts including Sergey Volkov, Mikhail Kornienko and Oleg Kononenko worked on scheduled tasks in the Russian segment of the orbital laboratory. They explored Earth photography techniques, the physics of plasma crystals and controlling a rover on the ground from space. Post Extravehicular Activity (EVA): Due to the EVA yesterday, the US crew was scheduled for a half duty day. This morning, Kelly and Lindgren completed post-EVA health assessments. Kelly, Yui and Lindgren then participated in an EVA debrief session with ground specialists. Later, Kelly remated wire harness W0142 to the Node 1 Starboard Gore Panel. The wire harness was demated to provide an upstream physical inhibit for the EVA installation of W2289 during EVA #32. Lastly, Lindgren completed a refill of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) feed water tanks and an ullage dump on EMUs 3003 and 3010. Plant Gravity Sensing 2 (PGS2) Investigation: Yui retrieved a Seed Paper Kit from a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI), prepared the Seed Papers for 4 Culture Dishes and then returned the culture dishes to the MELFI. Tomorrow the seeds will be inserted into the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) to start the second of two runs for PGS2. The PGS2 investigation supports the study of cellular formation of the plant's gravity sensors and the molecular mechanism for gravity sensing in plants grown in microgravity conditions. Plasma Kristall-4 (PK-4) Investigation: Kononenko performed closeout activities for the first run of PK-4, completed today, and prepared the equipment for the next run. He then replaced the data hard drives with new ones, and then filled the PK-4 Chamber first with cleaning gas and then with Neon gas. PK-4 is a scientific payload for performing research in the field of 'Complex Plasmas': low temperature gaseous mixtures composed of ionized gas, neutral gas and micron-sized particles. The micro-particles become highly charged in the plasma and interact strongly with each other which can lead to a self-organized structure of the micro-particles: so-called plasma crystals. Experiments in the facility aim to study Transport Properties, Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Statistical Physics and Non-linear waves and Instabilities in the plasmas. eValuatIon And monitoring of microBiofiLms insidE the ISS (ViABLE) Experiment: Kelly touched the palm of his hand to experimental materials located on the top covers of ViABLE bags. He also blew on experimental materials located on those covers. This activity is performed approximately every 45 days and the bags are photographed at 6 month intervals. ViABLE involves the evaluation of microbial biofilm development on metallic and textile space materials located inside and on the cover of Nomex pouches. Microbial biofilms are known for causing damage and contamination on the Mir space station and the ISS. The potential application of novel methodologies and products to treat space materials may lead to improvements in the environmental quality of confined human habitats in space and on earth. Ground ActivitiesAll activities were completed unless otherwise noted.MT Translation from WS2 to WS4 Three-Day Look Ahead:Friday, 10/30: EVA Preparation, JEMAL ExHAM installSaturday, 10/31: Weekly Cleaning, Crew Off DutySunday, 11/01: Crew Off Duty QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group: Component - StatusElektron - OffVozdukh - Manual[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - OnCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - OffCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - OperateMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - ShutdownMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - OperateOxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - ProcessUrine Processing Assembly (UPA) - StandbyTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - OffTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-29-october-2015.html -------------------------------------- NASA ISS Space to Ground Weekly Report - 30 October 2015 NASA ISS Space to Ground Weekly Report - 30 October 2015. NASA NASA's Space to Ground is your weekly update on what's happening aboard the International Space Station. http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-iss-space-to-ground-weekly-report---30-october-2015.html Space to Ground: Home Improvements: 10/30/2015, video is 2:00 min BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597115924 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 3, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 3, 2015 15 Years Later, Space Station Commander Recalls 1st Expedition The first commander of the International Space Station, Bill Shepherd, floats inside the Zvezda service module in 2000. Credit: NASA A week into taking up residency on board the International Space Station, Bill Shepherd closed out the first entry in his new (space) ship's log with a note to those supporting him and his crewmates on the ground. "We have all written some space history," the Expedition 1 commander wrote. Now, 15 years later, Shepherd's focus is on the future and how what he helped start might influence what happens next. "What does Space Station mean in the context of the next century, the next millennium? I think it is very exciting to wonder just how far this will go," he told collectSPACE.com. [Cosmic Quiz: The International Space Station] "We learned a lot doing this," he said. "I think it is a good road map for bigger things in the future." On Nov. 2, 2000, at 5:23 a.m. EST (1023 GMT), astronaut Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko entered the station to become its first resident crew. Up to that point, Shepherd had logged just 18 days in space on three short space shuttle missions. Now, he was beginning a four and a half month stay on the orbiting outpost. His two Russian flight engineers were more experienced. Krikalev and Gidzenko had each spent at least six months on board the former Russian space station Mir. "Sergei had flown and been in space for more than a year aboard Mir, so my sense of what we were doing was that I was with two guys who knew a lot about what to expect and what had to be done," Shepherd recalled. "So I was pretty relaxed about that. And actually Sergei was the first guy to open the hatch and go in." The space station was a lot smaller then. First established in 1998 with the docking of the United States' Unity node to Russia's Zarya functionalcargo block, by the time that the Expedition 1 crew arrived two years later, the soon-to-be-burgeoning complex had just one more room, Russia's Zvezda service module. [Building the International Space Station: A Photo Guide] Still, there was much to be done. "Our first day was extremely hectic," Shepherd described. "Finding equipment, getting the right procedures out, and getting through the first day was extremely hectic. It went okay, not without incident, but fortunately no major ones." "It was kind of like trying to build a house and live in it at the same time," he noted. For the first three months of their 137 days on the station, communication with the ground were intermittent, meaning that Shepherd, as commander, had control. "Our comm links for the first two-thirds of our expedition were extremely sparse," Shepherd said. "So the crew had to operate much more on their own than I believe they do today and what had been our previous experience. I think you have to go back to Mercury and Gemini to really get a crew environment that was that separated from its ground control." Fifteen years later, the current Expedition 45 crew has it much different. Since being completed in 2011, the space station now has the same pressurized volume as a Boeing 747 jetliner, offering more livable room than a conventional six-bedroom house. The six crew members onboard are in almost constant contact with the ground and have access to the internet. On Expedition 1, Shepherd, Krikalev and Gidzenko carried out 22 science experiments. Today, the crew is expected to complete 191 science investigations during Expeditions 45 and 46. "[The space station's] form right now is very close to what was laid down about 20 years ago," Shepherd said. Expedition 1 crewmates Bill Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev pose with a model of the space station as it appeared in 2000. NASA It is where the outpost was altered however, that traces of Shepherd's legacy can still be found in space. "The first expedition had a number of things that we put in place, some obvious, some not so obvious," he stated. "A good example of that [is that] we had a need to close off a ventilation duct. I forget why. The flow was not right or the pressurization was not right, so we fabricated a little cover out of aluminum and put it on this duct." "I wrote on the back of it that this was something that was manufactured by the first expedition, figuring that no one would ever see that. About a year and a half ago though, [the space station crew] were doing something and had to get in that duct and pulled that piece off. I now have it in my house right now," Shepherd revealed. "There are a few other things hidden away in various parts of the original modules on Space Station that I don't think people have found yet — but some day," he said. http://www.space.com/30988-international-space-station-commander-15th-anniversary.html ----------------------------------------------------- 15 Years Of Space Station Science And Construction - Highlight Video, 4:38 min International Space Station Assembly, video is 2:00 min warning...NASA hillbilly music...animation good High-Tech Methods Study Bacteria on the International Space Station Where there are people, there are bacteria, even in space. But what kinds of bacteria are present where astronauts live and work? Researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, in collaboration with colleagues at other institutions, used state-of-the-art molecular analysis to explore the microbial environment on the International Space Station. They then compared these results to the bacteria found in clean rooms, which are controlled and thoroughly cleaned laboratory environments on Earth. Examining samples from an air filter and a vacuum dust bag from the space station, researchers found opportunistic bacterial pathogens that are mostly innocuous on Earth but can lead to infections that result in inflammations or skin irritations. In general, they found that the human skin-associated bacteria Corynebacterium and Propionibacterium (Actinobacteria) but not Staphylococcus were more abundant on the station than in Earth-based clean rooms. "Studying the microbial community on the space station helps us better understand the bacteria present there, so that we can identify species that could potentially damage equipment or pose harms to astronaut health. It also helps us identify areas that need more rigorous cleaning," said Kasthuri Venkateswaran, who led the research at JPL with collaborators Aleksandra Checinska, the study's first author, and Parag Vaishampayan. The findings of this study help NASA establish a baseline for monitoring the cleanliness of the space station, which will in turn help manage astronaut health in the future. However, with this particular type of DNA analysis, researchers could not conclude whether these bacteria are harmful to astronaut health. The space station is a unique environment, featuring microgravity, space radiation, elevated carbon dioxide and constant presence of humans. Understanding the nature of the communities of microbes - what scientists call "the microbiome" - in the space station is key to managing astronaut health and maintenance of equipment. Previous studies of the station have used traditional microbiology techniques, which culture bacteria and fungi in the lab, to assess the composition of the microbial community. Now, Venkateswaran and colleagues are using the latest DNA sequencing technologies to rapidly and precisely identify the microorganisms present on the space station. "Deep sequencing allows us to get a closer look at the microbial population than with traditional methods," Venkateswaran said. The team compared samples from the station's air filter and vacuum bag with dust from two JPL clean rooms. While clean rooms circulate fresh air, the space station filters and recirculates existing air. Also, importantly, there are always six people living on the space station, whereas a cleanroom may see 50 people go in and out in a day, but not be inhabited continuously. Clean rooms are not airtight, but there are several layers of rooms that would prevent the free exchange of air particulates. The researchers analyzed the samples for microorganisms, and then stained their cells with a dye to determine whether they were living or dead. This enabled them to measure the size and diversity of viable bacterial and fungal populations, and determine how closely the conditions in the Earth clean rooms compare with the space station environment. Their results show that Actinobacteria made up a larger proportion of the microbial community in the space station than in the cleanrooms. The authors conclude that this could be due to the more stringent cleaning regimens possible on Earth. The research did not address the virulence of these pathogens in closed environments or the risk of skin infection to astronauts. Using these newer DNA sequencing technologies, researchers could also, in the future, study how microgravity affects bacteria. The current thinking is that microgravity is not favorable to bacterial survival generally, but that some species that can withstand it may become more virulent. Such research will be important for long-duration space missions, such as NASA's journey to Mars. Other study co-authors include Alexander J. Probst of the University of California, Berkeley; James R. White of Resphera Biosciences, Baltimore; Deepika Kumar, Victor G. Stepanov, and George E. Fox of the University of Houston, Texas; Henrik R. Nilsson of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Duane L. Pierson of NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston; and Jay Perry of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama. They report theirfindings in the open access journal Microbiome. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/High_Tech_Methods_Study_Bacteria_on_the_International_Space_Station_999.html ----------------------------------------------------------- Space Junk Millions of bits of space junk?-?leftover fragments from spacecraft and related debris?-?orbit Earth, and the majority of these will eventually fall into Earth's atmosphere and incinerate. Astronomers believe they have recently observed one of these pieces and, for the first time, can predict when and where it will enter the atmosphere. Such forecasts could allow scientists the opportunity to observe these events to better understand what happens when space debris?-?manmade or natural?-?comes in contact with the atmosphere and determine which objects might be hazardous to humans. The object was detected on October 3 by the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS), a project based near Tucson that searches the sky for comets and asteroids, particularly those that could potentially impact Earth. Soon after this discovery, astronomers realized that the CSS had also imaged the object in 2013; comparing the two observations allowed the scientists to determine its orbit, which looked much more like that of typical space junk than a natural body. They also concluded that it will enter Earth's atmosphere on November 13 over the Indian Ocean, in the vicinity of Sri Lanka. Lowell Observatory planetary astronomer Nick Moskovitz, one of many observers around the world helping to study the debris, said, "We're not 100% sure it's artificial but we're trying to solve that over the next couple of nights. Its orbit shows us that the object will undergo a close encounter with Earth this week, so we'll be able to collect data on it." Moskovitz plans to remotely observe the object with the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope (SOAR) in Chile, collecting images and spectral data. The latter can reveal characteristics of the body such as composition. Moskovitz said, "Artificial objects can have a coat of paint on their surfaces, and oftentimes that paint has titanium oxide in it. This does not occur naturally, so if the object's spectrum indicates the presence of titanium oxide, we can know it's definitively artificial." Moskovitz's colleagues in Italy and at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California will use data from his observations to refine the orbit, which will help pinpoint the place of entry on the 13th. Moskovitz hopes the team can then set up instruments to observe and collect data as the debris hurtles through the atmosphere at a speed of nearly seven miles per second. One team member, Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute in California, is exploring the possibility of chartering a private plane to witness the event up close. Moskovitz said the debris likely measures in the range of three to six feet in diameter and will probably burn up after entering the atmosphere. He said, "We don't know what it is so we don't know its shape and how it's going to fragment. A piece of a solar panel, for instance, would behave differently than a booster tank. There is certainly the possibility that pieces could make it to the ground, though I think it's unlikely." According to NASA, millions of pieces of space junk orbit Earth. Of these, about 500,000 are the size of a marble or larger, and 20,000 are larger than a softball. This increasing population of debris poses a threat to spacecraft such as the International Space Station. The Department of Defense's Space Surveillance Network tracks those pieces that measure two inches or larger, but up to this point no-one has accurately predicted the entry point into the atmosphere of those whose orbits have decayed. Doing so could help avoid hazardous collisions with spacecraft. For Moskovitz, the November 13 event is a great learning opportunity. He said, "This is like a controlled experiment. We generally can't predict when asteroids or other meteor parent bodies are going to hit Earth and so we can't plan observations of these events. This event, though, we can prepare for. Observing it will allow us to gain a better understanding of how Earth's atmosphere is processing material as it comes through. This will help us gain some insight into what is actually making it to the ground and how that represents the asteroids out there." Whether this object proves to be, in fact, artificial or is a natural fragment from space, scientists eagerly anticipate its arrival and the story it will tell. Stay tuned... http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Space_Junk_999.html BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597115950 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 4, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 4, 2015 NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 2 November 2015 Expedition 1, the first space station crew, poses inside the Zvezda service module with a model of the young International Space Station. Pictured in December 2000 (from left) are Commander William Shepherd and Flight Engineers Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev. Credit: NASA Today marks 15 years of continuous habitation aboard the International Space Station. Expedition 1, the first station crew, docked Nov. 2, 2000 after launching two days earlier inside the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft. The young space station at the time consisted of just three modules including the Zarya module, the Zvezda service module and the Unity module. Commander William Shepherd and Flight Engineers Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko spent 141 days in space, saw two space shuttle missions and the addition of a solar array truss structure and the U.S. Destiny laboratory module. The current six-member crew, Expedition 45, consists of NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and veteran cosmonauts Sergey Volkov, Mikhail Kornienko and Oleg Kononenko. Kelly and Kornienko are spending nearly a year in space. The crew worked a wide variety of lab maintenance and advanced science exploring how life adapts to long-term space missions with potential benefits to Earth-bound humans and future astronauts. Today they researched new exercise techniques and how living in space affects a crew member's attitude. The crew also explored how the station's habitat affects the orbiting resident's mental state and how lack of sleep and fatigue affects a crew member's cognition. Another ongoing experiment that took place today researched the dynamic loads the space station experiences during spacecraft dockings, spacewalks and even crew exercise. Combustion Integration Rack (CIR) / FLame Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX)-2J: Lindgren replaced the FLEX-2J Fiber Arm and the Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA) fuel reservoir today as part of routine maintenance operations for the CIR, in support of the FLEX-2J investigation. FLEX-2J studies the interactions of flames on the motion and ignition of millimeter-sized droplets. Results can provide fundamental insight into the physics of fuel burning, which improves computer models designed to reduce emissions and improve fuel consumption efficiency in space and on Earth. Columbus Solid State Drive (SSD) LAN Cable Connectors: Kelly successfully adjusted misaligned SSD LAN cable connectors in order to overcome structural interference at the Columbus Starboard Endcone. In May, two Columbus Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs) on the Starboard Endcone were replaced with two newer design SSD recorders. However, the installation could not be completed at that time because of the misaligned connectors. With the connector repair, ESA can now proceed with commissioning of the new recorders. The new SSD recorders will provide additional recording capability without the use of Hi-8 tapes. Fluids Control and Pump Assembly (FCPA) Inspection: Last week, the Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) FCPA experienced an anomaly and was changed out. Today, the crew performed an inspection on the faulty FCPA to check for leaks. They found no evidence of fluid or leaks on the hardware, and packaged it for return and refurbishment. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation: Today, Kelly and Lindgren reviewed procedures associated with the upcoming P6 Return to Original Configuration (RTOC) EVA. The EVA is scheduled for Friday, 06 November with hatch opening taking place at approximately 6:15am CST. Ground ActivitiesAll activities were completed unless otherwise noted.EXT MDM Swap and EEPROM Refresh Three-Day Look Ahead:Tuesday, 11/03: EVA Procedure Reviews and Conference, EVA Ammonia OBT, Cognition TestWednesday, 11/04: EVA QD Training, EVA Tool Config, Capillary Flow Experiment, SPHERESThursday, 11/05: 1/2 Duty Day, EVA Procedure Review, Pre EVA PHS, Equipment Lock Prep QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group: Component - StatusElektron - OffVozdukh - Manual[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - OffCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - StandbyCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - OperateMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - ShutdownMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - OperateOxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - ProcessUrine Processing Assembly (UPA) - StandbyTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - OffTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-2-november-2015.html ----------------------------------- Traveling through space? Don't forget your sleeping pills and skin cream To make their observations, Wotring examined the medical records of ISS crewmembers who gave permission to use their data in this study. The medications they used, the reasons they used them and how well they said the medicines worked were analyzed. If you are planning to take the long trip to Mars, don't forget to pack sleeping pills and skin cream. A new study published in the November 2015 issue of The FASEB Journal, is the first-ever examination of the medications used by astronauts on long-duration missions to the International Space Station. As one might expect, the study shows that much of the medicine taken by astronauts in space relates to the unusual and confined microgravity environment in which they work or to the actual work that they are doing to complete their missions. Among these medications, the report shows that the use of sleep aids and incidence of skin rashes were higher than expected. These findings not only help the world's space agencies anticipate needs for future ISS inhabitants, but also the day-to-day medical needs of those who may take the trip to Mars. "We hope that this study will help NASA to prepare for astronauts' medical needs on long-duration spaceflight missions," said Virginia E. Wotring, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Division of Space Life Sciences at Universities Space Research Association in Houston, Texas. "Knowing what medications to pack is especially important before starting an exploration mission that may last three years." To make their observations, Wotring examined the medical records of ISS crewmembers who gave permission to use their data in this study. The medications they used, the reasons they used them and how well they said the medicines worked were analyzed. Many of the astronaut medication uses examined were very similar to what would be seen in any group of healthy adults on Earth. The astronauts' medication usage was especially similar to that of submarine crews - although submariners are on Earth and underwater, they also live in a closed environment for months at a time. While the data used for this study were not detailed enough to suggest treatment changes, it did identify two areas to examine more closely in future studies: sleep problems and skin rashes. This study is one step toward figuring out if being in reduced gravity changes how our medicines work. "Getting a good night's sleep in space is a little trickier than you might think. Not only do you have to deal with the discomfort of microgravity, but you also wake up to the fact that 'day' and 'night' are best experienced on a planet," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "As far as skin rashes are concerned, that should be no surprise either. Those are close quarters and things get itchy." http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Traveling_through_space_Dont_forget_your_sleeping_pills_and_skin_cream_999.html --------------------------------------------------------- Plant Gene Discovery Could Lead to Growing Food in Space Cultivated Nicotiana benthamiana QUT QUT scientists have discovered the gene that will open the door for space-based food production. Professor Peter Waterhouse, a plant geneticist at QUT, discovered the gene in the ancient Australian native tobacco plant Nicotiana benthamiana, known as Pitjuri to indigenous Aboriginals tribes. Professor Waterhouse made the discovery while tracing the history of the Pitjuri plant, which for decades has been used by geneticists as a model plant upon which to test viruses and vaccines. Professor Waterhouse made the discovery while tracing the history of the Pitjuri plant, which for decades has been used by geneticists as a model plant upon which to test viruses and vaccines. "This plant is the 'laboratory rat' of the molecular plant world," he said, "we think of it as a magical plant with amazing properties. "We now know that in 1939 its seeds were sent by an Australian scientist to a scientist in America and have been passed from lab to lab all over the world. "By sequencing its genome and looking through historical records we have been able to determine that the original plant came from the Granites area near the Western Australia and Northern Territory border, close to where Wolf Creek was filmed. "We know, through using a molecular clock and fossil records, that this particular plant has survived in its current form in the wild for around 750,000 years." Lead researcher Dr Julia Bally said determining the exact species had led researchers on a quest to find out how the plant managed to survive in the wild for such a long period of time. "What we found may have a big impact on future plant biotechnology research," Dr Bally said. "We have discovered that it is the plant equivalent of the nude mouse used in medical research." "The plant has lost its 'immune system' and has done that to focus its energies on being able to germinate and grow quickly, rapidly flower, and set seed after even a small amount of rainfall. "Its focus is on creating small flowers but large seeds and on getting these seeds back into the soil in time for the next rain. "The plant has worked out how to fight drought -- its number one predator -- in order to survive through generations." Professor Waterhouse, a molecular geneticist with QUT's Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, said scientists could use this discovery to investigate other niche or sterile growing environments where plants were protected from disease -- and space was an intriguing option. "So the recent film The Martian, which involved an astronaut stranded on Mars growing potatoes while living in an artificial habitat, had a bit more science fact than fiction than people might think," he said. Professor Waterhouse said the team's findings also have implications for future genetic research back here on Earth. "Scientists can now know how to turn other species into 'nude mice' for research purposes. So just as nude mice can be really good models for cancer research, 'nude' versions of crop plants could also speed up agricultural research," he said. Professor Waterhouse said the fact that the N. benthamiana variety from central Australia had doubled its seed size also opened the door for investigations into how N. benthamiana could be used commercially as a biofactory, as seeds were an excellent place in which to make antibodies for pharmaceutical use. Researchers around the world can access Professor Waterhouse's open source website, to study the genomes of seven family members: http://www.benthgenome.qut.edu.au/ Dr Bally and Professor Waterhouse have lodged a patent on their study (Organisms with Modified Growth Characteristics and Methods of Making Them) and a research paper, The extremophile Nicotiana bethamiana has traded viral defence for early vigour, has been published Nature Plant http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nplants.2015.165 http://spaceref.com/space-biology/plant-gene-discovery-could-lead-to-growing-food-in-space.html ------------------------- LEGO Won't Be Making Fan's Space Station Despite 10,000 Votes LEGO will not be producing Christoph Ruge's International Space Station model, which recreated the orbiting outpost using the toy company's iconic plastic bricksCredit: LEGO Ideas LEGO will not be launching a model of the International Space Station, passing on the orbiting outpost during its most-recent review of fan-suggested and supported projects. The company announced its decisionon Friday (Oct. 30), just days shy of the anniversary of the real space station's first crew taking up residency on Nov. 2, 2000, beginning 15 years of a continuous human presence in space. "This is usually when we happily announce which project will become the next LEGO Ideas product," stated Connie Solheim Lykke, marketing manager with the LEGO Group. "But unfortunately, I am unable to do so this time." The LEGO Ideas website invites fans to enter designs for models using the company's iconic toy bricks, The designs are then open to the public to vote on and support. If a project reaches 10,000 votes in the allotted time, it is reviewed by LEGO for possible production as a commercial kit. Christoph Ruge, who goes by the LEGO Ideas' username XCLD, designed a scale a scale model of the International Space Stationusing slightly over 1,000 LEGO bricks. The model featured rotating solar arrays, an articulated robot arm and visiting vehicles that can dock to the complex. "You can freely reconfigurate (sic) the station to your own ideas," Ruge wrote on his project's page, adding that his idea for the final set "might come with additional pieces to cover upcoming upgrades of the original station." Ruge's LEGO space station was promoted by NASA and the European Space Agency on social media and reached its requisite 10,000th votein April. LEGO batches the projects that qualify into three annual reviews. As such, Ruge's International Space Station was considered with other fans' creations, including models of the RMS Titanic, a 1969 Corvette and a DC-3 airplane, as well as sets based on Disney's "Frozen" and the television sitcom "Golden Girls." In total, LEGO evaluated 13 projects during its first review of 2015, including the space station. "For a number of reasons, none of the projects made it through our latest review process," Lykke said in a video announcing the results. "We are very disappointed to pass on this news, not least because we know the huge amount of effort the designers put into creating their models and campaigning for the projects." LEGO's review considered factors including playability and fit with the toy company's brand. Although LEGO did not release why individual projects were rejected, Lykke said that some projects may have come too close to products that the LEGO Group already sells or has plans for in the future, while others may have challenged their production capability for LEGO Ideas products. "Remember guys, when submitting a big project, it needs to fit in a box," she said. Ruge, who while waiting for the review's results posted the instructions for orderingthe parts and building a miniature version of his station, seemed to be taking the outcome in stride. "Sad news," he wrote on Twitter, "No ISS this time." This was the first time LEGO passed on producing any of the projects that qualified during a single review period The next space history model rising up the ranks on LEGO Ideas is a scale model of the Apollo 11 Saturn V.Credit: LEGO Ideas Since LEGO Ideas began in 2008, three other fan projects based on real space exploration history have qualified for review and two have been made into products. In 2012, Daisuke Okubo's LEGO brick version of Japan's Hayabusa asteroid sample return probe was released as the second fan-created kit. Two years later, the company chose Stephen Pakbaz's model of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover as its fifth LEGO Ideas set. The third project, Gabriel Russo's miniature of the Hubble Space Telescope, was rejected in February 2015. Currently on LEGO Ideas, only one space-themed model has made it beyond the halfway point to 10,000 votes, a scale model of the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket. Created by Felix Stiessen and Valerie Roche, the 3-foot-tall (1 meter) booster features rocket stages that separate, a retractable lunar module and two astronaut minifigures. http://www.space.com/31004-lego-passes-on-fan-made-space-station.html I'll hold out for the Falcon Heavy.............but that Saturn V is nice..... On another note.... Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa poses with a LEGO model of the International Space Station on the space station. (NASA) In 2012, one of those crewmembers, Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, actually assembled a LEGO model of the complete outpost while he was living aboard the space station. The activity was a part of an educational outreach project between the Danish toy company and NASA. "The ISS was put together in space, piece by piece," said Furukawa. "It's very similar to how you put together LEGO bricks on Earth." Unfortunately, just like the real station, Furukawa's LEGO model could not support its own weight under gravity and had to be disassembled before returning to Earth. http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-031315a-lego-space-station-model.html -------------------------------------------------------- By far, my favorite probe series...Voyager....... Scientists Solve Mystery Surrounding Voyager 1's Passage to Interstellar Space Ever since NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft exited the heliosphere and made the passage to interstellar space, scientists were perplexed by the spacecraft inconsistent measurements of the galactic magnetic field that lies outside of the Sun’s magnetosphere. A new study shows that these inconsistencies are caused by the deflection of the galactic magnetic field lines from the solar one, at the boundary of the heliopause. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech This is a pretty good article...a bit long, but worth it, for those who have become fond of this probe....please check out the link.... http://www.americaspace.com/?p=88131#more-88131 Data is usually transmitted at predetermined times, and you may catch it in action on the DSN......https://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/dsn.html Later...... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597118360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Overlord Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 ok I need to ask, Is it true, NASA cuts the live feed everytime an Alien Ship comes into view of one of the cameras on the ISS? Draggendrop, +Raze and BetaguyGZT 3 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597118372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 4, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 4, 2015 ok I need to ask, Is it true, NASA cuts the live feed everytime an Alien Ship comes into view of one of the cameras on the ISS? dammit...everyone knows now.....(put's head down and sulks down hallway) BetaguyGZT and The Evil Overlord 2 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597118380 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Shhh! Don't discuss Non-Terrestrial Activity (NTA) on unsecured connections! Otherwise you'll be MIA with a PCC and the rest of us will get KP. The Evil Overlord and Draggendrop 2 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597120108 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Overlord Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Shhh! Don't discuss Non-Terrestrial Activity (NTA) on unsecured connections! Otherwise you'll be MIA with a PCC and the rest of us will get KP. And then we'll meet a SWF with a BMW looking for a GG, preferably a M. for LTR or just a QF? Draggendrop, +Raze and BetaguyGZT 3 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597120296 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 5, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 5, 2015 Now my HEAD (human electrochemical analytical device) hurts!........ooooops, wrong thread...be over later... BetaguyGZT and The Evil Overlord 2 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597120318 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 5, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 5, 2015 NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 3 November 2015 NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 3 November 2015. NASA NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren are looking ahead to Friday morning's spacewalk to return the port truss cooling system back to its original configuration after repair work completed in 2012. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui will assist the spacewalkers before they get out the door and coordinate their activities from inside the International Space Station. Today, the trio reviewed the cooling system servicing spacewalk procedures and organized their tools. Kelly and Lindgren will work with ammonia fluid cables and tanks during thespacewalk scheduled for Friday at 7:10 a.m. EST. Yui joined the duo and trained for the possibility their spacesuits may come in contact with ammonia coolant flakes. Ground ActivitiesAll activities were completed unless otherwise noted.Nominal System Commanding Three-Day Look Ahead:Wednesday, 11/04: EVA QD Training, EVA Tool Config, Capillary Flow Experiment, SPHERESThursday, 11/05: 1/2 Duty Day, EVA Procedure Review, Pre EVA PHS, Equipment Lock PrepFriday, 11/06: P6 RTOC EVA QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group: Component - StatusElektron - OffVozdukh - Manual[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - OffCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - StandbyCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - OperateMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - ShutdownMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - OperateOxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - ProcessUrine Processing Assembly (UPA) - StandbyTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - OffTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-3-november-2015.html Spacewalk Airlock Training, video is 2:18 min -------------------------------------- NASA Seeks Astronauts for Future Space Missions File image NASA In anticipation of returning human spaceflight launches to American soil, and in preparation for the agency's journey to Mars, NASA announced it will soon begin accepting applications for the next class of astronaut candidates. With more human spacecraft in development in the United States today than at any other time in history, future astronauts will launch once again from the Space Coast of Florida on American-made commercial spacecraft, and carry out deep-space exploration missions that will advance a future human mission to Mars. The agency will accept applications from Dec. 14 through mid-February and expects to announce candidates selected in mid-2017. Applications for consideration as a NASA Astronaut will be accepted at: http://www.usajobs.gov The next class of astronauts may fly on any of four different U.S. vessels during their careers: the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development by U.S. companies, and NASA's Orion deep-space exploration vehicle. From pilots and engineers, to scientists and medical doctors, NASA selects qualified astronaut candidates from a diverse pool of U.S. citizens with a wide variety of backgrounds. "This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "Those selected for this service will fly on U.S. made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station, and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space." The space agency is guiding an unprecedented transition to commercial spacecraft for crew and cargo transport to the space station. Flights in Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon will facilitate adding a seventh crew member to each station mission, effectively doubling the amount of time astronauts will be able to devote to research in space. Future station crew members will continue the vital work advanced during the last 15 years of continuous human habitation aboard the orbiting laboratory, expanding scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies. This work will include building on the regular six-month missions and this year's one-year mission, currently underway aboard the station, which is striving for research breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space. In addition, NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, now in development, will launch astronauts on missions to the proving ground of lunar orbit where NASA will learn to conduct complex operations in a deep space environment before moving on to longer duration missions on its journey to Mars. "This is an exciting time to be a part of America's human space flight program," said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "NASA has taken the next step in the evolution of our nation's human spaceflight program and our U.S. astronauts will be at the forefront of these new and challenging space flight missions. We encourage all qualified applicants to learn more about the opportunities for astronauts at NASA and apply to join our flight operations team." To date, NASA has selected more than 300 astronauts to fly on its increasingly challenging missions to explore space and benefit life on Earth. There are 47 astronauts in the active astronaut corps, and more will be needed to crew future missions to the space station and destinations in deep space. Astronaut candidates must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Candidates also must have at least three years of related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Astronaut candidates must pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical. For more information about a career as a NASA astronaut, and application requirements, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts http://spaceref.com/astronauts-2/nasa-seeks-astronauts-for-future-space-missions.html --------------------------------------------------- Space Station offers valuable lessons about life support systems NASA astronaut Leland Melvin removed this early model of the Distillation Assembly from the Water Recovery System on the International Space Station during his flight on the space shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-129 in November 2009. Image courtesy NASA. Wherever humans explore, they must essentially replicate the life support system provided naturally on Earth. People living on the International Space Station continuously for the last 15 years are helping NASA learn how to create life support systems for the journey to Mars. "This has been a challenge from the start," said Rex Graves, chief of the Flight Systems Integration and Test Branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "We pulled together a great team here at Marshall to look at ways to recover water and oxygen on orbit to reduce the need for resupply missions to the space station. Now more than 200 crewmembers have lived on the station continuously for 15 years, and this has taught us not only about the hardware but also about how people living in space affect the life support system's operations." The Environmental Control and Life Support System, or ECLSS, built for the station is serving as the basis for a similar system that may one day enable astronauts to drink water on the surface of Mars. One of the most valuable lessons learned is that recycling makes spaceflight more affordable. When the first life support system was developed, one of the key aspects designers considered was how to reuse all the water produced on the station-even human urine and sweat. As anyone knows who has ever hauled gallon jugs of water on a camping trip, carrying enough water for all 220 crew members who have lived on the station for the past 15 years would mean transporting a lot of water to space. Since the activation of the ECLSS urine processor assembly in November 2008, more than 22,500 pounds of drinkable water have been recycled from crew members' urine. "If this amount of water had been resupplied from Earth, it would have cost more than $225 million to launch and deliver it to the station." said Walt Schneider, project manager for the Life Support Project for Marshall's Flight Programs and Partnerships Office. "This part of the life support system paid for itself pretty quickly." Another way NASA engineers are finding out what does and doesn't work is to bring hardware back from the station, study it and refine it. The part of the station's water recovery system that helps process urine, the distillation assembly, was recently returned to its designers at Marshall after the station crew replaced it. Before its return to Earth, the part helped provide the station with water by operating successfully for 1,014 hours beyond its expected service time of 4,380 hours - a feat with implications for further human exploration of our solar system where hardware must perform reliably for a long time under harsh conditions. "Without air or water, humans simply can't travel, live or work in space," said Schneider. "Our team at Marshall is responsible for the design, construction and testing of the regenerative life support hardware, exploring new designs and getting new parts to the station and improving the efficiency of the system that provides clean air and water for crew members." The Water Recovery System's distillation assembly helps transform urine from crew members into usable water. When versions of the hardware were first installed nearly seven years ago, engineers noticed it wasn't working as well as intended. "We had some initial issues with calcium deposits," said Larry Leopard, director of the Space Systems Department at Marshall. "We have since learned on the space station that astronauts suffer more bone loss than anticipated in a microgravity environment, and a lot of that calcium from bones ends up in their urine. The distillation assembly was having trouble filtering the extra calcium, and we had to change machines more frequently than anticipated." The calcium deposits meant the amount of water recovered from urine was reduced. While the crew was never in any danger, and the water recovery system still recovered 75 percent of the wastewater from urine, the team wanted it to be even more efficient. A new and improved distillation assembly - a cylindrical machine about the size of a kitchen garbage can - was delivered and installed in February 2010. An upcoming change in the pre-treatment chemicals will help prevent the calcium-related problems and allow a return to climb as high as a 85 percent recovery rate in 2016. "The new distillation assembly performed exactly as we intended," said Graves. "We had an expected life cycle of 4,380 hours. When it reached that, it showed no signs of a decline in performance, so we let it continue doing its job. The assembly finally started showing subtle signs of wear in April 2015 after 5,394 hours of operation, so the crew changed it out with the replacement assembly, and the used one was returned to us at Marshall for examination." The success of the hardware has a direct effect on NASA's eventual mission to Mars. The ECLSS team is using information learned from this experience to improve the design and the overall chemical process, creating new hardware that is easier to get into space and uses less electricity. "Several team members are finishing new designs for other fluid pumps on orbit now," said Leopard. "We are also looking at concept studies for advanced ECLSS systems that could be smaller and more efficient for deep space and the long journey to Mars." The ECLSS team is celebrating the homecoming of the assembly by tearing it apart - disassembling it to learn what specific components wore out, what designs can be reused in the next version and maybe get even more time out of the machinery. The space station's life support system also benefits people on Earth by contributing to water purification systems used around the world. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Space_Station_Teaches_NASA_Valuable_Lessons_About_Life_Support_Systems_999.html ------------------------------------------------- New design points a path to the 'ultimate' battery Artist's impression of a lithium-air battery. Image courtesy T Liu et al., Science 350: 530 (2015). Scientists have developed a working laboratory demonstrator of a lithium-oxygen battery which has very high energy density, is more than 90% efficient, and, to date, can be recharged more than 2000 times, showing how several of the problems holding back the development of these devices could be solved. Lithium-oxygen, or lithium-air, batteries have been touted as the 'ultimate' battery due to their theoretical energy density, which is ten times that of a lithium-ion battery. Such a high energy density would be comparable to that of gasoline - and would enable an electric car with a battery that is a fifth the cost and a fifth the weight of those currently on the market to drive from London to Edinburgh on a single charge. However, as is the case with other next-generation batteries, there are several practical challenges that need to be addressed before lithium-air batteries become a viable alternative to gasoline. Now, researchers from the University of Cambridge have demonstrated how some of these obstacles may be overcome, and developed a lab-based demonstrator of a lithium-oxygen battery which has higher capacity, increased energy efficiency and improved stability over previous attempts. Their demonstrator relies on a highly porous, 'fluffy' carbon electrode made from graphene (comprising one-atom-thick sheets of carbon atoms), and additives that alter the chemical reactions at work in the battery, making it more stable and more efficient. While the results, reported in the journal Science, are promising, the researchers caution that a practical lithium-air battery still remains at least a decade away. "What we've achieved is a significant advance for this technology and suggests whole new areas for research - we haven't solved all the problems inherent to this chemistry, but our results do show routes forward towards a practical device," said Professor Clare Grey of Cambridge's Department of Chemistry, the paper's senior author. Many of the technologies we use every day have been getting smaller, faster and cheaper each year - with the notable exception of batteries. Apart from the possibility of a smartphone which lasts for days without needing to be charged, the challenges associated with making a better battery are holding back the widespread adoption of two major clean technologies: electric cars and grid-scale storage for solar power. "In their simplest form, batteries are made of three components: a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte,'' said Dr Tao Liu, also from the Department of Chemistry, and the paper's first author. In the lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries we use in our laptops and smartphones, the negative electrode is made of graphite (a form of carbon), the positive electrode is made of a metal oxide, such as lithium cobalt oxide, and the electrolyte is a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent. The action of the battery depends on the movement of lithium ions between the electrodes. Li-ion batteries are light, but their capacity deteriorates with age, and their relatively low energy densities mean that they need to be recharged frequently. Over the past decade, researchers have been developing various alternatives to Li-ion batteries, and lithium-air batteries are considered the ultimate in next-generation energy storage, because of their extremely high energy density. However, previous attempts at working demonstrators have had low efficiency, poor rate performance, unwanted chemical reactions, and can only be cycled in pure oxygen. What Liu, Grey and their colleagues have developed uses a very different chemistry than earlier attempts at a non-aqueous lithium-air battery, relying on lithium hydroxide (LiOH) instead of lithium peroxide (Li2O2). With the addition of water and the use of lithium iodide as a 'mediator', their battery showed far less of the chemical reactions which can cause cells to die, making it far more stable after multiple charge and discharge cycles. By precisely engineering the structure of the electrode, changing it to a highly porous form of graphene, adding lithium iodide, and changing the chemical makeup of the electrolyte, the researchers were able to reduce the 'voltage gap' between charge and discharge to 0.2 volts. A small voltage gap equals a more efficient battery - previous versions of a lithium-air battery have only managed to get the gap down to 0.5 - 1.0 volts, whereas 0.2 volts is closer to that of a Li-ion battery, and equates to an energy efficiency of 93%. The highly porous graphene electrode also greatly increases the capacity of the demonstrator, although only at certain rates of charge and discharge. Other issues that still have to be addressed include finding a way to protect the metal electrode so that it doesn't form spindly lithium metal fibres known as dendrites, which can cause batteries to explode if they grow too much and short-circuit the battery. Additionally, the demonstrator can only be cycled in pure oxygen, while the air around us also contains carbon dioxide, nitrogen and moisture, all of which are generally harmful to the metal electrode. "There's still a lot of work to do," said Liu. "But what we've seen here suggests that there are ways to solve these problems - maybe we've just got to look at things a little differently." "While there are still plenty of fundamental studies that remain to be done, to iron out some of the mechanistic details, the current results are extremely exciting - we are still very much at the development stage, but we've shown that there are solutions to some of the tough problems associated with this technology," said Grey. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_design_points_a_path_to_the_ultimate_battery_999.html The Evil Overlord and BetaguyGZT 2 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597120328 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 6, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 6, 2015 NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 4 November 2015 NASA astronaut Scott Kelly snaps a quick space selfie during his first ever spacewalk on Oct 28, 2015. Credit: NASA Two NASA astronauts are getting ready for their second spacewalk Friday morning while also conducting science. The rest of the global crew worked on orbital lab maintenance and continued international space research. Expedition 45 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren organized their spacewalk tools today and attached checklists to their spacesuit cuffs. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, who will coordinate Friday's spacewalk from inside the International Space Station, assisted Kelly and Lindgren with their tool checks. The three astronauts also had time today for some science work to improve life on Earth and for future crews. Lindgren downloaded data captured from tiny free-flying satellites known as SPHERES that test autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers and other flight techniques. Yui worked on the Capillary Flow Experiment with results potentially benefiting fluid systems on future spacecraft. Finally, Kelly took a test to measure his cognitive adaptation during his year-long spaceflight. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: Kelly and Lindgren prepared for Friday's EVA by reviewing Fluid Quick Disconnect (QD) training material, auditing and configuring EVA tools, and making changes to the ISS EVA Systems Checklist book and Cuff Checklist procedures. Additionally, they installed Rechargeable EVA Battery Assemblies (REBA) on Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) suits 3003 and 3010. Once installed, a checkout was performed to verify the glove heaters are functional and helmet cameras are receiving power. Hatch opening for Friday's P6 Return To Original Configuration (RTOC) EVA is scheduled for 6:15am CST. Capillary Flow Experiment-2 (CFE-2): Yui set up and initiated a handheld CFE-2 Vane Gap 1 experiment. Because liquids behave differently in space than they do on Earth, containers that can process, hold or transport them must be designed to work in microgravity. The CFE-2 furthers research into the control of liquid behavior aboard spacecraft through wetting and container geometry. Vane Gap experiments identify the critical geometric wetting conditions of a vane structure that does not quite meet the container wall - a construct used in various fluid systems aboard spacecraft such as fuel tanks, thermal systems and water processors for life support. The results of these tests may be used to improve the capability to quickly and accurately predict how related processes such as passive separation of gases from liquids in the absence of gravity occur. Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Status: Yesterday afternoon, Yui performed routine maintenance on the WHC by preparing a new recycle tank for installation then performing a tank R&R. Upon WHC activation, the crew observed irregular behavior associated with the Bad Pretreat Quality Light. The WHC has since been configured to store urine via internal tank (EDV). Ground teams are assessing a troubleshooting plan. Ground ActivitiesAll activities were completed unless otherwise noted.Nominal System Commanding Three-Day Look Ahead:Thursday, 11/05: 1/2 Duty Day, EVA Procedure Review, Pre EVA PHS, Equipment Lock PrepFriday, 11/06: P6 RTOC EVASaturday, 11/07: Post EVA Activities QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group: Component - StatusElektron - OffVozdukh - Manual[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - OffCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - StandbyCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - OperateMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - ShutdownMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - OperateOxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - ProcessUrine Processing Assembly (UPA) - StandbyTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - OffTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-4-november-2015.html Friday morning for EVA.......hoping all goes well...... -------------------------------------------------------- This is a bit of an oddball article, but has merit due to personal experience with the "system" When Is NASA Going To Provide Open Access To Published Research Results? Keith's note: In February 2013 the White House issued a memo asking for all government agencies to provide their plans on how all of their funded research results will be published in open fashion such that all taxpayers can access that data free of charge. NASA sent the White House a plan in December 2014. In that plan NASA said that it would be implementing a system to provide open access to NASA research results to the public by October 2015. It is November 2015 and NASA has no such system in place - at least nothing that has been publicly mentioned. Nothing is mentioned on the NASA CIO webpage or the NASA Open Government page. So ... when is NASA going to comply? Keith's update: According to an internal GSFC memo posted by a NASAWatch reader:"NASA Deputy Chief Scientist Gale Allen, accompanied by SMD Lead for Research Max Bernstein, will visit Goddard to brief us on two topics of great interest to proposers and researchers: NASA's new policy on data management and publication archiving. The policy responds to direction from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President and pertains to all federally funded research. In short, our proposals are required to include Data Management Plans, and our research papers must be accessible to the public. Come and learn how you can satisfy the new requirements. Please mark your calendar and join me for this important briefing on Thursday, November 12, 2 - 3 pm" I sent an email to the NASA CIO, NASA Chief Scientist, SMD, and NASA PAO asking "Can you provide me with a copy of the NASA plan and requirements whereby NASA research publications are made available to the public per OSTP guidance - the topic you will be discussing at NASA GSFC on 12 November such that I can share it with my readers? I certainly hope that you will not tell me to file a FOIA request since that would fly in the face of the intent of OSTP's original guidance." http://nasawatch.com/archives/2015/11/when-is-nasa-go.html NASA is a top notch knowledge hotbed for the sciences....and has been for as long as I can remember. The data archived for their employee's use, as well as institutions and individuals, not only includes past and present work, but also supporting reference materials....the reference materials that I enjoyed downloading from them. Off the top of my head..approximately up to 18 years ago, if one applied for general access, you would be granted a username, password and allowable area's of research. I had a great time...till something changed. One day, back then, I found my access had been severely limited from the "good stuff'...supporting research materials in electromagnetics. It did bother me back then, but I was still able to put in a request for particular data availability and would eventually be told yes or no. With out this repository, one instance took me almost a year to get particular copies of documents, from an overseas university, when I knew NASA had them, but was now limited. I really could not get mad though. I am not a US citizen and therefore had not paid taxes and had no right to the data, unless through their generosity. The above article was to address a lot of the issues and make research available to all US taxpayers...and I was hoping, with proper qualifications, an outsider may be granted access to this data as well, and not have to be tagged to a recognized university project. Hopefully, all will go well, and the "cleared" curious will again be allowed to research materials in a "broader scope" and "timely" fashion. BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597121838 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 7, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2015 (edited) Peake. Tim Peake + Google Headed to Spaceport America With the release of the latest 007 film, Spectre, and his own upcoming space flight, British astronaut Tim Peake offered an homage to James Bond on Twitter, posting a publicity shot from the space-themed Bond film Moonraker alongside one of himself in a similar pose in an actual spacesuit. “Just arrived in London, #Spectre007 on at the movies & feeling in a James Bond kinda mood ;),” he tweeted. Peake is in London doing outreach in advance of his December launch to the ISS, which, unfortunately, is not quite as spacious as the station in Moonraker. [Twitter @astro_timpeake] http://spacenews.com/peake-tim-peake-google-headed-to-spaceport-america/ --------------------------------------------------------- NASA unveiled a new prototype of the crowdsourced spacesuit astronauts will wear on Mars Next stop, Mars. (NASA) It’s not as sleek or form-fitting as the spacesuit worn by Matt Damon inThe Martian, but it’s certainly something. NASA has released the latest photos of its Z-2 spacesuit prototype—an early model of what astronauts will ultimately wear as they traverse the dusty surface of Mars (and, perhaps, other planets and moons). The Z-2 is for planetary exploration only, and won’t be used in space or on spacecrafts. NASA says it’s still in the prototype stage, and that the final design will likely be a bit different than what was unveiled today (Nov. 6): Because the Z-series is still in the prototype, or non-flight, phase, the design won’t be making a trip to space. The cover layer of a non-flight suit still performs an important function in ground-based testing. The cover protects the lower layers and technical details from abrasion and snags during testing. It also serves to provide the suit with an aesthetic appeal. The Z-2 will offer Mars-walkers “maximum astronaut productivity on a planetary surface,” which will allow them to easily maneuver in and out of rovers, collect samples, and just generally prance around the rocky Martian surface. The high-pressure suit can also effectively “dock” into a spacecraft or Mars base, taking airlocks out of the equation. The design of the Z-2 “Technology” suit was originally chosen by space nerds last year in a public poll. It beat out two other designs, nicknamed “Biomimicry” and “Trends in Society.” Back then, the Z-2 looked like this: NASA http://qz.com/543678/nasa-unveiled-a-new-prototype-of-the-crowdsourced-spacesuit-astronauts-will-wear-on-mars/ -------------------------------------------------------- Spacewalking Astronauts Tackle 'High-Flying Plumbing' Job on Space Station Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren return to the Quest airlock after over 7 hours outside the International Space Station Nov. 6. Credit: NASA TV Two American astronauts took a marathon spacewalk on Friday, spending nearly eight hours outside the International Space Station on a truly out-of-this-world plumbing job. NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindrgren spent seven hours and 48 minutes working outside the station to perform the vital maintenance on their spacecraft. It was their second spacewalk in nine days. The duo's first-ever spacewalk last week, commanded by Kelly, had the two on separate tracks as they performed a variety of long-term maintenance tasks outside the station. This time around, commanded by Lindgren, they worked together, synchronizing their actions to reconfigure and add ammonia to the port-side station cooling systems — "high-flying plumbing," as NASA officials called it via Twitter. This marks the 190th spacewalk outside the station, and a total of more than 1,192 hours of spacewalking time. NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren work together to remove a thermal cover on an external ammonia station during their spacewalk Nov. 6.Credit: NASA TV After aearly start, the astronauts first removed a thermal cover from part of the external ammonia station before splitting up to coordinate the disconnection of the cooling systems, each from a different location. The astronauts' ultimate mission was to undo work from a 2012 spacewalk with astronauts Suni Williams and Akihiko Hoshide, where they rerouted ammonia away from the primary port-side cooling system's radiator to the backup system to try to stop an ammonia leak. The source of the leak was later identified as a faulty cooling pump, which astronauts Chris Cassidy and Tom Marshburn replaced in 2013 during a last-minute spacewalk with just two days of planning. Astronauts have to be especially careful during operations involving ammonia because the substance is toxic to humans— any residue on spacesuits must be evaporated off before the mission ends. Lindgren noticed a few ammonia flakes while isolating the prime cooling system from the backup one, so near the end of the mission, they carefully inspected each other for any traces of the toxic substance. Once the two systems were isolated and excess ammonia was cleared from the fill line, NASA ground control remotely opened a valve to begin topping off the backup system's supply of ammonia — a process that was set to take about 20 minutes. Kelly was prepared to manually close a valve and cut off the flow if they spotted any ammonia leaking out. After that, they were able to top off the primary one, and ground control's cooling system officer reported a perfect fill on both. The backup system holds about 90 lbs. (41 kilograms) of ammonia coolant, and about 6.8 lbs. (3 kg) were added, whereas the primary system holds about 54 lbs. (24 kg) and was topped off with 7.5 lbs. (3.4 kg), NASA officials said in the online webcast. Meanwhile, Kelly struggled with some wire ties as he configured an equipment cart ("Somebody did a really good job on this wire tie here — like for all eternity," he quipped), and Lindgren retracted the backup radiator to its out-of-use position against the side of the space station. They put away the cables, and Kelly investigated a strut connecting two parts of the space station's port side that had been vibrating and may have loosened — a bonus task. Then, they came together for the final part of the mission: to vent leftover ammonia from the plumbing lines used during the reconfiguring process. Excess ammonia would be left in a bag outside the station. Lindgren helped Kelly untangle his restraints when they met up. "Lookin' good," he said. "I'll buy you dinner back on Earth," Kelly said. "You do all my work — I owe you dinner," Lindgren responded. The duo weren't able to return and cinch the backup radiator in place against the side of the space station and add a protective shroud, so they had to re-extend and lock it to its full 44-foot (13 meters) length, even though it will not be used. NASA engineers said the radiator would not be at risk by staying outstretched. Then, it was time for cleanup, taking inventory of their tools and heading in. On the way, Kelly set up the vent door to the ammonia reservoir so it could vent out extra ammonia if it were ever overpressurized. Spacewalker Kjell Lindgren inspects Scott Kelly for ammonia residue outside the International Space Station as they wait for ammonia to vent from cables they used over the course of their "high-flying plumbing" excursion to reconfigure and top off space station cooling systems Nov. Credit: NASA TV Over the course of their work, the astronauts remained outside in sunlight long enough for any stray ammonia to evaporate, so they did not need any tests in the airlock or to stay outside longer for an extra "bake-out." Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Volkov helped them out of their suits once the astronauts repressurized. Now, Lindgren and Kelly have a half-day break to recover before getting back to work. Lindgren is nearing the end of his first mission on the space station, and Kelly is 224 days into his one-year mission. http://www.space.com/31053-spacewalking-astronauts-space-station-plumbing-job.html In depth analysis.....http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/11/astronauts-spacewalk-reconfigure-solar-array-cooling-system/ I watched a bit of it...busy day up there...... Bit of the spacewalk on October 28th...1st walk......1:18 min Bit of todays walk...spacewalk 2.....1:04 min Suit Up - 50 Years of Spacewalks...video is 32:33...real good ------------------------------------------------- NSBRI help funds non-invasive Intracranial Pressure system File image Vittamed has announced that it has secured $10M in Series A financing by Xeraya Capital Labuan Ltd ("Xeraya Capital") via a special purpose vehicle led the investment round (committed $8M) with additional commitment from an existing investor Imprimatur Capital and other investors. The funding will support product launch in Europe, Australia, and other countries, a 510k submission to the FDA, and commercialization in the US. Vittamed's first commercial product is a system for non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP). The technology has been extensively tested in European clinical trials and received the CE Mark. The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) has conducted a study in the US in order to use Vittamed system to assess intracranial pressure in astronauts. Prolonged elevations in ICP are associated with neurological damage and cognitive impairment. Above a certain level, they can lead to irreversible damage and death. While invasive intracranial pressure monitoring has been available for many years, non-invasive measurement has been an elusive goal. The introduction of a non-invasive intracranial pressure measurement device is expected to reduce the risks and costs of this neurodiagnostic procedure, and widen its application and its uses. "Intracranial pressure measurement is a standard of care in the assessment of brain injury," said Fares Zahir, CEO of Xeraya Capital. "We believe the innovative, non�invasive methods developed by Vittamed will allow the widespread use of safe and cost effective assessments of intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury, hydrocephalus and stroke." Vittamed's technology is based on the use of ultrasound probes to measure blood flows within the ophthalmic artery. This technique has been proven comparable to existing invasive measurement methodologies, including intraventricular catheters and lumbar puncture, in multicenter trials. Studies have demonstrated Vittamed's device to be safe, accurate and precise and it does not require individual calibration. "The financial support and expertise of Xeraya Capital will help us accelerate Vittamed's commercial launch. We are excited about our potential to better diagnose and manage patients with many neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury, hydrocephalus, stroke, and space occupying lesions including brain tumors, said Vittamed CEO Dr. Remis Bistras. We are deeply appreciative of Xeraya's commitment to improving patient care, their support of our vision and their leadership in this round of funding." http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NSBRI_helps_fund_commercialization_of_non_invasive_Intracranial_Pressure_system_999.html --------------------------------------------- Study reveals origin of organic matter in Apollo lunar samples Astronaut Alan L. Bean, Lunar Module pilot for the Apollo 12 lunar landing mission, holds a container filled with lunar soil collected while exploring the lunar surface. Astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr., commander, who took this picture, is reflected in the helmet visor. Image courtesy NASA. A team of NASA-funded scientists has solved an enduring mystery from the Apollo missions to the moon - the origin of organic matter found in lunar samples returned to Earth. Samples of the lunar soil brought back by the Apollo astronauts contain low levels of organic matter in the form of amino acids. Certain amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, essential molecules used by life to build structures like hair and skin and to regulate chemical reactions. Since the lunar surface is completely inhospitable for known forms of life, scientists don't think the organic matter came from life on the moon. Instead, they think the amino acids could have come from four possible sources. First, since traces of life are everywhere on Earth, the amino acids could be simply contamination from terrestrial sources, either from material brought to the moon by the missions, or from contamination introduced while the samples were being handled back on Earth. Second, rocket exhaust from the lunar modules contains precursor molecules used to build amino acids (such as hydrogen cyanide or HCN). This contamination could produce amino acids during lunar sample analysis in the lab. Third, the solar wind - a thin stream of electrically conducting gas continuously blown off the surface of the Sun - contains the elements used to make amino acids, such as hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen. Just like contamination from lunar module exhaust, material from the solar wind could produce amino acids during sample workup. Fourth, chemical reactions inside asteroids make amino acids. Fragments from asteroid collisions occasionally fall to Earth as meteorites, bringing their extraterrestrial amino acids with them. The lunar surface is frequently bombarded by meteorites and could have amino acids from asteroids as well. "People knew amino acids were in the lunar samples, but they didn't know where they came from," said Jamie Elsila of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The scientists in the 1970s knew the right questions to ask and they tried pretty hard to answer them, but they were limited by the analytical capabilities of the time. We have the technology now, and we've determined that most of the amino acids came from terrestrial contamination, with perhaps a small contribution from meteorite impacts." Elsila is lead author of a paper on this research appearing online in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Oct. 28. The team analyzed seven samples taken during the Apollo missions and stored in a NASA curation facility since return to Earth, and found amino acids in all of them at very low concentrations (105 to 1,910 parts-per-billion). One of the key new capabilities of the Goddard Astrobiology Analytical Laboratory was instrumentation with high enough sensitivity to determine the isotopic composition of an amino acid molecule, according to Elsila. This capability enabled the team to say terrestrial contamination was the primary source of the lunar amino acids. Isotopes are versions of an element; for example, Carbon-13 has an extra neutron and is a more massive version of the common Carbon-12. Life prefers to use the lighter Carbon-12, which reacts a bit more readily, so amino acid molecules from terrestrial life will have less Carbon-13 compared to amino acids produced by non-biological reactions in asteroids. This is what the team found in one of the lunar samples that was abundant enough for isotopic analysis. The isotopic composition of the amino acids (glycine, b-alanine, and L-alanine) had less Carbon-13 and more closely resembled that from terrestrial sources than that from meteorites. Isotopic composition also helped rule out the solar wind as the source, since the solar wind has far less Carbon-13 than what was found in the sample. Also, if the solar wind were responsible for the amino acids, then samples taken from near the lunar surface, which had the highest exposure to the solar wind, should have a greater abundance of amino acids than samples taken from deeper beneath the surface. This is the opposite of what was found - the deepest samples, which were the most sheltered from the solar wind, produced the most amino acids. A similar result on amino acid abundances helped rule out the lunar module exhaust as a source. If contamination from the exhaust produced the amino acids, then a sample taken from right under the Apollo 17 lunar module should have more amino acids than a sample taken far away. However, the team found that a sample taken from 6.5 kilometers (four miles) away had similar amino acid abundances to the one taken beneath the module. The ability to determine the orientation of an amino acid molecule was another significant new capability of the Goddard lab that enabled them to discover the origin of the lunar amino acids, according to Elsila. Amino acid molecules can be built in two versions - left and right - that are mirror images of each other, like your hands. Terrestrial life uses the left-handed versions, while non-biological chemistry produces the left-handed and right-handed varieties in equal amounts. In the samples, the team found that the left-handed versions were far more common than right-handed ones for several types of amino acids used to make proteins. Since life uses the left-handed versions, this suggests terrestrial life as the source of these amino acids. Although most of the amino acids likely came from Earth, the team can't rule out a contribution from meteorites because they found some amino acids that are extremely rare in terrestrial biology but common in meteorites (for example, Alpha-aminoisobutyric acid or AIB). This discovery suggests meteorites may make a small contribution to the amino acids found on the lunar surface, according to Elsila. The research has important implications for future missions that are looking for extraterrestrial organic matter that may be present, but in very small (trace) amounts. "This work highlights the fact that even with thoughtful and careful contamination control efforts, trace organics in extraterrestrial samples can be overwhelmed by terrestrial sources," said Elsila. "Future missions emphasizing organic analysis must consider not only contamination control but also include 'witness samples' that record the environment and potential contamination as the mission is built and launched to understand the unavoidable contamination background." This is a lesson taken to heart by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, which launches in 2016 to return pristine samples of asteroid Bennu in 2023. The Apollo samples were taken in the late 1960's and early 1970's, and highlight the lasting value of sample return missions. "These samples were collected before I was born, and the techniques used in our study were not yet invented when the samples were collected; curation of the samples for future work allowed us to identify the origins of the amino acids detected in the samples, a question that the original investigators were unable to resolve," said Elsila. http://www.moondaily.com/reports/Study_reveals_origin_of_organic_matter_in_Apollo_lunar_samples_999.html just because.... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597123160 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 The long duration Gemini suits were even smaller than Moonrakers Draggendrop 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597123170 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 7, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2015 Totally forgot about these....with modern materials and "backpack", with working "chaps"( kevlar), you could get heavy work done and be very mobile on Mars...nice scoop. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597123178 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 When current NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Dava Newman was at MIT she developed this mechanical counterpressure BioSuit. No air pressure, just a tight fitting suit with cooling etc. in the fabric layers. This is her wearing it. The L2 pics of SpaceX's orbital suit looked neat, but they can't be shared. Draggendrop 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597123184 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 7, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2015 Really like the "body armor" approach, as shown in your second picture. Offers support and abrasion/blunt force protection. This suit, with add on's, for work in various facets on Mars...ie mining, mechanical repair, construction..and the light suit for scientific studies and general vehicle entries....would be able to take abuse, and the freedom of movement would be less stressful than the prior "teletubbie" units...... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597123200 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 7, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2015 US astronauts dodge ammonia on risky spacewalk NASA Two US astronauts successfully dodged highly toxic ammonia flakes during a risky spacewalk Friday to repair a cooling system at the International Space Station. Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren floated out of the space station almost an hour ahead of schedule but encountered a small leak early on and soon fell behind. The goal for Friday's spacewalk was to complete the final repairs to a system that broke down about three years ago, by restoring the external ammonia cooling system to its original configuration, the space agency said. While the duo finished most of their plumbing tasks outside the orbiting lab, they were unable to complete a key part of the job involving the retraction of a backup radiator. They folded up the 44-foot (13-meter) accordion-style radiator with the intent of stowing it, and then extended it again because they ran short of time to cinch it in place. - Ammonia leak - Early in Friday's outing, the spacewalkers reported seeing flakes of ammonia when disconnecting some of the equipment, but the crew was never in any danger, said NASA commentator Rob Navias. Hazardous ammonia is used to cool electronics at the orbiting outpost, and the thermal system has been plagued by problems. Just after midway into the spacewalk, they finished topping off ammonia in the system with about 7.5 pounds (3.4 kilograms) each into a primary and a backup tank, NASA said. The operation was a "perfect fill," Navias said. Later, the pair worked together to vent off residual ammonia from a plumbing line. After opening the valve, they moved out of the way and inspected each other's suits for any signs of ammonia flakes. They found none. Had any of the ammonia made its way onto the astronauts' spacesuits, they would have had to stay outside the airlock longer than planned to allow it to bake off. In the past, following ammonia leaks outside the space station, astronauts have stayed in the sun for about an extra half hour to allow any frozen crystals to vaporize from their spacesuits so as not to bring the toxic substance inside the station. In 2012, NASA detected a major leak in the ammonia cooling system. Astronauts replaced the ammonia pump on the station's truss in May 2013. - Marathon mission - Friday's spacewalk lasted seven hours and 48 minutes, far longer than the initial 6.5 hours that mission control had anticipated. It was the 190th spacewalk in support of the International Space Station, which just marked 15 continuous years of human habitation. Nine days ago, Kelly and Lindgren went on their first-ever career spacewalk to perform maintenance and upgrades outside the ISS -- one that also ran long at seven hours 16 minutes. Kelly is more than halfway through a year-long mission at the space station that aims to help NASA study the effects of long-term space flight on the body and mind. He is scheduled to return to Earth in March 2016. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/US_astronauts_dodge_ammonia_on_risky_spacewalk_999.html --------------------------------------- UK astronaut dreams of heavenly Christmas pudding File image ESA Brushing off any last-minute nerves, Britain's first astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) insists he is more concerned about his out-of-this-world Christmas dinner than potential disaster. "I honestly don't have any fear at all, the only fear I have is forgetting something in my bag," Tim Peake told a press conference Friday. The former helicopter pilot blasts off on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on December 15, and is set for a five-month mission on the ISS. Despite being away for Christmas, Peake is hoping an astronomic, gastronomic treat will inspire festive cheer. "I have heard a Christmas pudding is making its way to the space station, I will be enjoying that," he said. "Also, some of the meals school kids have prepared for me in conjunction with (celebrity chef) Heston Blumenthal are on board the space station waiting for me. One of them is a bacon sandwich." The 43-year-old will become only the second Briton in space, after Helen Sharman's visit to the Mir space station in 1991. "It's a dream come true," he told Friday's packed press conference, held at London's Science Museum. "Major Tim", who joked that he had no plans to reprise David Bowie's cosmic hit "Major Tom" for the journey, said his military background would stand him in good stead. "Before doing this job, I was a helicopter test pilot for 18 years and experienced more risk on a day-to-day basis," he said. "One of the great things about the training is that it prepares you so well to every eventuality, you almost expect something to happen. "I've not sat in a Soyuz simulation yet where we haven't had a catastrophic failure at some point," added the European Space Agency astronaut. - Spacewalk dream - Peake will be joined by US astronaut Tim Kopra and will be captained by experienced Russian Yuri Malenchenko, who has already completed five missions. The Soyuz are the only vessels able to ferry crew to and from ISS since the US halted the use of its craft. Peake said that by military standards, "a six-month deployment is not that long", but admitted he would be pining for "fresh air" and beer during his trip. "It will be an extremely busy mission, I won't feel time passing," he said. The crew are due to carry out 265 experiments and Peake hopes to realise his dream of a spacewalk. "The opportunity to do a spacewalk is hugely exciting, but that may or may not occur," he said. The astronaut is not expecting any alien encounters, but said he "certainly believes in life-forms on other planets... but not little green men". He also professed a love of sci-fi movies, particularly recent releases "Gravity" and "Interstellar". "They are hugely entertaining, I watched them all," he said. "If they get people to engage in space, then I'm 100 percent behind them. "As for 'Interstellar', anyone who tries to take on gravitational time dilation in a movie gets a big hand of respect." http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/UK_astronaut_dreams_of_heavenly_Christmas_pudding_999.html Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597123434 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 7, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2015 (edited) Latest poster.....for December 2015 launch and with the marking of 15 years...here is the 1st poster http://spaceflight101.com/iss/iss-expedition-posters/ Later..... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597123454 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 7, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 7, 2015 A few posts up, mention was made about the access to NASA data....here is a bit more info on the subject, posted today... Fully Opening NASA Research Data To The Public Earth's limb NASA In 2013 the White House told NASA and other government agencies that they needed to make the results of their research more readily available to the public. In so doing the White House said that agencies needed to make research publications that had been available only for a fee available for free within 12 months of their publication. The public plaid for this science, the public should have access to it. In February 2013 the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a memowhich stated: "The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) hereby directs each Federal agency with over $100 million in annual conduct of research and development expenditures to develop a plan to support increased public access to the results of research funded by the Federal Government. This includes any results published in peer-reviewed scholarly publications that are based on research that directly arises from Federal funds." It also stated that agencies must "Ensure full public access to publications' metadata without charge upon first publication in a data format that ensures interoperability with current and future search technology. Where possible, the metadata should provide a link to the location where the full text and associated supplemental materials will be made available after the embargo period". Agencies are also directed to deal with embargoes as follows. They "shall use a twelve-month post-publication embargo period as a guideline for making research papers publicly available; however, an agency may tailor its plan as necessary to address the objectives articulated in this memorandum, as well as the challenges and public interests that are unique to each field and mission combination, and ii) shallalsoprovideamechanismforstakeholderstopetitionforchangingtheembargo period for a specific field by presenting evidence demonstrating that the plan would be inconsistent with the objectives articulated in this memorandum." This memo was followed in May 2013 with a formal memorandum M-13-13 asking for all government agencies to provide their plans on how all of their funded research results will be published in open fashion such that all taxpayers can access that data free of charge. Moreover it calls for information collected by agencies be done in machine-readable format so as to facilitate this enhanced access. This project has been termed "Project Open Data". In December 2014 NASA replied the White House's request for a plan with "NASA Plan for Increasing Access to the Results of Scientific Research". The plan deals with two major classes of information: data sets and peer-reviewed publications. NASA said that it would be implementing a system to provide open access to NASA research results to the public by October 2015. It is November 2015 and NASA has no such system in place - at least nothing that has been publicly mentioned. Nothing is mentioned on the NASA CIO webpage or theNASA Open Government page. I sent an email to the NASA CIO (CHief Information Officer), NASA Chief Scientist, Science Mission Directorate, and NASA Public Affairs Office (PAO) asking "Can you provide me with a copy of the NASA plan and requirements whereby NASA research publications are made available to the public per OSTP guidance - the topic you will be discussing at NASA GSFC on 12 November such that I can share it with my readers? I certainly hope that you will not tell me to file a FOIA request since that would fly in the face of the intent of OSTP's original guidance." NASA PAO promptly replied "In response to the OSTP data sharing initiative, NASA developed a plan to ensure the public has access to the results of federally-funded scientific research. The plan was approved by OSTP in December 2014 and a NASA Policy Directive (NPD) is in review. A web portal is under development that will house the plan, FAQs, and web links to NASA scientific research data. It is anticipated that the plan will be fully implemented next year. In the meantime, NASA is discussing the plan's status in public venues as well as visiting NASA centers to discuss and answer questions about it. The plan and other relevant information can be found here:http://www.nasa.gov/news/reports/index.html -http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs/dmp-faq-roses/ " There is an interesting and somewhat humorous warning in this FAQ NASA mentioned for those who do not comply: "However, if you don't make an effort and or flagrantly flaunt your defiance of these requirements I will remind you that funded researchers, research institutions, and NASA centers are responsible for ensuring and demonstrating compliance with the DMPs approved as part of their awards. Remember, this is a directive from the white house and if you are really bad The President will call your dean and shame you. Just kidding, but awardees who do not fulfill the intent of their DMPs may have continuing funds withheld and this may be considered in the evaluation of future proposals, which may be even worse." Let's see if NASA leaves this page online ... If you read the NASA plan cited by NASA PAO it shows a timeline on page 20 that shows"implementation complete" in October 2015. The NASA Policy Directive work and internal planning that is still underway was supposed to have been completed a year ago according to this timeline. I sent several follow-up questions: "In reading the FAQ it only covers data/datasets - not published papers and, unless I am mistaken, this seems to be a HQ SMD webpage. Is there a separate effort for life science, microgravity science, aeronautics, IT, technology, and other non-SMD research results? Is there any connection between this effort and the NASA Spaceline summaries of life science research (today's issue) that NASA pays to collect but does not post online? (I have a full archive going back to the 1990s online at my website) and NASA Astrophysics Data System, and NTRS? Or will these other activities just continue to function in an uncoordinated fashion? In essence, is NASA going to create its own version of PubMed so as to meet the OSTP requirement?" NASA Deputy Chief Scientist Gale Allen was able to provide me with insight into this project. Their intent is ambitious, but if they pull off, NASA will have a substantially enhanced presence online in a way that a much broader audience will be able to access and utilize research results from NASA. Based on my discussion with Allen there is the intent to fully comply with the spirit and intent of what the White House has directed NASA to do. Delays in the implementation have had to do with some standard government procurement issues brought up by the FAR. These issues have more or less been worked out. The FAQ that was parked on a SMD website is actually applicable to the entire agency and will be followed by additional guidance in the near future. A pre-beta version of a NASA-specific version of NIH's pubMed is under development. Initial testing involving the uploading of actual NASA research papers has been successful. It is expected that a more finalized version of the NASA interface will be available for testing early in 2016. This is what NASA's plan had suggested. IN its plan submitted to OSTP NASA said"Based on the criteria listed in the OSTP memo dated February 22, 2013, and the need for flexibility in incorporating future upgrades, NASA has chosen the NIH PMC platform. NIH has led in information retrieval for many years, and the PMC is a capable, mature, and low-risk platform that has evolved over time. NASA will arrange, on a reimbursable basis, to acquire the necessary ingest, Extensible Markup Language (XML) conversion, and accessibility services, as well as other collateral support, for compliance with OSTP memo requirements. Also on a reimbursable basis, NIH PMC will provide a NASA-branded portal to access the full functionality of the PMC system." Allen said that work is underway to make certain that NASA researchers (intramural and extramural) are prepared to submit their research publications in a format that is compatible with the NIH pubMed format. A series of internal briefings are being conducted to inform NASA personnel about how this will all come together. According to an internal GSFC memo:"NASA Deputy Chief Scientist Gale Allen, accompanied by SMD Lead for Research Max Bernstein, will visit Goddard to brief us on two topics of great interest to proposers and researchers: NASA's new policy on data management and publication archiving. The policy responds to direction from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President and pertains to all federally funded research. In short, our proposals are required to include Data Management Plans, and our research papers must be accessible to the public. Come and learn how you can satisfy the new requirements. Please mark your calendar and join me for this important briefing on Thursday, November 12, 2 - 3 pm." It is important to note that neither "Nature" or "Science" are listed as participating in the current NIH PMC system. So, any NASA-branded implementation is either going to be incomplete or require these (and other) journals to agree to allow their papers to be posted online within 12 months for free public access. Allen agreed and said that other journals not included in the current NIH pubMed system would need to be added so as to allow NASA-funded research to be adequately represented in this new data base - and that full research papers and links to data must be available within the 12 month embargo period limit specified by OSTP. In addition to the inclusion of all new NASA-funded scientific research being posted in this new system, I would hope that additional work is done to help integrate older and historic information that is already in existing NASA data repositories such as the Planetary Data System, Spaceline, Astrophysics Abstracts, and community resources Such as arXiv.org e-Print archive. These days, the popularity of data mining prior research has become ever more popular. NASA has over half a century of research contained in numerous databases and archives - anything that facilitates enhanced access to all of these older resources serves to enhance the value of this half century of data. In addition to the traditional forms of information NASA research generates i.e. datasets and published papers, a new form of information is emerging: genomic data. One bright new example is NASA's Genelab which has begun to post genomic (DNA) sequences from organisms that have been used in ground-based and spaceflight experiments. Gale Allen told me that her team has already been in contact with Genelab and that they are working to be certain that their data systems are compatible (they are). The audience for this information has traditional resonances within the space biology and medicine world - but also has resonances far outside of NASA in areas the agency has yet to fully tap. Side by side with life science research on ISS is materials science - much of which has direct overlaps with life science. So far NASA has not expanded its Spaceline service to go beyond biology and medicine but Gale Allen tells me that this is now under discussion as part of this broader issue of complying with OSTP's data initiative. Finally, as NASA's Astrobiology and extrasolar planet research continues to expand, so will there be an increase in multi- and cross-disciplinary research papers and datasets - things that might not easily fit in the current, more focused discipline-oriented archives. Papers wherein astronomers, planetary geologists, biologists, and atmospheric chemists all join to discuss new worlds that have been discovered could easily find a home in half a dozen places online. NASA will be challenged as to how to bring these wide-ranging research results into their new database as well. Ideally, there will be an App where everything that NASA does that publishes updates in a daily email - or by Twitter. Anything that broadens the visibility of- and access to NASA research serves to enhance the agency's ability to participate in the nation's broader research and commercial activities. Making the full datasets and research papers available at no charge to the citizenry further expands on that utility. All it takes is for NASA to use a proven system from NIH, adopt a common format (again, already proven), make everyone who gets NASA funding for research to follow the rules, make certain that the service is easily accessible to anyone who seeks it, and then stand back. http://spaceref.com/data-1/fully-opening-nasa-research-data-to-the-public.html Hopefully, by next year, some semblance of structure for research access, will be in place...it is a big job, and added cost to have all past and future data available in a format readily accessible to all. 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Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 9, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 9, 2015 RapidScat Celebrates One-Year Anniversary RapidScat NASA Where do predictions for regional weather patterns come from? For one source, look to the ocean. About 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered in oceans, and changes in ocean winds are good predictors of many weather phenomena on small and large scales. NASA's ISS-RapidScat instrument, which last month celebrated its one-year anniversary, helps make these ocean wind measurements to enhance weather forecasting and understanding of climate. The instrument was first activated on the International Space Station on Oct. 1, 2014. "Especially with the recent hurricane season, our data have been appearing on weather websites around the world," said Glen Havens, project manager for the mission, based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. In its first year in action, the instrument has collected data on many severe storms, including typhoons and tropical cyclones. RapidScat has proven valuable for tracking the Southern Hemisphere's hurricane season and the Northern Hemisphere's winter storm season. Most recently, RapidScat played a role in tracking Hurricane Patricia, which loomed over Mexico in October. Patricia was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, with maximum winds of 200 mph (320 kilometers per hour). When it first made landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico on Oct. 23, it was a destructive Category 5 storm. Worldwide, many meteorological agencies include RapidScat data in the ensemble of data sets used to create forecasts. The agencies include the U.S. Navy, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. High wind warnings, to which RapidScat data contribute, are especially important for anyone involved in shipping and sailing. Wind information from RapidScat can also be useful for enthusiasts of water sports. "People who go sailing, and sometimes even surfers, look at RapidScat data to find where big waves are," said Stacey Boland, project systems engineer for RapidScat at JPL. RapidScat measures winds that are just above the ocean surface. The instrument is a Ku-band scatterometer that transmits pulses of microwave energy toward Earth. The surface of Earth reflects this signal, and RapidScat measures the strength of the pulse that comes back. Stronger return signals from the ocean indicate larger waves. The return signal also carries information about wind direction. Most scatterometers are launched in sun-synchronous orbits, such that each time they fly over the same place on Earth, it's at the same local time. But because RapidScat is mounted on the space station, which is not in a sun-synchronous orbit, it sees different places at different local times. The instrument samples all local times of day over the course of about two months, allowing scientists to learn more about how winds vary over the course of a day for a given location. Another unique aspect of the mission is that the instrument was constructed using hardware built in the 1990s. Engineers adapted hardware that was originally built to test QuikScat, which was launched in 1999 into a sun-synchronous orbit. They added a smaller reflector antenna and a new interface to the repurposed instrument to make it work on the space station. Repurposing the QuikScat test hardware significantly reduced the cost of the mission compared to what it would have been if the instrument had been built from scratch. It also allowed for a relatively quick turnaround time for building the instrument: A mere two years from approval to launch. The RapidScat team addressed challenges that come with using older technology, such as the radar receiver electronics. But the "plucky radar" system, as Havens calls it, continues collecting science data and sending it back to Earth. "We immediately started getting high-quality data after the instrument began operating," said Howard Eisen of JPL, who served as project manager at the beginning of the mission. The instrument resides on the Columbus module on the space station, and will stay there until at least early 2017. For more information on RapidScat, visit:http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/RapidScat/ http://www.nasa.gov/rapidscat For more information about NASA's Earth science activities, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/earth http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/rapidscat-celebrates-one-year-anniversary.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Astronaut plays bagpipes on International Space Station A US astronaut has played a set of Scottish-made bagpipes on the International Space Station to pay tribute to a colleague who died. Kjell Lindgren played Amazing Grace on the pipes after recording a message about research scientist Victor Hurst, who was involved in astronaut training. It is thought to be the first time that bagpipes have been played in space. They were made for Mr Lindgren by McCallum Bagpipes at the company's factory in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Kenny Macleod, who works at McCallum Bagpipes, told BBC Scotland the 42-year-old astronaut had got in touch two years ago to say he was going to the space station and wanted to play the pipes while he was there. "He wondered if it was feasible to play bagpipes," he said. "They're made of plastic - they're just easier to keep clean and to make sure they're not contaminated. They're also lighter." In the video, Mr Lindgren is seen to give the pipes a punch before he starts playing. Mr Macleod said it was normal for pipers to massage the bag to get the air flowing, "but not quite as vigorously as that". "The thing about bagpipes is that they're very difficult to play at high altitude because the air is that bit thinner. They're quite hard to blow so he's done well," he added. 'Quick smile' There are six astronauts currently in space on the 45th expedition to the International Space Centre. In a video recorded in the last few days, Mr Lindgren said all of them had come into contact with Dr Hurst during their training and were "shocked and saddened" to hear about his death. Dr Hurst worked for US engineering company Wyle Science as a research scientist and instructor. He died suddenly in October, aged 48. Nasa flight engineer Mr Lindgren said: "He always had a quick smile, a kind word. I don't know if anyone was more enthusiastic and professional about being involved in human space flight." http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34757254 andhttp://nasawatch.com/archives/2015/11/victor-hurst.html An astronaut has played bagpipes on the International Space Station to pay tribute to a friend...0:18 min Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597125736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisj1968 Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) is there a NASA live feed that we can observe what is going on on the space station and other missions 24/7? Draggendrop 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597125742 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted November 9, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted November 9, 2015 Generally, we can use NASATV.....various programming on 3 channels....some taped...some live...tv guide there....http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ ISS live location....http://www.isstracker.com/ ISS on board systems...live......main panel, push a dark green panel, and select subpanels for neat info....http://isslive.com/displays/index.html And there are various ustreams...etc...usually blank on dark side orbit....but most not really 24/7...but a good portion available...there are a few others as well.. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1258256-international-space-station-updates/page/22/#findComment-597125746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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