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Japanese Astronaut Creates Amazing Light Spirals in Space (Photos)

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A Japanese astronaut created a microgravity, multicolored light show on the International Space Station in the name of art.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kiochi Wakata has been using a specialized device that can to create swirly light art in weightlessnesson the orbiting outpost. Known as a "spiral top," the instrument is outfitted with LED lights so that when spun, the top will create light trails that can be captured in photos.

"In microgravity, the center of gravity of the spinning top continuously and randomly moves while it is spinning," JAXA officials said in an experiment description. "Using the characteristics of the top in microgravity, the project tries to produce various light arts using its unexpected movements/spins, by changing attaching locations of its arms and weights." [See more amazing photos from astronaut Kiochi Wakata]

The end result of those spins in microgravity is an amazing light portrait that looks otherworldly. Wakata posted a few photos on Twitter earlier in January 2014 that show blue, green, yellow and red spirals shooting through a module on the space station. "Potential of what zero-gravity can create is unlimited!" Wakata (@Astro_Wakata) wrote on Twitter in a post from Jan. 6.

Astronaut Koichi Wakata tweeted this photo of the "Spiral Top" from aboard the International Space Station on Jan. 6, 2014. The toy uses LED lights to make art in zero-g conditions. Credit: Koichi Wakata (via Twitter as @Astro_Wakata)

"When we ask astronauts to carry out an art experiment, they work on it with great excitement and enthusiasm," Keiji Tachikawa, president of JAXA, said in a 2011 Q&A. "I believe that experiments for the humanities and social sciences have a great deal of meaning. How we can culturally reflect the wonderful results that have been achieved thus far this will be a moment of truth."

This isn't the first time JAXA has worked with a spiral top, originally created by Takuro Osaka. Astronauts used an earlier version of the experiment to create light art in 2009 on the space station as well.

Cosmic Quiz: Do You Know the International Space St...

The International Space Station is the largest structure in space ever built by humans. Let's see how much you know about the basics of this science laboratory in the sky.

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Japanese Astronaut Creates Amazing Light Spirals in Space (Photos)

States Competing for SpaceX by Offering Financial Breaks

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Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk founded the company in 2002 to build and launch rockets to serve the International Space Station and shuttle tourists into space.

In a glass-walled conference room at the California headquarters of Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk told Texas officials he was interested in building the worlds first commercial rocket launchpad in their state -- if the state could compete.

In the months after the 2011 meeting, state and local officials gave Musk, a billionaire, what he and his lobbyists sought: about $20 million of financial incentives, laws changed to close a public beach during launches and legal protection from noise complaints. SpaceX, as the company is known, hasnt said whether the Texas site, near Brownsville, the poorest metropolitan area in the nation, will be selected over locations in Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico.

State and local governments often fall into bidding wars for jobs, offering tax breaks and sweeteners amounting to $70 billion annually, according to Kenneth Thomas, a political science professor at the University of Missouri in St. Louis.

Youve got to make sure youre providing what everybody else is providing for tax incentives and tax breaks, said John Baldacci, who was governor of Maine from 2003 to 2011 and regularly received requests for tax breaks.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s unmanned Dragon capsule is seen in orbit, in... Read More

Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s unmanned Dragon capsule is seen in orbit, in this undated handout photo. Close

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Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s unmanned Dragon capsule is seen in orbit, in this undated handout photo.

Three years of discussions among Texas officials and SpaceX representatives culminated with the incentive offers, according to interviews. SpaceX hired lobbyists and flew a key lawmaker to its offices. Musk gave about $12,000 in campaign contributions.

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States Competing for SpaceX by Offering Financial Breaks

Canada's New Space Policy

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This past Friday, the Canadian government announced a new approach to the country's space policy in an effort to reverse the negative trend caused by recent national budget cuts.

The fact is simply that Canada has played a critical part in advancing space technology and exploration, and is very interested in continuing to have space be an integral part of everyday life and national prestige.

Space activities will only grow as the importance of space commerce continues to grow. This announcement serves to reinforce what many have known for years, that space is here to stay and Canada will continue to contribute to the international community. The government has now confirmed this and stated that future budgets will reflect this new attitude.

Over the last two years, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has suffered significant budget cuts. However, the latest budget estimates indicate that CSA spending will increase in the 2013-14 budget year.

Former Canadian astronaut and current Member of Parliament Marc Garneau said he is optimistic but will reserve his enthusiasm until he sees if this new approach actually turns into something positive for Canada's space program.

Since Canada has been prominent in many international partnerships, several other countries have been looking for reaffirmation of commitment to those partnerships.

Those foreign partners are now hoping this new interest will translate into a long-term space plan and continued increasing support for CSA. The new policy framework is built on five principles: national sovereignty, security and prosperity; positioning the private sector at the forefront of space activities; progress through partnerships; excellence in key capabilities; and inspiring Canadians.

To realize these principles four areas of strategic action have been identified: commercialization; research and development; exploration of space; and stewardship, management and accountability.

Canada is particularly well-known for its advances in space technology, satellite engineering and Canadarms, the robot arms attached to the International Space Station.

In addition, there are a number of famous astronauts including the first ever Canadian commander of the station, Chris Hadfield. Let's hope Canada will continue to strongly support the space community.

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Canada's New Space Policy

NanoRacks Successfully Deploys Two Small Satellites from the International Space Station

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Houston, TX (PRWEB) February 12, 2014

NanoRacks announced successful deployment of the first two cubesats from the International Space Station (ISS) that will be the largest cubesat deployment in history. The first two cubesats are part of a constellation of 28 satellites for its customer, Planet Labs.

Demand for cubesats has intensified as customers look to develop space programs using small satellites about the size of a loaf of bread. NanoRacks is responding to demand from government, military, and commercial clients for routine access to space from small satellites. The NanoRacks Cubesat Deployment System appeals to the needs of their clients by providing regularly scheduled launches into space and the ability to deploy a constellation of small satellites that can cover the earth. This new system allows deployment of up to 96 satellites at a time.

This is the beginning of a new era in space commerce, said NanoRacks CEO Jeff Manber. Were helping our customers get a two year head start in space. They dont have to wait around for a dedicated launch to space but can instead catch the next rocket to space station. We want to thank NASA and JAXA for being wonderful partners, as well as Spaceflight Inc for their help with customers. Without these organizations, this couldnt have happened.

NanoRacks has planned 2-3 additional deployments this year to address a robust pipeline of customers. Working with NASA and JAXA, NanoRacks is anticipating regularly scheduled deployment of cubesats from the ISS.

The once limited and costly method of launching satellites into space is addressed by NanoRacks low cost way of doing business. Commercial clients are realizing the viability of space operations not easily available to them in the past is now feasible. NanoRacks has taken a leadership position in illustrating an acute understanding of the unique needs of its clients, and expects interest to increase.

ABOUT NANORACKS:

NanoRacks, LLC - was founded in 2009 in Houston, Texas. They are the market leader in commercialized and scheduled space operations on the International Space Station (ISS) via their own hardware from internal research equipment to cubeSat depolyers to the External Platform outside the Space Station. To date, over 150 payloads have been delivered to space under the direction of NanoRacks.

For additional information about NanoRacks, visit their website at http://www.nanoracks.com.

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NanoRacks Successfully Deploys Two Small Satellites from the International Space Station

Coca-Cola Returns Soda to Outer Space in New Olympics Ad

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A new Olympics-themed Coca-Cola commercial features the International Space Station while recycling the soft drink company's own history in space.

The minute-long TV ad, which shows a U.S. astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut aboard the orbiting outpost watching their two nations going head-to-head in an Olympic hockey match on Earth, includes the return of the special can that Coca-Cola designed for a 1985 space shuttle mission.

The commercial may have drawn inspiration from the real-life journey of an Olympic torch to the International Space Station (ISS) last November. The same torch was used to light the cauldron as a part of the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

The advertisement shows the two jersey-clad crewmates rooting for their respective teams while sipping from valve-capped Coke cans. When the U.S. scores, the cosmonaut reacts by spilling out his soda in a fit of frustration. In the microgravity environment of space, the soft drink floats off in spherical blobs and bubbles. [Watch now: Coca-Colas ISS TV commercial]

The scene then switches pace, underscored by the use of the "Light Calvary Overture" by Austrian composer Franz von Supp, as the two station residents quickly float off to catch as much of the soda with their mouths. The rivalry gives way to camaraderie as the cosmonaut swoops in to avoid the carbonated drink from shorting out an exposed electronics panel at the far end of the module.

The clip, while fictional, is not too far from reality.

"I think there will be some friendly competition, especially if the Russian and U.S. hockey teams meet head to head. That would always be interesting," NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio said from the real International Space Station during a recent interview with Space.com.

Just as is shown in Coca-Cola's commercial, Mastracchio and his crewmates are able to watch the Olympic games via video uplinked by NASA's Mission Control in Houston.

"We will have some of the Olympic events sent up to us, tape delayed, but we will also get some live," Mastracchio said. "On the weekends, they'll often uplink a TV station, and of course we'll ask for the Olympic events to be sent."

The crew doesn't have to have to worry about spilling their Cokes, however the space station is soda free. While Mastracchio and his five Expedition 38 crewmates have other drinks they can sip from, including juice and coffee, the Coca-Cola Company's plans to launch a zero-g Coke machine fizzled out in the mid-1990s.

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Coca-Cola Returns Soda to Outer Space in New Olympics Ad

Image: Solar array panels on Russian segment of space station

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1 hour ago Credit: NASA

Solar array panels on the Russian segment of the International Space Station and a blue and white part of Earth are photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member while the crew watches for the arrival of the ISS Progress 54 cargo spacecraft, loaded with 2.8 tons of food, fuel and supplies for the station crew.

The new Progress, which docked to the station at 5:22 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Feb. 5, is loaded with 1,764 pounds of propellant, 110 pounds of oxygen, 926 pounds of water and 2,897 pounds of spare parts, experiment hardware and other supplies.

Progress 54 is slated to spend about two months docked to the complex before departing to make way for ISS Progress 55.

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(Phys.org) -- In this photo taken from the International Space Station, the European Space Agencys Automated Transfer Vehicle-3 (ATV-3) is seen on approach for docking. The unmanned cargo spacecraft ...

A Russian Progress spacecraft loaded with more than 2.5 tons of supplies and equipment docked with the International Space Station at 1:10 a.m. EDT Tuesday.

A new Russian Progress cargo spaceship was being prepared Monday for its launch later this week to the International Space Station.

The International Space Station crew was preparing for the arrival of a new Progress freighter spacecraft that will deliver more than 2.5 tons of supplies.

A Russian Progress cargo vessel successfully docked with the International Space Station on Wednesday after its launch from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, mission control said.

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Image: Solar array panels on Russian segment of space station

Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week Feb. 9, 2014

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Olympic Space-Flown Torch, 'Baby Milky Way and More

Last week the 2014 Winter Olympic Games launched in Sochi using the torch that flew to the International Space Station, NASAs rover Curiosity snapped its first photo of the Earth from the surface of the Red Planet, and the structure of the 'Baby Milky Way' galaxy was seen for the first time. See the best stories from last week here.

FIRST STOP: Sochi Winter Olympics Launch with Space-Flown Torch, Cosmonaut Flag-Bearers

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games launched in Sochi, Russia, Friday (Feb. 7) using the torch that flew to the International Space Station. The space-themed spectacle, which took place as part of an elaborate opening ceremony, also had cosmonauts carry the Russian and Olympic flags.

[Full Story]

NEXT: Curiosity Rover Sees Earth from Mars for 1st Time (Photos)

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has snapped its first photo of Earth from the surface of the Red Planet, an amazing image that also includes the moon.

[See the photos here.]

NEXT: Tim Tebow Plays Moon Football in Super Bowl Ad (Video)

NFL star Tim Tebow is taking the Super Bowl into space today by tossing the pigskin on the moon in a T-mobile ad to air during the big game.

[See the video here. ]

NEXT: Depression in Space: How Computer Software Could Help Astronauts Cope

Astronauts on a deep-space mission are much too far removed to visit a specialist for cases of depression. Here's one way software could help space travelers.

[Full Story]

NEXT: Pow! Fresh Crater on Mars Spotted by NASA Spacecraft (Photo)

A NASA spacecraft has snapped a stunning photo of a Martian crater that was gouged out of the Red Planet just in the last three years or so.

[Full Story]

NEXT: NASA Sun-Earth Video Wins International Science Challenge

A video called Dynamic Earth, produced by NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, has won an international visualization challenge sponsored by Science magazine and the National Science Foundation.

[Full Story]

NEXT: Ariane 5 Rocket Blasts Off on 250th Launch with 2 Satellites

Dual payloads to broadcast television and broadband signals for Asia Broadcast Satellite and French and Italian security forces rocketed into orbit on an Ariane 5 rocket Thursday on Arianespace's landmark 250th launch.

[Full Story]

NEXT: Wobbly Alien Planet with Wild Seasons Found by NASA Telescope

Astronomers have discovered an alien planet that wobbles at such a dizzying rate that its seasons must fluctuate wildly.

[Full Story]

NEXT: Black Holes Heated Early Universe Slower Than Previously Thought

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Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week Feb. 9, 2014

International Space Station Prepares To Deploy Tiny Satellites | Video – Video

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International Space Station Prepares To Deploy Tiny Satellites | Video
A CubeSat deployer brought to the International Space Station on the Cyngus capsule in January has been installed in in the Japanese Experiment Module Airlock and will start deploying the tiny...

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International Space Station Prepares To Deploy Tiny Satellites | Video - Video


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