Space to Ground: Out for a Spin: 12/5/14
NASA #39;s Space to Ground is your weekly update on what #39;s happening aboard the International Space Station. Got a question or comment? Use #spacetoground to talk to us.
By: ReelNASA
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Sengoku Collection - Ep. 21 (S): Cavalry Queen
A rogue AI takes overs the space station Nakhodka and the only one capable of stopping it is the Cavalry Queen, Takeda Shingen. Enlisting the aid of the support droid, Fasad 29, she navigates...
By: nozomient
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Now that the first functioning 3-D printer is on the International Space Station, scientists have settled on its first useful product: A buckle intended to keep astronauts healthy.
Designed by former flight surgeon and astronaut Yvonne Cagle, the buckle is intended to tighten a compression strap that prevents muscle loss and maintains heart strength in zero-gravity conditionsa persistent challenge for space health.
"I became very intrigued with what would happen if you could get the G [gravity] suit and actually used it to recondition the body," Cagle says. "Until we can print humans, we have to keep the human body conditioned so it can perform its tasks while living in space for extended periods of time," she says.
In designing the buckle, Cagle and her team faced an engineering challenge: how to make the device strong enough to withstand the rigors of space flight. "In order to get there you need something that is going to be a really powerful stabilizer but has a small enough footprint and is simple enough to fix or print more if you need it."
Cagle, along with the space 3-D-printing startup Made in Space and partners at Singularity University ended up with a simple design that could do something as complicated as gauge and verify the pressures that are needed to recondition the body amidst the atrophying effects of low gravity.
Designed to be placed on large muscle groups, the buckle is part of a harness and compression system that astronauts can place anywherea kind of muscle-preserving wearable technology, says Cagle. Sometime next year, it will be printed and assembled on the space station from three separate printed sections, each approximately 4.5 inches by one inch.
"Without the buckle, its just an Ace wrap that isn't able to generate higher pressures that could protect muscles and nerves," she says. "The buckle is really the turnkey to lock together the different embodiments and design."
Printing objects in space solves the problem of using lightweight parts that could be damaged under the stress of a launchand obviates the need to bring extras from Earth. But Cagle and Autodesk director of strategic initiatives Jonathan Knowles have already started thinking about the buckle's more earthly benefits too. "Not only can it be used for extended-stay space exploration or commercial space, but it can be emailed to people on Earth who are in bed rest or rehabilitating."
The buckle, designed in ]Autodesk's Fusion 360, will be printed on Made in Spaces second generation printer, which will be finished in the second quarter of 2015. The California-based company made history when its 3-D printer reached the space station in September. It printed its first off-world piece last week, a generic white plastic part emblazoned with the words "NASA" and "Made in Space."
Cagle says she intends to analyze the data from that initial print to finalize what materials will be used for the buckle. "Now we know that you can put up the design in record time, and then the crew can very promptly and reliably print something that works."
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Why The First Meaningful Thing To Be 3-D Printed In Space Will Be... A Buckle
After orbiting the Earth twice, NASA's Orion spacecraft completed its maiden voyage and returned safely to Earth.
After orbiting the Earth twice and climbing 15 times higher than the orbit of the International Space Station, NASA's new spacecraft, Orion, today completed its maiden voyage and returned safely to Earth.
After lifting off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 7:05 a.m. ET, the uncrewed Orion splashed down right on target in the Pacific Ocean, almost four and a half hours later. At mid-day, a recovery team made up of members of the U.S. Navy, NASA and Lockheed Martin was in the process of securing and retrieving the spacecraft.
"America has driven a golden spike as it crosses a bridge into the future," said a NASA announcer, moments after Orion made what he called a "bulls-eye" splashdown for America's newest spacecraft. "This was a perfect mission."
Today's mission was the first test flight for Orion, which is designed to be NASA's next deep-space vehicle. The space agency expects Orion to take space exploration beyond simply putting robotic rovers on Mars by taking humans to the Red Planet and bringing them home safely.
The flight appeared to go like clock work. After launch, the spacecraft successfully tested the motor for its new abort system, climbed into a first orbit that had it on the same level as the space station and then two hours into its trip, climbed much higher, reaching 3,600 miles above Earth.
Orion's journey included two passes through the Van Allen belts, an area around the planet known for its high radiation levels.
NASA briefly noted this afternoon that the radiation had no effect on the spacecraft's computers -- designed to be rugged in space -- or on its shielding. It wasn't immediately clear, however, whether any of the computers reset during the flight.
"Although this was an unmanned mission, we were all onboard Orion," Mike Sarafin, Orion flight director for NASA, said on NASA TV this afternoon. "Today was a great day for America."
This flight served as a testing ground for a variety of technology -- some old, some new -- onboard Orion.
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Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham 100% Space Station Infestation (Lvl 4)
This is a 100% collectable walkthrough of Space Station Infestation in Free Play. For my full Lego Batman 3 playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYuIqYWRk0WlaXS-p7fq99K3sp7WZNvt.
By: LukaLaurent
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Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham 100% Space Station Infestation (Lvl 4) - Video
Space Station Live: One Day to Orion
NASA Public Affairs Officer Brandi Dean talks with Nujoud Merancy, the mission planning and analysis lead for NASA #39;s next human spacecraft, about the plans for Orion #39;s first test flight...
By: ReelNASA
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December 5, 2014
Image Caption: The Space Station Research Explorer provides current information on ISS experiments through interactive media, and in-depth descriptions. Credit: NASA
Provided by NASA
Have you ever wondered about the hundreds of experiments that have been conducted on the International Space Station? The Space Station Research Explorer provides current information on ISS experiments, facilities and research results through video, photos, interactive media, and in-depth descriptions.
The Experiments section provides access to the six main experiment categories and their subcategories. Experiments are depicted as dots within the category system and the stems connecting the dots to the system depict the length of time the experiment spent on orbit. Users can drill down to see specific experiments within the categories and subcategories or search for a specific experiment or subject using the search option. Experiment descriptions consist of links, images, and publications if available. The Experiments section can be further narrowed by selecting a specific expedition and sponsor by using the dials at the top right of the screen
The Facilities section provides an interior view of three of the station modules; Columbus, Kibo, and Destiny. Once the module is selected, the interior image can be navigated by dragging up and down to see different sides of the module and left and right to view any racks not shown on the screen. Tapping a rack gives a brief description of the rack and an experiment description if available.
The Benefits section provides information on Human Health, Earth Benefits and Global education. Selecting a section allows the benefits to be investigated further.
The Media section provides access to three tabs: Podcasts, Games, and Videos. The Games section contains a game that introduces players to the differences in gravity when tossing a ball. Podcasts contains links to NASA ScienceCasts and Videos contains links to Science related videos.
The last section contains links to other Space station research sites and NASA applications.
The Space Station Research Explorer app is now available for iPhone, iPad and Android platforms.
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Explore The Diverse Ecosystem Of Experiments Being Researched On The ISS
If necessity is the mother of invention, then survival in space breeds many "children." These children are the research and technologies demonstrated aboard the International Space Station.
For 16 years, the station has provided researchers a platform in microgravity where they perform experiments and test technologies to allow humans to travel farther into the solar system than ever before. From life support systems to growing plants in space, the space station continues to drive human exploration for missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
NASA's Orion spacecraft, which is set to blast off on its first flight test in December, will demonstrate many technologies first tested aboard the space station. Orion, built to transport humans into deep space, embarks on a two-orbit, four-hour "Trial By Fire" on Dec. 5 to test many of its critical systems.
"Without what we've learned from having a continuous human presence in space for more than a decade, we wouldn't be able to think about sending people into deep space onboard Orion," said Mark Geyer, Orion Program manager.
"We're testing out technologies and concepts on the space station right now that are necessary for the kind of long-duration trips Orion enables."
Technology demonstrations aboard the station beget new systems and concepts for on Earth and for space exploration. For example, the amine swingbed, which uses organic compounds with modified ammonia atoms, controls carbon dioxide and humidity in Orion. This type of recovery system also can operate on Earth to help remove carbon dioxide and humidity in tight spaces, like in mine tunnels or submarines.
With successful demonstrations of 3-D printing on the space station, the potential now exists to manufacture parts quickly and cheaply in space. Instead of waiting for a cargo delivery, astronauts could replace filters or faulty equipment simply by printing new parts. Researchers are gaining insight into improving 3-D printing technology on Earth by testing it in microgravity. This knowledge could help advance industry printing methods.
Environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) aboard the station support humans in space. ECLSS includes wastewater recycling to provide clean water for bathing and drinking.
It also includes oxygen generation systems to provide air for crews to breathe. These and other components of ECLSS help cut transportation costs for resupply and provide astronauts a habitable environment. This technology demonstration helps engineers design and develop improved closed-loop life support systems for long duration spacecraft.
"Testing various life support sub-systems is an ideal use of the space station," said George Nelson, manager of NASA's International Space Station Technology Demonstration. "Reliability of these systems on long duration missions is paramount. We can verify design reliability in the microgravity environment by using them on the station without any mission or crew risk, since the existing space station systems are always available."
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International Space Station for Sat, 29th November 2014
This is a image taken from the live feed from the International Space Station.
By: dingo001
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International Space Station for Sat, 29th November 2014 - Video
The angel of death awaits.. - Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Playthrough [Part 5]
Chapter: Space Station Infestation Yay we saved the day! What #39;s this? A new threat?! The third installment in the Lego Batman series once again finds Batman joining forces with other DC Superhero...
By: TonyTheNinja
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The angel of death awaits.. - Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Playthrough [Part 5] - Video
Where To Find A Sun Stone Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Location
The Sun Stone is found in Mossdeep City in the Space Station, talk to the guy in the sailor outfit near the vending machine in the top left corner.
By: JaoxxGames
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Where To Find A Sun Stone Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Location - Video
Space Station Live: Cyclops Hits the Target
NASA TV commentator Kyle Herring talks with Daniel Newswander, NASA #39;s Cyclops Project Manager, about the inaugural use of the Cyclops small satellite launcher, which successfully deployed...
By: ReelNASA
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NASAs Parallel Path to Human Space Exploration
America #39;s human space exploration goals for the 21st Century include destinations both in low-Earth orbit to the International Space Station and deep space missions to an asteroid and even...
By: NASAKennedy
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C6 simulator is like nothing you #39;ve ever seen
A room at Iowa State University can transport you inside a house fire, active shooter situation or a fire in the International Space Station. Subscribe to KCCI on YouTube now for more: http://bit.l...
By: KCCI
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Alien Isolation (Episode 2) What the hell happened here
And here we continue our journey on the Space station Sevastopol, which is obviously falling apart! Alien Isolation - Episode 2 - What the hell happened here.
By: Tanjeria
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Alien Isolation (Episode 2) What the hell happened here - Video
China continues to ramp up its space activities, which include a new launch complex, more powerful boosters and the construction of a large space station, as well as plans for complex robotic missions to the moon and Mars.
For example, China's "little fly" spacecraft looped around the moon and returned to Earth Nov. 1 (Beijing time) after eight days of flight, parachuting safely down in northern China's Inner Mongolia.
The capsule used seven kinds of thermal protection materials, returning data that will be applied to China's Chang'e 5 robotic lunar sample return mission, which is slated to launch in 2017 from the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center. [Greatest Moon Missions of All Time]
In the human spaceflight arena, China's manned space agency is readying the Tiangong 2 space lab for liftoff around 2016, which will be followed by the crewed Shenzhou 11 spacecraft and a Tianzhou cargo vessel that will rendezvous with the lab.
Chinese officials expect that the core space station module will be launched around 2018, and the orbiting facility is slated to be completed by about 2022.
All of these plans form a comphrehensive space exploration agenda for the coming years.
Incremental steps
The Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG), an assembly of experts convened by NASA to assist in planning the scientific exploration of the moon, is eyeing China's growing lunar exploration capacity.
"China has had a well developed, focused plan, and they are using incremental steps to lunar exploration," said Jeffrey Plescia, chairman of LEAG. "Each mission has achieved the primary goal orbiters, landing, rovers leading up to sample return and then on to humans."
The objective of the recent test of the lunar sample return capsule was to demonstrate gear that can return from the moon and land safely.
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Chuck Bednar for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online
Cosmic radiation from space travel could be less harmful to astronauts than previously believed, data from experiments conducted on board and outside of the International Space Station (ISS) has revealed.
The MATROSHKA experiment, the first comprehensive measurement of long-term exposure of space travelers to cosmic radiation, brought together researchers from the European Space Agency (ESA) and colleagues from other institutions to determine precisely how much radiation astronauts are exposed to during long-term space travel.
The goal was to determine how long astronauts could remain in space without their health being threatened due to exposure to ionizing radiation. To do so, they developed a type of mannequin that was outfitted with several thousand detectors that recorded the doses of cosmic radiation from inside and outside the ISS over the course of several years. The data collected by those sensors has been analyzed, the researchers called the results surprising.
One may say that we found open space to be a bit less hostile to humans than expected. The effective doses, related to the health risk of the astronauts and calculated from measurements with our detectors, were lower than those indicated by dosimeters worn by the astronauts, Dr. Pawe Bilski from the Henryk Niewodniczaski Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ PAN), said in a recent statement.
Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov (left) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, both Expedition 23 flight engineers, work with the European Matroshka-R Phantom experiment in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station. Matroshka, the name for the traditional Russian set of nestling dolls, is an antroph-amorphous model of a human torso designed for radiation studies. Credit: NASA
The mannequin, a legless torso described by the researchers as a specially adapted humanoid phantom used in medical research, contained real human bones places inside a plastic shell simulating the shapes and densities of soft tissues and lungs in an astronauts body. It consisted of 33 slices 2.5 cm thickness each, and each of them contained measuring equipment and sets of passive thermoluminescent detectors placed in plastic tubes.
Using a total of six thousand thermoluminescent detectors, the researchers created a three-dimensional rectangular grid of measurement points inside the phantom. The design allowed the authors to accurately determine how much radiation would be absorbed by each of the bodys organs, and to calculate the so-called effective dose, which is considered to be an estimate of the radiation hazard to humans, IFJ PAN explained.
The main hazard to the astronauts health due to exposure to cosmic radiation is the increased probability of developing cancer in his or her body, the institute added. This probability however is quite dependent on the type of radiation the astronaut is exposed to. Most of the natural sources of ionizing radiation on Earth produce electromagnetic radiation of high energy gamma rays. On the other hand, in cosmic rays, energetic protons or heavier ions dominate, which are much more effective in creating cancer cells.
Interior structure of the phantom used in the experiment MATROSHKA. White tubes contain sets of thermoluminescent detectors. Half of these detectors was manufactured by the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakw, Poland. Credit: DLR
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Cosmic Radiation Less Of A Risk To Astronauts Than Previously Thought
If there are sad faces and tired eyes on the International Space Station this week, it's likely not a caffeine crash but the despair of knowing they're going to have to wait another few months for a freshly brewed cappuccino.
The ISSpresso machine -- a joint effort designed by coffee experts at the Italian manufacturer Lavazzo and engineers from Italian company Argotec -- pushes hot water at high pressure through coffee grounds and a long steel tube. The strongly flavored coffee is squeezed out into a pouch that's then sipped through a straw.
The machine, which will bring espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos to the space station for the first time, was supposed to arrive along with Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti last week.
But new reports suggest Cristoforetti arrived without the espresso maker; its shipment to ISS has apparently been delayed.
David Avino of Argotec said that, subject to launch openings, the company hopes to get ISSpresso aboard the station in time for Cristoforetti's birthday in April.
It's not yet clear what the reasoning for the delay is, but it would be understandable of space and weight was an issue. The rather large contraption weighs 44 pounds.
When it finally does arrive, astronauts may be able to enjoy their expertly brewed espresso in a more traditional fashion -- out of a cup. Earlier this year, a group of researchers at Portland State University presented a paper (called "The Capillary Fluidics of Espresso") on the possibility of sipping the dark-roasted elixir in a low gravity environment.
"Espresso is distinguished by a complex low density colloid of emulsified oils," researcher wrote. "Due to gravity, these oils rise to the surface forming a foam lid called the crema."
"To some, the texture and aromatics of the crema play a critical role in the overall espresso experience. We show how in the low-g environment this may not be possible," the scientists continued. "We also suggest alternate methods for enjoying espresso aboard spacecraft."
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Planet Earth (timelapse) HD
"Remix Video". This video is a compilation of 15890 photos. Photos were taken from the International Space Station (ISS). This movie shows mainly North America and Europe at night. Also it...
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Kerbal Space Program: International Space Station Build EP.8 Columbus Lab
Well shadow play failed me and didn #39;t record the launch and docking of the Columbus Lab. So I suck. Anyway, I show you what it looks like and how I reenter i...
By: Strike Eagle #39;s Perch
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Kerbal Space Program: International Space Station Build EP.8 Columbus Lab - Video