Daily Archives: September 26, 2021

A new exhibit featuring all things moon, Mars and asteroids is coming to the Space Center Houston!

Be the Astronaut, an exhibit launching in October 2021 will share with young and old alike, the experience of what it means to go off on a space mission.

Pilot a space capsule and other simulated machines to know more about the technology working in deep space. Image courtesy: Space Center Houston

At this immersive fall exhibit, visitors can go on a journey of the moon, Mars, asteroids, Jupiter and beyond, learn how astronauts prepare for a mission, drive a rover, use robotic arms and plan missions in two dimensions and fly in three dimensions.

In the interactive exhibit presented by Eureka Exhibits and Repsol, you can actually land on multiple worlds and get a chance to navigate a simulated mission derived from NASAs Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) space probe data.

Whats more, you can take the pilot seat of a space capsule and understand what it feels like to be a real-life astronaut!

The exhibit has been designed with the aim of inspiring children to think and learn more about deep space exploration. Image courtesy: Space Center Houston

The exhibition has been curated especially keeping in mind the innate curiosity that so many kids have about the outer space.

One of the aims of the exhibit is to explore the solar system using interactive technology that inspires the next generation to learn more about space and the science involved in designing and taking off on space missions.

And what could be more fun than learning these concepts through the practical experience of a simulated rocket launch and dabbling in hands-on technologies? Here, children are invited to think about the science behind deep space exploration with simulated and guided interactive models!

When: Saturday, 2 October 2021Where: Space Center Houston, 1601 Nasa Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058How much: Included in general admission

COVID Guidelines: In following the CDC guidelines, masks are required for all guests ages 2 and up. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask at all times. For more details click here.

To know more about the exhibit, click here.

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Be the Astronaut - New Exhibit at Space Center Houston - Houston On The Cheap

Today, China stands at another historical node, and in doing so faces new opportunities and challenges. The country must have the courage to seize these opportunities, continue to innovate, and make breakthroughs, says Dr. Xiaojun Wang, President of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

In 2021, China became the second nation to successfully land and operate an unmanned rover on Mars. Around the 2030s, China plans to become the first nation to send a Sample Return Spacecraft to Mars. These are only two of Chinas milestones in its journey to become a top space nation. It has many more planned. To realize all those plans, Chinas aerospace agencies have been working on innovative technologies for over 60 years. Crucial among these are the transportation systems, specifically, the launch vehicles.

In an article published inSpace: Science & Technology, Dr. Wang explores Chinas recent advances in space transportation systems, future prospects, and the challenges that remain to be met.

Over the past few years, with a new generation of space launch vehicles, China has launched rockets from the sea, sent multiple satellites into space, landed on the Moon and Mars, and conducted human spaceflight, garnering international attention. The latest among these launch vehicles, LM-11 of the Long March series, has a record-low preparation time of less than 24 hours, and is a great step towards meeting the rapid transportation needs that a space station will bring; China has begun the construction of its space station in low-earth orbit in April 2021.

To make its space program more environmentally sustainable, Chinas aerospace agencies are upgrading toxic traditional petroleum-derived rocket propellant-based propulsion systems to liquid-based cryogenic propulsion systemswhich uses cleaner fuels like hydrogen or oxygenor the new high-power electric propulsion systems. Launch vehicles are also being made highly specific in terms of propulsion technology and efficient in terms of the thrust to weight ratios and engines, which could save energy and fuel expenditure and make missions safer. Reusable technology involving the control of landing zones and enabling horizontal take-off and landing are being developed as well, to reduce the junk generated by space missions as well as stay relevant on the global stage. Reusable launch technology will also enable China to stay competitive in the commercial space travel industry, which is rapidly gaining speed.

With deep space missions in mind, scientists are also working on developing lightweight metal composites that can withstand the test of time and improve the energy efficiency of vehicle bodies. This will be necessary for stellar and nuclear-powered crafts, which are the only known kinds of vehicles capable of exploring beyond the solar system.

Furthermore, scientists have combined the power of the latest advances in aerospace engineering with artificial intelligence to develop smart technology that can predict and identify errors during space missions and even take corrective steps as needed. Using big data and cloud computing, platforms that can offer better remote control and improved communications with spacecrafts, are being built. Space vehicle production, testing, launch, flight operation, reconfiguration, and docking are being automated.

With significant monetary investment and specific year-on-year targets for meeting each of these research developmental goals, spanning across the 2020s to the 2040s, China has set its sights on becoming a powerful space nation by the first half of this century. It even plans to set up a manned base station on the moon and a space solar power station to better power its space products.

From single satellite launch vehicles to manned spacecrafts, from near-Earth orbit missions to deep space exploration, Chinas space transportation systems have developed by huge leaps in the last few decades and will continue to do so in the decades to come.

China seeks to intelligently empower aerospace transportation systems, create efficientpropulsion technologies,and develop digital management systems torealize its goal of emerging as a space power nation,China will devote itself in peacefully developing the space and encouraging international cooperation says Dr. Wang.

Space may be where humanitys future lies. And with this acceleration in the development of space technology, China is launching itself to the top of the race to get there.

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Advancements In Transport Technology That Are Launching China To Top Of Space Race - Eurasia Review

Emirates Space Art Programme (ESAP) will serve as a platform to bring together a wide stratum of the creative community into the National Space Programme

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has launched the Emirates Space Art Programme (ESAP) that aims to uniquely document and share the emotions of the UAEs milestone moves into space through artists and their artworks.

The initiative is in collaboration with Jsoor, a private social enterprise that aligns with the agendas of the public sector to build an integrated sustainable creative industry.

MBRSCs partnership with the culture and creative industries is the foundation of a valuable legacy that future generations and the world can connect with.

Salem AlMarri, deputy director-general, MBRSC, said: With the UAEs rapid growth and achievements in the space sector, now is a great time to explore the artistic representations of our journey through a range of artistic styles, mediums and techniques. This will not only enable us to reach a wider global audience but also speak in a language that is universally recognised and accepted.

He further said: Through the works of artists, we will be able to witness the varied interpretation of our nations growing achievements in space. These artworks can be used to tell a story that will have great value for future generations and will also significantly contribute to the enrichment of Emirati art.

ESAP will serve as a platform to bring together a wide stratum of the creative community into the National Space Programme to present the UAEs journey of space exploration in a new light through artworks and other creative mediums.

This will also lead to increased engagement of the community and the youth with the UAEs space journey, making a significant contribution to the history of Emirati and global art.

Omar Al Shunnar, founder of Jsoor, underlined: We are very honoured and pleased to be working with MBRSC on this first-of-a-kind innovative programme that aims to celebrate the accomplishments of the nation through the culture and creative industries.

To ensure alignment of ESAP with the aspirations of the leadership and the objectives of the UAE and the creative community, we will continually engage key public and private stakeholders within the local culture and creative industries community to ensure that the programme is comprehensive and inclusive in delivering its mandate, added Omar.

By enriching connections between science, art and the community, while celebrating the achievements of the UAE in space, the Emirates Space Art Programme will nurture continued conversation around the National Space Programme.

Nandini Sircar

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UAEs milestone space explorations to come alive with art - Khaleej Times

The Technik Museum Speyer, located near the center of Speyer and its famous medieval cathedral, is a must-see for those interested in military and civil aviation as well as all other forms of transportation.

The massive facility, just 40 miles from the Kaiserslautern area, boasts a world-class collection of aircraft, ships, cars, trucks, submarines and even a Russian space shuttle.

A unique aspect of this interactive museum is that you can enter many of the exhibits, including a German U-boat, a rescue ship and several airliners displayed at various ends of the venue.

The most impressive is probably the Lufthansa Boeing 747 jumbo jet, the worlds first wide-body jet airliner. Its quite a climb up the steel structure and staircase, which allow it to tower over the rest of the exhibits.

Inside the 747, visitors can clamber through the cavernous interior and even walk out on the planes left wing, with its wonderful view of the surrounding area. Children will especially enjoy the slide down from the planes elevated position.

They will also enjoy the bumper cars and play areas strategically set beneath some of the exhibits to allow parents a chance to visit them without worrying about the little ones.

Other planes on poles include the Antonov An-22, the worlds largest turboprop transport plane, which served in the Soviet air force during the Cold War. Its vast cargo hold is open to visitors, but the crew rest areas and the cockpit are off-limits.

There is also a submarine and an oceangoing rescue ship perched on supporting pillars, allowing visitors to get a good look at their undersides. The coastal submarine U-9 of the German navy is a favorite with visitors, with long lines of people waiting for a chance to tour the cramped interior.

The tour even includes the bathroom, with a very lifelike mannequin sitting on the toilet reading a magazine.

One of the highlights is the Russian Buran space shuttle, displayed inside the main building in the section dedicated to space exploration. Visitors can view its open cargo area from a walkway above the shuttle.

For real aviation buffs, the museum offers a selection of rare European aircraft difficult to find in the United States. These include a Fairy Gannet, an ungainly British-made anti-submarine turboprop, and a Soviet Yak-28 Firebar, a swept-wing twin-jetinterceptor with a glazed nose. The plane was never used outside the Soviet Union.

There is also the Nord Noratlas, a joint Franco-German twin prop, twin-boom transport plane that was operated extensively by both air forces during the Cold War.

Inside the main building, there is a huge selection of classic cars, trucks, fire engines, locomotives and even World War II minisubs.

Some of the more curious include BMWs postwar microcar, the egg-shaped Isetta, with its tiny single-cylinder engine. The entire front end of the stubby vehicle swung out to allow entry to the two seats.

The museum also features an IMAX Dome movie theater as one of its most popular attractions. The gigantic screen and amazing sound system guarantee a wonderful cinema experience.

The museum has a main restaurant and a fast-food counter, and there are seating areas under the wings of several planes where you can have a picnic if you bring your own food and drinks from home.

Or you can walk 15 minutes to Speyers main pedestrian street, Maximilianstrasse, with its wide selection of restaurants and cafes.

Technik Museum Speyer

Address: Am Technik Museum Speyer 1, 67346 Speyer. From Kaiserslautern, take the A6 east toward Mannheim, and turn south on the A61 to Speyer. There are road signs to the museum as you enter the city, and its difficult to miss the Boeing 747 perched above the road. A shorter, scenic route is to take Mannheimerstrasse from Kaiserslautern toward Bad Durkheim via Frankenstein, and then continue down the Weinstrasse toward Speyer.

Food: A moderately priced restaurant and a fast-food counter are in the museum complex.

Admission: 17 euros for adults, 13 euros for children 5 to 14. A coronavirus test or proof of vaccination is not needed at the entrance. But you must have one of these in order to sit indoors in the main restaurant. Make sure to register your visit in advance at https://speyer.technik-museum.de.

Phone: +49 6232-6708-0.

Slobodan Lekic

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Speyer museum houses stunning collection of aircraft, boats and even a space shuttle - Stars and Stripes