Monthly Archives: October 2023

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Credit: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the development of Russias new orbital station after a special meeting at Energia Corp. on Oct. 26. The development program, worth 609 billion rubles (about $6.5 billion), will allow the new station to deploy by 2032, the head of Energias parent Roscosmos...

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Putin Approves Development Of Russian Space Station - Aviation Week

The 29th SpaceX commercial resupply services (CRS) mission for NASA carries scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, including studies of enhanced optical communications and measurement of atmospheric waves. The uncrewed SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station from the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than Nov. 5.

Download high-resolution photos and videos of the research mentioned in this article.

Here are details on some of the research launching to the orbiting lab:

NASAs ILLUMA-T investigation tests technology to provide enhanced data communication capabilities on the space station. A terminal mounted on the stations exterior uses laser or optical communications to send high-resolution information to the agencys Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) system, which is in geosynchronous orbit around Earth. LCRD then beams the data to optical ground stations in Haleakala, Hawaii, and Table Mountain, California. The system uses invisible infrared light and can send and receive information at higher data rates than traditional radio frequency systems, making it possible to send more images and videos to and from the space station in a single transmission. The ILLUMA-T demonstration also paves the way for placing laser communications terminals on spacecraft orbiting the Moon or Mars.

ILLUMA-T and LCRD create NASAs first two-way laser communications relay system. Laser communications can supplement the radio frequency systems that most space-based missions currently use to send data to and from Earth. According to acting ILLUMA-T project manager Glenn Jackson at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, laser systems are smaller, more lightweight, and use less power than radio systems. The smaller size frees up more room for science instruments, the lighter weight reduces launch costs, and lower power use results in less drain on spacecraft batteries.

Managed by NASA Goddard in partnership with NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, ILLUMA-T is funded by the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

NASAs Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) uses an infrared imaging instrument to measure the characteristics, distribution, and movement of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs). These waves roll through Earths atmosphere when air is disturbed much like waves created by dropping a stone into water.

Atmospheric gravity waves are one mechanism for transporting energy and momentum within the climate system and they play a role in defining the climate and its evolution, says co-investigator Jeff Forbes of the University of Colorado Boulder. He explains that these waves are relatively small at the source but amplified at altitudes, and potentially indicate climate changes not readily observable at lower altitudes. This investigations long-term observations of physical processes in atmospheric circulation could increase insight into AGWs and improve understanding of Earths atmosphere, weather, and climate.

Researchers also are looking at how AGWs contribute to space weather, which refers to the varying conditions within the Solar System, including solar wind. Space weather affects space- and ground-based communications, navigation, and tracking systems. Scientists know little about exactly how AGWs influence space weather and this investigation could help fill in these knowledge gaps. Results could support development of ways to mitigate the effects of space weather.

The space station provides an ideal platform for the investigation given its altitude and geographic and time coverage.

AWE is pioneering research, making the first global measurements of gravity waves at the edge of space, Forbes says. This is an important step forward in understanding waves in the atmosphere and their contributions to near-Earth space weather.

The Atmospheric Waves Experiment is managed by Goddard for NASAs Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

Space Flight Induced Ovarian and Estrogen Signaling Dysfunction, Adaptation, and Recovery is a fundamental science investigation sponsored by NASAs Biological and Physical Sciences Division. It advances previous microgravity studies that seek to better understand the combined effects of spaceflight, nutritional, and environmental stresses on control of ovulation and resulting effects on the skeleton. Results of this study could help identify and treat the effects of stress on ovulation and improve bone health on Earth.

Aquamembrane-3, an investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), continues evaluation of replacing the multi-filtration beds used for water recovery on the space station with a type of membrane known as an Aquaporin Inside Membrane (AIM). These are membranes that incorporate proteins found in biological cells, known as aquaporins, to filter water faster while using less energy. Initial testing of AIM technology in 2015 showed that water filtration by membranes is possible in microgravity, and this follow-up testing could demonstrate how effectively the membranes eliminate contaminants in space station wastewater. Results could advance development of a complete and full-scale membrane-based water recovery system, improving water reclamation and reducing the amount of material that needs to be launched to the space station. This water filtration technology also could have applications in extreme environments on Earth, such as military and emergency settings, and for decentralized water systems in remote locations.

Gaucho Lung, sponsored by the ISS National Lab, studies how mucus lining the respiratory system affects delivery of drugs carried in a small amount of injected liquid, known as a liquid plug. Conducting this research in microgravity makes it possible to isolate the factors involved, including capillary or wicking forces, mucus characteristics, and gravity. Understanding the role of these factors could inform the development and optimization of targeted respiratory treatments. In addition, the work could contribute to new strategies to control contamination in tubing for liquids used in the health care and food industries.

Search this database of scientific experiments to learn more about those mentioned above.

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NASA's SpaceX CRS-29 Mission Flies Research to the Space Station - NASA

NASA and Boeing are working to complete the agencys verification and validation activities ahead of Starliners first flight with astronauts to the International Space Station. While Boeing is targeting March to have the spacecraft ready for flight, teams decided during a launch manifest evaluation that a launch in April will better accommodate upcoming crew rotations and cargo resupply missions this spring.

Once the spacecraft meets the agencys safety requirements, NASAs Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) will see astronautsButch WilmoreandSuni Williamsperform the first crewed mission of the spacecraft designed to take astronauts to and from the orbital laboratory.

Ahead of CFT, Boeing has completed P213 tape removal in the upper dome of the Starliner crew compartment and work is underway to remove or remediate the tape in the lower dome of the spacecraft. These hardware remediation efforts inside the Starliner production facility at NASA Kennedy are expected to be completed during the next several weeks. After the P213 tape remediation efforts conclude, engineers will conduct final assessments to ensure acceptable risk of any remaining tape.

A set of parachutes is on track to be delivered and installed on the CFT spacecraft by the end of this year to support the current target launch date. Separately, the team also is planning a drop test of Starliners updated drogue and main parachutes. The parachutes will incorporate a planned strengthening of main canopy suspension lines and the recent design of the drogue and main parachute soft-link joints, which will increase the safety factor for the system. The drop test is planned for early 2024 based on the current parachute delivery schedule.

Boeing and NASA also are planning modifications to the active thermal control system valves to improve long-term functionality following a radiator bypass valve issue discovered during ground operations earlier this year. As discussed during a Starlinermedia teleconferencein June, teams have modified the spacecraft hardware and identified forward work to prevent a similar issue in the future. Options include a system purge to prevent stiction, component upgrades and operational mitigations.

Additionally, about 98% of the certification products required for the flight test are complete, and NASA and Boeing anticipate closure on remaining CFT certification products early next year. Meanwhile, NASA and Boeing have made significant progress on requirement closures related to manual crew control of the spacecraft and abort system analysis.

The latest version of Starliners CFT flight software completed qualification testing and is undergoing standard hardware and software integration testing inside Boeings Avionics and Software Integration Lab. Starliners crew and service modules remain mated and await continuation of standard preflight processing.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket also is in Florida at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station awaiting integration with the spacecraft.

The NASA astronauts who will fly aboard CFT continue to train for their roughly eight-day mission to the orbiting laboratory, which includes working with operations and mission support teams to participate in various simulations across all phases of flight.

Starliner completed two uncrewed flight tests, including Orbital Flight Test-2, which docked to the space station on May 21, 2022, following a launch two days prior from Kennedy. The spacecraft remained docked to space station for four days before successfully landing at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Follow NASAs commercial crew blog orCFT mission blogfor the latest information on progress. Details about NASAs Commercial Crew Program can be found by following thecommercial crew blog,@commercial_crewon X, andcommercial crewon Facebook.

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Progress Continues Toward NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test to Station - NASA

The speed of the International Space Station has been shown through amazing animation.

Space is usually where you will see this craft, but sometimes you can see it and even track it in low altitudes on Earth.

The International Space Station routinely conducts a flyby all over the world as it orbits us.

But what does it look like up close?

A video posted to YouTube might give you a good idea.

The channel Airplane Mode released animated footage of the ISS flyby and its incredible to see.

From this video, you can see exactly what the station sees, and its a wonderful view.

Commenters were just as taken aback, writing their thoughts on the ISS.

One person typed jokingly, making light of the speed: We should all be thankful for the bravery of the astronauts who daringly flew the ISS at such a low altitude just to give us this amazing footage.

Another was amazed at the speed: If you can spot it at night, it's really amazing how quickly it goes from horizon to horizon.

It also sparked some philosophical thoughts about humanity and the universe.

Someone wrote: This only makes me appreciate the size of the Earth even more. The fact that mountains are only in frame for a fraction of a second and it would take an hour and a half version of this video to complete one circle is crazy to me. We are so tiny.

While another added: Next you're gonna tell me the Sun actually is a happy baby's face and our true overlords are the Teletubbies.

If you havent seen the ISS before, another person had some tips to share, writing: For anyone unaware, you can see the iss every now and then at night near ur location. You just need to look up iss fly bys then type in (near ur location) two days in a row I got lucky seeing a satellite and the iss 2 minutes apart. There are also lives on yt of astronauts speaking in the iss they sometimes say hello to you. Honestly its so great.

Forgot to mention it happened a third time with the iss flying over with a satellite about a month later and we started seeing a bunch of random stars moving, turns out there was a meteor shower at the same time and about 3 more satellites flew by (Im sure to avoid being hit with a meteor).

But really, the video would make a fantastic bedtime watch, as a user pointed out: I'd really watch a 3 hour version where the iss goes around the earth twice with some chill ambient music.

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Mind-blowing animation shows the speed of the International Space ... - UNILAD

The Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft docks with the China Space Station, October 26, 2023. /China Manned Space Agency

The Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft docks with the China Space Station, October 26, 2023. /China Manned Space Agency

The Shezhou-17 manned spacecraft was sent to the China Space Station from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Thursday. Besides the three-member crew, the spacecraft also carried 29 biological samples to the space station.

The project, named "Space Protein Molecular Assembly and Application Research," is led by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The 29 samples cover five categories: proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acids, biological materials, and pharmaceutical materials. Samples include insulin, protein complexes for cancer treatment, nucleic acid polymerase, key proteins in plant photosynthesis and collagen polypeptide.

According CAS, the microgravity environment in space can eliminate or weaken the convection and sedimentation under normal gravity field, and provide a more stable environment for the growth of high-quality protein crystals.

In addition, the fine structure of protein molecules can be obtained by X-ray diffraction to reveal their biological functions more accurately, including the relationship between normal physiological effects, pathogenic mechanisms, pharmacodynamics, side effects and molecular structure. It has a direct effect on molecular drug design and is of great significance to biomimetic biotechnology, said CAS.

The Shenzhou-17 crew is expected to stay in orbit for nearly six months, carrying out several extravehicular activities, and conducting a large number of experiments and tests in areas of basic physics in a microgravity environment, materials science, life science, space medicine and space technology.

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China sends 29 biological samples to its space station onboard ... - CGTN

Herta Space Station, a once familiar beacon in the vast cosmos, redefines itself as the third Victory Zone in Honkai Star Rails 'Aetherium Wars' questline. This place where you once ignited your trailblazing journey now veils itself in new mysteries. Treasure chests waiting to be unlocked, Aether Spirits lurking around corners, and formidable Challengers lie in ambush.

Related: Honkai: Star Rail - Complete Aetherium Wars Event Guide

As you journey deeper into the Victory Zone, you're confronted with a myriad of tasks, from deciphering cryptic treasure maps to decoding bizarre hints in unlikely places like a circle of toilets. It's a test of wit, observation, and perseverance and one that will culminate in an exciting encounter with a familiar sassy character.

Before embarking on 'Battle of Wits! Herta Space Station!' ensure you have successfully completed all preceding quests in the 'Aetherium Wars' event, specifically the 'Onward! Cloudford!' quest. Only then will this new challenge be unlocked.

After initiating the quest, a quest marker will direct you to Herta Space Station, unlocking access to the Herta Space Station Victory Zone.

Upon arriving at the Herta Space Station Victory Zone, you're immediately greeted by Giovanni. After some dialogue, Herta tasks you with retrieving Treasure Maps from various service robots across the space station, hinting they're essential to the next phase of the quest. March 7th swiftly spots a potential service robot, nudging you both to pursue the quest's next step.

During your journey through the Herta Space Station Victory Zone, you are tasked with locating the elusive Wubbaboos concealed in seriously crafty spots. To locate each one, you'll need to solve Treasure Map puzzles provided to you by various service robots in the vicinity.

While the Treasure Maps will picture the Wubbaboos' exact locations, getting to these spots won't be straightforward.

Most of the Aether Spirits youll encounter in this Victory Zone will be Abherrant Type (purple). Youll benefit from including Mechanical Types (blue) on your team. Try adding in the Spirits you recruited from the Cloudford Victory Zone, such as the Aurumaton Gatekeeper and Entranced Ingenium: Illumination Dragonfish.

Navigate to the eastern portion of the map. There, in the distance, you'll spot a Voidranger: Reaver Aether Spirit in a kneeling posture. To reach this foe, you're tasked with solving a floor tile puzzle called the lucent passageway.

Move left into the teleportation black hole, which will transport you to the other side. Once there, activate the tiles in a 'U' formation.

Keep in mind that this puzzle boasts multiple solutions, so feel free to plot your own course.

After reaching the other side and defeating the Aether Spirit, continue in the room right next to you, where youll find the first Wubbaboo. Talk to the Wubbaboo to acquire the Elevator Encryption Key, which is what youll need to find the rest of the Wubbaboos (located on the next floor).

After reaching the Storage Zone First Floor with the Elevator Encryption Key, talk to the floating service robot positioned in front of you. Upon interaction, it bestows upon you Treasure Map No. 1. Revealing its contents, you're presented with a peculiar clue: a circle of toilets.

Follow the quest marker which will lead you on a winding path towards the west side of the map, where youll also have the opportunity to take on and recruit a new Aether Spirit, the Voidranger: Eliminator.

After duking it out in a few battles (including one with a Drowsy Player), youll find yourself in a room with a circle of toilets in the middle. Referring back to the Treasure Map, sit on the toilet thats directly on the left side of the open tablet screen.

After a brief black screen, youll be whisked away to a new location, greeted by a friendly Wubbaboo wholl offer you your first Championship Contender Pass, along with Treasure Map No. 2.

The second Treasure Map will depict a Wubbaboo surrounded by floating paper cranes.

Starting from where you obtained Treasure Map No. 2, there are rooms flanking each side. Walk into the room on the right (which will lead you to the east side of the Space Station. Activate the controller to materialize a transparent bridge thatll let you proceed, and keep walking straight.

Pass by the room with the toilets and the Drowsy Player, and eventually youll reach the area depicted in the second Treasure Map: a room with a formation of paper cranes.

One corner will be conspicuously empty, requiring you to locate the missing piece. The missing paper crane is deeper in the same room, on the other end of a lucent passageway, similar to the one you did at the start for the Elevator Encryption Key. While this puzzle offers a tad more challenge, it remains navigable.

Step on the first tile, move one tile right and forward, then turn and walk straight for three tiles. Next to the teleportation void, enter to emerge on the pathway's opposite end. Traverse the tiles in a wide 'U' pattern to activate them, and voil.

Now that youre on the other side, pursue the lone paper crane. Itll begin teleporting in the direction of the other floating paper cranes, and once it settles in the correct position with the rest of its paper brethren, another Wubbaboo will present itself, giving you your second Championship Contender Pass, and Treasure Map No. 3.

The third and final Treasure Map depicts a dimly lit room filled with artifacts, relics and a Wubbaboo! If youre keen-eyed, youll realize your next destination lies in the northeast of the Victory Zone map, in the room where Herta stores all her mysterious curios.

Start heading back in the direction you came, but make a slight turn into a command room. Go through it, and exit through the left door and keep running, sticking towards the left side when it comes to split paths. On the way youll encounter several Voidranger Aether Spirits - either run past them or clear them out.

Keep running until you come across a staircase and a large entranceway with another Aether Spirit in plain view. Walk up the stairs, get past the Aether Spirit, and go left until you enter the room depicted in Treasure Map No. 3.

The key to solving this Treasure Map Puzzle will be to shift the items between the pedestals until the arrangement matches that shown in the Treasure Map. Take the Crackup Conch and move it to the display at the end of the room, then take Total Eclipse of the Heart and place it at the Crackup Conchs previous spot.

Once completed, yet another Wubbaboo will grace your presence, triggering a cutscene and presenting you with last Championship Contender Pass you needed.

After securing all three Championship Contender Passes, return to the stairway entrance and head in the opposite direction from before. Use your passes to unlock the door, leading you straight to the 'Demon Lord,' Herta.

Equip your Aurumaton Gatekeeper with the Saturated Activation Chip. This will regenerate 3 Energy for your Gatekeeper at the start of each battle, letting it activate its trump card Sanction Mode immediately. This will greatly increase its stats and also summon 2 Entranced Ingenium: Illumination Dragonfish (super effective against the majority of Hertas Aether Spirits).

After your successful battle in the Victory Zone, Herta graciously hands over the Mastery Mark. This symbolizes the conclusion of the Victory Zone challenge, but there's more to be done.

To truly mark the challenge as completed, a formidable foe awaits: the Voidranger: Trampler Overlord Aether Spirit, located on the initial floor. Defeating and recruiting this spirit is essential if youre looking to complete your metaphorical Aether Spirit Pokdex.

Before finishing 'Battle of Wits! Herta Space Station!' you'll make one last stop at the Goethe Hotel for a meeting with Wilder. After some backstory, March 7th and the Aether Spirit prompts Wilder to suggest you continue your journey with the spirit.

Next: Honkai: Star Rail - How To Unlock Every Aether Spirit

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How To Solve All Herta Space Station Puzzles In Aetherium Wars Of ... - TheGamer