Category Archives: Space Station

The icy chill of empty space will soon be trumped by the temperatures aboard the International Space Station. Using NASA's Cold Atom Lab, scientists plan to reach temperatures only a few degrees above absolute zero on the station, allowing them to study challenging aspects of quantum mechanics.

"We're going to study matter at temperatures far colder than are found naturally," JPL's Rob Thompson said in a statement. Thompson is the Project Scientist for the Cold Atom Lab, an atomic 'refrigerator' planned to make the orbiting laboratory its new home in 2016. You can watch a video describing NASA's Cold Atom Lab experiment here.

He said, "We aim to push effective temperatures down to 100 pico-Kelvin"one ten billionth of a degree above absolute zero. [In Photos: The Coldest Places on Earth]

When atoms of rubidium and sodium reach temperatures near absolute zero, they, they behave as both particles and waves, merging into a single wave of matter. Known as Bose-Einstein Condensates (BCEs), the new material was predicted by both Albert Einstein and Satyendra Bose in the early 20th century. Mixing two BCEs isn't like blending ordinary gases the condensates instead behave like waves, interfering with one another so that two atoms combined together can result in no atom at all.

"The Cold Atom Lab will allow us to study these objects at perhaps the lowest temperatures over," Thompson said.

Researchers will also be able to mix super-cool atomic gases on board the space station. Atoms will float free of perturbations, which will allow for extremely sensitive measurements of the weak interactions that occur.

"This could lead to the discovery of interesting and novel quantum phenomena," Thompson said.

The International Space Station is a prime location to perform such experiments because of lack of interference from the pull of gravity.

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Scientists to Create Coldest Spot in Universe on Space Station (Video)

NASA and its international partners have appointed crew members for a 2016 mission to the International Space Station.

NASA astronautJeff Williamsis scheduled to launch in spring 2016 and return to Earth in fall 2016. He will join space station Expedition 47 crew members in orbit and will remain aboard as part of Expedition 48 with cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). Williams will assume command of the orbiting outpost upon the departure of Expedition 47's commander, Sergei Zaletin of Roscosmos.

This will be the fourth spaceflight and third long-duration mission for Williams, a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and graduate of theU.S. Military Academy. Williams was a flight engineer aboard the station during Expedition 13 in 2006. He later served as a flight engineer during Expedition 21 and commander of Expedition 22 in 2010.

This will be the first flight for Ovchinin, a former Russian Air Force pilot and graduate of the Eisk Air Force Pilot School. Ovchinin has been a cosmonaut since 2009.

This will be the second long-duration flight for Skripochka, who served as a flight engineer during Expeditions 25 and 26 in 2010 and 2011. The former mechanical engineer has been a cosmonaut since 1999.

The crew for Expedition 47 will be: --Tim Kopra, NASA -- Sergei Zaletin, Roscosmos --Tim Peake, European Space Agency

The crew of Expedition 48 will be: --Jeff Williams, NASA -- Alexey Ovchinin, Roscosmos -- Oleg Skripochka, Roscosmos

For complete astronaut biographical information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

For more information about the International Space Station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station

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NASA, International Space Station Partners Announce Future Crew Members

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)

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

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

|EP4| Space Station 13
Exploring space. Unknown space.

By: Pillowtap

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|EP4| Space Station 13 - Video

Orbital Space Station 1

By: Raymond Etcheveste

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Orbital Space Station 1 - Video

Expedition 37 Crew Heads Back to Earth
Follow me for new videos. After spending 3 days in space the Olympic Torch undocked with Expedition 37 from the International Space Station in their Soyuz TM...

By: Mhrinaz Bilal

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Expedition 37 Crew Heads Back to Earth - Video

Canadian Industry Minister James Moore has unveiled a new plan to develop the country's space industry in a bid to safeguard Canada's "sovereignty, security and prosperity".

Moore said Friday that Canada's Space Policy Framework will serve as a guideline for the country's strategic space activities and ensure the commercial competitiveness of its space industry in the future, Xinhua reported.

The plan framework noted that "space has become a new frontier not only for science but for commerce," as the global satellite industry revenues exceeded C$190 billion Canadian (US $172 billion) annually.

"Every G20 nation now has its own satellite system in space and the emerging economies have made substantial investments in their national space programmes," the plan framework said, adding that this would bring greater competition for the Canadian space industry as it courted new markets and customers.

"Canada's space industry asked for a change and we recognise the essential role that our space industry plays in keeping Canada's economy on the right track and in maintaining our position as a global leader in space," said Moore.

The official also confirmed support for the James Webb Telescope project, a result of international cooperation involving Canada that is set to be launched in 2018 and will be the most powerful space telescope in the world.

The new plan framework emphasised the role of the private sector and international collaboration to develop the space industry.

But Montreal Liberal Member of Parliament and former astronaut Marc Garneau said the plan framework "resembles" what he proposed a decade ago, criticising the federal Conservative government for cutting the space programme's budget by C$30 million Canadian dollars (US $27 million) last year.

Garneau, however, admitted that it is "a good framework" but the real question lies in implementation.

Canada is known for the Canadarms, robot arms attached to the international space station, and famous astronauts including the first ever Canadian commander of the station, Chris Hadfield.

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Canada unveils new space policy

NASA footage of UFO docked at International Space Station and Soyuz

By: The Cosmos News

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NASA footage of UFO docked at International Space Station and Soyuz - Video