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Today marks the 12th anniversary of “continuous presence in space” aboard NASA‘s International Space Station. The first component of the ISS was launched into space in 1998, but it wasn’t until two years later when the first humans officially set foot into the Space Station — cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei K. Krikalev, and NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd.
Since then, the International Space Station has been habited with astronauts and cosmonauts for 12 years now. People from 16 different countries have set foot into the ISS, and have continually been building on and improving the ISS since its launch. The International Space Stations travels around the Earth at approximately 17,500 mph, and has seen over 70,000 sunrises and sunsets.
The previous record for the longest time a spacecraft has been continuously habited with humans was the Mir space station, which occupied astronauts and cosmonauts for almost 10 years and orbited the Earth from 1986 to 2001, when the International Space Station eventually started to take over in 2000. The ISS orbits approximately 225 miles above the Earth, and completes almost 16 orbits around the Earth per day.
The most recent mission to the ISS was the privately-funded SpaceX Dragon capsule, which delivered around 1,000 pounds of various goods to the Space Station. More SpaceX missions are planned for the ISS in the future, and the ISS itself is expected to remain in orbit as late as 2028.
[via Michael Interbartolo]
International Space Station sees 12 consecutive years of habitation is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Today, NASA released a high-resolution self-portrait of the Mars Curiosity rover taken by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). The photo consists of 55 images that were stitched together to create one giant photograph of the rover. The images were taken on October 31, and were sent down to Earth this morning.
Obviously, this is nothing short of stunning. The image shows Curiosity in Gale Crater, and you can see the base of Aeolis Mons (or Mount Sharp) in the background, a 3-mile high mountain. To the left on the ground, you can see four small holes where Curiosity was digging around in order to find out if life on Mars ever existed.
However, the photo isn’t just for entertainment purposes. NASA uses the self-portrait to track the physical state of Curiosity, like dust accumulation and wheel wear. NASA will take several of these throughout Curiosity’s mission to track changes over time. However, due to the MAHLI’s location on Curiosity’s robotic arm, it’s only able to capture a certain portion of the rover.
Then again, Curiosity has 17 cameras on board, which is way more than what most professional photographers have on hand. NASA is making sure that Curiosity takes a lot of photos of different areas of Mars, and you can keep up with all the photos on NASA’s website. In the meantime, enjoy the self-portrait and think about the fact that this photo was taken on a different planet.
[via Universe Today]
Mars Curiosity Rover takes a high-res self-portrait is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
The Earth-sized exoplanet just discovered so close to us in space that we could basically hit it with a tossed rock, Alpha Centauri Bb, has been the topic of discussion this week with unmanned probes coming up as a real possibility. With this planet – also known as 51 Pegasi b – we’re to understand that it’s both slightly too close to its star to be habitable by humans and nearly identical to our planet in mass. The system in which this planet exists contains two stars, Centauri A and B, and exists just a bit more than four light years away from us right this minute.
The system also contains a red dwarf by the name of Proxima Centauri, and the star Centauri B – around which this newly discovered 51 Pegasi b orbits – is nearly the same mass as our own sun. To find the planet that’s being reported on this week, researchers had to watch the star for four years, observing its gravitational “wobble” to calculate what was encircling it. Because planets like the one we’re speaking about here generally exist in groups, the astronomers reporting this set of findings have said that it’s quite likely that this planet will have some neighbors nearby.
While Proxima Centauri is indeed the closest star to our own Sun at 4.2 light years away, the Alpha Centauri A and B are right around 4.4 light years away and are ripe for exploration sometime in the future. A non-profit group by the name of Icarus Interstellar, registered in the USA in the state of Alaska at the moment, aims to send an unmanned probe to another star system within this next century – Alpha Centauri suddenly seems like a riper goal than ever.
“I have often imagined the day when scientists directly image an Earth-like extra-solar planet. We would be able to determine the planet’s atmosphere and surface temperature from its spectrum, and we would thus know whether it might be able to sustain life as we know it. I suspect that once such a discovery hits the news, people worldwide are going to demand that we send a probe to determine whether the planet has life (of any type) and/or could be suitable for human habitation. If the latter proves true, then a manned mission would eventually follow.
The discovery of (Alpha) Centauri Bb isn’t quite as momentous as this owing to its proximity to the star, but this discovery is a warning shot that the news is coming a lot sooner than we think.” – Icarus Deputy Project Leader Robert Freeland
Stay tuned as we travel to other planets quicker than you think – expect probes inside your lifetime, folks – we’re headed upward and outward!
[via Discovery]
Researchers debate probe to Alpha Centauri Bb is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
If you’ve been following the SpaceX mission with the Dragon capsule attaching to the International Space Station for a second time – this time with cargo – you’ll be glad to see a lovely collection of in-person photos. These photos show the SpaceX Dragon attaching to the space station with cargo in-tact and Earth making a lovely pose in the background with a giant smile for the camera. This resupply mission has thus far been a complete success and is expected to return to our planet with another payload from the station itself as well.
This mission unloaded 882 pounds of cargo with the help of Expedition 33 Commander Suni Williams and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide. It wasn’t only work and transfers that the two astronauts uncovered in the capsule – ice cream was stashed by NASA and SpaceX before the craft took off from Earth and was also discovered today by the team. It’s a rare treat that the team will partake in, this aside the space food they’re generally set to eat – that being prepackaged food that’s able to be kept for many months at a time at room temperature.
This novelty adds to the great joy that’s been felt at the success of this mission thus far, it being the first successful supply mission ever lead to the International Space Station by a privatized group. SpaceX led a test mission earlier this year with similar results.
It’s Michael Interbartolo who shares this transfer of cargo between the Dragon capsule and the ISS – the process set to take place over the course of 18 days, with both loading and unloading occurring. The capsule will be bringing back 1,673 pounds of cargo back to Earth, quite a bit of this being material that’s taken part in studies done on the space station over the past collection of months. Have a peek at the gallery here and get pumped up about the splashdown on the 28th of October!
SpaceX ISS mission HD photos released from space is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
It’s hard to deny the appeal of a space-bound robot like NASA’s Robonaut 2, fears of subversion notwithstanding. The space agency and Florida’s Institute for Human and Machine Cognition know it, and they want to put that technology into an exoskeleton with a nobler purpose than performing chores on space stations. The in-development X1 (not yet pictured) adapts the Robonaut’s skills to a body-hugging frame with 10 points of movement that might give humans an assist when they need it the most. In space, the X1 could automate and add challenge to exercise for astronauts in low gravity, or provide the extra muscle for that fabled day we return to manned surface exploration. NASA envisions its exoskeleton having more grounded uses as well, such as rehabilitation for leg injuries or walking for those who never had the chance. Although we’re not expecting a rapid turnaround knowing NASA’s lengthy schedules, we might see the X1 in use sooner than most such products in the wake of a purposefully quick development cycle — and, no doubt, a few interested customers here on Earth.
Filed under: Robots, Wearables, Science
NASA and IHMC building X1 exoskeleton to give us a lift, keep us fit in space and on Earth originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 01:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Earlier this morning, the SpaceX Dragon capsule was making its way toward the International Space Station to deliver all sorts of goods. The capsule was successfully grabbed by the Space Station’s 58-foot-long robotic arm about two hours ago to yank it out of its orbit and pull it towards the ISS. The capsule is now fully and completely docked with the International Space Station.
The successful docking happened at 9:03 AM Eastern time, and it marks the first time a private American spacecraft has been sent to the ISS. Station commander Sunita Williams says, “Looks like we’ve tamed the Dragon. We’re happy she’s onboard with us. Thanks to everyone at SpaceX and NASA for bringing her to us…and the ice cream.”
The SpaceX Dragon capsule carried almost 1,000 pounds of supplies as it made the journey to the ISS some 250 miles above the Pacific Ocean. Along for the ride was chocolate-vanilla swirl ice cream and materials to make Silly Putty, which will certainly be a fun experiment for the astronauts as they find out what space-made Silly Putty will act like compared to down on Earth.
The capsule is expected to spend at least three weeks at the International Space Station, and will be filled with around 2,000 pounds of cargo for the return trip, which will include experiment results and other station gear. The capsule is expected to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near southern California on October 28.
SpaceX Dragon fully docked with ISS is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Last night, the SpaceX Dragon capsule, along with its accompanying Falcon 9 rocket, completed its first launch that will take supplies up to the International Space Station. Out of the couple thousand pounds of supplies that are aboard the SpaceX, Silly Putty and ice cream are just a couple of the more interesting items that are coming along for the ride.
The ice cream is being kept in a special refrigerator that has a freezer that can reach temperatures as low as -300 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the ice cream isn’t your usual freeze-dried ice cream that normally goes into space. This is actual ice cream from Blue Bell Creameries in Texas, and it was also aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2006.
Materials to make Silly Putty are also on their way to the ISS. The Silly Putty will be made by the astronauts while in space to see whether or not Silly Putty can be made in space in the first place. If so, experimenters will want to know how it differs from the regular, Earth-made version of the stuff. It’s hypothesized that the space-made Silly Putty will be possible to make, but its viscosity is expected to be different from the Silly Putty we all know and love.
The SpaceX Dragon launched last night at 8:30pm EDT in Cape Canaveral, Florida, which has been the site of tons of Space Shuttle launches in the past. However, the launch didn’t go entirely smoothly. Roughly 80 seconds after the launch, one of Falcon 9′s nine engines failed, but the remaining rockets carried on and were undeterred. The rocket’s systems compensated for the loss in thrust and the capsule will be able to reach orbit safely.
[via LA Times]
SpaceX Dragon delivering Silly Putty and ice cream to ISS is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
This morning we’re hearing official word from SpaceX that their Dragon capsule launch to the International Space Station didn’t go as perfect as it seemed in the live feed. What you’re about to see is a bit of an explosion, some debris flying from the craft, and a burst of fire. Of course as the fire is surrounded by lots of fire from the rockets surrounding it, it’ll be just a bit difficult to detect – good thing the video is in slow motion and you’ll see it all in all of its glorious detail.
The situation we’re seeing here is what SpaceX calls an “anomaly”, assuring us that the ship is indeed in orbit around the Earth now and that the explosion wasn’t something they were alarmed about as it happened nor now. What you can see looks a lot more serious than SpaceX is making it out to be, that being a burst of flame and a collection of debris falling from the rocket as it continues on its course.
UPDATE: SpaceX has released the following statement on the situation, assuring the public that the mission will continue as planned, and that there wasn’t actually an explosion at all – all is well!
The Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station this morning and is performing nominally following the launch of the SpaceX CRS-1 official cargo resupply mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 8:35PM ET Sunday, October 7, 2012.
Approximately one minute and 19 seconds into last night’s launch, the Falcon 9 rocket detected an anomaly on one first stage engine. Initial data suggests that one of the rocket’s nine Merlin engines, Engine 1, lost pressure suddenly and an engine shutdown command was issued immediately. We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it. Our review indicates that the fairing that protects the engine from aerodynamic loads ruptured due to the engine pressure release, and that none of Falcon 9’s other eight engines were impacted by this event.
As designed, the flight computer then recomputed a new ascent profile in real time to ensure Dragon’s entry into orbit for subsequent rendezvous and berthing with the ISS. This was achieved, and there was no effect on Dragon or the cargo resupply mission.
Falcon 9 did exactly what it was designed to do. Like the Saturn V, which experienced engine loss on two flights, Falcon 9 is designed to handle an engine out situation and still complete its mission.
We will continue to review all flight data in order to understand the cause of the anomaly, and will devote the resources necessary to identify the problem and apply those lessons to future flights. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Dragon is expected to begin its approach to the station on October 10, where it will be grappled and berthed by Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA. Over the following weeks, the crew will unload Dragon’s payload and reload it with cargo to be returned to Earth. Splashdown is targeted for October 28
This craft also works with the Falcon 9, projecting the Dragon capsule into space with nine engines. It’s designed so that if any one of its nine engines should fail, the on-board computers will instantly detect it and act. When a failure occurs, the fuel supply will be cut and the unused propellant will be distributed to the remaining engines, this allowing them to burn longer.
Because these engines were also designed to minimize damage to one another should one of them fail, it appears that one one of the nine was knocked out in the anomaly. SpaceX has assured that they’d be providing more information on the exact situation as it unfolds throughout the day [SEE ABOVE]. We must assume at this point that the mission will continue without delay as SpaceX doesn’t appear to have their feathers ruffled too much – stay tuned!
SpaceX reporting tiny explosion in Dragon ISS launch [UPDATED with statement] is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
If you thought that year out around Europe was an eye opener, how about 12 months on the International Space Station? That’s what’s in store for two unnamed astronauts. Currently, the maximum stay on the ISS is six months, but in 2015, one Russian, and one American will work their way through the whole calendar, in a trip that could help pave the way for deep space travel. Plenty of data has already been collected about the effect microgravity has on the body, but less is known of the longer-term implications. NASA is already considering sending manned expeditions to near-Earth asteroids and Mars in the coming decades — but the results from this excursion could prove invaluable. The names of the chosen two haven’t been revealed, and the Soyuz capsule‘s (currently unaccounted for) third-seat has also sparked talk of another person possibly coming along for the ride. Time to re-plan that gap year?
Filed under: Misc, Science, Alt
US and Russian space agencies to launch first year-long mission on the ISS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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