Archive for 2015
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April 23rd, 2015
Rice University students, in collaboration with NASA, have designed prototypes of a simple and flexible set of furniture for future space habitats.
Standing from left: Laura Blumenschein, Alex Schmidt, Archit Chaba and Rey Amendola. Seated, Daniel Peera.
Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University
Attention IKEA!
A team of Rice University students have designed a prototype chair and table – but not your ordinary home furniture.
These items have been fabricated to give maximum flexibility to astronauts in space or for habitats in places other than Earth.
The furniture could serve many functions in environments where maximum flexibility with a minimum of fuss is a plus, explains a Rice University press statement.
Team member Laura Blumenschein adds: “You’re going to have very limited space, so you can’t just send any furniture up…and then you’ve got the partial gravity.”
For the Moon, that’s roughly one-sixth of Earth’s gravity; one-third on Mars. The Rice team had to take into account off-Earth gravity conditions while balancing weight and strength requirements.
Maximum adjustability
The chair and table pack flat for shipping into space and are designed for maximum adjustability.
For example, the table sits on gas springs for easy height adjustment, and connection ports allow it to be paired with other tables.
According to the team, both the chair and table are meant to be floor-mounted to keep them stable in low gravity and the chair has pin-and-hole mechanisms to adjust it for use as a traditional seat or a back chair with a knee rest. Restraining footrests allow for use in zero-gravity environments.
The Rice design group received extensive help from NASA representatives, including Nancy Currie, an astronaut and engineer with four space shuttle missions to her credit.
NASA and ConocoPhillips sponsored the project.
Watch a video about the project at:
Posted in 
Curiosity rover made use of its Mastcam: Left camera on April 21,2015, Sol 962, to take this wheel image.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has been passing through a valley called “Artist’s Drive” on the lower slope of Mount Sharp.
The machinery on Mars is showing wheel wear and tear as it steers through Artist’s Drive on its way toward higher layers on Mount Sharp after examining exposures of the mountain’s basal geological unit at “Pahrump Hills.”
Curiosity landed on Mars in August 2012.
NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, on April 22, 2015, Sol 963.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
NASA’s overhead asset, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), continues to catch sight of NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover. Newly issued image was taken on April 8, 2015 as the robot passes through a valley called “Artist’s Drive” on the lower slope of Mount Sharp.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona
The image at left is from MRO’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera. It shows the rover’s position after a drive of about 75 feet (23 meters) during the 949th Martian day, or sol, of the rover’s work on Mars.
North is toward the top. The rover’s location, with its shadow extending toward the right, is indicated with an inscribed rectangle. The view in this image covers an area about 550 yards (500 meters) across.
Curiosity used a route through Artist’s Drive on its way toward higher layers on Mount Sharp after examining exposures of the mountain’s basal geological unit at “Pahrump Hills.” The rover’s “Logan Pass” science destination is at the bottom left of this image.
The University of Arizona, Tucson, operates HiRISE, which was built by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Boulder, Colorado.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Project and Mars Science Laboratory Project for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Washington.
Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, snapped this image on April 17, 2015, Sol 958.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
A green star marks the location of NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover after a drive on the mission’s 957th Martian day, or sol, (April 16, 2015). The map covers an area about 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) wide.
The base map uses imagery from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona
Credit: Project Aldrin-Purdue study
In the book Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration, Apollo 11 moonwalker, Buzz Aldrin, laid out a plan for human colonization of the Red Planet.
The mission concept includes all of the steps that must be taken to reach Mars and establish the first permanent colony by 2040.
Purdue professor James Longuski (left) with Mars-bound Buzz Aldrin.
Credit: Project Aldrin-Purdue study
Aldrin worked with Purdue professor James Longuski — along with a dedicated university research group of over 50 students — for nearly three months to blueprint a set of requirements that can be used to realize human settlement of the Red Planet.
Step-by-step
To start, key technologies are tested in low earth orbit, at Lagrange points, and on the lunar surface. The next step is to establish cycler vehicles which will loop between Earth and Mars, supporting humans on the 5-6 month treks to Mars.
A smaller base would be built on the Mars moon, Phobos, where astronauts can remotely operate rovers and cranes on the surface of the Red Planet without long time delay.
Finally, after the first Martian base has been robotically constructed, the first humans will land, then step onto the surface of Mars to plant their place in history.
Tune in!
The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics AAE 450 Senior Spacecraft Design class at Purdue will hold its final presentation on this plan, Thursday, April 23, 2015.
Project Aldrin-Purdue study group blueprints future Red Planet settlement.
Credit: Project Aldrin-Purdue study
The presentations can be viewed via live streaming beginning at 11:00 a.m. EDT (3:00 p.m. GMT) on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at:
http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/l06si
Additionally, after the presentation, a limited number of questions from online attendees will be answered.
Please post your questions followed by your name and affiliation at:
https://www.facebook.com/PurdueAeroAstro
To learn more about the Project Aldrin-Purdue study to establish and sustain a permanent human presence on Mars by 2040, go to:
https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE/Academics/Courses/aae450/2015/spring
Note: To take a hard look at Mars Exploration, check out the new Buzz Aldrin book in softcover — with a new special essay — available May 5th from National Geographic.
More information on the new release is available at:
https://www.leonarddavid.com/hard-look-at-mars-exploration-new-buzz-aldrin-book-in-softcover/
Credit: ULA
The X-37B Air Force space plane is being readied for launch next month.
According to the United Launch Alliance (ULA), an Atlas V 501 booster will loft the “AFSPC-5” mission for the U.S. Air Force no earlier than Wednesday, May 20, 2015. AFSPC stands for Air Force Space Command.
The reusable and unpiloted winged craft will be launched from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
This flight marks the fourth flight of an X-37B – also in the past labeled as Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) missions.
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle in the encapsulation cell at the Astrotech facility in April 2010, in Titusville, Fla.
Courtesy photo/USAF
The reusable X-37B looks like a mini version of NASA’s now mothballed space shuttle fleet. This military space plane is 29 feet (8.8 meters) long and 9.5 feet (2.9 m) tall, and has a wingspan of nearly 15 feet (4.6 m).
The X-37B’s payload bay is the size of a pickup truck bed.
What is carried inside that payload bay is classified, as are the overall mission goals of the space plane.
As for the upcoming flight, its mission description, according to ULA: “This mission will be launched in support of the national defense.”
Track record
The first OTV mission began April 22, 2010, and concluded on Dec. 3, 2010, after 224 days in orbit. The second OTV mission began March 5, 2011, and concluded on June 16, 2012, after 468 days on orbit.
Launched on December 11, 2012, the third X-37B space plane mission (using the same craft that flew on the first flight) undertook the longest space trek so far of the program – 674 days. The X-37B soared its way back to Earth on Oct. 17, 2014.
All three missions landed on autopilot at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base.
In the past, all three X-37B missions landed at Vandenberg AFB in California.
Credit: USAF
But that may change for the forthcoming X-37B flight, perhaps landing in Florida.
Florida touchdown?
The X-37B is built by Boeing Network & Space Systems, the same unit that designs and delivers satellites used for communications, navigation, intelligence, and weather monitoring.
Only two X-37B vehicles have been confirmed as being built.
While details of the X-37B effort, the contract value, and the number of Boeing employees assigned to the program are classified, work on this program is performed in California at Boeing’s Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and El Segundo sites.
Early in 2014, it was announced that Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems has consolidated its space plane operations by using NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as a landing site for the X-37B.
Recovery crew members process the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base last year after completing 674 days in space. A total of three X-37B missions have been completed, totaling 1,367 days on orbit.
Credit: Boeing
Boeing has expanded its presence in Florida by adding technology, engineering and support jobs at the space center. As part of that Boeing plan, investments were made to convert the former space shuttle facility, Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-1), to a structure that would enable the U.S. Air Force “to efficiently land, recover, refurbish, and re-launch the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV),” according to Boeing representatives.
At the time of the announcement in 2014, this construction was to be completed by the second quarter of 2015, Boeing representatives said.
According to the producers of “Planetary” – opening in select theaters on April 22 (Global Earth Day) – “we are in the midst of a global crisis of perspective. We have forgotten the undeniable truth that everything is connected.”
The nearly hour-and-a-half documentary film is yet another wakeup call – “a cross continental, cinematic journey, that explores our cosmic origins and our future as a species,” according to a press statement.
Perspective shift
“Planetary is a poetic and humbling reminder that it’s time to shift our perspective. Planetary asks us to rethink who we really are, to reconsider our relationship with ourselves, each other and the world around us – to remember that: we are ‘planetary.’”
Guy Reid is the film’s director/producer that specializes in eastern philosophy, ecology and sustainable development.
Check out this film clip at:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/planetary/121840700
Overview effect
Interestingly, the group’s first short film, Overview, documents astronauts’ life-changing stories of seeing the Earth from the outside – a perspective-altering experience often described as the “Overview Effect.”
Common features of the experience are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
Go to this preview at:
https://vimeo.com/55073825#at=0
For more information on these films and the group’s related activities, go to:
A human return to the Moon – why and how best to utilize this resource-rich celestial body.
I sat down with a leading expert on the Moon, resulting in a just posted story.
He’s got the whole Moon in his hands.
Credit: Paul Spudis
Next human destination beyond low Earth orbit – back to the Moon?
Credit: NASA/ISS
Going Back to the Moon: Q&A with Planetary Scientist Paul Spudis
by Leonard David, Space.com’s Space Insider Columnist
April 21, 2015 07:03am ET
Go to:
http://www.space.com/29158-manned-moon-exploration-paul-spudis-interview.html
Credit: National Geographic
This new volume is coming to a book store near you!
New in paperback from National Geographic is Mission to Mars – My Vision for Space Exploration by celebrated Gemini 12 astronaut, Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin and space journalist Leonard David.
Buzz Aldrin and Leonard David stand in front of Apollo 11 spaceship at National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Photo Credit: Eric Long/NASM
This updated book goes on sale May 5, 2015 – a historic date that marks the 54th anniversary of the first U.S. human spaceflight. On May 5, 1961, astronaut Alan Shepard made a suborbital flight aboard Freedom 7 as part of Project Mercury.
May 5, 1961 liftoff of Alan Shepard on suborbital flight – kick-starting America’s human spaceflight program.
Credit: NASA
Aldrin argues passionately for pushing our boundaries of knowledge and exploration of our solar system and presents his “unified space vision.” He discusses the history of space flight, including a reflective, not nostalgic, look at the people, technologies and steps that were taken to accomplish America’s Apollo moon landings, and he plots a course of future exploration.
Important Issues
Mission to Mars spotlights some of the most important issues facing our nation’s space program today, such as:
— Why a second race to the moon is a dead end and a waste of precious resources.
— The blossoming of space tourism, and why public space travel by private citizens is critical as it makes space more familiar.
— Why there is high value on the political and collaborative front by letting partners such as China and India tie into the International Space Station.
— How best to establish a unified international effort to explore and utilize the moon, a partnership involving commercial enterprise and other nationwide building upon the Apollo mission.
For more information on this new book release, go to:
Opportunity Mars rover uses its instrumented robot arm to investigate surface.
Front Hazcam, Sol 3993.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
While the Curiosity mega-rover patrols its site, not to be forgotten is NASA’s old-timer Mars robot, Opportunity.
It continues its exploratory work on the west rim of Endeavour Crater near the entrance of “Marathon Valley,” an assumed location for abundant clay minerals.
The robot has been using its robotic arm to collect Microscopic Imager (MI) photos, as well as utilize its Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS).
Close-up work! Opportunity uses its Microscopic Imager on Sol 3993
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/U.S. Geological Survey
Opportunity has implemented a supplementary way of collected additional battery data and has also been acquiring some atmospheric opacity measurements to support NASA’s next Mars lander – Insight — set to depart Earth in March 2016, landing on the Red Planet in September 2016.
Pre-launch photo of Opportunity.
Credit: NASA/KSC
Launched on July 07, 2003, Opportunity bounced its way to full Mars stop on January 25, 2004.
Opportunity’s total odometry now reads over 26 miles (42 kilometers).
Opportunity is at Sol 3995 – and its sols past “warranty” is 3905!
Opportunity’s exploration route.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The image is from ‘Hidden Valley’ in Gale Crater on Mars. Very fine-grained sediments, which slowly fell down through the water, were deposited right at the bottom of the crater lake. The sediment plates at the bottom are level, so everything indicates that the entire Gale Crater may have been a large lake.
Credit: NASA/JPL, MSSS
A research team has published some intriguing work in Nature Geoscience regarding transient liquid water and water activity at Gale crater on Mars – the exploration zone of NASA’s Curiosity rover.
Led by F. Javier Martín-Torres of the Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra in Granada, Spain, the group analyzed the relative humidity, air temperature and ground temperature data from the Curiosity rover at Gale crater.
They report the observations support the formation of night-time transient liquid brines in the uppermost 5 centimeters of the subsurface that then evaporate after sunrise. There is an active exchange of water at the atmosphere/soil interface.
Consequences for Mars life
What’s that mean for microorganisms on Mars?
The team explains that the water activity and temperature are probably too low to support terrestrial organisms.
While liquid water has now been found, it is not likely that life will be found on Mars. The Red Planet it is too dry, too cold and the cosmic radiation is so powerful that it penetrates at least one meter into the surface and kills all life…at least life as we know it on Earth, adds team member, Morten Bo Madsen, associate professor and head of the Mars Group at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen in an Institute press statement.
Perchlorates are widespread on the surface of Mars, the research team explains, “and we expect that liquid brines are abundant beyond equatorial regions where atmospheric humidity is higher and temperatures are lower.”
Corrosive interaction
In supplemental research published online April 13, 2015 in Nature Geoscience, the scientists point out that — given the strong oxidative character of perchlorate ions and their by-products — their presence could cause “corrosive interaction” of brines with spacecraft materials.
Indeed, Curiosity wheels show significant damage at Gale crater. That damage may be compared with corrosion in aluminum by different salts, the researchers suggest.
The anodized protection of the aluminum wheels may protect just the upper few nanometer layers of the wheels, but the abrasion may wear out the external protecting layer and expose the internal aluminum to corrosion.
Curiosity wheel damage after 500 sols of surface operations at Gale crater may be compared with corrosion in aluminum by different salts.
Credit: NASA/JPl via New York Times
Curiosity’s ChemCam remote microscopic-imager has taken images of a damaged area of the rover’s middle right-wheel. According to a team of researchers, the image shows not only a large crack in the wheel but also a pattern of distributed sub-millimeter sized blisters in the vertical wall of the T-print of the wheels which cannot be attributed to rock scratching. They suggest corrosive interaction of brines with spacecraft materials may be at work.
ChemCam images of a hole in the middle right wheel.
Credit: Panorama by The New York Times
“The presence of chloride and perchlorate anions in brines may add stress to the aluminum wheels through pitting corrosion of this or other future Martian exploration platforms,” the research team concludes.
For detailed information on this work and supplemental information, go to:
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo2412.html
This image was taken by Curiosity’s Mastcam: Left (MAST_LEFT) onboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 957 (2015-04-16).
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Latest looks at Curiosity’s Mars scenary – including inspection of the rover’s wheels that are under stress due to the Red Planet’s rocky surface.
NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, on April 17, 2015, Sol 958 of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, on April 17, 2015, Sol 958.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
