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Finally Returning Home After Spending 340 Days In Space

February 26, 2016 By Rebecca McGhee Leave a Comment

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NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly prepares to return home, after spending 340 days in space.

On Tuesday, March 1, US astronaut Scott Kelly is finally returning home, after spending 340 days in space. He traveled 144 million miles around the Earth. He performed 400 experiments. He posted 700 mesmerizing photos to Instagram.

Scott Joseph Kelly (born February 21, 1964) is an American astronaut, engineer and a retired U.S. Navy Captain. A veteran of three previous missions, Kelly was selected for this special year-long to the International Space Station, which began in March 2015.

Kelly commanded the International Space Station (ISS) on Expedition 26. Kelly’s identical twin brother, Mark Kelly, is a former astronaut. The Kelly brothers are the only siblings to have traveled in space.

Also, Kelly was featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s December 2014/January 2015 Issue and was included in one of Time’s Top 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2016. During the January 2015 State of the Union Address, President Obama recognized Kelly, who was in the audience, for his upcoming Year In Space mission.

Now, he returns to Earth after nearly a year in orbit aboard the ISS. High on his to-do list when he gets back: jumping into his pool and dining at a real table.

However, he stated that he could hold out another year in the “harsh environment” of space – where nothing ever feels normal – if he had to.

Yeah, I could go another 100 days. I could go another year if I had to. It would just depend on what I was doing and if it made sense, although I do look forward to getting home here next week.

Kelly assured reporters Thursday in a video news conference from orbit.

Going without running water for a year has made hygiene difficult, Kelly acknowledged: ‘It’s kind of like I’ve been in the woods camping for a year.’ But the hardest part of all, he said, is being separated from his loved ones, a situation that will pose even more of a challenge for astronauts sent to Mars.

Kelly took questions on Day 335 of what already is NASA’s longest single spaceflight. By the time Kelly checks out Tuesday and rides a Russian capsule to a landing in Kazakhstan, his mission will have lasted 340 days.

The world record for a single spaceflight is 438 days, set by a Russian cosmonaut in the 1990s. Even that will pale in comparison to a Mars expedition, expected to last two to three years round trip.

Scientists hope to learn much from Kelly’s mission to pave the way to Mars in two decades. They will also collect data from his Russian roommate for the year, Mikhail Kornienko.

On the other hand, Kelly will undergo a battery of medical and physical tests at the landing site. He will then be hustled home to Houston for more tests and weeks if not months of rehabilitation to recover from the punishing effects of an extended stay in zero gravity, including degraded vision and the loss of bone and muscle.

Awaiting his arrival in Houston will be his two daughters, his girlfriend, who works in public affairs at Johnson Space Center, and his identical twin, former astronaut Mark Kelly.

The brothers have submitted to similar medical tests for more than a year and will keep it up in the months ahead. NASA hopes the research on the genetically identical brothers will illuminate some of the more extreme effects of weightlessness on the body.

The Kellys talked often during the mission, more than they did before the flight, in fact. The 250-mile-high outpost has an Internet phone capable of calling anyone. Mission Control also arranges regular video conferences between astronauts and their families.

Scott Kelly said he was more anxious to return home following his last space station stint five years ago, which lasted 159 days. That was because of the assassination attempt two months earlier on his congresswoman sister-in-law, Gabrielle Giffords, Mark’s wife.

This time, Kelly said, he didn’t focus on the end of his mission but rather on each upcoming milestone: the arrival of supplies and crews, major experiments, spacewalks, maintenance tasks. Even so, he said, events from last summer or fall seem like forever ago.

On another note, the astronaut lightened things up recently by donning a gorilla suit – a gag gift from Mark – and cavorting through the station while the cameras rolled.

All in all, the next milestone in Scott’s journey is coming home, as he affirmed in the news conference. He ended the conference with a slow-motion backflip, undoubtedly one of the pluses of space.

Image Source: nasa.gov.

Transmitting From Space: ‘The Earth Looks Sick And Very, Very Fragile’

February 12, 2016 By Germaine Hicks Leave a Comment

Astronaut Scott Kelly has been in orbit longer than anyone in American history.

American astronaut Scott Kelly is transmitting from space: ‘The Earth looks sick and very, very fragile’. In one of his final interviews from the International Space Station, the astronaut commented on the home planet’s atmosphere from aboard the ISS and it sure didn’t sound very good.

Many of you may have read books and seen many movies about space. It’s quite a popular topic. But what about what happens in real life? Well, flying in space isn’t just for science fiction characters. It’s a real job. Real people can apply for it and one of those people who share a special passion for space for a long time, is called Scott Kelly.

Scott is currently in his 501st day in space over six different missions and the 321st day of his one-year mission aboard the International Space Station. He has now been in space longer than any other U.S. astronaut. He is expected to return home in March.

Until his long-awaited return, Scott spoke recently with CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta via satellite. During his time at the space station, Kelly has remained active on social media and often shares his unique perspective of the planet by posting photos.

Day 321. Beautiful #Earth. Beautiful #Africa. #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/wmDjH28zej

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 12, 2016

Because of his spectacularly encompassing vantage point, Gupta asked Kelly how he would define the Earth’s condition if it were a human body.

There are definitely parts of Asia, Central America that when you look at them from space, you’re always looking through a haze of pollution.

the astronaut declared. He also added that, as far as the atmosphere is concerned and as far as being able to see the surface, the areas mentioned above definitely looked sick. He stated, in the same declaration, that he noticed weather systems, such as tropical cyclones, in unexpected locations.

Besides expressing his concern regarding the Earth’s safety, there is something more to the astronaut’s story. Part of Scott’s current mission includes conducting a twin health study.

The study is comparing the mental and physical toll on Kelly’s body in space with his twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, who lives on Earth. The medical tests are measuring the impact of zero gravity on bone density, vision, blood, heart and cells, as well as the psychological impact on mood, stress and cognitive functions.

Kelly confessed that he is doing well, although he feels like he’s been up in space for a really long time and looks forward to getting home soon.

In short, there is nothing to be alarmed about. Kelly finally spoke of how being in space was an amazing experience and that there was indeed a possibility of alien life out there somewhere.

Image Source: nasa.gov.

Lockheed Martin Proposing NASA Cargo Ship for ISS

March 13, 2015 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

To deliver food, supplies, science experiments, and other items to the International Space Station (ISS), Lockheed Martin has submitted a proposal to NASA for building a special cargo ship. The company is interested in using this as a gateway for more in-depth human exploration of space.

As part of the proposal, the aerospace company wants to create a new Jupiter spacecraft based on similar designs used for interplanetary space exploration that have already been built. Included in this would be the Exoliner, a module capable of carrying necessary cargo.

According to the proposal, the Jupiter craft would delivery cargo to ISS and then remain in orbit, giving it the ability to make connections with Exoliner containers launched to ISS sometime in the future.

The Jupiter craft would be solar powered and by housing power, as well as computer systems and avionics, small satellites for NASA and private companies could be launched as well.

For several weeks or months on the next mission, another Atlas V would launch with a different Exoliner containing supplies. While in orbit, the rocket’s second stage would be deployed by the container, followed by meeting up with a different container filled with old items and trash. With a robotic arm, the two containers would be swapped.

The full cargo would deploy from the second stage, connect with Jupiter, and then return to the space station. The trash filled container would connect with the second stage and return to Earth by crashing into the ocean.

In between cargo deliveries to ISS, this spacecraft could also be specially outfitted with instruments for conducting scientific observation of the Earth, making it multifunctional. Although the primary focus consists of getting ISS needed supplies, the spacecraft would become a deep space habitat for astronauts.

Although Lockheed Martin is a front runner, it is not the only defense contractor vying for the NASA contract. The commercial space industry has grown significantly and become extremely sophisticated, something evident in Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Oribital ATK hired by NASA for resupplying missions. Currently, these spacecraft deliver experiments and food to the space laboratory that orbits Earth.

The contract, which is potentially worth billions of dollars, will be awarded in June. Boeing also submitted a bid for the project, along with several smaller space companies that have demonstrated ability in serving NASA’s space missions.

Finally NASA’s Orion Space Capsule Lift Off With ‘Bullseye’ Splashdown!

December 5, 2014 By Rebecca McGhee Leave a Comment

An unmanned NASA’s Orion spaceship –designed to carry to carry humans to an asteroid and inevitably Mars sprinkled down in the Pacific Ocean Friday to wrap up a prolific first test run.

After two laps of Earth, the Orion shuttle plunged through the atmosphere at 20,000 mph, encompassed in a fireball that singed its heat shield with temperatures up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

The spaceship evolved intact from its 3,600-mile fall and installed three orange-and-white-striped parachutes to brake its speed to 20 mph as it hit the water at 11:29 a.m. EST, 270 miles west of Baja California. NASA called it a “bull’s eye” landing.

“There’s your new rocket, America,” Mission Control analyst Rob Navias said as the Orion capsule neared the water.

Navias called the adventure “the best flight you could ever envision.”

The scene of a potential profound space crew capsule weaving in the sea, 4.5 hours after lifting off from Florida, reviewed the last return of space explorers from the Apollo moon missions 42 years back.

Recuperation crews promptly started endeavors to tow the capsule to a holding up Navy ship, where heat shield investigations will start and information from 1,200 sensors will be secured on the way back to a San Diego port this weekend.

The $375 million Exploration Flight Test-1 mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station just after dawn at 7:05 a.m., on the mission’s second endeavor.

“Launch at sunrise, the beginning of Orion and a new epoch of American space investigation,” said NASA TV reporter Mike Curie.

The organization reported some positive results, saying aboard computers were unaffected by high radiation in space.

The capsule arrived at a top elevation more than 14 times more distant from Earth than the International Space Station. No spaceship planned for space travelers had gone so far since Apollo 17 — NASA’s last moon shot — 42 years back.

NASA required to send Orion that high keeping in mind the end goal to set the group module up for a 20,000-mph, 4,000-degree way in. That was viewed as the most discriminating part of the whole flight — testing the biggest of its kind heat shield for survival before people move on board.

As per the NASA officials, in 11 minutes, Orion impedes from to 20 mph at splashdown, its last plunge helped by eight parachutes installed in sequence. A team aboard would have persevered as much as 8.2 Gs, or 8.2 times the force of Earth gravity, twofold the Gs of a returning Russian Soyuz capsule.

Antares Rocket Launch Delayed Last Night, 2nd Launch Maybe Tonight

October 28, 2014 By Germaine Hicks Leave a Comment

Last night’s Antares rocket launch has been delayed at the last minute ended everyone disappointed. The official reports revealed that the NASA canceled the launch after a stray boat strolled too close to the launching site.

The Antares’ launch at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport was originally scheduled for 6:45 p.m. EST last night. Though, the last-minute cancellation disappointed spectators along the Eastern U.S. coast hoping to catch a peek at the rocket as it launched.

NASA tweeted only a few minutes before launch, that they terminated the launch due to a “boat downrange in the hazard area.”

Although, NASA promptly rescheduled the launch at 6:22 p.m. tonight, weather permitting.

Unlike last night, which was clear with perfect weather for a launch, tonight’s forecast calls for cloudy skies. Confidently, though, Antares will still be able to send its Cygnus capsule into space, where it will ultimately rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA officials revealed that the Cygnus capsule is carrying over 5,000 pounds of scientific experiments, equipment, food, tools and supplies for the ISS. Antares, and Cygnus, are both owned by a private company Orbital Sciences with which NASA has contracted for ISS supply missions. This will be Orbital Sciences’ 3^rd such mission, out of a total of 8.

Cygnus will orbit Earth for about 2 weeks before meeting up with the International Space Station. There, astronauts will grab the capsule with a robotic arm, and pull it in. There, they will unpack it and fill it with trash. After a month, the ISS will release the capsule, where it will return to Earth’s atmosphere, where it will break up.

If you are living near Wallops Island, you still have a good view of the launch, though cloudy skies might impede the view.

For all those living along the U.S. East Coast might catch a glance of the launch, as well. The rocket will look like an orange star with a small tail trailing behind it. Those elsewhere, however, can watch the live broadcast on NASA TV. Coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. EST.

The International Space Station itself will be visible for a few minutes just before 7 p.m. EST tonight on the U.S. East Coast. The launch sequence should last around 10 minutes, including takeoff and the separation of Cygnus from the rocket.

Night Time Rocket Launch At U.S. East Coast

October 27, 2014 By Rebecca McGhee 1 Comment

Are you living along the U.S. East Coast? If yes, then you have a great opportunity to see a rocket launch from your own backyard 27^th Oct, Monday evening. However, you will need to know how to spot the dazzling liftoff.

Orbital Sciences Corp built a commercial Antares rocket, which is due to blast off at 6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT) from a pad at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia. It is the first-ever night launch of the two-stage Antares rocket and as per the weather updates, the flight could be visible from Massachusetts to South Carolina.

You can watch the Antares rocket launch live on Space.com beginning at 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT). But viewers on the U.S. East Coast should be sure to be looking in the right direction to see the launch.

The Antares rocket will launch an Orbital-built Cygnus spacecraft on Orb-3, the third official cargo delivery mission to the ISS (International Space Station) for NASA under a $1.9 billion contract. If all goes well, the robotic Cygnus spacecraft should arrive at the station on 2^nd Nov to deliver nearly 5,000 lbs. of supplies.

What to expect

The launching views on Monday night’s rocket launch will vary depending on where you live on the East Coast. The further away you are from the launch site, the closer to the horizon the rocket will appear during its way up. As a reference, your clasped fist held at arm’s length is roughly 10 degrees in width.

For instance, if a Skywatcher is trying to locate the launch from Philadelphia, the highest point the Antares rocket will reach is about 13 degrees above the horizon. It’s implausible that an observer will be able to view the launch when it’s below 5 degrees above the horizon because buildings, vegetation, and other terrain features will probably get in the way.

Orbital Sciences’ Antares will reach 5 degrees above the horizon about 100 seconds after launch, as seen from Philadelphia.

The launch of the Antares will be evident along the East Coast by virtue of the light released from its two stages. The first stage uses kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellants, powering two Aerojet AJ-26 engines, which are modified Russian-built NK-33 engines originally developed for Russia’s N-1 moon rocket.

Certainly, Antares should appear as a bright, moving star. If using binoculars, you might be able to see a tiny V-shaped contrail. Because the first stage of Antares is liquid fueled, its rise is slower than the Minotaur rockets that have launched from Wallops in recent years.

180 seconds after the Antares’ launch, the spacecraft will have risen to an altitude where it will begin to be illuminated by the sun which could make it appear brighter. Antares will throw away its first stage once it has spent all its fuel, 239 seconds after launch. This safely breaks up in the atmosphere and falls into the Atlantic Ocean.

Now comes a coasting phase, which lasts about 47 seconds after finishing the first stage; the sunlit rocket should continue to be visible, followed by ignition of the second stage, 4 minutes 41 seconds after launch. The second stage is a solid-fuel rocket, the Castor 30XL.

A Bright Rocket Contrail

At this point, the altitude of the Antares’ will be 86.9 miles (139.8 kilometers). At this altitude, the ensuing sap trail from its Castor 30XL upper stage motor will be illuminated by sunlight, perhaps leaving a long, glowing contrail in its wake. Though many West Coast residents might be familiar with such launch sightings by Minotaur rocket launchings originating from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, they are very rare in the East, and as such may end up surprising millions of people if Antares launches on schedule on Monday evening.

The second stage of the rocket will burn for 166 seconds and then, along with the Cygnus cargo ship, Antares will be put into a low-Earth orbit. Once it’s part ways from the second stage 9 minutes, 27 seconds after launch, Cygnus will then use its own engines to continue on its own mission to the ISS (International Space Station).

Moreover, the second stage will appear beyond downrange and at a lower altitude than where the first stage shut down appeared. The route appears to dip back toward Earth as the rocket moves further away from the spectator and vanishes beyond the horizon. The rocket, of course, is not returning to Earth — it is continuing its rise, speeding higher and faster toward space.

Viewing Details

The launch’s public viewing will be available at the NASA Visitor Center at Wallops. NASA has more information about the Visitors Center on its website. For any questions about viewing the launch from the Visitor Center, call: 757.824.1344. For updates on the launch, call: 757.824.2050.

On the other hand, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge/Assateague National Seashore will not be open to watch the launch.

If you are using an Android, you can also download the new “What’s Up at Wallops” app, which contains information on the launch as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing.

Orbital Sciences have named its Orb-3 Cygnus spacecraft the SS Deke Slayton in tribute to original Mercury 7 astronaut Donald “Deke” K. Slayton, who flew on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission in 1975 and championed commercial space endeavors after retiring from NASA in 1982. Slayton passed away in 1993.

The Orb-3 mission follows cargo launches in January and July, and a test flight to the station in April 2013. Orbital Sciences has 5 more cargo runs to the orbiting station for NASA, under its $1.9 billion deal.

SpaceX, the California-based company also has its own $1.6 billion deal with NASA to provide 12 cargo missions to the space station using its own Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rockets. The 4^th Dragon mission under that deal came to a successful end on Saturday, 25^th Oct, when the unmanned Dragon capsule returned to Earth after just over a month at the station.

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashed Down West of Baja California

October 27, 2014 By Germaine Hicks Leave a Comment

After completing its successful mission to the International Space Station (ISS), SpaceX Dragon spacecraft returned back to Earth this Saturday. The End of Mission (EOM) events started with an unberthing and the release of the CRS-4/SpX-4 spacecraft from the orbital outpost, in front of a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at around 15:38 Eastern.

The SpaceX’s Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle, Dragon, Launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on 21st September. Dragon had been attached to the orbiting lab for about a month.

Dragon carried around 5,000 pounds of supplies and experiments to the ISS, including 2.5 tons of food, supplies and critical science experiments, and a first 3D printer in space. The Dragon also contains 20 mice have now taken up residency on the orbital outpost.

Barry Wilmore and Reid Wiseman, two NASA astronauts maneuvered the robotic arm attached to the space station to unbolt Dragon for its trip home this morning.

The International Space Station crew removed and stored the cargo, before refilling Dragon with downmass. Dragon is the only American vehicle capable of returning downmass since the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet.

Dragon had been expected to return some of the experiments, it brought to space, including a batch of mutant, stress-resistant fruit flies and some of the first test parts created in the 3D printer, built by the California-based company Made In Space. The capsule was also lined up to return a small crop of lettuce grown in space as part of NASA’s Veg-01 experiment, first brought to the space station during SpaceX’s last resupply mission in April.

SpaceX representatives said, Dragon splashed down west of Baja California today with 3,276 pounds (1,486 kilograms) of cargo and science experiments. However, it’s the only cargo ship that returns items to Earth intact. Dragon will be transported to the port of Los Angeles, before a trip to McGregor Texas for cargo removal.

SpaceX Dragon Returns To Earth After Successful ISS Mission

October 26, 2014 By Jason Leathers Leave a Comment

The recent reports revealed that, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has ended its successful mission to the International Space Station (ISS) with the return to Earth this Saturday. The End of Mission (EOM) events started with an unberthing and the release of the CRS-4/SpX-4 spacecraft from the orbital outpost, in front of a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at around 15:38 Eastern.

The SpaceX’s Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle, Dragon, Launched early on Sunday, 21st September has enjoyed another successful stay at the International Space Station (ISS).

However, this is the 5^th time when the commercial vehicle with the aims of becoming crew-rated into an advanced version known as Dragon V2 or simply Dragon 2 has paid a visit to the ISS.

The Dragon was vigilantly translated towards its orbital on the Earth facing port of the Harmony module as captured by the Canada’s Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS).

Dragon, riding uphill was a cargo compliment of almost 5,000 pounds of supplies and experiments to the ISS during a month-long stay.The Dragon also contains 20 mice have now taken up residency on the orbital outpost.

The “Mousetronauts” rode uphill in a new hardware system designed to carry rodents safely from Earth to the orbiting laboratory and provide long-term accommodation aboard the station. The rodent research system allows researchers to study the long-term effects of micro-gravity on mammalian physiology.

The Dragon also carried food items, clothing, equipment, experiments and supplies to the ISS along with a 3D printer and new EMU batteries that have since been used on the two recent US spacewalks.

The International Space Station crew removed and stored the cargo, before refilling Dragon with downmass. Since the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet, Dragon is the only American vehicle capable of returning downmass.

The Dragon also provided the Station with a freight that was launched in her Trunk section.

Known as the ISS-RapidScat, the experiment was attached on the end of the Station’s Columbus laboratory, via the use of the Station’s robotic assets that are now well-versed in removing and installing hardware from the Dragon’s trunk. Canada’s space robot, Dextre (SPDM) removed these freights from the Dragon’s Trunk.

The Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) took the firm hold of the Dragon, which arrived back in the location of the spacecraft, following its role with Dextre and the Trunk payload removal tasks.

As the SSRMS holds on to the Dragon – and the bolts released through the opposite process, that saw first and second stage capture – the International Space Station crew will used the “big arm” to pull Dragon away from the port, controlled from the Robotic Workstation (RWS) in the panoramic-viewed Cupola.

Dragon was then planned to let go of the position about 30 feet below the ISS. After releasing from the position, the Dragon and the ISS part ways, via a wring of the trigger on the Rotational Hand Controller (RHC) on the Robotic Workstation.

This was begun by the release of the traps holding the SSRMS Latching End Effector (LEE) to the Dragon Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture (FRGF) – effectively “letting go” of the Dragon.

This process concluded with a 09:56 Eastern release of SpaceX’s Dragon.

With the SSRMS withdrawn securely clear of the spacecraft, Dragon then conducted three departure burns to depart to the vicinity of the ISS, edging away from the orbital outpost, with small thruster firings to push down the R-Bar.

This exodus towards the edge of the ISS’ neighborhood will be monitored by the COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Crew Command Panel (CCP).

The third burn will be the larger of the firings, which will send Dragon outside of the approach ellipsoid, at which point SpaceX controllers inside MCC-X at SpaceX’s Californian facility will take full control of the mission.

Dragon then enjoyed a free-flying phase on-orbit for around five hours, during which time it completed a critical action – closure of the GNC bay door, to which the FRGF is mounted – before conducting the de-orbit burn at 14:43 Eastern.

The spacecraft’s Draco thrusters was conducting the 10 minute deorbit burn. The umbilical between Dragon and her Trunk then disengaged, preceding the Trunk separating from the Dragon capsule.

As the spacecraft moved into Entry Interface (EI,) it was protected by the PICA-X heat shield. It’s a Thermal Protection System (TPS) based on a proprietary variant of NASA’s phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA) material, which is specifically designed to protect the capsule during Earth atmospheric re-entry, and is even vigorous to protect Dragon from the higher return velocities from Lunar and Martian destinations.

After achieving the required velocity and altitude, Dragon’s drogue parachutes deployed, followed by Dragon’s main parachutes, easing the vehicle to a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at around 15:38 Eastern.

Soon after the splashdown, 3 main recovery boats arrived on station, with fast boats racing to meet the Dragon shortly after it hit the water, enabling for the recovery procedures to initiate.

Dragon will be transported to the port of Los Angeles, before a trip to Texas for cargo removal.

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