NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

Sep 25, 2023

Arp 142: The Hummingbird Galaxy

What's happening to this spiral galaxy? Just a few hundred million years ago, NGC 2936, the upper of the two large galaxies shown at the bottom, was likely a normal spiral galaxy spinning, creating stars and minding its own business. But then it got too close to the massive elliptical galaxy NGC 2937, just below, and took a turn. Sometimes dubbed the Hummingbird Galaxy for its iconic shape, NGC 2936 is not only being deflected but also being distorted by the close gravitational interaction. Behind filaments of dark interstellar dust, bright blue stars form the nose of the hummingbird, while the center of the spiral appears as an eye. Alternatively, the galaxy pair, together known as Arp 142, look to some like Porpoise or a penguin protecting an egg. The featured re-processed image showing Arp 142 in great detail was taken recently by the Hubble Space Telescope. Arp 142 lies about 300 million light years away toward the constellation of the Water Snake (Hydra). In a billion years or so the two galaxies will likely merge into one larger galaxy.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html?

Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force transfers responsibility in historic ceremony

Sep 18, 2023

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman transferred responsibility for his role as the Space Force’s top enlisted officer to Chief Master Sergeant John F. Bentivegna in a Change of Responsibility ceremony Sept. 15.

Towberman was the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, appointed to the position April 3, 2020, a few months after the establishment of the nation’s sixth armed service, Dec. 20, 2019.

“Today is a historic day, not just for the Towberman and Bentivegna families, but for the Space Force,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. “The position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force … is a critically important one. It’s a huge responsibility because it’s not just a responsibility to the senior leadership of the department, but rather it’s a responsibility to all the Guardians and their families located around the world.”

In an emotional speech, Towberman thanked Saltzman, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Guardians, and his mentors from his time in the Air Force.

“Thanks for your faith and trust in me; thanks for the maneuver space you’ve given me,” said Towberman. “I really, truly appreciate it … I want to thank our United States Air Force for taking a chance on me and investing in me for 30 years to prepare me for this.”

Kendall elaborated on the decision to appoint Towberman as the first CMSSF.

“We never found the job that he couldn’t do well, so we gave him one that no one had ever done before — to define what it means to be an enlisted Guardian; and he became the model for all enlisted Guardians to follow, today and tomorrow,” said Kendall.

During his three years as CMSSF, Towberman was instrumental in developing the service’s Core Values; overseeing the stand up of three new service components; and updating the service’s approach to talent management among many other accomplishments.

“Toby your critical thinking, passion for taking care of people and absolute dedication to make the Space Force better has propelled the Space Force forward, setting an extraordinary precedent for all of us to follow,” said Saltzman.

In his final speech before retiring from the military, Towberman had a departing message for Guardians as they continue to develop the Space Force.

“The future of our Space Force, of your Space Force, is a book that you will write, and I can’t wait to read it,” he said.

Prior to assuming his new position, Bentivegna served as the Space Force’s senior enlisted advisor to the Chief Operations Officer in Washington, D.C.

Kendall emphasized his confidence in Bentivegna’s ability to lead a growing Space Force into the future as the services second senior listed leader.

“Chief Bentivegna has the experience needed to continue the amazing progress that the Space Force has made in its few short years in existence,” Kendall said.

Praising Bentivegna for his accomplishments, Saltzman assured the audience made up of Guardians, Airmen, servicemembers from other sister services, family and friends that the newest CMSSF was more than capable of being his partner to lead the Space Force into the future.

“He has proven to be successful as a maintainer, a space operator, command chief, senior enlisted leader and a mentor, and simply put, as a leader,” Saltzman said.

During the ceremony, an exchange of the rank on Bentivegna’s service coat and cap symbolized the weight and responsibility of the highest non-commissioned position in the Space Force and assumption of responsibility in his new position. Bentivegna also exchanged the blue service jacket that he wore in his previous position for a black one with stripes which delineate the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, a distinguished symbol representing all Guardians.

In his speech after assuming the role of Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, Bentivegna spoke about the increasing relevance of the space domain.

“To successfully compete in this domain, we demand your willingness to learn and think outside the box, make uncomfortable decisions and demonstrate a bias for action,” said Bentivegna. “We need to be comfortable with the unknown and cultivate a service where change is not a distraction or disadvantage.”

He continued “It will be our combat-ready Guardians that unleash their technical expertise, critical thinking and creative problem solving to ‘secure our nation’s interest in, from and to space,’” Bentivegna said. “I look forward as we champion this noble endeavor.”

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3528509/chief-master-sergeant-of-the-space-force-transfers-responsibility-in-historic-c/

Space Force starts uniform wear testing at eight military installations across the world

Sept. 18, 2023

The U.S. Space Force has begun its service dress prototype wear testing, which will continue for three months as Guardians evaluate and provide feedback on the durability, functionality and comfort of the new uniform design. The wear tests signify the final stage of uniform development prior to production and force-wide distribution.

More than 106 Guardians across the world have begun wear testing the Space Force service dress prototype. Testers will receive the most updated lightweight jackets, service dress coat, pants, skirts and shirts. They will also receive a guideline handbook for proper wear of the uniform, a wear-test log, uniform history and feedback survey link.

“I’m proud to wear a uniform that represents our service’s unique culture and symbolizes the Guardian values we adhere to,” said U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, who was also selected to wear test the new uniform. “By integrating feedback from Guardians at every step, our uniform was designed to promote public recognition of the Space Force’s critical role in protecting and defending our nation.”

“I am excited to be one of the Guardians selected to test wear our service dress uniform; a visible representation of our unique culture,” said U.S. Space Force Maj. Gen. Whitney, Director of Staff for the Space Force. “The path for development of our uniform has been as unique as our service, with many variations over the last two years based on direct feedback from Guardians worldwide.”

The Space Force selected Guardians from eight installations to test how the uniform performs in different climates: Camp Smith, New York; Cavalier Space Force Station, North Dakota; Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Lackland AFB, Texas; Landstuhl Air Base, Germany; Vandenberg Space Force Base, California; and Yokota AB, Japan.

“Upon initially viewing the new service uniform, I was attracted to the distinct look of the coat,” said U.S. Space Force Master Sgt. Kristopher Jaynes, Peterson Space Force Base uniform volunteer. “It was unlike any other dress uniform. Then putting the uniform on, I immediately noticed how comfortable it was. The material stretched with the movement of the body, lightweight and non-restrictive. The uniform team have done an outstanding job by delivering a unique and functional uniform to the field.”

“The new Space Force service dress was designed with deliberate consideration for utility, function, quality, and heritage,” added Col. James Jenkins, Director of the Change Management Team in the Office of the Director of Staff.

The Space Force unveiled its initial service dress uniform sample in September 2021, after which Guardian feedback was solicited through several events to further develop the prototype. The service completed its final service dress uniform fit test March 27-31 at the Pentagon.

Overcoming material shortages and supply chain delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, the wear test is underway and will conclude near the end of the calendar year. Once the feedback is analyzed and completed, production of the uniform will begin and be available to all Guardians in 2025.

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3529245/space-force-starts-uniform-wear-testing-at-eight-military-installations-across/

Space Force accepts second weather satellite through NOAA partnership

Sept. 22, 2023

The U.S. Space Force accepted the transfer of a second geostationary weather satellite from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to extend persistent weather coverage of the Indian Ocean region until the 2030 timeframe.

Through the Electro-optical Infrared Weather System-Geostationary mission, governed by partnership agreements between the Department of the Air Force and NOAA, the Space Force uses a residual NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite to collect cloud imagery and perform environmental reconnaissance over the Indian Ocean region.

The partnership is a cost-effective solution, delivering mission-critical weather data to the joint force. Accurate weather data is essential for planning and execution of air, land, and maritime military operations.

“EWS-G is a prime example of innovation and the leveraging of partnerships,” said Lt Col Joseph L. Maguadog, Space System Command’s EO/IR Weather System Program Office materiel leader. “The repurposing of GOES-15 and residual NOAA ground equipment accomplished the mission at a fraction of the procurement cost of a brand-new system.”

The first EWS-G spacecraft transferred from NOAA, referred to as EWS-G1, has performed its role since September 2020. Based on remaining fuel estimates, the spacecraft is projected to reach its end of service life February 2024.

While the Space Force is exploring long-term solutions for persistent weather coverage in the region beyond 2030, the service required a replacement to succeed EWS-G1 and asked NOAA to evaluate the possibility of transferring a second residual satellite.

After NOAA’s new GOES-18 became operational in January 2023 and congressional approval for the transfer was received in June, the Space Force accepted GOES-15 and the satellite was re-designated EWS-G2.

The second spacecraft is currently drifting towards the Indian Ocean region and will reach its assigned orbital location November 2023.

EWS-G2 will continue to use an existing Remote Ground Station in Western Australia put in place in 2020 to support the EWS-G mission. As it currently does with EWS-G1, NOAA will operate EWS-G2 on behalf of the Space Force from the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland, Maryland, and Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station in Wallops Island, Virginia.

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3534522/space-force-accepts-second-weather-satellite-through-noaa-partnership/

Joby Delivers First eVTOL Aircraft to Edwards Air Force Base Ahead of Schedule

Sep 25, 2023

Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, today announced it has delivered its first aircraft to Edwards Air Force Base approximately six months ahead of the expected 2024 delivery date. On-base operations with Joby aircraft will be used to demonstrate a range of logistics missions, including cargo and passenger transportation, and will be operated by both Joby and U.S. Air Force personnel. In partnership with the U.S. Air Force, NASA will also use the aircraft for research focused on how these aircraft could fit into the national airspace, benefiting the entire air taxi industry.

Joby’s aircraft, which has already begun flying at Edwards AFB, is the first electric air taxi to be stationed on a U.S. military base and is believed to be the first delivery of an electric air taxi in the U.S., as part of Joby’s $131 million AFWERX Agility Prime contract with the U.S. Air Force. Joby’s current and previously completed work with the Department of Defense represents a total potential contract value of $163 million, the largest in the industry.

The Agility Prime contract includes the provisioning of up to nine aircraft to the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies, reinforcing the U.S. government’s continued leadership in developing and adopting eVTOL technology, and ushering in a new era of electric aviation. A second aircraft is planned to be delivered to Edwards in early 2024.

The aircraft, which was the first built on Joby’s Pilot Production Line in Marina, CA, will be stationed at Edwards Air Force Base for at least the next year, with charging and ground support equipment provided on-base by Joby in a facility purpose-built by the Air Force for joint flight test operations. The U.S. Air Force and Joby will conduct joint flight testing and operations to demonstrate the aircraft’s capabilities in realistic mission settings. On-base operations will also include the training of Air Force pilots and aircraft maintenance crews, which will provide the DOD with valuable insight into the performance of eVTOL aircraft and will give Joby on-the-ground operational and training experience as the company prepares for the launch of commercial passenger service in 2025.

“We’re proud to join the ranks of revolutionary aircraft that first demonstrated their capabilities at Edwards Air Force Base, including the first American jet fighter, the first supersonic aircraft, and many others that have pushed the boundaries of aviation technology,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.

“The longstanding support of the DOD and NASA has been critical to the rapid development of electric aviation and eVTOL aircraft, and demonstrates how successful public-private partnerships can bring new technology to life at speed. Their work will have profound implications for continued American leadership in both commercial and defense aerospace technology,” he added.

Joby’s partnership with the DOD dates back to its 2016 engagement with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), which granted the company early funding as well as access to test ranges and expertise that have aided its aircraft development program.

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“Agility Prime’s stated objective in 2020 was to work towards an operational capability for transformative vertical lift in the DoD by 2023. The arrival of Joby’s aircraft at Edwards AFB is an important step towards achieving this objective,” said Col Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force.

"The delivery of this first eVTOL aircraft is the start of a new chapter in Edwards’ rich aerospace history,” notes Maj Phillip Woodhull, director, Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force. “This partners private industry with the 412th Test Wing’s world-renowned test management execution. We are excited to agilely test, experiment with, and evaluate this new technology for potential future national defense applications.”

In partnership with the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX program, NASA will also be supporting this testing at Edwards Air Force Base with NASA’s pilots, researchers, and equipment as part of their commitment to advancing the Advanced Air Mobility industry as a whole, for the benefit of all. NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center is located on Edwards Air Force Base, and has a long history of supporting important technological milestones in aviation and space – supersonic and hypersonic flight, digital fly-by-wire control systems, and the space shuttles.

“NASA’s participation in the Joby and AFWERX project will provide our researchers with hands-on experience with a representative eVTOL vehicle, concentrated on how these types of aircraft could fit into the national airspace for everyday use, that will inform NASA’s effort in supporting the entire eVTOL industry,” said NASA research pilot Wayne Ringelberg. “The research will include a focus on handling qualities evaluation tools, autonomy, and airspace integration, which is all needed research to push the industry forward.”

Over the past year, the U.S. Air Force and Marines have made multiple visits to Joby’s manufacturing and flight test facilities in Marina, CA. Four U.S. Air Force pilots completed full remotely-piloted transition flights of the Joby aircraft in April, and two groups of Marines visited in May to conduct mission analysis regarding potential logistics and medical applications of the aircraft.

With a range of up to 100 miles plus energy reserves and a top speed of 200 mph, the Joby aircraft is capable of transporting a pilot and four passengers quickly and quietly with zero operating emissions.

https://www.jobyaviation.com/news/joby-delivers-first-evtol-edwards/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qVLQsz_YJc

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