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NASA Research Volunteers to Begin Next Simulated Mission to Mars
JUL 22, 2024
NASA selected a new team of four research volunteers to participate in a simulated mission to Mars within HERA (Human Exploration Research Analog) at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Erin Anderson, Sergii Iakymov, Brandon Kent, and Sarah Elizabeth McCandless will begin their simulated trek to Mars on Friday, Aug. 9.
The volunteer crew members will stay inside the 650-square-foot habitat for 45 days, exiting Monday, Sept. 23 after a simulated “return” to Earth.
Jason Staggs and Anderson Wilder will serve as alternate crew members.
The HERA missions offer scientific insights into how people react to the type of isolation, confinement, work and life demands, and remote conditions astronauts might experience during deep space missions.
The facility supports more frequent, shorter-duration simulations in the same building as CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Analog).
This crew is the third group of volunteers to participate in a simulated Mars mission in HERA this year.
The most recent crew completed its HERA mission on June 24. In total, there will be four analog missions in this series.
During this summer’s simulation, participants will perform a mix of science and operational tasks, including harvesting plants from a hydroponic garden, growing shrimp, deploying a small, cube-shaped satellite (CubeSat) to simulate gathering virtual data for analysis, “walking” on the surface of Mars using virtual reality goggles, and flying simulated drones on the simulated Mars surface.
The team members also will encounter increasingly longer communication delays with Mission Control throughout their mission, culminating in five-minute lags as they “near” Mars.
Astronauts traveling to Mars may experience communications delays of up to 20 minutes.
NASA’s Human Research Program will conduct 18 human health experiments during each of the 2024 HERA missions.
Collectively, the studies explore how a Mars-like journey may affect the crew members’ mental and physical health.
The work also will allow scientists to test certain procedures and equipment designed to keep astronauts safe and healthy on deep space missions.
cont.
https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasa-research-volunteers-to-begin-next-simulated-mission-to-mars/
Aurora alert: Possible geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights as far south as New York
July 23, 2024
Heightened solar activity has prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center to issue a geomagnetic storm watch for July 24.
The culprit? A plume of plasma and magnetic field known as a coronal mass ejection (CME) that was released from the sun on Jul 21 and is now barreling toward Earth and due to arrive on July 24.
Recent predictions anticipate the arrival window in the early hours of July 24, but there is a level of uncertainty about the exact timings.
"Likely the storm will be fashionably late, due to slow solar wind "traffic" & an additional glancing storm blow ahead of it," space weather physicist Tamitha Skov wrote in a post on X.
CMEs carry with them electrically charged atoms known as ions, when CMEs collide with Earth's magnetosphere they can trigger geomagnetic storms.
During geomagnetic storms the ions collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere and release energy in the form of light, we recognize this as the northern lights or aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere or the southern lights, or aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere.
Geomagnetic storms are classified by NOAA using a G-scale to measure the intensity of geomagnetic storms.
They range from G5, the most extreme class to G1 minor class storms. The recent geomagnetic storm watch issued by NOAA is currently classified as a G2-class.
Like weather on Earth, space weather is a fickle creature and difficult to predict. Geomagnetic storm warnings like this are not uncommon and in some cases, they fizzle to nothing.
As we get closer to July 24 space weather forecasters will gain a better idea of when (if at all) to expect the CME to arrive.
Though aurora chasers will be willing on the arrival of the CME and have everything crossed for a direct hit, this isn't a sentiment shared by all.
CMEs can wreak havoc on our technological world and pose a threat to both satellites and astronauts in low Earth orbit.
On Earth, CMEs can cause surges in electrical currents which can overload power grids, causing blackouts. They can also jostle Earth's magnetic field and disrupt radio transmissions and increase radio static in Earth's ionosphere.
https://www.space.com/northern-lights-possible-july-24-geomagnetic-storm-warning
Rocket Row ribbon cutting marks return of Alabama rocket center's 'spaceline'
July 22, 2024
Some cities have skylines. Huntsville, Alabama has a "spaceline." Or so it does again with the restoration of "Rocket Row" at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. On Thursday (July 18), a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the center's Rocket Park to mark the first stage of the return of its historic boosters.
After being lowered in 2018 to be restored off site, all five historic rockets are standing again.
"These historic artifacts have welcomed millions of visitors, serving as tangible symbols of humanity's journey into space," said Kimberly Robinson, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
"Originally intended for active space missions shortly after assembly, these rockets have since stood proudly on display for over five decades, enduring the passage of time and the elements."
"However, the years finally took their toll," she said, "necessitating a critical need for restoration to preserve these priceless artifacts for future generations."
He generously offered and we gratefully accepted a major gift that launched the restoration of Rocket Row," said Robinson.
"We are so grateful for his servant's heart. A heart that led him to help out our small center and keep the legacy of these rockets alive for future generations."
Visitors to the center will soon be able to tour through the newly rearranged and expanded Rocket Park, which includes U.S. Army Redstone, Jupiter, Jupiter-C, Juno II and Mercury-Redstone rockets.
The five Chrysler-built vehicles, which were installed before the museum opened in 1970, represent the Redstone family of rockets that led to the development of the Saturn I and, ultimately, Saturn V that launched NASA's Apollo astronauts to the moon.
The dedication ceremony came two days after the 55th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, the first lunar landing mission with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
Rocket Row also includes an authentic Saturn I, which was restored in place. Nearby, a replica Saturn V stands outside the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, which houses one of the three moon rockets still in existence.
Brooks Moore, a member of the U.S. Army's rocket development team and a long-time docent at the rocket center, tapped into his personal history to provide advice on the redesign of Rocket Row. He died in April at the age of 97.
"I wish he could have been here today to celebrate with us," said Robinson.
"I am so happy that Brooks' directions have now been cast in steel and concrete."
Cosmos Aerospace in Cullman conducted the rockets' restoration, which included repairs and repainting.
The Juno II, for example, now displays the livery of the 1959 rocket that launched Pioneer 4, the first U.S. probe to escape Earth's gravity and perform a flyby of the moon before entering heliocentric orbit.
The Mercury-Redstone rocket on display was returned to the same white and black markings it had when it "flew" on Nov. 21, 1960.
The booster was intended to lob an uncrewed Mercury capsule on a sub-orbital flight, but after raising just four inches off the ground, it shut down and settled back on the launch pad (the capsule then fired its escape tower and jettisoned away).
New to the Rocket Park is the engine section from NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) core stage pathfinder, an engineering simulator that was built to match the size, weight and center of gravity of the flight hardware.
The pathfinder was used in 2019 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and at other NASA centers for fit checks and to practice handling the actual core stages, which will launch the next astronauts to fly to the moon.
"This recent acquisition and display reminds us that we are still on this journey of exploration," said Robinson.
Work still needs to be completed to install the four mass simulators that represent the core stage's RS-25 rocket engines.
Once the expansion of Rocket Park is complete, it will include a new amphitheater for educational experiences and community events, as well as greener, guest-friendly spaces.
A significant feature will be the Marshall Retirees Association's Space Exploration Honor Wall.
The monument will include the names of more than 22,000 local men and women who supported space exploration at Marshall Space Flight Center or at companies that have worked with NASA in the Huntsville area.
The last element of the rocket center's "spaceline," space shuttle Pathfinder, is expected to be ready in a few months after undergoing its own restoration.
https://www.space.com/ussrc-rocket-row-restoration-ribbon-cutting
Pentagon’s Arctic strategy emphasizes space and satellite capabilities
July 22, 2024
The Department of Defense released its 2024 Arctic Strategy, addressing the increasing geopolitical and environmental challenges in the Arctic region.
The strategy, which directs the U.S. military to “build readiness for operations at high latitudes,” emphasizes the increasing reliance on satellites for critical activities in the Arctic.
As climate change reshapes the region’s landscape and geopolitical dynamics, the Pentagon is calling for investments in space-based capabilities to enhance communications, intelligence gathering and monitoring activities.
Geopolitical concerns
The United States views the Arctic region as one of strategic power competition in light of Russia’s significant presence and efforts by China to expand its influence there.
A key trend highlighted in the document is China’s ambition to expand its footprint in the Arctic through infrastructure investments and an increased military presence.
Additionally, Russia’s military capabilities in the Arctic pose potential threats to the U.S. and its allies.
The strategy notes that Russia’s collaboration with China in the region is on the rise, further complicating the security landscape.
DoD points out the role of the Arctic in missile warning and defense of the U.S. homeland.
While the current network of U.S. and Canadian radars and sensors operated by NORAD and U.S. Northern Command enables the detection and tracking of certain threats, modernization is needed, including space-based missile-warning and observational systems with greater polar coverage,” the strategy says.
Communications in the Arctic have long posed challenges for military operations due to limited satellite coverage.
The strategy calls for both military and commercial solutions to improve tactical and strategic communications.
It emphasizes the need for agreements with NATO allies and partners to enhance satellite coverage in the region.
DoD also will need space-based technologies to better predict and model the Arctic’s rapidly changing meteorological, atmospheric, and oceanographic conditions, says the document.
Space Force guarding the High North
The U.S. Space Force provides critical support to military operations in the region.
It has personnel based at Clear Space Force Station in Central Alaska, home to the advanced Solid State Phased Array Radar System used for missile warning and space surveillance.
Even further north, the Space Force operates Pituffik Space Base, located on the northwestern coast of Greenland.
This remote outpost, with its strategic location well above the Arctic Circle, serves as a critical link in space operations and polar communications.
https://spacenews.com/pentagons-arctic-strategy-emphasizes-space-and-satellite-capabilities/
https://media.defense.gov/2024/Jul/22/2003507411/-1/-1/0/DOD-ARCTIC-STRATEGY-2024.PDF
ABL loses rocket after static-fire test
July 23, 2024
ABL Space Systems says the rocket it planned to use for the company’s first launch in 18 months suffered “irrecoverable” damage in a fire after a test firing, further delaying its return to flight.
In a brief statement on social media July 22, ABL said its RS1 rocket, which was being prepared for a launch from Kodiak Island, Alaska, was damaged in a fire after a static-fire test on the pad there July 19.
“After a pre-flight static fire test on Friday, a residual pad fire caused irrecoverable damage to RS1.
The team is investigating root cause and will provide updates as the investigation progresses,” the company stated. It did not disclose additional details about the incident.
The company has kept a low profile in recent months as it prepared for the launch, the second for the RS1.
Before this statement, the company’s last public comment was a blog post in May about engine testing.
The company noted in March that it had begun “pre-launch operations” for the mission.
The launch was to be the first since the inaugural RS1 launch in January 2023.
That launch suffered a shutdown of all nine first-stage engines 10 seconds after liftoff, causing the vehicle to fall back near the pad and explode.
That explosion damaged equipment and facilities at the Kodiak pad.
The company said last October it was preparing for its second launch but provided little information about preparations since then.
Despite the failure and slow path to return to flight, the company has won launch business for the RS1, capable of placing about a metric ton into low Earth orbit.
The company won a $60 million strategic funding increase, or STRATFI, in March 2023 from the U.S. Space Force and Air Force to demonstrate tactically responsive capabilities.
The award includes $30 million in government funding and $30 million in matching private investment.
https://spacenews.com/abl-loses-rocket-after-static-fire-test/
China wants 50 countries involved in its ILRS moon base
July 23, 2024
China is aiming to work with 50 countries on its ILRS lunar south pole base program as efforts to attract partners continue.
“We are open and welcome international cooperation from all countries, including those countries from the Global South, emerging BRICS countries, as well as Western countries,” Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, told China Global Television Network (CGTN) ahead of International Moon Day, July 20.
The call comes days after NASA canceled the VIPER robotic lunar rover mission that would have searched for ice at the moon’s south pole.
China aims to build a basic International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by 2035, and an extended station by 2045.
“So far, we have signed agreements with more than 10 countries and nearly 30 international research institutions.
We hope to work with 50 countries by inviting 500 foreign scientific research institutions, and 5,000 foreign scientific research personnel to jointly build our international lunar scientific research station,” Wu stated.
China is known to have attracted 10 countries to join it and Russia in the venture.
These are Venezuela, Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Egypt, Nicaragua, Thailand, Serbia and, most recently, Kazakhstan.
Turkey is understood to have applied to join. Meanwhile a series of universities, companies, institutes and regional organizations have signed memorandums of understanding on the ILRS.
The continued diplomatic push does suggest a delay to earlier plans to attract founding partners for the project.
Chinese officials had stated in 2023 that it aimed to establish the International Lunar Research Station Cooperation Organization (ILRSCO) later that year.
The organization will coordinate and manage the construction of the ILRS moon base, but its founding is yet to be announced.
China’s efforts have largely focused on the Global South, somewhat mirroring the country’s wider diplomatic moves.
Subnational diplomacy has also brought further countries into the program by extension.
The latest example saw the Hungarian Solar Physics Foundation sign an MoU with China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), headed by Wu, this month.
Bahrain, a signatory of the Artemis Accords, also signed an agreement with China covering lunar and deep space exploration in late May.
An agreement on the ILRS was not explicitly stated. Bahrain will however collaborate with Egypt to jointly develop a hyperspectral imager for lunar surface material identification payload for Chang’e-7.
That Chinese ILRS precursor lunar south pole mission is set to launch in 2026.
Peru, another Artemis Accords signatory, is involved in the ILRS via its participation in the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO).
China jointly announced the ILRS with Russia in June 2021. Since then, China has taken the lead diplomatically following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It is also leading at the mission level, given the recently successful Chang’e-6 mission and the loss of Luna-25.
The invasion of Ukraine appears to have ended prospects for Western involvement in ILRS.
The European Space Agency has stated it will not engage in the ILRS project due to Russian participation.
The U.S. similarly has sanctions and policies in place prohibiting cooperation with Russia.
Additionally, language present in NASA appropriations bills, known as the Wolf Amendment, puts severe restrictions on the agency’s ability to engage with Chinese entities.
https://spacenews.com/china-wants-50-countries-involved-in-its-ilrs-moon-base/
Buckley SFB helps DoD monitor, restore monarch migration
July 22, 2024
Every year, monarch butterflies make a multi-generational migration across North America to overwintering sites in Mexico and California, with many passing through Colorado along the way.
Buckley Space Force Base is one of many locations across the Department of Defense where wildlife biologists are working to monitor and restore habitats for monarchs to help facilitate this migration.
Monarch populations have declined by over 90% in recent years due to multiple threats including habitat loss.
Currently, the monarch is a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
"Monarch butterflies are an important indicator species for the health of our environment," said Veronica Reed, Buckley’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist.
"By promoting monarch conservation on military installations like Buckley Space Force Base, we can help ensure the survival of these charismatic creatures for generations to come."
Currently, Buckley SFB’s Natural Resources Program is working to restore approximately 1,000 acres of shortgrass prairie habitat by planting native nectar-rich plants and milkweed species to support monarchs and other pollinators.
The program is also partnering with Monarch Joint Venture and Monarch Watch to implement the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program and Monarch Watch Tagging Program on the installation.
“We value our strong partnership with USFWS on Buckley Space Force Base, having a full-time USFWS resource expert on base allows us to collect data and conserve important habitats for species like the monarch butterfly without interrupting Buckley’s critical missions,” said Matthew Hurlbert, 460th Civil Engineer Squadron natural and cultural resource manager.
“We have real opportunities to conserve natural areas on base for the benefit of Buckley and the larger front-range ecosystem.”
Data collected at Buckley SFB will aid conservation experts in making informed decisions and gain a deeper understanding of how current threats affect monarch populations and migration patterns.
By supporting conservation efforts like these, communities can help ensure that these beautiful butterflies continue to thrive.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3845753/buckley-sfb-helps-dod-monitor-restore-monarch-migration/
Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force visits RAF Feltwell
July 23, 2024
Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna met with Airmen and Guardians of the 73rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron, Detachment 4, during a visit, July 19.
This is Bentivegna’s first visit to the United Kingdom since assuming responsibilities as the CMSSF Sept. 15, 2023.
“The UK is a strong ally, and we are grateful for their partnership and support,” Bentivegna said.
“As our host nation, you are here working alongside the UK on this important mission and together we will navigate the complexities of securing the space domain.”
Detachment 4 is one of three geographically separated detachments of the 73rd ISRW that joined the Space Force Sept. 3, 2020, and is assigned to Space Force Delta 7, Peterson-Schriever Garrison, Colorado.
During his visit, Bentivegna received a mission brief highlighting the detachment’s role in executing space-centric ISR missions.
The unit is focused on building Guardians who are trained, disciplined and resilient.
Following the brief, Bentivegna toured the detachment and hosted an all-call for Airmen and Guardians.
Bentivegna also spoke with the detachment about his vision to give Guardians more predictability and ability to see the direction the Space Force is heading.
Before departing, the CMSSF recognized the contributions to the ISR mission of Sgt. Olivia Metty and Sgt. Logan Choate and presented them both with his challenge coin.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible work you are doing on this mission,” Bentivegna said.
“Your efforts today, tomorrow and into the future are incredibly vital. You are shaping the future of our force, and we couldn’t do it without Guardians like you.”
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3846554/chief-master-sgt-of-the-space-force-visits-raf-feltwell/
Why are people claiming a UFO witnessed the Trump assassination attempt?
Updated on Jul 23, 2024, 9:21 am CDT
After a lone gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump last Saturday at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, many unsubstantiated theories about the unprecedented incident surfaced.
Some claimed that the Secret Service, who rushed Trump offstage after the shooting, secretly wanted him taken out. Others believed the shooting was staged to help the former president in the polls.
Now, some internet sleuths claim that an unidentified flying object—possibly a drone—flew over Trump shortly before the shooting.
Ashton Forbes, a conspiracy theorist, posted a video of the apparent UFO on X on Saturday.
“People are saying there was a UFO at the Trump speech where the attempt on his life happened,” Forbes tweeted. “There’s definitely something flying across the screen.”
In the video Forbes tweeted, a black object looks to be flying in the sky behind an American flag. The Daily Dot was unable to verify the provenance of the video Forbes posted.
Forbes also tweeted that he doesn’t think the object was a bird or a “conventional drone.”
He said he has “no idea” what the object was and only posted the video because people repeatedly asked about it.
“Gotta give the people what they want,” Forbes said.
Other prominent right-wing accounts posted their own theories about the apparent UFO.
“It appears that an object, maybe a small drone was flying pretty close,” @WallStreetApes, a far-right X account with over 475,000 followers tweeted alongside a video of people ducking while onstage.
“Was this someone with prior knowledge trying to film a better angle of the shooting?”
The video posted by @WallStreetApes came from “SlickHick420,” a TikToker who has posted multiple videos about attending the Pennsylvania rally as well as the apparent UFO.
“Do you guys see it?” @SlickHick420 wrote in the caption of one of his videos about the rally.
Bill Mitchell, a far-right X figure with over 400,000 followers, also posted @SlickHick420’s video.
“Was this a drone or UFO at the Trump shooting?” he tweeted.
While there is no official reporting on whether a UFO flew over Trump during his Pennsylvania rally, the FBI found a drone in the car of shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
https://www.dailydot.com/debug/trump-assassination-ufo/