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‘Current’ Events: NASA and USGS Find a New Way to Measure River Flows
Aug 05, 2024
A team of scientists and engineers at NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collaborated to see if a small piloted drone, equipped with a specialized payload, could help create detailed maps of how fast water is flowing.
Rivers supply fresh water to our communities and farms, provide homes for a variety of creatures, transport people and goods, and generate electricity.
But river flows can also carry pollutants downstream or suddenly surge, posing dangers to people, wildlife, and property.
As NASA continues its ongoing commitment to better understand our home planet, researchers are working to answer the question of how do we stay in-the-know about where and how quickly river flows change?
NASA and USGS scientists have teamed up to create an instrument package – about the size of a gallon of milk – called the River Observing System (RiOS).
It features thermal and visible cameras for tracking the motion of water surface features, a laser to measure altitude, navigation sensors, an onboard computer, and a wireless communications system.
In 2023, researchers took RiOS into the field for testing along a section of the Sacramento River in Northern California, and plan to return for a third and final field test in the fall of 2024.
“Deploying RiOS above a river to evaluate the system’s performance in a real-world setting is incredibly important,” said Carl Legleiter, USGS principal investigator of the joint NASA-USGS StreamFlow project.
“During these test flights we demonstrated that the onboard payload can be used to make calculations – do the analysis – in nearly real-time, while the drone is flying above the river.
This was one of our top-tier goals: to enable minimal latency between the time we acquire images and when we have detailed information on current speeds and flow patterns within the river.”
To realize this vision for onboard computing, the team uses open-source software, combined with their own code, to produce maps of water surface velocities, or flow field, from a series of images taken over time.
“You might think that we need to be able to see discrete, physical objects – like sticks or silt or other debris as they move downstream – to estimate the flow velocity, but that’s not always the case, nor is it always possible,” said Legleiter.
“Using a highly-sensitive infrared camera, we instead detect the movement of subtle differences in the temperature of water carried downstream.”
Those same tiny temperature differences also appear wherever there are undulations – like at the boundary between the air and the water or ice below.
Knowing this, NASA members of the StreamFlow team used this phenomenon to their advantage when developing methods for possible future landed planetary missions to navigate at distant and hard-to-see environments, including Europa, the icy moon orbiting Jupiter.
“Icy surfaces present challenging visual conditions such as lack of contrast,” said Uland Wong, co-investigator and NASA lead of the StreamFlow project at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.
“Our technology can precisely track the static surface of icy terrain while flying over it, or a moving surface, like water, while hovering above it to keep the spacecraft safe while gathering valuable data.”
To prepare for the Sacramento River field tests, the NASA team built a robotics simulator to run thousands of virtual drone flights over the Sacramento River test site using flow fields modeled by USGS.
These simulations are helping the team create intelligent software capable of selecting the best routes for the drone to fly and ensuring efficient use of limited battery power.
cont.
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/smd/earth-science-division/current-events-nasa-and-usgs-find-a-new-way-to-measure-river-flows/
NASA Engagement Platform Brings Experts to Classrooms, Communities
Aug 05, 2024
With a new school year on the horizon, NASA is introducing a platform to connect communities with agency experts to share their experiences working on agency missions and programs for the benefit of humanity.
Continuing a long-standing tradition of connecting the public with science, technology, engineering, and math, NASA Engages augments the agency’s speaker’s bureau program to inspire the Artemis Generation.
The platform includes a database of agency employees of various expertise, skillsets, and backgrounds.
The public may request a NASA expert to participate in educational, professional, and civic events, either virtually or in person, by submitting a request through the NASA Engages page:
https://my.nasa.gov/engages/s
“With NASA Engages, the agency is creating new avenues for communities to learn about STEM, while making genuine connections with the diverse, talented experts within our agency,” said Mike Kincaid, associate administrator, Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
“Representation is key – our ability to meet people where they are is enhanced when our experts reflect the communities they are speaking to.
Whether it’s a heliophysics panel in Denver or an elementary school in Florida, anyone can bring NASA to their neighborhood with Engages.”
Managed by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement in coordination with the agency’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity and Office of Communications, NASA Engages is open to all types of public speaking engagements.
Audiences include preschool to college, libraries and museums, youth organizations, professional and technical organizations, community groups and other non-profit organizations.
Engages also is not just limited to speaking engagements – the public may request science fair judges, emcees at award ceremonies, and more.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-engagement-platform-brings-experts-to-classrooms-communities/
NASA Sends More Science to Space, More Strides for Future Exploration
Aug 05, 2024
New experiments aboard NASA’s Northrop Grumman 21st cargo resupply mission aim to pioneer scientific discoveries in microgravity on the International Space Station.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft, filled with nearly 8,500 pounds of supplies, launched Aug. 4 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Biological and physical investigations aboard the spacecraft included experiments studying the impacts of microgravity on plants (grass), how packed bed reactors could improve water purification both in space and on Earth, and observations on new rounds of samples that will allow scientists to learn more about the characteristics of different materials as they change phases on the tiniest scales.
Grass Growth & Bio-Regenerative Support
The cultivation of plants is crucial for developing bio-regenerative life support systems in space. However, growing them in microgravity affects photosynthesis, the process by which plants generate oxygen and convert carbon dioxide into food for astronauts.
The C4 Photosynthesis in Space Advanced Plant Experiment-09 investigation will study how two grasses (Brachypodium distachyon and Setaria viridis), with different approaches to photosynthesis, respond to microgravity and high carbon dioxide levels during the spaceflight.
The insights gained from this research will pave the way for more effective integration of plants on Earth and in future space habitats.
This experiment was originally scheduled to be aboard NASA’s SpaceX 30th cargo resupply mission but was moved to the NG-21 launch.
Water Purification & Gravity
The Packed Bed Reactor Experiment – Water Recovery Series aboard NG-21 will be operated on the space station and will study the hydrodynamics (pressure drop, flow regimes, and flow instability) of two-phase flow (nitrogen gas-water mixture) in microgravity in various types of filters and openings.
These samples are important for fluid systems used in life support and water purification and recovery processes.
Outcomes of this research will be used to develop design tools and correlations for pressure drop prediction across the various prototypes used in lunar and Martian missions and beyond.
Removing Impurities in Melted Materials
The Electrostatic Levitation Furnace–4 experiment led by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), one of NASA’s space station international partners, includes 20 new test samples.
Its goal is to continue establishing guidelines for measuring different thermophysical properties of various samples at temperatures greater than 2,000 degrees Celsius.
Transforming raw materials from a liquid to solid form requires the use of a container, known as a crucible, which is used to both heat and hold the substance as it cools down and hardens.
During this process, a chemical reaction occurs between the substance and the crucible, and impurities are released and absorbed in the plasma.
The Electrostatic Levitation Furnace is the hardware that allows scientists to remove this contaminating part of the process by creating space between the liquid and container — levitating the sample while heated.
More Materials Science: Getting to the Core
The Electromagnetic Levitator, an ESA (European Space Agency) levitation facility, which is celebrating a decade aboard the International Space Station, enables scientists to conduct materials research on at least two elements, known as alloys, in a microgravity environment. By studying the core of the physics taking place, researchers can perform experiments to better understand the steps leading up to solidifying and changing phases.
This knowledge could contribute to advancements in the manufacturing industry by providing scientists with more information to develop the latest and more reliable materials for activities like 3D printing.
https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/biological-physical-sciences/nasa-sends-more-science-to-space-more-strides-for-future-exploration/
China launches first satellites for Thousand Sails megaconstellation
August 6, 2024
China successfully launched the first batch of 18 satellites Tuesday for the Thousand Sails low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation.
A Long March 6A rocket lifted off from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, north China, at 2:42 a.m. Eastern (0642 UTC) Aug. 6.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced launch success just over two hours later.
The Long March 6A upper stage deployed 18 flat panel Qianfan (“Thousand Sails”) satellites into polar orbit for Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST).
SSST plans for the constellation’s first stage to consist of 1,296 satellites. 648 of these are to be launched by the end of 2025 to provide regional network coverage.
Earlier statements indicate that 108 satellites are planned for launch across 2024. These are expected to be launched in separate batches of 36 and 54 satellites.
The completed network will consist of more than 14,000 low Earth orbit broadband multimedia satellites.
The Thousand Sails constellation aims to provide global internet access. It is one of two planned Chinese systems to challenge U.S. projects including Starlink.
Thousand Sails is also intended to secure finite orbital slots and frequencies, and provide national internet coverage and data security.
The Chinese military has noted the potential military applications of such constellations, citing the use of satellites in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
Thousand Sails and China’s commercial space push
The low Earth orbit megaconstellation was earlier known as the G60 Starlink constellation.
SSST announced in February it had raised 6.7 billion yuan ($943 million) for the constellation’s construction.
Established in Shanghai’s Songjiang District in 2021, SSST’s project is also supported by the municipal government.
Shanghai has developed its own commercial space action plan, of which Thousand Sails is just one aspect.
Shanghai’s goals include fostering new generation medium and large launch vehicles and intelligent terminals.
It also intends to strengthen the development of integrated communications, navigation and remote sensing satellite technologies.
Shanghai aims to create a space information industry worth more than 200 billion yuan ($28.2 billion) by 2025. Beijing also has its own commercial space action with measurable goals.
The plan also benefits from central government support, with commercial space last year designated as an “industry of the future.”
The sector was subsequently noted as a priority in a government work report for the first time in March this year.
Thousand sails is not the only Chinese megaconstellation.
The national Guowang (SatNet) 13,000-satellite project is being run by the China Satellite Network Group, set up in 2021.
Its first batch of satellites is also soon expected to launch. However updates on the project are few and far between.
China’s plans for megaconstellations also require a huge growth in launch capabilities.
The country is expected to utilize expected launch capacity from the country’s emergent commercial space sector to help realize these plans.
The first launches of a number of new, reusable medium-lift launchers are expected across 2025.
The first pads of a commercial spaceport near Wenchang, Hainan island, have been completed. Further launch pads will also assist the required surge in launch rate.
The Long March 6A rocket used for Tuesday’s launch combines liquid propellant core stages with solid rocket boosters.
The launcher can carry 4,500 kg to a 700-km sun-synchronous orbit. The rocket’s upper stage appears to have suffered debris issues in orbit.
The launch was China’s 35th orbital launch of 2024. CASC stated in February that China aimed to launch around 100 times this year.
It added that commercial launch providers will account for around roughly 30 of these launches.
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-first-satellites-for-thousand-sails-megaconstellation/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVtR7rd6OvY
The sun fires off 2 powerful X flares in less than 2 hours
August 6, 2024
The sun showcased its immense power yet again this morning (August 5), firing off not one but two X-class flares.
X flares are the strongest solar flare class. Today's first X blast, which launched from a sunspot called AR3767, reached its peak around 9:40 a.m. EDT (1340 GMT), clocking in at X1.7 on solar scientists' flare scale.
Then, less than two hours later, the sunspot AR3780 fired off an X1.1 class solar flare, which peaked at 11:27 a.m. EDT (1527 GMT).
Solar flares are often accompanied by huge eruptions of solar plasma called coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can cause geomagnetic storms if they hit Earth. These storms can have negative consequences, such as the disruption of power grids, but they can also supercharge the auroras, making these light shows more intense and extending them to lower latitudes than usual.
That's exactly what happened this past weekend, as a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm brought the northern lights into view across parts of the U.S. West Coast.
Based on the location of AR3767, however, direct impacts from a CME (if one did indeed launch along with today's first X flare) are unlikely, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) shared on X today.
Today's second flare is currently being investigated for any impacts as of this afternoon.
Wow! This #sllarstorm just got better and better for the west coast and for the southern hemisphere last night! https://t.co/7SNB0USCh7August 4, 2024
Through the middle of the week (Aug. 7), SWPC scientists forecast that the flare activity will persist from three active sunspots — AR3772, AR374 and AR3780 — as they parade across the sun from left to right, remaining visible in our view of the solar disk.
Low-end geomagnetic storms also remain possible, but that could change, depending on how strong future solar storms are, and if any send CMEs in Earth's direction.
https://www.space.com/sun-two-x-class-solar-flares-august-5