ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen narrates this video on the inspiring endeavours of human spaceflight and how it changes our daily lives.
Andreas covers the first flight in Earth-orbit and the permanent inhabitation of space on the International Space Station to future exploration of our Solar System – and how these events inspired his work as an engineer and later astronaut.
The video touches on the amazing research done in space and for space and the technological impact this has making life on Earth better.
On Sept. 8, NASA launched the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security – Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx mission from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. OSIRIS-REx, the first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid, is scheduled to arrive at near-Earth asteroid Bennu in 2018. Mission plans call for the spacecraft to survey the asteroid, retrieve a small sample from its surface, and return the sample to Earth for study in 2023. Analysis of that sample is expected to reveal clues about the history of Bennu over the past 4.5 billion years, as well as clues about the evolution of our solar system. Also, Williams’ Record-Breaking Spaceflight Concludes, Next ISS Crew Prepares for Launch, Sample Return Robot Challenge, NASA X-Plane Gets its Wing, and Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Showcase!
50 years ago Star Trek premiered on the small screen. Today, stars of the original series; William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols and George Takei share their excitement and passion for the real space exploration being done by NASA.
NASA scientists discussed asteroids, how they relate to the origins of our solar system, and the search for life beyond Earth during this Sept. 7 event at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. The event was held in conjunction with other pre-launch activities related to the Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security – Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx mission. OSIRIS-REx will be the first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid. The spacecraft is targeted to launch Sept. 8 at 7:05 p.m. EDT to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, arriving in 2018, to survey the surface, retrieve at least 60 grams (2.1 ounces) of surface material, and return it to Earth in 2023 for study. Analysis of the sample will reveal the earliest stages of the solar system’s evolution and the history of Bennu over the past 4.5 billion years.
A 360-degree immersive virtual reality (VR) viewing experience, featuring exclusive astronaut training footage from NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) in Houston, Texas. The stunning NASA VR/360 video, produced by Harmonic, offers a variety of perspectives – in the pool and out – as astronauts complete space-walk training for future missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
Outside the International Space Station, Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins of NASA conducted a spacewalk Sept. 1 to retract a thermal radiator, install the first of several enhanced high definition cameras on the station’s truss and tighten bolts on a joint that enables one of the station’s solar arrays to rotate. This was the second spacewalk for the pair in just 13 days. They installed the station’s first international docking adapter during their previous spacewalk on Aug. 19. The adapter will provide a parking place for new U.S. commercial crew spacecraft delivering astronauts to the station on future missions. Also, Space Station Cameras Capture Hurricanes, Future Space Station Crews Prepare for Missions, Record-Breaking Galaxy Cluster Discovered, Up-Close with Jupiter, and more!
In recognition of Star Trek’s 50th anniversary NASA wishes the entire Star Trek family a happy anniversary. Thanks for the inspiration, Live long and prosper. #StarTrek50
The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft left the International Space Station on August 26. The Dragon departed the station five weeks after delivering almost 5,000 pounds of supplies, experiments and equipment to the orbital complex – including an international docking adapter for use by future American commercial crew spacecraft transporting astronauts to the station. The station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm was used to grapple the Dragon, move it away from the ISS, and release it for its return trip to Earth. The capsule is returning with about 3,000 pounds of cargo and experiments for researchers and investigators. Also, New U.S. Endurance Record in Space, Next U.S. Spacewalk Previewed, Boeing CST-100 Starliner Land Drop Test, SLS Liquid Hydrogen Test Tank Moved, and Celebrating National Parks, from Space!
The 7.5-minute test conducted at NASA’s Stennis Space Center is part of a series of tests designed to put the upgraded former space shuttle engines through the rigorous temperature and pressure conditions they will experience during a launch. The tests also support the development of a new controller, or “brain,” for the engine, which monitors engine status and communicates between the rocket and the engine, relaying commands to the engine and transmitting data back to the rocket.
A NASA Social was held on August 18 at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, and at the Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to give the members of social and traditional media an opportunity to see the progress being made on sending humans to Mars. The event featured tours of the manufacturing facilities at Michoud where work is underway on the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) — NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket that will send humans to deep space destinations, a test firing of the mighty RS-25 rocket engine that will power the SLS, and other rare behind the scenes look at other things NASA is doing to get ready for the Journey to Mars and other deep space travel.
On August 17, NASA hosted a briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC to preview the launch of the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft – the first U.S. spacecraft destined to rendezvous with, study and return a sample of an asteroid. OSIRIS-REx will launch September 8 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on its mission to study, in detail, an asteroid called Bennu. The mission represents a valuable opportunity to learn more about the origins of our solar system, the sources of water and organic molecules on Earth, and the hazards and resources in near-Earth space.
How did it all begin? What are the origins of our planet? To understand our place in the Universe we need to explore space. Find out how we’re doing this with ESA’s incredible fleet of space science missions to study our Sun and chart the stars around us, probe the dark matter and dark energy of the Universe, and tour various planets, moons and other small bodies in our Solar System.
NASA TV aired a briefing from the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Monday, August 15, to preview the August 19 spacewalk to install a new gateway for American commercial crew spacecraft at the International Space Station — a significant milestone in NASA’s work to return crew launches to U.S. soil. Experts from the ISS and commercial crew programs discussed the process and significance of installing and connecting the first of the two international docking adapters (IDAs), which was launched on a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft and arrived at the station July 20. Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins of NASA will conduct the spacewalk to install the equipment. Coverage of the spacewalk will begin at 6:30 a.m. EDT Aug. 19, on NASA TV and the agency’s website, with the spacewalk scheduled to begin at 8:05 a.m.
Designer babies, the end of diseases, genetically modified humans that never age. Outrageous things that used to be science fiction are suddenly becoming reality. The only thing we know for sure is that things will change irreversibly.
Thanks to Volker Henn, James Gurney and (prefers anonymity) for help with this video!
THANKS A LOT TO OUR LOVELY PATRONS FOR SUPPORTING US:
Jeffrey Schneider, Konstantin Kaganovich, Tom Leiser, Archie Castillo, Russell Eishard, Ben Kershaw, Marius Stollen, Henry Bowman, Ben Johns, Bogdan Radu, Sam Toland, Pierre Thalamy, Christopher Morgan, Rocks Arent People, Ross Devereux, Pascal Michaud, Derek DuBreuil, Sofia Quintero, Robert Swiniarski, Merkt Kızılırmak, Michelle Rowley, Andy Dong, Saphir Patel, Harris Rotto, Thomas Huzij, Ryan James Burke, NTRX, Chaz Lewis, Amir Resali, The War on Stupid, John Pestana, Lucien Delbert, iaDRM, Jacob Edwards, Lauritz Klaus, Jason Hunt, Marcus : ), Taylor Lau, Rhett H Eisenberg, Mr.Z, Jeremy Dumet, Fatman13, Kasturi Raghavan, Kousora, Rich Sekmistrz, Mozart Peter, Gaby Germanos, Andreas Hertle, Alena Vlachova, Zdravko Šašek
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING:
The best book we read about the topic: GMO Sapiens
Today Hank explores artificial intelligence, including weak AI and strong AI, and the various ways that thinkers have tried to define strong AI including the Turing Test, and John Searle’s response to the Turing Test, the Chinese Room. Hank also tries to figure out one of the more personally daunting questions yet: is his brother John a robot?
Animation visualising Rosetta’s two-year journey around Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
The animation begins on 31 July 2014, during Rosetta’s final approach to the comet after its ten-year journey through space. The spacecraft arrived at a distance of 100 km on 6 August whereupon it gradually approached the comet and entered initial mapping orbits that were needed to select a landing site for Philae. These observations also enabled the first comet science of the mission. The manoeuvres in the lead up to, during and after Philae’s deployment on 12 November are seen, before Rosetta settled into longer-term science orbits.
In February and March 2015 the spacecraft made several flybys. One of the closest flybys triggered a ‘safe mode’ event that forced it to retreat temporarily until it was safe to gradually draw closer again. The comet’s increased activity in the lead up to and after perihelion in August 2015 meant that Rosetta remained well beyond 100 km distances for several months.
In June 2015, contact was restored with Philae again – albeit temporary, with no permanent link able to be maintained, despite a series of dedicated trajectories flown by Rosetta for several weeks.
Following perihelion, Rosetta performed a dayside far excursion some 1500 km from the comet, before re-approaching to closer orbits again, enabled by the reduction in the comet’s activity. In March–April 2016 Rosetta went on another far excursion, this time on the night side, followed by a close flyby and orbits dedicated to a range of science observations.
The animation finishes at 9 August 2016, before the details of the end of mission orbits were known. A visualisation of the trajectories leading to the final descent to the surface of the comet on 30 September will be provided once available.
The trajectory shown in this animation is created from real data, but the comet rotation is not. An arrow indicates the direction to the Sun as the camera viewpoint changes during the animation.
Følg Paxi til randen av solsystemet, oppdag kometenes verden og lær om det fantastiske Rosetta har på kometen 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
I videoen, som retter seg mot barn mellom 6–12 år, tar Paxi barna med seg for å oppdage kometer og Rosetta – det fantastiske ESA-romfartøyet som flyr langs kometen 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. 12.11.2014 skal det prøve å slippe en lander på denne.
Videoen er den tredje i en serie av animasjoner hvor Paxi, ESAs utdannelsesmaskot, kommer i kontakt med forskjellige sider ved solsystemet, universet, jordens hemmeligheter og mye mer.
Bli med Paxi på en reise i solsystemet vårt, fra de steinete indre planetene i nærheten av solen, forbi de store planetene, til den iskalde utkanten og hjemstedet til kometene.
I denne videoen, som retter seg mot barn mellom 6–12 år, tar Paxi oss med på en tur i solsystemet. I løpet av turen besøker dere alle de åtte planetene og andre mindre ting som asteroider, kometer og dvergplaneten Pluto.
Videoen er den andre i en serie av animasjoner hvor Paxi, ESAs utdannelsesmaskot, kommer i kontakt med forskjellige sider ved solsystemet, universet, jordens hemmeligheter og mye mer.
Møt Paxi, ESAs utdannelsesmaskot: hvor han kommer fra, hva han liker med romfart, hvem vennene hans er …
I videoen, som retter seg mot barn mellom 6–12 år, presenteres seeren for Paxi, et lite romvesen som kommer fra planeten Ally-O. Paxi har kommet til jorden for å møte nye venner og ta med seg barn på eventyrlige reiser i verdensrommet. Videoen er den første i en serie av animasjoner hvor Paxi, ESAs utdannelsesmaskot, kommer i kontakt med forskjellige sider ved solsystemet, universet, jordens hemmeligheter og mye mer.
Följ med Paxi på hans resa till den röda planeten för att undersöka om det finns marsmänniskor och lär dig samtidigt om europeiska rymdsamarbetets ExoMars-projekt.
Acompaña a Paxi en su viaje al Planeta Rojo para investigar si existen los marcianos y descubrir más cosas sobre las misiones ExoMars de la Agencia Espacial Europea.
Însoţeşte-l pe Paxi în călătoria sa spre Planeta Roşie, pentru a investiga dacă există marţieni şi pentru a afla mai multe despre misiunile ExoMars ale Agenţiei Spaţiale Europene.
Leć razem z Paxim na Czerwoną Planetę, aby sprawdzić, czy Marsjanie istnieją i dowiedzieć się więcej o misjach ExoMars Europejskiej Agencji Kosmicznej.
Acompanhe o Paxi na sua viagem ao Planeta Vermelho para investigar se existem marcianos e ficar a conhecer as missões ExoMars da Agência Espacial Europeia.
The 21st NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations got underway July 21 in the Florida Keys. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Megan McArthur are part of the international crew of NEEMO-21 aquanauts performing research during the 16-day mission, which takes place about 60 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Aquarius habitat – the world’s only undersea science station. Simulated spacewalks are designed to evaluate tools and mission operation techniques that could be used on future space missions. NEEMO-21’s objectives include testing a mini DNA sequencer similar to the one NASA astronaut Kate Rubins also will test aboard the International Space Station, and a telemedicine device that will be used for future space applications. The mission also will simulate communications delays like those that would be encountered on a mission to Mars. Also, Space Launch System Work Platforms, All-Electric X-Plane Arrives, Asteroid Mission Technology, and NASA @Comic-Con International.
Google hangout with ExoMars mission experts for an update on the cruise to Mars, the crucial mid-course manoeuvre on 28 July and the upcoming preparations for the arrival phase. The hangout was held on 26 July at 16:00 CEST/14:00 GMT.
Since launch on 14 March, ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and the Schiaparelli landing demonstration module have been en route to the Red Planet.
The hangout included mission updates and a live Q&A with ESA experts and scientists, focusing on the crucial milestones during the spacecraft’s seven-month cruise to the Red Planet.
The hangout was hosted by Daniel Scuka (ESA Spacecraft Operations Editor) who was joined by:
** Michel Denis – ExoMars Flight Director, ESOC
** Silvia Sangiorgi – ExoMars Deputy Spacecraft Operations Manager, ESOC
** Michael Khan – Mission Analyst, ESOC
** Ian Thomas – NOMAD (spectrometer) Project Manager, Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy
Begleite Paxi auf seiner Reise zum Roten Planeten und du erfährst, ob es Marsmännchen wirklich gibt und welchen Zweck die ExoMars-Missionen der Europäischen Weltraumorganisation haben.
Partite con Paxi nel suo viaggio sul pianeta rosso, per scoprire se esistono i marziani e per saperne di più sulle missioni ExoMars dell’Agenzia Spaziale Europea.
Ga met Paxi mee op zijn reis naar de Rode Planeet om te onderzoeken of marsmannetjes echt bestaan en ontdek wat de ExoMars-missies van het European Space Agency onderzoeken.
Rejoins Paxi dans son voyage vers la Planète rouge pour l’aider à découvrir si les Martiens existent et en savoir plus sur les missions ExoMars de l’Agence spatiale européenne.
