NASA

Satellite imagery shows a portion of East Antarctica on Jan. 9, 2022, before icebergs calved off the Glenzer and Conger glaciers. NISAR will observe nearly all of the planet’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days, monitoring Earth’s frozen regions, known as the cryosphere.USGS Much of the Glenzer and Conger glaciers had collapsed by March 23, 2022, spawning numerous icebergs, as shown in this satellite image. NISAR will document such changes around the globe, and its geographic coverage of Antarctica will be the most extensive for a radar satellite mission to date.USGS NISAR will study changes to ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice in fine detail, as climate change warms the air and ocean. NISAR, the soon-to-launch radar satellite from NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will measure some key Earth vital signs, from the health of wetlands to ground deformation by volcanoes to the dynamics of land and sea ice. This last capability will help researchers decipher how small-scale processes can cause monumental changes in the ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland, as well as on mountain glaciers and sea ice around the world. Short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, NISAR will provide the most comprehensive picture to date of motion and deformation of frozen surfaces in Earth’s ice- and snow-covered environments, collectively known as the cryosphere. “Our planet has the thermostat set on high, and Earth’s ice is responding by speeding up its motion and melting faster,” said Alex Gardner, a glaciologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “We need to better understand the processes at play, and NISAR will provide measurements to do that.” NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation have teamed up to create NISAR, a new satellite mission that will track the changing Earth in fine detail. Learn how NISAR will use radar to deepen our understanding of deforestation, shrinking glaciers, natural hazards, and other global vital signs. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Set to be launched in 2024 by ISRO from southern India, NISAR will observe nearly all the planet’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. The satellite’s unique insights into Earth’s cryosphere will come from the combined use of two radars: an L-band system with a 10-inch (25-centimeter) wavelength and an S-band system with a 4-inch (10-centimeter) wavelength. L-band can see through snow, helping scientists better track the motion of ice underneath, while S-band is more sensitive to snow moisture, which indicates melting. Both signals penetrate clouds and darkness, enabling observations during monthslong polar winter nights. ‘Time-Lapse Movie’ of Ice Sheets NISAR’s orientation in orbit will enable it to collect data from Antarctica’s far interior, close to the South Pole – unlike other large imaging radar satellites, which have more extensively covered the Arctic. Antarctica’s ice sheets hold the planet’s largest reservoir of frozen fresh water, and the rate at which it may lose ice represents the greatest uncertainty in sea level rise projections. NISAR’s increased coverage will be crucial for studying the motion of ice flowing down from central Antarctica’s high elevations toward the sea. The measurements will also enable scientists to closely study what happens where ice and ocean meet. For example, when parts of an ice sheet sit on ground that is below sea level, saltwater can seep under the ice and increase melting and instability. Both Antarctica and Greenland also have ice shelves – masses of ice that extend from land and float on the ocean – that are thinning and crumbling as icebergs break off. Ice shelves help keep glacial ice on the land from slipping into the ocean. If they are diminished, glaciers can flow and calve faster. Pictured in this artist’s concept, NISAR will use two radar systems to monitor change in nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces. The satellite marks the first time the U.S. and Indian space agencies have cooperated on hardware development for an Earth-observing mission.NASA/JPL-Caltech Ice losses on both Antarctica and Greenland have accelerated since the 1990s, and there’s uncertainty about how quickly each will continue to recede. NISAR will improve our horizontal and vertical views of these changes. “NISAR will give us a consistent time-lapse movie of that motion, so we can understand how and why it’s changing and better predict how it will change into the future,” said Ian Joughin, a glaciologist at the University of Washington in Seattle and the NISAR cryosphere lead. Mountain Glaciers, Water Supply, and Flooding The satellite will also track changes in Earth’s mountain glaciers. Their melting has contributed about a third of the sea level rise seen since the 1960s, and climate-driven changes to freezing and thawing patterns can affect the water supplies of downstream populations. In the Himalayas, NISAR’s all-weather capability will help researchers monitor how much water is stored in glacial lakes, which is essential to assessing the risk of catastrophic floods. “The beauty and the difficulty of the Himalayas are the clouds,” said Sushil Kumar Singh, a glaciologist at the ISRO Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, India. “With NISAR we will be able to get a more continuous and complete data set that would not be possible with instruments that use visible light.” Sea Ice Dynamics Near Both Poles NISAR will also capture the movement and extent of sea ice in both hemispheres. Sea ice insulates the ocean from the air, reducing evaporation and heat loss to the atmosphere. It also reflects sunlight, keeping the planet cool through the albedo effect. Arctic sea ice has been diminishing for decades as rising water and air temperatures have increased melting. With more of its surface exposed to sunlight, the Arctic Ocean gains and holds more heat in summer and takes longer to cool. This means less ice formation in winter and faster melting the next summer, said Ben Holt, a JPL sea-ice scientist. With greater coverage of the Southern Ocean than any radar mission to date, NISAR will open new insights around Antarctica, where sea ice had mostly been more stable until the past few years. It reached a record low in 2023. More About the Mission NISAR is an equal collaboration between NASA and ISRO and marks the first time the two agencies have cooperated on hardware development for an Earth-observing mission. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech in Pasadena, California, leads the U.S. component of the project and is providing the mission’s L-band SAR. NASA is also providing the radar reflector antenna, the deployable boom, a high-rate communication subsystem for science data, GPS receivers, a solid-state recorder, and payload data subsystem. U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, which leads the ISRO component of the mission, is providing the spacecraft bus, the launch vehicle, and associated launch services and satellite mission operations. ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad is providing the S-band SAR electronics. To learn more about NISAR, visit: https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov/ See NISAR in 3D with NASA's Eyes on Earth How NISAR will monitor change in forest and wetland ecosystems NISAR put to the test in preparation for launch News Media Contacts Andrew Wang / Jane J. Lee Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 626-379-6874 / 818-354-0307 andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov / jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov 2024-001 View the full article

6 Min Read NASA’s Webb Discovers Dusty ‘Cat’s Tail’ in Beta Pictoris System This image from Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) shows the star system Beta Pictoris. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Stark and K. Lawson (NASA GSFC), J. Kammerer (ESO), and M. Perrin (STScI). Beta Pictoris, a young planetary system located just 63 light-years away, continues to intrigue scientists even after decades of in-depth study. It possesses the first dust disk imaged around another star — a disk of debris produced by collisions between asteroids, comets, and planetesimals. Observations from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope revealed a second debris disk in this system, inclined with respect to the outer disk, which was seen first. Now, a team of astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to image the Beta Pictoris system (Beta Pic) has discovered a new, previously unseen structure. The team, led by Isabel Rebollido of the Astrobiology Center in Spain, used Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) to investigate the composition of Beta Pic’s previously detected main and secondary debris disks. The results exceeded their expectations, revealing a sharply inclined branch of dust, shaped like a cat’s tail, that extends from the southwest portion of the secondary debris disk. Image: Star System Beta Pictoris This image from Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) shows the star system Beta Pictoris. An edge-on disk of dusty debris generated by collisions between planetesimals (orange) dominates the view. A hotter, secondary disk (cyan) is inclined by about 5 degrees relative to the primary disk. The curved feature at upper right, which the science team nicknamed the “cat’s tail,” has never been seen before. A coronagraph (black circle and two small disks) has been used to block the light of the central star, whose location is marked with a white star shape. In this image light at 15.5 microns is colored cyan and 23 microns is orange (filters F1550C and F2300C, respectively).NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Stark and K. Lawson (NASA GSFC), J. Kammerer (ESO), and M. Perrin (STScI). “Beta Pictoris is the debris disk that has it all: It has a really bright, close star that we can study very well, and a complex cirumstellar environment with a multi-component disk, exocomets, and two imaged exoplanets,” said Rebollido, lead author of the study. “While there have been previous observations from the ground in this wavelength range, they did not have the sensitivity and the spatial resolution that we now have with Webb, so they didn’t detect this feature.” A Star’s Portrait Improved with Webb Even with Webb or JWST, peering at Beta Pic in the right wavelength range — in this case, the mid-infrared — was crucial to detect the cat’s tail, as it only appeared in the MIRI data. Webb’s mid-infrared data also revealed differences in temperature between Beta Pic’s two disks, which likely is due to differences in composition. “We didn’t expect Webb to reveal that there are two different types of material around Beta Pic, but MIRI clearly showed us that the material of the secondary disk and cat’s tail is hotter than the main disk,” said Christopher Stark, a co-author of the study at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “The dust that forms that disk and tail must be very dark, so we don’t easily see it at visible wavelengths — but in the mid-infrared, it’s glowing.” To explain the hotter temperature, the team deduced that the dust may be highly porous “organic refractory material,” similar to the matter found on the surfaces of comets and asteroids in our solar system. For example, a preliminary analysis of material sampled from asteroid Bennu by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission found it to be very dark and carbon-rich, much like what MIRI detected at Beta Pic. Image: Annotated Image This image from Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) shows the star system Beta Pictoris. An edge-on disk of dusty debris generated by collisions between planetesimals (orange) dominates the view and is labeled “main disk plane.” While a secondary disk (cyan), inclined 5 degrees relative to the main disk, was already known, Webb showed its true extent at lower left. Webb also detected a never-before-seen feature labeled the cat’s tail. A coronagraph (black circle and two small disks) has been used to block the light of the central star. A scale bar shows that the disks of Beta Pic extend for hundreds of astronomical units (AU), where one AU is the average Earth-Sun distance. (In our solar system, Neptune orbits 30 AU from the sun.) In this image light at 15.5 microns is colored cyan and 23 microns is orange (filters F1550C and F2300C, respectively). NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, C. Stark and K. Lawson (NASA GSFC), J. Kammerer (ESO), and M. Perrin (STScI). The Tail’s Puzzling Beginning Warrants Future Research However, a major lingering question remains: What could explain the shape of the cat’s tail, a uniquely curved feature unlike what is seen in disks around other stars? Rebollido and the team modeled various scenarios in an attempt to emulate the cat’s tail and unravel its origins. Though further research and testing is required, the team presents a strong hypothesis that the cat’s tail is the result of a dust production event that occurred a mere one hundred years ago. “Something happens — like a collision — and a lot of dust is produced,” shared Marshall Perrin, a co-author of the study at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. “At first, the dust goes in the same orbital direction as its source, but then it also starts to spread out. The light from the star pushes the smallest, fluffiest dust particles away from the star faster, while the bigger grains do not move as much, creating a long tendril of dust.” “The cat’s tail feature is highly unusual, and reproducing the curvature with a dynamical model was difficult,” explained Stark. “Our model requires dust that can be pushed out of the system extremely rapidly, which again suggests it’s made of organic refractory material.” Animation: Cat’s Tail Creation To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This is an animation portraying the creation of the cat’s tail, as hypothesized by a team of astronomers. The cat’s tail may be the result of a dust production event — like a collision — that occurred a mere one hundred years ago. This tendril of dust, which is seen in the southwest portion of Beta Pic’s secondary debris disk, is estimated to span 10 billion miles. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, R. Crawford (STScI), C. Stark (NASA-GSFC), M. Perrin (STScI), and I. Rebollido (Astrobiology Center). The team’s preferred model explains the sharp angle of the tail away from the disk as a simple optical illusion. Our perspective combined with the curved shape of the tail creates the observed angle of the tail, while in fact, the arc of material is only departing from the disk at a five-degree incline. Taking into consideration the tail’s brightness, the team estimates the amount of dust within the cat’s tail to be equivalent to a large main belt asteroid spread out across 10 billion miles. A recent dust production event within Beta Pic’s debris disks could also explain a newly-seen asymmetric extension of the inclined inner disk, as shown in the MIRI data and seen only on the side opposite of the tail. Recent collisional dust production could also account for a feature previously spotted by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in 2014: a clump of carbon monoxide (CO) located near the cat’s tail. Since the star’s radiation should break down CO within roughly one hundred years, this still-present concentration of gas could be lingering evidence of the same event. “Our research suggests that Beta Pic may be even more active and chaotic than we had previously thought,” said Stark. “JWST continues to surprise us, even when looking at the most well-studied objects. We have a completely new window into these planetary systems.” These results were presented in a press conference at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans, Louisiana. The observations were taken as part of Guaranteed Time Observation program 1411. The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency Downloads Download full resolution images for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute. Right click the images in this article to open a larger version in a new tab/window. Media Contacts Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.gov, Rob Gutro– rob.gutro@nasa.gov NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, , Greenbelt, Md. Abigail Major amajor@stsci.edu, Christine Pulliam – cpulliam@stsci.edu Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md. Related Information About protoplanetary disks LIfe and Death of a Planetary System More Webb News – https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/latestnews/ More Webb Images – https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/multimedia/images/ Webb Mission Page – https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/ Related For Kids How did our Solar System Form? What is the Webb Telescope? SpacePlace for Kids En Español Ciencia de la NASA NASA en español Space Place para niños Keep Exploring Related Topics James Webb Space Telescope Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the… Stars Overview Stars are giant balls of hot gas – mostly hydrogen, with some helium and small amounts of other elements.… Planets Our solar system has eight planets, and five dwarf planets – all located in an outer spiral arm of the… Our Solar System Overview Our planetary system is located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy. We call it the… Share Details Last Updated Jan 10, 2024 Related TermsJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST)Goddard Space Flight CenterMissionsPlanetary NebulaeScience & ResearchThe Universe View the full article

4 min read Discovery Alert: Earth-sized Planet Has a ‘Lava Hemisphere’ Like Kepler-10 b, illustrated above, the exoplanet HD 63433 d is a small, rocky planet in a tight orbit of its star. HD 63433 d is the smallest confirmed exoplanet younger than 500 million years old. It’s also the closest discovered Earth-sized planet this young, at about 400 million years old.NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle The discovery: In a system with two known planets, astronomers spotted something new: a small object transiting across the Sun-sized star. This turned out to be another planet: extra hot and Earth-sized. Key Facts: The newly-spotted planet, called HD 63433 d, is tidally locked, meaning there is a dayside which always faces its star and a side that is constantly in darkness. This exoplanet, or planet outside of our solar system, orbits around the star HD 63433 (TOI 1726) in the HD 63433 planetary system. This scorching world is the smallest confirmed exoplanet younger than 500 million years old. It’s also the closest discovered Earth-sized planet this young, at about 400 million years old. The Planet That Shouldn’t Be There 15 Years of Exoplanet Images Details: A team of astronomers analyzed this system using data from NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), which spots “transits,” or instances where planets cross in front of their star as they orbit, blocking a tiny piece of the starlight. Two planets had already been previously discovered in this planetary system, so to see what else might be lurking in the star’s orbit, the team took the data and removed the signals of the two known planets. This allowed them to see an additional signal – a small transit that would reappear every 4.2 days. Upon further investigation, they were able to validate that this was actually a third, smaller planet. The tidally locked planet is very close to Earth size (it is approximately 1.1 times the diameter of our own planet) and it’s orbiting a star that’s similar to the size of our Sun (the star is about 0.91 the size and 0.99 the mass of the Sun). The star in this system is a G-type star, the same type as our Sun. But HD 63433 d orbits much closer to its star than we do, with a minuscule 4.2 day long “year” and extremely high temperatures on its dayside. Fun Facts: While this newly found planet and its star are just about the size of our own planet and Sun, HD 63433 d is quite different from our home world. Firstly, it is a very young planet in a very young system. The planetary system itself is about 10 times younger than ours and this 400-million-year-old planet is in its infancy compared to our 4.5-billion-year-old world. It is also much closer to its star than we are to ours. This planet is 8 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun. Being so close to its star, this dayside of this tidally-locked planet can reach temperatures of about 2,294 Fahrenheit (1,257 Celsius). Being so hot, so close to its star, and so small, this planet likely lacks a substantial atmosphere. These scorching temperatures are comparable to lava worlds like CoRoT-7 b and Kepler-10 b, and the team behind this discovery thinks that the planet’s dayside could be a “lava hemisphere.” The planet’s small size, young age, and closeness to its star make it an interesting candidate for further exploration. Follow-up study could confirm the results of this study and potentially reveal more information about the planet’s “dark side,” and the status of its (possible) atmosphere. As this study states, “Young terrestrial worlds are critical test beds to constrain prevailing theories of planetary formation and evolution.” The Discoverers: This discovery was described in a new study, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal, titled “TESS Hunt for Young and Maturing Exoplanets (THYME) XI: An Earth-sized Planet Orbiting a Nearby, Solar-like Host in the 400 Myr Ursa Major Moving Group.” The study, led by co-authors Benjamin Capistrant and Melinda Soares-Furtado, will be discussed in a Jan. 10 presentation at the 2024 American Astronomical Society Meeting. This study was conducted as part of the TESS Hunt for Young and Maturing Exoplanets, which is a project focused on searching for young exoplanets that are in moving groups, stellar associations, or open clusters. Read the paper. Explore More 5 min read NASA Features New Discoveries at American Astronomical Society Meeting Article 5 days ago 4 min read NASA’s Hubble Observes Exoplanet Atmosphere Changing Over 3 Years Article 6 days ago 5 min read Seeing and Believing: 15 Years of Exoplanet Images Fifteen years ago, astronomers delivered what is now an iconic direct image of an exoplanet,… Article 4 weeks ago View the full article

​Media Contacts NASA Headquarters: Kathryn Hambleton, Rachel Kraft, Vanessa Lloyd, 202-358-1100 Latest Updates: Artemis blog Briefings Artemis Update (Jan 9, 2024) Related Resources Artemis WHAT/WHY/HOW Artemis Accords Program and Project Resources Education and STEM Engagement Broadcast and Historical Resources Artemis B-roll Artemis Imagery Q&A with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Q&A with Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy Q&A with Associate Administrator Bob Cabana Keep Exploring Discover More Artemis Artemis Artemis News and Articles Artemis II News and Updates Artemis III News and Updates View the full article

NASA/Bill Ingalls An Orbital Sciences Corporation (now Northrop Grumman) Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft launches from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Thursday, January 9, 2014. The Orbital-1 mission was Orbital Sciences’ first contracted cargo delivery flight to the space station for NASA. Cygnus brought science experiments, crew provisions, spare parts and other hardware to the space station. One NASA experiment studied the decreased effectiveness of antibiotics during spaceflight, while another examined how different fuel samples burned in microgravity. Learn more about the first operational Cygnus cargo mission. Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Back to ESI Home Advancing Radiation-Hardened Photon Counting Sensor Technologies Karl Berggren Massachusetts Institute of Technology Radiation hardness study of superconducting detectors and electronics Donald Figer Rochester Institute of Technology Advancing Radiation-Hardened CMOS Detectors for NASA Missions Advancements in Predicting Plume-Surface Interaction Environments During Propulsive Landings Laura Villafane Auburn University Integrating Data-Driven and Physics-Based Models for Plume-Surface Interaction Predictions David Scarborough University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Physics-based Modeling and Tool Development for the Characterization and Uncertainty Quantification of Crater Formation and Ejecta Dynamics due to Plume-surface Interaction Advancing the Performance of Refrigeration Systems Based on the Elastocaloric Effect Patrick Shamberger Texas A&M University Advancing Elastocaloric Refrigeration through Co-design of Materials and Systems Nenad Miljkovic University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Continuous Bending-mode Elastocaloric Composite Refrigeration System for Compact, Lightweight, High-Efficiency Cooling Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From STRG Space Technology Mission Directorate STMD Solicitations and Opportunities Space Technology Research Grants About STRG View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Nenad Miljkovic University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Traditional elastocaloric refrigeration systems are based on uniaxial compression of the elastocaloric material which makes them highly constrained by actuator requirements, the physics of column buckling, and limited surface area for heat transfer. Professor Miljkovic will investigate a novel elastocaloric system based on bending of the elastocaloric material, which removes these constraints. The design requires less energy for equivalent performance and can be run in a continuous loop further increasing efficiency. The team will also investigate methods like heat treatment to tune the elastocaloric material to their application. Back to ESI 2023 Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From STRG Space Technology Mission Directorate STMD Solicitations and Opportunities Space Technology Research Grants About STRG View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Patrick Shamberger Texas A&M University Elastocaloric materials heat up or cool down when stress is applied to them or removed. The objective of this grant is to develop improved elastocaloric effect materials that are capable of performing more cooling work per cycle, more efficiently converting mechanical work to cooling work with minimal dissipation, and cycling at a faster rate. Professor Shamberger will use machine learning methods to design new elastocaloric materials, produce them, and characterize their performance. The group will then design and develop a full elastocaloric refrigerator architecture using their new materials to validate system level performance. Back to ESI 2023 Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From STRG Space Technology Mission Directorate STMD Solicitations and Opportunities Space Technology Research Grants About STRG View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) David Scarborough Auburn University Professor Scarborough will develop and implement tools to extract critical data from experimental measurements of plume surface interaction (PSI) to identify and classify dominant regimes, develop physics-based, semi-empirical models to predict the PSI phenomena, and quantify the uncertainties. The team will adapt and apply state-of-the-art image processing techniques such as edge detection, 3D-stereo reconstruction to extract the cratering dynamics, and particle tracking velocimetry to extract ejecta dynamics and use supervised Machine Learning algorithms to identify patterns. The models developed will establish a relationship between crater geometry and ejecta dynamics, including quantified uncertainties. Back to ESI 2023 Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From STRG Space Technology Mission Directorate STMD Solicitations and Opportunities Space Technology Research Grants About STRG View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Laura Villafane University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Rocket engine exhaust during lunar landings can blow away a large amount of lunar regolith causing damage to nearby hardware and the landing spacecraft itself. The complex physics governing this behavior is not well understood making it hard to predict and mitigate its effects. Professor Villafane’s team will use a multi-stage approach to address this issue, in which advanced image and data processing tools, statistical models, and modern machine learning algorithms are combined. The team will extract the most relevant quantities of interest for cratering, erosion, and ejecta from the large volume of parametric experimental data, and to use them to derive simple closed-form models of rocket plume – surface interaction phenomena. Back to ESI 2023 Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From STRG Space Technology Mission Directorate STMD Solicitations and Opportunities Space Technology Research Grants About STRG View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Donald Figer Rochester Institute of Technology The objective of this grant is to investigate methods to reduce and mitigate the effects of radiation damage on single-photon counting and photon number resolving optical imaging detectors. To accomplish this, professor Finger and his team will develop computational models of these devices as well as test a number of commercially available designs. They will attempt to minimize the transient effects of radiation by exploring innovative new ways to read and process their data, develop new ways of driving and operating them, and use analysis of output data to pinpoint and understand radiation related damage mechanisms. The team will also work to extend the operating rage of these devices to infrared wavelengths, an important capability for many NASA applications. Back to ESI 2023 Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From STRG Space Technology Mission Directorate STMD Solicitations and Opportunities Space Technology Research Grants About STRG View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Karl Berggren Massachusetts Institute of Technology Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are a promising new ultra-sensitive and low-noise detectors for applications ranging from deep-space exploration to ultrafast space-based optical quantum communication networks. Their susceptibility to damage from the high-radiation environments found in space is not yet understood. Professor Berggren and his team will investigate radiation damage to SNSPDs in their lab by bombarding them 30keV helium ions at irradiated doses far exceeding the expected levels in space. Using the results of these experiments and complementary modeling efforts the team will also investigate mitigation strategies. Back to ESI 2023 Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From STRG Space Technology Mission Directorate STMD Solicitations and Opportunities Space Technology Research Grants About STRG View the full article

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) /wp-content/plugins/nasa-blocks/assets/images/article-a-example-01.jpgSpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 11:50 p.m. EST on March 6, 2020, carrying the uncrewed cargo Dragon spacecraft on its journey to the International Space Station for NASA and SpaceXs 20th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-20) mission.NASA/Tony Gray and Tim Terry NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting 11:39 a.m. EST Saturday, Dec. 5, for the launch of its 21st commercial resupply services (CRS-21) mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. CRS-21 will deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment for NASA and is the first mission under the company’s second Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Live coverage will air on NASA Television and the agency’s website, with prelaunch events Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec.5. The upgraded Dragon spacecraft will be filled with supplies and payloads, including critical materials to directly support dozens of the more than 250 science and research investigations that will occur during Expeditions 64 and 65. In addition to bringing research to the station. the Dragon’s unpressurized trunk will transport the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock. The first commercially funded apace station airlock, the Bishop Airlock is an airtight segment used for transfer of payloads between the inside and outside of the station. It provides payload hosting, robotics testing, and satellite deployment while also serving as an outside toolbox for astronauts conducting spacewalks. About 12 minutes after launch, Dragon will separate from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage and begin a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the space station. Arrival to the space station Is planned for Sunday, Dec. 6. Dragon will autonomously dock to the station’s Harmony module with Expedition 64 Flight Engineers Kate Rubins and Victor Glover of NASA monitoring operations. Full Mission Coverage & Schedule (EST) Friday, Dec. 4 – 2PM One-on-one media opportunities., principal. Investigators for payloads on CRS-Plat She Kennedy Press Site (compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols). Friday, Dec. 4 – TBD Prelaunch news conference from Kennedy with representatives hem NASA, International Space Station Program, SpaceX, and the US. Air Force, 4S1M1 Space Wing. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom at koc-newsreem@mail.nasa.gov no later then 3 pm. Friday, Dec. Saturday, Dec. 5 – 11:15 AM NASA TV launch overage begins for the 11:39 a.m. launch. Sunday, Dec 6 – 9:30 AM One-on-one media opportunities with principal investigators for payloads on CRS-21 at the Kenedy Press Site (compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols). Sunday, Dec 6 – 11:30 AM Docking Participate in the Resupply Mission Register Registered members of the public can attend the launch virtually, receiving mission updates and opportunities normally reserved for on-site guests. NASA’s virtual launch experience for CRS-21 includes curated launch resources, a behind-the-scenes look at the mission, notifications about NASA social interactions, and the opportunity tor a virtual launch passport stamp following a successful launch. Register on EventBrite RSVP to Facebook Event STEM Students Engage kids and students in the science, technology, engineering and math aboard the space station through NASA’s STEM on Station. Virtual Launch Passport Print, fold, and get ready to fill your virtual launch passport. Stamps will be emailed following launches to all registrants (who are registered via email through Eventbrite). Social Media Stay connected with the mission on social media, and let people know you’re following it on X, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtags #Dragon, #NASASocial, #BishopAirlock. Follow and tag these accounts: Facebook logo @NASA@NASAKennedy@NASASocial@Space_Station@ISS_Research @NASA@NASAKennedy@ISS@ISSNational Lab Instagram logo @NASA@NASAKennedy@ISS@ISSNational Lab@SpaceX Linkedin logo @NASA@Space_Station Read More Share Details Last Updated Jan 09, 2024 Related TermsGeneral Explore More 2 min read NASA Ames Awards Task Order Modification for Wind Tunnel Upgrades Article 21 hours ago 4 min read NASA Adjusts Agreements to Benefit Commercial Station Development Article 5 days ago 28 min read Interview with Victoria Hartwick Article 5 days ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) GSFC summer interns NASA is celebrating National Mentoring Month by recognizing the importance of mentors to students and young professionals whose careers are beginning to take off. Mentors help their mentees gain real-world experiences, make valuable connections, and find the types of roles best suited to their strengths and skills. To learn more about early career takeaways, we spoke to three NASA mentors: Renita Fincke, NASA biomedical research projects engineer at Johnson Space Center in Houston; Wade Sisler, executive producer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Kyle Ellis, a project manager in the Aeronautics Research Directorate at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Below, they share their advice for students and graduates entering the workforce and expand on how to make the most of a mentor/mentee relationship – whether here at NASA or in any other organization. Renita Fincke, NASA biomedical research projects engineer at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Work hard and carry yourself professionally. If you fully commit to excelling in your role, you’ll be better prepared to take advantage of unexpected opportunities or adjust to changing circumstances. “Give it your all,” Fincke said. “In my journey, I’ve discovered that boosting your career involves a relentless pursuit of knowledge, adapting to changes, and being ready to try for exciting opportunities when the timing is just right.” While you’re putting in a lot of effort toward your high-level goals, don’t lose sight of seemingly small details. “Lean in, be punctual, be present, communicate like a pro, and get your work in on time,” Sisler said. “Your mentor will notice. Your entire office will notice.” Be your own advocate. Concentrate on how you communicate. Telling your story in a way that resonates with your audience enables them to understand and see the value in your work. “Learn to identify who your stakeholders are and answer the question, ‘Why should they care?’” Ellis said. “Being able to tell a clear, succinct story about what you do and why is the key to improving countless things: interest, support, awareness, etc. Don’t take the power of communication for granted.” Wade Sisler, executive producer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Be resilient. Challenges and failures are inevitable, so don’t give up! “The path to success is rarely linear, and the ability to adapt is a strength,” Fincke said. “Embrace the mindset that errors are opportunities for learning, growth, and necessary pivots, so do not fear failure; let it be a catalyst for resilience.” Ellis recalled that as a student, he spent a lot of time unnecessarily fearing what others would think if he tried something new without knowing for sure he’d get it right. “What I learned is that failure is common when you’re exploring possibilities,” Ellis said. “And it often teaches us more in a shorter period than the success we experience. Kyle Ellis, a project manager in the Aeronautics Research Directorate at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Network and ask questions. Work with a mentor to outline your tasks and goals, and don’t be self-conscious about discussing your most ambitious longer-term career objectives. “The most successful interns in our office are often the most inquisitive ones,” Sisler said. “Find out what the people in your office do and how they fit into the organization. Tell as many people as you can your story, ask how they came to NASA, and ask them for their insights and advice.” Ellis emphasized that NASA is filled with experts who are happy to share their wisdom with students and young professionals. “If they sense the spark in you, they’ll most certainly help you along your career and connect you with more like-minded people who are solving some of the most important problems in and out of this world,” Ellis said. The support and guidance of an encouraging mentor can make a tremendous difference in a student’s career growth and personal development – and it’s a rewarding experience for mentors, too. “Pick up a mentee in your first or second year in a new role,” Ellis said. “It’s amazing what you learn from someone who is learning from you.” Want an opportunity to work with one of NASA’s amazing mentors? Apply for a NASA internship here. Share Details Last Updated Jan 10, 2024 Related TermsLearning ResourcesInternships Explore More 5 min read Ham Radio in Space: Engaging with Students Worldwide for 40 Years Article 1 month ago 4 min read Aero Engineer Brings NASA into Hawaii’s Classrooms Article 1 month ago 5 min read University of Utah takes top honors in BIG Idea Lunar Forge Challenge Article 2 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Learning Resources For Colleges and Universities For Students Grades 9-12 NASA Internship Programs View the full article

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Artist’s rendering of the Optical Communications System bringing laser communications capabilities to the Moon aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft during Artemis II.Credit: NASA NASA is working with private industry partners and small businesses under Artemis to produce scalable, affordable, and advanced laser communications systems that could enable greater exploration and discovery beyond Earth for the benefit of all. Laser, or optical, communications provide missions with increased data rates – meaning that missions using laser technology can send and receive more information in a single transmission compared with those using traditional radio waves. When a spacecraft uses laser communications to send information, infrared light packs the data into tighter waves so ground stations on Earth can receive more data at once. Laser communications systems can provide 10 to 100 times higher data rates than the radio systems used by space missions today. As science instruments evolve to capture high-definition data, missions will need expedited ways to transmit information to Earth. It would take roughly nine weeks to transmit a complete map of Mars back to Earth with current radio frequency systems. With lasers, it would only take about nine days. Advancing Laser Technologies Through a small business collaboration, NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program funded the successful development of a new piece of laser technology. Developed by Fibertek Inc., the Basestation Optical Laser Terminal is a four-channel laser unit that could enable the transmission of high-power communications to the Moon during the Artemis II flight test. Artemis II will send a crew of four astronauts on a journey around the Moon and bring them back safely, paving the way for future long-term human exploration missions to the lunar surface, and eventually Mars. Known as the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System, the Artemis II demonstration will use laser communications to transmit high-resolution images and video of the lunar region to two ground stations. One of the two ground stations, located at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, is the Low-Cost Optical Terminal. The Low-Cost Optical Terminal at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, uses commercial off-the-shelf or slightly modified hardware to reduce the expense of implementing laser communications technology.Credit: NASA In September 2023, Fibertek’s technology was integrated into NASA’s low-cost terminal ground station and successfully tested. NASA’s Low-Cost Optical Terminal is a telescope around 27 inches in diameter that is made of mostly commercial off-the-shelf parts. Using commercial components is more cost-effective than developing custom hardware and can also make an architecture scalable for replication. The Low-Cost Optical Terminal will serve as a template for future ground stations. “Laser communications, focusing on direct-to-Earth links, is a maturing technology that is essential for NASA to meet its future communications capacity and navigation needs. As we mature any technology, establishing and supporting a healthy domestic supply chain is vital,” said Dr. Jason Mitchell, director of SCaN’s Advanced Communications and Navigation Technologies Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “American small businesses play a key role in that chain, and our engagement with Fibertek Inc. is an example of this process.” NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program funded the development of the Basestation Optical Laser Terminal. Through America’s Seed Fund, NASA provides small businesses with early-stage federal funding for innovative technologies to advance agency missions. “NASA’s investment in the development of this technology is a win-win-win for the agency and Fibertek, as well as any other future system integrators or developers that want to use laser communications technology,” said Nang Pham, SCaN small business project manager at NASA Glenn. As NASA prepares to send human’s back to the Moon for the first time in 50 years, new laser technologies will enable more efficient laser communications systems, expanding humanity’s knowledge of our Moon and what lies beyond. For more information on laser communications technology, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/communicating-with-missions/lasercomms/ Explore More 5 min read NASA’s X-59 Rollout Embodies Aeronautical Tradition Article 20 hours ago 2 min read NASA Invites You to X-59 Rollout Watch Party Article 1 week ago 5 min read NASA’s Deep Space Network Turns 60 and Prepares for the Future Article 3 weeks ago View the full article

To replace the cargo and crew transportation services to and from the International Space Station following the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011, the United States developed a novel approach to procure those services from American commercial entities. On Jan. 9, 2014, Orbital Sciences Corporation, one of two companies selected initially to provide cargo transportation services, launched the first operational mission of its Cygnus spacecraft. During its one-month stay at the space station, the onboard Expedition 38 crew unloaded its cargo and then filled it with trash and unneeded equipment before releasing it for a destructive reentry. The novel approach of the government procuring services provided by private companies opened a new chapter in human space exploration. Timeline of the first phase of Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) activities. On Jan. 14, 2004, President George W. Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). In addition to proposing a return to the Moon, the VSE saw the retirement of the space shuttle after completing space station assembly. The VSE encouraged NASA to acquire commercial cargo services to the space station as soon as practical, and NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin established the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office (C3PO) in November 2005. The program inaugurated a new business model for the space agency that instead of traditional procurement contracts with private enterprise to deliver hardware and services, NASA now relied on the companies investing their own capital to develop the needed spacecraft and rockets. The agency then purchased the transportation services from the companies. The C3PO devised a two-phase process to develop cargo resupply services to the space station – the Commercial Orbital Transportation System (COTS) program for commercial entities to develop and demonstrate reliable commercial services followed by the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program to actually deliver cargo to the space station. On Aug. 18, 2006, NASA announced that Space Exploration Corporation (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Rocketplane Kistler (RpK) had won the first round of the COTS competition and signed Space Act Agreements (SAAs) with the two companies. In October 2007, NASA terminated the agreement with RpK since the company hadn’t raised enough capital. Following a second round of competitions, NASA selected and signed a SAA with Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital) of Dulles, Virginia, on Feb. 19, 2008. Left: Workers integrate the Cygnus mass simulator with its Antares launch vehicle. Right: First launch of an Antares rocket in 2013, carrying a Cygnus mass simulator. Italian aerospace company Thales Alenia Space built Orbital’s Cygnus cargo vehicle, relying on its experience building the European Space Agency’s Columbus research module and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules for the space station. Orbital developed the two-stage Antares rocket to launch the Cygnus spacecraft. On Dec. 23, 2008, NASA announced the award of the first CRS contracts to SpaceX for 12 space station resupply missions using its Dragon spacecraft and to Orbital for eight missions, in 2015 adding eight more Dragon and three more Cygnus flights. On Jan. 14, 2016, a second CRS-2 contract not only guaranteed at least six more SpaceX and Orbital missions but also added a third contractor, Sparks, Nevada-based Sierra Nevada Corporation to provide at least six flights of a cargo version of their Dream Chaser reusable space plane. Orbital launched the first test flight of its Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia, on April 21, 2013, with a test payload to simulate the mass of a Cygnus spacecraft. The mission’s objectives did not include approaching the space station and the mass simulator burned up on reentry on May 10. Left: Liftoff of the Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus Demo 1 mission. Middle: Cygnus Demo spacecraft grappled by Canadarm2 prior to berthing on the space station. Right: Expedition 37 crew member Luca S. Parmitano of the European Space Agency inside the Cygnus spacecraft during its Demo mission to the space station. Orbital carried out a single demonstration mission, designated Cygnus Demo 1, launching on Sep. 18, 2013. The company began a tradition of naming their spacecraft after deceased astronauts or other aerospace notables, christening this first one the G. David Low after the former astronaut and Orbital employee who died in 2008. Orbital executive and Low’s fellow Class of 1984 astronaut Frank L. Culbertson said during a preflight press conference, “We were very proud to name [it] the G. David Low.” Eleven days after its launch, Expedition 37 crew member Luca S. Parmitano from the European Space Agency grappled the spacecraft with the Canadarm2 remote manipulator system and berthed it to the station’s Node 2 Harmony module’s nadir or Earth facing port. The crew unloaded the 1,543 pounds of supplies that it brought and on Oct. 22 unberthed it, loaded with 2,850 pounds of cargo for disposal. The next day, Cygnus fired its engine to begin the fiery reentry over the Pacific Ocean. The mission completed Orbital’s flight certification for its cargo vehicle. Left: Liftoff of the first operational Cygnus cargo resupply mission. Middle: The space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm about to capture the first operational Cygnus spacecraft named SS C. Gordon Fullerton. Right: The first Enhanced Cygnus arriving at the space station in 2015; compare against the smaller standard Cygnus. The mission patch for Orbital’s first operational cargo resupply mission to the space station. The first operational Cygnus mission, designated Orb-1, got underway on Jan. 9, 2014. The spacecraft named after NASA astronaut C. Gordon Fullerton, who died the previous year, arrived at the space station three days later. Expedition 38 crew member NASA astronaut Michael S. Hopkins used Canadarm2 to grapple and berth it to the Harmony module. The onboard crew unloaded the 2,780 pounds of supplies that the spacecraft brought to the station and unberthed it on Feb. 18. It disposed of 3,240 pounds of trash and other unneeded cargo. To date, 19 Cygnus spacecraft have lofted more than 64 tons of logistics to the space station, with only one launch failure, the Orb-3 mission in October 2014. This launch failure and one with SpaceX in June 2015 highlighted the wisdom of the decision to use two separate and independent systems to launch cargo to the space station. Beginning in late 2015, Orbital introduced an Enhanced Cygnus with a 50% increase in internal volume to carry more cargo. In addition to upgrading its spacecraft and rocket, Orbital underwent some corporate restructuring over the years, first merging with Alliant Technologies in 2015 to form Orbital ATK. In 2018 Northrup Grumman acquired Orbital ATK to form Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems. Upgrades to the space station itself, such as opening up a second berthing port on the Unity module in 2015 allowed two cargo vehicles to be docked at the same time, with a third port available in 2019 for SpaceX crew and cargo vehicles to dock directly at the station without the need for astronauts to use Canadarm2 to grapple and berth them. Beginning in 2024, a fourth port will allow four cargo and crew vehicles to remain at the station simultaneously. Explore More 5 min read NASA’s Deep Space Network Turns 60 and Prepares for the Future Article 3 weeks ago 13 min read Celebrating the Holiday Season in Space Article 3 weeks ago 6 min read An Apollo 8 Christmas Dinner Surprise: Turkey and Gravy Make Space History Article 3 weeks ago View the full article

NASA has awarded a task order modification to the Aerospace Testing and Facilities Operations and Maintenance (ATOM-5) contract to Jacobs Technology Inc., of Tullahoma, Tennessee, to provide the agency’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, with an upgrade to the center’s Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel main drive speed control variable frequency drive. The ATOM-5 award is a cost-plus fixed-fee indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract that supports several experiments in the ground-based aerospace facilities at Ames, including wind tunnels, high-enthalpy arc jet facilities, and the Sensor and Thermal Protection System Advanced Research Lab. The task order award value is $41 million with a period of performance through Oct. 1, 2027. The project will upgrade the electrical system of its wind tunnel to improve the efficiency and capability of the main drive motors. These motors are required to operate the 11-by-11-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel and 9-by-7-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel facilities at Ames. The upgrade is expected to result in improved facility reliability, reductions in annual power and water usage, reduction of maintenance requirements, and elimination of environmental hazards allowing the facility to continue to support NASA missions and programs into the future. For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov -end- Rachel Hoover Ames Research Center, Silicon Valley, Calif. 650-604-4789 rachel.hoover@nasa.gov View the full article

5 min read Hubble Finds Weird Home of Farthest Fast Radio Burst A NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of the host galaxy of an exceptionally powerful fast radio burst, FRB 20220610A. Hubble’s sensitivity and sharpness reveals a compact group of multiple galaxies that may be in the process of merging. They existed when the universe was only 5 billion years old. FRB 20220610A was first detected on June 10, 2022, by the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Western Australia. The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile confirmed that the FRB came from a distant place. NASA, ESA, STScI, Alexa Gordon (Northwestern) Astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have found a rare event in an oddball place. It’s called a fast radio burst (FRB), a fleeting blast of energy that can – for a few milliseconds – outshine an entire galaxy. Hundreds of FRBs have been detected over the past few years. They pop off all over the sky like camera flashes at a stadium event, but the sources behind these intense bursts of radiation remain uncertain. This new FRB is particularly weird because it erupted halfway across the universe, making it the farthest and most powerful example detected to date. And if that’s not strange enough, it just got weirder based on the follow-up Hubble observations made after its discovery. The FRB flashed in what seems like an unlikely place: a collection of galaxies that existed when the universe was only 5 billion years old. The large majority of previous FRBs have been found in isolated galaxies. FRB 20220610A was first detected on June 10, 2022, by the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Western Australia. The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile confirmed that the FRB came from a distant place. The FRB was four times more energetic than closer FRBs. “It required Hubble’s keen sharpness and sensitivity to pinpoint exactly where the FRB came from,” said lead author Alexa Gordon of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. “Without Hubble’s imaging, it would still remain a mystery as to whether this was originating from one monolithic galaxy or from some type of interacting system. It’s these types of environments – these weird ones – that are driving us toward better understanding the mystery of FRBs.” Hubble’s crisp images suggest this FRB originated in an environment where there may be as many as seven galaxies on a possible path to merging, which would also be very significant, researchers say. “We are ultimately trying to answer the questions: What causes them? What are their progenitors and what are their origins? The Hubble observations provide a spectacular view of the surprising types of environments that give rise to these mysterious events,” said co-investigator Wen-fai Fong, also of Northwestern University. Though astronomers do not have a consensus on the possible mechanism behind this extraordinary phenomenon, it’s generally thought that FRBs must involve some sort of compact object, like a black hole or neutron star. One extreme type of neutron star is called a magnetar – the most intensely magnetic type of neutron star in the universe. It has a magnetic field that is so strong that, if a magnetar were located halfway between Earth and the Moon, it would erase the magnetic strip on everyone’s credit card in the world. Much worse yet, if an astronaut traveled within a few hundred miles of the magnetar, they would effectively be dissolved, because every atom in their body would be disrupted. Possible mechanisms involve some kind of jarring starquake, or alternatively, an explosion caused when a magnetar’s twisting magnetic field lines snap and reconnect. A similar phenomenon happens on the Sun, causing solar flares, but a magnetar’s field is a trillion times stronger than the Sun’s magnetosphere. The snapping would generate an FRB’s flash, or might make a shock wave that incinerates surrounding dust and heats gas into a plasma. There could be several flavors of magnetars. In one case, it could be an exploding object orbiting a black hole surrounded by a disk of material. Another alternative is a pair of orbiting neutron stars whose magnetospheres periodically interact, creating a cavity where eruptions can take place. It’s estimated that magnetars are active for about 10,000 years before settling down, so they would be expected to be found where a firestorm of star birth is taking place. But this doesn’t seem to be the case for all magnetars. In the near future, FRB experiments will increase their sensitivity, leading to an unprecedented rate in the number of FRBs detected at these distances. Hubble will play a crucial role in characterizing the environments in which these FRBs occur. Astronomers will soon learn just how special the environment of this FRB was. “We just need to keep finding more of these FRBs, both nearby and far away, and in all these different types of environments,” said Gordon. The results are being presented at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble and Webb science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, in Washington, D.C. Media Contact: Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD claire.andreoli@nasa.gov Ray Villard Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD Science Contact: Alexa Gordon Northwestern University, Evanston, IL Share Details Last Updated Jan 09, 2024 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Related Terms Black Holes Galaxies Goddard Space Flight Center Hubble Space Telescope Missions Neutron Stars The Universe Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Hubble Space Telescope Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe. Galaxies Stories Stars Stories James Webb Space Telescope Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the… View the full article

Los miembros de la tripulación del Artemis II (de izquierda a derecha) Jeremy Hansen, astronauta de la CSA (Agencia Espacial Canadiense), y Christina Koch, Victor Glover y Reid Wiseman, astronautas de la NASA, parten del cuartel de tripulación de astronautas en el edificio de operaciones y control Neil Armstrong hacia los vehículos de transporte de la tripulación de Artemis antes de desplazarse a la plataforma de lanzamiento 39B como parte de una prueba integrada de los sistemas de tierra en el Centro Espacial Kennedy en Florida el miércoles 20 de septiembre, para poner a prueba la cronología de la tripulación para el día del lanzamiento.NASA La NASA anunció el martes cambios en las próximas misiones Artemis, que sentarán las bases para la exploración científica a largo plazo de la Luna, el aterrizaje de la primera mujer y la primera persona no blanca en la superficie lunar, y la preparación de expediciones con seres humanos a Marte en beneficio de todos. Para llevar a cabo estas misiones de forma segura, los dirigentes de la agencia han ajustado los calendarios de Artemis II y Artemis III para que los equipos técnicos puedan superar los retos asociados a los primeros desarrollos, operaciones e integración. El objetivo de la NASA es ahora septiembre de 2025 para Artemis II, la primera misión Artemis tripulada alrededor de la Luna, y septiembre de 2026 para Artemis III, la cual se prevé que aterrice con los primeros astronautas cerca del Polo Sur lunar. Artemis IV, la primera misión a la estación espacial lunar Gateway, sigue prevista para 2028. “Estamos regresando a la Luna como nunca antes lo habíamos hecho, y la seguridad de nuestros astronautas es la máxima prioridad de la NASA mientras nos preparamos para futuras misiones Artemis”, dijo el administrador de la NASA, Bill Nelson. “Hemos aprendido mucho desde Artemis I, y el éxito de estas primeras misiones depende de nuestras asociaciones comerciales e internacionales para ampliar nuestro alcance y comprensión del lugar de la humanidad en nuestro sistema solar. Artemis representa lo que podemos lograr como nación y como coalición mundial. Cuando nos proponemos lograr lo difícil, juntos podemos conseguir lo grandioso”. Garantizar la seguridad de la tripulación es el principal motivo de los cambios en el calendario de Artemis II. Como primera prueba de vuelo Artemis con tripulación a bordo de la nave espacial Orion, la misión pondrá a prueba sistemas críticos de control medioambiental y de soporte vital necesarios para sustentar a los astronautas. Las pruebas de la NASA para calificar los componentes para mantener a la tripulación segura y garantizar el éxito de la misión han revelado problemas que requieren tiempo adicional para ser resueltos. Los equipos técnicos están solucionando un asunto relacionado con la batería y abordando retos con un componente del circuito responsable de la ventilación del aire y el control de la temperatura. Se espera que la investigación de la NASA sobre la pérdida inesperada de trozos de capa de carbón del escudo térmico de la nave espacial durante Artemis I concluya esta primavera boreal. Los equipos técnicos han adoptado un enfoque metódico para entender el problema, que incluye un amplio muestreo del escudo térmico, pruebas y revisión de los datos de los sensores y las imágenes. El nuevo calendario para Artemis III se alinea con el calendario actualizado para Artemis II, garantiza que la agencia pueda incorporar las lecciones aprendidas de Artemis II en la próxima misión y reconoce los retos de desarrollo que han experimentado los socios industriales de la NASA. Dado que cada misión Artemis tripulada aumenta la complejidad y añade pruebas de vuelo para nuevos sistemas, el calendario ajustado proporcionará a los proveedores que desarrollan nuevas capacidades (SpaceX para el sistema de aterrizaje humano y Axiom Space para los trajes espaciales de nueva generación) tiempo adicional para las pruebas y cualquier refinamiento antes de la misión. “Estamos dejando que el hardware nos dé información para que la seguridad de la tripulación guíe nuestra toma de decisiones. Utilizaremos la prueba de vuelo de Artemis II, y cada uno de los vuelos siguientes, para reducir el riesgo de futuras misiones a la Luna”, declaró Catherine Koerner, administradora asociada de la Dirección de Misiones de Desarrollo de Sistemas de Exploración de la sede central de la NASA en Washington. “Estamos resolviendo los retos asociados con las capacidades y operaciones nuevas, y estamos más cerca que nunca de establecer una exploración sostenida del vecino más cercano de la Tierra mediante Artemis”. Además de las actualizaciones del calendario para Artemis II y III, la NASA está reexaminando el calendario para el lanzamiento de los primeros elementos integrados de Gateway, previsto anteriormente para octubre de 2025, con el fin de proporcionar tiempo de desarrollo adicional y alinear mejor ese lanzamiento con la misión Artemis IV en 2028. La NASA también ha comunicado que ha pedido a los dos proveedores del sistema de aterrizaje para seres humanos de Artemis (SpaceX y Blue Origin) que, como parte de sus contratos actuales, empiecen a aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos en el desarrollo de sus sistemas a futuras variaciones para poder transportar grandes cargamentos en misiones posteriores. “Artemis es una campaña de exploración a largo plazo para llevar a cabo actividades científicas en la Luna con astronautas y preparar futuras misiones tripuladas a Marte. Eso significa que debemos hacerlo bien a medida que desarrollamos y lanzamos nuestros sistemas fundamentales para que podamos llevar a cabo estas misiones con seguridad”, dijo Amit Kshatriya, administrador adjunto de Desarrollo de Sistemas de Exploración, y gerente de la Oficina del Programa de la Luna a Marte de la NASA en la sede de la agencia. “La seguridad de la tripulación es y seguirá siendo nuestra prioridad número uno”. Los dirigentes de la NASA hicieron hincapié en la importancia de que todos los socios cumplan los plazos para que la agencia pueda maximizar los objetivos de vuelo con el hardware disponible en cada misión. La NASA evalúa periódicamente el progreso y los plazos como parte de la planificación programática integrada para garantizar que la agencia y sus socios puedan cumplir con éxito sus objetivos de exploración de la Luna a Marte. Mediante Artemis, la NASA explorará la Luna más que nunca, aprenderá a vivir y trabajar lejos de nuestro hogar y se preparará para la futura exploración con seres humanos del planeta rojo. El cohete Sistema de Lanzamiento Espacial de la NASA, los sistemas terrestres de exploración y la nave Orion, junto con el sistema de aterrizaje para humanos, los trajes espaciales de nueva generación, la estación espacial lunar Gateway y los futuros vehículos exploradores son la base de la NASA para la exploración del espacio profundo. Para más información sobre Artemis (en inglés), visita: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis -fin- Kathryn Hambleton / Rachel Kraft Sede, Washington 202-358-1100 / 202-365-7575 kathryn.hambleton@nasa.gov / rachel.h.kraft@nasa.go Share Details Last Updated Jan 09, 2024 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsArtemisArtemis 1Artemis 2Artemis 3Artemis 4Human Landing System ProgramMissionsSpace Launch System (SLS) View the full article

5 Min Read NASA’s X-59 Rollout Embodies Aeronautical Tradition Artist concept of the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft. The centerpiece of NASA's Quesst mission, the agency and Lockheed Martin will formally unveil the aircraft to the public on Friday, Jan. 12. Credits: NASA Lee esta historia en español aquí. NASA’s X-59 aircraft is heading out of the hangar – preparing to embark on the first phase of its mission to fly faster than the speed of sound without generating a loud sonic boom. Leadership from NASA and prime contractor Lockheed Martin will officially unveil the fully completed and freshly painted X-59 to the world during a rollout ceremony Friday, Jan. 12 at 4 p.m., EST. NASA TV will broadcast the event live from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, where the aircraft was assembled. “This is the big reveal,” said Catherine Bahm, manager of NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project, who is overseeing the development and build of the X-59. “The rollout is a huge milestone toward achieving the overarching goal of the Quesst mission to quiet the sonic boom.” Quesst is NASA’s mission through which the X-59 will demonstrate its quiet supersonic capabilities. NASA will fly the aircraft over selected U.S. communities and then survey what people on the ground hear when it flies overhead. The agency will share data on these reactions to the quieter sonic “thumps” with regulators, who could then consider rules that currently ban commercial supersonic flight over land because of noise concerns. Watch this two-minute video to experience a visual overview of NASA’s Quesst mission featuring the X-59 experimental aircraft. Tradition of Rollout So, what is an aircraft rollout? And why is it significant to NASA, industry stakeholders, and the team of aeronautical innovators who built the X-59? Conceiving, designing, building, and testing a new airplane takes years of meticulous, highly detailed work. Every new design helps innovate a new way to fly – especially in the case of X-planes, whose very mission is to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Unveiling the X-59 to the world represents not just the aircraft’s technical achievements, but also the future of flight, and the spirit of aeronautics research itself. For the team, some of whom have worked on the aircraft since the first component was created, the reveal of the X-59 will be a very special moment. CATHERINE BAHM NASA Project Manager In the past, aircraft and spacecraft built for and used by NASA have had rollout ceremonies ranging in scope and meaning. In 1959, for example, the first X-15 rocket-powered aircraft rolled out to great fanfare to an audience including project leadership, the aircraft’s pilots, and then-Vice President Richard Nixon. The aircraft represented the future of winged spaceflight and hypersonic flight. It went on to carry American pilots into space onboard a winged vehicle for the first time, as well as set the record for the fastest speed a human has travelled on an airplane, which still stands to this day. Crowds gather on Oct. 15, 1958, to admire the first X-15 rocket plane after its rollout from the North American Aviation plant in Los Angeles. One of NASA’s most historic aircraft, it flew 199 missions between 1959 and 1968 during a program that included NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy. Another famous NASA rollout is that of space shuttle Enterprise in 1976 with the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series, and the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, in attendance. The Enterprise, so named for the fictional starship of the 1960s television series, proved the shuttle orbiter could descend and land like an airplane following reentry from space. The vehicle paved the way for the Space Shuttle Program to proceed with spaceflight. NASA officials and representatives from the TV show Star Trek, including creator Gene Roddenberry, were on hand for Enterprise’s rollout from its Rockwell factory in Palmdale, California, on Sept. 17, 1976.NASA Culmination of Efforts In the case of the X-59, the rollout ceremony provides a glimpse of a potential new era of high-speed commercial flight over land – a quiet one. Fifty years ago, the United States prohibited commercial supersonic flight over land because of concerns about the noise generated by sonic booms. Today, however, Quesst’s technology could reduce this noise dramatically. The mission aims to gather data from the X-59 that could help regulators adjust the ban, basing revised rules on noise levels instead of speed. “The idea of lifting the ban on supersonic flight over land is really exciting,” Bahm said. “And that’s the future the X-59 could enable.” The rollout also represents something closer to the ground – the achievement of the hardworking, dedicated team who took the aircraft from imagination to reality. For them, the rollout celebrates the weeks, months, and years spent developing and building the X-59. Watch this 57-second time-lapse video of the X-59’s assembly as it happened between May of 2019 and June of 2021 inside Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works factory in Palmdale, California. “For the team, some of whom have worked on the aircraft since the first component was created, the reveal of the X-59 will be a very special moment.” Bahm said. “The innovative design of the X-59 leverages decades of work for NASA. We are sharing this achievement with all those who made this possible.” With assembly complete, NASA’s mission to quiet the boom reaches a new chapter. Though there’s still a ways to go, the potential future for commercial supersonic travel is closer than it was before. The Quesst mission team will now continue ground testing before first flight later this year. “Rollout is a major accomplishment, but it also means the next milestone is first flight, and then supersonic flights after that,” Bahm said. “Our eyes are on the mission.” A memorable rollout ceremony in aviation history took place on Sept. 30, 1968, when the first Boeing 747 made its public debut at the company’s Everett assembly plant near Seattle. To commemorate the event, flight attendants representing each of the 26 airlines who had purchased a 747 attended the ceremony.Boeing About the AuthorJohn GouldAeronautics Research Misson Directorate Read More Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 4 min read NASA Armstrong Builds Model Wing to Help Advance Unique Design Article 1 day ago 2 min read NASA Invites You to X-59 Rollout Watch Party Article 6 days ago 3 min read NASA Flies Drones Autonomously for Air Taxi Research Researchers at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia recently flew multiple drones beyond visual… Article 3 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Aeronautics STEM Science Missions NASA History Aircraft Flown at Armstrong Share Details Last Updated Jan 09, 2024 EditorJim BankeContactMatt Kamletmatthew.r.kamlet@nasa.govSasha Ellissasha.c.ellis@nasa.govKristen Hatfieldkristen.m.hatfield@nasa.govLocationArmstrong Flight Research Center Related TermsAeronauticsAeronautics Research Mission DirectorateCommercial Supersonic TechnologyLow Boom Flight DemonstratorQuesst (X-59)Quesst: The VehicleSupersonic Flight View the full article

6 Min Read La presentación del X-59 de la NASA personifica la tradición aeronáutica Concepto artístico del silencioso avión supersónico X-59. La pieza central de la misión Questt de la NASA, la agencia y Lockheed Martin presentarán oficialmente al mundo el totalmente terminado y recientemente pintado avion X-59, durante una ceremonia que tendrá lugar el viernes 12 de enero a las 4 de la tarde, hora del Este. Credits: NASA Lee esta historia en inglés aquí. El avión X-59 de la NASA está saliendo del hangar–preparándose para embarcarse en la primera fase de su misión de volar más rápido que la velocidad del sonido sin generar un fuerte estampido sónico. Los directivos de la NASA y el contratista principal Lockheed Martin, presentarán oficialmente al mundo el totalmente terminado y recientemente pintado avion X-59, durante una ceremonia que tendrá lugar el viernes 12 de enero a las 4 de la tarde, hora del Este. Este evento será transmitido en directo por NASA TV desde las instalaciones Skunk Works de Lockheed Martin en Palmdale, California, donde este avión fue ensamblado. “Esta es la gran revelación”, declaró Catherine Bahm, directora del proyecto Low Boom Flight Demonstrator de la NASA, que supervisa el desarrollo y la construcción del X-59. “La presentación es un gran logro hacia el objetivo general de la misión Quesst de reducir el estampido sónico”. Quesst es la misión de la NASA a través de la cual el X-59 demostrará sus capacidades supersónicas silenciosas. La NASA volará la aeronave sobre comunidades estadounidenses seleccionadas y después estudiará lo que la gente sobre tierra firme escucha. La agencia compartirá la información de estas reacciones a los “golpes” sónicos más silenciosos con los organismos reguladores, que podrían considerar las normas que actualmente prohíben los vuelos supersónicos comerciales sobre tierra firme por motivos de ruido. Tradición de la presentación ¿Qué es la presentación de una aeronave? ¿Y por qué es importante para la NASA, el sector industrial y el equipo de innovadores en la aeronáutica que construyeron el X-59? Concebir, diseñar, construír y probar una nueva aeronave conlleva años de trabajo detallado y meticuloso. Cada diseño nuevo contribuye a innovar una nueva forma de volar– especialmente en el caso de los X-Planes, que tienen la misión de continuar sobrepasando los límites de lo posible. La presentación del X-59 al mundo no solamente representa los logros técnicos del avión, sino también el futuro del vuelo y el espíritu de la investigación en la aeronáutica. Para el equipo, algunos de los cuales han trabajado en el avión desde que se creó el primer componente, la presentación del X-59 será un momento muy especial. CATHERINE BAHM NASA Project Manager En el pasado, las aeronaves y naves espaciales construidas y utilizadas por la NASA han tenido ceremonias de presentación de diverso alcance y significado. Por ejemplo, en 1959, el X-15, que fue el primer avión propulsado por cohete, despegó ante una audiencia que incluía a los líderes del proyecto, los pilotos de la aeronave y al Vice presidente Richard Nixon. El avión representaba el futuro de los vuelos espaciales hipersónicos y con alas. Llevó por primera vez a pilotos estadounidenses al espacio a bordo de un vehículo con alas y estableció el récord de velocidad más rápida alcanzada por un humano en un avión, récord que sigue vigente hoy en día. Multitudes se reúnen el 15 de octubre de 1958 para admirar el primer avión cohete X-15 después de su lanzamiento desde la planta de North American Aviation en Los Ángeles. Uno de los aviones más históricos de la NASA, voló 199 misiones entre 1959 y 1968 durante un programa que incluía a la NASA, la Fuerza Aérea de los EE. UU. y la Marina de los EE. UU. Otra presentación famosa de la NASA fue el del transbordador espacial Enterprise en 1976, con la presencia del reparto de Star Trek: la serie original y del creador de la serie, Gene Roddenberry. El Enterprise, llamado así por la nave ficticia de la serie de televisión de los años 60, demostró que el transbordador orbital podía descender y aterrizar como un avión tras su reentrada del espacio. El vehículo marcó el camino para que el Programa del Transbordador Espacial continuara con los vuelos espaciales. Funcionarios de la NASA y representantes del programa de televisión Star Trek, incluido el creador Gene Roddenberry, estuvieron presentes en el lanzamiento de Enterprise desde su fábrica de Rockwell en Palmdale, California, el 17 de septiembre de 1976.NASA Culminación de los esfuerzos En el caso del X-59, la ceremonia de presentación permite vislumbrar una posible nueva era de vuelos comerciales de alta velocidad y silenciosos sobre tierra. Hace cincuenta años, Estados Unidos prohibió los vuelos supersónicos comerciales sobre tierra debido a la preocupación por el ruido generado por los estampidos sónicos. Sin embargo hoy en día la tecnología de Quesst podría reducir drásticamente este ruido. El objetivo de la misión es recopilar datos del X-59 que podrían ayudar a los reguladores a ajustar la prohibición, considerando los niveles de ruido en lugar de la velocidad. “La idea de levantar la prohibición de los vuelos supersónicos sobre tierra firme es realmente emocionante”, comenta Bahm. “Y ése es el futuro que podría habilitar el X-59”. Mire este lapso de tiempo del ensamblaje del X-59 tal como ocurrió entre mayo de 2019 y junio de 2021 dentro de la fábrica Skunk Works de Lockheed Martin en Palmdale, California. El lanzamiento también representa algo más cercano al suelo–el logro del equipo trabajador y dedicado que llevó el avión de la imaginación a la realidad. Para ellos, el lanzamiento celebra las semanas, meses y años dedicados al desarrollo y construcción del X-59. “Para el equipo, algunos de los cuales han trabajado en el avión desde que se creó el primer componente, la presentación del X-59 será un momento muy especial.”comentó Bahm. “El diseño innovador del X-59 aprovecha décadas de trabajo para la NASA. Compartimos este logro con todos los que lo han hecho posible”. Una vez completado el ensamblaje, la misión de la NASA de silenciar el estampido sónico alcanzará un nuevo capítulo. Aunque todavía queda camino por recorrer, el futuro potencial de los viajes supersónicos comerciales está más cerca que antes. El equipo de la misión Quesst continuará ahora las pruebas en tierra firme antes del primer vuelo a finales de este año. “El lanzamiento es un gran logro, pero también significa que el siguiente logro es el primer vuelo, y después los vuelos supersónicos”, comentó Bahm. “Nuestros ojos están puestos en la misión”. El 30 de septiembre de 1968 tuvo lugar una ceremonia de lanzamiento memorable en la historia de la aviación, cuando el primer Boeing 747 hizo su debut público en la planta de ensamblaje de la compañía en Everett, cerca de Seattle. Para conmemorar el evento, asistieron a la ceremonia azafatas en representación de cada una de las 26 aerolíneas que habían comprado un avión 747.Boeing Artículo Traducido por: Elena Aguirre y Monica Uribe About the AuthorJohn GouldAeronautics Research Misson Directorate Read More Share Details Last Updated Jan 09, 2024 EditorLillian GipsonContactKristen Hatfieldkristen.m.hatfield@nasa.govMatt Kamletmatthew.r.kamlet@nasa.govSasha Ellissasha.c.ellis@nasa.govJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsNASA en españolAeronáutica Explore More 2 min read Las leyendas de los pilotos de pruebas de la NASA se reúnen Article 4 days ago 3 min read La NASA anticipa el primer vuelo del avión experimental X-59 para 2024 Article 6 days ago 4 min read La movilidad aérea avanzada hace que los viajes sean más accesibles Article 3 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Aeronautics STEM Science Missions NASA History Aircraft Flown at Armstrong View the full article

Artemis: Onward to the Moon

X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScl; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScl/Milisavljevic et al., NASA/JPL/CalTech; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt and K. Arcand For the first time, astronomers have combined data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and James Webb Space Telescope to study the well-known supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). This work has helped explain an unusual structure in the debris from the destroyed star called the “Green Monster,” because of its resemblance to the wall in the left field of Fenway Park. By combining the Webb data with X-rays from Chandra, researchers have concluded that the Green Monster was created by a blast wave from the exploded star slamming into material surrounding it. Detailed analysis found that filaments in the outer part of Cas A, from the blast wave, closely matched the X-ray properties of the Green Monster, including less iron and silicon than in the supernova debris. This interpretation is apparent from the color Chandra image, which shows that the colors inside the Green Monster’s outline best match with the colors of the blast wave rather than the debris with iron and silicon. Learn more about the Green Monster. View the full article

Artemis II crew members (from left) CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman walk out of Astronaut Crew Quarters inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to the Artemis crew transportation vehicles prior to traveling to Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 20, to test the crew timeline for launch day.NASA NASA announced Tuesday updates to its Artemis campaign that will establish the foundation for long-term scientific exploration at the Moon, land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface, and prepare for human expeditions to Mars for the benefit of all. To safely carry out these missions, agency leaders are adjusting the schedules for Artemis II and Artemis III to allow teams to work through challenges associated with first-time developments, operations, and integration. NASA will now target September 2025 for Artemis II, the first crewed Artemis mission around the Moon, and September 2026 for Artemis III, which is planned to land the first astronauts near the lunar South Pole. Artemis IV, the first mission to the Gateway lunar space station, remains on track for 2028. “We are returning to the Moon in a way we never have before, and the safety of our astronauts is NASA’s top priority as we prepare for future Artemis missions,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “We’ve learned a lot since Artemis I, and the success of these early missions rely on our commercial and international partnerships to further our reach and understanding of humanity’s place in our solar system. Artemis represents what we can accomplish as a nation – and as a global coalition. When we set our sights on what is hard, together, we can achieve what is great.” Ensuring crew safety is the primary driver for the Artemis II schedule changes. As the first Artemis flight test with crew aboard the Orion spacecraft, the mission will test critical environmental control and life support systems required to support astronauts. NASA’s testing to qualify components to keep the crew safe and ensure mission success has uncovered issues that require additional time to resolve. Teams are troubleshooting a battery issue and addressing challenges with a circuitry component responsible for air ventilation and temperature control. NASA’s investigation into unexpected loss of char layer pieces from the spacecraft’s heat shield during Artemis I is expected to conclude this spring. Teams have taken a methodical approach to understand the issue, including extensive sampling of the heat shield, testing, and review of data from sensors and imagery. The new timeline for Artemis III aligns with the updated schedule for Artemis II, ensures the agency can incorporate lessons learned from Artemis II into the next mission, and acknowledges development challenges experienced by NASA’s industry partners. As each crewed Artemis mission increases complexity and adds flight tests for new systems, the adjusted schedule will give the providers developing new capabilities – SpaceX for the human landing system and Axiom Space for the next-generation spacesuits – additional time for testing and any refinements ahead of the mission. “We are letting the hardware talk to us so that crew safety drives our decision-making. We will use the Artemis II flight test, and each flight that follows, to reduce risk for future Moon missions,” said Catherine Koerner, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We are resolving challenges associated with first-time capabilities and operations, and we are closer than ever to establishing sustained exploration of Earth’s nearest neighbor under Artemis.” In addition to the schedule updates for Artemis II and III, NASA is reviewing the schedule for launching the first integrated elements of Gateway, previously planned for October 2025, to provide additional development time and better align that launch with the Artemis IV mission in 2028. NASA also shared that it has asked both Artemis human landing system providers – SpaceX and Blue Origin – to begin applying knowledge gained in developing their systems as part of their existing contracts toward future variations to potentially deliver large cargo on later missions. “Artemis is a long-term exploration campaign to conduct science at the Moon with astronauts and prepare for future human missions to Mars. That means we must get it right as we develop and fly our foundational systems so that we can safely carry out these missions,” said Amit Kshatriya, deputy associate administrator of Exploration Systems Development, and manager of NASA’s Moon to Mars Program Office at headquarters. “Crew safety is and will remain our number one priority.” NASA leaders emphasized the importance of all partners delivering on time so the agency can maximize the flight objectives with available hardware on a given mission. NASA regularly assesses progress and timelines and as a part of integrated programmatic planning to ensure the agency and its partners can successfully accomplish its Moon to Mars exploration goals. With Artemis, NASA will explore more of the Moon than ever before, learn how to live and work away from home, and prepare for future human exploration of the Red Planet. NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, exploration ground systems, and Orion spacecraft, along with the human landing system, next-generation spacesuits, Gateway lunar space station, and future rovers are NASA’s foundation for deep space exploration. For more information about Artemis, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis -end- Kathryn Hambleton / Rachel Kraft Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 / 202-365-7575 kathryn.hambleton@nasa.gov / rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov Share Details Last Updated Jan 09, 2024 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsArtemisArtemis 2Missions View the full article

6 Min Read NASA’s Webb Finds Signs of Possible Aurorae on Isolated Brown Dwarf Artist's concept portrays the brown dwarf W1935. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and L. Hustak (STScI) Infrared emission from methane suggests atmospheric heating by auroral processes. Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have found a brown dwarf (an object more massive than Jupiter but smaller than a star) with infrared emission from methane, likely due to energy in its upper atmosphere. This is an unexpected discovery because the brown dwarf, W1935, is cold and lacks a host star; therefore, there is no obvious source for the upper atmosphere energy. The team speculates that the methane emission may be due to processes generating aurorae. These findings are being presented at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans. To help explain the mystery of the infrared emission from methane, the team turned to our solar system. Methane in emission is a common feature in gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. The upper-atmosphere heating that powers this emission is linked to aurorae. Image: Artist Concept Brown Dwarf W1935 This artist concept portrays the brown dwarf W1935, which is located 47 light-years from Earth. Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope found infrared emission from methane coming from W1935. This is an unexpected discovery because the brown dwarf is cold and lacks a host star; therefore, there is no obvious source of energy to heat its upper atmosphere and make the methane glow. The team speculates that the methane emission may be due to processes generating aurorae, shown here in red.NASA, ESA, CSA, and L. Hustak (STScI) On Earth, aurorae are created when energetic particles blown into space from the Sun are captured by Earth’s magnetic field. They cascade down into our atmosphere along magnetic field lines near Earth’s poles, colliding with gas molecules and creating eerie, dancing curtains of light. Jupiter and Saturn have similar auroral processes that involve interacting with the solar wind, but they also get auroral contributions from nearby active moons like Io (for Jupiter) and Enceladus (for Saturn). For isolated brown dwarfs like W1935, the absence of a stellar wind to contribute to the auroral process and explain the extra energy in the upper atmosphere required for the methane emission is a mystery. The team surmises that either unaccounted internal processes like the atmospheric phenomena of Jupiter and Saturn, or external interactions with either interstellar plasma or a nearby active moon, may help account for the emission. A Detective Story The aurorae’s discovery played out like a detective story. A team led by Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, was awarded time with the Webb telescope to investigate 12 cold brown dwarfs. Among those were W1935 – an object that was discovered by citizen scientist Dan Caselden, who worked with the Backyard Worlds zooniverse project – and W2220, an object that was discovered using NASA’s Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer. Webb revealed in exquisite detail that W1935 and W2220 appeared to be near clones of each other in composition. They also shared similar brightness, temperatures, and spectral features of water, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The striking exception was that W1935 showed emission from methane, as opposed to the anticipated absorption feature that was observed toward W2220. This was seen at a distinct infrared wavelength to which Webb is uniquely sensitive. “We expected to see methane because methane is all over these brown dwarfs. But instead of absorbing light, we saw just the opposite: The methane was glowing. My first thought was, what the heck? Why is methane emission coming out of this object?” said Faherty. The team used computer models to infer what might be behind the emission. The modeling work showed that W2220 had an expected distribution of energy throughout the atmosphere, getting cooler with increasing altitude. W1935, on the other hand, had a surprising result. The best model favored a temperature inversion, where the atmosphere got warmer with increasing altitude. “This temperature inversion is really puzzling,” said Ben Burningham, a co-author from the University of Hertfordshire in England and lead modeler on the work. “We have seen this kind of phenomenon in planets with a nearby star that can heat the stratosphere, but seeing it in an object with no obvious external heat source is wild.” Image: Spectra W1935 vs W2220 Astronomers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to study 12 cold brown dwarfs. Two of them – W1935 and W2220 – appeared to be near twins of each other in composition, brightness, and temperature. However, W1935 showed emission from methane, as opposed to the anticipated absorption feature that was observed toward W2220. The team speculates that the methane emission may be due to processes generating aurorae.NASA, ESA, CSA, and L. Hustak (STScI) Clues from our Solar System For clues, the team looked in our own backyard, to the planets of our solar system. The gas giant planets can serve as proxies for what is seen going on more than 40 light-years away in the atmosphere of W1935. The team realized that temperature inversions are prominent in planets like Jupiter and Saturn. There is still ongoing work to understand the causes of their stratospheric heating, but leading theories for the solar system involve external heating by aurorae and internal energy transport from deeper in the atmosphere (with the former a leading explanation). Brown Dwarf Aurora Candidates in Context This is not the first time an aurora has been used to explain a brown dwarf observation. Astronomers have detected radio emission coming from several warmer brown dwarfs and invoked aurorae as the most likely explanation. Searches were conducted with ground-based telescopes like the Keck Observatory for infrared signatures from these radio-emitting brown dwarfs to further characterize the phenomenon, but were inconclusive. W1935 is the first auroral candidate outside the solar system with the signature of methane emission. It’s also the coldest auroral candidate outside our solar system, with an effective temperature of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius), about 600 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than Jupiter. In our solar system the solar wind is a primary contributor to auroral processes, with active moons like Io and Enceladus playing a role for planets like Jupiter and Saturn, respectively. W1935 lacks a companion star entirely, so a stellar wind cannot contribute to the phenomenon. It is yet to be seen whether an active moon might play a role in the methane emission on W1935. “With W1935, we now have a spectacular extension of a solar system phenomenon without any stellar irradiation to help in the explanation.” Faherty noted. “With Webb, we can really ‘open the hood’ on the chemistry and unpack how similar or different the auroral process may be beyond our solar system,” she added. The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency. Want to help discover a new world? Want to help discover a new world? Join the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 citizen science project and search the realm beyond Neptune for new brown dwarfs and planets. Or try NASA’s new Burst Chaser citizen science project, which launched Jan. 9. Downloads Download full resolution images for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute. Right click the images in this article to open a larger version in a new tab/window. Media Contacts Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.gov, Rob Gutro– rob.gutro@nasa.gov NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, , Greenbelt, Md. Christine Pulliam – cpulliam@stsci.edu Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md. Related Information Brown Dwarfs More Webb News – https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/latestnews/ More Webb Images – https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/multimedia/images/ Webb Mission Page – https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/ Related For Kids What is the Webb Telescope? SpacePlace for Kids En Español Ciencia de la NASA NASA en español Space Place para niños Keep Exploring Related Topics James Webb Space Telescope Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the… Stars Overview Stars are giant balls of hot gas – mostly hydrogen, with some helium and small amounts of other elements.… Planets Our solar system has eight planets, and five dwarf planets – all located in an outer spiral arm of the… Our Solar System Overview Our planetary system is located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy. We call it the… Share Details Last Updated Jan 09, 2024 Related TermsJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST)AurorasBrown DwarfsGoddard Space Flight CenterHeliophysicsScience & ResearchStarsThe Universe View the full article