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By European Space Agency
Video: 00:04:05 ESA’s Hera mission lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, on 7 October at 10:52 local time (16:52 CEST, 14:52 UTC).
Hera is ESA’s first planetary defence mission. It will fly to a unique target among the 1.3 million asteroids in our Solar System – the only body to have had its orbit shifted by human action – to solve lingering unknowns associated with its deflection.
Hera will carry out the first detailed survey of a ‘binary’ – or double-body – asteroid, 65803 Didymos, which is orbited by a smaller body, Dimorphos. Hera’s main focus will be Dimorphos, whose orbit around the main body was previously altered by NASA’s kinetic-impacting DART spacecraft.
By sharpening scientific understanding of this ‘kinetic impact’ technique of asteroid deflection, Hera should turn the experiment into a well-understood and repeatable technique for protecting Earth from an asteroid on a collision course.
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By European Space Agency
Video: 00:03:03 ESA’s Hera mission lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, on 7 October at 10:52 local time (16:52 CEST, 14:52 UTC).
Hera is ESA’s first planetary defence mission. It will fly to a unique target among the 1.3 million asteroids in our Solar System – the only body to have had its orbit shifted by human action – to solve lingering unknowns associated with its deflection.
Hera will carry out the first detailed survey of a ‘binary’ – or double-body – asteroid, 65803 Didymos, which is orbited by a smaller body, Dimorphos. Hera’s main focus will be Dimorphos, whose orbit around the main body was previously altered by NASA’s kinetic-impacting DART spacecraft.
By sharpening scientific understanding of this ‘kinetic impact’ technique of asteroid deflection, Hera should turn the experiment into a well-understood and repeatable technique for protecting Earth from an asteroid on a collision course.
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By NASA
5 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Two NASA employees, Howard Chang and Bradley Williams, were named as two of the “20 under 35 of 2024” by the Space and Satellite Professionals International. The award recognizes outstanding young professionals in the space industry.
Photos courtesy of Bradley Williams and Howard Chang The annual list of “20 Under 35” features 20 employees and entrepreneurs to keep your eye on in coming years. They were selected from nominations submitted by the membership and evaluated by the same panel of judges who name winners of the Promise Awards.
Howard Chang is an Assistant Chief Counsel at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Bradley (Brad) Williams is the Acting Associate Director for Flight, Heliophysics Division, NASA Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Washington.
“I’m honored to be named in this year’s cohort,” Chang said. “I saw how SSPI connects people across the space and satellite industry—across generations, countries, and even disciplines—to build up the space economy of the future. And I can’t express enough thanks to all my NASA colleagues for their support and kindness—especially Deputy Chief Counsel Amber Hufft for her time and mentorship this year.”
“It is an absolute honor to be recognized by SSPI on the 20 under 35 list of 2024,” said Williams. “I feel privileged to have benefitted from the opportunities I’ve had so far in my career. I want to thank the numerous mentors through the years who have provided me guidance and lessons learned and especially my colleagues and the leaders at NASA who have recognized my contributions and supported my growth potential as a leader.”
About Howard Chang
Howard Chang serves as the lead attorney for NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility’s commercial, nonprofit, and interagency partnerships in Wallops Island, Virginia. He also focuses on legal issues involving Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), small UAS, real property transactions, government contracts litigation and administration supporting NASA Goddard, and partnerships involving the Goddard Institute for Space Studies located at Columbia University, New York, NASA commended Chang with an individual merit award in recognition of his superior support to the Goddard Space Flight Center during his first six months.
In addition to his legal work, Chang contributes substantially to thought leadership in space law and policy. He has authored articles for The Federalist and the International Institute of Space Law on topics from the Apollo 8 mission to the travaux preparatoires of the Principles Declaration of 1963—the precursor to the Outer Space Treaty. He is a frequent speaker on matters of space law. He will be presenting at the 2024 International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy on the Wolf Amendment and the future of the International Space Station. In Milan, he will present in his capacity as an Advisor for the Georgetown University Space Initiative. He continues to serve as a guest lecturer on space policy for law schools and undergraduate space courses as well.
Chang previously worked at an international firm in its aerospace finance and space law practices, engaging in litigation, transactional, regulatory, and policy work for aerospace and space companies. In addition, he worked on white-collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations, congressional investigations, trial litigation, appellate litigation, and national security matters.
About Bradley Williams
Bradley Williams is the acting Associate Director for Flight Programs in the Heliophysics Division of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Washington where he oversees more than a dozen missions in operations and approximately another dozen missions in different stages of development.
Previously, Williams was a Program Executive in the Heliophysics Division where his assignments included IMAP, TRACERS, HelioSwarm, the Solar Cruiser solar sail technology project, and Senior Program Executive of the NASA Space Weather Program.
Before joining NASA, he was the Director of Civil Space Programs at Terran Orbital Corporation, where he led the spacecraft development for both commercial and NASA technology demonstration missions and assisted with the growth of the science mission portfolio.
Previously at the University of Arizona, he worked with faculty and research teams to identify proposal opportunities and develop spaceflight proposals. Williams was a vital member of the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) team. He also served as the Deputy Payload Manager on GUSTO, the first of its kind, balloon-borne observatory.
He has been recognized for his achievements being named a Via Satellite Rising Star in 2024 and has been awarded the Robert H. Goddard Engineering Team Award, NASA Group Achievement Award, and asteroid (129969) Bradwilliams named in his honor.
The “20 Under 35“ are honored each year at SSPI’s Future Leaders Dinner. At the Dinner, SSPI presents the three top-ranked members of the 20 Under 35 with a Promise Award, recognizing them as leaders of their year’s cohort, and honors the Mentor of the Year for fostering young talent, both within his or her organization and throughout the industry. The 2024 “20 Under 35” will be honored at the Future Leaders Celebration on October 21, 2024 during Silicon Valley Space Week.
Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
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Last Updated Oct 03, 2024 EditorJamie AdkinsContactRob Garnerrob.garner@nasa.gov Related Terms
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By NASA
6 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, and Jeanette Epps and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin are returning to Earth after months aboard the International Space Station conducting scientific experiments and technology demonstrations for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission. The four launched on March 3 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Here’s a look at some scientific milestones accomplished during their mission:
Revealing resistant microorganisms
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps extracts DNA for the Genomic Enumeration of Antibiotic Resistance in Space experiment, which surveys the station for antibiotic-resistant organisms and sequences their DNA to examine adaptations to space. Results could support development of measures to protect astronauts and people in buildings and facilities on Earth, such as hospitals, from resistant bacteria.
NASA Brain organoid models
NASA astronaut Mike Barratt processes samples for Human Brain Organoid Models for Neurodegenerative Disease & Drug Discovery. This investigation uses human brain organoids created with stem cells from patients to study neuroinflammation, a common feature of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. The organoids provide a platform to study these diseases and their treatments and to potentially address how extended spaceflight affects the brain.
NASA Bioprinting human tissues
Tissue samples bioprinted in microgravity are higher quality than those printed on the ground. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick processes cardiac tissue samples for the Redwire Cardiac Bioprinting Investigation. Results could advance the production of organs and tissues for transplant and improve 3D printing of foods and medicines on future long-duration space missions.
NASA Growing better drugs
NASA astronaut Mike Barratt works on Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory – 02, which uses the station’s Advanced Space Experiments Processor to study how microgravity affects the production of various types of protein crystals. The ability to produce better crystals could lead to manufacturing improvements and new applications and better performance for pharmaceutical compounds, potentially providing more positive patient experiences.
NASA Alloy solidification
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps works on Materials Science Lab Batch 3a, two projects investigating the solidification of metallic alloys in space. Insights gained could help improve alloy solidification processes on the ground, supporting the development of materials with superior chemical and physical properties for applications in space and on Earth.
NASA Fueling the flames
The Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction- Growth and Extinction Limit investigation determines how fuel temperature affects material flammability. This image shows the fuel surface during a burn (the black part of the sphere) and the distance traveled by the flame (blue). Results could improve researchers’ understanding of fire growth and inform the development of optimal fire suppression techniques to protect crews on future missions.
NASA Very long-distance calls
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps wraps up an ISS Ham Radio session on April 10, with students in Italy. The program connects students and enthusiasts with astronauts in space via amateur radio. Participants study space, radio waves, and related topics to prepare questions before their scheduled call.
NASA Student robotics competition
For Astrobee-Zero Robotics, students compete to have their code control one of the space station’s Astrobee robots. The experience helps inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. NASA astronaut Mike Barratt works with the Astrobee robot named Bumble during operations for the project.
NASA Immune function in space
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps prepares samples for Immunity Assay, a study of how spaceflight affects immune function. Previously, astronaut immune function could only be examined pre- and postflight, but a newly developed assay allows for testing during flight. This capability provides a more precise assessment of the immune changes that happen in space.
NASA Getting weighed in weightlessness
The Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device calculates a crew member’s mass based on Newton’s Second Law of Motion, which states force equals mass times acceleration. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick performs maintenance on the device, used in support of multiple NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) investigations on how spaceflight affects the body.
NASA Satellites for science
NASA astronaut Mike Barratt prepares for the Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer Mission 27on April 16. The mission deployed seven research satellites: a reflectometer to measure sea ice, tests of telemetry instruments and solar cells, a hyperspectral thermal imager, a gamma-ray burst detector, a new remote sensing technique, and a magnetic field measurement test.
NASA Remote-controlled robots
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps remotely manipulates a robot on the ground for Surface Avatar. The investigation tests system ergonomics, operator response to feedback, and the potential challenges for actual orbit-to-ground remote control. Such operation is an important capability for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA The power of photographs
NASA astronauts Mike Barratt, Matthew Dominick, and Loral O’Hara take photographs in the station’s cupola, adding to the more than 4.7 million images produced for Crew Earth Observations. These images support scientific studies on topics ranging from aquatic organisms and icebergs to the effects of artificial lighting at night and inform the response of decision-makers to natural disasters such as volcanoes and floods.
NASA Reflections on the Moon
For Earthshine from ISS, astronauts photograph the Moon throughout the lunar cycle to study changes in the light it reflects from Earth. Results could help validate the concept of observing Earth’s climate from satellite-borne instruments and add to researchers’ understanding of how the planet’s climate is changing.
NASA Packing a Dragon
NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick and Tracy C. Dyson pack frozen samples into the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for return to Earth and analysis by researchers. The spacecraft launched to the orbiting laboratory on March 21 for NASA’s SpaceX 30th commercial resupply services mission, carrying scientific experiments and supplies, and returned to Earth on April 30.
NASA Cygnus delivers
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft attached to the Canadarm2 robotic arm before being released from the space station on July 12. NASA’s Northrop Grumman 20th commercial resupply services mission arrived Feb. 1 with experiments on 3D printing, robotic surgery, tissue cartilage, and more.
NASA Melissa Gaskill
International Space Station Research Communications Team
NASA’s Johnson Space Center
Download high-resolution photos and videos of the research mentioned in this article. Search this database of scientific experiments to learn more about those mentioned in this article.
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