Bigelow Expandable Aerospace Module (BEAM) Inflation: The crew began inflation operations this morning. During the course of two hours, the crew slowly pressurized BEAM using ISS cabin air, but BEAM only moved ~5 inches compared to the expected 72 inches in displacement and increased from 12 inches compared to the expected ~34 inches of increase …
NASA and Bigelow Aerospace to Discuss BEAM Friday
NASA and Bigelow Aerospace are continuing to evaluate why the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) did not fully expand today as planned and will not attempt to complete the module’s expansion on Friday. Engineering teams will monitor the module overnight for structural changes that could result in either larger volume or lower internal pressure before …
A Satellite Scientist Visits the Ice
By Walt Meier Whenever I tell people that I’m a polar scientist or that I study sea ice, inevitably one of the first questions I’m asked is, “so, have you been to the ice?” I’ve always had to answer no. I’m a remote sensing scientist who works with satellite data. Other than a few aircraft […]
NAAMES-II Expedition: May 26, 2016
The Dark Side of Optics at Sea & The Development of Boat Brain The old adage of Murphy ’s Law states that: ‘If there is the opportunity for something to go wrong then it will inevitably happen’ Well for all Oceanographic engineers it’s obvious that Murphy spent a considerable amount of time trying to get […]
NAAMES-II Expedition: May 25, 2016
The Light Side of Optics Have you ever stopped to think about the color of the ocean? I mean, really stopped to think about why the ocean looks the way it does? If you’ve been to a variety of beaches, you’ve probably noticed that some waters are crystal blue, while others are emerald green, and […]
Newly Installed VAB Platform H will Provide Access to SLS Booster Segments
The Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida reached a new level of preparation for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. Platform H North was installed Tuesday in the iconic facility’s High Bay 3; its corresponding half, Platform H South, will be lowered into place today. Platform H will …
NASA and Bigelow Aerospace Analyzing BEAM Status
NASA and Bigelow Aerospace are working closely to understand why the module did not fully expand today as planned. Engineers are meeting at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to discuss a path forward for the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM). They are evaluating data from the expansion that has occurred thus far. If the …
BEAM Expansion Terminated for the Day
Efforts to expand the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) were terminated for the day after several hours of attempts to introduce air into the module. Flight controllers informed NASA astronaut Jeff Williams that BEAM had only expanded a few inches in both length and diameter at the time the operation ceased for the day. Engineers …
BEAM Expansion Being Evaluated
Teams on the ground are assessing data from the initial introduction of air into the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM). Operations will resume shortly. NASA Television coverage from Mission Control Center in Houston continues. Watch live: https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html For more information about BEAM, visit: www.nasa.gov/beam. For more information about the International Space Station, visit: www.nasa.gov/station.