Confined Combustion: The crew continued the experiment, using a series of fabric (Sibal) samples with either no baffles, shiny/reflective baffles, or clear baffles installed at various distances from the samples. Sibal fabric is a mixture of fiberglass and cotton which keeps its basic shape as it burns. Seven total samples/ignitions were completed today. The baffles …
Crew Ready for Spacewalk While Working Earth and Fire Research
The first of three spacewalks planned for January begins Wednesday to continue upgrading International Space Station power systems and a cosmic ray detector. While the spacewalkers ready their suits and tools, the rest of the Expedition 61 crew is on science and maintenance duty today. NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir is partnering for a second …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/13/2020
Confined Combustion: The crew continued the experiment, including an ignition of a SIBAL sample with no baffles installed, and two ignitions with the silver baffles installed (3 total ignitions completed today). The baffles are used to change the airflow path and alter the radiated heat environment around the flame. This project aims to study flame …
Astronauts Eye Wednesday Spacewalk as Space Science Continues
The first spacewalk of 2020 is set for Wednesday and the Expedition 61 crew is finalizing spacesuit checks and procedure reviews. The residents aboard the International Space Station also had time set aside for more microgravity research today. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch are preparing to step outside into the vacuum of space …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/10/2020
Food Acceptability: This investigation seeks to determine the impact of repetitive consumption of food currently available from the spaceflight food system. Results will be used in developing strategies to improve food system composition to support crew health and performance on long duration missions. Today, the ISS crew completed the Questionnaire to provide feedback for this …
Eye Checks, Pain Studies and Spacesuit Checks Wrap up Workweek
The Expedition 61 crew is continuing more research today into how the human body adapts to living in microgravity. U.S. spacesuits aboard the International Space Station are also being readied for the first of three spacewalks planned to start Jan. 15. Eye checks were on the schedule Friday afternoon as astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina …
Smoky Australian Skies
As satellites track Australian wildfire smoke from above, GLOBE Observer citizen scientists have been keeping tabs on hazy skies from the ground.
Atlas V Rocket to Launch New Sun Mission Takes Shape at Cape Canaveral
The rocket that will launch a new spacecraft to study the Sun is beginning to take shape at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The first-stage booster for the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is "on stand," meaning it has been raised to a vertical position inside the complex's Vertical Integration Facility. In the coming days, the one solid rocket booster needed for the mission will be added to the booster, followed by the single-engine Centaur upper stage.
Crew Working Life Science, Looks Ahead to Upcoming Spacewalks
Human research and space biology filled the lab schedule aboard the International Space Station today. The Expedition 61 crewmembers are also ramping up for a trio of spacewalks set to begin next week. NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir and Commander Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) started Thursday collecting their blood samples. The duo …