Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:

** ISS 2030: NASA Extends Operations of the International Space Station – NASA

NASA announced the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to extend International Space Station (ISS) operations through 2030. Over the past two decades, the United States has maintained a continuous human presence in orbit around the Earth to test technologies, conduct scientific research, and develop skills needed to explore farther than ever before. The unique microgravity laboratory has hosted more than 3,000 research investigations from over 4,200 researchers across the world and is returning enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit people on Earth. Nearly 110 countries and areas have participated in activities aboard the station, including more than 1,500,000 students per year in STEM activities. Extending operations through 2030 will continue another productive decade of research advancement and enable a seamless transition of capabilities in low-Earth orbit to one or more commercially owned and operated destinations in the late 2020s.  Learn more here: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2...

** Astrobee robots in 360° | Cosmic Kiss – European Space Agency, ESA on Youtube

Join ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer inside Kibo, the Japanese laboratory module of the International Space Station in 360°, setting up Astrobee robotic free-flyers for the ReSWARM experiment. Short for RElative Satellite sWArming and Robotic Maneuvering, this robotics demonstration tests autonomous microgravity motion planning and control for on-orbit assembly and coordinated motion. This investigation aims to test coordination between multiple robots, robots and cargo, and robots and their operating environment as developers envision the future of autonomous robot operations in space. Matthias was launched to the International Space Station on Crew Dragon Endurance as part of Crew-3 at 02:03 GMT/03:03 CET Thursday 11 November 2021. His ESA mission on board is known as Cosmic Kiss and will see him live and work for approximately six months in orbit. Follow Matthias: https://bit.ly/ESACosmicKiss

** Chinese astronauts manually dock spacecraft for first time at space station – VideoFromSpace

Shenzhou-13 astronauts completed a manual rendezvous and docking test with the Tianzhou-2 spacecraft on January 8, 2022.

** Teleoperated Docking Test of Space Station, Cargo Craft Lays Foundation for Unmanned Docking: Expert – CCTV Video News Agency

China verified the effectiveness and reliability of its emergency plan for unmanned laboratory module docking during the future construction process of its space station through the successful manual rendezvous and docking experiment between the core module Tianhe and the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft.

** The Chinese Space Station Tests Module Transfer Capability, A Startup is Developing Laser Comms Tech – Dongfang Hour

** ISS Live video stream – IBM/ISS HD Earth Viewing Experiment

Currently, live views from the ISS are streaming from an external camera mounted on the ISS module called Node 2. Node 2 is located on the forward part of the ISS. The camera is looking forward at an angle so that the International Docking Adapter 2 (IDA2) is visible. If the Node 2 camera is not available due to operational considerations for a longer period of time, a continuous loop of recorded HDEV imagery will be displayed. The loop will have “Previously Recorded” on the image to distinguish it from the live stream from the Node 2 camera. After HDEV stopped sending any data on July 18, 2019, it was declared, on August 22, 2019, to have reached its end of life. Thank You to all who shared in experiencing and using the HDEV views of Earth from the ISS to make HDEV so much more than a Technology Demonstration Payload!

** See also:

• NASA Sets Coverage for Russian Spacewalk Outside Space Station | NASA
• NASA TV to Air SpaceX Cargo Dragon Departure from Space Station | NASA
• NASA Invites Media to Northrop Grumman’s February Launch from Virginia | NASA
• New images of the International Space Station reveal that it is still a jewel | Ars Technica
• Washington Students to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Space Station | NASA
• ISS orbit raised ahead of launch of Russian manned spacecraft later this year – TASS
• Other ISS partners start planning for extension to 2030 – SpaceNews
• Expedition 66 concludes 2021 with busy December aboard ISS – NASASpaceFlight.com

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Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station

Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:

** Expedition 66 Astronaut Kayla Barron Talks with Spokesman-Review Newspaper – Jan. 5, 2022 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA Expedition 66 Flight Engineer Kayla Barron discussed living and working in space during an in-flight interview January 5 with the Washington Spokesman Review, a daily newspaper based in Spokane, Washington. Barron is in the midst of a long-duration science mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

** Expedition 66 PAO Grant Larson Productions- January 5, 2022 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA Expedition 66 Flight Engineers Mark Vande Hei and Raja Chari discussed living and working in space during an in-flight interview January 5 with Grant Larson Productions to be used for educational content for K-12 students. Vande Hei and Chari are in the midst of long-duration science missions living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

** China space station’s robotic arm relocates cargo spacecraft in successful trial – CCTV Video News Agency

The robotic arm attached to China space station successfully caught and relocated the Tianzhou-2 cargo ship in a test on Thursday, China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) said. It’s the first such maneuver of the 10-meter-long robotic arm, which can lift objects weighing up to 20 tonnes.

See also China completes in-orbit spacecraft transposition test with space station’s robotic arm – Xinhua

** ISS Live video stream – IBM/ISS HD Earth Viewing Experiment

Currently, live views from the ISS are streaming from an external camera mounted on the ISS module called Node 2. Node 2 is located on the forward part of the ISS. The camera is looking forward at an angle so that the International Docking Adapter 2 (IDA2) is visible. If the Node 2 camera is not available due to operational considerations for a longer period of time, a continuous loop of recorded HDEV imagery will be displayed. The loop will have “Previously Recorded” on the image to distinguish it from the live stream from the Node 2 camera. After HDEV stopped sending any data on July 18, 2019, it was declared, on August 22, 2019, to have reached its end of life. Thank You to all who shared in experiencing and using the HDEV views of Earth from the ISS to make HDEV so much more than a Technology Demonstration Payload!

====

=== Amazon Ads ===

LEGO Ideas International Space Station Building Kit,
Adult Set for Display,
Makes a Great Birthday Present
(864 Pieces)

====

Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station