Category Archives: Living in Space

Here is this week’s Space to Ground report from NASA on activities related to the International Space Station

Astronauts carried out another spacewalk today-

Outside the International Space Station, Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency conducted a spacewalk in U.S. spacesuits to upgrade the system for the 1A power channel of the orbital laboratory’s starboard 4 (S4) truss solar arrays. Moving adapter plates and batteries, Kimbrough completed the work to hook up electrical connections for the last three of six new lithium-ion batteries recently delivered to the station, and to move the last of the old nickel-hydrogen batteries that will be stored on the station. It was the second spacewalk in a week for Kimbrough and the fourth of his career, and the first for Pesquet in the refurbishment of two of the station’s eight power channels. On Jan. 6, Kimbrough and Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson of NASA conducted similar work for the 3A power channel of the station’s S4 solar arrays.

Living in Space, Space business

‘Space Cups’ designed for drinking in micro-g now available for purchase

January 11, 2017 TopSpacer

The new company Spaceware uses 3D printing to make terrestrial versions of the “space cup”, which astronaut Don Petit first created while on the International Space Station in 2008. Petit’s design takes advantage of surface tension to allow someone in weightless to drink from the rim of the cup rather than sucking the fluid with a straw going into an enclosed container: NASA-Approved Spaceware Space Cups Are Now Available to the Public | Digital Trends.

This video gives the story of the Space Cup:

These porcelain cups are made from 3D printed molds:

A one of a kind porcelain Space Cup that comes in a variety of colors. It’s food safe, durable, and true to the original space design minus a small base for operating in earthly gravity. The functional design is derived from fluid physics, yielding a unique, even artistic piece.

Note: These cups require some hand preparation and finishing so expect some slight variations in appearance.

And this “Flight Fidelity Space Cup” is 3D printed:

A real Flight Certified Space Coffee Cup. What does that mean? Well, it means that his is the original shape, material, and specifications that have been approved by NASA for flight aboard the International Space Station.

Keep in mind that this is not for everyday use and most definitely not dishwasher safe. Think of this as a bit of art, science, and space history all in one. The cup is 3D printed using the SLA process (UV light + a bath of special resin). So when you break it down it’s space, 3D printing, coffee, and fluid mechanics. Enjoy.

Living in Space, Space Systems, SpaceCasts

Videos: “Space to Ground” ISS report + Today’s spacewalk to install new batteries

January 6, 2017 TopSpacer

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

Today ISS Commander Shane Kimbrough and Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson made an EVA outside the station “to swap out nickel-hydrogen batteries on the station’s truss with new lithium-ion batteries”. The work involved installing

adapter plates on the truss and [hooking] up electrical cables as part of a complex robotics and spacewalk plan to shore up the station’s power supply for the future. It was the third spacewalk of Kimbrough’s career and the seventh for Whitson, who equaled the mark for most spacewalks by a woman previously set by NASA’s Suni Williams. Kimbrough will venture outside the station again on Jan. 13 with Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) to continue and complete the battery work.

Living in Space, Space Systems, SpaceCasts

Video: ‘Space to Ground’ report on the ISS – Dec.16.2016

December 16, 2016 TopSpacer

Here is this week’s episode of NASA’s Space to Ground report on activities related to the Int. Space Station:

Here is a brief video about the Veggie unit on the ISS for growing plants:

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Living in Space, Space Systems

Video: Japanese cargo ship berths to the ISS

December 13, 2016 TopSpacer

A Japanese cargo ship, named Kounotori 6 H-II Transfer Vehicle or HTV-6, berthed to the International Space Station today: Japan’s “White Stork” Spacecraft Installed on Station | Space Station/NASA .

This video shows highlights of the HTV-6 approach to the station, its capture by the robotic arm on the station, and then the attachment to the berthing port: