Category Archives: Space Settlement

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Jan.5.2024

January 5, 2024 TopSpacer

Here is this week’s selection of videos and news items about space habitats, living in space, and space settlement.

** Space to Ground: 2023 – NASA Johnson

** Best Station Science Images of 2023 – NASA Video

Ensuring U.S. leadership of in-space manufacturing in low Earth orbit by enabling the use of the ISS National Laboratory to demonstrate the production of advanced materials Hundreds of experiments flew aboard the International Space Station in 2023, covering a wide range of scientific topics, including biology, human research, and Earth science. Take a glimpse back at a year of science in space.

** Expedition 70 Astronaut Loral O’Hara Talks with Purdue University Students – Jan. 3, 2024 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Jan. 3 with students at Purdue University. O’Hara, who received a master’s degree from Purdue University, is in midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future human exploration through the agency’s Artemis missions, which will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future expeditions to Mars.

** Expedition 70 Space Station Crew Talks with KCTV, Kansas City, Missouri – Dec. 27, 2023 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Flight Engineers Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Dec. 27 with KCTV-TV in Kansas City. Moghbeli and O’Hara are in the midst of long-duration missions living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future human exploration through the agency’s Artemis missions, which will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future expeditions to Mars.

** Major Milestones Achieved Through the ISS National Lab in 2023 – ISS National Lab

As 2023 comes to a close, the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory wraps up a banner year supporting research and technology development (R&D) in low Earth orbit (LEO). The ISS National Lab and NASA work in unison to utilize the orbiting outpost to its fullest capacity, and the achievements from this year demonstrate the increasing demand for access to space for R&D among researchers from diverse fields.

** Ax-3 Crew Send Off – Axiom Space

Prior to entering quarantine, Axiom Space employees came together to celebrate the #Ax3 crew. Crew Send-off is a tradition that pays tribute to the dedication and tireless efforts of #TeamAxiom leading into a human spaceflight mission. God Speed #Ax3!

** Camera Training – Axiom Space

Taking pictures isn’t as easy as you think! The #Ax3 crew trained on very sophisticated cameras to make sure they have a record of their historic journey!

** Harnessing Space Resources for Sustainable Presence – Blue Origin

Our team is developing technologies to harness space resources to make robotic and human presence on the Moon sustainable. Explore how this technology will support missions to the Moon and beyond with the potential to revolutionize how we produce power and materials on Earth.

** Building Modern Space Stations – Gravitics Inc

From demolishing walls to building dreams: Gravitics soared in 2023, fueled by an incredible team and audacious vision. Here’s to the space station enabled future we’re creating, module by module, milestone by milestone!

** Chinese Astronauts Enjoy Space-grown Vegetables to Greet New Year – CCTV Video News Agency

China’s Shenzhou-17 astronauts enjoyed an abundant meal with space-grown vegetables to celebrate the first day of 2024.

** Newly Released Video Shows Shenzhou-17 Crew’s Spacewalk, Featuring Crucial Solar Wing Repair Test – CCTV Video News Agency

In a recently unveiled video footage, the Shenzhou-17 crew members, currently aboard China’s orbiting space station, were seen accomplishing their first-ever spacewalk, marking a historic moment in the nation’s space exploration endeavors.

** Other news and articles:

** Highlight: Gigantic iceberg – South Atlantic Ocean – Jan 2, 2024 – 17:26 UTC – ISS Above

North / East of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.

NASA EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station

** Highlight: Alpenglow over the Alps. Dec 27, 2023 07:33 UTC – ISS Above

** Highlight: Miami FL – Bahamas – Dec 27, 2023 10:25 EST – ISS Above

** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.

The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8

Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov

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

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Dec.22.2023

December 22, 2023 TopSpacer

Here is this week’s selection of videos and news items about space habitats, living in space, and space settlement. Starts with NASA’s latest Space to Ground report for the International Space Station:

** Happy Holidays from the Expedition 70 Crew – NASA Johnson

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara along with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa offered their thoughts and well wishes while in orbit this holiday season in a message downlinked on Dec. 18, 2023.

** Expedition 70 SpaceX Dragon CRS-29 Cargo Ship Departs International Space Station – Dec. 21, 2023 – NASA Video

Loaded with scientific experiments and supplies, the unpiloted SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station Dec. 21, completing a month-long mission to the outpost for the company’s 29th commercial resupply services mission for NASA. The spacecraft undocked from the forward port of the Harmony module, headed for a splashdown off the coast of Florida Dec. 22 to complete its flight that delivered several tons of experiments and hardware to the station.

** Expedition 70 Northrop Grumman CRS-19 Cygnus Cargo Craft Departs Space Station – Dec. 22, 2023 – NASA Video

The unpiloted Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft for the company’s 19th commercial resupply services mission for NASA was released from the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm Dec. 22 by flight controllers on the ground in Houston, Texas. Cygnus launched on Aug. 1 on an Antares rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, beginning its flight to the International Space Station. Following an early Jan. deorbit engine firing, Cygnus will begin a destructive re-entry in which the spacecraft, filled with trash, will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

** Expedition 70 Space Station Crew Talks with NBC Morning News Now – Dec. 18, 2023 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA and current space station Commander Andy Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Dec. 18 with NBC’s Morning News Now. Moghbeli and Mogensen are in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future human exploration through the agency’s Artemis missions, which will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future expeditions to Mars.

** Major Milestones Achieved Through the ISS National Lab in 2023 – ISS National Lab

** NASA’s Commercial Crew Program 2023 – NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program worked with industry partners Boeing and SpaceX to launch crews to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and work on critical development elements for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft as it prepares for a flight test with astronauts aboard. The work of 2023 will continue to provide a reliable basis in 2024 for crew rotation missions and for spacecraft development.

** High-pressure instruction of altitude training – Axiom Space

Thanks to our training partner @KBRincorporated for delivering the high-pressure instruction of altitude training. The #Ax3 crew are all experienced pilots, but they still need to be aware of their responses to changes in atmospheric pressure.

** World’s First Commercial Space Station Burst Test Teaser – Sierra Space

Our team has completed the first ever, full-scale ultimate burst pressure test for our commercial space station. The test was conducted at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center with a full-scale test article that included two metallic blanking plates to support windows that are specifically designed for maximum performance. We look forward to sharing more in January 2024.

** Vast 2023 Year in Review – VAST

2023 was a pivotal year for Vast. In our second year since founding, we:

️Announced our first space station, Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches no earlier than August 2025
Revealed our SpaceX launch partnership to launch both Haven-1 and the first crewed expedition, Vast-1
Grew our team from 31 to 285 team members
️ Acquired the space startup Launcher and a test facility at the Mojave Air and Space Port
Moved our headquarters to Long Beach, CA
‍ Grew our esteemed list of advisors to include two veteran NASA astronauts — Dr. Andrew J. Feustel and Dr. Garrett Reisman — and Peter Russell-Clarke, a renowned Apple Industrial Designer

Now 20 months out from the launch of Haven-1, we are making significant progress on its design, development, and build. Stay tuned for what’s to come in 2024.

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Learn more about Haven-1 and our first crewed expedition, Vast-1: www.vastspace.com

** Designer on Extravehicular Maintenance to Space Station – CCTV Video News Agency

The extravehicular maintenance is of vital importance to the long-term operation of a space station, said deputy chief designer of China’s manned space program on Thursday.

** Shenzhou-17 Crew Completes First Spacewalk – CCTV Video News Agency

The Shenzhou-17 crew on board China’s orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 21:35 (Beijing Time) on Thursday [Dec.21.2023], according to the China Manned Space Agency.

** Haircut in space! Chinese astronauts show how it’s done on Tiangong space station – VideoFromSpace

Chinese astronaut demonstrate hair cuts and more aboard the Tiangong space station.

** Other news and articles:

** Highlight: ND – Fargo – MN – Winter – Dec 18, 2023 – 11:46 CST – ISS Above

NASA EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station

** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

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In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Dec.15.2023

December 15, 2023 TopSpacer

Here is this week’s selection of videos and other items about space stations and living in space starting with NASA’s latest Space to Ground report for the International Space Station:

** Expedition 70 Astronaut Mogensen Talks with Nobel Prize Laureates – Dec. 11, 2023 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Commander Andy Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed living and working in space as part of an event to mark the centennial awarding of the Nobel Prize to physicist Niels Bohr during an in-flight interview Dec. 11. Mogensen is in the midst of a long-duration mission on the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions.

** Students and Space Genes – NASA

From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA each week on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible.

On episode 292, the co-founder of the “Genes in Space” program joins the 2022 student winner to discuss this competition that allows students across the country to design an experiment for the International Space Station. This episode was recorded on May 17, 2023.

** Ax-3 Mission | Mission Overview – Axiom Space

Axiom Space held a virtual press conference with leaders from NASA and SpaceX, as well as leaders from the Italian Air Force, Turkish Space Agency (TUA), and European Space Agency (ESA) to provide a high-level review of mission operations and objectives to officially kick off major media efforts leading up to Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3).

Ax-3 will be the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to launch to the ISS – redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and helping chart a course toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.

As part of Ax-3, Türkiye is sending its first astronaut to space in a larger effort to expand the nation’s space exploration capabilities and establish a national human spaceflight program. Ax-3 will also be the first commercial spaceflight mission for an ESA-sponsored astronaut. For Italy, the Ax-3 mission represents a whole-of-country effort to expand its access to space for the purposes of research, development, and innovation.

The Ax-3 crewmembers are Commander Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and ESA. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Ax-3 crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than January 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

** Astronaut food! – Axiom Space

Mealtime on the #ISS is very important. The #Ax3 crew taste tests the menu and learns how to use the special warmers as part of their preparation.

** Recent posting from Sierra Space: regarding development of the Life Habitat inflatable module for the Orbital Reef space station:

Our team looks forward to sharing recent test results, as we continue developing the first commercial space station. pic.twitter.com/BmBEOJTiJr

— Sierra Space (@SierraSpaceCo) December 13, 2023

** News and resources:

** Highlight: Egypt – Lake Nasser – Dec 14, 2023 – 13:22 UTC – ISS Above

NASA EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station

** Highlight: CA Los Angeles – NV – early morning – Dec 13, 2023 – 07:16 PST – ISS Above

** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

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Activism, Space participation, Space Settlement

NSS Space Forum: Sustainable Space Development – Doug Plata

July 12, 2023 TopSpacer

Check out the upcoming National Space Society Space Forum with Dr. Doug Plata, President and founder of the Space Development Network. He will talk about the Network’s plan for sustainable space development and focus in particular on The Space Fair and Instabase projects. The presentation on Zoom is set for Thursday, July 13, 2023, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EDT.

[ Update July.17.2023: Here is a video of the event:

]

From the NSS announcement:

The Plan for Sustainable Space Development is the plan proposed by the Space Development Network for the initial development of space. It has similarities to the NSS Roadmap, but it is focused on the near term, what is probable, and a specific timetable. Doug’s presentation will focus on two aspects, The Space Fair and Instabase.

The Space Fair is made from the exhibits which were displayed at ISDC 2023 in Frisco, Texas and which filled a conference room, much to the delight and enjoyment of the attendees. The Space Fair is divided into 15 categories and Doug will review the sections as they provide an interesting summary of the plan.

Following that introduction to the plan, Doug will explore their proposed concept for the Initial Permanent Bases on the moon and Mars. This Instabase would be designed to house the very historic, Initial Permanent Crew of eight. Doug will explain why they believe that inflatables make the best sense not only for the Initial Permanent Base but for the initial phase of the International Bases on the Moon and Mars. They could use very large, 100 ton inflatables delivered via Starship. Doug will systematically go through the various modules of the InstaBase and then describe the scenario for the Initial Permanent Crew.

Don’t miss this informative space forum that will feature the innovative concepts for habitation on the Moon proposed by the Space Development Network. Doug will also share more about the Space Development Network and answer all of your questions. …

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Doug Plata is a physician in Redlands, CA. He is the President and Founder of the Space Development Network, a free-to-join organization of space advocates networked to advance space development projects. Doug has served on multiple committees of different space advocacy organizations. He has made dozens of appearances and presentations at conferences and on the radio. He recently oversaw the completion of a full-scale Moon-Mars base mock-up named the InstaBase which is to be displayed during major Starship launches. His primary interest is the establishment of large, inflatable, and sustainable bases as the initial permanent bases on both the Moon and Mars.

Register for the event here.

Hear also Doug discuss Space Development Network initiatives in interviews on The Space Show.

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In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Videos: “Space to Ground” & other space habitat reports – Nov.19.2022

November 19, 2022 TopSpacer

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

** U.S. Spacewalk 81 Animation – Nov. 14, 2022 – NASA Video

NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio conducted a spacewalk outside the Quest airlock of the International Space Station Nov. 15 to erect a bracket on the starboard 6 truss upon which an ISS Rollout Solar Array (IROSA) will be attached after it is delivered on a future SpaceX Cargo Dragon flight. The IROSAs are being installed for six of the eight space station power channels to augment the power capability for the orbital outpost. Narration by Kieth Johnson, EVA task Flight Controller

** Spacewalk Outside the International Space Station with NASA Astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio – NASA

NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio are conducting a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to assemble a mounting bracket on the starboard side of the station’s truss assembly. The spacewalk, which will prepare the future deployment of additional solar arrays for the station, is scheduled to begin around 8 a.m. EST (1300 UTC) and last for about seven hours.

Cassada (wearing the suit with red stripes) and Rubio (wearing the unmarked suit) are part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission, which arrived at the station on Oct. 6, 2022. This is the first spacewalk for both astronauts.

** Russian Spacewalk 55 Animation – November 16, 2022 – NASA Johnson

Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin conducted a spacewalk outside the Poisk module of the International Space Station to prepare a radiator for its relocation from the Rassvet module to the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module. The radiator and an associated airlock launched in 2010 on Rassvet on a space shuttle mission will continue the outfitting of the Nauka module for future use as both a research facility and a second airlock for Russian-segment based spacewalks. Voice over by Mitchell Harger, EVA Integration and Operations Lead

** Space Station Astronaut Discusses Life In Space With ABC’s Good Morning America – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Nicole Mann discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Nov. 18 with ABC’s “Good Morning America”. The quartet is in the midst of a long duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory. The goal of the mission is to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future human exploration through the agency’s Artemis missions, which will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future expeditions to Mars.

** SpaceX CRS-26 Research: Overview – ISS National Lab – YouTube

SpaceX’s 26th Commercial Resupply Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) features dozens of experiments that will be performed over the coming weeks. Many are sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, and this video highlights some of those investigations. To learn more about all ISS National Lab-sponsored research and technology development investigations on this mission, visit the ISS National Lab launch page: https://www.issnationallab.org/launch…

** See Chinese spacewalkers work outside Tiangong space station in these highlights – VideoFromSpace

Chinese astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe installed a “connection “bridge” between the three modules” of the Tiangong space station during a spacewalk on Nov. 17, 2022. It was the the third spacewalk for the Shenzhou-14 crew.

** Shenzhou-14 Crew Install Connection Device Between Space Station Modules During EAVs – CCTV Video News Agency

China’s Shenzhou-14 astronauts installed a connection device between the modules of the country’s space station on Thursday during their third extravehicular activities (EVAs).

** Gateway Overview Video – NASA Johnson

** 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!

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