In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – July.17.2024

July 17, 2024 TopSpacer

A selection of videos and news items about space habitats, living in space, and space settlement.

=== International Space Station & NASA

** Space to Ground: Midpoint: July 05, 2024 – NASA Johnson

** How Do Astronauts Get Fresh Fruits and Veggies in Space? – NASA Johnson

How do astronauts get fresh fruits and veggies in space? While some are shipped to the International Space Station, there’s another option: They can grow them themselves.

In microgravity, crews have successfully grown a variety of plants including mustard greens, kale, and… you guessed it: peppers. Learn how space gardening works and why it helps astronauts.

** Expedition71 NASA Astronaut Matt Dominick Talks With KGTV-TV San Diego – Friday, July 12, 2024 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Matt Dominick of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview July 12 with KGTV-TV, San Diego. Dominick is in the midst of a long-duration mission aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

—- Testing of thrusters for Axiom habitats:

And the rockets’ (blue) glare! Axiom Space’s Propulsion Team conducted a Thruster Vacuum Test – over 600 starts on the thruster with the longest continuous burn time at 3 minutes. This test validates design, function, and performance. Vacuum testing is important because it… pic.twitter.com/bZlHcIZizx

— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 4, 2024

—- Pioneering the Future of Commercial Space | Tech.eu Summit London 2024 – Axiom Space Youtube

Matt Ondler, President @Axiom Space

—- New, improved space suits. An overview of spacesuits in development by Axiom, Collins, and SpaceX: Tomorrow’s spacesuits | Aerospace America – June.2024

For its lunar suit, Axiom chose yet a third method of entry. Instead of the zippers on the Apollo suit, Artemis III astronauts will don their Axiom suits through the rear, via a hatch on the side of the life support systems backpack — similar to the door of a front-loading washing machine. After swinging open the hatch, an astronaut inserts feet, then arms, “and you just kind of fall into it,” Ralston says. Axiom chose a design without a rigid frame, believing this would reduce the chance of astronauts injuring themselves if they contorted their bodies while putting on the suits.

That soft outer pressure garment — made of a material that Axiom is not disclosing — is interspersed with joints at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. “We’ve done a lot of testing to iterate the types of basic joints that we use and how we pattern the different soft goods to enable flexibility, like bending your elbow or bending your arm,” Ralston says.

** Look inside the first commercial space station | Hard Reset – FreeThink

The international space station is getting an update, and its future iteration is not just a space station – it’s a space factory. Axiom Space is launching the first commercial space station in the next few years, which will open the door to a new era in the space economy.

To become the first commercial space station, Axiom has had to rethink everything about how we live in space. We got a tour of the space station development facility, which is … inside an abandoned retail store?

Axioms’s approach might seem scrappy, but these unassuming ingredients are coming together to make something incredible. With a series of four-week sprints, nimble mock-ups allow experienced astronauts to test out the designs they’ll be relying on in space.

Follow us as we get a preview inside the future of space tech.

0:00: Welcome to Hard Reset: Axiom Space
0:28: Axiom Space is pioneering the first commercial space factory
1:06: What is the potential of manufacturing in space?
4:06: Why implement a fail-fast approach to space?
4:54: Are higher-volume space habitats possible?
8:32: How can we strike a balance of practicality vs. aesthetics in space design?
9:20: How many tools does it take to assemble and disassemble the ISS?
12:10: How can we make space suit improvements for mobility and fit issues?
17:08 : How fast can this tech orbit the earth?
18:12: What is the future of space manufacturing?

** Gravitics

Gravitics will build a habitat module for Axiom‘s commercial space station:

Gravitics, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a $125-million contract by Axiom Space to provide a pressurized spacecraft that will support Axiom Station operations. The Gravitics spacecraft will play a utility role and will be capable of providing various services while attached to the commercial space station.

“Axiom Space and Gravitics are working together to develop space infrastructure to enable a sustainable global space economy in low-Earth orbit,” said Matt Ondler, President of Axiom Space. “Our next-gen platform, Axiom Station, will provide new pathways to space for traditional space users and non-traditional industries. We are expanding commercial opportunities in space, from in-space manufacturing to technology demonstrations to research and innovative solutions that will advance civilization.”

More at:

** Sierra Space – Astro Garden project aims for high production of vegetables in space.

Astro Garden is a large-scale vegetable production system that offers a sustainable means of producing fresh food for crew while also augmenting life support functions.

Learn how our team developing the next generation hybrid life support systems: https://t.co/i4ydhZhd5O pic.twitter.com/AfxhGCnses

— Sierra Space (@SierraSpaceCo) July 10, 2024

** American commercial space stations increasingly international – Laura Forczyk

The US space industry is preparing to transition from the government-run International Space Station to commercial space stations. These private facilities are increasing their ties to non-American companies and governments to expand their customer and user base. Meanwhile, India and Russia have their own sovereign space station plans.

Gravitics to Build Space Infrastructure for Commercial Space Station: https://www.gravitics.com/news/axi4css

Japanese venture seeks to develop commercial space station module: https://spacenews.com/japanese-ventur…

Moon Monday #183 and Indian Space Progress #17: The one where Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan converge: https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue…

Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033: https://tass.com/science/1811099

Grow your business in space: https://astralytical.com/

=== China

** Second EVA for Shenzhou-18 crew: China Station Crew: 2nd Spacewalk, Installation of Space Debris Protection Devices (Video) | Leonard David – July.5.2024

—- Shenzhou-18 Crew Complete Multiple Tasks in Second Spacewalk – CCTV Video News Agency

The Shenzhou-18 crew aboard China’s orbiting space station successfully completed multiple tasks in their second spacewalk on Wednesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

—- China’s Shenzhou-18 crew preps for 2nd spacewalk, conducts experiments – VideoFromSpace – July.3.2024

Astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu are preparing for a 2nd spacewalk aboard the Tiangong space station. They’ve also been conducting and maintaining combustion experiments. Full Story: https://www.space.com/china-shenzhou-…

** New Discoveries Made on Zirconium Alloy at China’s Space Station – CCTV Video News Agency

Chinese researchers have conducted in-orbit solidification experiments on zirconium alloy materials in the microgravity environment at China’s Tiangong space station, making important discoveries.

=== Lunar habitation

** Lunar tech initiative: How the Applied Physics Laboratory is tackling Artemis moon exploration | SpaceNews – July.2.2024

The APL is home to a Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium, funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). That consortium is tackling an array of issues for STMD’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative, each important to solve before humanity can spend an extended stay on the moon.

** Radar from LRO satellite shows evidence of a lunar cave promising as a shelter for Moon base:

Abstract of Nature paper:

Several potential subsurface openings have been observed on the surface of the Moon. These lunar pits are interesting in terms of science and for potential future habitation. However, it remains uncertain whether such pits provide access to cave conduits with extensive underground volumes. Here we analyse radar images of the Mare Tranquillitatis pit (MTP), an elliptical skylight with vertical or overhanging walls and a sloping pit floor that seems to extend further underground. The images were obtained by the Mini-RF instrument onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2010. We find that a portion of the radar reflections originating from the MTP can be attributed to a subsurface cave conduit tens of metres long, suggesting that the MTP leads to an accessible cave conduit beneath the Moon’s surface. This discovery suggests that the MTP is a promising site for a lunar base, as it offers shelter from the harsh surface environment and could support long-term human exploration of the Moon.

A view from orbit of the Mare Tranquillitatis pit crater.
Credits: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

=== Space habitat technology

** Broadcast 4227 Joe Carroll | The Space Show – July.9.2024

Joe addressed artificial gravity via different methods, companies working on some type of spin gravity space station, what we need to know before humans leave LEO for long duration flights, challenges, Artemis, Mars and much more

** Microgravity biology research:

— Using microgravity to understand osteoarthritis:

Early-onset #osteoarthritis is an “epidemic among young women playing sports like soccer in high school and college.” Researchers from @MIT are looking to the microgravity environment of space for answers. #womenshealth
Details: https://t.co/LA2MdWnuEw

— ISS National Lab (@ISS_CASIS) July 17, 2024

— Astronauts Struggle To Eat Their Space Food and Scientists Want to Know Why | Universe Today – July.16.2024

=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Highlight: NorCal #BAYAREA to SoCal – Jul 3, 2024 – 07:26 PDT – 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

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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Night sky highlights for July 2024

July 2, 2024 TopSpacer

Check out the night sky this month, July 2024. Here are videos highlighting the top sights to observe.

** What’s Up: July 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL

What are some skywatching highlights in July 2024?
The Moon and planets come together twice in the morning sky – at the start and end of July, find the elusive planet Uranus with some help from Mars, and two star clusters – M6 and M7 – are well placed for viewing in the evening.

0:00 Intro
0:xx Moon & planet highlights
x:xx Use Mars to locate planet Uranus
x:xx Star clusters M6 & M7 in Scorpius
x:xx July Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….

** Tonight’s Sky: July 2024 – Space Telescope Science Institute – Tonight’s Sky

In July, find the Scorpius constellation to identify the reddish supergiant Antares, which will lead you to discover a trio of globular star clusters. Keep watching for space-based views of these densely packed, spherical collections of ancient stars, as well as three nebulas: the Swan Nebula, the Lagoon Nebula, and the Trifid Nebula.

About this Series … “Tonight’s Sky” is a monthly video of constellations you can observe in the night sky. The series is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of science operations for the Hubble Space Telescope, in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning. This is a recurring show, and you can find more episodes—and other astronomy videos—at https://hubblesite.org/resource-gallery/tonights-sky.

** What to see in the night sky: January 2024 – BBC Sky at Night Magazine

What’s in the night sky tonight? Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel talk us through July 2024’s night-sky highlights, including noctilucent clouds, Ceres and Pluto at opposition, Galilean Moon transits and deep-sky objects in the Milky Way.

00:00 Intro
00:18 Inner planets
03:38 Outer planets
08:10 Noctilucent clouds
12:20 Ceres at opposition
12:45 Galilean moons transit
13:14 Pluto at opposition
16:39 Milky Way and deep-sky objects
19:50 Summer Triangle

** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – July 2024 | Summer Stargazing and the Moon – Sky & Telescope Youtube

Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the nighttime sky. Join us for the July 2024 episode and get some #stargazing tips, check dates for the #Moon’s #phases, watch #Saturn migrate into the evening #sky, and tour of the #stars of summer.

Listen and subscribe to this podcast at https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/ and don’t forget to subscribe to S&T’s YouTube channel to get alerts about new videos, including this monthly podcast

Learn more about #observing and #stargazing on our website, https://skyandtelescope.org/ and subscribe to our monthly magazine at https://skyandtelescope.org/subscribe.

Space habitat reports – July.1.2024

July 1, 2024 TopSpacer

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

=== International Space Station & NASA

** Space to Ground: Laying the Groundwork: June 28, 2024 – NASA Johnson

** Expedition 71 Space Station Crew Talks with Yahoo Finance – Friday, June 28, 2024 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 71 Flight Engineers Tracy Dyson and Jeanette Epps of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview June 28 with Yahoo Finance. Dyson and Epps are in the midst of a long-duration mission aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

** NASA accidentally broadcasts space station medical emergency drill – Hear it here! – VideoFromSpace

On June 12, 2024, NASA accidentally broadcasted a drill that simulated an astronaut with a medical emergency. A NASA flight surgeon can be heard suggesting treatment during the call the Internatlonal Space Station. Full Story: https://www.space.com/no-emergency-si…

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

—- Axiom aims to offer “in-space cloud computing” services from its orbital habitat: Axiom Space Plans To Test Orbital-Based Data Center Tech on ISS This Year | FMN News

Axiom plans to test their new designs on ISS this year. “We plan to fly and install an Axiom Data Center Unit (AxDCU) prototype onboard the ISS,” Aspiotis says. That prototype will “Test and demonstrate use cases for in-space cloud computing, AI/ML, data fusion and cybersecurity applications. The primary objectives are: (a) continue to develop the orbital data center market by demonstrating and proving the efficacy of in-situ cloud computing use cases, and (b) raise the technical readiness level of commercial and terrestrial-grade hardware operating in a space station environment.”

As Axiom completes its ODC development, the company sees a good market for its services, “Any terrestrial company that could stand to benefit from space-derived data or insights being processed and delivered with lower latency and more security could be a user of ODCs. Financial institutions requiring faster insights from Earth observation data could be an example,” said Aspiotis.

—- Axiom says it’s space suit development projects remain on track:

@Axiom_Space continues development & testing of #AxEMU to deliver a next-gen spacesuit for #Artemis, ready for the challenges of the lunar south pole. We are on track, meeting/exceeding all milestones for the nation’s return to the Moon by 2026.

** Gravitics

—- Gravitics will work with NASA to develop procedures and systems for certifying space structures much larger than the usual satellite type of spacecraft. The company signed a Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA

… to develop verification and validation by similarity approaches for 6 to 8-meter diameter structures.

“It is time to build bigger,” said Colin Doughan, CEO of Gravitics. “I am optimistic that the qualification and validation solutions being pioneered by Gravitics will be used across the industry from 6 to 8-meter diameter payloads and beyond.”

More at:

** Sierra Space

—- Robb Report tours inside of the Sierra inflatable habitat: Inside Sierra Space’s LIFE Inflatable Space Station | Robb Report – June.25.2024

Robb Report’s recent visit to the aerospace company’s headquarters and research facility in Louisville, Colorado, included an exclusive tour of its inflatable space habitat. The full-scale prototype is designed to launch into space inside a conventional rocket and then expand—while in orbit—into globular living quarters.

“Walking through it now might feel claustrophobic, but when you’re floating, it’s very roomy,” says Sierra Space’s chief safety officer Angie Wise. Above her is an upside-down hammock harnessed to the ceiling—“The astronauts have to strap in, or they’ll float around”—and beside it, a copy of sci-fi thriller Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (who also wrote The Martian), nestled within its own perch like a makeshift nightstand.

** Starlab / Voyager Space

—- Starlab aims to launch Starlab habitat on a Starship:

Team #Starlab is out at @SpaceX this week working closely with their team as we work towards our launch on Starship. Starlab will launch on a single flight prior to @Space_Station decommissioning. pic.twitter.com/FiuxTToXrC

— Starlab (@Starlab_Space) June 24, 2024

—- Starlab will use Palantir Technologies data management software for space station:

Palantir will become the exclusive supplier of enterprise-wide software data management solutions for the Starlab commercial space station.

Palantir’s AI-driven software enables analysts, users, and decision-makers alike to optimize the entirety of space architecture. Palantir helps deliver cutting-edge, adaptable software solutions from the ground to the edge – helping ensure space capabilities are maximally resilient, effective, and accessible,

=== Lunar habitation

** China’s Plan to Establish a Permanent Base on the Moon – Dongfang Hour

While the US and its partners are planning to carry out the Artemis Program in the coming decade, China is preparing the competing “ILRS”, aka the International Lunar Research Station. In this episode, we do a deep dive into China’s permanent lunar base project and its scientific and political ramifications.

If you like what you see and would like to support me, please consider joining our small Patreon community at / dongfanghour !
We also have some very cool space merch available at https://shop.dongfanghour.com.

00:00 Artemis and the ILRS (introduction)
00:43 China’s Moon Program: Early Beginnings
01:58 Chang’e 1 to Chang’e 6
02:35 First Mention of the ILRS
03:21 Private Internet Access
05:14 The ILRS Becomes a Sino-Russian Project
06:02 ILRS Phase 1 – Moon Base “Basic Model”
06:57 ILRS Phase 2 – Moon Base “Construction Phase”
10:09 How China plans to launch the ILRS hardware
11:20 Can the ILRS become international?

** Gateway Lunar Space Station Flyby – NASA Johnson

NASA and its international partners will explore the scientific mysteries of deep space with Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon. Witness Gateway in stunning detail with this video that brings the future of lunar exploration to life.

For more information about Gateway, visit: nasa.gov/gateway.

=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Highlight: SoCal – Los Angeles – San Diego – Jun 25, 2024 – 10:38 PDT – ISS Above

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

** Expedition 71 International Space Station Flyover of Hurricane Beryl – Monday, July 1, 2024 – NASA Video

The International Space Station flew 260 miles over Hurricane Beryl at approximately 9 a.m. EDT Monday, July 1, 2024. External cameras on the orbiting laboratory captured views of the storm as it traveled across the Caribbean near the Windward Islands as a Category 4 hurricane with winds around 130 miles per hour.