Videos: “Space to Ground” + other ISS reports – Sept.5.2020

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

** Students Use Ham Radio to Call an Astronaut in Space – NASA Johnson

On May 15, 2020, Canadian students used ham radio to talk with NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, currently aboard the International Space Station. Thanks to ham radio operators and the International Space Station program, the students were able to participate from their homes. Learn more about ham radio aboard the space station: https://go.nasa.gov/2DRPAeK Learn more about the research being conducted on station: https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science

** Tropical Storm Laura Viewed From International Space Station – NASA Johnson

External cameras on the International Space Station captured views of Tropical Storm Laura from approximately 250 miles above. The station passed directly over the tropical system on Sunday, August 23 prior to the storm making landfall on Cuba. The National Hurricane Center is projecting Laura to strengthen into a hurricane once in the Gulf of Mexico with landfall expected on the Gulf coast later this week.

** Every Spacecraft Which Has Visited The Space Station – Scott Manley

Over the last 2 decades there have been over 200 spacecraft which have visited the space station, built by many nations and organizations, with different designs. So I thought it might be nice to make a summary of every spacecraft for comparison since we’re getting close to the 20th anniversary and 100th crew to visit the ISS.

** NASA Makes Fifth State of Matter Aboard Space Station –NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Solid, liquid, gas, plasma… did you know there’s also a fifth state of matter? Since 2018, NASA’s Cold Atom Lab has been using the microgravity environment on the International Space Station to help chill atoms to almost absolute zero – the coldest temperature matter can reach. At these low temperatures, Cold Atom Lab produces the fifth state of matter, called a Bose-Einstein condensate.

Experiments with this fifth state of matter could lend deeper insight into how our world works on a fundamental level. For example, scientists will be able to measure the very faint tug of gravity that is still present aboard the station, and put Albert Einstein’s theory about this fundamental force to the test. Studies of Bose-Einstein condensates aboard the station could also lead to new technologies, like better tools for navigation and more precise clocks. For more information, visit https://coldatomlab.jpl.nasa.gov