Videos: “Space to Ground” & other space habitat reports – Feb.18.2022

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

** STEMonstrations: Vestibular System – NASA Johnson

NASA Astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Shane Kimbrough demonstrate the effects of the weightless-simulated environment on their perception of motion, spatial orientation, and balance aboard the International Space Station. Watch as NASA astronaut Megan McArthur and JAXA astronaut Aki Hoshide discuss the vestibular system and learn how the human body relies on external cues to provide us with important information about our environment. Be sure to check out https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstrations for more videos like this, along with their corresponding Classroom Connection lesson plans.

** ISS National Lab Research Overview – Northrop Grumman CRS-17 – ISS National Lab – YouTube

Northrop Grumman will launch a variety of critical research and supplies on its upcoming 17th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch, which take place at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, is scheduled for no earlier than February 19 at 12:40 p.m. ET. The ISS National Laboratory is sponsoring more than 15 research and technology development payloads as part of this mission. These payloads, which represent diverse fields of study, intend to bring value to our nation through space-based research and enable a robust and sustainable market in low Earth orbit. This video highlights some of the ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations launching on Northrop Grumman CRS-17.

** Expedition 66 Astronaut Mark Vande Hei Talks with KARE 11, KNSI Radio, Minnesota – Feb. 17, 2022 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 66 Flight Engineer Mark Vande Hei of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight event February 17 with KARE-TV in Minneapolis, Minnesota and KNSI Radio in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Vande Hei is in the midst of a long duration mission in which he will break the record for longest single spaceflight by an American astronaut living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory. The goal of his mission is 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.

** Russia launches 80th Space Station cargo run atop Soyuz rocket – VideoFromSpace

The Progress MS-19 cargo spacecraft was launched to the International Space Station atop a Soyuz 2.1a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Feb. 14, 2022 (Feb. 15 local time).

** Expedition 66 Progress 80 Cargo Ship Docks to International Space Station – Feb. 17, 2022 – NASA Video

Loaded with supplies and cargo, the uncrewed Russian ISS Progress 80 cargo vehicle docked to the Poisk docking compartment of the International Space Station February 17 two days after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Soyuz booster. The resupply vehicle will remain docked to the space station until early next year.

** See the Chinese space station’s robotic arm in action – VideoFromSpace

The Chinese space station’s 10.2-meter-long mechanical arm on the Tianhe core module was recently used to grab a docking port. See footage of the activity. Full Story: https://www.space.com/china-space-sta… Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)

** Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping plays the guzheng in space – VideoFromSpace

Watch astronaut Wang Yaping play the Chinese folk song “Jasmine Flower” on the guzheng for the China Media Group Lantern Festival Gala. Yaping is currently aboard the Tiangong space station Credit: Space.com | footage courtesy: China Central Television (CCTV)

** 100 days of Cosmic Kiss – European Space Agency, ESA on Youtube

On 11 November 2021, ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer was launched to the International Space Station for his first mission, Cosmic Kiss. Around 100 days later, we reflect on some highlights from space. Matthias flew to the Station on a @SpaceX Crew Dragon alongside @NASA astronauts and fellow first-time fliers Kayla Barron and Raja Chari, and NASA spaceflight veteran Tom Marshburn. Collectively known as Crew-3, they were welcomed as members of Expedition 66 by Commander Anton Shkaplerov, cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov and NASA’s Mark Vande Hei. While in orbit, Matthias is supporting over 35 European and many more international experiments. The outcomes of these experiments will advance our knowledge in areas ranging from human health to materials science, physics, Earth observation, technology development and more. Matthias is expected to spend approximately six months in orbit and there are many more highlights to come.

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

Tour the Italian-built Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) of the International Space Station in 360° with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer. Attached to Node 3, PMM is a large, reusable, pressurised element that was originally used to ferry cargo to and from the Station. It can hold up to 16 racks of equipment, experiments and supplies and has an end-cone with additional storage space for cargo bags, trash and other items. The only thing PMM has no room for is a fear of enclosed spaces. Watch as Matthias maneuvers between the boxes and bags in this vital module in orbit. Matthias is currently living and working aboard the International Space Station for his first mission, Cosmic Kiss. Find out more about Matthias and his ESA mission on the Cosmic Kiss mission webpage. Follow Matthias: https://bit.ly/ESACosmicKiss

** 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!

====