The latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report looks back on activities on the International Space Station during 2022:
2022 was another transformational year on the International Space Station. We broke some records, welcomed new space travelers, and took a major step at expanding the space fleet! Thanks to everyone around the world that makes the work done on the Space Station possible.
** Best Space Station Science Images of 2022 – NASA Johnson
The International Space Station continues its scientific journey orbiting over 200 miles above the Earth’s surface. This past year, spacecraft carried crew from around the world to and from the space station, where they participated in and supported hundreds of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations. From deploying CubeSats to studying fluid dynamics in space, the orbiting lab expanded its legacy of science and discovery for the benefit of humanity. Look back at some of the best photos of breakthrough science the crew members conducted in 2022: https://go.nasa.gov/3FVGTlX
** Expedition 68 Astronaut Josh Cassada Talks with NPR’s Shortwave Podcast – Dec. 29, 2022 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Josh Cassada of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight event December 29 with NPR’s “Shortwave” podcast. Cassada is in the midst of a science mission 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.
** Sierra Space’s LIFE Habitat Successfully Completes Second Ultimate Burst Pressure Test – Sierra Space
Sierra Space conducted a successful Ultimate Burst Pressure (UBP) test on a sub-scale version of the company’s LIFE™ habitat at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. LIFE, or Large Integrated Flexible Environment, is an inflatable habitation module developed by Sierra Space for use on Orbital Reef, the world’s first commercial space station. A full-scale LIFE habitat expands to the size of a three-story apartment building in space, where astronauts can live and work comfortably for long periods of time. The test exceeded NASA certification requirements for inflatable habitation modules and further establishes Sierra Space as the leader in commercial space station development. Sierra Space is the only active commercial space company to meet multiple successful UBP trials. https://www.sierraspace.com/newsroom/…
** Watch an inflatable habitat prototype burst in Lockheed Martin test – VideoFromSpace
The inflatable habitat prototype burst at “285 psi, 6x the max operating pressure,” according to its producer Lockheed Martin. They are developing habitats for deep space exploration. Full Story: https://www.space.com/lockheed-martin…
** Chinese space station beams down amazing views of Earth – VideoFromSpace
Several cameras aboard the Chinese space station have captured new views of Earth. China recently completed the T-shaped Tiangong space station by moving the Mengtian module: https://www.space.com/china-completes…
** Work, Life Go Smoothly One Month After Shenzhou-15 Crew Enter China’s Space Station – CCTV Video News Agency (Chinese govt.)
The three astronauts for China’s Shenzhou-15 spaceflight mission have been working and living in orbit one month after they arrived at the space station Tiangong, and the space station combination is operating stably.
** Shenzhou-15 Crew Conduct Blood Drawing, Test in Space – CCTV Video News Agency (Chinese govt.)
Chinese astronauts from the Shenzhou-15 manned space mission recently underwent blood tests to monitor their health in orbit on the Chinese Space Station, according to a video released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
** 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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Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station
