In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Systems

Videos: Space habitat reports – Dec.8.2023

This week’s selection of videos about space stations and living in space including NASA’s latest Space to Ground report for the International Space Station:

** ISS@25: Building and Updating Space Station – NASA Johnson

The International Space Station represented cutting-edge technology from the start and steady upgrades keep the world’s premiere orbital laboratory capable of advancements to improve life on Earth and make deep space exploration possible.

** Building the International Space Station – Assembly animation + fly-around – VideoFromSpace

Watch as the International Space Station takes shape in this time-lapsed NASA animation of its decade-long assembly, which began in 1998.

Also, see a time-lapsed flyaround of the orbital outpost captured by the Space Shuttle STS-119 mission.

Credit: Space.com | animation & footage courtesy: NASA | edited by [Steve Spaleta]( / stevespaleta )

Music: All Parts Equal by Airae / courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

** How did they build the ISS? (International Space Station) – Jared Owen

This is the story of how the Space Shuttle was used to construct the International Space Station.

…

00:00 – Intro
01:11 – ISS Intro
02:11 – Berthing & Docking Mechanisms
05:05 – Space Shuttle Intro
06:28 – STS-88 (Unity)
09:38 – STS-98(Destiny)
11:05 – Canadarm2
12:02 – STS-100 (Canadarm2)
13:27 – STS-104 (Quest)
15:08 – More Construction

** Astronauts Talk with NASA Leadership for Space Station’s 25th Anniversary – Dec. 6, 2023 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, all seven Expedition 70 crewmembers discussed the evolution of the space station over the past 25 years as well as life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Dec. 6 with Bob Cabana, Associate Administrator of NASA, and Joel Montalbano, International Space Station Program Manager. NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, and current space station Commander, Andy Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Konstantin Borisov, Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub 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.

** Expedition 70 Progress 86 Cargo Ship Docks to International Space Station – Dec. 3, 2023 – NASA Video

The uncrewed Roscosmos ISS Progress 86 cargo spacecraft docked to the Poisk module Dec. 3 after launching to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Dec. 1 on a Soyuz booster rocket. Progress is filled with about three tons of supplies and cargo and will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months.

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** ISS@25: What We Learn – NASA Johnson

We’re celebrating 25 years of International Space Station operations! The International Space Station advances scientific knowledge in Earth, space, physical, and biological sciences, for the benefits of people living on our home planet.

Through this global endeavor, 273 people from 21 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 3,000 research and educational investigations from people in 108 countries and areas.

The space station is a proving ground for long-duration spaceflight, including how humans will live and work around the Moon as part of Artemis.

** Check out the X/Tweeter updates from Sierra Space on the company’s LIFE inflatable space habitat project. Some recent postings:

And a recent announcement: Sierra Space Secures DARPA Contract for Lunar Oxygen Extraction Framework for LunA-10 Capability Study | Sierra Space – Dec.5.2023 –

Sierra Space, a leading pureplay commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, announced today that it secured a significant contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Under this contract, Sierra Space will embark on a groundbreaking research and development initiative, the 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) capability study. Sierra Space will focus on integrating oxygen extraction, electrical storage and hydrogen-oxygen engine technology into an architecture for a commercial lunar infrastructure concept.

Sierra Space has already demonstrated its prowess in carbothermal oxygen production from lunar soil, or “regolith.” In a significant precursor to this agreement, in April, NASA achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully extracting oxygen from simulated lunar soil using Sierra Space technology. The team harnessed a high-powered laser to replicate the heat generated by a solar energy concentrator, melting lunar soil simulant within a carbothermal reactor developed in-house by Sierra Space. This breakthrough occurred within a thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar environment, setting the stage for future resource utilization on the moon, known as in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).

“At Sierra Space we recognize that to enable humanity’s extended exploration of space there is a critical need for ISRU oxygen technology on the lunar surface, given its strategic importance in terms of mobility, life support systems and potential commercial applications,” said Tom Vice, CEO, Sierra Space. “This formative work with DARPA is of paramount importance to Sierra Space’s efforts to both shape the future of extended human missions to space and also to broaden access to space by removing the high costs associated with transporting oxygen propellant to the lunar surface.”

Sierra Space envisions using carbothermal technology to manufacture oxygen on the lunar surface, contributing to the development of a self-sustaining lunar economy. This collaboration with DARPA will enable Sierra Space to conduct a system concept review and establish quantitative requirements for future endeavors. The ultimate goal is to optimize lunar architecture, reduce launch mass and foster a vibrant translunar economy.

** A recent message from VAST

** Highlight: San Diego CA – Tijuana MX – Dec 6, 2023 09:43 PST – ISS Above

Captured via NASA’s 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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ISS after undocking of STS-132

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