Space habitat reports – Jan.22.2024 | Space-for-All at HobbySpace

Here is this week’s selection of videos and news items about space habitats, living in space, and space settlement. Starts with NASA’s latest Space to Ground report for the International Space Station:

** Axiom Mission 3 Launches to the International Space Station (Official NASA Broadcast) – NASA

Axiom Mission 3, set to lift off at 4:49 p.m. EST (2149 UTC) on Thursday, Jan. 18, is Axiom’s third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Ax-3 is launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom spacecraft.

During their two-week stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, the crew of Ax-3—commander Michael López-Alegría, pilot Walter Villadei of Italy, mission specialist Alper Gezeravcı of Turkey, and ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Marcus Wandt of Sweden—will engage in technology demonstrations, student outreach, and experiments ranging from medical research to materials science.

Launch coverage is led by Axiom Space, with support from NASA and SpaceX; NASA’s primary mission responsibilities begin during Freedom’s approach to the International Space Station, the start of Ax-3 integrated operations. Learn more about NASA’s role in Ax-3 and how we’re working with our industry partners to open low Earth orbit to more people, more science, and more opportunities: https://go.nasa.gov/3Se0bsN

** Ax-3 crew enters space station after SpaceX Dragon docking – VideoFromSpace

The Ax-3 crew, commander Michael “LA” López-Alegría, pilot Walter Villadei and mission specialists Marcus Wandt and Alper Gezeravcı (Turkey’s first astronaut) have arrived at the International Space Station. See views shortly after soft capture of the Dragon spacecraft and their welcome ceremony.

** Ax-3 Mission | Approach & Docking – Axiom Space

Axiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leader in providing space infrastructure as a service, Axiom offers end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately developing its successor – a permanent commercial destination in Earth’s orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. More information about Axiom can be found at www.axiomspace.com.

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/axiom_space
Instagram: https://instagram.com/axiom.space
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axiomspace/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axio…

** Marcus and Muninn are flying – European Space Agency, ESA

ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt took off on 18 January 2024 as part of the Axiom-3 crew for a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. After 36 hours catching up to the Space Station, the Dragon docked to the Space Station, the seal between the two tested and finally Marcus started his Muninn mission as he entered the International Space Station. ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen along with the rest of the crew of Expedition 70 was waiting to welcome them to space!

Follow Marcus’s journey on the Muninn website, check our launch kit and connect with him on his Instagram and X accounts.

Muninn website: https://www.esa.int/Science_Explorati…
Marcus Wandt’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esaastro_ma…
Marcus Wandt’s X: https://twitter.com/astro_marcus

** Axiom Mission 3: Sanford Stem Cell Institute Tumor Investigation – ISS National Lab

On Axiom Space’s 3rd Private Astronaut Mission, the Sanford Stem Cell Institute (SSCI) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) will launch an investigation that builds on stem cell research conducted on previous Axiom Space missions as well as previous investigations sponsored by the ISS National Lab. Learn how the research team will study tumor organoids in microgravity to identify early cancer warning signs to better predict and treat the disease.

Learn more about this investigation here: https://www.issnationallab.org/releas…

** Axiom Station – Axiom Space

The construction of the world’s first commercial space station is underway. Following completing preliminary and critical design reviews in collaboration with NASA, our partners at Thales Alenia Space began welding and machining activities for the primary structures of Axiom Station’s first module. The first pieces of fabricated flight hardware are beginning to come together, and the assembled module will join us in Houston soon, where we will complete the final assembly and integration. Axiom Space is preparing for a 2026 launch of the first section of our next-generation platform that will operate in low-Earth orbit.

** Full-Scale LIFE™ Inflatable Space Station Burst Test at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center – Sierra Space

Sierra Space has achieved a major milestone in the development of the first commercial space station. The first Ultimate Burst Pressure test of our full-scale LIFE™ structure at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center exceeded #NASA’s recommended x4 safety levels by 27%. The article was one third the volume of the International #Space Station and will be an integral part of future commercial space destinations.

Press Release: https://www.sierraspace.com/newsroom/…

** Expedition 70 Astronaut Mogensen Talks with WILD Nature Foundation – Jan. 17, 2024 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Commander Andy Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed living and working in space with the World Nature Foundation in Denmark on Jan. 17. Mogensen is in the midst of a long-duration mission on the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions.

** China launches Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft to Tiangong space station – VideoFromSpace

A Chinese Long March 7 rocket launched the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft to the Tiangong space station from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Jan. 17, 2023. Full Story: https://www.space.com/china-tianzhou-…

** Tianzhou-7 docking – SciNews

The Tianzhou-7 (天舟七号) cargo spacecraft autonomously docked to the rear docking port of the Tianhe Core Module (天和核心舱), arriving at the China Space Station (中国空间站), on 17 January 2024, at 17:46 UTC (18 January, at 01:46 China Standard Time). Tianzhou-7 is the sixth cargo mission to the China Space Station (中国空间站)

** Three-Hour Docking Process to Become Routine in Future Space Missions: Engineer – CCTV Video News Agency

China’s Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft adopted an unprecedented three-hour rendezvous and docking procedure successfully with the orbiting Tiangong space station on Thursday, and the docking plan will become a routine in future missions, according to a Chinese scientist hours after the mission.

** Chinese Astronauts Ready for Two Manned Space Missions in 2024 – CCTV Video News Agency

Astronauts of China’s upcoming two manned space missions in 2024 have been finalized and are undergoing targeted trainings, said Yang Liwei, deputy chief designer of China’s manned spaceflight project, when introducing China’s plan of space missions this year.

** Sampling of other news and articles:

** Highlight: Night Paris France Jan 16, 2024 00:29 CET – ISS Above

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

** Highlight: Cape Town – Jan 17, 2024 2PM SAST – ISS Above

** 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