Multiple media, Software, Space Arts

Video: NASA artist tutorial on photo-realistic drawing with PowerPoint

A cool video depicting the steps in photo-realistic drawing with PowerPoint by NASA artist Michael C. Jansen:

Caption:

The classic artist reaches for a brush, pen or pencil, or perhaps a pastel crayon to paint or sketch. Michael C. Jansen, for three decades an engineer at Johnson Space Center, sits before a computer display, stretches with his right hand for a mouse and begins to draw as though he was working with sketch pad or canvas. The inspiration for his space-themed creations flows as passionately through Microsoft PowerPoint as it once did through pencil and brush. Jansen’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease, which was diagnosed in mid-career, changed much in his life. He decided to switch direction and do what he felt was most important to him while he could—and that was art.

Thanks to his innovative use of PowerPoint to steady his artistic stroke, a painstaking commitment to realism in his imagery and a supportive workplace, Jansen creates NASA-sponsored creations in support of space station. His latest pieces include a commemorative logo, poster and patch in celebration of humankind’s first permanent off-Earth presence with the Russian element Zarya launch 15 years ago this November. This video shows Jansen’s creative process as he creates art with a computer.

Space Policy

Space policy roundup – Sept.20.13

Yet more space policy related items:

DIY space, Space participation, Space Systems

Objective Europa update

Here’s an article about the OBJECTIVE EUROPA project to use a crowd-sourcing approach to the design of a crewed mission to Jovian moon Europa: Why Wait for NASA? Let’s Start Planning a Manned Mission to Europa Now – Wired Science

http://www.objective-europa.com/featured/

Update Sept.23.13: Another article about the project: Move over, Mars: Manned Europa mission considered – Crave/CNET

In Space Infrastructure, Rockets, Space Systems

NASA Mighty Eagle and Masten Xombie rocket vehicles flown today

The Mighty Eagle vertical takeoff and landing rocket vehicle made another test flight at Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville, Alabama today. The lander was developed by designed and developed by NASA and JHU/APL.

That had lots of posts and pictures at Mighty Eagle (NASAMightyEagle) on Twitter. For example:

Here is a video of the  test. The first four minutes of the video are just of the flight of the quadcopter with the camera. The ME flight starts around 4 minutes into the video:

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Meanwhile, Masten Space flew their Xombie vehicle in Mojave today presumably for a project with NASA JPL and Draper Labs – Twitter / mastenspace:

Great day for flying. Just finished what may be Xombie’s farthest flight. ~800m Data review pending

 

Contests and Games, Space Arts

Youth Art Contest sponsored by Astronauts for Hire

Here’s an announcement from Astronauts4Hire:

Astronauts for Hire Announces Youth Art Contest as part of World Space Week 2013

Tampa, Florida – To help inspire the next generation of space explorers, Astronauts for Hire (A4H) is proud to host an art contest in association with World Space Week 2013. The future of space exploration and human spaceflight will be determined by the children of today, and it is never too early to spark their imaginations through creative self-expression. A4H welcome art submissions from youth age 17 and under that answer any of the following questions:

“Where in space would you like to go?”
“What will you do in space?”
“How would you live on Mars?”
Entries can be submitted at http:/forms.astronauts4hire.org/ArtContest from September 20, 2013 through October 20, 2013. Artwork can be any medium (pencil, crayon, marker, paint, sculpture, photo, video, etc.) but must be captured in a digital format that can be put online. All entries will be reviewed by A4H prior to display on the A4H Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Astronauts4Hire. Winning entries and awards will be announced on the A4H website the week after the contest concludes.

A4H-WSW_ArtContest2013[1]

About Astronauts for Hire:
Astronauts for Hire, Inc. (A4H) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose objectives are to provide opportunities for students and professionals to develop and refine the skills necessary to become commercial astronauts and to assist these qualified candidates with networking opportunities in the space research community. A4H’s commercial astronaut candidates are accomplished scientists and engineers who can support a wide variety of payloads. They are available today for contract and consulting work with researchers to design and conduct experiments on microgravity, suborbital, and orbital missions. For more information, please visit www.Astronauts4Hire.org or contact Public Relations Officer Ben Corbin at media[at]astronauts4hire.org or at (850) 685-2218.

About World Space Week:
World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. ‘Exploring Mars, Discovering Earth’ is the theme of the 2013 campaign, which incorporates science, engineering, and education activities related to living and working on Mars. Learn more at http://www.worldspaceweek.org.

Everyone can participate in space