Check out the night sky this month, January 2024. Here are videos highlighting the top sights to observe.
** What’s Up: January 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL
What are some skywatching highlights in January 2024? The year kicks off with the Quadrantid meteors, and some great Moon-planet pairings. Plus, did you know the stars shift in the sky by four minutes each day?
Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….
In January, the northern hemisphere features beautiful views of Capella, a pair of giant yellow stars; Aldebaran, a red giant star; and two star clusters—the Hyades and the Pleiades. Keep watching for the awe-inspiring space-based views of the Crab Nebula, the remains of a star that exploded as a supernova.
Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal the top things to see in the night sky this month, including the planets of the Solar System, clair obscur effects on the Moon, Comet 144P/Kushia and Orion.
** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – January | The Quadrantid Meteor Shower and Spotting Planets – Sky & Telescope Youtube
Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the nighttime sky. Listen to the January episode and watch one of the year’s better #meteor showers, then take up the challenge of spotting five #planets; size up a celestial queen with an ego problem; and learn about a celestial hunter who, uh, also has an ego problem. So bundle up, grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.
*** 2024 Unmissable Night Sky Events! – Alyn Wallace
00:00 2023 00:34 Aurora Boost 01:30 January 02:40 February 02:53 March 03:40 April 06:01 May 06:35 June 07:12 July 07:25 August 07:57 September 08:25 October 10:22 December
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:
** Happy Holidays from the Expedition 70 Crew – NASA Johnson
Aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara along with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa offered their thoughts and well wishes while in orbit this holiday season in a message downlinked on Dec. 18, 2023.
** Expedition 70 SpaceX Dragon CRS-29 Cargo Ship Departs International Space Station – Dec. 21, 2023 –NASA Video
Loaded with scientific experiments and supplies, the unpiloted SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station Dec. 21, completing a month-long mission to the outpost for the company’s 29th commercial resupply services mission for NASA. The spacecraft undocked from the forward port of the Harmony module, headed for a splashdown off the coast of Florida Dec. 22 to complete its flight that delivered several tons of experiments and hardware to the station.
** Expedition 70 Northrop Grumman CRS-19 Cygnus Cargo Craft Departs Space Station – Dec. 22, 2023 – NASA Video
The unpiloted Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft for the company’s 19th commercial resupply services mission for NASA was released from the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm Dec. 22 by flight controllers on the ground in Houston, Texas. Cygnus launched on Aug. 1 on an Antares rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, beginning its flight to the International Space Station. Following an early Jan. deorbit engine firing, Cygnus will begin a destructive re-entry in which the spacecraft, filled with trash, will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
** Expedition 70 Space Station Crew Talks with NBC Morning News Now – Dec. 18, 2023 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA and current space station Commander Andy Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Dec. 18 with NBC’s Morning News Now. Moghbeli and Mogensen 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.
** Major Milestones Achieved Through the ISS National Lab in 2023 – ISS National Lab
As 2023 comes to a close, the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory wraps up a banner year supporting research and technology development (R&D) in low Earth orbit (LEO). The ISS National Lab and NASA work in unison to utilize the orbiting outpost to its fullest capacity, and the achievements from this year demonstrate the increasing demand for access to space for R&D among researchers from diverse fields.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program worked with industry partners Boeing and SpaceX to launch crews to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and work on critical development elements for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft as it prepares for a flight test with astronauts aboard. The work of 2023 will continue to provide a reliable basis in 2024 for crew rotation missions and for spacecraft development.
** High-pressure instruction of altitude training – Axiom Space
Thanks to our training partner @KBRincorporated for delivering the high-pressure instruction of altitude training. The #Ax3 crew are all experienced pilots, but they still need to be aware of their responses to changes in atmospheric pressure.
** World’s First Commercial Space Station Burst Test Teaser – Sierra Space
Our team has completed the first ever, full-scale ultimate burst pressure test for our commercial space station. The test was conducted at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center with a full-scale test article that included two metallic blanking plates to support windows that are specifically designed for maximum performance. We look forward to sharing more in January 2024.
2023 was a pivotal year for Vast. In our second year since founding, we:
️Announced our first space station, Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches no earlier than August 2025 Revealed our SpaceX launch partnership to launch both Haven-1 and the first crewed expedition, Vast-1 Grew our team from 31 to 285 team members ️ Acquired the space startup Launcher and a test facility at the Mojave Air and Space Port Moved our headquarters to Long Beach, CA Grew our esteemed list of advisors to include two veteran NASA astronauts — Dr. Andrew J. Feustel and Dr. Garrett Reisman — and Peter Russell-Clarke, a renowned Apple Industrial Designer
Now 20 months out from the launch of Haven-1, we are making significant progress on its design, development, and build. Stay tuned for what’s to come in 2024.
—- Learn more about Haven-1 and our first crewed expedition, Vast-1: www.vastspace.com
The extravehicular maintenance is of vital importance to the long-term operation of a space station, said deputy chief designer of China’s manned space program on Thursday.
The Shenzhou-17 crew on board China’s orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 21:35 (Beijing Time) on Thursday [Dec.21.2023], according to the China Manned Space Agency.
** Haircut in space! Chinese astronauts show how it’s done on Tiangong space station –VideoFromSpace
Chinese astronaut demonstrate hair cuts and more aboard the Tiangong space station.
** Highlight: ND – Fargo – MN – Winter – Dec 18, 2023 – 11:46 CST – ISS Above
NASA 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
Here is this week’s selection of videos and other items about space stations and living in space starting with NASA’s latest Space to Ground report for the International Space Station:
** Expedition 70 Astronaut Mogensen Talks with Nobel Prize Laureates – Dec. 11, 2023 –NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Commander Andy Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed living and working in space as part of an event to mark the centennial awarding of the Nobel Prize to physicist Niels Bohr during an in-flight interview Dec. 11. 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.
From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA each week on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible.
On episode 292, the co-founder of the “Genes in Space” program joins the 2022 student winner to discuss this competition that allows students across the country to design an experiment for the International Space Station. This episode was recorded on May 17, 2023.
Axiom Space held a virtual press conference with leaders from NASA and SpaceX, as well as leaders from the Italian Air Force, Turkish Space Agency (TUA), and European Space Agency (ESA) to provide a high-level review of mission operations and objectives to officially kick off major media efforts leading up to Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3).
Ax-3 will be the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to launch to the ISS – redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and helping chart a course toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.
As part of Ax-3, Türkiye is sending its first astronaut to space in a larger effort to expand the nation’s space exploration capabilities and establish a national human spaceflight program. Ax-3 will also be the first commercial spaceflight mission for an ESA-sponsored astronaut. For Italy, the Ax-3 mission represents a whole-of-country effort to expand its access to space for the purposes of research, development, and innovation.
The Ax-3 crewmembers are Commander Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and ESA. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Ax-3 crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than January 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
** Highlight: Egypt – Lake Nasser – Dec 14, 2023 – 13:22 UTC – ISS Above
NASA EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station
** Highlight: CA Los Angeles – NV – early morning – Dec 13, 2023 – 07:16 PST –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
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 )
** 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.
Join NASA as we go forward to the Moon and on to Mars — discover the latest on Earth, the Solar System and beyond with a weekly update in your inbox.
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.
LIFE is constructed of high-strength “softgoods” materials, which become rigid when pressurized. The test article stands at 20.5 feet tall, with a diameter of 27 feet and internal volume of 10,000 cubic feet. For the UBP test, it is supported by a 100,000 lb test core and stand. pic.twitter.com/Wbjj5lRKzm
Our team is finalizing preparations for the first ever, full-scale ultimate burst pressure test of our LIFE habitat this month at @NASA_Marshall. The test article has two metallic blanking plates to support windows and are specifically designed for maximum performance. pic.twitter.com/oeMFGYV0he
The full-scale LIFE Habitat test article stands at 20.5 feet tall and is constructed of high-strength “softgoods” materials with a diameter of 27 feet when pressurized. It’s supported by a 100,000 lb test core and stand for the upcoming ultimate burst pressure test. pic.twitter.com/YiPcXIn5IX
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.
It’s no secret we’re building the world’s first commercial space station. But did you know we’re developing the primary structure in-house?
Our Manufacturing Team is incredibly hands-on in the iterative design and development of key manufacturing tooling and processes needed for… pic.twitter.com/xdvv5DnCGF
** 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
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:
** 25 Years of the International Space Station – NASA Johnson
Low-Earth Orbit has been home to the International Space Station for 25 years. Hear from the people helping make history daily with the laboratory and from some of those who made it possible from the start!
Microgravity gives researchers the chance to learn how humans, machines, and materials react to months-long stays. It jumpstarts medical research, proves material strength, and generates new markets for items that can only be made in orbit.
It took a lot of creative energy and careful engineering to create a spacecraft that is now the brightest human-made object in the sky. Although they never met on Earth, the modules of the space station fit perfectly together when they met in space.
** Space Station Crew Talks with Fox Weather, WCBS Newsradio 880, New York – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andy Mogensen discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Dec. 1 with Fox Weather and WCBS News Radio in New York. Moghbeli and Mogensen 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.
** Ax-3 Mission | Science on the Mission – Axiom Space
Axiom Space held a virtual press conference with leaders from the Italian Air Force, Italian Space Agency, TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBİTAK UZAY), Turkish Space Agency (TUA), European Space Agency (ESA), and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) to discuss the scientific experiments, microgravity research, and technology demonstrations that will be a part of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3).
Unique to this mission, there is a strong focus on scientific portfolios led by European countries flying on the Ax-3 mission, to include Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden in partnership with ESA. The Ax-3 crewmembers will represent their nations in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and perform scientific experiments, microgravity research, and demonstrations that are of high national importance. Commercial and academic partnership activities also remain a strong focus for the Ax-3 mission, as Axiom Space leads in building a global research community and robust and sustainable economic ecosystem in LEO.
Participants include: Dr. Lucie Low, Chief Scientist, Axiom Space Jana Stoudemire, Director of In-Space Manufacturing, Axiom Space Col. Domenico Antonacci, Space Policy and Operations Office, Italian Air Force Dr. Barbara Negri, Head of Human Flight and Scientific Experimentation Unit, Italian Space Agency Ömer ATAŞ, Project Manager/Chief Engineer, TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute Hasan Ersel Gürel, Physicist, Turkish Space Agency (TUA) Dr. Kristine Dannenberg, Head of Space Exploration and Access to Space, Swedish National Space Agency Dr. Julia Weis, ISS Utilization Planning and Integration Team Lead, European Space Agency
** Video Records Relaxing, Enjoyable Life of Shenzhou-17 Crew in Space – CCTV Video News Agency
The three Chinese astronauts aboard the country’s space station Tiangong are having a relaxing and enjoyable life apart from routine work.
** Highlight: CA – Central – Sierra Nevada Snow – Dec 1, 2023 12:09 PST – ISS Above
NASA 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
