Category Archives: In Space Infrastructure

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Dec.15.2023

December 15, 2023 TopSpacer

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.

** Students and Space Genes – NASA

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.

** Ax-3 Mission | Mission Overview – Axiom Space

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.

** Astronaut food! – Axiom Space

Mealtime on the #ISS is very important. The #Ax3 crew taste tests the menu and learns how to use the special warmers as part of their preparation.

** Recent posting from Sierra Space: regarding development of the Life Habitat inflatable module for the Orbital Reef space station:

Our team looks forward to sharing recent test results, as we continue developing the first commercial space station. pic.twitter.com/BmBEOJTiJr

— Sierra Space (@SierraSpaceCo) December 13, 2023

** News and resources:

** 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

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

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Systems

Videos: Space habitat reports – Dec.8.2023

December 8, 2023 TopSpacer

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.

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.

** 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:

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

— Sierra Space (@SierraSpaceCo) November 28, 2023

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

— Sierra Space (@SierraSpaceCo) December 7, 2023

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 (@SierraSpaceCo) December 8, 2023

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

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

— VΛST (@vast) December 4, 2023

** 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

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

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Systems

Videos: Space habitat reports – Dec.1.2023

December 1, 2023 TopSpacer

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!

** ISS@25: Opportunities – NASA Johnson

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.

** ISS@25: Unique Laboratory – NASA Johnson

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.

** Misc. resources:

** 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

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

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Systems

Videos: Space habitat reports – Nov.24.2023

November 24, 2023 TopSpacer

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

** Thanksgiving Message from the International Space Station – 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 shared their thoughts about spending Thanksgiving in space and some of the foods they plan to enjoy while in orbit.

** ISS@25: Accomplishments – NASA Johnson

“Spaceflight is a team sport,” astronaut Josh Cassada says as he joins Space Station Researcher Gioia Massa and Space Station Deputy Program Manager Dana Weigel in highlighting some of the ways the orbiting laboratory helps NASA advance technology and improve life on Earth.

** ISS@25: History Every Day – NASA Johnson

Years of accomplishments, one day at a time. From medicinal testing to climate study and systems maintenance, every day of advancement adds up to years of groundbreaking achievements.

** Expedition 70 Astronaut Talks with Students, Celebrates Danish Comics Character – Nov. 22, 2023 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Andy Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed living and working in space as part of a celebration honoring comic book character Rasmus Klump during an in-flight interview Nov. 22. 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.

** See China’s Shenzhou 17 crew eat, work and look at Earth from the Tiangong space station – VideoFromSpace

The Shenzhou 17 crew, Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, have been keeping busy with experiments, Earth photography and more. Catch a glimpse of their activities aboard the Tiangong space station.

Videos: Space habitat reports – Nov.15.2023

November 15, 2023 TopSpacer

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:

** Expedition 70 Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli Answers Pensacola, FL Student Questions – Nov. 15, 2023 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli discussed living and working in space during an in-flight event Nov. 12 with students attending the Creative Learning Academy in Pensacola, Florida. Moghbeli is in the midst of a science mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies. 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.

** – ISS National Lab

** Expedition 70 SpaceX Dragon CRS-29 Cargo Ship Space Station Docking – Nov. 9, 2023 – NASA Video

Loaded with scientific experiments and supplies, an unpiloted SpaceX Dragon cargo ship automatically docked to the International Space Station’s Earth-facing port of the Harmony module Nov 11. The SpaceX resupply craft launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida Nov. 9 as part of the company’s 29th commercial resupply mission for the agency and will remain at the station for one month.

** SpaceX Commercial Resupply Resource Reel – NASA Johnson

SpaceX Commercial Resupply – One of two American providers delivering cargo to the International Space Station.

Download available at: https://images.nasa.gov/details-jsc20…

Rollout – 00:10
Launch Pad – 00:46
Late Load – 1:21
Launch (day) – 1:48
Launch (night) – 6:37
Second Stage Separation – 9:04
Arrival and Docking – 10:01
Unpack – 13:59
Cold Stowage – 14:36
Pack – 16:58
Undock – 18:04
Splashdown – 20:25

Under NASA’s commercial resupply services contract, SpaceX delivers critical science, hardware, and supplies to crew aboard the International Space Station. SpaceX’s Dragon cargo spacecraft lifts off atop the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida. Commercial resupply by U.S. companies significantly increases NASA’s ability to conduct more investigations aboard the orbiting laboratory. These investigations lead to new technologies, medical treatments, and products that improve life on Earth. Other U.S. government agencies, private industry, and academic and research institutions can also conduct microgravity research through the agency’s partnership with the International Space Station National Laboratory.

** Shenzhou-17 Crew Fulfills Diverse Missions in Orbit – CCTV Video News Agency

The Shenzhou-17 crew is conducting diverse missions orderly in China’s Tiangong space station.

** The ISS has more gravity than you think! – @_cosmic00

** What’s So Cool About NASA’s Cold Atom Lab? – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA’s Cold Atom Laboratory on the International Space Station is regularly the coldest known spot in the universe. But why are scientists producing clouds of atoms a fraction of a degree above absolute zero? And why do they need to do it in space? Quantum physics, of course.

Here’s how CAL is helping scientists learn more about the physics behind things like miniaturized technology and the fundamental nature of the particles that make up everything we see.

For more about CAL and its science, visit https://coldatomlab.jpl.nasa.gov/

** Highlight: South Africa – Cape Town to Pretoria – Nov 13, 2023 – 13:45 UTC – ISS Above

Pretoria is at the bottom of the frame about about the 3m mark
Captured from NASA’s EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station