Category Archives: Space Settlement

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Dec.15.2023

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:

** 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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ISS after undocking of STS-132

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Activism, Space participation, Space Settlement

NSS Space Forum: Sustainable Space Development – Doug Plata

Check out the upcoming National Space Society Space Forum with Dr. Doug Plata, President and founder of the Space Development Network. He will talk about the  Network’s plan for sustainable space development and focus in particular on The Space Fair and Instabase projects. The presentation on Zoom is set for Thursday, July 13, 2023, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EDT.

[ Update July.17.2023: Here is a video of the event:

]

From the NSS announcement:

The Plan for Sustainable Space Development is the plan proposed by the Space Development Network for the initial development of space. It has similarities to the NSS Roadmap, but it is focused on the near term, what is probable, and a specific timetable. Doug’s presentation will focus on two aspects, The Space Fair and Instabase.

The Space Fair is made from the exhibits which were displayed at ISDC 2023 in Frisco, Texas and which filled a conference room, much to the delight and enjoyment of the attendees. The Space Fair is divided into 15 categories and Doug will review the sections as they provide an interesting summary of the plan.

Following that introduction to the plan, Doug will explore their proposed concept for the Initial Permanent Bases on the moon and Mars. This Instabase would be designed to house the very historic, Initial Permanent Crew of eight. Doug will explain why they  believe that inflatables make the best sense not only for the Initial Permanent Base but for the initial phase of the International Bases on the Moon and Mars. They could use very large, 100 ton inflatables delivered via Starship. Doug will systematically go through the various modules of the InstaBase and then describe the scenario for the Initial Permanent Crew.

Don’t miss this informative space forum that will feature the innovative concepts for habitation on the Moon proposed by the Space Development Network.  Doug will also share more about the Space Development Network and answer all of your questions. …

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Doug Plata is a physician in Redlands, CA.  He is the President and Founder of the Space Development Network, a free-to-join organization of space advocates networked to advance space development projects. Doug has served on multiple committees of different space advocacy organizations. He has made dozens of appearances and presentations at conferences and on the radio.  He recently oversaw the completion of a full-scale Moon-Mars base mock-up named the InstaBase which is to be displayed during major Starship launches. His primary interest is the establishment of large, inflatable, and sustainable bases as the initial permanent bases on both the Moon and Mars.

Register for the event here.

Hear also Doug discuss Space Development Network initiatives in interviews on The Space Show.

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In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Videos: “Space to Ground” & other space habitat reports – Nov.19.2022

Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:

** U.S. Spacewalk 81 Animation – Nov. 14, 2022 – NASA Video

NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio conducted a spacewalk outside the Quest airlock of the International Space Station Nov. 15 to erect a bracket on the starboard 6 truss upon which an ISS Rollout Solar Array (IROSA) will be attached after it is delivered on a future SpaceX Cargo Dragon flight. The IROSAs are being installed for six of the eight space station power channels to augment the power capability for the orbital outpost. Narration by Kieth Johnson, EVA task Flight Controller

** Spacewalk Outside the International Space Station with NASA Astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio – NASA

NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio are conducting a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to assemble a mounting bracket on the starboard side of the station’s truss assembly. The spacewalk, which will prepare the future deployment of additional solar arrays for the station, is scheduled to begin around 8 a.m. EST (1300 UTC) and last for about seven hours.

Cassada (wearing the suit with red stripes) and Rubio (wearing the unmarked suit) are part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission, which arrived at the station on Oct. 6, 2022. This is the first spacewalk for both astronauts.

** Russian Spacewalk 55 Animation – November 16, 2022 – NASA Johnson

Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin conducted a spacewalk outside the Poisk module of the International Space Station to prepare a radiator for its relocation from the Rassvet module to the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module. The radiator and an associated airlock launched in 2010 on Rassvet on a space shuttle mission will continue the outfitting of the Nauka module for future use as both a research facility and a second airlock for Russian-segment based spacewalks. Voice over by Mitchell Harger, EVA Integration and Operations Lead

** Space Station Astronaut Discusses Life In Space With ABC’s Good Morning America – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Nicole Mann discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Nov. 18 with ABC’s “Good Morning America”. The quartet is in the midst of a long duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory. The goal of the mission is 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.

** SpaceX CRS-26 Research: Overview – ISS National Lab – YouTube

SpaceX’s 26th Commercial Resupply Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) features dozens of experiments that will be performed over the coming weeks. Many are sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, and this video highlights some of those investigations. To learn more about all ISS National Lab-sponsored research and technology development investigations on this mission, visit the ISS National Lab launch page: https://www.issnationallab.org/launch…

** See Chinese spacewalkers work outside Tiangong space station in these highlights  – VideoFromSpace

Chinese astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe installed a “connection “bridge” between the three modules” of the Tiangong space station during a spacewalk on Nov. 17, 2022. It was the the third spacewalk for the Shenzhou-14 crew.

** Shenzhou-14 Crew Install Connection Device Between Space Station Modules During EAVs – CCTV Video News Agency

China’s Shenzhou-14 astronauts installed a connection device between the modules of the country’s space station on Thursday during their third extravehicular activities (EVAs).

** Gateway Overview Video – NASA Johnson

** ISS Live video stream – IBM/ISS HD Earth Viewing Experiment

Currently, live views from the ISS are streaming from an external camera mounted on the ISS module called Node 2. Node 2 is located on the forward part of the ISS. The camera is looking forward at an angle so that the International Docking Adapter 2 (IDA2) is visible. If the Node 2 camera is not available due to operational considerations for a longer period of time, a continuous loop of recorded HDEV imagery will be displayed. The loop will have “Previously Recorded” on the image to distinguish it from the live stream from the Node 2 camera. After HDEV stopped sending any data on July 18, 2019, it was declared, on August 22, 2019, to have reached its end of life. Thank You to all who shared in experiencing and using the HDEV views of Earth from the ISS to make HDEV so much more than a Technology Demonstration Payload!

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Contests and Games, Space business, Space Settlement

Rothblatt/NSS Space Settlement in Our Lifetime competition renewed for 2022

An announcement from the National Space Society (NSS):

NSS and Martine Rothblatt Renew the
Space Settlement in Our Lifetime Business Plan Competition
for 2022
Second Annual Business Plan Contest Doubles Prize Money

The National Space Society is pleased to announce that Dr. Martine Rothblatt has renewed her challenge to the space community to develop compelling business plans to enable space settlement in our lifetimes. The annual Rothblatt Space Settlement in Our Lifetime competition consists of three awards of $16,000, $10,000, and $6,000 USD for the best business plans that reflect Dr. Rothblatt’s vision for space settlement.

Dr. Rothblatt has been a pioneer in satellite communications, founding the Sirius XM radio network in 1990. She later became the chairwoman and CEO of United Therapeutics, a biotechnology company devoted to prolonging human life. Her trailblazing work in organ replacement has saved countless lives and will be a key technology in creating sustainable communities in space. Her vision for space settlement is vast, encompassing the next century of human migration into space.

“Dr. Rothblatt’s vision for space settlement explores every facet of our ultimate journey beyond Earth,” said Michelle Hanlon, the president of the National Space Society. “She foresees not just the migration of human beings to free-floating space habitats, but the preservation of individual human identities via digital ‘mindfiles’ that can be integrated into new bodies. This kind of thinking really pushes the boundaries of human creativity and innovation. We are confident that her Space Settlement in our Lifetime business plan competition will continue to push the same boundaries.”

The first Rothblatt business plan competition selected three prize winners at the NSS’s Space Settlement Summit in Beverly Hills, California in November 2021. For 2022, winners will be announced at the society’s annual International Space Development Conference in Arlington, Virginia which runs from May 27-29. One representative from each winning team will have their travel expenses covered to attend the conference.

The Space Settlement in our Lifetime competition is open to anyone, of any age, anywhere on Earth (local laws and restrictions may apply). Those wishing to enter must create a compelling business plan that will help to enable some aspect or increment of space settlement. See more at spacebizplan.nss.org. Two informative presentations by Dr. Rothblatt can be viewed there. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2021. All business plan submissions should be made in PDF format.

“We hope to see some remarkable new business plans, just as we did in 2021,” said Rod Pyle, Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, NSS’s official publication. “Martine is an incredible person—one of a small number I can call a true visionary—and her concepts for the future of humanity are truly inspiring. Writing about competition for Ad Astra each year fills me with a sense of hope for our future in space. Thanks again to Martine for supporting this endeavor, and I encourage anyone with a profound idea for a business that will, in some way, support the future of human communities in space to enter the competition!”

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Activism, Space participation, Space Settlement

National Space Society’s ISDC 2021 – virtual 4-day conference – opens June 24

The National Space Society‘s annual meeting – International Space Development Conference (ISDC 2021)–  starts today, June 24th as a virtual on-line event. The presentations on the first 3 days are available at no charge. An Interactive ISDC Sunday ($45) will bring “participants into contact with leading space experts in an interactive format. These discussions [will be] challenging and stimulating.”

ISDC2021.NSS.org : June 24-26 – free, June 27 – $45

The above graphic shows some of the Speakers.  Check out the elaborate Schedule of talks, panels, and debates.

From the NSS:

Please join us on Thursday-Sunday, June 24-27, for our multi-day virtual event, ISDC 2021. This exciting, four-day virtual event looks at the future of space exploration, development and settlement. And best of all, it’s entirely FREE for the first three days! Beginning at 12:00 PM EDT (9:00 AM PDT).

For complete information including a full schedule, go to isdc2021.nss.org.

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The International Space Development Conference® (ISDC®), will focus on key areas of space development: space settlement, space policy, space solar power, Moon, and international space programs and will include presentations by students from the Space Settlement Design Competition and the NSS Space Settlement Contest. ISDC 2021 will be a virtual event showcasing the technologies, people and organizations that will lead us to develop the final frontier!

ISDC 2021 presents the finest minds in this movement to develop space, with experts presenting the latest visions of humanity’s migration into space: where we will go, why we will go there, and how we will do so. Speakers include engineers and scientists working in new space; top minds from the aerospace and defense sectors; and educators, physicians, and investors focusing on the business and future of space travel, settlement, and exploration.