Nasa has published the first details of its new prototype space suit - and it looks oddly familiar. In fact, as many have remarked, it...

Go here to see the original:

Nasa's New Space Suit Looks Exactly Like Buzz Lightyear

NASA has announced a prototype spacesuit that promises to completely overhaul the way astronauts conduct spaceflights. The Z-1 suit is designed to help astronauts move more smoothly while on spacewalks. However, the biggest improvement is that the Z-1 is also designed to afford a high range of mobility for astronauts walking on another planet some day.

See the rest here:

New NASA Prototype Spacesuit Looks Like Buzz Lightyear

The space agency reveals a prototype for its first new suit in 20 years. And it looks awfully familiar...

NASA's first spacesuit, worn by U.S. astronaut Alan Shepard in 1963, was awfullyshinylike tinfoil wrapped around an action figure. Less than a decade later, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin skipped across the moon's surface wearing iconic bubble suits that vaguely resembled the Pillsbury Doughboy. And the current model donned by NASA's heroic space explorers hasn't been changed since 1992, making it something of a dinosaur,says David Szondy at Gizmag.Well, that's about to change, thanks to the "Z-1 Prototype Spacesuit and Portable Life Support System." Here's what you should know:

Why hasn't NASA updated its spacesuit in 20 years?They haven't needed to. Most U.S. space missions have taken humans from a space shuttle directly to the International Space Station (ISS), where astronauts float safely inside. The old suits were fully capable of handling the job. But now, with NASA expected to announce more moon missions soon, and with President Obama proposing a plan to send astronauts on longer missions to asteroids by 2025, and with all the hubbub surrounding Mars, NASA's wardrobe needs an update.

So what are they changing?Everything, basically. Just like gadgets here on Earth are always slimming down, the material used for the Z-1 will be noticeably thinner than older models, with flexible joints to allow for greater mobility. Popular Science notes this "provisional outer covering" will be heavily engineered, with a layer of urethane-coated nylon that helps retain air. The outermost layer will be made of polyester, which allows the suit to mold to its wearer. And the suit will need to protect the wearer from heat, cold, and tiny little space fragments. It'll need to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide contaminants. As Gizmag's Szondy succinctly puts it, the suit will "need to do everything that a spaceship does."The astronaut will also wear a backpack-like "suitport" an umbilical cord-like support system that connects the wearer to an attached spaceship, rover, or space base. This system supplies the wearer with everything they need: Proper oxygen intake, safe temperature levels, a low-pressure system, and other necessities needed to survive space's deadly vacuum.

How do astronauts put it on?The whole process of putting on a spacesuit is a painstaking affair, and currently takes over an hour. But this new system will be easier, utilizing a less-rigid suit that's flexible when not inflated more like your dirty laundry than a medieval suit of armor.

What will they wear it for?Everything, basically from doing basic ISS repairs to walking on Mars' barren surface. "It's like you're trying to go on vacation, but don't know if you're going to Antarctica, Miami, or Buckingham palace," spacesuit engineer Amy Ross told UberGizmo back in July. "We're building a lot of tools for the toolbox. Right now we're very flexible."

Why does look like it was inspired by a certain Toy Story character?It sure does, doesn't it? Between the bubble-like helmet and the lime-green piping, the resemblance between the Z-1 and Buzz Lightyear's space ranger get-up is pretty "uncanny," says Ryan Grenoble at The Huffington Post. It's unclear if NASA designed the suit with the Disney hero in mind, but bear in mind the Z-1 is still just a prototype. To infinity and beyond, in any case.

Sources: Daily Mail,Gizmag, Huffington Post, National Geographic, Popular Mechanics,Ubergizmo

SEE MORE: Are astronauts stuck in space allowed to vote?

View this article on TheWeek.com Get 4 Free Issues of The Week

Go here to see the original:

NASA's next-generation spacesuit: Inspired by Buzz Lightyear?

It might make the astronaut wearing it look like a real-life Buzz Lightyear, but a new prototype spacesuit that NASA just finished testing represents the first major overhaul in spacesuit technology since 1998.

Flexible, white, and lime green accented, the suit known as the Z-1 is designed not only to help astronauts comfortably maneuver during spacewalks in microgravity, but also to deftly move about when walking on the surface of a planet or other smaller heavenly body, like an asteroid.

Plus, it's fashionable: The suit bears an unmistakable resemblance to the costume worn by "Toy Story" animated film character Buzz Lightyear.

The spacesuit in use today for spacewalking, known as an EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit), was designed to aid in building the International Space Station, but a previous iteration of the EMU was used for moonwalks during the Apollo missions. While both of these models serve their respective purposes, the creators of the Z-1 wanted to develop a more versatile outfit for space. [Introducing NASA'S Future Spacesuit, the Z-1 (Infographic)]

To that end, the new prototype is markedly different in a few ways.

Back-entry suit

"One of the big differences is the rear-entry design," Amy Ross, one of the engineers responsible for the suit's development, said during a NASA video interview. "So the shuttle EMU splits at the waist and you put pants on and you put the top on separately and they connect in the middle. Whereas with this suit, the subject crawls in through the back, and then we just shut the door."

Creating a back-entry suit solves a few of the problems spacewalkers often face during trips to the International Space Station. Using airlocks to depressurize is a time consuming, exhausting process. By using a rear-entry design, the astronauts won't need to go through an airlock at all. The suit hooks up to the outside of the spacecraft using the "space port" opening, and the spacewalker simply climbs in and detaches.

"We think it's less prone to injury," Ross says, "especially shoulder injury which can occur with the shuttle EMU-donning method."

NASA is in the process of crafting a new life-support backpack known as the PLSS 2.0 for the suit as well. The backpack model in use today is sensitive to contamination and quickly uses up oxygen, making it difficult for astronauts to conduct long spacewalks. The new backpack model is more efficient and less susceptible to contaminants.

More here:

New NASA Spacesuit Looks like Buzz Lightyear's

NASA said it has been flooded with calls and emails from people asking about the purported end of the world — which, as the doomsday myth goes, is apparently set to take place Friday, Dec. 21. And they have one simple response: "The world will not end in 2012." Join Times reporter Kate Mather will join L.A. Now Live at 9 a.m. to discuss NASA's efforts to debunk the myth.

See original here:

L.A. Now Live: NASA debunks Dec. 21 'end of the world' fears

LITTLETON, Colo. NASA's next mission to the Red Planet is undergoing extensive testing in preparation for its launch next year.

Here within a Lockheed Martin Space Systems high-bay cleanroom, technicians are in tender-loving-care mode, busily outfitting and testing the Mars Atmosphere And Volatile EvolutioN (Maven) spacecraft.

This probe has a literal thirst for knowledge.

The goal of Maven, a $670 million Mars orbiter, is to study how Mars loses its atmospheric gas to space, and the role this process has played in changing the Martian climate through time. Mars' atmosphere is cold and dry today, but there was once liquid water flowing over the surface. So where did the atmosphere and the water go? [Video: Maven to Hunt Mars' Lost Water]

Maven's launch period is a 20 day window between Nov. 18 and Dec. 7, 2013. If the spacecraft is hurled Marsward on day one of that window, it will insert itself into orbit around the planet on Sept. 22, 2014.

Following a five-week commissioning phase, Maven is to settle into its primary mission, roughly in the opening days of November 2014.

Maven's one-Earth-year mission allows thorough coverage of near-Mars space. The probe is built to answer questions about the history of Martian volatiles and atmosphere, essential data to help reveal the nature of planetary habitability.

Direct descendent

Maven is deep in assembly, test and launch operations, a critical phase dubbed ATLO, said Tim Priser, Lockheed Martin's chief engineer for the spacecraft.

"If you look at the physical characteristics of Maven, it is a direct descendent of our Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter," Priser told SPACE.com.

More:

Maven's Haven: NASA's Next Mars Mission Preps for Launch

NASA fields hundreds of calls from public worried about "Doomsday" Houston Chronicle Copyright 2012 Houston Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 3:12 pm, Thursday, December 20, 2012 The "end of the world" could come from giant solar storms, a meteor barrelling toward Earth, a black out or a mysterious "Planet X ...

Read this article:

NASA fields hundreds of calls from public worried about "Doomsday"

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - NASA is so sure there will be a December 22, 2012, it has already posted a YouTube video titled "Why the World Didn't End Yesterday."

Scientists say rumors on social media and the Internet of Earth's premature demise have been prompted by a misunderstanding of the ancient Maya calendar, which runs through December 21, 2012.

"It's just the end of the cycle and the beginning of the new one. It's just like on December 31, our calendar comes to an end, but a new calendar for the next year begins on January 1," Don Yeomans, head of NASA's Near-Earth Object program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., said in a separate YouTube video.

According to the story circulating on the Internet, an enormous rogue planet called Niburu is on a collision course with Earth.

"If it were, we would have seen it long ago and it if were invisible somehow, we would have seen its effects on the neighboring planets. Thousands of astronomers who scan the night skies on a daily basis have not seen this," Yeomans said.

Still, thousands of mystics and New Age dreamers have descended on ancient Maya temples across Mexico and Central America hoping to witness the birth of a new era when the day dubbed "end of the world" dawns on Friday.

So is NASA covering up to prevent panic?

"Can you imagine thousands of astronomers keeping the same secret from the public for several years?" Yeomans said.

Initially, Niburu, also known as Planet X, was to impact in May 2003, but when that didn't happen the doomsday date was moved to coincide with the end of one of the cycles of the ancient calendar at winter solstice -- December 21, 2012.

Other celestial events that will not be happening: a planetary alignment causing a massive tidal surge or a total blackout of Earth; a reversal in Earth's rotation; an impact by a giant asteroid; a giant solar storm.

Read this article:

NASA posts YouTube video debunking Maya "Armageddon"

MBRace 2
This was some of CBU #39;s underclassmen braving the pouring rain to attempt the 2007 Great Moonbuggy Race sponsored by NASA. This video covers pre-race practice, assembly and weight/size trials, and finally racing. After the first round the buggy suffered from a broken weld, which is repaired in time for the second round. Thanks to the Saturn V restoration team for letting us borrow their welder!From:johnt00787Views:0 0ratingsTime:15:11More inScience Technology

Read this article:

MBRace 2 - Video

KiteRolling with Nasa Parawing NPW9B
Getting pulled on my rollerblades with homemade Nasa Parawing NPW9B Teega. Manukau harbour foreshore New Zealand. Just a medium breeze is enoughFrom:aebzenViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:42More inSports

Go here to see the original:

KiteRolling with Nasa Parawing NPW9B - Video

Soyuz TMA-07M Blasts Off to the Space Station | NASA ISS Expedition 34 Video
Visit my website at http://www.junglejoel.com - Wednesday, Dec. 19; the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft has launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the Space Station. Please rate and comment, thanks! Video Credits NASAFrom:CoconutScienceLabViews:1 0ratingsTime:03:47More inScience Technology

Excerpt from:

Soyuz TMA-07M Blasts Off to the Space Station | NASA ISS Expedition 34 Video - Video

Asteroid Toutatis on 2012-12-14
NASA Radar Images Asteroid Toutatis 12.14.12 This 64-frame movie of asteroid Toutatis was generated from data by Goldstone #39;s Solar System Radar on Dec. 12 and 13, 2012.From:RealJock123Views:0 0ratingsTime:00:40More inScience Technology

Read this article:

Asteroid Toutatis on 2012-12-14 - Video

Great review UFO near the Sun and The disappearance of the Sun December 19, 2012.
Great review UFO near the Sun + The disappearance of the Sun December 19, 2012 Review of UFO near the Sun - Images from NASA satellites SOHO STEREO Ahead + Behind (EUVI 195) at December 19, 2012 + The disappearance of the Sun! Oops! The sun had disappeared! We can see the stars, but we do not see the sun! As you will see, the images in this time period is seized by NASA of the received data from the satellite SOHO STEREO Behind. NASA officials, removed time 06-00 to 10-00. These many UFO near our Sun are real unidentified objects. UFOs are of different sizes, different structures, different forms. Many UFOs are around some "energy" field. "UFOs are always near our sun. UFOs flying into the sun, and fly out of the sun. Many unidentified objects, fly up to the sun and to maneuver at high speeds. For all movement UFO can be seen in my previous file perennial surveys UFO near the Sun on this channel. In the early history of research, I was getting good quality images of the objects, but more than a year, NASA provides the public images of very poor quality. People questioned NASA. NASA responded that these UFOs - a speck of dust on the lens, these UFOs - broken pixels on the sensor lens, these UFOs - meteorites, etc. Excuses, NASA was vast. But now, NASA is silent. People should know the truth! For complete information about the UFO near the Sun - Read our book and watch the DVD. Information on the site http://www.thesunproject.net Watch in HD and full screen! For full information ...From:myunhauzen74Views:218 9ratingsTime:04:52More inPeople Blogs

Visit link:

Great review UFO near the Sun and The disappearance of the Sun December 19, 2012. - Video

Debussy - Clair de lune
Clair de lune, "moonlight" in French, is one of Debussy #39;s most popular pieces. Photo credits: Flickr-Matt Baran, paul (dex) bica, pfly, s58y, mark roy, Stephen Wolfe, Hartwig HKD devianart-boodie NASA/JPL/Space Science InstituteFrom:piano4noahViews:5 0ratingsTime:04:55More inMusic

The rest is here:

Debussy - Clair de lune - Video

Conspiracy of the Highest Echelon
This video examines a possible conspiracy regarding UFO contact and government collusion at the highest levels. The presentation includes stunning NASA footage of orbital and lunar alien encounters, interviews with physicists and defense ministers, and even mysterious comments by Buzz Aldrin himself concerning a monolith found on the Martian moon. The generation now alive is "privileged" to see the greatest transition in the history of the human race -- to a Planetary Type 1 civilization. All lunar and orbital footage is public domain material and can be found at the NASA, JPL, JSC archives, including: NASA Mission Transcripts: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov NASA Past Mission Image Archives: http://www.nasa.gov Special thanks to LunaCognita for his research and compilation of lunar/orbital footage.From:SuspectSkyViews:0 0ratingsTime:31:22More inEducation

The rest is here:

Conspiracy of the Highest Echelon - Video

THE WORLD WON #39;T END!
The world won #39;t end on Dec. 21, 2012. NASA said that the world won #39;t end!From:jammask9Views:0 0ratingsTime:01:35More inPeople Blogs

Read the original post:

THE WORLD WON'T END! - Video

A spokesman says the space agency is doing 'everything in our power,' including interviews with scientists and a special Web page, to debunk doomsday predictions. If there's one government agency really looking forward to Dec. 22, it's NASA.

Continued here:

Fearful 'end of world' calls, emails flood NASA as Dec. 21 nears

Nasa's Cassini spacecraft, which has been in orbit around Saturn for more than eight years, has delivered a rare backlit view of the planet and its rings.

The image was taken during Cassini's 174th orbit around the gas giant when it was deliberately positioned within Saturn's shadow.

The US space agency said on its website: "It was the perfect location from which to look in the direction of the sun and take a backlit view of the rings and the dark side of the planet.

"Looking back towards the sun is a geometry referred to by planetary scientists as "high solar phase"; near the centre of your target's shadow is the highest phase possible.

"This is a very scientifically advantageous and coveted viewing position, as it can reveal details about both the rings and atmosphere that cannot be seen in lower solar phase."

The mosaic picture is composed of 60 images taken in violet, visible and near-infrared colours.

Saturn's moons Enceladus and Tethys appear on the left side of the planet, below the rings.

Carolyn Porco, head of Cassini's imaging team at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, said: "Of all the many glorious images we have received from Saturn, none are more strikingly unusual than those taken from Saturn's shadow.

"They unveil a rare splendour seldom seen anywhere else in our solar system."

The last time Cassini had such an unusual perspective on Saturn and its rings was in September 2006, when it captured a mosaic, called In Saturn's Shadow which is one of the most popular Cassini images

Here is the original post:

Nasa Shares Rare View Of Saturn's Rings

If you haven't heard any of the nonsense about the world coming to an end in December, let me know your trick for avoiding it for the next round. But this time, the chatter over the Internet and elsewhere has been so prevalent for so long that even the national space agency, NASA, has addressed the issue in more than one way. Read full article >>

Here is the original post:

NASA's lesson on the end of the world

Pity the poor NASA employee whose laptop was stolen from his car. The computer contained more than 10,000 social security numbers of his NASA colleagues, and the incident will cost the agency thousands of dollars in post-theft credit monitoring.

Original post:

NASA laptop containing 10,000 social-security numbers has disappeared