NASA Inaugurates New Space Station Era as Earth Science Observation Platform with RapidScat Instrument

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ISS-RapidScat instrument, shown in this artists rendering, was launched to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX CRS-4 mission on Sept. 21, 2014 and attached at ESAs Columbus module. It will measure ocean surface wind speed and direction and help improve weather forecasts, including hurricane monitoring. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Johnson Space Center.

NASA inaugurated a new era of research for the International Space Station (ISS) as an Earth observation platform following the successful installation and activation of the ISS-RapidScat science instrument on the outposts exterior at Europes Columbus module.

The ISS Rapid Scatterometer, or ISS-RapidScat, is NASAs first research payload aimed at conducting near global Earth science from the stations exterior and will be augmented with others in coming years.

RapidScat is designed to monitor ocean winds for climate research, weather predictions, and hurricane monitoring.

The 1280 pound (580 kilogram) experimental instrument is already collecting its first science data following its recent power-on and activation at the station.

Its antenna began spinning and it started transmitting and receiving its first winds data on Oct.1, according to a NASA statement.

The first image from RapidScat was released by NASA on Oct. 6, shown below, and depicts preliminary measurements of global ocean near-surface wind speeds and directions.

Launched Sept. 21, 2014, to the International Space Station, NASAs newest Earth-observing mission, the International Space Station-RapidScat scatterometer to measure global ocean near-surface wind speeds and directions, has returned its first preliminary images. Credit: NASA-JPL/Caltech

The $26 million remote sensing instrument uses radar pulses to observe the speed and direction of winds over the ocean for the improvement of weather forecasting.

Most satellite missions require weeks or even months to produce data of the quality that we seem to be getting from the first few days of RapidScat, said RapidScat Project Scientist Ernesto Rodriguez of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, which built and manages the mission.

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NASA Inaugurates New Space Station Era as Earth Science Observation Platform with RapidScat Instrument

Astronaut's Breathtaking Photos From Space

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Astronaut Chris Hadfield is releasing a stunning book of photos that he snapped from space.

During his time orbiting Earth in the International Space Station, the mustachioed Canadian gained a following as he shared the ins and outs of life in space on social media. Millions of Earthlings were treated to photos, videos and blog posts answering everything from how Hadfield sleeps to whether it's possible to cry in space.

He wasn't afraid to bust out a song, either. After his final mission, Hadfield treated his fans at home to a rendition of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," performed while he was on the International Space Station. The video garnered more than 22 million hits, according to Hadfield's official website.

Hadfield's book, "You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes," will be released Tuesday. He's also set to play four shows with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra this weekend, where he'll play several new songs he wrote while in space.

Chris Hadfield

PHOTO: Chris Hadfield took this photo of Mount Vesuvius in Italy from the International Space Station.

Chris Hadfield

PHOTO: Chris Hadfield took this photo of Broome, Australia, from the International Space Station.

Chris Hadfield

PHOTO: Chris Hadfield took this photo of Cuba and Florida from the International Space Station.

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Winds sensor opens door for Earth science from ISS

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A $26 million science instrument carried to the International Space Station last month by SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule has been switched on and is measuring winds over the world's oceans to help forecasters track the intensity of tropical cyclones, NASA officials said.

The International Space Station-Rapid Scatterometer instrument is mounted on the space station's European Space Agency Columbus module. Credit: NASA Made of leftover parts from a satellite developed in the 1990s, the instrument package was mounted on the outside of the space station to fill a data gap that could degrade the ability of meteorologists to monitor hurricanes.

Without the need for a dedicated launcher or a standalone satellite, NASA saved more than $300 million by recycling spare parts launching the wind monitoring sensor to the space station, according to Howard Eisen, the mission's project manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

"RapidScat is the ultimate effort in recycling," Eisen said. "We took hardware, some of which was 17 or 18 years old, and we put it to new use."

The International Space Station-Rapid Scatterometer, or ISS-RapidScat, instrument launched from Cape Canaveral on Sept. 21 in the unpressurized trunk section of an unmanned SpaceX Dragon supply ship.

The Dragon spacecraft, carrying more than 2.5 tons of pressurized and unpressurized cargo such as food, experiments and spare parts, arrived at the space station Sept. 23.

Under the control of engineers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the station's Canadian-built robot arm and Dextre manipulator -- a two-armed device with mechanical hands -- completed a two-step procedure to pull the RapidScat instrument and its mounting adapter from the Dragon spaceship's trunk.

The first step on Sept. 29 attached an adapter for RapidScat to an external platform on the space station's European Columbus laboratory module. After engineers made sure the adapter had a firm mechanical and electrical attachment to the station, the outpost's robotics system extracted the RapidScat sensor system and mated it to the adapter plate on Columbus.

The instrument was powered up Oct. 1, according to a NASA press release, and it should be supplying weather forecasters with operational data by the end of the month.

Part of the RapidScat instrument assembly is seen attached to the space station's Dextre robot during the transfer from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Credit: NASA RapidScat's primary sensor is a 100 watt, 2.5-foot-diameter microwave antenna that spins at nearly 20 rpm, emitting and receiving signals bounced off the ocean's surface.

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Winds sensor opens door for Earth science from ISS

The role of international cooperation in China's space station plans

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While China has been going it alone, for the most part, with its human spaceflight program so far, its open to greater international cooperation as it develops a permanent space station (above). (credit: China Manned Space Agency)

The annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC) offers an opportunity to get a global perspective on space efforts often lacking elsewhere. That is, when delegates from other nations can actually attend. This years IAC, held two weeks ago in Toronto, was marked by the absence of top Chinese and Russian officials, who were deniedor, at least, somehow unable to obtainvisas for the event, for reasons never made clear by conference organizers or Canadian officials (see Canadian space at a crossroads, The Space Review, October 13, 2014.)

However, whatever issues that prevented officials from the China National Space Administration and Roscosmos from attending were not blanket prohibitions against all Chinese and Russian participants. Some delegates from both countries, primarily from industry and academia, were able to attend. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation had a large exhibit as well, showing off models of Long March rockets, the Change-3 lander, and Yutu rover.

One presentation in particular shed some light on Chinas long-term human spaceflight plans, which center on the development of a permanent space station in low Earth orbit in the early 2020s. While those plans have been widely publicized, what hasnt been as well known is the role of international cooperation in that effort.

The Chinese people stand ready to work together with people from all over the world, said Zhou Lini of the Center for National Security and Strategic Studies at Chinas National University of Defense Technology in a presentation at the IAC on September 30.

International cooperation in Chinas human spaceflight program has been limited so far. A few Shenzhou missions have flown experiments from Canada and Europe. Russia supported development of Chinese spacecraft development and astronaut training, and also provided one spacesuit used on Chinas firstand, to date, onlyspacewalk on the Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008 (a second spacesuit used in the spacewalk was developed in China.) However, Chinas human spaceflight program has otherwise relied exclusively on domestic resources, capabilities, and personnel.

However, in her presentation and accompanying paper, Zhou suggested China would be open to far more significant cooperation with other nations as it develops its space station. That three-person station, as currently envisioned, would consist of three modules: a core module named Tianhe and two experiment modules, Xuntian and Tianwen. The three modules would join together at a central node, giving the station an appearance not unlike the Soviet/Russian Mir station at an early phase of its life.

Zhou suggested that China would be open to having other nations contribute modules to the station. Chinas space station will still have three docking locations for other modules, she said, referring to three unoccupied docking ports on that central node. (One of those three, in illustrations of the station, is occupied by a visiting Shenzhou spacecraft; presumably at least one additional module would need to include a Shenzhou docking port.)

Those modules, she said, could either be developed by other nations independently, or jointly with China. US, Russia, ESA, and Japan may all have the ability to develop experiment modules and collaborate with China, she said.

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XPRIZE 2004: A Ten Year Remembrance By A Member of the ANN/XP News Team

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By ANN Space Correspondent Wes Oleszewski

Ten years ago this month, SpaceShipOne made its final flight and won the coveted X-Prize; the date was October 4th, 2004. I was there, as a part of a three-man primary news team on the inside covering the event for the Aero-News Network.

In mid September of that same year I was contacted by ANNs Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, and invited to join the news team at Mojave, California for the X-Prize. At first, I was torn on whether or not I should go. My daughter was just about ready to take her first steps and as a part of getting out of the cockpit and becoming a stay-at-home daddy, the deal was that I would not have to miss such events as that.

When I told my wife about my dilemma, she, (being also an Embry-Riddle alumnus and in the aviation industry), she reminded me that the flights for the XPrize were not only singular in aviation history, but in spaceflight history as well. Then she gave a simple ultimatum, If you dont go, I will!

As a result I coached our baby girl like Scotty Bowman preparing for a Stanly Cup bid. She took her first steps the evening before I left for Mojave.

When Campbell first offered me the chance to cover X-Prize, he told me we would be on the inside. To which I asked myself, how much on the inside? To give all of you readers an idea of just how inside we were I will cite an event that took place just after the final flight. Every media outlet on the planet had suddenly discovered Mojave before that final flight and they came crowding in. There was a post-flight news conference that was being held in a room that could lawfully fit less than a third of those who wanted to cover the moment. Thus, X-Prize saw fit to limit access by issuing gold stars for those being allowed in, to stick to their badges. As Campbell, Kevin Hognose OBrien and myself, who were the primary ANN team, elbowed our way through the throng trying to get into the building, we heard the security lady at the doors saying repeatedly, Only those with gold stars can get in!

Looking at our badges, we did not have any stinking gold stars. Campbell just said, Dont worry about it. As we pushed through the door we gave a wave to the lady and simply went in. Behind us I heard some shouts of Hey! Those guys dont have gold stars! To which she replied simply, Those guys dont need gold stars.

THAT is how inside ANN was at XPrize.

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XPRIZE 2004: A Ten Year Remembrance By A Member of the ANN/XP News Team

Horner determined to regain F1 title for Red Bull

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Updated: Monday, 13 Oct 2014 11:40 | Comments Christian Horner with four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has warned Mercedes to enjoy their success whilst they can as he is determined to wrest back the Formula One constructors' trophy next season.

After four years of domination in the sport, Red Bull's reign as champions officially came to an end in Russia on Sunday.

On the back of their ninth one-two of the campaign - one short of McLaren's record set in 1988 - Mercedes captured the constructors' crown for the first time in their long motorsport history.

Horner was always aware the day would come, almost from the first day of pre-season given the woes of their own power-unit supplier Renault.

Plagued by countless problems, Red Bull barely covered any mileage in pre-season testing, yet despite that they are certain to finish as runners-up, with Daniel Ricciardo winning three races. Paying respect to Mercedes' performance, Horner said: "Congratulations to Mercedes and all their guys who have designed and made the power unit. They've done a really incredible job this year.

"They're deserving champions, with the constructors' trophy going 12 miles up the road."

With a smile, Horner added: "We've had a little bit of time to get our heads round it - from February in reality.

"In all honesty, Mercedes have done the best job this year, but all it does is motivate you.

"You know how much work goes into winning a championship, and to win it four times in a row is an enormous achievement.

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Horner determined to regain F1 title for Red Bull

Natalie Portman is a Grecian goddess in stunning metallic gown for charity gala

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Natalie Portmans charitable efforts were being praised this weekend, but were applauding her red carpet style.

The Oscar-winning actress hit all the right notes in the Grecian inspired dress this weekend, which she wore to the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Gala: Noche de Ninos at LA Live.

Natalie, 33, who was one of the honourees, was joined on the red carpet by her husband Benjamin Millepied.

While most stars wear as little as possible on the red carpet to turn heads, Natalie showed that you can have grace with little on show.

The star, whose new movie The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards is expected to be released this year, has completed several new movies, including A Tale of Love and Darkness, Knight of Cups and an untitled Terrence Malick project which are all expected to be released next year.]

Natalie, was given the Courage To Care Award for her support of the hospital and the patients that are cared for.

The Oscar-winning star, who has baby son Adelph with her hubby Benjamin, has previously said that her life has changed since becoming a mother.

She told us: "You have to be more organized and plan your schedule with everyone elses since youre part of a family.

"Its a little more complicated but overall it doesnt change things.

"If anything, youre anxious to work on a film because your regular life as a mom is even more tiring!"

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Natalie Portman is a Grecian goddess in stunning metallic gown for charity gala

LIVE: NASA moon experts observe lunar eclipse (I) // found new Live link below – Video

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LIVE: NASA moon experts observe lunar eclipse (I) // found new Live link below
Watch ongoing Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3AdgmareGs NASA moon experts observe and comment 2014 #39;s second total lunar eclipse on October 8. The eclipse is going to start at 08:00...

By: RuptlyTV

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LIVE: NASA moon experts observe lunar eclipse (I) // found new Live link below - Video

NASA plans missions to mine water on the moon

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Lunar Flashlight mission will map the lunar south pole for volatile materials such as water. Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute

There's a lot of water on the moon, and NASA wants to learn how to mine it.

Space agency scientists are developing two separate mission concepts to assess, and learn how to exploit, stores of water ice on the moon and other lunar resources. The projects -- called Lunar Flashlight and the Resource Prospector Mission -- are notionally targeted to blast off in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and aim to help humanity extend its footprint out into the solar system.

"If you're going to have humans on the moon and you need water for drinking, breathing, rocket fuel, anything you want, it's much, much cheaper to live off the land than it is to bring everything with you," said Lunar Flashlight principal investigator Barbara Cohen, of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. [How to Build a Lunar Colony (Infographic)]

It's therefore important to "understand the inventory of volatiles across the whole moon and their purity, and their accessibility in particular," Cohen said in July during a presentation at the NASA Exploration Science Forum, a conference organized by the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute at the agency's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.

Solar sailing to the moon

Lunar Flashlight is working toward a possible launch date in December 2017, when it would blast off on the first test flight of NASA's Space Launch System megarocket, along with several other piggybacking payloads.

Lunar Flashlight is a CubeSat mission, meaning the body of the spacecraft is tiny -- about the size of a cereal box, Cohen said. But after it's deployed in space, the probe would get much bigger by unfurling an 860-square-foot (80 square meters) solar sail. [Photos: Solar Sail Evolution for Space Travel]

The spacecraft would then cruise toward the moon on a circuitous route, propelled along by the photons streaming from the sun. Lunar Flashlight would start orbiting the moon about six months after its launch, then spend another year spiraling down to get about 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the lunar surface.

The probe would then make about 80 passes around the moon at this low altitude, measuring and mapping deposits of water ice in permanently shadowed craters near the lunar poles. It would do this science work with the aid of its solar sail.

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NASA plans missions to mine water on the moon

NASA Contest Will Let You Name a Space Station Droid

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NEW YORK NASA needs your help to name a new space robot, and you could win some cash doing it.

NASA officials are asking space fans around the world to help name, and design a mission patch for, a new free-flying robot expected to launch to theInternational Space Stationin 2017. The first-place winnerof the challenge will receive $1,000. Officials with the space agency put out the call to any interested space fans during a packed session here at New York Comic Conon Saturday (Oct. 11).

"We have this new free-flying robot that we're building," Jason Crusan, director of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems division, told a full house at Comic Con. "We don't know what to call it. 'Free-flying robot' sounds kind of boring and not all that exciting, so we're asking you to actually name the robot for us."

Second, third and fourth place also come with cash prizes. Second place will win $500, with third and fourth prize taking home $250 each. NASA has teamed up with Topcoder to organize the contest.

If an artist's depiction of the new space automaton is any indication, the new robot may look like something out of "Star Wars." In the artist's concept, the robot could appear as a small, ball-shaped droid that will use fans to move itself around the interior of the International Space Station. It is expected to be able to fly itself, or be operated by remote control.

The new free-flying bot would join a group of other free-fliers already on the station. NASA's SPHERES robots (the name is short for Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) are already used on the orbiting outpost. The program has been running for seven years, and is designed to help scientists test robotics hardware and software in microgravity.

The SPHERES robots and the new robot should be able to move around autonomously, but humans living and working on the orbiting outpost can also control the satellites.

"As the push for manned and automated exploration of the solar system expands, NASA and the NASA Ames Research Center are creating controlled and autonomous robotic devices capable of supplementing flight crew," officials wrote in a description of the challenge on the Topcoder website. "These 'free-flying robots' will eventually extend the research and exploration capabilities of astronauts, as they are capable of working during off-hours and (eventually) in extreme environments."

To participate in the NASA challenge to name the new robot, space fans need to register with Topcoder. Participants will reach a checkpoint where they will receive feedback on their initial designs on Oct. 22, and the challenge ends on Oct. 27. Officials will announce the winners of the competition on Nov. 2.

To participate in the challenge and learn more about it, go to http://www.topcoder.com/challenge-details/30046039/?type=design&noncache=true.

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