Olmsted Falls bottle cap project blends spirituality, recycling: Olmsted Dates and Data

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OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- St. Mary of the Falls School has made its presence known more creatively on Taylor Street atColumbia Road.

A 4-by-8foot art collageappears at the corner of Columbia Road and Taylor Street.Students and art teacher Paulette Bohlen created the piece out of about 2,500 plastic bottle caps. The colorful project includes a heart in the middle of a cross standing on a hill, rainbow, and doves.

Paulette said the project "accidentally" occurred while researching ideas on Pinterest for something totally unrelated. She found an artist in southern Ohio, Michelle Stitzlein, who creates sculpture from recycled materials. Paulette was "inspired" by the color and textural quality of her work and believed it also was a great lesson in plastics and recycling.

Rev. Wally Hyclak, St. Mary of the Falls pastorand Principal Annemarie Rajnicek supported the idea and the project began as Paulette asked students and their families to bring in caps last fall.

"Saving caps really rippled into the community outside our school. Parents saved them at their workplace, extended families saved caps, caps were mailed to us from outside Ohio and from overseas," wrote Paulette in an email.

Students submitted designs based on the concept of love of God and His gift of nature. Paulette compiled all the recurring themes from their design sketches into the final composition. It was drawn and painted on the plywood. Then the gluing began. Students from kindergarten through grade 8 helped in that process. Paulette then drilled a screw into each cap to make the mural more weather resistant.

The project provided more than being an artistic creation.

"Throughout the process, we learned some lessons about recycling and the hazards to our environment of single use plastics like water bottles. We discovered artists trying to make the public aware of plastics in our oceans," Paulette wrote. "It was a fun, educational experience."

Be sure to visit the corner of Columbia and Taylorto see the project. You can't miss it.

City meeting Olmsted Falls is eligible to apply for $150,000 in Federal Community Development Block Grant funds that Cuyahoga County administers through the Department of Development. Funds may be used for housing, economic development and community improvement projects.

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Olmsted Falls bottle cap project blends spirituality, recycling: Olmsted Dates and Data

Space Engineers Let’s Play (Survival Mode/S-1) -E16- The Space Station [Gameplay Commentary] – Video

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Space Engineers Let #39;s Play (Survival Mode/S-1) -E16- The Space Station [Gameplay Commentary]
Playlist Season 1: http://goo.gl/HuDJp1 Feel like Subscribing?: https://www.youtube.com/user/Kage848 --------------------------------------------------------...

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Space Engineers Let's Play (Survival Mode/S-1) -E16- The Space Station [Gameplay Commentary] - Video

My first SSTO capable of delivering space station supplies into orbit – Video

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My first SSTO capable of delivering space station supplies into orbit
I guess technically it ISN #39;T an SSTO because of the wing mounted drop tanks, but it takes off from an airfield and it makes it into orbit! Good enough for me. Forum thread: http://forum.kerbalspace...

By: LtHeckard

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My first SSTO capable of delivering space station supplies into orbit - Video

NASA unveils new home for space rats

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Attention space rats and astromice, NASA is sending new, posher rodent habitats to the International Space Station (ISS). The high-tech cages will first will fly in August aboard an unmanned SpaceX Dragon cargo ship and are part of an extensive study on the effects of weightlessness on prolonged space voyages.

Rodents have been part of the US space program since the first mice flew in a V-2 rocket in 1950. Though the chimps and monkeys may have taken the spotlight, mice and rats have played a vital role in space medicine with no less than 27 batches of rodents flying on the Space Shuttle from 1983 to 2011. However, the new round of rodent studies on the ISS mean that theres a need for something more sophisticated than a shoebox to carry the animals around in.

Developed at NASAs Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, the new habitats are designed for transporting the animals to the space station and as part of their long-term accommodation. They consist of a transport module, which fits inside the racks in the pressurized cargo section of the Dragon spacecraft, and an access module for moving the rodents from the transporter to the stations rodent habitat without having the mice escape and take up residence behind the control panels. The access modules also allow the crew to remove than animals from the habitat for observation.

The habitat modules hold 10 mice or 6 rats and are designed to provide them with water, food, lighting and fresh air. Since rats and mice aren't made for flight, the habitat is also equipped with rods for them to grasp as they move about. The habitats are also bugged with data links and a visual/infrared video system, so scientists can keep a constant eye on their charges.

Based on recommendations of the National Research Council, the new modules are part of a study of the effects of prolonged weightlessness, such as would be encountered on a mission to Mars. The six-month tours of duty that astronauts spend on the ISS have revealed a number of problems with living in zero-G, including loss of muscle mass, weakening of bones, as well as affecting the cardiovascular endocrine, nervous, reproductive, and immune systems. A two-year Mars mission could have severe, or perhaps fatal effects especially when space radiation is included. The research is aimed at understanding these effects at the genetic and molecular level in hopes of finding ways to combat them. NASA also says that some of these conditions resemble some earthbound diseases and could help in their treatment.

For such a study, rodents provide many advantages. For one thing, their organs, diet, immune system, and genome are very similar to humans in many respects. Also, as any mourning 10-year old can tell you, they age very quickly compared to humans. With a lifespan of only 18 months to two years, a rodent can experience weightless effects that would take many years in a person, so a six-month visit to the space station by a rat can give great insights into how long space voyages will affect the crews. In addition to this, its possible to study rats at all stages of their development something thats impossible in astronaut crews aged between their late 20s to early 50s. Also, different breeds of rodents can be used for cross referencing.

Studies that use different genetic strains of rodents will help researchers pinpoint the roles played by specific genes in gravity sensing and responses, says Ruth Globus, Ph.D., Rodent Research Project scientist and researcher in the Space Biosciences Division at Ames.

The first flight of the new rodent residence is scheduled for SpaceXs CRS-4 mission in August 8, after which the modules will undergo a technical assessment and be used in studies focusing on muscle atrophy and treatment. If all goes well, a second rodent mission will fly on CRS-6.

The video below outlines the new research project.

Source: NASA

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NASA unveils new home for space rats

Chicago To Host Third ISS Research And Development Conference

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May 24, 2014

Image Caption: The AMS-02 study is a state-of-the-art particle physics detector currently operating aboard the International Space Station. Nobel Laureate Professor Samuel Ting is the principal investigator and key note speaker at the third annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference. Credit: NASA

By Jessica Nimon, International Space Station Program Science Office, NASAs Johnson Space Center

Scientists and engineers alike may soon agree with Frank Sinatra, who sang about Chicago as My Kind of Town when the city hosts the third annual International Space Station (ISS) Research and Development conference from June 17 to 19. While attending, guests will learn about the latest research and technology accomplishments, share ideas for microgravity experiments and find ways to put those concepts aboard the platform of the space station.

This years theme is discoveries, applications and opportunities. To be exact, discoveries in microgravity, Earth and space science, human research, as well as engineering and education. Attendees will also discuss applications benefitting Earth, enabling technology and forwarding exploration, as well as opportunities for use of this innovative, one-of-a-kind laboratory.

The American Astronautical Society organized the event in cooperation with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and NASA. The yearly gathering is the only U.S. conference to detail the scope of research and technology development on the space station. Past, present and potential participants of the orbiting laboratory will come together during the conference to share, learn and grow microgravity research. Companies interested in learning more about space station research and how it might benefit their industry are encouraged to attend.

Of particular interest this year for current and potential new space station researchers is a breakdown from the experts on what really makes the station so valuable, said Allyson Thorn, assistant International Space Station Program scientist. They will show the benefits of performing an experiment in microgravity versus on the ground and comparisons of experiments in both environments. From the cellular level to whole organism level for life sciences experiments and for combustion, fluid physics and materials changes for physical sciences experiments.

The conferences plenary sessions will highlight the latest results from space station studies in the various disciplines of physical, life, Earth and space sciences, as well as spacecraft technology development. Veterans of microgravity research will share findings, while newcomers to the field of studies in space can find pathways to launch their own theories for testing in orbit.

The first keynote speaker of the event is Mike Suffredini, ISS Program manager. Next, guests will hear from Greg Johnson, president and executive director of CASIS. The final keynote presenter is Nobel Laureate Professor Samuel Ting from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Tings talk will cover Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) results and the outlook of data through 2024. The focus of the AMS is to seek answers to the origins and nature of the universe. John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate and a former astronaut, will also be a featured speaker.

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Chicago To Host Third ISS Research And Development Conference

Meet a former astronaut at the opening of Da Vinci's "SPACE"

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Join former NASA astronaut Terry Hart for the opeining of "Space: A Journey to Our Future" at 10 a.m. today. Hart will help cut the ribbon at the new exhibit which helped celebrates NASA's 50th anniversary, and is now in its first showing north of Washington DC.

Hart is a professor of mechanical engineering at Lehigh University and a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Hart also will be available for a meet-and-greet and autograph session after the ribbon-cutting. Visitors also will receive Space exhibition posters while supplies are available.

"Space: A Journey to Our Future" the blockbuster exhibition which drew 3.8 million when it opened at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, now is touring science centers around the country and will be at the center at 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, through Sept. 7.

"Space: A Journey to Our Future" features immersive scenic elements, interactive exhibits and state-of-the-art projection and audio technology. Families will be able to walk through a full-size space habitat and work pod as they explore a future lunar base camp and ride a bicycle-powered centrifuge and experience the physiological challenges of space flight as they discover the past, present, and future of space.

On display will be actual rocks from the moon and Mars, that kids can touch and feel and a wide range of artifacts from past space flights, as well as displays on new spacecraft that will takes people back to the moon and beyond.

Admission to the center which includes admittance to "Space: A Journey to Our Future" is $19.95, adults; and $16.95 children age 12 and under and seniors.

Info: 484-664-1002, http://www.davincisciencecenter.org

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Meet a former astronaut at the opening of Da Vinci's "SPACE"

Antares Rocket Engine Suffers Significant Failure During Testing

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Hotfire test of Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 engines on the E-1 Test Stand at NASAs Stennis Space Center on Jan 17, 2014. Credit: NASA See up close AJ26 photos below

A Russian built rocket engine planned for future use in the first stage of Orbital Sciences Corp. commercial Antares rocket launching to the International Space Station failed during pre-launch acceptance testing on Thursday afternoon, May 22, at NASAs Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

There was a test failure at Stennis yesterday afternoon (May 22), Orbital Sciences spokesman Barry Beneski told Universe Today.

The Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 rocket engine failed with extensive damage about halfway through the planned test aimed at qualifying the engine for an Antares flight scheduled for early next year.

Engineers are examining data to determine the cause of the failure, Beneski told me.

The test was initiated at about 3:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday and the anomaly occurred approximately 30 seconds into the planned 54-second test.

It terminated prematurely, resulting in extensive damage to the engine, Orbital said in a statement.

An investigation into the incident by Aerojet and NASA has begun. The cause of the failure is not known.

During hot-fire testing on May 22 at NASAs Stennis Space Center, Aerojet Rocketdynes AJ26 engine experienced a test anomaly. The company is leading an investigation to determine the cause, Aerojet spokesperson Jessica Pieczonka told Universe Today.

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Antares Rocket Engine Suffers Significant Failure During Testing

Victorino heads to disabled list again for Red Sox

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox placed right fielder ShaneVictorino on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season.

Both times it's been because of a strained right hamstring. He was sidelined from the start of the season until he was activated April 24. Outfielder DanielNava was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Also, designated hitter DavidOrtiz and first baseman MikeNapoli were not listed in Saturday's lineup because of injuries.

The flurry of activity took place before the Red Sox played Tampa Bay, with Boston trying to end an eight-game losing streak.

Manager John Farrell said Ortiz has a calf injury. Napoli is still feeling the flu-like symptoms that sidelined him Wednesday and Thursday in addition to hamstring, calf and finger issues.

"We're beat up," Farrell said.

Saturday was a planned day off for Ortiz to deal with his injury.

"This is what his situation called for," Farrell said.

Napoli could miss a few days.

"I can't say this is a one-day thing," Farrell said. "It might be more days needed than that, and we're hopeful to avoid a down time on the DL as well with him."

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Victorino heads to disabled list again for Red Sox

Stephen Drew Heads For Red Sox Minor-League Assignment

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The Sports Xchange The Hartford Courant

6:50 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2014

Shortstop Stephen Drew cleared waivers on Friday and was sent him to Class A Greenville after he re-signed with the Boston Red Sox this week.

Drew, who rejected a contract offer during the offseason before accepting a prorated share of a $14.1 million qualifying offer on Tuesday, is expected to be in the minor leagues about 10 days before he returns to the majors.

Boston manager John Farrell told reporters that Drew would be with Greenville for four days before going to Double-A Portland or Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox want Drew to get back into the swing of things with about 25 at-bats.

During the Red Sox's World Series season in 2013, Drew batted .253 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs in 124 games.

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Stephen Drew Heads For Red Sox Minor-League Assignment

NASA’s Morpheus lander completes free-flight test at Kennedy Space Center – Video

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NASA #39;s Morpheus lander completes free-flight test at Kennedy Space Center
A prototype planetary lander, Morpheous, designed to help NASA test advanced spacecraft technology, was successfully tested on May 22. The research aims to improve human exploration missions...

By: euronews (in English)

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NASA's Morpheus lander completes free-flight test at Kennedy Space Center - Video