Ants in space! Cygnus craft delivers 640 new astronauts to space station.

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A small colony of sterile ants in space will help scientists learn how these creatures adjust to microgravity.

For millions of years, ants have been one of most industrious creatures on Earth. Now we're going to see how they fare in space.

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With the help of NASA, a team of scientists now seeks to understand how the insects, renowned by biologists for their navigational and organizational skills, adjust to microgravity.

The experiment could provide us with a better understanding of foraging methods used by ants, the University of Colorado's Stefanie Countryman, one of the co-investigators of the experiment, told the Monitor.

After a two-day voyage, Orbital Science's robotic Cygnus spacecraft delivered the 640 small black common pavement ants to the International Space Station on January 12.

To avoid infestation, sterile worker ants were chosen for the project.

The ants were divided into eight equal groups each consisting of 80 ants. They were assigned to their individual habitats, eight in total. A habitat, says Stanford biologist Deborah Gordon, principal investigator of the project, is a 4-inch by 6-inch covered arena made of acrylic with three sub sections Nest, Forage Area 1, and Forage Area 2.

The ants were first kept in the nest area before the experiment was initiated. As soon as the ants reached the space stationthey were moved to Forage Area 1 a more compact subsection within the habitat where density of ants was high. Their interactions and path shape were monitored on video for 25 minutes, according to NASA.

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Ants in space! Cygnus craft delivers 640 new astronauts to space station.

CALL FOR PAPERS 3rd Annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference

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The deadline is approaching for the CALL FOR PAPERS 3rd Annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference - Discoveries, Applications and Opportunities

Organized by the American Astronautical Society with the support of NASA and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Chicago, Illinois

ABSTRACT DEADLINE: February 14, 2014

The annual International Space Station (ISS) Research and Development Conference will be held June 17-19, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago. Abstracts and poster proposals are solicited under the categories of Discoveries in Microgravity Science; Discoveries in Space Science, Earth Science, Engineering and Education; Applications Benefiting Earth; Applications Enabling Exploration; Applications in Technology; Commercial Applications; and Opportunities. Topics should relate to science, exploration and technology activities (past, present, planned or under development) on the International Space Station.

One of NASAs top strategic goals is to sustain the operation and full use of the International Space Station and expand efforts to utilize the ISS as a National Laboratory for scientific, technological, diplomatic and educational purposes and for supporting future objectives in human space exploration (2011 NASA Strategic Plan).

NASAs International Space Station website

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments_category.html

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CALL FOR PAPERS 3rd Annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference

NASA TV Covers Russian Spacewalk from International Space Station

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NASA Television will air live coverage of a six-hour spacewalk by two Russian members of the International Space Station crew beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST Monday, Jan. 27.

Expedition 38 Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) are scheduled to venture outside the space station at 9:10 a.m. in a second attempt to install a pair of cameras on the hull of the station's Zvezda Service Module. The cameras are part of a Canadian commercial endeavor with Roscosmos designed to downlink Earth observation imagery to Internet-based subscribers. The two cosmonauts also plan to retrieve an experiment package housed on Zvezda's hull.

An initial effort to install the cameras Dec. 27 proved unsuccessful when flight controllers at the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow could not receive data from the cameras. The expedition crew members performed troubleshooting on several cable connectors and now believes the problem has been solved.

The spacewalk will be the sixth in Kotov's career and the third for Ryazanskiy. Kotov will be designated as extravehicular (EV) crew member 1, and Ryazanskiy will be EV2. Both spacewalkers will wear Russian Orlan spacesuits bearing blue stripes.

For NASA TV streaming video, schedule and downlink information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For more information about the International Space Station and its crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station

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NASA TV Covers Russian Spacewalk from International Space Station

Dream Chaser spacecraft to launch from KSC

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By Jerry Hume, Reporter Last Updated: Friday, January 24, 2014, 4:18 PM CAPE CANAVERAL --

The next generation of human space flight will launch from the Space Coast.

NASA and a private space company, Sierra Nevada Corporation, said Thursday it is now preparing to launch and land its Dream Chaser spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center.

The winged craft is similar to a shuttle and designed to carry crew and cargo to orbit heading to places like the International Space Station. Like the Space Shuttles before it, the Dream Chase will come back to Earth and land like a plane at the shuttle landing facility.

SNC will prepare its space plane in the same building as NASA's deep space Orion capsule.

Former astronaut Steve Lindsey commanded the final space shuttle mission and now works for Sierra Nevada. He said KSC is the ideal spot for this venture.

Go fly the mission. Come back, land there. Go through the O and C process with Orion; use the same workforce so that we can save money on both programs doing that. And complete the circle again. It's the perfect place for it

The Dream Chaser will launch on top of an Atlas V rocket on its first orbital test in 2016.

No word yet on how many jobs the expansion will create but Space Florida officials said it will be significant.

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Dream Chaser spacecraft to launch from KSC

James Webb Space Telescope Passes a Mission Milestone

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NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has passed its first significant mission milestone for 2014 -- a Spacecraft Critical Design Review (SCDR) that examined the telescope's power, communications and pointing control systems.

"This is the last major element-level critical design review of the program," said Richard Lynch, NASA Spacecraft Bus Manager for the James Webb Space Telescope at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "What that means is all of the designs are complete for the Webb and there are no major designs left to do."

During the SCDR, the details, designs, construction and testing plans, and the spacecraft's operating procedures were subjected to rigorous review by an independent panel of experts. The week-long review involved extensive discussions on all aspects of the spacecraft to ensure the plans to finish construction would result in a vehicle that enables the powerful telescope and science instruments to deliver their unique and invaluable views of the universe.

"While the spacecraft that carries the science payload for Webb may not be as glamorous as the telescope, it's the heart that enables the whole mission," said Eric Smith, acting program director and program scientist for the Webb Telescope at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "By providing many services including telescope pointing and communication with Earth, the spacecraft is our high tech infrastructure empowering scientific discovery."

Goddard Space Flight Center manages the mission. Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, Calif., leads the design and development effort.

"Our Northrop Grumman team has worked exceptionally hard to meet this critical milestone on an accelerated schedule, following the replan," said Scott Willoughby, Northrop Grumman vice president and James Webb Space Telescope program manager in Redondo Beach, Calif. "This is a huge step forward in our progress toward completion of the Webb Telescope."

The James Webb Space Telescope, successor to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, will be the most powerful space telescope ever built. It will observe the most distant objects in the universe, provide images of the first galaxies formed and see unexplored planets around distant stars. The Webb telescope is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

For more information about the Webb telescope, visit:

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov

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James Webb Space Telescope Passes a Mission Milestone

SNC Announces First Orbital Flight of Dream Chaser® Company Outlines Plans for its Flight Operations

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Sparks, Nev. (PRWEB) January 23, 2014

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announces that it has confirmed that the first orbital flight of its Dream Chaser Space System will occur on November 1, 2016. Dream Chaser will be brought to orbit on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket that is being built in Decatur, Alabama and will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

During SNCs press event at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), which was carried live on NASA TV, Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of Sierra Nevada Space Systems also unveiled the plans for Dream Chaser flight operations and vehicle processing in Florida through a detailed multi-part presentation.

Sirangelo started the announcement by saying, SNC is thrilled to be the first company to confirm a launch date for our countrys return to orbital human spaceflight and the restart of human spaceflight operations from Floridas Space Coast. We could not have done this without the spirit and engagement from our national and state governments, the best aerospace companies in the industry, and several major universities, which all hail from over 30 states. Together these passionate people will return our astronauts to space on American spacecraft and rockets launched from Americas space coast right here in Florida.

"This is a great example of commercial companies working together to further Americas leadership in space," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "Not only are NASA and the state of Florida forging new partnerships with the U.S. aerospace industry, we have created an environment where these companies can create partnerships with each other."

"We have been diligent in our efforts, and I consider this a strong vote of confidence from a company that expects to be a major force in the future of human spaceflight," said Bob Cabana, Kennedy center director. "Sierra Nevada Corporation will find in our workforce and facilities the same dynamic and professional people that have made successful missions from here for more than 50 years." Cabana said SNC's involvement with the Florida spaceport shows the conversion to a 21st Century spaceport is succeeding, although work remains to keep the transformation on pace.

Also joining in the press conference were: Michael Gass, United Launch Alliance president and CEO Frank DiBello, Space Florida president and CEO Larry Price, Lockheed Martin Space Systems deputy program manager for NASA's Orion spacecraft Steve Lindsey, Sierra Nevada Corporation senior director and Dream Chaser program manager

We are honored that Sierra Nevada Corporation has reserved a proven Atlas V to launch its first flight test in 2016, said Michael Gass, United Launch Alliance president and CEO. With 42 successful missions spanning a decade of operational service, the commercially-developed Atlas V is uniquely qualified to provide launch services for the Crew Transportation System. Because Atlas is already certified by NASA to fly the nations most complex exploration missions, ULA is able to provide a wealth of flight data, design implementation, detailed system and sub-system analysis, qualification and certification documentation to support NASA certification of the Atlas V for human space flight.

In addition to confirming the launch, SNC also highlighted its plans to employ the Operations and Checkout (O&C) facility at NASAs KSC. The O&C facility will be used for both preparation of the reusable Dream Chaser spacecraft for its flights and post-mission testing for its next flight. The O&C is an historic facility for Americas space program, which was originally built to process Gemini and Apollo era spacecraft. After significant upgrades by NASA and the State of Florida, it is currently being used by Lockheed Martin Space Systems to develop, assemble and test NASAs Orion spacecraft. James H. Crocker, Vice President and General Manager, Civil Space, Lockheed Martin Space Systems commented about the joint efforts, The O&C is a state-of-the-art facility that will greatly enhance Dream Chasers future operations through an innovative co-use plan with Orion. The result will maximize efficiency for both Dream Chaser and Orion and will provide continuity for our highly trained, motivated and certified workforce.

The third part of SNCs announcement underscored Dream Chasers intended use of NASAs Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The SLF is an airport/spaceport located on Merritt Island in Brevard County, Fla. The SLF is part of KSC and was used by NASA's Space Shuttle for landing until the program's end in 2011. The facility is also used for takeoffs and landings for NASA training jets and civilian aircraft, such as the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Frank DiBello, CEO of Space Florida, provided his view, Todays announcement by Sierra Nevada Corporation continues to verify a strong commercial interest in the SLF, said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. It is clear that the future growth of commercial space is happening here in Florida and we couldnt be happier to work with SNC to realize their Florida-based expansion goals.

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SNC Announces First Orbital Flight of Dream Chaser® Company Outlines Plans for its Flight Operations

NASA Chief Scientist Dr. Ellen Stofan Visits the Goddard Space Flight Center

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Meeting early career scientists was Dr. Ellen Stofans favorite part of visiting NASAS Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., January 23. They are the real future of this agency and they are the ones that are going to be inspiring the next generation.

Stofan, NASAs chief scientist, grew up around science. Her father worked at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and her mother was a science teacher. Stofan watched the Viking and Voyager launches and learned from other scientists that geology, what she was interested in studying, could be studied on other planets as well. Then, she was hooked.

Stofan has had other major roles during her time at NASA. A lot of my role is advocacy, and as a scientist youre an advocate too, because you are coming up with a theory and having to convince your fellow scientists that youre right.

Now, as chief scientist, she does that on a much broader scale. Instead of being able to look at smaller interesting research projects, I am trying to see the links between all the research NASA does, she said. For me thats extremely fun because I get to go play and learn about areas of science that I know nothing about.

As Chief Scientist, Stofan has two main goals: improving science communication as well as science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education. To improve science communication she focuses on one big question. Are we as individuals and are we as an agency effectively talking about what we do and effectively talking about the links.

Not only do scientists and researchers need to communicate their advancements, they need to show how the science done across the agency links together, Stofan said. Communication is an issue where we can improve and if I can do anything to help, I am happy to.

Stofan addressed this issue during her town hall meeting with Goddard staff, entitled, Looking Outward, Inward and Homeward: The Value of NASA Science. She addressed three fundamental questions: Are we alone? How did we get here? and How does our universe work? These questions ring through the four major themes within the scientific community at NASA: Astrophysics, Heliophysics, Planetary Science and Earth Science. Her discussion focused on how the different themes within NASA tie together and how we can communicate these advances to the public. In order to do this, scientists need to figure out how to tell the story, Stofan said.

The story is getting pretty exciting. Stofan realizes that she has taken on this role at a crucial time in space and Earth science. We are so on the verge of understanding planets, solar systems and the potential for life within our solar system and beyond, she said. NASA is taking measure to search for life off this earth with the Kepler Mission, The James Webb Space Telescope, Mars Curiosity Rover and a possible future mission to Europa.

All that is going to happen in the next 20 years and we are going to all be there to watch it, Stofan said. It is going to rewrite all the science textbooks, and we are right at this moment in time that I think is tremendously exciting.

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NASA Chief Scientist Dr. Ellen Stofan Visits the Goddard Space Flight Center

Sierra Nevada Dreamchaser Will Launch on First Orbital Flight Test in November 2016

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A promotional image from Sierra Nevada Corp. for the planned launch of the Dream Chaser on an Atlas V from Kennedy Space Center. Credit: SNC.

Commercial space company Sierra Nevada Corporation and NASA announced plans today to launch an orbital test flight of the Dream Chaser vehicle in 2016, and that they plan to use processing facilities at Kennedy Space Center as well as land the vehicle at NASAs Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida.

Today were very proud to announce that we have now formally negotiated our orbital spaceflight, said Mark Sirangelo, the head of Sierra Nevada Space Systems. We have acquired an Atlas V rocket and established a launch date of November 1, 2016, so in a little over two years from now and were going to be taking our vehicle to space on the board one of the best rockets that has ever been designed, the Atlas V.

The mission will be automated and unmanned, but if all goes well Sierra Nevada hopes to have a human flight by sometime in 2017.

The Dream Chaser space plane atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Image Credit: SNC

The seven-passenger vehicle looks like a mini-space shuttle and is about (meters long (29.5 feet) with a wingspan of 7 meters 22.9 feet).

Sirangelo said they will be doing Dream Chaser pre- and post-flight processing at KSC along with Lockheed Martin at the Operations and Checkout (O&C) facility at KSC. The O&C is an historic facility which was originally built to process Gemini and Apollo era spacecraft. After significant upgrades by NASA and the State of Florida, it is currently being used by Lockheed Martin Space Systems to develop, assemble and test NASAs Orion spacecraft.

The 2017 flights will be the first time an Atlas V will be used to send people to space since the Mercury program. The landing at the SLF will be the first landing of a space vehicle there since the final space shuttle mission, STS-135, landed there on July 21, 2011.

That is way too long (between landings), said Steve Lindsey, former NASA astronaut and now Sierra Nevadas Dream Chaser program manager, and we intend to do something about it and do it very soon We want to continue the long tradition that was started on the Florida space coast so many years ago.

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Sierra Nevada Dreamchaser Will Launch on First Orbital Flight Test in November 2016