NASA satellite can help with weather forecasting

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NASA researchers at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt are calling a new satellite a game-changer because it will give scientists information they can use in weather forecasting.

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On Saturday morning, NASA is planning to launch its first mission to monitor soil moisture from space. A state-of-the-art satellite will give scientists information about the Earth that will play a vital role in something that affects us all -- the weather.

"It turns out soil moisture is a critical variable in weather and climate forecasting, and the applications of this (satellite) map are actually very broad for science and society," said physical research scientist Dr. John Bolten, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "For example, major weather extremes and events like droughts and flooding -- you can monitor and improve the forecasting of those events by incorporating soil moisture observations."

That means the potential to improve forecasts, as well as the ability to monitor diseases.

"If you think about the locations and timing of an event -- for example, where mosquitos may breed, you can identify those areas by looking at areas of higher soil moisture," Bolten said.

The Goddard Space Flight Center is where a key component of the satellite was made.

"It measures the natural microwave emission from the land surface. It can see during the daytime. It can see at night. It can see through clouds and vegetation and actually peer into the first inch or two of the soil's surface," Bolten said.

The first measurable data is expected within 90 days of launch, which is an exciting development for researchers.

"It's really a game-changer for Earth science and climate studies," Bolten said.

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NASA satellite can help with weather forecasting

Exploring the Universe with Nuclear Power

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Artists concept of a Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Rocket in Low Earth Orbit. Credit: NASA

In the past four decades, NASA and other space agencies from around the world have accomplished some amazing feats. Together, they have sent manned missions to the Moon, explored Mars, mapped Venus and Mercury, conducted surveys and captured breathtaking images of the Outer Solar System. However, looking ahead to the next generation of exploration and the more-distant frontiers that remain to be explored, it is clear that new ideas need to be put forward of how to quickly and efficiently reach those destinations.

Basically, this means finding ways to power rockets that are more fuel and cost-effective while still providing the necessary power to get crews, rovers and orbiters to their far-flung destinations. In this respect, NASA has been taking a good look at nuclear fission as a possible means of propulsion.

In fact, according to presentation made by Doctor Michael G. Houts of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center back in October of 2014, nuclear power and propulsion have the potential to be game changing technologies for space exploration.

As the Marshall Space Flight Centers manager of nuclear thermal research, Dr. Houts is well versed in the benefits it has to offer space exploration. According to the presentation he and fellow staffers made, a fission reactor can be used in a rocket design to create Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP). In an NTP rocket, uranium or deuterium reactions are used to heat liquid hydrogen inside a reactor, turning it into ionized hydrogen gas (plasma), which is then channeled through a rocket nozzle to generate thrust.

NASA design for a Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA). Image Credit: NASA

A second possible method, known as Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEC), involves the same basic reactor converted its heat and energy into electrical energy which then powers an electrical engine. In both cases, the rocket relies on nuclear fission to generates propulsion rather than chemical propellants, which has been the mainstay of NASA and all other space agencies to date.

Compared to this traditional form of propulsion, both NTP and NEC offers a number of advantages. The first and most obvious is the virtually unlimited energy density it offers compared to rocket fuel. At a steady state, a fission reactor produces an average of 2.5 neutrons per reaction. However, it would only take a single neutron to cause a subsequent fission and produce a chain reaction and provide constant power.

In fact, according to the report, an NTP rocket could generate 200 kWt of power using a single kilogram of uranium for a period of 13 years which works out of to a fuel efficiency rating of about 45 grams per 1000 MW-hr.

In addition, a nuclear-powered engine could also provide superior thrust relative to the amount of propellant used. This is what is known as specific impulse, which is measured either in terms of kilo-newtons per second per kilogram (kNs/kg) or in the amount of seconds the rocket can continually fire. This would cut the total amount of propellent needed, thus cutting launch weight and the cost of individual missions. And a more powerful nuclear engine would mean reduced trip times, another cost-cutting measure.

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Exploring the Universe with Nuclear Power

We Paid For It: Oklahoma's Space Initiative

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BURNS FLAT -

Hopes of space flights launching from an air strip near Burns Flat have fizzled for now.

Lawmakers created the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) in 1999 to turn an abandoned air strip at the Oklahoma Air & Spaceport Clinton-Sherman (KCSM) airport into an area for future space tourism.

Since that time, Oklahoma taxpayers have spent millions of dollars toward this initiative which has yet to become a reality, as far as space flights.

In fact, we paid approximately $18 million in tax incentives to Rocketplane Global to become the Spaceport's anchor tenant, a company that recently went bankrupt. In the 15 years of OSIDA's existence, they have received $7,065,549 in state appropriations, used for general operations.

In fact, lawmakers this year voted to give the space development authority another $372,887, mostly for general operation costs.

While none of the money has helped spur space tourism, the multi-purpose, federally funded aviation facility, conducted 35,000 flight operations each year. In fact, Cessna and many other aviation companies conducted flight tests and training there.

Just last month, it hosted the newest VIP Boeing 747-800. The airplane conducted flight operations for almost three hours in the radar and visual pattern, performing proficiency training and flight testing. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower provided support to the aircrew, while the OSIDA staff team managed and coordinated successful ground operations. The Fixed Base Operator, Regional Air Inc. conducted the refueling operation, providing almost 6,000 gallons of Jet A fuel.

Along with flight operations like this, OSIDA officials said it also generates revenue, everything from leasing hangars to selling fuel. It also handles the wastewater for approximately 900 homes located on site and has the potential of developing 2,000 acres of industrial park space, officials told News 9.

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We Paid For It: Oklahoma's Space Initiative

Dita Von Teese and Conchita Wurst turn heads as they cosy up in Paris for gala

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Dita Von Teese and Conchita Wurst turned heads in their striking outfits at the Sidaction Gala Dinner in Paris.

Wearing her hair in her signature style, Dita added a slick of red lipstick to finish of her classic Hollywood style, while wearing an a-symmetric Cadbury-purple gown.

The star looked like she was being unwrapped as the lapel detail appeared to reveal a cleavage boosting corset beneath.

While Eurovision song contest winner Conchita looked very stylish in a gold and black sequinned dress.

The bearded-lady accessorised with a chunky spiked gold belt and huge earrings with both stars choosing to go necklace-free.

It's been a busy day for Dita, who earlier had joined Cheryl Fernandez-Versini at at the Ralph & Russo show .

Wearing a stunning white blazer, tied at the waist with a black band, and matching tight black trousers - Cheryl oozed glamour next to her equally hot husband.

With her brunette hair tied tightly back, the star wore smoky eye make-up and flashed an endless smile as she made her way to the FROW - clearly in her element.

The stunner matched the outfit with a black neck scarf and black and white shoes, of course adding the final touch - that huge engagement ring.

Meanwhile Jean-Bernard was as stylish as ever too in all-black, wearing shiny trousers - which shouldn't have worked, but then it is him.

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Dita Von Teese and Conchita Wurst turn heads as they cosy up in Paris for gala

NASA Launches Aurora Research Rocket into the Northern Lights – 4K Ultra HD – Video

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NASA Launches Aurora Research Rocket into the Northern Lights - 4K Ultra HD
What a night! What a Rocket! Swenson was amazing to watch! The Swesnon mission saw off an Auroral Spatial Structures Probe (ASSP) rocket carrying 1 main payload and 6 sub-payloads. The rather.

By: Ronn Murray

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NASA Launches Aurora Research Rocket into the Northern Lights - 4K Ultra HD - Video

New NASA eye in the sky watches for floods and droughts

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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. A NASA satellite lifted off early Saturday with the hope it will transmit data that will help the world do a better job of preparing for floods and droughts.

The satellite is on a three-year mission to track the amount of water locked in soil, which may help residents in low-lying regions brace for floods or farmers get ready for drought conditions.

The Delta 2 rocket carrying the Soil Moisture Active Passive or SMAP satellite launched shortly before sunrise from Vandenberg Air Force Base on California's central coast. As the rocket zoomed skyward, it gave off an orange glow.

About an hour later, the satellite successfully separated from the rocket and began unfurling its solar panels to start generating power.

NASA launch manager Tim Dunn said there were zero launch problems with the rocket, calling Delta 2 a "workhorse."

Once the satellite reaches the desired orbit 430 miles high, engineers will spend two weeks checking out the two instruments, which will measure moisture in the soil every several days to produce high-resolution global maps.

Scientists hope data collected by the satellite, the latest to join NASA's Earth-orbiting fleet, will improve flood forecasts and drought monitoring.

At a news conference broadcast online, SMAP mission project manager Kent Kellogg said the launch went off without a hitch and called it a "terrific ride into space."

"This data will benefit not only scientists seeking a better understanding of our planet, climate and environment ... it's a boon for emergency planners and policy makers," said Geoffery Yoder, NASA's deputy associate administrator for programs.

Currently, drought maps and flash flood guidance issued by the federal government are based on computer modeling. SMAP will take real-time measurements that can be incorporated into forecasts, said Dara Entekhabi, mission science team leader from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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New NASA eye in the sky watches for floods and droughts

NASA launches satellite to measure soil moisture

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Last Updated Jan 31, 2015 12:33 PM EST

A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket boosted an innovative NASA satellite into orbit Saturday, kicking off a three-year, $916 million mission to measure the moisture, frozen and liquid, in the top few inches of Earth's soil to improve forecasting, to better understand the causes and impact of droughts, floods and other natural disasters and to improve long-range climate change projections.

"With the launch of this project, decision makers will be better able to understand the water cycle and how soil moisture fits into that," said Christine Bonniksen, NASA program executive of the Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, mission. "The soil actually gathers the precipitation prior to it entering the rivers and then evaporating back into the atmosphere. As a result, soil moisture impacts many areas of human interest, including flood, drought, disease control and weather."

Running two days late because of high winds aloft Thursday, the long-awaited mission got underway at 9:22 a.m. EST (GMT-5, 6:22 a.m. local time) when the 165-ton Delta 2 booster's first stage engine roared to life, followed by ignition of three strap-on solid fuel boosters.

Lighting up the pre-dawn sky with a torrent of flame, the 127-foot-tall rocket quickly climbed away from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, arcing away to the south over the Pacific Ocean west of Los Angeles.

The strap-on boosters burned out 65 seconds after liftoff and were jettisoned 35 seconds later. The Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A first-stage engine continued to burn another two-and-a-half minutes before shutting down as planned. The first stage then fell away and the second stage's AJ10-118K engine ignited, continuing the boost to orbit.

Ten minutes and 44 seconds after launch, the second stage engine shut down and the booster entered a 41-minute coast phase. Finally, about 55 minutes after takeoff, the second stage engine re-ignited for 12 seconds to put the spacecraft in the desired 426-mile-high orbit around Earth's poles.

The SMAP satellite's solar panels unfolded moments after release from the Delta 2 booster's second stage, clearly visible in this view from a camera on the rocket.

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NASA launches satellite to measure soil moisture

DNA nanoswitches reveal how life's molecules connect

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A complex interplay of molecular components governs almost all aspects of biological sciences -- healthy organism development, disease progression, and drug efficacy are all dependent on the way life's molecules interact in the body. Understanding these bio-molecular interactions is critical for the discovery of new, more effective therapeutics and diagnostics to treat cancer and other diseases, but currently requires scientists to have access to expensive and elaborate laboratory equipment.

Now, a new approach developed by researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School promises a much faster and more affordable way to examine bio-molecular behavior, opening the door for scientists in virtually any laboratory world-wide to join the quest for creating better drugs. The findings are published in February's issue of Nature Methods.

"Bio-molecular interaction analysis, a cornerstone of biomedical research, is traditionally accomplished using equipment that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Wyss Associate Faculty member Wesley P. Wong, Ph.D., senior author of study. "Rather than develop a new instrument, we've created a nanoscale tool made from strands of DNA that can detect and report how molecules behave, enabling biological measurements to be made by almost anyone, using only common and inexpensive laboratory reagents."

Wong, who is also Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School in the Departments of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology and Pediatrics and Investigator at the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, calls the new tools DNA "nanoswitches."

Nanoswitches comprise strands of DNA onto which molecules of interest can be strategically attached at various locations along the strand. Interactions between these molecules, like the successful binding of a drug compound with its intended target, such as a protein receptor on a cancer cell, cause the shape of the DNA strand to change from an open and linear shape to a closed loop. Wong and his team can easily separate and measure the ratio of open DNA nanoswitches vs. their closed counterparts through gel electrophoresis, a simple lab procedure already in use in most laboratories, that uses electrical currents to push DNA strands through small pores in a gel, sorting them based on their shape

"Our DNA nanoswitches dramatically lower barriers to making traditionally complex measurements," said co-first author Ken Halvorsen, formerly of the Wyss Institute and currently a scientist at the RNA Institute at University of Albany. "All of these supplies are commonly available and the experiments can be performed for pennies per sample, which is a staggering comparison to the cost of conventional equipment used to test bio-molecular interactions."

To encourage adoption of this method, Wong and his team are offering free materials to colleagues who would like to try using their DNA nanoswitches.

"We've not only created starter kits but have outlined a step-by-step protocol to allow others to immediately implement this method for research in their own labs, or classrooms" said co-first author Mounir Koussa, a Ph.D. candidate in neurobiology at Harvard Medical School.

"Wesley and his team are committed to making an impact on the way bio-molecular research is done at a fundamental level, as is evidenced by their efforts to make this technology accessible to labs everywhere," said Wyss Institute Founding Director Donald Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., who is also the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School and a Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard SEAS. "Biomedical researchers all over the world can start using this new method right away to investigate how biological compounds interact with their targets, using commonly-available supplies at very low cost."

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DNA nanoswitches reveal how life's molecules connect