Daily Archives: February 12, 2014

A Japanese astronaut created a microgravity, multicolored light show on the International Space Station in the name of art.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kiochi Wakata has been using a specialized device that can to create swirly light art in weightlessnesson the orbiting outpost. Known as a "spiral top," the instrument is outfitted with LED lights so that when spun, the top will create light trails that can be captured in photos.

"In microgravity, the center of gravity of the spinning top continuously and randomly moves while it is spinning," JAXA officials said in an experiment description. "Using the characteristics of the top in microgravity, the project tries to produce various light arts using its unexpected movements/spins, by changing attaching locations of its arms and weights." [See more amazing photos from astronaut Kiochi Wakata]

The end result of those spins in microgravity is an amazing light portrait that looks otherworldly. Wakata posted a few photos on Twitter earlier in January 2014 that show blue, green, yellow and red spirals shooting through a module on the space station. "Potential of what zero-gravity can create is unlimited!" Wakata (@Astro_Wakata) wrote on Twitter in a post from Jan. 6.

Astronaut Koichi Wakata tweeted this photo of the "Spiral Top" from aboard the International Space Station on Jan. 6, 2014. The toy uses LED lights to make art in zero-g conditions. Credit: Koichi Wakata (via Twitter as @Astro_Wakata)

"When we ask astronauts to carry out an art experiment, they work on it with great excitement and enthusiasm," Keiji Tachikawa, president of JAXA, said in a 2011 Q&A. "I believe that experiments for the humanities and social sciences have a great deal of meaning. How we can culturally reflect the wonderful results that have been achieved thus far this will be a moment of truth."

This isn't the first time JAXA has worked with a spiral top, originally created by Takuro Osaka. Astronauts used an earlier version of the experiment to create light art in 2009 on the space station as well.

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Japanese Astronaut Creates Amazing Light Spirals in Space (Photos)

This past Friday, the Canadian government announced a new approach to the country's space policy in an effort to reverse the negative trend caused by recent national budget cuts.

The fact is simply that Canada has played a critical part in advancing space technology and exploration, and is very interested in continuing to have space be an integral part of everyday life and national prestige.

Space activities will only grow as the importance of space commerce continues to grow. This announcement serves to reinforce what many have known for years, that space is here to stay and Canada will continue to contribute to the international community. The government has now confirmed this and stated that future budgets will reflect this new attitude.

Over the last two years, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has suffered significant budget cuts. However, the latest budget estimates indicate that CSA spending will increase in the 2013-14 budget year.

Former Canadian astronaut and current Member of Parliament Marc Garneau said he is optimistic but will reserve his enthusiasm until he sees if this new approach actually turns into something positive for Canada's space program.

Since Canada has been prominent in many international partnerships, several other countries have been looking for reaffirmation of commitment to those partnerships.

Those foreign partners are now hoping this new interest will translate into a long-term space plan and continued increasing support for CSA. The new policy framework is built on five principles: national sovereignty, security and prosperity; positioning the private sector at the forefront of space activities; progress through partnerships; excellence in key capabilities; and inspiring Canadians.

To realize these principles four areas of strategic action have been identified: commercialization; research and development; exploration of space; and stewardship, management and accountability.

Canada is particularly well-known for its advances in space technology, satellite engineering and Canadarms, the robot arms attached to the International Space Station.

In addition, there are a number of famous astronauts including the first ever Canadian commander of the station, Chris Hadfield. Let's hope Canada will continue to strongly support the space community.

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Canada's New Space Policy