Monthly Archives: February 2020

Women are doing some pretty amazing things here on Earth, but women in the space sector are going the extra mile to create a stronger female presence in space and beyond. While, like on Earth, theres more work to be done as far as equality and inclusiveness go, women have come a long way in staking out our own space within the space industry.

There are programs that provide education and resources for women looking to get into the field, women are taking an active role on the International Space Station (ISS), and more women are making major decisions in the aerospace sector.

The first female to ever go to space was Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova in 1963. NASA astronaut Mae Carol Jemison was the first female African-American to go to space back in 1987. The first woman to be on a crew for the ISS was Susan Helms, who was a flight engineer on the Expedition 2 mission in 2001.

You may not recognize these names as much as their male counterparts like Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin, but their accomplishments paved the way for women in the space sector.

In October, the first all-female spacewalk took place outside the ISS with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir taking part

Koch has since broken a new duration record for a single space mission by a woman after she spent 328 days in space at the ISS.

Back here on Earth, several women are running major aerospace companies. According to Yale Insights, three of the top five aerospace companies are headed by women, including Marillyn Hewson, the CEO of Lockheed Martin; Phebe Novakovic, the chairwoman and CEO of General Dynamics; and Kathy Warden, the CEO and president of Northrop Grumman.

Lori Garver was only NASAs second female deputy administrator when she held the title from 2009 to 2013. Now, her and her fellow co-founders run the Brooke Owens Fellowship Program, which pairs women with paid internships at aerospace companies like NASA, Boeing, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and more.

Programs that help put a focus on [women] can be very positive, Garver told Digital Trends. Weve seen a great reception for hiring these women.

Programs that help put a focus on [women] can be very positive.

Garver said that there is a waiting list of companies interested in participating in the program, which further reinforces that women have a place in space.

Im really grateful and want to celebrate the success weve had, while at the same time, theres still a long path ahead, she said. Id like to see more focus on the value that space programs bring.

Another women-centered program is the Sensoria Space Program, which provides training, professional development, and research experience to female-led and female-majority crews. An all-women team just finished the programs inaugural, two-week stint in a Mars habitat simulator last month.

Dr. Sian Proctor was a part of last months simulation, as well as a member of the first crew at the same habitat in 2013. Back then, there were only three women.

To come back seven years later and to have an all-female crew, and to be around spectacular women who are doing amazing things it gives me hope and joy to the future and being a part of the change that is happening, she said.

Getting these female-centered stories out in the open and allowing women to have the same opportunities as men when it comes to space exploration takes time.

According to Space.com, of the 566 people who have flown into space so far, only 64 have been women, and of the 38 currently active NASA astronauts, only 12 are women.

Even when women get opportunities, they are still faced with discrimination in a field that is male-dominated.

Women in our program have way too many stories still about being the only woman in their program and being mansplained, Garver said. We just all have to look at unintended biases and work to overcome them collectively.

Proctor said the solution is to bring women to the forefront of space and science efforts at conferences and speaking engagements, as well as in the media and entertainment industry.

Women in our program have way too many stories still about being the only woman in their program and being mansplained.

If you really want big cultural change, then you need females in shows that are popular [and] that are talking about and doing science, she said.

An example Proctor used is that when we think of big names in the space and science industries, we immediately think of Neil deGrasse Tyson or Bill Nye. She said that we need females in those public-facing roles as well.

Who is the Oprah of the space community? There isnt one, she said.

Proctor also said that recognizing all women of all races is especially crucial for inclusiveness in the space sector.

Its important that women of color to also have a voice within the women in space movement, Proctor said. It gets bigger than just women it gets to the point of equity, access, and inclusiveness.

Ultimately, the future of women in space is in the hands of women currently getting into the field. As more people understand that inclusiveness needs to expand in the industry beyond simply hiring more women, the change will happen.

Proctor said its especially important for women to have the same experiences that men have had.

A lot of the conversation has been, weve been to the moon, weve done that, but when we talk about access, really only a small number of white males have been to the moon,she said. Just because humans have done it, it denies the place of others in access to those experiences.

Luckily, NASA has plans to send the first female to the moon through its Artemis mission by 2024.

For those little girls out there hoping to land on the moon one day, or even simply be treated as equals to their male counterparts, Proctor and Garver said that the future is still bright.

I encourage women to come into the field we need them, Garver said. They are going to be able to make an impact, and I think there is a general openness to hiring and promoting [women] that I have not seen in my career.

Dont get discouraged, Proctor said. There are a lot of women who have come before you that are here to mentor you.

Read the rest here:

How the space industry is making space for women - Digital Trends

THERES little doubt that the Moons pull on our imagination is still as strong as it was 50 years ago the anniversary of the Moon Landings last year really brought that home.

But the story of exploration on the Moon has not ended.

We are at another cross-roads of technological advancement and scientific knowledge a new era of robotic space exploration with the Moon at its centre is upon us!

To unpack what this means, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) is hosting an evening with Professor Mahesh Anand in Galashiels as part of the Inspiring People talks programme.

Professor Anand, who is an expert from the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University, will discuss how the Moon is becoming a favourite target for established and emerging space-faring nations and commercial entities.

Hell argue that this renaissance in lunar exploration is driven by an increased realisation that the Moon could be the perfect technological testbed for exploring more distant bodies such as Mars.

And hell describe how one vision of the future includes humans living on the Moon the idea that one day a sustainable presence of humans will be based on the lunar surface, exploiting and utilising the Moons natural resources to support life 384,400 km from Earth.

Professor Anand said: I am really looking forward to sharing the scientific knowledge derived from my research with the widest cross-section of the community.

With my talk Living on the Moon I will describe the progress we have made over the past 50 years in Lunar Science, and discuss why the Moon is the ideal place for establishing longer-term human presence in order to explore the deeper parts of our Solar System.

In order to realise this ambition, humans will need to perfect the art of living off the land which would also promote space exploration in a more responsible and sustainable manner.

I hope that the audience will be inspired by realising that Space is for all and everyone has a contribution to make.

"These talks will assume even greater significance because of Neil Armstrongs ancestral link to Langholm in Scotland and, of course, the RSGS.

I plan to bring a Moon rock to the talk which the audience can handle, he added, which is particularly exciting as it is the largest lunar meteorite in the UK!

The exciting evening of lunar adventure will be take place on Tuesday, February 25 at Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Borders Campus.

The talk begins at 7.30pm and tickets, costing 10, are available via rsgs.org or on the door. Tickets cost 10.

See more here:

Living on the Moon: The Next 50 years of Lunar Science discussed in Galashiels - Peeblesshire News

life-style, cruising, viking cruises, viking jupiter, viking orion

Viking's thinking-person's cruise includes a trip to space, writes Steve McKenna. A trip into space is certainly not the normal cruise ship shore excursion. But on Viking Jupiter and her twin sister, Orion, that's exactly what you get. Each vessel is uniquely fitted with a high-tech planetarium-theatre, which can transport guests to distant lands and galaxies. Seating up to 26 people, you enter on the upper level of the two-deck, forward-facing Explorers' Lounge, which is decorated with antique globes, displays of star constellations and a golden telescope. On my cruise, three panoramic films are beamed onto the dome's ceiling screen. There's Experience the Aurora, a 2D film that follows a team of photographers to the Arctic Circle as they track down the mystical Northern Lights in temperatures of -50C. For the other films, Explore and Hidden Universe, we wear 3D glasses and are drawn in by the mesmerising visuals and tales of space exploration, faraway stars and planets, and the potential for humans to settle on Mars. Cruise ships are increasingly diverse, catering for a wide array of passengers. You have family-friendly vessels with giant, twisting waterslides and fun-packed activity programs. Then you have another type of cruise ship: smaller, more intimate and with a greater onus on culture, wellness and cuisine. Viking Jupiter is a fine example of that. I've embarked Jupiter in Barcelona for a 15-day voyage that'll take us from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, a region whose influence infuses Viking vessels, from the stylish, yet understated furnishings, featuring materials such as Swedish limestone, birch and juniper wood, to the sleek spa and its Nordic-style sauna bathing. Founded in 1997 by Norwegian Torstein Hagen, Viking initially specialised in river cruises before branching out into the ocean in 2015. Jupiter is the latest in a six-strong fleet of more-or-less identical 930-passenger vessels that sail the seven seas - with 11 more of these adults-only ships planned over the next decade. The staterooms and suites are chic and spacious, all boasting a private veranda (we're staying in a Deluxe Veranda cabin, one of six categories, the swankiest being the 135-square-metre Owner's Suite). Free wi-fi, in-room movies and 24-hour room service are among the complimentary perks. But the atmosphere on board is so calm and inviting, we're happy to linger in the public areas. Viking's ships attract the thinking traveller, with an emphasis on cultural enrichment, but the vibe is generally unpretentious and laid-back, the dress code never more formal than "elegant-casual" and the service polite yet not over-bearing. On our cruise, we often find our fellow passengers perusing the ship's (largely) Scandinavian art and artefacts, sometimes while listening to a narrated tour via the Viking Art Guide app. There are paintings by Edvard Munch to seek out, outfits once worn by Vikings and, in the stairwells, reproductions of the Bayeux Tapestry, which charts the 1066 AD invasion of England by the Vikings' Norman descendants. When we're not in port - and appreciating the charms of places such as Malaga, Falmouth in Cornwall and Amsterdam - we also enjoy live performances from classical violinists, attend history lectures and relax in the ship's cosy lounges, dipping into a superb collection of coffee-table books about architecture, polar exploration, fashion and astronomy. One of the nicest hangouts on Jupiter (the ship, that is) is the Wintergarden, a glass-enclosed space where afternoon tea is offered daily. This is complimentary, as are the culinary delights - including many dishes inspired by the ports of call - in the main a la carte restaurant and the buffet-style World Caf (don't miss the topnotch sashimi). By the main pool, which has a retractable roof, there is a grill and salad bar and themed dinners are held here some days. After departing Le Havre in France, for example, we're spoiled for choice with Gallic temptations, including confit de canard, moules marinieres and pungent cheeses. The ship's two speciality eateries are also "free", but require a booking: Italian affair Manfredi's (where I have delicious seafood risotto and bistecca alla fiorentina) and The Chef's Table (which has a revolving nightly menu; it's Mexican when we go). Wine, beer and soft drinks are served complimentary during meals, but at other times, most beverages, excluding tea and coffee, cost extra. At $7.50 a glass of wine and $11 for a cocktail, though, they're reasonably priced. Other snack-friendly retreats include Mamsen's, named in honour of the Hagen family matriarch. For breakfast here, you can order waffles coated with Norwegian brown goat's cheese or jams made with ancient family recipes, and for lunch there's a choice of smorrebrod (Scandinavian open-faced sandwiches). Our favourite part of the ship may well be the LivNordic Spa, which is free to use for all 930 guests but we have it almost to ourselves each time we go (the quietest period is about 7pm, when most passengers are having dinner). The spa has a smorgasbord of spots designed to cool you down and heat you up again in true Nordic style. Ask at the spa reception and they'll give you instructions for a self-guided Nordic bathing ritual (you can also book facials and massages where therapists apply authentic Scandinavian products like birch scrubs, blueberry body wraps and lingonberry face creams). Start off somewhere warm, perhaps in the "Experience" shower, where jets fizz hot water from all directions. Alternatively, there's the 38C hot tub or the dark steam room, where it's 46C with about 99 per cent humidity. After five minutes' sweating, you'll want to chill. Literally. So, walk over to the Snow Grotto, which has icicles dangling from its ceiling and fresh snow pumped in, similar to the white powder produced by machines at ski resorts. The temperature plunges to -10C, but it's soothing and relaxing in here. Or at least that's how it feels until my other half, a big grin on her face, chucks a snowball at me. It's amazing what you can do on cruise ships nowadays. More on the Viking Jupiter Fly: Flight Centre has return flights to Barcelona from $1139 (ex-Melb) and $1117 (ex-Syd). Cruise: A 15-day Barcelona to Bergen cruise on Viking Jupiter costs from $7195 per person. Explore more: vikingcruises.com.au ...you might also enjoy

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Viking's thinking-person's cruise includes a trip to space, writes Steve McKenna.

A trip into space is certainly not the normal cruise ship shore excursion. But on Viking Jupiter and her twin sister, Orion, that's exactly what you get. Each vessel is uniquely fitted with a high-tech planetarium-theatre, which can transport guests to distant lands and galaxies.

Seating up to 26 people, you enter on the upper level of the two-deck, forward-facing Explorers' Lounge, which is decorated with antique globes, displays of star constellations and a golden telescope.

On my cruise, three panoramic films are beamed onto the dome's ceiling screen. There's Experience the Aurora, a 2D film that follows a team of photographers to the Arctic Circle as they track down the mystical Northern Lights in temperatures of -50C.

For the other films, Explore and Hidden Universe, we wear 3D glasses and are drawn in by the mesmerising visuals and tales of space exploration, faraway stars and planets, and the potential for humans to settle on Mars.

Cruise ships are increasingly diverse, catering for a wide array of passengers. You have family-friendly vessels with giant, twisting waterslides and fun-packed activity programs. Then you have another type of cruise ship: smaller, more intimate and with a greater onus on culture, wellness and cuisine. Viking Jupiter is a fine example of that.

The main pool aboard Viking Sea.

I've embarked Jupiter in Barcelona for a 15-day voyage that'll take us from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, a region whose influence infuses Viking vessels, from the stylish, yet understated furnishings, featuring materials such as Swedish limestone, birch and juniper wood, to the sleek spa and its Nordic-style sauna bathing. Founded in 1997 by Norwegian Torstein Hagen, Viking initially specialised in river cruises before branching out into the ocean in 2015. Jupiter is the latest in a six-strong fleet of more-or-less identical 930-passenger vessels that sail the seven seas - with 11 more of these adults-only ships planned over the next decade.

The staterooms and suites are chic and spacious, all boasting a private veranda (we're staying in a Deluxe Veranda cabin, one of six categories, the swankiest being the 135-square-metre Owner's Suite). Free wi-fi, in-room movies and 24-hour room service are among the complimentary perks. But the atmosphere on board is so calm and inviting, we're happy to linger in the public areas.

Viking's ships attract the thinking traveller, with an emphasis on cultural enrichment, but the vibe is generally unpretentious and laid-back, the dress code never more formal than "elegant-casual" and the service polite yet not over-bearing. On our cruise, we often find our fellow passengers perusing the ship's (largely) Scandinavian art and artefacts, sometimes while listening to a narrated tour via the Viking Art Guide app. There are paintings by Edvard Munch to seek out, outfits once worn by Vikings and, in the stairwells, reproductions of the Bayeux Tapestry, which charts the 1066 AD invasion of England by the Vikings' Norman descendants.

When we're not in port - and appreciating the charms of places such as Malaga, Falmouth in Cornwall and Amsterdam - we also enjoy live performances from classical violinists, attend history lectures and relax in the ship's cosy lounges, dipping into a superb collection of coffee-table books about architecture, polar exploration, fashion and astronomy.

One of the nicest hangouts on Jupiter (the ship, that is) is the Wintergarden, a glass-enclosed space where afternoon tea is offered daily. This is complimentary, as are the culinary delights - including many dishes inspired by the ports of call - in the main a la carte restaurant and the buffet-style World Caf (don't miss the topnotch sashimi).

By the main pool, which has a retractable roof, there is a grill and salad bar and themed dinners are held here some days. After departing Le Havre in France, for example, we're spoiled for choice with Gallic temptations, including confit de canard, moules marinieres and pungent cheeses. The ship's two speciality eateries are also "free", but require a booking: Italian affair Manfredi's (where I have delicious seafood risotto and bistecca alla fiorentina) and The Chef's Table (which has a revolving nightly menu; it's Mexican when we go).

Wine, beer and soft drinks are served complimentary during meals, but at other times, most beverages, excluding tea and coffee, cost extra. At $7.50 a glass of wine and $11 for a cocktail, though, they're reasonably priced. Other snack-friendly retreats include Mamsen's, named in honour of the Hagen family matriarch. For breakfast here, you can order waffles coated with Norwegian brown goat's cheese or jams made with ancient family recipes, and for lunch there's a choice of smorrebrod (Scandinavian open-faced sandwiches).

Our favourite part of the ship may well be the LivNordic Spa, which is free to use for all 930 guests but we have it almost to ourselves each time we go (the quietest period is about 7pm, when most passengers are having dinner). The spa has a smorgasbord of spots designed to cool you down and heat you up again in true Nordic style. Ask at the spa reception and they'll give you instructions for a self-guided Nordic bathing ritual (you can also book facials and massages where therapists apply authentic Scandinavian products like birch scrubs, blueberry body wraps and lingonberry face creams).

Start off somewhere warm, perhaps in the "Experience" shower, where jets fizz hot water from all directions. Alternatively, there's the 38C hot tub or the dark steam room, where it's 46C with about 99 per cent humidity. After five minutes' sweating, you'll want to chill. Literally. So, walk over to the Snow Grotto, which has icicles dangling from its ceiling and fresh snow pumped in, similar to the white powder produced by machines at ski resorts.

The temperature plunges to -10C, but it's soothing and relaxing in here. Or at least that's how it feels until my other half, a big grin on her face, chucks a snowball at me. It's amazing what you can do on cruise ships nowadays.

More on the Viking Jupiter

Fly: Flight Centre has return flights to Barcelona from $1139 (ex-Melb) and $1117 (ex-Syd).

Cruise: A 15-day Barcelona to Bergen cruise on Viking Jupiter costs from $7195 per person.

See the original post:

Viking Jupiter and Orion take to the seas and the skies - The Canberra Times