Monthly Archives: February 2021

1. The geopolitics of space exploration: Space News, Feb. 2021 Space Business  Quartz
2. Space exploration more about collaboration than competition, says Nasa's Dr Bhavya Lal  Times of India
3. William & Mary professor continues streak of helping with Mars exploration  wtkr.com
4. NASA rover streaks toward a landing on Mars  KTLA Los Angeles
5. Perseverance Kick-Starts Journey to Accomplish a 45-Year-Old Dream of Returning Martian Sample to Earth | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com  The Weather Channel
6. View Full Coverage on Google News

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The geopolitics of space exploration: Space News, Feb. 2021 Space Business - Quartz

The US, China and UAE launched unmanned missions to Mars last summer in the quest to discover whether the red planet was ever habitable - or could be in future.

In the week that the European Space Agency also launched a recruitment drive for the next generation of astronauts, what does the future of space exploration look like? And is it really worth it?

On this edition of the Sky News Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan, we are joined by Libby Jackson, human exploration manager at the UK Space Agency; Nicholas Booth, who co-authored the book The Search for Life on Mars and is a self-confessed Mars obsessive; and Alexander Martin, Sky's technology reporter.

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Daily podcast team:Podcast producer - Annie JoycePodcast producer - Nicola EyersPodcast producer - Lauren PinkneyInterviews producer - Tatiana AldersonArchive - Simon WindsorArchive - Rob FellowesArchive - Nelly StefanovaMusic - Steven Wheeler

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Mars missions and space exploration - bang for our buck? - Sky News

The vast stretches of outer space may have been a fascination for poets and star gazers for centuries but they can be a nightmare when setting upa reliable IT and communications system. Of course scientists have been working on the latest technologies for decades to drive innovation in space and especially in recent years, we see space exploration is getting ever more technologically advanced.

One such technology innovations comes from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) that has recently announced it is enabling real-time data processing with advanced commercial edge computing in space, a technique that allows sensor data to be processed by computers in the same place where it was collected, rather than having to travel back to a central server for cataloging and analysis.

The company has said that using its Spaceborne Computer-2, (SBC-2), an edge-computing system, astronauts and researchers at International Space Station (ISS) will be able to process data at the edge and speed time-to-insight from months to minutes on various experiments. That includes, processing medical imaging and DNA sequencing to unlocking key insights from volumes of remote sensors and satellites.

Spaceborne Computer-2 will offer twice as much compute speed with purpose-built edge computing capabilities powered by the HPE Edgeline Converged Edge system and HPE ProLiant server. It is equipped with GPU capabilities to support specific projects using AI and machine learning techniques. Like, it can efficiently process image-intensive data requiring higher image resolution such as shots of polar ice caps on earth or medical x-rays.

The most important benefit to delivering reliable in-space computing with Spaceborne Computer-2 is making real-time insights a reality. Space explorers can now transform how they conduct research based on readily available data and improve decision-making, said Dr. Mark Fernandez, solution architect, Converged Edge Systems at HPE, and principal investigator for Spaceborne Computer-2.

HPE is delivering the same edge computing technologies targeted for harsh, remote environments on earth such as oil and gas refineries, manufacturing plants or on defense missions, to space. Some of the experiments that this new venture will empower include modeling dust storms on Earth, medical imaging using ultrasound, and analyzing lightning strike patterns.

Edge computing provides core capabilities for unique sites that have limited or no connectivity, giving them the power to process and analyze data locally and make critical decisions quickly. With HPE Edgeline, we deliver solutions that are purposely engineered for harsh environments, said Shelly Anello, General Manager, Converged Edge Systems at HPE.

Several space efforts now use edge computing, to enhance communications between Earth and the cosmos.For space-based systems, edge computing can save both time and energy, believe IBM researchers.

If we can speed up communication with our far-flung space explorers, it will accelerate how much we can learn and discover, Naeem Altaf, an IBM distinguished engineer andCTO of its Space Tech team, said in its official blog.

Using edge, critical data can be analyzed in hours instead of days, Altaf said.

For example, sensor-equipped swarms of nanosatellites can use edge systems to process the data seamlessly. These satellite swarms, which fly about 250 to 370 miles above the Earths surface, can be clustered and organized to support important missions in the study of weather, climate science, national security and disaster response. In other words, edge computing has a great potential on the International Space Station, the in-flight science laboratory designed to help humans better understand what its like living and working in space.

Its the same reason edge computing has already made a big mark in the enterprise as Gartner reportedthat by 2022, half of all data will be created and processed outside a traditional centralized data center or a cloud network.

SBC-2 is scheduled to launch into orbit on the 15th Northrop Grumman Resupply Mission to Space Station (NG-15) on February 20 and will be available for use on the International Space Station for the next 2-3 years. The NG-15 spacecraft has been named SS Katherine Johnson in honor of Katherine Johnson, a black NASA mathematician who was critical to the early success of the space program.

We are honored to make edge computing in space possible and through our longstanding partnerships with NASA and the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, we are looking forward to powering new, exciting research opportunities to make breakthrough discoveries for humanity, he added.

Steven Carlini, Vice President of Innovation and Data Center for Schneider Electric believes the new space age holds great edge potential.

These low orbiting satellite deployments have the potential to propel the digital transformation of the world. They open up tremendous opportunities to bring futuristic technologies to fruition with the combination of high-speed wireless communication and untethered edge computing, he said in a recent article.

Terrestrial business innovations will continue to drive space exploration for years to come. Cloud, edge computing and blockchain are enhancing missions to the International Space Station and beyond. Of course, we are still a long way off before developing fully autonomous systems and making them accessible for scientists, but asCarl Sagan, the popular astronomer, noted, Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.

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Speeding Up Space Exploration with Edge Computing - CXOToday.com

Illustration by Hannah Good.

Hey yall!

Weve got climate crisis solutions, a new home show, and a talk about the internet.

The matrix: The internet is maybe, possibly, probably melting our brains. In her debut novel, No One Is Talking About This, poet Patricia Lockwood writes an autofictional account of a viral influencer who is consumed in the portal (a.k.a. the internet). Family tragedy snaps the protagonist out of the endless scrolling fog to face the harsh reality beyond her screens. Lockwood, whos been called the poet laureate of Twitter, will chat with New Yorker staff writer Jia Tolentino in this virtual Politics and Prose event. Tuesday 2/16 at 6 PM; Free to $32.99 (book included), buy tickets here.

Chat climate: Bill Gates just released How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need, an urgent book that details how he thinks we can eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Gates will chat with actor and activist Rashida Jones about climate change and the solutions that he puts forth in a virtual talk from Sixth & I. Wednesday 2/17 at 7 PM; $35 (book included), buy tickets here.

Subterranean fun: Over the weekend, Dupont Underground opened The February Install, a new exhibit of installations, media projections, and performances from local Black artists and organizations. Walk through the artwork expressing the shows four themes: joy, beauty, transformation, and unapologetic. Masks and ticket reservations required. Catch the show on the weekends of February 19-21 and 26-28; $8, buy tickets here.

A new show: If youre in the staring at aspirational homes on Zillow phase of the pandemic, theres a local series that might satisfy your voyeuristic curiosity. WETAs If You Lived Here looks inside homes and apartments in the DC area; its part house porn, part tour of DC neighborhood history and culture. Learn more about it here.

Your favorite spot: Whats your go-to neighborhood spot? Instead of our annual Best Restaurants issue, Washingtonian put together a collection of more than 60 neighborhood restaurants that have been reliable faves with the best hometown vibes.

Infinity and beyond: Mars scientist Sarah Stewart Johnson wrote about the search for life on the red planet, and Washingtonian politics and culture editor Rob Brunner chatted with her about what space exploration means for how we understand human life. One image I couldnt get out of my mind after I read the interview was this little plant surviving on a volcano in Hawaii: I was up on this completely lifeless summit of a volcano, and then there was this fern that should not have been able to survive in those conditions. But there it was, vibrant and fighting against the void. I just found it magical. There really was something in that moment that made me become a planetary scientist. The idea of looking out into the dark night, trying to find the equivalent [of the fern]: something that was surviving against all odds. Thats what life is, in a lot of waysthis pushing back against the emptiness. Read the full interview here.

Pacheco in particular is a seminal figure in Latin music, co-founding the famous Fania Records, which cultivated talent like Celia Cruz, Hctor Lavoe, Willie Coln, and other phenomenal salseros. The composer, band leader, and multi-instrumentalist was a major force in making salsa what it is today. To get a taste of the kind of energy Pacheco and his crew brought to the stage, Id recommend this clip from the 1974 Fania All Stars Live in Africa show, when they played to a crowd of 80,000 in whats now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Though I never saw Pacheco live (Im some 20 years too young), my parents tell me that as a baby I got to meet him when, coincidentally, we went to the same physical therapist in Northern New Jerseyhe apparently loved playing with me. (Yes this is a baby brag, Im not sorry.)

Im immensely grateful for the contributions both Corea and Pacheco have made to American music. Have any favorite tracks from these artists? Let me know, Id love to hear them!

Thanks for reading! Tell me what youre up to at home by dropping me a line at rcartagena@washingtonian.com.

Join the conversation!

Web Producer/Writer

Rosa joined Washingtonian in 2016 after graduating from Mount Holyoke College. She covers arts and culture for the magazine. Shes written about anti-racism efforts at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, dinosaurs in the revamped fossil hall at the Smithsonians Natural History Museum, and the horrors of taking a digital detox. When she can, she performs with her familys Puerto Rican folkloric music ensemble based in Jersey City. She lives in Adams Morgan.

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Climate Solutions, New Art, and Space Exploration: Things to Do in DC, February 16-17 - Washingtonian

You get only one chance to make a first impression, and viewed through that lens, For All Mankind didnt exactly take flight. The Apple TV+ series, which was part of the streamers initial launch in November 2019, envisions an alternate history in which the Soviet Union puts people on the moon before the United States, and the space race continues to evolve from there. With its Cold War tensions and Battlestar Galacticas Ronald D. Moore on board as cocreator, For All Mankind had the kind of pedigree to match its big-picture implications. And prelaunch, the show might as well have been called Game of Astronauts for the amount of hype it generated among space enthusiasts.

But For All Mankind stumbled out of the gate. The series first two episodes hit a saccharine tone that felt like the cringiest parts of The Newsroom transported to NASAs mission control center. The show couldnt seem to decide whether to celebrate the perseverance, grit, and ingenuity of its characters (with the requisite corniness that approach entails), or highlight the flaws of American exceptionalism under Richard Nixon. (It certainly didnt help that this was all happening within bloated, meandering, hour-long running times.) Itd be hard to blame anyone for calling it quits on For All Mankind after those early episodes: After all, who has time to wait for a show to get good when theres more original programming to sift through than ever before?

By the third episode, however, For All Mankind reinvented itself for the better. In what almost functioned like a second pilot, Nixons Women sees the United States scrambling for better optics in the wake of the Soviets landing a woman on the moon. The U.S. hastily recruits female astronauts a decade earlier than it had in real lifewith training sequences evoking The Right Stuffbut the show never shies away from the irony that the push for inclusion is only a PR stunt. (When discussing what hes looking for in NASAs first woman in space, Nixon says preferably a blond.) The further For All Mankind pushed its alt-history, making its way to the 70s by the end of the season, the more the series found its footing. Ultimately, the Soviets landing on the moon was one small step in a show where military bases are established on the lunar surface and plutonium-carrying rockets launch out of the ocean.

Now, with its second season premiering on Friday, For All Mankind has jumped ahead to 1983. What was once a NASA lunar base the size of a typical New York studio apartment has ballooned into a massive complex capable of staffing dozens of astronauts at a time, and the space program has been further enmeshed with the American military under the Reagan administration. (Yes, Ronald Reagan still becomes the president in this alt-history, but [deep breath]: Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles, the Miracle on Ice never happens, John Lennon is alive, and Roman Polanski is arrested at the border.) One of the creeping tensions this season, in which the Cold War reaches Cuban missile crisis levels, is the development and deployment of weapons on the moonfrom arming military-trained astronauts to equipping space shuttles with missiles.

The vision of armed astronauts hopping around the lunar surface looks like something out of a 12-year-olds Mountain Dewinduced fever dream, and youd forgive For All Mankind for occasionally indulging in the ludicrous thrill of it all. But the series doesnt lose sight of the slippery slope that comes with bringing a military presence to the moon. At a pivotal moment when the Americans and Soviets are fighting over a lunar stronghold rich with lithium, armed astronauts begin humming Ride of the Valkyriesa not-so-subtle allusion to Apocalypse Now, the Vietnam War, and needless cycles of violence.

Which is not to say that For All Mankind makes the aggressive jump to World War III on the moon this season, as the trailers and rad-looking promotional materials might suggest. Instead, most of the political maneuvering between the Americans and Soviets takes place back on Earth, with the respective space programs navigating bureaucratic quagmires and workplace issues. (Its a lot more interesting than it sounds.) And like any good space show should, For All Mankind ensures that viewers are just as emotionally invested with what happens on the ground thanks to an evolving ensemble cast.

Astronaut Ed Baldwin (played by Joel Kinnaman) begins the new season behind a desk, evaluating the other astronauts and assigning missions for them; his buddy Gordo Stevens (Michael Dorman), who had an unreported mental breakdown on the lunar base in Season 1, grows a dad bod and refuses to confront his trauma; Gordos wife Tracy (Sarah Jones) becomes the blond face of the space program, so caught up in the glamour of her newfound celebrity status and frequent late-night appearances that she begins neglecting the actual work required of being an astronaut; and Ellen Wilson (Jodi Balfour) continues to wrestle with being a closeted gay woman while advancing her career under the Reagan administration, with an eye toward being part of a future manned mission to Mars. As long as you can suspend your disbelief that these characters seem to have barely aged a day in the past decadeGordo looks exactly the same minus the beer gut, and NASA mission director Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt) was basically just given bigger glassesFor All Mankind delivers satisfying payoffs that conjure the rich character development on Moores Battlestar Galactica.

The first two episodes of For All Mankind missed the mark so badly that they might as well be decanonized, but the second season has no such shortcomings. It can be a slow burn at times, sure, but its easy to be patient with the early episodes when there are boardroom meetings punctuated by lines like Are you two seriously suggesting that we send guns to the moon? And by the time all the story lines intersect in the seasons final episodes, For All Mankind hits on a visceral and emotional level thats as good as televisions ever been outside of Earths orbit.

Its still unclear what the endgame is with For All Mankindboth as a television series, and how it fits into Apple TV+s larger ambitions as a still-nascent streaming service. The show already has been renewed for a third seasonone that will inevitably involve another time jump, ageless astronauts whove apparently discovered the Fountain of Youth, and humanity stretching itself further in our solar system. At some point, the show might start to feel less like alt-history and more like proper science fiction; The Expanse by way of actual historical figures.

That comparison favors For All Mankind, as The Expanse is arguably the best space show on television since Battlestar Galactica. But as For All Mankind slowly but surely moves the astronaut action to Mars and (possibly) beyond, its unclear whether the United States is navigating the solar system for the genuine pursuit of scientific research or as a continued flex of military power. If there is any one lesson to impart from the shows excellent second season, its that space exploration is one giant leap that mankind isnt quite ready forlest this alt-history series turn into a dystopia.

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For All Mankind Continues to Make Giant Leaps in Season 2 - The Ringer

Dr. Michaela Musilova is the director of Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) program, which conducts analog missions to the moon and Mars for scientific research at a habitat on the volcano Mauna Loa. Currently, she is in command of the two-week Valoria 2 mission and contributed this report to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Commander's report for the Valoria 2 Mars mission at HI-SEAS

Sol 6 (Feb. 9, 2021)

Being stuck in my ways that's not something I thought I would be guilty of anytime soon. I thought I was a pretty adaptable and flexible type of person, but it is starting to dawn on me that leading mission after mission has left a mark on me. The Valoria 2 analog Mars mission at HI-SEAS is around the 27th mission that I have led as a commander. Honestly, at this point, all my previous missions are starting to become a blur. I keep in touch with my ex-crewmembers, but the mission details all merge into one long story. Nevertheless, what I'm now starting to see are patterns in my behavior and my leadership.

During a typical lunar or martian mission at HI-SEAS, I spend the first few days training my new crewmembers. I try to use only an empowerment leadership style, allowing my crewmembers to embrace being analog astronauts without micromanagement. As long as the crew respects several important rules during our mission, I almost never need to enforce any kind of authority on the crew. Instead, we usually get along very well and everyone respects the guidelines that I put in place for every mission.

Related: What didn't kill us on 'Mars' only made us stronger Commander's report: sol 13

It's not unusual for the crew to make mistakes during the first three days or so of the mission. There is a lot to learn about living and working on the moon or Mars, so I have a lot of patience with them. One of my main rules is for them to ask me as many questions as they need. I would rather they double-check certain matters with me than to do something incorrectly. With every mission, I've developed checklists that I go through when training the crew. Only when they are well versed in working and surviving on the moon or Mars, then I could focus on my research and only check in with them when necessary.

This seemed to be the best way to do things until recently. A new realization hit me: changing things up would not only benefit me to escape from my "Groundhog Day" cycle, but also the crew. I'm not a huge fan of repeating activities over and over again, so sticking to a certain routine to help the new crew break into the HI-SEAS habitat has drained a lot of excitement out of me. I try my best to not lose enthusiasm when training the crewmembers, as I love teaching and sharing my otherworldly experiences with others. However, this takes a toll on my energy levels.

Then, something changed that completely opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities. My routine had been broken. We had to suffer through a number of dust storms on Mars (aka rainstorms on the Big Island of Hawaii) during my previous Valoria 1 mission a couple of weeks ago. I could not train the crew in the same way and in the same order of activities as I normally would. Suddenly, I was forced to think out of the box and improvise. Abstract problem solving and improvisation are vital in the space sector, so this was a welcome change for me.

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It was like a completely new world of possibilities opened up for me. I changed the way in which I did our-in-the-field geology training during the Valoria 2's first Marswalks, limiting them to the surroundings of the habitat because of bad weather. The previous Valoria 1 crew even hid the famous HI-SEAS "Easter egg" of crew treasures in a different location than it had been hidden in over the past three years. My analog space missions didn't have to be as repetitive as I thought that they were doomed to be. I found a new hope and energy in me to power through the three lunar missions that await me after Valoria 2.

Now, the Valoria 2 crew is setting more precedents. Some of them are not so great, like the fact that they were the first crew to set off our habitat's fire alarm. That was during their attempt at making pancakes at the start of the mission, so no harm was done, but many lessons were learned. The crewmembers then decided to try to become the crew of many firsts, so this trend continued. They have since made the first butter and first very fluffy scrambled eggs on Mars. I am looking forward to what they will come up with next.

Related: Avoiding digestive problems is part of daily activities on the moon for the Sensoria M3 crew

As a crew, we have definitely now become a space family, and every day I spend with them is a joy. Each one of them is progressing quickly with their individual research projects as well. Operations Officer Rilee Kaliher has collected ten samples of volcanic rocks near HI-SEAS, including cinder, pahoehoe and 'a'a, for her in-situ resource utilization research. Similar kinds of rocks are likely to be found in some parts of the moon and Mars. Rilee began characterizing and analyzing the samples in order to determine their potential use as building blocks for the first sustainable human settlements on Mars.

Plant Biology Officer Paul Tomko has successfully sprouted his first batch of organic broccoli, crimson clover and radish sprouts for the crew, while he continues to work on his batch of legume sprouts. Paul is experimenting with various growth and harvesting techniques to maximize produce yield and give a boost of nutrition to the crew, which includes using the LettuceGrow system to grow new lettuce seedlings.

Science Communications Officer Lain Velasco's hand-balancing training program is progressing with great results. The crew has only been working on their program for a few days and they have already started to develop higher body awareness in inverted positions.

They are also reporting a decrease in vertigo, confusion and fearfulness when being upside down. Their feedback is mostly positive and they seem to be feeling motivated to continue their training even post-mission.

Finally, Crew Engineer Chris Jackson has discovered that the crew really enjoys tracking and understanding their activity, sleep and tone using the Amazon Halo fitness tracker. His observations are that the crew try to always wear their individual devices rather than resent them. Chris reports that the crew is willingly sharing updates from the device when the crew congregates.

Commander Musilova signing off feeling both refreshed and motivated. The Valoria 2 crew has brought a breath of fresh air into my life on Mars and I can't wait for what new "firsts" they have yet to bring to HI-SEAS.

Follow Michaela Musilova on Twitter @astro_Michaela. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.

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When the 'Mars' mission commander breaks new ground Commander's Report: sol 6 - Space.com

Caregivers and educators, NASA needs your kids' help.

Have your children or students ever wondered about life elsewhere in the universe? Have they ever been curious about whats on other planets? Well, scientists at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are curious about that too. They all strive to answer questions and solve problems. Theyve actually figured out how to land a robot on Mars and how to take pictures on other planets. But there are a lot of problems and questions that scientists are trying to figure out. Caregivers and educators, this is where your kids come in.

Here is their mission straight from scientists at JPL: Engage [your] curious minds, get a good science education and come help us solve problems.

The most advanced rover built by NASA was launched July 30, 2020, and will be landing on Mars, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in hopes of answering the questions we mentioned earlier. Ota Lutz, Ph.D., a STEM elementary and secondary education specialist at JPL, summarizes the rovers mission: Were landing the most capable rover on the surface of Mars in arguably one of the most dangerous places to land. Were basically looking for signs of past life on Mars and this rover has the potential to determine whether those signs existed.

With this groundbreaking mission that will likely change our understanding of the universe, Lutz provides insight into how you can encourage childrens engagement in the Mars rovers landing.

Its going to be one of those turning points in their knowledge and understanding of the universe. Its going to be for everybody, but were going to have another generation after this that has a completely different understanding than the generations before, Lutz says. And besides that, its just super cool to land a robot on Mars.

Here are some discussion points and activities to get you and your kids started on your space exploration mission at home and beyond.

The first thing I would do is have them talk about Mars, Lutz said. Learn a little bit about Mars and why we go there. NASA provides a website with a little bit of everything about exploring Mars, from previous missions, facts about the Red Planet to future exploration plans. Check out their Mars Exploration website.

Its also important to encourage kids to ask questions. And lets face it; sometimes, kids ask the toughest questions. But its vital for caregivers and educators to know that they dont have to have all the right answers. Engage your own curiosity with them and find out the answer together. Teach them not only to ask questions but how to investigate and research answers.

I think its important to model learning together because nobody knows everything. Thats why we do science, to learn more, Lutz says. The more science we do, the more stuff we learn, and the more stuff we learn we dont know.

The second thing would be to follow along with the mission by trying out these activities at home and in class that will relate to what scientists are working on.

This cutting-edge rover, named Perseverance (Percy, for short), is taking along a technology demonstration which Lutz explains consists of things we dont know if theyll work, but we want to try.

On the belly of the rover is a specialized helicopter named Ingenuity, which will allow scientists to explore a wider range of Mars. This is new technology that will change the way future exploration will look. The remarkable thing about the helicopter is that its specifically designed to fly on Mars, which was a tricky thing to engineer. Helicopters need air to fly and Mars atmosphere is about 1% as thick as Earths atmosphere. Their blades push against the air making a force called lift and they lift off the ground, Lutz says. So, if you dont have much air, how do you fly?

Help kids in making their own Mars Helicopter with this activity. But dont stop there. Challenge your brains and try to improve its performance. After you experiment with your first design, try to figure out with your kids, How can we make it fly better? What would make it fly longer or faster? Try folding the helicopter blades differently, cutting the template differently or using thicker cardstock or thinner paper. Experiment! This encourages children to engage in the engineering design process.

Learning Space: Make a Paper Mars Helicopter

It gives kids the opportunity to do what NASA engineers do. Its the same concept of investigation and testing and refining and retesting until you get your desired result, Lutz says.

So now youve got your helicopter exploring Mars. How do you receive the information of what it finds?

Lutz explains the importance of NASAs Deep Space Network (DSN) in communicating with Perseverance and Ingenuity. By using a series of antennas and giant parabolic dishes placed at three different points on Earth, Lutz explains that this is how NASA is able to communicate with the rover and orbiters on and around Mars. They can give it commands and receive information back through these towers.

Try building your own antenna tower with this activity and see how strong you can make it together.

There is so much to exploring space. Challenge your curiosity and follow along with the Mission to Mars Student Challenge, with activities, videos and lessons that will keep kids engaged and informed about NASAs exploration leading up to the landing and even after.

The excitement doesnt end when Perseverance lands; far from it. Within the first few hours, there will be photos received of the river delta in which the rover will be landing.

On Earth, we will be able to see and hear what Perseverance sees and hears on Mars. But more than that, were going to be able to follow this mission for years, Lutz says.

Watch the live broadcast of the Mars Landing on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. The stream begins at 11:15 a.m. PST with a special program that includes virtual JPL tours and interviews with leading scientists. But make sure youre tuned in around noon for the aptly named "seven minutes of terror" when Perseverance will make its official landing.

So, remind your kids to follow along with these activities and remember their mission:

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How to Engage Kids in the Mars Landing and Exploration - pbssocal.org

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is accelerating space exploration and increasing self-sufficiency for astronauts by enabling real-time data processing with advanced commercial edge computing in space for the first time. Astronauts and space explorers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will speed time-to-insight from months to minutes on various experiments in space, from processing medical imaging and DNA sequencing to unlocking key insights from volumes of remote sensors and satellites, using HPEs Spaceborne Computer-2 (SBC-2), an edge computing system.

Spaceborne Computer-2 is scheduled to launch into orbit on the 15th Northrop Grumman Resupply Mission to Space Station (NG-15) on February 20 and will be available for use on the International Space Station for the next 2-3 years. The NG-15 spacecraft has been named SS. Katherine Johnson in honor of Katherine Johnson, a famed Black, female NASA mathematician who was critical to the early success of the space program.

Breaking Barriers to Achieve Reliable Computing in Space

The upcoming launch of Spaceborne Computer-2 builds on the proven success of its predecessor, Spaceborne Computer, a proof-of-concept that HPE developed and launched in partnership with NASA in 2017 to operate on the International Space Station (ISS) for a one-year mission. The goal was to test if affordable, commercial off-the-shelf servers used on earth, but equipped with purposefully-designed software-based hardening features, can withstand the shake, rattle and roll of a rocket launch to space, and once there, seamlessly operate on the ISS.

The proof-of-concept addressed the need for more reliable computing capabilities on the ISS, or low Earth orbit (LEO), that were previously impossible to achieve due to the ISSs harsh environment of zero gravity and high levels of radiation that can damage IT equipment required to host computing technologies.

Additionally, gaining more reliable computing on the ISS is just the first step in NASAs goals for supporting human space travel to the Moon, Mars and beyond where reliable communications is a mission critical need.

HPE successfully accomplished its one-year mission with Spaceborne Computer and is now set to launch, through a sponsorship from the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, an even more advanced system, called Spaceborne Computer-2, which is set to launch this month and be installed on the ISS for the next 2-3 years for wider use.

Accelerating Space Exploration with State-of-the-Art Edge Computing and AI Capabilities

Spaceborne Computer-2 will offer twice as much compute speed with purpose-built edge computing capabilities powered by the HPE Edgeline Converged Edge system and HPE ProLiant server to ingest and process data from a range of devices, including satellites and cameras, and process in real-time.

Spaceborne Computer-2 will also come equipped with graphic processing units (GPUs) to efficiently process image-intensive data requiring higher image resolution such as shots of polar ice caps on earth or medical x-rays. The GPU capabilities will also support specific projects using AI and machine learning techniques.

The combined advancements of Spaceborne Computer-2 will enable astronauts to eliminate longer latency and wait times associated with sending data to-and-from earth to tackle research and gain insights immediately for a range of projects, including:

Real-time monitoring of astronauts physiological conditions by processing X-Ray, sonograms and other medical data to speed time to diagnosis in-space.

Making sense of volumes of remote sensor data: There are hundreds of sensors that NASA and other organizations have strategically placed on the ISS and on satellites, which collect massive volumes of data that require a significant amount of bandwidth to send to earth to process. With in-space edge computing, researchers can process on-board image, signal and other data related to a range of events, such as:

o Traffic trends by having a wider look at number of cars on the road and even in parking lots

o Air quality by measuring level of emissions and other pollutants in the atmosphere

o Tracking objects moving in space and in the atmosphere from planes to missile launches

The most important benefit to delivering reliable in-space computing with Spaceborne Computer-2 is making real-time insights a reality. Space explorers can now transform how they conduct research based on readily available data and improve decision-making, said Dr. Mark Fernandez, solution architect, Converged Edge Systems at HPE, and principal investigator for Spaceborne Computer-2. We are honored to make edge computing in space possible and through our longstanding partnerships with NASA and the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, we are look forward to powering new, exciting research opportunities to make breakthrough discoveries for humanity.

Proven in Space, Available on Earth: HPE Addresses the Harshest, Outer Edge Environments with Enterprise-Grade Solutions

HPE is delivering the same edge computing technologies targeted for harsh, remote environments on earth such as oil and gas refineries, manufacturing plants or on defense missions, to space. Spaceborne Computer-2 includes the HPE Edgeline Converged EL4000 Edge System, a rugged and compact system designed to perform in harsher edge environments with higher shock, vibration and temperature levels and purpose-built to process computing power at the edge to collect and analyze volumes of data from remotely scattered devices and sensors in space.

As a result of HPEs proven success in delivering its computing technologies to space, organizations such as OrtbitsEdge, which provides protective hardening features for space computing initiatives, plans to integrate the HPE Edgeline Converged Edge Systems with its hardening solution, SatFrame, to enable commercial space companies to deploy computing in orbiting satellites and accelerate exploration.

Coupled with the HPE Edgeline Converged Edge Systems, Spaceborne Computer-2 will also feature the HPE ProLiant DL360 server, an industry-standard server, for additional high-performing capabilities to target a range of workloads, including edge, HPC, AI, etc.

Edge computing provides core capabilities for unique sites that have limited or no connectivity, giving them the power to process and analyze data locally and make critical decisions quickly. With HPE Edgeline, we deliver solutions that are purposely engineered for harsh environments. Here on Earth, that means efficiently processing data insights from a range of devices from security surveillance cameras in airports and stadiums, to robotics and automation features in manufacturing plants, said Shelly Anello, General Manager, Converged Edge Systems at HPE. As we embark on our next mission in edge computing, we stand ready to power the harshest, most unique edge experience of them all: outer space. We are thrilled to be invited by NASA and the International Space Station to support this ongoing mission, pushing our boundaries in space and unlocking a new era of insight.

Tackling Bigger Research with Edge-to-Cloud Capabilities

Through a collaboration with Microsoft Azure Space, researchers around the world running experiments on Spaceborne Computer-2 have the opportunity to burst to the Azure cloud for computationally intense processing needs that require that can also seamlessly transmit results back to SBC-2. Examples being considered by Microsoft Research include:

Modeling and forecasting dust storms on Earth to improve future predictions on Mars that can cover the entire red planet and decrease output of solar power generation that is critical to enabling mission essential energy needs

Assessing liquid usage and environmental parameters involved in growing plants in space to support food and life sciences by collecting data from hydroponics processes and comparing them with large data sets on Earth

Analyzing lightning strike patterns that trigger wildfires by processing a vast amount of data collected from 4K video-streaming cameras that capture lightning strikes happening across earth

Advanced analysis of medical imaging using ultrasound on the ISS to support astronaut healthcare

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HPE accelerates Space Exploration with First Ever In-Space Commercial Edge Computing and Artificial Intelligence Capabilities - CRN - India - CRN.in

February has been a big month for Mars exploration. We already have seen the United Arab Emirates and China successfully place orbiters around Mars, while the United States hopes to build on its past successes with Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity by landing a new one named Perseverance there this week. That rover is equipped with instruments that will search for life, seek to convert Martian carbon dioxide into oxygen, and fly around the surface.

All of these activities are exciting for scientists and space enthusiasts because of the possible gains in knowledge and technical innovation. As noted in a Mars blog post last year, there are many reasons to explore the Red Planet from the potential to gain a better understanding of the origins of life to the chance to develop new technologies and lay the groundwork for space tourism and mining.

Much of space exploration in recent decades has been marked by international cooperation. The United States, for example, has worked with Russia and 13 other countries on the International Space Station, the launch of space telescopes, and the development of land-based observatories. Scientists from many nations compare notes, share data, and collaborate on academic papers. There are international conferences where experts report preliminary findings and get feedback from their peers.

Yet the geopolitical situation is shifting dramatically in ways that could imperil future cooperation. There is anger over Russias alleged role in the SolarWinds hack of U.S. government agencies and leading business enterprises. In addition, there are Russia sanctions due to that countrys takeover of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine.

Relations with China also have grown tense as the two countries compete over trade, national security, and economic power. There is concern over that nations treatment of Hong Kong and its human rights record in regard to political and religious minorities. Many Democrats and Republicans have called for tougher action against China.

These tensions are spilling over into space exploration. Not wanting to be reliant upon Russian launch rockets, the United States has developed its own multi-stage rocket to send astronauts to the space station. And a number of years ago, Congress enacted legislation that precluded NASA from working with Chinese scientists.

As a result of its exclusion from the American space program, China has developed agreements with Asian, European, and Latin American nations to explore the Moon and space in general. It is expected to launch its own international space station this year with financial support from other countries.

Last year, the United States negotiated an agreement with eight nations called the Artemis Accords that enables individual nations or specific private companies to create exclusive zones on the moon. That will enable the founding signatories (Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States, with later signatures by Brazil and the Ukraine) to build colonies, engage in space tourism, or undertake mining activities in those areas.

Yet other nations have criticized the agreement. Countries such as China, France, Germany, India, and Russia so far have not signed the accord. Among their objections include its focus on bilateral agreements that may be outside of existing international frameworks, the role of private exploration companies, and concerns about American primacy in space.

The risk of planned activities is that the Moon, Mars, comets, asteroids, and other solar system objects will become the focus of international competition and space commercialization. Are exclusive zones going to become mini-nations that engage in similar competitiveness, conflict, and mistrust that characterize their earth-based entities? Are there meaningful ways to create cross-national areas that encourage peace, cooperation, and prosperity?

Going forward, these are crucial questions. On planet Earth, countries are establishing defense forces that militarize near-earth orbits. With the importance of satellite communications, leaders are taking steps to defend orbiting satellites and make sure those of other nations were not used for offensive purposes. While understandable given their status as critical infrastructure, these moves set precedents that could prove quite risky.

As countries see outer space through the lens of colonization and commercialization, we need to think about how to govern the solar system beyond our planet. Will settlements on the Moon and Mars be democracies or run according to military principles? Which environmental rules should apply to lunar mining operations? What legal rules and norms should apply to Mars and the Moon? If we do not develop answers to these questions and have broad-based international agreements that enforce them, we could end up in a dystopian space future based on military interests and commercial exploitation.

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Will Mars become an object of international competition? - Brookings Institution

Britons hoping to take their career to new heights are being encouraged to apply to become the UKs next astronaut in a recruitment drive launched on Tuesday.

For the first time in over a decade, the European Space Agency (ESA) is on the lookout for astronauts to join its latest cohort of space explorers.

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People of any age and walk of life are invited to enter the rigorous screening and selection process, so long as they are fit, healthy and calm under pressure.

Experience of the space sector is not essential, but candidates will at least need a relevant Masters degree or to be qualified as an experimental test pilot and qualify as a parastronaut.

There is also special call for candidates with physical disabilities and from diverse backgrounds to apply to the programme.

British astronaut Major Tim Peake, who in 2015 became the first British astronaut to take part in a spacewalk, is piloting the new campaign.

Major Peake said: Over the next few years and decades, space exploration will become even more exciting as we travel back to the Moon and even further to Mars.

For space missions to succeed, they require highly motivated people from diverse backgrounds to combine their skills and work as a team.

The Governments Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Amanda Solloway, said the UK aims to be seen as a leading space-faring nation.

After intensive training, which will include a three-week caving exercise and a course in practical geology, the new astronauts will take their first flights into space when they are deployed to the International Space Station.

Applications will open at the end of next month and stay open until the end of May.

There will then be a 17-month process of psychological, practical, psychometric and medical screening and testing, before the successful applicants are appointed in October 2022.

They are likely to be part of the crew on the ESAs next missions to the moon in the late 2020s and throughout the 2030s.

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Space exploration recruitment drive: Could you be the UKs next astronaut? - iNews