Teams review options for the next Artemis I launch attempt …
The National Space Council meets in Houston …
And Webb captures a new image of a cosmic tarantula …
A few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASAEstablished in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). It is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Its vision is "To discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity." Its core values are "safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion."” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>NASA!
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Teams Review Options for Next Artemis I Launch Attempt
After standing down on the Artemis I launch attempt on September 3 due to a hydrogen leak, teams have decided to make the necessary repairs while the Space Launch System rocket, or SLSNASA's Space Launch System (SLS) will be the most powerful rocket they've ever built. As part of NASA's deep space exploration plans, it will launch astronauts on missions to an asteroid and eventually to Mars. As the SLS evolves, the launch vehicle will to be upgraded with more powerful versions. Eventually, the SLS will have the lift capability of 130 metric tons, opening new possibilities for missions to places like Saturn and Jupiter.” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>SLS, remains at Launch Pad 39B.
The mission will be the first integrated test of NASA’s Orion spacecraft, the SLS rocket, and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will pave the way for human exploration of the Moon, MarsMars is the second smallest planet in our solar system and the fourth planet from the sun. It is a dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere. Iron oxide is prevalent in Mars' surface resulting in its reddish color and its nickname "The Red Planet." Mars' name comes from the Roman god of war.” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>Mars, and beyond.
Follow along as Artemis I mission managers evaluate options for the next launch attempt by checking out the Artemis blog at blogs.nasa.gov/artemis.
National Space Council Meets in Houston
On September 9, Vice President Kamala Harris chaired a National Space Council meeting at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, and spoke to NASA astronauts Bob Hines, Jessica Watkins, and Kjell Lindgren aboard the International Space Station.
The council discussed a variety of topics including human space exploration, rules for emerging space activities, and STEM education.
NASA also confirmed an extension for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, or CASIS, to continue managing the space station, and discussed new space grant awards for STEM students.
Webb Captures New Image of Cosmic Tarantula
NASA’s James Webb Space TelescopeThe James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb) is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope. It covers longer wavelengths of light, with greatly improved sensitivity, allowing it to see inside dust clouds where stars and planetary systems are forming today as well as looking further back in time to observe the first galaxies that formed in the early universe.” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>James Webb Space Telescope captured thousands of never-before-seen young stars in a new image of stellar nursery 30 Doradus, also known as the “Tarantula Nebula.”
Located about 161,000 light-years away from us in the Large Magellanic Cloud, the nebula is the largest and brightest star-forming region near our own galaxy, and is home to the hottest, most massive stars known.
One of the reasons the Tarantula Nebula is interesting to astronomers is the furious rate at which it produces new stars.
DART Sets Sights on Asteroid Target
NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART, spacecraft recently got its first look at Didymos, the double-asteroid system that includes its target, Dimorphos.
The first look is a composite of 243 images taken by a camera onboard the spacecraft.
On September 26, DART will intentionally crash into Dimorphos, the asteroid moonlet of Didymos.
While the asteroid poses no threat to Earth, this will be the world’s first test of the kinetic impact technique, using a spacecraft to deflect an asteroid for planetary defense.
U.S. Postal Service Celebrates Webb With New Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service has a new star – the James Webb Space Telescope.
On September 8, the stamp featuring an artist’s digital illustration of Webb against a background of stars was dedicated in a ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum in Washington.
The selvage, or the paper around the stamps, showcases an image of a star that Webb captured during the alignment process earlier this year.
That’s what’s up this week @ NASA …
Source: SciTechDaily