Thursday, December 31, 2020
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
NASA Firms Up International Collaboration on Deep Space Missions
Both the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and European Space Agency (ESA) have recently committed to participate in NASA'S crewed deep space exploration plans.On 16 December 2020, NASA and CSA inked a pact initiating collaboration on the Gateway,a small space station in lunar orbit that will facilitate sustainable human lunar and Mars exploration.The agreement enlists Canada to provide the Canadarm3 external robotics system for the Gateway, and commits NASA to provide crew opportunities for Canadian astronauts on an Artemis mission to Gateway and on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on the Orion spacecraft that will take astronauts to a high lunar orbit, farther from Earth than ever before, in 2023.*
Said Kathy Lueders, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations:
Gateway will enable a robust, sustainable, and eventually permanent human presence on the lunar surface where we can prove out many of the skills, operations, and technologies that will be key for future human Mars missions.*
Gateway will be one sixth the size of ISS and at a maximum distance of tens of thousands of miles from the Moon in a near-rectilinear halo orbit.NASA and International and commercial partners will conduct unprecedented deep space science and technology investigations on the station.Gateway will be a rendezvous point for astronauts traveling to low-lunar orbit and descending to the Moon on a commercially-developed lander.*
According to Dan Hartman, Gateway Program Manager at NASA Johnson Space Center,Houston:
Our efforts are well underway on Gateway to integrate CSA's robotics system with arm attachment points and smaller dexterous adapters already being incorporated into the individual Gateway modules including the PPE (Power and Propulsion Element),HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost), Gateway logistics, and international habitation element designs.*
In October, NASA enlisted ESA contributions to provide the PPE and HALO modules to Gateway,as well as enhanced lunar communications and the European Service Modules for Orion.ESA will also provide a scientific investgation onboard Gateway,the European Radiation Sensors Array (ERSA), for monitoring space radiation at high energies for astronaut protection.NASA will provide a heliophysics investigation called HERMES (Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite).*
Monday, December 28, 2020
Friday, December 25, 2020
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Monday, December 21, 2020
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Monday, December 14, 2020
Election Update:Electoral College Elects Biden 46th President
At 5:28 pm Eastern, the California electors cast their 55 votes for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States, respectively,thus pushing them over the 270 electoral vote requirement for victory over President Donald Trump.Electors from all 50 states and the District of Columbia met today to officially elect the president and vice president in accordance with Article II of the Constitution.The electors met in legislative chambers and conference rooms across the country, often escorted by police in light of violent threats made by extremists,who had been agitated by baseless claims of widespread voter fraud by President Trump and his associates.Ultimately, the US Supreme Court refused to even allow the claims to be filed.Repeatedly the groundless claims
were rejected by state and federal courts, the Republican and Democrat judges alike appalled by the lack of evidence for them.*
President-elect Biden will address the nation at 7:30 pm Eastern on his electoral college win and the crises facing the American people and the world.*
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Friday, December 11, 2020
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Monday, December 7, 2020
6.3. ASTROBIO - Other icy bodies - Professor Charles Cockell,School of Physics and Astronomy,University of Edinburgh - Note:Evidence gathered by the New Horizons spacecraft in 2015 suggests there may be a subsurface ocean on Pluto capable of supporting life.Further study by future missions is needed.
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Friday, December 4, 2020
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Monday, November 30, 2020
Election Update:More Certifications,PDB
Monday saw two more states certify their election results.Arizona certified President-elect Joe Biden's victory,affirming the election was free and fair.Wisconsin finalised its returns following a President Donald Trump-requested recount in two counties, which cost his campaign three million dollars and nonetheless affirmed Joe Biden's
win.Then Governor Tony Evers certified the results.*
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received their first Presidential Daily Brief intelligence document from a briefer from the Intelligence Community who answered any questions.The PDB provides highly classified information on
threats to national security such as terrorism,Russia, China,Iran and North Korea and US efforts to counter them.*
The Biden-Harris Transition has landing teams at all federal agencies as the U.S. Government participates in the peaceful transfer of power.*
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Friday, November 27, 2020
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Election Update:Pennsylvania,Nevada Certify
On 24 November 2020, Pennsylvania and Nevada certified their election results.Pennsylvania certified a day later than planned because four counties needed more time to complete their work.The state awarded its 20 electoral votes to President-elect Joe Biden.
Nevada also certified its returns,awarding its six electoral votes to Mr.Biden.*
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will receive their first President's Daily Brief intelligence document on Monday,presented to them by a briefer from the Intelligence Community.*
Monday, November 23, 2020
Election Update:Michigan Certifies Biden Win
The Michigan State Board of Canvassers certified President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the state this afternoon,a substantial blow to President Donald Trump's attempt,in the eye of many,to subvert the will of the American people.The board voted 3 yeas and one abstention to certify the election and award the state's 16 electoral college votes to Biden.The abstention was by one of two Republican members of the board,who serve along with two Democrats.
The canvassers are required by law to certify election results presented to them.If a board declines to certify,a court order may be obtained to compel them to do so.Certification is a nonpartisan process.*
In Pennsylvania,at least four counties will miss the certification deadline.This is not considered unusual, according to state election officials, the counties,hobbled by factors such as staffing shortages because of the pandemic,are expected to submit their returns by the end of the month for the Pennsylvania Secretary of State to certify, well in advance of the 8 December Safe Harbor deadline, when states customarily submit their slates of electors to Congress.*
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris won a projected 306 electoral votes-much more than the 270 needed to win the presidency, and an edge of more than six million popular votes.*
The White House staff is reportedly admitting privately that it's all over for Mr. Trump.*
The General Services Administration has officially authorised the transition process to begin,providing funds, office space and official contacts to the Biden-Harris team.*
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Upcoming Election Milestones
Certification deadlines:
23 November-Michigan, Pennsylvania
24 November-Nevada
1 December-Wisconsin
Electoral College:
8 December-All states must certify their slate of electors.
14 December-Electors will cast their votes.
6 January-House and Senate count the votes.
20 January-Inauguration
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Friday, November 20, 2020
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Monday, November 16, 2020
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Monday, November 9, 2020
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Friday, November 6, 2020
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Monday, November 2, 2020
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Friday, October 30, 2020
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Monday, October 26, 2020
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Towards Sustainable Exploration:NASA Chooses Corporate Partners
NASA has announced the latest selection of corporate partners,some of them SMEs, for development of Tipping Point technologies paving the way to sustainable exploration of the Moon and Mars.
The awards have a total value of more than 370 million dollars, NASA said.According to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine:
Together, NASA and industry are building up an array of mission-ready capabilities to support a sustainable presence on the Moon and future human missions to Mars.*
The solicitation topic areas were:
1.cryogenic fuel management;
2.lunar surface technologies;and
3.closed-loop descent and landing capability demonstrations.
The lion's share of the funding went to maturing cryogenic fuel management technologies via in-space demonstrations by the SME Eta Space, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (Lockheed Martin/Boeing). Frozen water on planetary bodies can be separated into hydrogen and oxygen.Storing these super-cooled liquids for extended periods and transferring them from tank to tank are critical capabilities for sustaining lunar operations and enabling Mars missions.*
The lunar surface technologies include in-situ resource utilisation; surface power-generation; and communications.
Finnish telecom giant Nokia's Bell Labs subsidiary was selected to develop a 4G mobile network with privately held Intuitive Machines of Houston,Texas for the lunar surface.The space-hardened network will be integrated onto a lunar lander, eventually transitioning to 5G and expanded as more landers carry in more nodes.
The network will stream data and commands for remote control robots and sensors,as well as transmit voice communications.*
Intuitive Machines will also develop a small deployable hopper lander that can transport a 2.2 pound payload more than 1.5 miles.It is a hopping robot that enables high-resolution surveys of the lunar surface over short distances,including carrying a drill with a mass spectrometer to search for and access water ice at the lunar South Pole.
Such technology will enable use of the Moon as a testing ground for the much more daunting missions to Mars.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT), Boeing (BA),Nokia (NOK)
Monday, October 19, 2020
Friday, October 16, 2020
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Monday, October 12, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Friday, October 9, 2020
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Monday, October 5, 2020
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Friday, October 2, 2020
Hélène Grimaud, Camerata Salzburg – Silvestrov: Two Dialogues with Posts...
I
From her new album "The Messenger"
From her new album "The Messenger"
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Monday, September 28, 2020
Sensors for Moon,Mars Landings to be Tested
A NASA-developed sensor suite and new computer will soon be tested in the course of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket mission.The flight path of the rocket is relevant to lunar landings, NASA said, and it provides a unique opportunity to mature the suite's sensors and algorithms for Artemis crewed lunar landings by 2024 and Mars crewed landings in the 2030s.Blue Origin was chosen for a Tipping Point award in 2018 to increase access to planetary surfaces.
The sensors and specialised software were produced under the Safe and Precise Landing Integrated Capabilities Evolution (SPLICE) programme.The New Shepard flight test will demonstrate the performance of two NASA precision landing sensor systems and the new computer in the first integrated test for the computer and two of the three SPLICE sensor systems.*
During the approximately 12-minute mission,SPLICE will collect data on the operations of each component so the team can evaluate their effectiveness during the lunar-relevant descent and landing of the New Shepard reusable booster back on Earth.The data will anchor analyses and models,and support follow-on adjustments, testing and development.*
Precision landing is crucial for the upcoming Artemis effort to build a lunar base over successive missions.So the test flight will help to bring about flexible,next-gen capabilities that NASA and its partners can apply to a variety of missions, NASA pointed out.The components can be mixed and matched to suit the mission.*
A 24 September 2020 launch attempt had to be scrubbed, and the new launch date is pending.Blue Origin is a privately held company owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.Its New Shepard rocket has flown 11 successful missions with landings.*
Friday, September 25, 2020
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Monday, September 21, 2020
5.1. ASTROBIO - What makes a Planet Habitable? - Professor Charles Cockell, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh
Please note that some scientists recently detect a biosignature for life in the atmosphere of Venus, not on its surface.This is perhaps one of the exceptions Dr.Cockell cautions us about, giving the example of Jupiter's moon Europa.We should not be closed-minded in our search for extraterrestrial life.The necessary conditions for at least primitive life could possibly be in an atmosphere as well.
- Andrew Taylor
Friday, September 18, 2020
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Monday, September 14, 2020
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Friday, September 11, 2020
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Generation Space, Ep. 1: "Space-ics" - The official US Space Force podcast - Please note that most of the Space Force's current personnel are on assignment from the Air Force,and that they are being gradually transitioned into the Space Force over the next few years,plus this was recorded earlier in the Space Force creation process.This podcast was eventually taken over by the USSF.
On 24 July 2020, the US Space Force stood up several Space Deltas,or personnel groups,each of which has a specific space mission.One of them is Space Delta 2, which has the Space Domain Awareness mission.SD 2's mission is to to provide combat-ready SDA to deter aggression and defend the US and its Allies for space operations from, to and through
the domain.The Commander of SD2 is COL Matthew Cantore.COL Cantore is a veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.While serving at HQ US Air Force,COL Cantore and his team developed Air Force and EUCOM strategies to respond to a revanchist Russia, providing wartime operations to blunt aggression in air,space and cyberspace.In 2017,he was a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode
Island with an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies.*
Recently COL Cantore sat down for an interview for Dvids (Department of Defense videos).He was definitely excited about heading SD2 and shared some details about the new unit.For example,he said that back in 2019, he had 10 squadrons under him focused on a number of discrete areas, including electronic warfare,missile warning,missile defence and Space Domain Awareness.Now, though, he and Space Delta 2 are soley focused on SDA, which means they can go deeper into the subject.Another big difference is the Schriever-Peterson Garrison.By standing up the Garrison, there is now a group that provides combat support to the Deltas, supporting the combat elements of the mission Delta with such entities as the Mission Support Group and Medical Group.
This is especially critical in light of the fact that SD2 is a worldwide organisation with 10 locations spread over four countries, from Dahlgren, Virginia to Vandenberg AFB,to Diego Garcia,Maui, Australia and so on.Indeed,there isn't at present even one operational SD2 unit at the Peterson AFB HQ Garrison in Colorado.*
COL Cantore noted that there are a number of new capabilities coming online in the near future,new telescopes and new radars such as the Space Surveillance Telescope
here and the Deep Space Advanced Radar capability in Australia.As well, the SPADOC command and control is being phased out by the new Atlas system.There will also be access to the Defense Weather Satellites and space environment monitoring.*
In closing,COL Cantore urged his troops to be flexible,as the mission is being developed in little pieces, and to share their ideas.The senior leadership needs to know what the space warfighters, civilians and contractors want the US Space Force to be.*
Monday, September 7, 2020
Introducing First Light: Rocket Lab's first Photon satellite in orbit
Rocket Lab is a privately held,Long Beach, California-based company with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary, where its launches are conducted.It was founded in 2006 by CEO Peter Beck,a New Zealand engineer.*
In 2021, Rocket Lab will launch the NASA CubeSat CAPSTONE on an Electron rocket and Photon spacecraft. CAPSTONE will support the Artemis human lunar exploration missions by testing and verifying the near rectilinear halo lunar orbit which will be used by the Lunar Gateway,a small space station that will provide astronauts with access to the lunar surface.In addition, CAPSTONE will test an advanced navigation system that will measure its position relative to NASA'S Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter without reliance on ground stations.Thus CAPSTONE is an early step in learning how to operate challenging missions in a cislunar orbit, laying the groundwork for future solar system exploration, according to Rocket Lab.*
Friday, September 4, 2020
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Monday, August 31, 2020
Saturday, August 29, 2020
Friday, August 28, 2020
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Monday, August 24, 2020
Pfizer enters phase three Covid-19 vaccine trial
Pfizer and BioNTech Provide Encouraging Data:
On 20 August 2020,New York-based Pfizer and its Mainz, Germany partner BioNTech released additional Phase-1 trial safety and immunogenicity data for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate.The early trial showed that,at 30 micrograms,7 days after the second dose of BNT162b2, the dose elicited SARS-CoV2 antibodies that in younger patients (18-55 years) were 3.8 times more than COVID-19 convalescent patient antibodies; and in older patients (65-85 years) elicited 1.6 times more antibodies than in convalescent patients.
What is more, across all populations,BNT162b2 was well- tolerated with mild to moderate fever in less than 20% of the participants.The companies continue to analyse the Phase 1 data in the US and Germany, they said, while they have progressed into the advanced Phase 2/3 trials, with more than 11,000 participants having already been dosed.Assuming clinical success of the advanced trials,they intend to apply for regulatory review as early as October 2020 and,if obtained, to supply up to 100 million doses worldwide by the end of 2020,and about 1.3 billion doses worldwide by the end of 2021.
As reported earlier, the Phase 1 trials indicated production of both antibodies and disease-fighting T-cells in the participants.Two doses of this vaccine candidate are administered to each participant three weeks apart.
Pfizer Inc (PFE), BioNTech SE (BNTX)
On 20 August 2020,New York-based Pfizer and its Mainz, Germany partner BioNTech released additional Phase-1 trial safety and immunogenicity data for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate.The early trial showed that,at 30 micrograms,7 days after the second dose of BNT162b2, the dose elicited SARS-CoV2 antibodies that in younger patients (18-55 years) were 3.8 times more than COVID-19 convalescent patient antibodies; and in older patients (65-85 years) elicited 1.6 times more antibodies than in convalescent patients.
What is more, across all populations,BNT162b2 was well- tolerated with mild to moderate fever in less than 20% of the participants.The companies continue to analyse the Phase 1 data in the US and Germany, they said, while they have progressed into the advanced Phase 2/3 trials, with more than 11,000 participants having already been dosed.Assuming clinical success of the advanced trials,they intend to apply for regulatory review as early as October 2020 and,if obtained, to supply up to 100 million doses worldwide by the end of 2020,and about 1.3 billion doses worldwide by the end of 2021.
As reported earlier, the Phase 1 trials indicated production of both antibodies and disease-fighting T-cells in the participants.Two doses of this vaccine candidate are administered to each participant three weeks apart.
Pfizer Inc (PFE), BioNTech SE (BNTX)
Friday, August 21, 2020
Hubble Snaps Close-Up of Celebrity Comet NEOWISE,may help reveal conditions in the early solar system
Hubble Snaps Close-Up of Celebrity Comet NEOWISE: The Hubble Space Telescope has snapped the closest images yet of the sky's latest visitor to make headlines, comet NEOWISE, after it passed by the Sun. This is the first time Hubble has photographed a comet of this brightness at such resolution after this close of a pass by the Sun.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Monday, August 17, 2020
Friday, August 14, 2020
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Monday, August 10, 2020
Saturday, August 8, 2020
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Monday, August 3, 2020
Friday, July 31, 2020
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Monday, July 27, 2020
Friday, July 24, 2020
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Perseverance - Houston, We Have a Podcast - NASA Johnson Space Center
Perseverance: Luther Beegle, Deputy Division Manager for Science at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, takes us through the history of previous landers we have sent to Mars and highlights Perseverance, the most sophisticated rover NASA has ever sent to the Red Planet. HWHAP Episode 153.
Monday, July 20, 2020
Friday, July 17, 2020
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Monday, July 13, 2020
Saturday, July 11, 2020
Friday, July 10, 2020
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Monday, July 6, 2020
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Friday, July 3, 2020
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
Friday, June 26, 2020
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Monday, June 22, 2020
Virgin Galactic Reaches Spaceflight Deal With NASA
Virgin Galactic shares were up 2.06 in Monday trading to 17.06 a share (13.73%) at time of writing as the company reached a Space Act Agreement with NASA.Under the pact, Virgin will provide a private orbital astronaut readiness programme.In addition to training private citizen astronauts for ISS missions, the firm will develop a programme to identify candidates interested in purchasing such missions and procure the transportation,on-orbit resources and ground resources required.*
NASA wants to see a robust economy in Low Earth Orbit from which it can purchase services as one of many customers.This economy will ensure national interests for research and development in LEO are fulfilled, while allowing NASA to focus on deep space exploration through the Artemis Moon missions and beyond.
The private ISS activities must meet certain criteria:
1.They must require the unique microgravity environment;
2.They must have a Nexus to the NASA mission or
3. They must support the development of a sustainable LEO economy.
NASA has received five proposals for the programme so far.The agency will make available annually 90 hours of crew time for behind the scenes support of the commercial activities and 175 kilograms of cargo launch capability, and will limit the amount provided to each firm.*
For its part, Virgin Galactic wants to open up its spaceflight training infrastructure to NASA and other agencies.*
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc (SPCE)
NASA wants to see a robust economy in Low Earth Orbit from which it can purchase services as one of many customers.This economy will ensure national interests for research and development in LEO are fulfilled, while allowing NASA to focus on deep space exploration through the Artemis Moon missions and beyond.
The private ISS activities must meet certain criteria:
1.They must require the unique microgravity environment;
2.They must have a Nexus to the NASA mission or
3. They must support the development of a sustainable LEO economy.
NASA has received five proposals for the programme so far.The agency will make available annually 90 hours of crew time for behind the scenes support of the commercial activities and 175 kilograms of cargo launch capability, and will limit the amount provided to each firm.*
For its part, Virgin Galactic wants to open up its spaceflight training infrastructure to NASA and other agencies.*
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc (SPCE)
Friday, June 19, 2020
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
US Strategic Bombers Deploy to Alaska
For the first time in nearly three years,US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the 96th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana have deployed on a Bomber Task Force mission to Eielson AFB, Alaska.The mission will support USAF Pacific Air Forces' drills with allies and strategic deterrence missions to reinforce the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific Region,PACAF said.
In one phase of the operation,a B-52H integrated with F-22 Raptors and Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets for intercept training over the Beaufort Sea, supporting the NORAD mission to safeguard the sovereign airspace of North America, Operation Noble Eagle.
Said COL Shawn Auger,354th Fighter Wing Commander:
We're eager to share our strategic location with the BTF while our fighter wing Airmen work alongside them.Together, we're demonstrating the agility in execution necessary to span the vast distances in the Indo-Pacific and providing a dynamic presence that amplifies our commitment to the INDOPACOM Region.*
The BTF mission will further the National Defense Strategy objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability, enabling a mix of different types of strategic bombers to operate forward in the region from a broader array of overseas and continental US locations with greater operational resilience, while projecting power throughout the Indo-Pacific.
96th Bomb Squadron Commander Christopher Duff pointed out that:
Challenging our crews and support personnel in different theaters further demonstrates the credibility of our forces to provide global strike capability anywhere at any time.*
In one phase of the operation,a B-52H integrated with F-22 Raptors and Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets for intercept training over the Beaufort Sea, supporting the NORAD mission to safeguard the sovereign airspace of North America, Operation Noble Eagle.
Said COL Shawn Auger,354th Fighter Wing Commander:
We're eager to share our strategic location with the BTF while our fighter wing Airmen work alongside them.Together, we're demonstrating the agility in execution necessary to span the vast distances in the Indo-Pacific and providing a dynamic presence that amplifies our commitment to the INDOPACOM Region.*
The BTF mission will further the National Defense Strategy objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability, enabling a mix of different types of strategic bombers to operate forward in the region from a broader array of overseas and continental US locations with greater operational resilience, while projecting power throughout the Indo-Pacific.
96th Bomb Squadron Commander Christopher Duff pointed out that:
Challenging our crews and support personnel in different theaters further demonstrates the credibility of our forces to provide global strike capability anywhere at any time.*
Monday, June 15, 2020
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Friday, June 12, 2020
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Monday, June 8, 2020
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Black Lives Matter: Interstate Closed for Protesters
About 3,000 protesters marched down an on ramp to I-70W in the Northern Maryland city of Frederick around sunset on 5 June 2020.The City police had closed the ramp to traffic for the protesters,who carried signs and chanted slogans:
Hands up! Don't shoot!
What's his name? George Floyd!
What's her name? Breonna Taylor!
No justice,no peace!
Hey hey,ho ho, these crazy cops have got to go!
*
A Maryland State Police helicopter monitored the activity from above. About 10 City police officers in regular uniform watched from the ground, but didn't approach the demonstrators.
After the protesters reached the end of the ramp,they marched back up and turned left onto a city street.They paused there and chanted more slogans at the passing motorists.
At this point, about 30-40
police in full riot gear filed toward the ramp and got into a waiting City bus.Momentarily,they got back out and walked down the empty ramp,where they assembled in a formation blocking the ramp.They just stood there about ten minutes,then got back in the bus and drove off.Again,they didn't approach the demonstrators.*
A rainbow had appeared in the sky during the protest march.*
Frederick has about 70,000 people and had hosted a BLM event at Baker Park earlier in the day.*
Hands up! Don't shoot!
What's his name? George Floyd!
What's her name? Breonna Taylor!
No justice,no peace!
Hey hey,ho ho, these crazy cops have got to go!
*
A Maryland State Police helicopter monitored the activity from above. About 10 City police officers in regular uniform watched from the ground, but didn't approach the demonstrators.
After the protesters reached the end of the ramp,they marched back up and turned left onto a city street.They paused there and chanted more slogans at the passing motorists.
At this point, about 30-40
police in full riot gear filed toward the ramp and got into a waiting City bus.Momentarily,they got back out and walked down the empty ramp,where they assembled in a formation blocking the ramp.They just stood there about ten minutes,then got back in the bus and drove off.Again,they didn't approach the demonstrators.*
A rainbow had appeared in the sky during the protest march.*
Frederick has about 70,000 people and had hosted a BLM event at Baker Park earlier in the day.*
Friday, June 5, 2020
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Monday, June 1, 2020
Friday, May 29, 2020
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Monday, May 25, 2020
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Monday, May 18, 2020
X-37B: NASA Experiments Prepare for Mars Journey
On its current mission,launched on 17 May 2017 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, the US Space Force X-37B,a small, highly classified space plane,will deploy the US Air Force Academy's FalconSAT-8 satellite,used for technology demos and to train cadets in space operations.FalconSAT-8 also contains two NASA experiments related to the Journey to Mars.The studies will examine the effects of the harsh outer space environment, especially cosmic radiation,on materials samples and seeds.The Materials Exposure and Technology Innovation in Space (METIS) will expose a plate of quarter-sized materials samples to help spacecraft designers choose optimal materials for specific aerospace applications, such as thermal protection for antennas and other space hardware.Data from the samples testing will increase the lifespan and improve the operations of future spacecraft and systems needed for the Journey to Mars, NASA said.METIS took over from a previous ISS experiment, the Materials on ISS Experiment (MISSE),in 2015 aboard the X-37B.*
The new seeds experiment will evaluate the effects of ambient space radiation on seeds for food plants.This is crucial for deep space explorers who may need to grow some of their own food.The X-37B reportedly facilitates exposure to different radiation types than are possible on the ISS,which is locked in a particular orbit.*
The new seeds experiment will evaluate the effects of ambient space radiation on seeds for food plants.This is crucial for deep space explorers who may need to grow some of their own food.The X-37B reportedly facilitates exposure to different radiation types than are possible on the ISS,which is locked in a particular orbit.*
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Friday, May 15, 2020
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Monday, May 11, 2020
Friday, May 8, 2020
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Monday, May 4, 2020
About Roche Group
The Roche Group is a Switzerland-based multinational pharma titan.In the US,it trades via the OTC pink sheets.Monday's performance was good, closing at 44.25,a gain of 1.41 (3.25%). The stock has a dividend yield of 2.65%.*
The company today received FDA emergency approval of its COVID-19 antibody test, which the firm says is nearby 100% accurate. According to CEO Severin Schwan of Austria:
From a technology point of view,it is much easier to ramp up antibody tests versus molecular tests.So I'm confident we will be able to provide this test in high quantities, and that this will allow the testing of broader parts of the population.Just to put this in perspective,in May alone, Roche will ramp up its production into the high double digit millions of tests per month.*
The FDA has only given twelve antibody test approvals despite hundreds of prospects.*
Roche Holding AG (RHHBY:OTCMKTS)
The company today received FDA emergency approval of its COVID-19 antibody test, which the firm says is nearby 100% accurate. According to CEO Severin Schwan of Austria:
From a technology point of view,it is much easier to ramp up antibody tests versus molecular tests.So I'm confident we will be able to provide this test in high quantities, and that this will allow the testing of broader parts of the population.Just to put this in perspective,in May alone, Roche will ramp up its production into the high double digit millions of tests per month.*
The FDA has only given twelve antibody test approvals despite hundreds of prospects.*
Roche Holding AG (RHHBY:OTCMKTS)
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Friday, May 1, 2020
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Monday, April 27, 2020
Space Station Crew Snaps an Image of the Susquehanna River
Space Station Crew Snaps an Image of the Susquehanna River: The Susquehanna River cuts through the folds of the Valley-and-Ridge province of the Appalachian Mountains in this photograph taken by the crew of the International Space Station.
Friday, April 24, 2020
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Monday, April 20, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Monday, April 13, 2020
California Firm Wins NASA Contract for Moon Payload Delivery
Mojave, California's Masten Space Systems has won the 79.9 million dollar NASA contract for delivery and operation of 8 payloads comprised of 9 science and technology instruments to the Moon's South Pole in 2022, the agency said.The instruments will break trail for Artemis Mission astronauts who will land on the Moon beginning in 2024.NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that:
The science and technology we are sending to the lunar surface ahead of our crewed missions will help us understand the lunar environment better than we ever have before.These CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) deliveries are on the cutting edge of our work to do great science and support human exploration of the Moon.*
The payloads will provide data with which to assess the lunar environment through lunar resource discovery and characterisation; radiation detection and measurement; and testing precision landing technologies.*
Masten,founded by chief technology officer David Masten in 2004, will land the payloads via its XL-1 lander.According to NASA'S Thomas Zurbuchen,associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate:
The Moon provides great scientific value and these payloads will advance what we know and help define and improve the science astronauts can do.*
Among other things, the instruments will enable modeling of the properties of lunar regolith (soil and other components of the lunar surface), while characterising and mapping geologic features, including potential landing and transport hazards.*
The science and technology we are sending to the lunar surface ahead of our crewed missions will help us understand the lunar environment better than we ever have before.These CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) deliveries are on the cutting edge of our work to do great science and support human exploration of the Moon.*
The payloads will provide data with which to assess the lunar environment through lunar resource discovery and characterisation; radiation detection and measurement; and testing precision landing technologies.*
Masten,founded by chief technology officer David Masten in 2004, will land the payloads via its XL-1 lander.According to NASA'S Thomas Zurbuchen,associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate:
The Moon provides great scientific value and these payloads will advance what we know and help define and improve the science astronauts can do.*
Among other things, the instruments will enable modeling of the properties of lunar regolith (soil and other components of the lunar surface), while characterising and mapping geologic features, including potential landing and transport hazards.*
Masten says that, once in lunar orbit, the XL-1 will fire its 4 main engines to slow down and autonomously descend into a soft touchdown.Masten's goal is enabling space transport and reliable, reusable rocket-powered planetary landers for the Earth, Moon,Mars and beyond.*
Friday, April 10, 2020
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
Using Augmented Reality to Prepare Orion Hardware for Artemis II Crewed Mission
Using Augmented Reality to Prepare Orion Hardware for Artemis II Crewed Mission: Using Augmented Reality to Prepare Orion Hardware for Artemis II Crewed Mission.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Monday, March 30, 2020
Return to the Moon:SpaceX Gets Contract for Gateway Logistics
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California has won NASA'S first contract for Gateway Logistics Services, the delivery of cargo, experiments and other supplies to the small space station, Gateway, that will serve as the hub of deep space exploration in its lunar orbit.Under the deal,SpaceX will deliver critical pressurised and unpressurised cargo, science experiments and supplies,to include sample collection materials and other items needed for Artemis expeditions on the lunar surface.*
The cargo spacecraft will stay docked with Gateway for 6-12 months at a time, NASA said,in support of the Artemis Missions beginning with Artemis III in 2024, the return to the Moon.NASA explained that:
These missions will support NASA'S plans for sustainable exploration with both international and commercial partners, while developing the experience and capabilities necessary to send humans to Mars.*
Dan Hartman, Gateway program manager at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, noted that:
We also anticipate performing a variety of research within the logistics module.*
Artemis I will be an uncrewed test flight in 2021 of the integrated Orion spacecraft, European Service Module and Space Launch System rocket.Artemis II in late 2022 will basically replicate Artemis I's lunar flyby, but with a crew.*
After Artemis II, launches are planned to transport and insert into lunar orbit the Gateway power and propulsion modules-plus the Gateway habitat and docking node for a commercial lunar lander to attach to.*
In the Artemis III Mission,four astronauts will arrive at Gateway in 2024, and two of them will ride the lander to the lunar surface, where they will explore the lunar south polar region for about a week, gathering samples of water ice in a prepositioned unpressurised rover over a distance of 5-15 kilometers.*
Over a period of about 12 years, one Artemis lunar mission a year will prepare the way to Mars in the mid-2030s.*
The cargo spacecraft will stay docked with Gateway for 6-12 months at a time, NASA said,in support of the Artemis Missions beginning with Artemis III in 2024, the return to the Moon.NASA explained that:
These missions will support NASA'S plans for sustainable exploration with both international and commercial partners, while developing the experience and capabilities necessary to send humans to Mars.*
Dan Hartman, Gateway program manager at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, noted that:
We also anticipate performing a variety of research within the logistics module.*
Artemis I will be an uncrewed test flight in 2021 of the integrated Orion spacecraft, European Service Module and Space Launch System rocket.Artemis II in late 2022 will basically replicate Artemis I's lunar flyby, but with a crew.*
After Artemis II, launches are planned to transport and insert into lunar orbit the Gateway power and propulsion modules-plus the Gateway habitat and docking node for a commercial lunar lander to attach to.*
In the Artemis III Mission,four astronauts will arrive at Gateway in 2024, and two of them will ride the lander to the lunar surface, where they will explore the lunar south polar region for about a week, gathering samples of water ice in a prepositioned unpressurised rover over a distance of 5-15 kilometers.*
Over a period of about 12 years, one Artemis lunar mission a year will prepare the way to Mars in the mid-2030s.*
Sunday, March 29, 2020
The Untouched Apollo Samples
The Untouched Apollo Samples: Charis Krysher and Andrea Mosie, lunar curation processor and senior scientist specialist, respectively, discuss opening and processing Apollo 17 lunar samples that have been preserved for 47 years. HWHAP Episode 137.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Friday, March 27, 2020
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Sunday, March 22, 2020
NEW DETAILS on Peter Jackson’s 2020 Beatles Film: Title, Release Date, a...
The Walt Disney Company (DIS)
Monday, March 16, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Monday, March 9, 2020
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Friday, March 6, 2020
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Monday, March 2, 2020
Scouting an Orbit for Gateway:Rocket Lab Chosen to Launch NASA's CAPSTONE Mission
The launch services contract for the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) has been awarded to Rocket Lab USA Inc.Under the 9.95 million deal,the company will launch CAPSTONE on its Electron rocket from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility,Virginia.RL's Photon platform will then insert the CAPSTONE CubeSat into a trans-lunar injection,enabling it to venture to the Moon and achieve cislunar orbit on its own,a spaceflight that will take three months.
CAPSTONE will verify the characteristics of a near-rectilinear orbit for future missions and conduct a navigation demonstration with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.According to Marshall Smith,NASA's director of human exploration programs:
CAPSTONE is a rapid,risk-tolerant demonstration that sets out to learn about the unique,seven-day cislunar orbit we are also targeting for Gateway (the small space station that will serve as a platform for missions exploring the Moon and Mars).*
Advanced Space of Boulder,Colorado will develop and operate the CubeSat,and Tyvak Satellite Systems of Irvine,California will assist by building and testing CAPSTONE.*
CAPSTONE is scheduled for an early 2021 launch from the new Rocket Lab launch pad at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) within NASA Wallops.*
CAPSTONE will verify the characteristics of a near-rectilinear orbit for future missions and conduct a navigation demonstration with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.According to Marshall Smith,NASA's director of human exploration programs:
CAPSTONE is a rapid,risk-tolerant demonstration that sets out to learn about the unique,seven-day cislunar orbit we are also targeting for Gateway (the small space station that will serve as a platform for missions exploring the Moon and Mars).*
Advanced Space of Boulder,Colorado will develop and operate the CubeSat,and Tyvak Satellite Systems of Irvine,California will assist by building and testing CAPSTONE.*
CAPSTONE is scheduled for an early 2021 launch from the new Rocket Lab launch pad at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) within NASA Wallops.*
Friday, February 28, 2020
Thursday, February 27, 2020
The Threat From Stellar Explosions
The Threat From Stellar Explosions: Betelgeuse is harmless, but other stars going supernova could spell death for Earth.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Monday, February 24, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Monday, February 17, 2020
Radiation a Prime Focus of Artemis 1 Mission - new vest to be tested
One of NASA's main concerns about astronaut health in deep space missions to the Moon and later to Mars and beyond,exposure to space radiation,will be carefully studied during the uncrewed Artemis 1 Mission to the Moon and back.Part of the mission is called the Matroshka AstroRad Radiation Experiment (MARE) and will be conducted by the Israeli Space Agency (ISA) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).It will be a series of measurements of space radiation levels during the spaceflight and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the new AstroRad radiation protection vest,a product of Israeli startup firm StemRad and Orion Program prime contractor Lockheed Martin.*
Without Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field for shielding,astronauts in deep space will be exposed to the full spectrum of space radiation.Space radiation consists of Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) from the wider universe and Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) from the Sun.GCRs are high energy protons (85%);helium (14%); and other High Energy Nuclei (HZE ions).SEPs are mainly protons accelerated by the Sun to high energies via proximity to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (Solar Proton Events).ISS crews are exposed to about 50x the radiation levels we experience on Earth;but deep space crews can expect to experience up to 150x the Earth's radiation levels.High levels of space radiation could result in both acute (radiation sickness) and chronic (cancer) effects.*
The AstroRad vests will be worn by two identical torso mannequins in the Orion spacecraft,which will travel around 280,000 miles from Earth and then thousands of miles past the Moon,NASA said.The mannequins,known as "phantoms",will be specially constructed of materials resembling human bone,soft tissues and organs of an adult female.Adult females are are typically more sensitive to space radiation than males,though both need special protection.The phantoms will have a 3-cm grid embedded throughout them to enable mapping of internal radiation doses to areas of the body containing critical organs.Scientists will evaluate how much space radiation astronauts can expect to experience on Orion during a lunar mission.*
The ISS has already been testing the AstroRad vest in the Comfort and Human Factors AstroRad Radiation Garment Experiment (CHARGE).This probes the ergonomics,range of motion and general user experience of the vests.The vests are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to protect the bone marrow,lungs,stomach,breasts and ovaries from ionising radiation.*
Artemis 1 is expected to be launched between late 2020 and mid-2021,dependent upon how well the final testing of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket go.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)
Without Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field for shielding,astronauts in deep space will be exposed to the full spectrum of space radiation.Space radiation consists of Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) from the wider universe and Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) from the Sun.GCRs are high energy protons (85%);helium (14%); and other High Energy Nuclei (HZE ions).SEPs are mainly protons accelerated by the Sun to high energies via proximity to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (Solar Proton Events).ISS crews are exposed to about 50x the radiation levels we experience on Earth;but deep space crews can expect to experience up to 150x the Earth's radiation levels.High levels of space radiation could result in both acute (radiation sickness) and chronic (cancer) effects.*
The AstroRad vests will be worn by two identical torso mannequins in the Orion spacecraft,which will travel around 280,000 miles from Earth and then thousands of miles past the Moon,NASA said.The mannequins,known as "phantoms",will be specially constructed of materials resembling human bone,soft tissues and organs of an adult female.Adult females are are typically more sensitive to space radiation than males,though both need special protection.The phantoms will have a 3-cm grid embedded throughout them to enable mapping of internal radiation doses to areas of the body containing critical organs.Scientists will evaluate how much space radiation astronauts can expect to experience on Orion during a lunar mission.*
The ISS has already been testing the AstroRad vest in the Comfort and Human Factors AstroRad Radiation Garment Experiment (CHARGE).This probes the ergonomics,range of motion and general user experience of the vests.The vests are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to protect the bone marrow,lungs,stomach,breasts and ovaries from ionising radiation.*
Artemis 1 is expected to be launched between late 2020 and mid-2021,dependent upon how well the final testing of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket go.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Friday, February 14, 2020
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Monday, February 10, 2020
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Friday, February 7, 2020
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Monday, February 3, 2020
Friday, January 31, 2020
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Monday, January 27, 2020
NASA Chooses First Payloads for Pre-Artemis Lunar Research
The crewed Artemis Moon missions,beginning in 2024,will be preceded by a lunar research campaign conducted by autonomous payloads to be launched beginning in 2021.The payloads will go to the Moon on two landers that were chosen in May 2019:Astrobiotic's Peregrine lander,launched on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket (11 payloads);and Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander,launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.The campaign is called the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS).*
The payloads,each about the size of a shoebox,will conduct a wide range of research that will help determine the lunar exploration plans for,and ensure the safety of,the crewed Artemis missions.Areas being covered include navigation;contamination of research sites;advanced solar cells for longer lunar missions;the lunar radiation environment;lunar exosphere studies (the thin lunar atmosphere is referred to as an "exosphere");lunar resources evaluation;lunar regolith composition;neutron radiation studies;magnetic fields/energy and particle pathways at the lunar surface;and lunar radio observatory testing.*
Astrobiotic Technology,Inc.,of Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,is a space robotics company that seeks to make high-capability space missions practical for a broad spectrum of business,scientific,and social applications.It was spun off of Carnegie Mellon University.
Intuitive Machines,LLC,of Houston,Texas,provides developing engineering solutions services to the aerospace,energy and medical industries.It has expertise in space systems,airborne systems,and additive manufacturing,creating and leveraging modern advances in AI algorithms,control systems,sensors,processes,and software tools.*
The payloads,each about the size of a shoebox,will conduct a wide range of research that will help determine the lunar exploration plans for,and ensure the safety of,the crewed Artemis missions.Areas being covered include navigation;contamination of research sites;advanced solar cells for longer lunar missions;the lunar radiation environment;lunar exosphere studies (the thin lunar atmosphere is referred to as an "exosphere");lunar resources evaluation;lunar regolith composition;neutron radiation studies;magnetic fields/energy and particle pathways at the lunar surface;and lunar radio observatory testing.*
Astrobiotic Technology,Inc.,of Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,is a space robotics company that seeks to make high-capability space missions practical for a broad spectrum of business,scientific,and social applications.It was spun off of Carnegie Mellon University.
Intuitive Machines,LLC,of Houston,Texas,provides developing engineering solutions services to the aerospace,energy and medical industries.It has expertise in space systems,airborne systems,and additive manufacturing,creating and leveraging modern advances in AI algorithms,control systems,sensors,processes,and software tools.*
Friday, January 24, 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Friday, January 17, 2020
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Friday, January 10, 2020
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Monday, January 6, 2020
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)