The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket bring the businesss Crew Dragon spacecraft is launched on the Ax-1 mission to the spaceport station. Credit: SpaceX
Reflecting on a record-setting spaceflight …
An update on prelaunch activities for Artemis I …
And introducing the very first personal astronaut objective to the International Space Station … a few of the stories to tell you about– This Week at NASA!
As of April 5, teams at our Kennedy Space Center were preparing for the next effort at the Artemis I wet dress practice session test with our Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, pending range accessibility and remediation of propellants and gases during the test. On April 8, the team of Axiom Mission 1 or Ax-1, the very first private astronaut objective to the International Space Station, lifted off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from our Kennedy Space. During the 10-day mission, the Ax-1 crew will invest eight days on the area station, performing clinical research, outreach, and commercial activities. The mission represents both a culmination of NASAs efforts to foster a commercial market in low-Earth orbit and a beginning of a new age of space exploration that allows more individuals to fly on more kinds of objectives.
The group for our OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission got the 2022 John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration in recognition of the missions extraordinary achievements in space exploration, and discoveries made at asteroid Bennu.
Vande Hei Reflects on Record-Setting Spaceflight
NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is safely back in the world following his record-setting 355-day mission aboard the International Space Station– the longest single spaceflight in history by an American astronaut. Our Johnson Space Center hosted a virtual press conference on April 5, throughout which Vande Hei assessed his objective.
” It was not about any record for me at all. It (was) just the chance to deal with a really great sense of purpose in a task where we get to assist out all of mankind. The number of days was not that essential to me, and I think that helped me respond to whether it was going to– to be comfortable with it being either a much shorter mission or a longer objective, like it ended up being.”– Mark Vande Hei, NASA Astronaut
Information from Vande Heis objective will assist us get ready for the results of long-duration spaceflight on the body, as we continue our plans to return astronauts to the Moon under the program, in preparation for eventual human missions to Mars.
Artemis I Wet Dress Rehearsal Update
As of April 5, groups at our Kennedy Space Center were preparing for the next attempt at the Artemis I wet gown practice session test with our Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, pending variety availability and remediation of propellants and gases throughout the test. Engineers did accomplish a number of test objectives during 2 previous test runs that will help prepare teams and the integrated systems for launch. This wet gown wedding rehearsal marks the first use of new systems at Kennedys Launch Complex 39B and is the last significant test before the uncrewed Artemis I introduce.
First Private Astronaut Mission to the Space Station
On April 8, the crew of Axiom Mission 1 or Ax-1, the first personal astronaut mission to the International Space Station, took off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from our Kennedy Space Center. During the 10-day mission, the Ax-1 team will spend eight days on the spaceport station, conducting scientific research, outreach, and business activities. The objective represents both a conclusion of NASAs efforts to promote a business market in low-Earth orbit and a beginning of a new period of area expedition that makes it possible for more people to fly on more type of objectives.
Final Hot-Fire Test of Orions Launch Abort System Motor
Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin engineers just recently performed a final hot-fire test in Promontory, Utah of the abort motor built for the launch abort system on NASAs Orion spacecraft, certifying the system for objectives with team start with Artemis II. In case of an emergency situation on the launch pad or during ascent, the launch abort system is designed to safely raise Orion and its team away from the launch vehicle.
NASA at 37th Space Symposium
NASA was well represented at the Space Foundations 37th Space Symposium, April 5-7 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy gave a speech highlighting our Moon to Mars strategy. There was likewise a panel conversation about our Artemis program working with industry partners to assist build the space economy. On the other hand, the group for our OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return objective received the 2022 John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration in acknowledgment of the missions remarkable accomplishments in space exploration, and discoveries made at asteroid Bennu.
Thats whats up this week @NASA …