A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the businesss Dragon spacecraft for Axiom Spaces Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) to the International Space Station raises off at 4:49 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Ax-3 is the 3rd all private astronaut mission to the area station, sending out crew members Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, and Mission Specialists Marcus Wandt and Alper Gezeravci into orbit. The team will invest about two weeks conducting microgravity research study, academic outreach, and business activities aboard the spaceport station. Credit: NASA/Chris SwansonThe latest private astronaut mission to the International Space Station … Preparing to release more research study to the space station … And how climate change is affecting our oceans and atmosphere … A few of the stories to inform you about– This Week at NASA!Third Private Astronaut Mission to the Space StationOn January 18, Axiom Mission 3, the third private astronaut objective to the International Space Station, released aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASAs Kennedy Space. The objective is commanded by previous NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría. NASA will offer integrated operations support, which begins during the Dragons method to the station, continues while the crew is aboard the orbiting lab, and concludes when Dragon leaves the area of the area station.Scientific investigations being introduced to the ISS on Northrop Grummans 20th commercial resupply objective consist of 3D metal printing, semiconductor production, thermal security systems for reentry, remote robotic surgery, and cartilage tissue research study. Credit: NASAScience Launching to the Space StationThe research study heading to the International Space Station on Northrop Grummans 20th business resupply services objective to the spaceport station for NASA includes the very first surgical robotic on the station, a low-cost orbit re-entry platform to gather thermal security systems data, and a new Metal 3D printer.Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft will introduce atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 no earlier than January 29 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.NASAs PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft in orbit over Earth. Credit: NASA GSFCInvestigating Oceans and Atmosphere in Changing ClimateNASAs Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem, or PACE objective is targeted for launch no earlier than February 6. The Earth-observing science objective will help us comprehend how our oceans and environment exchange carbon dioxide, procedure crucial atmospheric variables associated with air quality and Earths warming climate, and screen ocean health.NASA finished a full-duration, 500-second hot fire of an RS-25 accreditation engine on January 17, continuing a critical test series to support future SLS (Space Launch System) missions to the Moon and beyond as NASA checks out the secrets of the universe for the advantage of all. Credit: NASA/Danny NowlinNASA Resumes RS-25 Rocket Engine TestingNASA resumed a vital test series with their RS-25 rocket engine on January 17 at NASAs Stennis Space. Information from the screening will be used to accredit production of new RS-25 engines to assist power our Space Launch System, or SLS rocket on future Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond, beginning with Artemis V.Thats whats up this week @NASA.
