New Horizons science update on This Week @NASA – July 24, 2015 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA reveals surprising findings from the New Horizons spacecraft's flyby of Pluto, confirms first near-Earth-size planet in habitable zone, launches new mission to the International Space Station, captures first view of Earth from one million miles away, and promotes collaboration with USDA for Earth Science research.

Key Insights

• 🪐 New Horizons' flyby of Pluto revealed surprising features in its atmosphere and surface, challenging previous assumptions about the dwarf planet.
• 😚 The discovery of Kepler-452b brings scientists closer to finding an Earth-like planet in a habitable zone.
• 👾 Continual missions to the International Space Station contribute to ongoing research and experimentation in space.
• 💨 The DSCOVR satellite's first view of Earth showcases its advanced imaging capabilities and aids in solar wind monitoring.
• 👨‍🔬 Collaboration with the USDA in Earth Science research and agriculture management promotes broader insights and advancements.
• 👾 NASA's transformation of Kennedy Space Center facilitates the growth of the commercial space industry.
• 👾 Social media and NASA's website offer accessible platforms for staying updated on the latest space-related news.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What surprising findings were revealed from the New Horizons spacecraft's flyby of Pluto?

The flyby revealed a haze in Pluto's atmosphere that extends higher than expected and evidence of glacial movement on its surface, similar to Earth.

Q: What is the significance of the newly discovered Kepler-452b?

Kepler-452b is the first near-Earth-size planet orbiting a sun-like star in the habitable zone, where liquid water might pool on its surface.

Q: Who launched a five-month mission to the International Space Station?

NASA's Kjell Lindgren, Oleg Kononenko, and Kimiya Yui launched from Kazakhstan aboard a Soyuz spacecraft to begin Expedition 44.

Q: What did the DSCOVR satellite capture from one million miles away?

The satellite captured its first view of the entire sunlit side of Earth, providing valuable data and imagery for monitoring solar wind.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• New Horizons' flyby of Pluto reveals a haze in its atmosphere extending higher than expected and evidence of glacial movement on its surface.

• Kepler mission confirms the discovery of Kepler-452b, the first near-Earth-size planet in a star's habitable zone.

• NASA launches Expedition 44 crew to the International Space Station for a five-month mission.

• The DSCOVR satellite captures its first view of the entire sunlit side of Earth from one million miles away.

• NASA's Deputy Administrator visits Ames Research Center to increase collaboration with USDA and promote STEM careers.