Closest Multi-Spacecraft Flying Formation on This Week @NASA – September 23, 2016

TL;DR

In this week's news from NASA, multiple spacecraft achieved the closest separation ever recorded, a new virtual reality exhibit allows visitors to explore Mars, and an automatic ground avoidance system saved an F-16 jet from crashing.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” The four spacecraft orbiting Earth in formation as part of NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale, or MMS, mission achieved a new record recently when the space between them was decreased from just over six miles to only four-and-a-half miles. This is the closest separation ever of any multi-spacec... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪈 MMS mission achieved a new record with the closest separation ever recorded for a multi-spacecraft formation.
• 🇲🇭 Virtual reality technology allows visitors to explore Mars through the "Destination Mars" exhibit.
• 🚀 Orbital ATK continues its Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA, targeting a launch window in October.
• 💾 NASA's Auto-GCAS technology has successfully saved four aircraft from crashes, showcasing its effectiveness.
• 🛟 Donations from NASA employees through the Combined Federal Campaign make a positive impact on the lives of others.
• 🇲🇫 NASA collaborates with various organizations, such as the Air Force Research Lab and Lockheed Martin.
• ❓ NASA's Administrator, Charlie Bolden, participated in the 2016 Combined Federal Campaign Kickoff event.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the MMS mission and why is its spacecraft separation record important?

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission consists of four spacecraft flying in a tetrahedron formation to study magnetic reconnection. The closer separation between the spacecraft allows for better measurements and understanding of this mysterious phenomenon.

Q: What can visitors experience at the "Destination Mars" exhibit?

The exhibit uses real imagery from NASA's Mars Curiosity rover and Microsoft HoloLens technology to provide a mixed-reality experience of exploring the Martian surface.

Q: When is Orbital ATK planning to launch its Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft?

The launch is scheduled within a five-day window from October 9-13, 2016, with a more specific date determined after final operational milestones and technical reviews.

Q: How did NASA's Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System save the F-16 aircraft?

The Auto-GCAS technology took control of the F-16 when the student-pilot lost consciousness, maneuvering the jet away from the ground and preventing a crash.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's MMS mission set a new record with spacecraft separation, enabling the study of magnetic reconnection at smaller scales.

• The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex introduced a new exhibit called "Destination Mars," allowing visitors to experience a virtual trip to the red planet.

• Orbital ATK is planning to launch its Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station during the OA-5 mission.

• The Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, developed by NASA, saved an F-16 aircraft from crashing during a training exercise.