Asteroid Redirect Mission Briefing on This Week @NASA – September 19, 2016

TL;DR

NASA officials discuss the Asteroid Redirect Mission, aimed at bringing a multi-ton boulder from an asteroid to the moon for future exploration. Astronaut Tim Kopra shares insights from his recent mission aboard the International Space Station.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” On Sept. 14, officials from the White House and NASA discussed the space agency’s Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) during a televised event at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. On the mission, which is targeted for launch in Dec. 2021, NASA plans to send a robotic spacecraft to an asteroid t... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 NASA is actively planning for future space exploration by discussing missions like the Asteroid Redirect Mission, which would pave the way for human exploration of asteroids and Mars.
• 😷 Tim Kopra's mission highlights demonstrate the ongoing research and advancements in the field of human spaceflight, with a focus on health-related issues and potential medical treatments.
• 🍳 The record-breaking temperatures in August 2016 highlight the urgent need for global action to address climate change.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the goal of NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM)?

The goal of ARM is to send a robotic spacecraft to an asteroid, capture a multi-ton boulder, and bring it to an orbit near the moon for future exploration by astronauts. This mission aims to advance scientific understanding and develop technologies relevant to future Mars missions while providing a potential defense against hazardous asteroids.

Q: What did Tim Kopra's crew focus on during their mission aboard the International Space Station?

Tim Kopra and his crew conducted human research that could potentially help treat patients with ocular diseases like glaucoma. They also studied health-related issues associated with long-duration spaceflight, providing valuable data for future missions involving human astronauts.

Q: What was the main highlight of NASA's monthly analysis of global temperatures?

According to the analysis, August 2016 tied with July 2016 as the warmest month ever recorded, marking a streak of 11 consecutive months of setting high-temperature records. This information emphasizes the ongoing trend of global warming and the need for further climate action.

Q: Why is the decline of Arctic sea ice concerning?

Satellite data analysis revealed that the Arctic sea ice minimum extent in 2016 tied with 2007 for the second lowest annual minimum recorded. This decline has significant implications for regulating the planet's temperature, affecting atmospheric and ocean circulation, and impacting Arctic communities and ecosystems.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA plans to launch a robotic spacecraft in 2021 to capture a multi-ton boulder from an asteroid and bring it to an orbit near the moon for further exploration by astronauts.

• During a live discussion, NASA officials highlighted the scientific and technological benefits of the Asteroid Redirect Mission, its support for future missions to Mars, and its potential role in defending Earth from asteroids.

• Astronaut Tim Kopra shared highlights of his recent six-month mission aboard the International Space Station, including human research with applications in ocular diseases and health-related issues associated with long-duration spaceflight.