NASA Advancing Aviation Technology on This Week @NASA – March 3, 2017

TL;DR

NASA discusses technological advancements, research conducted aboard the International Space Station, and the progress towards a human mission to Mars.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” On March 2, NASA’s acting Administrator, Robert Lightfoot spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Aviation Summit in Washington, about how the agency’s technology advancements have helped transform the aviation industry. Lightfoot was then joined by Canadian Minister of Transport Marc Garneau... Read More

Key Insights

• ⛽ NASA's technology advancements have had a transformative impact on the aviation industry, resulting in improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced safety systems.
• 🧡 Research and technology development conducted aboard the International Space Station cover a wide range of topics, including the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body and weather and climate modeling.
• 🎟️ The one-year crew's mission on the International Space Station has provided valuable biomedical data for future human missions to Mars.
• ⛅ The IceCube satellite aims to collect cloud ice measurements, which are crucial variables in weather and climate models.
• 👾 Testing of the Orion spacecraft's European service module, including the installation of propulsion systems, is necessary for the development of the spacecraft for deep space missions.
• 🎟️ NASA's Office of Small Business Programs recognizes companies for their outstanding support of NASA and its mission through the Small Business Industry Award.
• 👨‍🚀 NASA astronauts Stephanie Wilson and Victor Glover gave presentations as part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Black History Month program, highlighting African American pioneers in aviation and space.

Questions & Answers

Q: How have NASA's technology advancements transformed the aviation industry?

NASA's technology advancements have led to improved aviation capabilities, including better aircraft fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced safety systems.

Q: What research and technology development is conducted aboard the International Space Station?

The International Space Station is a platform for various research and technology development, including studies on the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body and experiments related to weather and climate models.

Q: What was the purpose of the Expedition 46 mission?

The Expedition 46 mission aimed to gather biomedical data on the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. This data is crucial in formulating a human mission to Mars in the 2030s.

Q: What is the purpose of the IceCube satellite?

The IceCube satellite, scheduled to launch to the International Space Station, will collect cloud ice measurements using a specially-calibrated radiometer. This data is essential for weather and climate models.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's acting Administrator, Robert Lightfoot, discusses the agency's technology advancements and their impact on the aviation industry.

• Canadian Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, and Carol Hallett join NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson to discuss research and technology development aboard the International Space Station.

• The one-year crew, Expedition 46, returns to Earth after gathering valuable biomedical data for a future human mission to Mars.