Journey to Mars: An international effort on This Week @NASA – October 16, 2015

TL;DR

NASA officials discuss plan to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s and emphasize the need for international partnerships and cooperation for the mission.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” During meetings and public events at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Oct. 12-16 in Jerusalem, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and several other NASA officials highlighted the agency’s recently released plan to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030’s. They also emphasized the n... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and other officials emphasized the need for international partnerships and cooperation for the mission to Mars.
• 👨‍🚀 International Space Station Commander Scott Kelly broke the record for the most cumulative days in space by a U.S. astronaut.
• 😚 NASA's Cassini spacecraft captured the first close-up look at the plumes of icy spray on Saturn's moon Enceladus.
• 😫 The launch date for the fourth commercial resupply services mission of Orbital ATK's Cygnus spacecraft is set for December 3.
• 🛰️ NASA has awarded new Venture Class Launch Services contracts to three companies to provide access to low-Earth orbit for small satellites.
• 🖐️ Small satellites, including CubeSats, are playing an increasingly larger role in exploration and scientific research at NASA.
• ❣️ The recent Open House event at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory had an attendance of 45,000 people despite soaring temperatures and heavy traffic.
• 👻 The Combined Federal Campaign, which allows NASA employees to donate to approved charities, has been kicked off by NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the main topic discussed at the International Astronautical Congress?

The main topic discussed at the International Astronautical Congress was NASA's plan to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s.

Q: Why is international partnership important for the mission to Mars?

International partnerships are crucial for the mission to Mars because it requires resources and expertise from multiple countries to make it a reality.

Q: Who broke the record for the most cumulative days in space by a U.S. astronaut?

International Space Station Commander Scott Kelly broke the record for the most cumulative days in space by a U.S. astronaut.

Q: What was the purpose of NASA's Cassini spacecraft flyby of Saturn's moon Enceladus?

The purpose of the flyby was to capture a close-up look at the plumes of icy spray in the moon's North Polar Region and gather data on their composition.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and other officials highlight the agency's plan to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC).

• They emphasize the importance of international partnerships and cooperation for the mission.

• International Space Station Commander Scott Kelly breaks the record for the most cumulative days in space by a U.S. astronaut.