SpaceX CRS-5 mission on This Week @NASA

TL;DR

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft delivering supplies and experiments to ISS, Hubble captures largest image of Andromeda galaxy, Kepler validates 1,000 exoplanet finds, preview of soil moisture mission, Orion spacecraft advancements, and exhibit on 50 years of spacewalks.

Transcript

here's some of the stories trending this week at NASA the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is loaded with more than 5,000 pounds of supplies and experiments for delivery to the International Space Station on crs 5 the company's fifth resupply mission to the ISS one of the experiments the cloud aerosol transport system or cats is designed to study the globa... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖐️ SpaceX Dragon continues to play a crucial role in resupplying the International Space Station with necessary supplies and experiments.
• ❓ The Hubble Space Telescope's groundbreaking image of the Andromeda galaxy provides astronomers with detailed insights into the composition and structure of distant galaxies.
• 👾 NASA's Kepler space telescope has made significant contributions to the discovery of exoplanets, with the validated exoplanet count surpassing 1,000.
• 💦 The upcoming Soil Moisture Active Passive mission promises to provide vital data on global soil moisture, contributing to an improved understanding of Earth's water, energy, and carbon cycles.
• 💅 Advanced woven material developed by Bally Ribbon Mills is being utilized to enhance the thermal protection of NASA's Orion spacecraft, which is crucial for future manned missions to Mars.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is SpaceX Dragon's mission to the International Space Station?

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is on its fifth resupply mission to the ISS, delivering over 5,000 pounds of supplies and experiments.

Q: What did the Hubble Space Telescope capture in its largest image ever assembled?

The Hubble Space Telescope captured a sweeping bird's-eye view of a section of the Andromeda galaxy, revealing individual stars over a large contiguous area.

Q: How many exoplanet finds have been validated by NASA's Kepler space telescope?

NASA's Kepler space telescope has validated 1,000 exoplanet candidates, including three planets located in the habitable zone of their host star.

Q: What is the upcoming Soil Moisture Active Passive mission?

The Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, set to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, aims to provide the most accurate and highest resolution global measurements of soil moisture ever obtained from space.

Q: What technology is being used to insulate and protect NASA's Orion spacecraft?

Bally Ribbon Mills is creating a multifunctional thermal protection system padding using advanced woven material for NASA's Orion spacecraft, which will take astronauts on a journey to Mars.

Q: What is the new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum about?

The exhibit, called "Outside the Spacecraft: 50 Years of Extra Vehicular Activity," commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first two spacewalks in history and showcases NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld's eight spacewalks for servicing the Hubble Space Telescope.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is delivering supplies and experiments to the International Space Station on its fifth resupply mission.

• Hubble Space Telescope captures the largest image ever assembled of the Andromeda galaxy, revealing individual stars within it.

• NASA's Kepler space telescope has validated 1,000 exoplanet candidates, including three in their sun's habitable zone that could support liquid water.

• NASA previews the upcoming Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, which will provide high-resolution global soil moisture measurements from space.

• NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden visits a company developing advanced woven material for the Orion spacecraft.

• A new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum commemorates 50 years of spacewalks.