Small Satellites to Hitchhike on SLS Rocket’s First Flight on This Week @NASA – February 5, 2016

TL;DR

NASA selects 13 low-cost small satellites to launch on the first flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, designed to send an un-crewed Orion spacecraft beyond the moon in 2018.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” During a Feb. 2 event at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, officials announced the selection of 13 low-cost small satellites to launch as secondary payloads on Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) -- the first flight of the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, targeted for 2018. SLS’ first f... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 NASA selects CubeSat secondary payloads for the first flight of the SLS rocket, showing the agency's commitment to advancing deep space exploration.
• 🇲🇭 Todd May's appointment as Center Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center highlights his successful leadership in the Space Launch System program.
• 👾 The installation of the final primary mirror segment on the James Webb Space Telescope signifies progress in assembling the largest space telescope.
• 🎟️ Juno's mission to study Jupiter's atmosphere and evolution provides valuable insights into the origins of the solar system.
• ❓ The Russian cosmonauts' spacewalk supports ongoing maintenance and experimentation on the International Space Station.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of launching the CubeSat secondary payloads on the first flight of the SLS rocket?

The CubeSat secondary payloads will carry science and technology investigations to pave the way for future human exploration in deep space, including the Journey to Mars.

Q: Who is the new Center Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center?

Todd May, who successfully led the Space Launch System program, has been named the new Center Director since the retirement of previous director Patrick Scheuermann.

Q: What is the significance of installing the final primary mirror segment on the James Webb Space Telescope?

The installation marks an important milestone in the assembly of the telescope, which will study the history of the universe and the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life.

Q: What is the purpose of Juno's mission to Jupiter?

Juno will study Jupiter's atmosphere, interior, and magnetosphere to improve our understanding of the solar system's beginnings and the origin and evolution of the planet.

Q: What was the purpose of the Russian cosmonauts' spacewalk on the International Space Station?

The spacewalk aimed to install experiment packages, retrieve data, and install devices to facilitate future spacewalks on the outside of the Russian segment of the station.

Q: How are redwood planks from NASA's Hangar One being used?

The planks are repurposed as roofing material for Levi's Stadium, earning the stadium LEED Gold certification for its environmentally friendly construction.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA announces the selection of 13 CubeSat secondary payloads for the first flight of the SLS rocket, aimed at testing systems for future crewed missions to deep space.

• Todd May is named as the new Center Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, taking over from the retired Patrick Scheuermann.

• The James Webb Space Telescope reaches a milestone with the installation of its 18th and final primary mirror segment at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

• NASA's Juno spacecraft performs the first trajectory adjustment maneuver on its way to Jupiter, where it will study the planet's atmosphere, interior, and magnetosphere.

• Russian cosmonauts conduct a spacewalk on the International Space Station to install experiment packages and retrieve data from previous experiments.

• Redwood planks from NASA's Hangar One in California are repurposed for use in Levi's Stadium, earning the stadium LEED Gold certification.