Expedition 60 Crew Returns Safely from the Space Station on This Week @NASA – Oct 4, 2019

TL;DR

The International Space Station's Expedition 60 crew has safely returned to Earth, while NASA calls on industry to design lunar landing systems for the Artemis program. Additionally, data from the Cassini mission reveals the existence of organic compounds on Saturn's moon Enceladus.

Transcript

A safe conclusion to the latest long-duration spaceflight … Calling on industry to help us accelerate our return to the Moon … And practice makes perfect – before the real thing … a few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA! The International Space Station’s Expedition 60 crew – including our Nick Hague – is back on Earth, after land... Read More

Key Insights

• 🦺 The safe return of the Expedition 60 crew highlights the successful operation of the International Space Station and NASA's commitment to astronaut safety.
• 🚉 The upcoming spacewalks on the station demonstrate NASA's continuous efforts to maintain and improve the station's functionality.
• 🎟️ NASA's call for proposals from American companies indicates the agency's intention to involve the private sector in the development of lunar landing systems for future missions.
• 🤨 The discovery of organic compounds on Enceladus raises intriguing possibilities for the presence of life beyond Earth.
• 👾 NASA's ongoing efforts to develop the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit system demonstrate the agency's commitment to advancing space exploration technology.
• 💯 The delivery of the core stage pathfinder for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket signifies progress in preparations for the Artemis I mission.
• ❤️‍🩹 The Cassini mission continues to provide valuable data years after its end, expanding our understanding of Saturn's moons and the potential for extraterrestrial life.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who returned to Earth from the International Space Station?

The Expedition 60 crew, including Nick Hague, returned to Earth after a 203-day mission on the station. The landing took place in Kazakhstan on October 3, 2019.

Q: What will the upcoming spacewalks on the International Space Station be used for?

The spacewalks, which are planned to begin on October 6, will primarily focus on replacing batteries for the solar arrays on the station and refurbishing a scientific instrument involved in exploring the fundamental nature of the universe.

Q: What is NASA's plan regarding lunar landing systems for the Artemis program?

NASA has issued a call for American companies to propose designs and develop human lunar landing systems for the Artemis program. This solicitation is expected to be the final one, and the first company to complete its lander will carry astronauts to the Moon in 2024, with the second company landing in 2025.

Q: What new information has been discovered about Enceladus, Saturn's moon?

Data from the Cassini mission has revealed the presence of molecules of nitrogen and oxygen-bearing compounds on Enceladus. These compounds are similar to those involved in the production of amino acids, which are the building blocks of life on Earth.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Expedition 60 crew, including Nick Hague, has safely landed in Kazakhstan after a 203-day mission on the International Space Station.

• NASA plans to conduct a record pace of 10 spacewalks in the next three months to replace batteries and refurbish a scientific instrument on the station.

• Proposals are being sought from American companies to design human lunar landing systems for the Artemis program, aiming to send the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024.

• Data from the Cassini mission indicates the presence of nitrogen and oxygen-bearing organic compounds on Enceladus, Saturn's moon.