A New Source of Power for the Space Station on This Week @NASA – February 5, 2021

TL;DR

"This week at NASA, astronauts completed a spacewalk to replace batteries, a second Green Run hot fire test is scheduled, and preparations are underway for the Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station."

Transcript

A new source of power for the space station …

Targeting a second Green Run hot fire test …   And another major boost for our Space  Launch System rocket … a few of the   stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA!

On Feb. 1, our Mike Hopkins and Victor Glover   completed a 5-hour-20 minute spacewalk outside  the International Space Station ... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ Astronauts completed a spacewalk to upgrade the International Space Station's power supply.
• 💯 NASA is conducting a series of tests to ensure the readiness of the SLS rocket's core stage for the Artemis I mission.
• 💋 The Crew-2 mission will include international partner crew members, marking a milestone for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
• 🤑 The Psyche mission will study a metal-rich asteroid to gain insights into planetary formation.
• 😷 Technology developed for the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover has practical applications on Earth, such as advancements in circuit board manufacturing and laser technology for medical purposes.
• 🤕 Millie Hughes-Fulford, the first female payload specialist selected by NASA, passed away at the age of 75.
• 😅 The Green Run hot fire test and the integration of the SLS core stage with the boosters, Orion spacecraft, and other hardware are crucial steps for the upcoming Artemis I mission.

Questions & Answers

Q: What tasks were accomplished during the spacewalk?

During the spacewalk, astronauts replaced aging nickel-hydrogen batteries with new lithium-ion batteries for the solar arrays and upgraded some of the station's external cameras.

Q: What is the purpose of the second Green Run hot fire test?

The hot fire test is part of a series of tests to ensure the SLS rocket's core stage is ready for the Artemis I mission, which will be the first uncrewed mission around the Moon and back with the SLS and Orion spacecraft.

Q: When is the Crew-2 mission scheduled for launch?

The Crew-2 mission is currently targeted for a launch no earlier than April 20, and it will be the second crew rotation mission to the International Space Station on an American rocket and spacecraft.

Q: What is the Psyche mission about?

The Psyche mission aims to study a metal-rich asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists believe this asteroid could be the core of an early planet, and exploring it could provide valuable insights into planetary formation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Astronauts completed a spacewalk to replace batteries for the solar arrays and upgrade external cameras on the International Space Station.

• NASA is targeting a second Green Run hot fire test for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's core stage to prepare for the Artemis I mission.

• The SLS's twin solid rocket boosters were moved to the mobile launcher at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the Artemis I launch.