Astronauts Assigned to First Commercial Crew Flights on This Week @NASA – August 3, 2018

TL;DR

NASA announces astronauts for first commercial crew flights, showcases the use of Earth science data, and captures wildfires in California from space.

Transcript

Astronauts named to the first commercial crew flights … Using Earth science data to benefit society … and California wildfires seen from space … a few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA! The next astronauts to launch from American soil were announced on Aug. 3 at our Johnson Space Center in Houston, with assignments for the first ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💋 NASA announces the astronauts for the first commercial crew flights, marking a significant milestone in American spaceflight.
• 👾 Administrator Jim Bridenstine's visits to NASA centers highlight the agency's commitment to advancing space exploration and showcasing its ongoing projects.
• 😒 The use of NASA Earth science data contributes to addressing real-world issues such as flooding, coffee cultivation, and wildfires.
• 💁 Satellite imagery provides valuable information about the extent and impact of wildfires in California.
• 🖐️ Commercial spacecraft, such as Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon, are playing a crucial role in NASA's future missions.
• 😒 The involvement of young research professionals underscores the importance of collaboration and the use of innovative approaches in utilizing NASA Earth satellite data.
• 👾 NASA's Langley Research Center continues to be at the forefront of research and development in various areas of space exploration.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who were the astronauts announced for the first commercial crew flights?

The astronauts announced for the first commercial crew flights were Eric Boe, Nicole Mann, Chris Ferguson, Doug Hurley, Bob Behnken, Suni Williams, Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Josh Cassada. Boe and Mann will join Ferguson on Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, while Hurley and Behnken are scheduled to fly aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

Q: What is the purpose of the Earth Science Applications Showcase?

The Earth Science Applications Showcase is a national NASA program that extends research results using NASA Earth satellite data to address real-world issues. It brings together young research professionals to discuss and present their projects that utilize Earth science data.

Q: How did NASA capture the California wildfires from space?

NASA captured the California wildfires from space using the Aqua satellite. The satellite captured a natural-color satellite image on July 29, showing areas actively burning outlined in red, as well as the smoke spreading across the state and even reaching Salt Lake City.

Q: What did Administrator Jim Bridenstine do during his visit to NASA's Langley Research Center?

During his visit to NASA's Langley Research Center, Administrator Jim Bridenstine met with employees and got a first-hand look at future spaceflight hardware. He also visited Langley's hangar, the National Transonic Facility wind tunnel, the Structures and Materials Lab, and the new Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA announces the astronauts who will be flying on the first commercial crew flights to and from the International Space Station.

• Administrator Jim Bridenstine visits NASA's Langley Research Center and participates in a media roundtable.

• Young research professionals discuss the use of NASA Earth satellite data to address real-world issues, including flooding and wildfires.