Expedition 50-51 Arrives Safely at the Space Station on This Week @NASA – November 25, 2016

TL;DR

Astronauts safely arrive at ISS, GOES-R satellite successfully launched, testing begins for Space Launch System rocket, astronauts plan Thanksgiving celebration.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” On Nov. 19 Eastern time, two days after launching aboard a Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 50-51 crew, including NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson arrived safely at the International Space Station. A few hours after docking, Whitson and Expedition 50-51 ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚀 The Expedition 50-51 crew arrived safely at the International Space Station after launching from Kazakhstan.
• 🔥 Orbital ATK's Cygnus spacecraft left the ISS after delivering supplies and experiments, and will be used for a fire safety experiment before it burns up over the Pacific Ocean.
• 🛰️ NASA successfully launched the GOES-R satellite, which will improve weather observation capabilities and lead to more accurate forecasts.
• 🚀 Testing for the Space Launch System rocket's interim cryogenic propulsion stage is scheduled to begin in 2017.
• ❓ NASA continues to make progress on upgrades and modifications to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center.
• 👨‍🚀 Astronauts on the ISS, including Commander Shane Kimbrough, discussed their plans to celebrate Thanksgiving in space.
• 💚 The crew's Thanksgiving menu includes green beans and mushrooms, smoked turkey, and cornbread dressing.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who are the members of the Expedition 50-51 crew that arrived at the ISS?

The crew members who arrived at the ISS are Peggy Whitson, Oleg Novitskiy, and Thomas Pesquet.

Q: What experiments will the arriving crew members contribute to while onboard the ISS?

The crew members are scheduled to contribute to more than 250 research experiments during their time on the orbital laboratory.

Q: What is the purpose of the GOES-R satellite?

The GOES-R satellite will provide 34 new or improved meteorological, solar, and space weather products, increasing the nation's weather observation capabilities.

Q: What is the purpose of the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) for the Space Launch System rocket?

The ICPS will give NASA's Orion spacecraft the propulsion needed to fly beyond the moon before returning to Earth on the first flight of SLS and Orion in 2018.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Expedition 50-51 crew, including NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, safely arrived at the International Space Station after launching aboard a Soyuz spacecraft.

• Orbital ATK's Cygnus spacecraft left the ISS after delivering supplies and experiments, and will be used for a fire safety experiment before deorbiting.

• NASA successfully launched the NOAA's GOES-R satellite, which will provide more accurate and timely weather forecasts.