Orion recovery test update on This Week @NASA - August 8, 2014

TL;DR

NASA conducts recovery tests for the Orion spacecraft, releases video of the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator test, celebrates the 2-year anniversary of the Curiosity rover's landing on Mars, and announces small business achievements.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” NASA wrapped up its second Underway Recovery Test Aug. 4 with the Orion spacecraft, off the coast of San Diego, California. The agency teamed with Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense's Human Space Flight Support Detachment 3 to evaluate primary and alternative methods... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 NASA is actively testing and evaluating different methods of recovering the Orion spacecraft after it returns from deep space missions.
• 🇲🇭 The Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator test demonstrated technologies for landing heavier payloads on Mars and other planets with atmospheres.
• 🍝 Curiosity rover has achieved its primary objective of finding evidence of a past environment on Mars that could have supported microbial life.
• 😫 The Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft is set to provide new insights into magnetic reconnection around Earth.
• 🖐️ NASA's remote sensing technology plays a crucial role in monitoring environmental issues such as algal blooms.
• 🌐 The DEVELOP Program bridges the gap between NASA Earth science and practical applications for addressing global concerns.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the purpose of the Underway Recovery Test for the Orion spacecraft?

The test aimed to evaluate primary and alternative methods of recovering Orion after it safely splashes down in the ocean at the end of deep space missions.

Q: What is the significance of the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator test?

The test aimed to evaluate technologies for safely landing larger and heavier payloads on Mars and other planets with atmospheres. It demonstrated a saucer-shaped test vehicle.

Q: What did the Curiosity rover achieve on the 2-year anniversary of its landing on Mars?

Curiosity successfully found evidence of a past environment on Mars that could have supported microbial life, fulfilling its major objective.

Q: What is the purpose of the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft?

The spacecraft will investigate magnetic reconnection around Earth, a process in which magnetic fields connect and disconnect, releasing energy explosively. It aims to provide the first three-dimensional views of this process.

Q: How did NASA contribute to monitoring the algal bloom in Lake Erie?

Engineers used remote sensing technology originally developed for Mars exploration to image western Lake Erie, obtaining important data about the algal bloom. This method enables monitoring even during cloud cover and in areas without satellite imagery.

Q: What is the DEVELOP Earth Science Applications Summer Showcase?

It is an annual event where young Earth science professionals present their projects that utilize NASA Earth observations to address environmental and public policy issues.

Q: How did NASA's small business procurement score improve?

NASA's Office of Small Business Programs helped develop small businesses in high-tech areas, leading to an increase in the federal procurement score from a "C" to an "A".

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA completes the second Underway Recovery Test for the Orion spacecraft, evaluating different methods of recovering it after future deep space missions.

• New video is released from the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator test, demonstrating technologies for safely landing payloads on Mars and other planets.

• Curiosity rover has found evidence of a past environment on Mars that could have supported microbial life.

• NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft successfully concludes its thermal vacuum test and will investigate magnetic reconnection around Earth.

• NASA engineers use remote sensing technology to monitor algal bloom in Lake Erie, providing valuable data in areas where satellite imagery is not available.

• The DEVELOP Earth Science Applications Summer Showcase presents over thirty projects that utilize NASA Earth observations for practical applications.

• NASA improves its small business procurement score, with its Office of Small Business Programs supporting the development of small tech businesses.