Administrator Bridenstine chats with astronaut Nick Hague on This Week @NASA – October 19, 2018

TL;DR

Astronaut Nick Hague chats with NASA administrator; OSIRIS-REx performs maneuver towards asteroid Bennu; NASA calls for lunar surface payloads; Mars 2020 landing site recommendations discussed; Experience InSight web app provides 3-D look at Mars mission; "The Invisible Network" podcast explores space communication and navigation.

Transcript

Our administrator chats with astronaut Nick Hague … OSIRIS-REx “brakes” for a certain asteroid … And what landing site is right for our next mission to Mars? A few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA! On the latest episode of “Watch This Space”, our administrator, Jim Bridenstine chats via satellite with astronaut Nick Hague. Hague... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🚀 Astronaut safety and well-being are a priority for NASA, and they maintain communication and support during unexpected events like ballistic landings.
• ❓ Maneuvers like OSIRIS-REx's braking maneuver are necessary to ensure precise navigation and observation of asteroids.
• 🌍 NASA is actively collaborating with industry and international partners to enable future lunar missions and increase human exploration.
• 👾 The Moon is of scientific and resource value, making it a stepping stone for deep space exploration.
• 🎟️ Selecting the landing site for the Mars 2020 mission involves gathering input from experts and enthusiasts.
• 😀 Online apps like "Experience InSight" provide an immersive experience and educational tool for understanding Mars missions.
• 🙂 "The Invisible Network" podcast sheds light on the less-known technologies and projects crucial to space exploration.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the purpose of astronaut Nick Hague's chat with NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine?

The purpose of the chat was to check on Hague's well-being after a ballistic landing and discuss his experience while the Soyuz launch was aborted.

Q: What maneuver did the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft perform?

The spacecraft performed a braking maneuver to slow down its speed relative to the asteroid Bennu in preparation for its arrival in December.

Q: What is the objective of NASA's call for Lunar Surface Instrument and Technology Payloads?

The objective is to gather proposals for instruments and technologies that will be flown to the Moon on commercial lunar landers, expanding human exploration and potential resource utilization.

Q: When can we expect the final landing site for the Mars 2020 mission to be announced?

The final landing site is expected to be announced by the end of the year, after receiving recommendations from the fourth and final landing sites workshop.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Astronaut Nick Hague chats with NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine after a ballistic landing in Kazakhstan.

• OSIRIS-REx spacecraft performs a maneuver to slow its speed relative to asteroid Bennu.

• NASA announces a call for Lunar Surface Instrument and Technology Payloads for future Moon missions.

• Scientists and enthusiasts discuss potential landing sites for the Mars 2020 mission.

• "Experience InSight" web app offers an interactive 3-D view of the InSight mission to Mars.

• "The Invisible Network" podcast explores lesser-known stories of space communications and navigation.