Update on Space Station’s Expandable Module on This Week @NASA – June 3, 2016 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA discusses activities on the International Space Station, including operations with the expandable module, and chats with Mark Zuckerberg through a Facebook Live video call.

Key Insights

• ❓ The International Space Station continues to conduct operations with the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module for studying expandable habitats.
• 👨‍🚀 NASA engages with social media platforms, such as Facebook, to connect the public with astronauts and share knowledge about space exploration.
• 🚀 Orbital ATK is preparing for future launches with Antares rocket after a 2014 mishap.
• 👶 NASA explores new technologies in supersonic flight and unmanned aircraft systems integration.
• 😒 NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory uses mixed reality technology to study space and spacecraft development.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” Activities aboard the International Space Station during the first week in June included continued operations with the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) – which was fully expanded on May 28. The follow-up work included equalizing BEAM’s internal pressure and conducting leak checks to ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module?

The BEAM is a technology demonstration to study expandable habitats in space. NASA is studying its safety and functionality for future use in space missions.

Q: Who will be the first to enter the inflatable experimental habitat?

NASA's Jeff Williams will be the first to enter the BEAM once its internal pressure has been equalized and leak checks have been conducted.

Q: What was the significance of the hot fire test of the Antares rocket?

The hot fire test was a crucial milestone for Antares and Pad-0A to demonstrate the readiness of the rocket and launch pad for future flights. It was the first time they were tested since a mishap in 2014.

Q: What were the new U.S. Postal Service stamps unveiled at World Stamp Show-NY 2016?

The new stamps feature iconic NASA images, including Earth, New Horizons spacecraft, and the dwarf planet Pluto, celebrating the July 2015 flyby of Pluto.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Activities on the International Space Station in June included operations with the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM).

• The station crew had a live video call with Mark Zuckerberg on June 1st, answering questions from social media followers.

• NASA conducted a hot fire test of Orbital ATK Antares rocket's upgraded dual RD-181 engines and participated in ceremonial activities at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.