2014 Mid Year Report on This Week @NASA

TL;DR

This Week at NASA in 2014 showcased various accomplishments and developments, including plans for Mars exploration, asteroid study, deep space missions, Earth science missions, and advancements in commercial space industry.

Transcript

The This Week At NASA crew is on a short mid-year hiatus -- but we thought we'd leave you with a quick look back at some of the big and exciting news featured so far in 2014 on This Week at NASA. In March, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announced President Obama's Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal for the agency ... The 17-point-5 billion dollar ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Funding from the 2015 budget proposal enables NASA to pursue ambitious goals for Mars exploration and develop technologies for deep space missions.
• 😒 The International Space Station's extended use until 2024 allows for more groundbreaking research and collaboration.
• 💦 NASA is actively working on capturing and studying asteroids, as well as identifying potential threats to human life.
• 👾 Advancements in spacecraft technology, such as the Orion capsule and solar electric propulsion, are crucial for future deep space missions.
• 😀 NASA is launching multiple science missions in 2014 to address critical challenges facing Earth, including understanding water and energy cycles.
• 👾 The agency is committed to supporting the American commercial space industry, with regular cargo deliveries to the ISS and the development of new spacecraft for crewed missions.
• 🇲🇭 The Mars Exploration Rovers and other robotic explorers have paved the way for future human exploration of Mars.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is NASA's focus for Mars exploration?

NASA's budget proposal for 2015 includes plans to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s, with the International Space Station serving as a stepping stone for deep space missions.

Q: What is the significance of the Asteroid Initiative Opportunities Forum?

This forum provided updates on NASA's plans to capture, redirect, and study asteroids, as well as identify potential threats to human life.

Q: What advancements have been made in deep space exploration technology?

NASA has been developing technologies like solar electric propulsion and automated landing hazard avoidance systems, which are crucial for future deep space missions.

Q: What were some highlights from NASA's Earth science missions in 2014?

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission provided valuable data on global rain and snow events, and Earth Day activities promoted environmental awareness. NASA's aeronautics research also focused on reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and noise in the airline industry.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal of $17.5 billion focuses on sending astronauts to Mars in the 2030s and continues the development of the International Space Station (ISS).

• NASA's plans for capturing and studying asteroids, as well as identifying threats, were discussed at the Asteroid Initiative Opportunities Forum.

• Development of the Orion spacecraft for deep space exploration and testing of technologies like solar electric propulsion and automated landing hazard avoidance were ongoing.

• Five science missions were launched to address Earth's challenges, including observing global precipitation and promoting environmental awareness.

• NASA continued its commitment to the American commercial space industry, with regular cargo deliveries to the ISS and the development of new spacecraft for crewed missions.