An image shows Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space cargo vessel, situated away from the International Space Station, held by Canadarm2 prior to its departure, concluding a four-month attachment to the Unity module of the orbiting laboratory. Credit: NASA
A commercial mission to resupply the space station is underway…
Important hardware for an upcoming lunar mission is in transit…
And a new spacecraft is preparing to deploy its wings for a deep space mission…
Here are some of the stories to catch you up on – This Week at NASA!
Supply Mission to the Space Station Takes Off
On the first day of August, a Cygnus cargo spacecraft, produced by Northrop Grumman and named after the late astronaut Laurel Clark, was launched to the International Space Station from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The shipment includes over 8,200 pounds of essential supplies and scientific experiments for the station’s crew.
NASA’s SLS Rocket Component Ready for Shipment to Space Coast
At United Launch Alliance’s facility in Decatur, Alabama, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS), for the Artemis III mission, has been prepared for shipping to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for final inspections. The ICPS will provide the necessary in-space thrust to transport astronauts in NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the Moon.
Psyche Spacecraft’s Solar Wings Inspected and Packed for Launch
Recently, engineers attached and tested the solar wings for NASA’s Psyche spacecraft to ensure proper deployment and then packed them for its upcoming trip to a metal-rich asteroid named Psyche, located between Mars and Jupiter. These large wings are engineered to power the spacecraft in the dim light of deep space, with the launch planned for this coming October. More details can be found at nasa.gov/psyche.
NASA’s Space Apps Challenge: Registration Now Available
Sign-ups are now open for the 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge. This event, taking place on October 7 and 8, is the world’s largest annual global hackathon. It invites participants globally to use publicly available data from NASA and other space agencies to create solutions for challenges on Earth and in space. Additional information is available at spaceappschallenge.org.
This is the latest for the week from NASA!
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NASA
What was launched to the International Space Station on August 1?
On August 1, a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft was launched to the International Space Station from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, containing more than 8,200 pounds of supplies and scientific research for the crew aboard the space station.
What is the status of the solar array wings for NASA’s Psyche spacecraft?
The solar array wings for NASA’s Psyche spacecraft were recently attached, tested for proper deployment, and then re-stowed in preparation for the spacecraft’s journey to a metal-rich asteroid named Psyche.
What is the 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge, and when is it scheduled?
The 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge is the largest annual global hackathon, scheduled for October 7 and 8. It is designed for participants around the world to use open data from NASA and other space agencies to solve real-world challenges on Earth and in space.
What is the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and where is it being shipped?
The ICPS for NASA’s SLS rocket was being prepped at United Launch Alliance’s Decatur, Alabama facility for a trip to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for final checkouts. It will provide in-space propulsion for the Artemis III mission, sending astronauts inside NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the Moon.
More about NASA
- NASA’s Official Website
- Information about Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft
- NASA’s Psyche Mission
- 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge
- NASA’s Artemis Program
4 comments
those Cygnus resupply missions are always fascinating. Keep it up NASA!
Super excited about the Psyche mission!! its like somthing out of a sci-fi movie. What do you think about the solar wings?
the space app challenge sounds cool, wish i had the skills to participate. maybe next year. Love the innovation going on.
NASA’s doing amazing things. I can’t wait to see the results of the Space Apps Challenge this year, tech and space combined? count me in