This Week at NASA: First Images from Psyche Spacecraft & Space Station Milestone
An artist’s depiction reveals a detailed perspective of the asteroid Psyche. NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, still in the early stages of its lengthy journey to the asteroid, recently captured its inaugural images. These images mark a significant milestone for the mission. The first images from NASA’s Psyche spacecraft…
Commemorating an anniversary for the International Space Station…
And introducing a new tool in the battle against climate change…
Here are a few of the noteworthy stories to bring you up to date – This Week at NASA!
NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft Unveils Its Inaugural Images
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, launched on October 13, has successfully captured the mission’s first images, a momentous achievement often referred to as “first light.” As part of a comprehensive examination of the spacecraft’s scientific instruments, the twin-camera imager on Psyche collected a total of 68 images within a star field located in the Pisces constellation. These “first light” images were then seamlessly integrated to form a mosaic.
The spacecraft is scheduled to reach its intended destination – the asteroid Psyche, located within the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter – in the year 2029.
In December 1998, during Space Shuttle Mission STS-88, the crew initiated the construction of the International Space Station, connecting the U.S.-constructed Unity node to the Russian-built Zarya module. The mission team carried a high-resolution IMAX® camera, from which this image was captured. Credit: NASA
NASA Commemorates the 25th Anniversary of Space Station Operations
On December 6, we marked the 25th anniversary of International Space Station operations with a live communication link between the station’s crew and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, along with International Space Station Program Manager Joel Montalbano.
On December 6, 1998, the first two components of the orbital outpost – Unity and Zarya – were conjoined during the space shuttle mission STS-88. Bob Cabana served as the mission commander and became the first American to set foot inside the space station.
For more information about the International Space Station, visit nasa.gov/station.
Visualization depicting the total carbon dioxide content in Earth’s atmosphere in the year 2021. Credit: NASA
NASA and Collaborative Agencies Launch U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center
During the 28th annual United Nations Climate Conference, NASA and several other U.S. government agencies introduced the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center. This collaborative initiative consolidates greenhouse gas data collected from various sources, including space-based, airborne, and ground-based assets. The objective is to offer researchers, decision-makers, and stakeholders a central repository for greenhouse gas data and comprehensive analysis.
Students hailing from Alabama A&M University in the vicinity of Huntsville, Alabama, pilot their vehicle through an obstacle course at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center during NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge event, held on April 22, 2023. Credit: NASA
Student Teams Chosen to Compete in the Rover Challenge
NASA has selected 72 student teams to participate in the Human Exploration Rover Challenge, slated for the upcoming April near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. This annual event, set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2024, affords high school, college, and university students the opportunity to conceptualize, construct, and operate lightweight, human-powered rovers on a challenging obstacle course designed to mimic lunar and Martian terrains, all while accomplishing mission-specific scientific tasks.
That concludes our coverage for this week @NASA.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NASA Milestones
What is the Psyche spacecraft’s mission?
The Psyche spacecraft’s mission is to explore the asteroid Psyche, which is located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It aims to study this unique metallic asteroid to better understand the formation of planetary bodies.
How did NASA celebrate the 25th anniversary of the International Space Station (ISS)?
NASA marked the 25th anniversary of ISS operations with a live communication link between the station’s crew and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana and International Space Station Program Manager Joel Montalbano. The celebration commemorated the first joining of Unity and Zarya, two crucial components of the ISS, during the STS-88 space shuttle mission on December 6, 1998.
What is the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center, and why was it launched?
The U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center is a collaborative effort among NASA and other U.S. government agencies. It consolidates greenhouse gas data gathered from various sources, including space-based, airborne, and ground-based assets. The center’s purpose is to provide researchers, decision-makers, and others with a centralized location for comprehensive greenhouse gas data and analysis, aiding efforts to combat climate change.
What is the Human Exploration Rover Challenge, and who can participate?
The Human Exploration Rover Challenge is an annual event organized by NASA that allows high school, college, and university students to design, build, and operate lightweight, human-powered rovers. These rovers are tested on an obstacle course that simulates lunar and Martian terrains while completing mission-focused science tasks. NASA has selected 72 student teams to compete in this challenge, which will take place near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center next April.
More about NASA Milestones
- NASA’s Psyche Mission
- International Space Station (NASA)
- U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center (NASA)
- Human Exploration Rover Challenge (NASA)
4 comments
Psyche’s mission sounds cool, gonna read more bout it.
25 years of ISS, wow! Bob Cabana rocks!
Rovers? Cool, can’t wait 4 the challenge!
US Greenhouse Gas Center is a gr8 step to fight climate change!