Farthest Current Human Outpost Provides Unique Insight and Ongoing Scientific Advancement

Following CRS-20, final contracted commercial resupply mission of the first generation SpaceX Dragon, ~1,815 kg of cargo – much of which consists of science projects now undergoing analysis – has returned to Earth. Researchers involved in the NASA Ames BioNutrients investigation, concerned with in-space nutrient cultivation utilizing beta-carotene producing yeast cultures, measure growth rates of 4th sample return – reaching 1-year point in 5-year experiment. The Space Biofilm study also received samples for analysis from CRS-20. Conducted by NASA, DLR, UC Boulder, MIT, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and Saarland University, the Space Biofilm team works to describe the nature of organic accumulations on spacecraft surfaces, both interior and exterior – an issue of great importance for achieving homeostasis in artificial environs. ISS resident Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan offer advice from space on coping with isolation, as they prepare to return to a world changed by Covid-19: exercise and telecommunication with loved ones are among their recommendations for maintaining normalcy. In a video message posted to Twitter, Meir and Morgan demonstrate space exercises utilizing Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) and more familiar options such as stationary biking, treadmill running and calisthenics. Not since Sergei Krikalev returned to a dissolved Soviet Union have space residents been forced to grapple with such abrupt changes to terrestrial life in comparison to conditions upon their departure from Earth. (Image Credits: NASA, SpaceX)

MONDAY

TESS Exoplanet Telescope Enters 3rd Observation Year; Current Inventory of International Space Observatories

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite reaches its 2nd full year / enters 3rd year in space April 18. The MIT-led NASA satellite with 4 identical cameras is using the transit method to search for exoplanets. During this 2-year primary mission it was expected to find up to 20,000 exoplanets, and has thus far identified 1,766 candidates. The first space telescope, Hubble, is producing spectacular science and images with its 2.4-meter diameter instrument since 1990; its successor James Webb is set to launch 2021. NASA-ESA SOHO studying the Sun since 1995 remains active. Both launched in 1999, NASA Chandra and ESA XMM-Newton are studying X-ray emissions. 2002-launched Integral craft, built by ESA, NASA and Russia, is detecting radiation in space. Swift is observing gamma-ray bursts since 2004. Twin STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) A & B operate in Heliocentric Orbit since 2006. 3 THEMIS satellites are in LEO, while 2 renamed ARTEMIS are in Moon orbit, launched 2007. Fermi performing gamma-ray astronomy, and Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) launched 2008. NEO-WISE infrared survey explorer continues its work since 2011. Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array and Van Allen Probes have been operational since 2012. In Sun-Synchronous Orbit, NASA IRIS studies Sol chromosphere, and ESA Gaia Milky Way Galaxy star mapper at Sun-Earth L2 are working since 2013. India 2015 first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory Astrosat is at 650-km near equatorial orbit. NASA 2018 Parker Solar Probe is to come within 6.16M km of the Sun in 2024. (Image Credits: NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, ISRO, STScI, Hester & Scowen, ASU, MIT)

Continued from…

Jan 2019 – Sep 2020 — New Horizons, Kuiper Belt: Full data collected from 7 instruments during KBO Arrokoth flyby to be transmitted to Earth over this time period.

Nov 2019 – Nov 2020 — Hayabusa2, Earth Trajectory: JAXA Hayabusa2 with two samples collected from C-type asteroid 162173 Ryugu on trajectory for Earth return.

Mar 16 – Sep 16 — SpaceX, Boca Chica Beach TX: SpaceX to attempt Starship flight to 20-km altitude during this timeframe.

TUESDAY

Apr 14 — NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), Moffett Field CA: Abstracts Due: 7th annual NASA Exploration Science Forum 2020; virtual meeting to be held July 8-10.

Apr 14-15 — NASA Advisory Council (NAC), Online / Washington DC: NAC Human Exploration and Operations Committee Meeting; covering topics of Human Exploration, Budget, Advanced Exploration Systems, Gateway, Exploration Systems Development, International Space Station, Commercial Crew.

Apr 14-16 — University of Colorado Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Boulder CO: 5th Titan Through Time Workshop; cancelled.

 Apr 14 — Moon: At last quarter, 12:36; 2.00° SE of Jupiter, 14:00; with Jupiter and Saturn within circle of diameter 5.50°, 21:00.

Apr 14 — Venus: 9.9° NNW of Aldebaran, 16:00.