Companies seek more opportunities to send private astronaut missions to ISS
02 Oct
Science & Technology

Companies seek more opportunities to send private astronaut missions to ISS

Posted by author-avatar
0
NASA Space Technology A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station during Axiom Space's Ax-2 private astronaut mission in May 2023. Credit: NASAWASHINGTON — Companies developing commercial space stations want NASA to offer more opportunities to fly precursor missions to the International Space Station to help them gain experience and stimulate customer interest.As part of a NASA policy in 2019 to promote commercialization of the ISS, the agency said it would allow up to two private astronaut missions, or PAMs, to visit the station each year. NASA subsequently issued a series of requests for proposals for individual PAM opportunities.Three such PAMs have flown to date, all by Axiom Space. A fourth PAM, also by Axiom, is currently scheduled to fly to the station in the spring of 2025.The pace of those missions,...
Continue reading
NASA Announces Selections for Lunar Comms, Network Studies
02 Oct
Science & Technology

NASA Announces Selections for Lunar Comms, Network Studies

Posted by author-avatar
0
NASA Space Technology NASA has selected Intuitive Machines of Houston and Aalyria Technologies Inc. of Livermore, California, to perform capability studies with the goal of advancing space communications and exploration technologies. These studies will allow NASA to gain insights into industry capabilities and innovations to facilitate NASA partnerships with commercial communications and navigation providers.The awards, under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (Next STEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix Q, are firm fixed-price milestone-based contracts.Intuitive Machines is awarded $647,600 — Study Area No. 1, Lunar User Terminals and Network Orchestration — to conduct state-of-the-art studies and demonstrations for a dual-purpose navigation and communication lunar surface user terminal. The terminal will support lunar surface exploration planning and ensure interoperability with future LunaNet compatible service providers working in partnership with NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and...
Continue reading
Astrophysicist Gioia Rau Explores Cosmic ‘Time Machines’
02 Oct
Science & Technology

Astrophysicist Gioia Rau Explores Cosmic ‘Time Machines’

Posted by author-avatar
0
NASA Space Technology To shape NASA’s path of exploration forward, Dr. Gioia Rau unravels stars and worlds beyond our solar system.Name:Dr. Gioia RauTitle: AstrophysicistOrganization: Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate (Code 667)What do you do and what is most interesting about your role here at Goddard?I’m an astrophysicist who studies both evolved stars, stars that about to die, and exoplanets, planets outside our solar system. I study the stars that once held the elements that are in our body, such as calcium. I also lead the science part of several mission concept studies. And I am really passionate about strategic thinking.How does it feel to achieve your childhood dream of becoming an astrophysicist at NASA?I am from Italy. Growing up, I was always fascinated by NASA. As a child, I watched...
Continue reading
Load more posts
Loading...