Important Innovations Collection

4 Astronauts Aboard Recycled Capsule and Recycled Rocket                                   Source:  NASA & Space X Flying in Proven Flight Systems This morning, Space X launched a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a recycled, reused Falcon 9 rocket booster, dubbed B1061, by SpaceX.  The launch made history multiple times. It is the first time that astronauts have flown on a recycled, reused Crew Dragon capsule, named Endeavor, coupled with a reused Falcon 9 first stage launch rocket.  It is also the first time that astronauts representing three different space agencies - NASA, Europe's ESA and Japan's JAXA, have ridden in the same space capsule.  Space X's Endeavor made history last May when it became the first commercial space vehicle to ferry NASA astronauts to the ISS as part of the first launch of astronauts from the US in twenty...

Musk Says He Has a Moderate Case of COVID-19                                                       Source:  Space X SpaceX First Operational Launch Scheduled for Tonight Space X CEO Elon Musk says he has COVID.  Ironically,  Musk's SpaceX is scheduled to launch four NASA astronauts into orbit tonight to the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time since it launched the Space X Crew Dragon to the ISS in May.  Weather is a big question.  But this launch, when it happens, is historic.  It will be the first time in 60 years that NASA handed over the keys for a fully operational launch of NASA astronauts to a US private space company.  And because of Musk's likely COVID infection, the incredible entrepreneur behind SpaceX perhaps will join the astronauts remotely on line, rather than wher...

UFO Caught On Tape Trailing the ISS                                                  Source:  NASA ISS Feed Spacecraft With Speeds of 27,000 km Per Hour NASA's live camera feed from the International Space Station (ISS)  captured, in infrared video, the speeding image of an unidentified flying object chasing the ISS,  The object was a large white orb speeding at 27,000 km per hour (16,777 mph) behind and toward the ISS.  It was visible in the live NASA feed for forty minutes.  It moved upwards, passed the ISS and then faded away.  UFO expert Scott Warring said it is proof of the existence of an alien space vehicle. Is It A Satellite, Meteorite, Unknown Spaceship from Earth or UFO? The object was first spotted leaving the Earth's atmosphere, which suggests it may have launched somewhere near the planet Earth.  ...

2 NASA Astronauts Safely Return to Earth Source:  NASA - Crew Dragon onboard SpaceX Rescue Ship SpaceX Founder Elon Musk's View of Space Travel for All For the 2 brave astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, who took the ride of their lives on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and hurtled into space onboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS in May, it is now mission accomplished. They made it safely back to Earth today, having accomplished the first private space mission with US astronauts launched from the US into space for NASA.  They've made history. Perhaps NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine put it best calling the mission "the next era in human spaceflight", as NASA will be purchasing space rides from SpaceX.  For SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, this is a huge accomplishment that he says he wasn't sure he could do when he founded SpaceX in 2002.  He kept on perfecting his rocket science technology and he did it with a great victory today. SpaceX Vict...

Two NASA Astronauts Flying the Spacecraft Source:  SpaceX  History Being Made Again NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are making history once again.  At this moment, they are flying SpaceX's Crew Dragon back to Earth, after spending two months aboard the International Space Station (ISS).  Crew Dragon undocked from the ISS Saturday at 4:35PT.  NASA TV is broadcasting the return live. Smooth Sailing The return to Earth has been smooth sailing thus far.  Splashdown is set for Sunday 11:48 AM PT in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola, FL.  The only variable is the weather with Hurricane Isaias menacing Florida.  If the weather gets stormy, the astronauts have enough food on board to stay in orbit for several more days. Harsh Conditions During Re-Entry The re-entry process is dramatic.  The spacecraft will be travelling at 17,500 mph as it approaches reentry and it will endure maximum temperatures of 3500 degrees F during...

Crew Dragon & US Astronauts Splash Down August 2  Source:  SpaceX  Crew Dragon From ISS and Back to Earth For NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Robert Behnken, it's been historic days on the International Space Station since May 30, 2020, after they launched in the SpaceX Crew Dragon spaceship aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and boarded the ISS.  They have made history for the US.  They are the first US astronauts to be launched from US soil in a decade. For SpaceX it was their first human flight into space. And for humanity, we had the opportunity to witness the 2 astronauts' bravery, leadership and scientific accomplishments, including their incredible space views of comets from the ISS.  Now, it is time for the two astronauts to make history again. Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks NASA Schedule NASA has decided the two US astronauts will start the journey back to Earth on August 2, after 64 days onboard the ISS.  The departure...

SpaceX Crew Dragon & ISS Source:  NASA ISS 2 US Astronauts Hop Onboard ISS This past weekend SpaceX Crew Dragon with US astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley onboard made it to the International Space Station.  It's an historic accomplishment for a private company and NASA.  The two astronauts will be up there for up to three months doing scientific experiments and celestial observations. What's Up There? To learn about the big, upcoming space missions of the 2020's including NASA and SpaceX plans, check out my book "Space 2020's: What's Up There?" Until June 2 at 11AM ET, it's on sale as an Amazon Countdown Deal.   The link is  ASIN: B087DV4DZ6 amazon.com/author/ekane

Huge Wins for SpaceX & NASA Source:  NASA with 2 SpaceX Astronauts on ISS on right Historic Firsts History was made on May 30, 2020 when a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with 2 US astronauts, Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, strapped onboard the SpaceX spacecraft Crew Dragon.  Within 12 minutes, Crew Dragon separated from the rocket and hurtled into space to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS).  Next day, May 31, 2020, Crew Dragon autonomously docked with the ISS. The docking happened 19 hours after launch. Crew Dragon used 12 separate latches to create an air locked seal between Dragon and the ISS for the 2 US astronauts to go onboard the ISS and join 3 other astronauts - 2 Russians and 1 American, already there.  History was made by SpaceX, NASA and the two brave, US astronauts.  SpaceX had never carried humans into space before this. Crew Dragon is an autonomous space vehicle that the...

NASA, SPACEX, US Astronauts & Elon Musk Source:  NASA - Crew Dragon Capsule Many Historic Firsts on Earth and Space On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, Elon Musk's SpaceX will carry two US Astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).  This will be the first time in nearly a decade that there has been rocket launch carrying astronauts into space orbit from US soil.  It is also a first for SpaceX to carry humans - NASA astronauts - into space. And it is the first time that a private commercial vehicle has taken US astronauts into orbit.  Experts say, if all goes well, this could be the beginning of a new era of human spaceflight for the US. Launch Time The launch is set for Wednesday afternoon from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.  President Donald Trump says he will be there.  Two veteran US astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will be the crew aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that will rocket into space on a S...

NASA Working with Actor Tom Cruise Source:  NASA - ISS International Space Station & a Big Star This is innovative film making at its best.  NASA is working with actor Tom Cruise to shoot a movie in space.  Specifically, NASA has just disclosed that it will fly Tom Cruise to the International Space Station (ISS). Cruise will stay aboard and shoot a movie there.  And NASA Director Jim Bridenstine says this isn't science fiction.  It's going to happen! Apparently, Tom Cruise is about to become an astronaut. ISS The ISS is a multibillion science lab that orbits 250 miles above the Earth.  Rotating crews of astronauts have been onboard since 2000.  The US and Russia are the primary operators.  According to Director Bridenstine,  NASA's top priority is to find new forms of life in space.  He is putting billions of dollars of new technology, missions and telescopes behind the effort in the 2020's.  It will be interesting to see if the...

Launching US Astronauts from Florida Source:  NASA 1st Human Spaceflight from US Since 2011 After nearly a decade of absence, human spaceflights will launch from US soil on May 27, 2020. SpaceX,  founded by entrepreneur  Elon Musk, will launch its CrewDragon rocket with two US astronauts onboard and crewing the space vehicle.  Their destination is the International Space Station.  This mission is a series of historic firsts in space. Space Firsts This is the first crewed mission for SpaceX since CEO Elon Musk founded the company in 2002. And, it's the first time a rocket will carry  astronauts into orbit from US soil  since 2011.  That's when NASA retired its space shuttle program. And there's yet another first. The public cannot attend the launch. History Being Made Because of COVID-19, the public cannot attend the  launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch is historic for several more reas...

Russia's Humanoid Robot in Orbit Source:  Sputnik Delivered by Soyuz Rocket with No Humans on Board Russia's humanoid robot Skybot is onboard the International Space Station.  It was carried up to the ISS on a Soyez MS-14 rocket with no humans onboard.  The space journey was a non-human test flight of new systems including new motion control and navigation systems.  The inflight verifications, including data collected by Skybot, have cleared the way for Russian crews to be transported to ISS on the Soyuz 2.1a rocket starting in Spring 2020. Skybot the Crew Member Skybot F-850, formerly known as FEDOR, is designed to replicate the motions of a remote human operator.  The robot has arms and legs and can perform some functions autonomously.  Onboard the ISS, Skybot is testing its voice program to communicate with Russian astronauts and its ability to function in microgravity.  During its trip to the ISS, Skybot provided G-force and temperature...

SpaceX and Space Adventures Join Forces to Launch Tourists into Space Source:  NASA Image of Crew Dragon Orbiting High Above the International Space Station Elon Musk's SpaceX and Virginia based Space Adventures are joining forces to send four tourists on a dedicated Crew Dragon mission to space.  Crew Dragon is a completely  autonomous spacecraft developed by SpaceX with three windows.  The design and windows are aimed at providing tourists, scientists and astronauts with a great view of the earth, moon and solar system as they whisk through space. The tourist space trip will last for five days and will fly in orbit twice as high as the International Space Station World Altitude Record Targeted The flight will occur in late 2021.  It's aimed at setting a new world record.  Targeting an orbit twice higher than the International Space Station will result in the world altitude record for private citizen space flight.  ISS orbits at an al...

Fedor in Orbit Seeking ISS Source:  Russian Space Agency Roscosmos - Fedor Spacebot Docking at ISS Aborted Today Russia's first humanoid robot Fedor or Skybot F850 is travelling in space aboard an unmanned spacecraft to the International Space Station.  The Russian Soyez spacecraft tried to dock with the ISS to deliver Fedor today but the docking was aborted.  Russian cosmonauts issued the order to abort the approach to the ISS because the Soyez wasn't on target to properly lock-on. The Russian space agency says the approach did not cause any safety issues for the ISS or astronauts onboard. Second Try on Tuesday The crewless, automated Soyez backed away safely and Russian flight controllers are determining next steps.  They believe the problem was a radio failure aboard the ISS not the Soyez.  The Director of the Russian space agency Roscosmos says they'll try again to dock on Tuesday morning. Fedor, Astronauts' Assistant Once on board...

3D Printing Human Tissue in Space, Onboard the ISS Source:  Techshot BFF July Launch of  Your BFF in Space This is extraordinary technological innovation being launched to benefit humanity on earth by creating human tissue in space.  A SpaceX rocket on a cargo mission will include a 3D printer that aims to produce human tissue in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS).  The 3D printer is a cutting edge innovation from Techshot.  Its formal name is 3D Bio-Fabrication Facility or BFF.  This BFF could be our BFF in space. On a Mission to Benefit Life on Earth BFF will use adult human cells and adult proteins to 3D print viable human tissue.  According to Techshot, which is a space flight equipment operator, this is a step toward producing human organs by 3D printing.  They are collaborating with 3D bioprinter nScrypt on this project. There is a very real, human angle in this story.  The CEO of nScrypt Ken Church had a dau...

$50 Million ++ Flight That's Out of this World Source:  NASA - ISS Dawn of Space Tourism NASA is opening the International Space Station (ISS) to commercial business, including to space tourists.  For $35,000 per night and a $50 million ticket for a rocket ride, 2 private citizens a year can take a space vacation or do research aboard the ISS for up to 30 days.  This is a mega-change for NASA.  It reflects a decision by NASA to go commercial with the ISS and globally in space.  NASA's first private citizen trip to the ISS is expected in early 2020. The Space Economy - The Ride of Your Life Space is developing an economy of its own.  Billionaire entrepreneurs like Elon Musk with his SpaceX and Amazon's Jeff Bezos with his Blue Origin are building and launching powerful rockets to explore the Moon and colonize Mars.  Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic has promised space vacations for tourists and has successfully tested its spacecraft vehic...

Robotic Team to Monitor ISS Source:  NASA Astrobees The Buzz in Space Robots in orbit is the buzz in space.  NASA's Astrobee robots will very soon be onboard and working in the International Space Station (ISS).  They will assist the astronauts with housekeeping chores and inspections on the ISS. Bot Cubed The robots are one foot cubes.  They'll work in the zero gravity environment with the help of six fans, one on each surface of the cube. NASA created the Astrobees to take care of some of the routine tasks for the astronauts. Space Talk The robots are equipped with multiple sensors.  They'll use the sensors to take readings.  They also have a specialized grasping claw that they can use when needed.  And, they can communicate.  They have a mike, speaker and touchscreen.  NASA can manipulate them remotely allowing NASA to inspect the station from the ground.  3 Astrobees will be launched to the ISS later this month.  ...

Cimon - Crew Interactive Mobile Companion Robot Assistant in Orbit Source:  Cimon onboard ISS New Collaboration Among Astronauts, Robots and Artificial Intelligence The $6 million robot is called Cimon, the Crew Interactive Mobile Companion.  It just went on duty aboard the International Space Station (ISS).  It's equipped with IBM Watson's natural language artificial intelligence.  It's designed to serve as a personal assistant to astronauts.  It's now being tested onboard ISS as a new collaborative partnership of astronauts, robots and AI in space. One of 2018's Top Innovations The robot is cited at one of the most important innovations of 2018.  It can help astronauts repair the ISS, run experiments and even walk the crew through medical procedures.  Cimon is a bit larger than a basketball and on earth weights 11 pounds.  The mission is to determine if an AI bot can increase crew efficiency and boost morale during long duration space...