Articles tagged with Space Flight
A student-built experiment aboard NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has been integrated to study asteroid Bennu's elemental abundances. The Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (REXIS) will observe solar X-rays and their interaction with the asteroid's surface material, providing maps of elements present on its surface.
The James Webb Space Telescope's segmented primary mirror is half complete with nine mirrors installed, on track for full completion in early 2016. The mirrors were built by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp and will work together as one large 21.3-foot mirror.
A rare full moon will occur on December's Full Cold Moon, marking the first time since 1977. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been studying the lunar surface since 2009 and is currently orbiting Earth's moon.
The James Webb Space Telescope's 'Pathfinder' telescope completed its second super-cold optical test, using specialized equipment to simulate star images and perform end-to-end testing. The successful test demonstrates the ability to optically test and align the telescope at planned operating temperatures.
Tropical Storm Sandra is decoupling from its lower layer due to strong upper-level winds, resulting in a tight swirl of low clouds devoid of deep convection. This weakening trend is expected to produce 2-4 inches of rainfall across western Mexico, leading to life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Tropical Storm 27W formed in the Marianas Islands, bringing warnings for Micronesia. The storm's center was located near latitude 4.7 degrees north and longitude 159.8 degrees east, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 40 mph.
Tropical Depression Nora is experiencing strong vertical wind shear from the southwest, pushing clouds and showers east of its center. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph on October 15, 2015, with forecasters predicting it will continue moving northwest before taking a more westerly track.
Tropical Storm Marty is being closely monitored by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, which has detected substantial areas of rain on the eastern half of the storm. Heavy rainfall is expected to be a major threat to residents in western Mexico, with estimated amounts ranging from 2-12 inches.
Hurricane Jimena's eyewall is eroding due to decreased rainfall rates observed by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core satellite. The storm weakened from a Category 4 to an estimated 110 mph maximum sustained winds, with hazardous surf expected along east-facing shores of the main Hawaiian Islands.
Satellite imagery shows Tropical Storm Fred losing its punch, with no strong thunderstorms developing in the storm. The RapidScat instrument measured the strongest winds tightly circling the center, but they are not indicative of a strengthening storm.
GPM captured Hurricane Jimena's intense eyewall, with the heaviest rainfall occurring on its northern and eastern sides. The storm maintained a strong system despite an eroded southern half of the eyewall.
Typhoon Kilo is moving slowly through the Northwestern Pacific Ocean with maximum sustained winds of near 90 knots. The storm is expected to re-strengthen and peak in intensity by September 6.
The GPM satellite captured intense rainfall rates of up to 52.8 mm per hour, with embedded convection necessary for storm strengthening, but displaced due to wind shear. The storm's low-level center was located northwest of the rain field, hindering intensification.
Tropical Depression Kilo has recently become more energetic, with heavy rainfall rates of almost 65 mm/hour detected by NASA's GPM Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar. The depression's storm tops were also found to be very tall, measuring over 15.4 km altitude.
The OSIRIS-REx camera suite, consisting of PolyCam, MapCam, and SamCam, will enable the spacecraft to image and map Bennu, select a safe sampling site, and collect a sample. The mission is scheduled to launch in September 2016 and will return the largest sample from space since the Apollo lunar missions.
Dr. Geronimo Luis Villanueva, a NASA Goddard scientist, has been awarded the 2015 Harold C. Urey Prize for his exceptional work in planetary research and spectroscopy. He is recognized for his contributions to understanding comets and Mars's atmosphere.
NASA's Terra satellite captured a cloud-free image of Hurricane Hilda's eye on August 8, showing strong thunderstorms circling the center. The storm is expected to cause rough surf along east and southeast facing shores of the main Hawaiian Islands over the next couple of days.
A new study suggests that spaceflight can disrupt intestinal homeostasis and increase colitis susceptibility in mice. The research found altered composition of intestinal bacteria, decreased regulatory T cells, and increased neutrophils in the colon tissues of hindlimb-suspended mice.
Tropical Depression 12W intensified into a tropical storm after NASA's Terra satellite captured an organized storm with better circulation. The storm is forecast to weaken under Typhoon Halola's influence, moving slowly at 5 knots (5.7 mph/9.2 kph) towards the north.
Tropical Depression 02C formed over 700 miles south-southeast of Hawaii on July 10, with bands of thunderstorms from the west to east. The depression is expected to reach tropical storm strength later today and will be closely monitored by NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Tropical Depression 01C formed hundreds of miles southwest of Hawaii on July 10, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The depression is expected to reach tropical storm strength and continue strengthening through Sunday morning, according to NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Tropical Storm Linfa made landfall in southeastern China on July 9, bringing gale-force winds and threatening flooding. The storm's movement over land weakened its thunderstorms, but it will continue to parallel the southern coastline of China before dissipating.
A new tropical depression has formed in the Eastern Pacific, crossed into the Central Pacific Ocean, and is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours. The system's movement will be influenced by trade winds, potentially leading to weakening and a westward shift.
NASA has developed a new technology to protect the James Webb Space Telescope from contamination, using Molecular Adsorber Coating (MAC) panels. The MAC panels capture outgassed molecular contaminants in the vacuum chamber, preventing them from affecting sensitive instrument components.
Tropical Depression Kujira made landfall in northeastern Vietnam on June 24, as NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible images of the storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported the storm's weakened maximum sustained winds of 30 knots.
The OSIRIS-REx team is preparing to deliver crucial instruments for the NASA mission to collect a sample from near-Earth asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft will map and analyze the asteroid's surface using five key instruments, including cameras, altimeters, thermometers, spectrometers, and an imaging spectrometer.
A developing tropical low pressure area in the south-central Gulf of Mexico has a high chance of forming into a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center warns residents along the northwestern Gulf Coast of potential tropical storm conditions and heavy rainfall.
Scientists can now observe physical phenomena beyond Earth's orbit with a new CubeSat concept. The CAPEd Crusader will use small-satellite technology to transmit data from distant planets, revolutionizing planetary exploration.
Typhoon Noul is slowly strengthening as it moves west-northwest towards the Philippines. The system has well-formed rain bands and heavy rain near its core, indicating potential intensification.
The MMS mission will provide the first three-dimensional views of reconnection occurring in Earth's magnetosphere, releasing bursts of energy that can reach billions of megatons of TNT. Scientists expect the mission to help them better understand magnetic reconnection and its impact on modern technological systems.
A rare subtropical storm, 90Q, has formed off the southeastern coast of Brazil. The system features fragmented banding and is moving south-southeast at 5 knots.
Scientists have estimated that Mars once had a massive ocean covering 19% of its surface, which would have made the planet habitable for longer. The new research uses detailed observations of water in Mars' atmosphere to determine the amount of water lost over time.
Tropical Cyclone Marcia made landfall along Queensland's coast with intense storms dropping rain at 225 mm/hour. The TRMM satellite captured a 3-D view of the cyclone, showing thunderstorm tops reaching heights of over 15.2 km.
A severe cold snap hit the Eastern US, with temperatures plummeting to record lows. The NASA Terra satellite captured an image of snow-covered states that appeared like they were sitting in a freezer due to Arctic and Siberian air masses.
Research published in The FASEB Journal suggests that spaceflight conditions can induce changes in B lymphocyte production in bone marrow, leading to premature aging of the immune system. A ground-based model simulating low-gravity conditions found similar effects in mice as those observed in elderly mice on Earth.
GOES-West satellite captured the birth of Tropical Cyclone Niko, with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane after passing Tahiti and entering the open waters of the South Pacific Ocean.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission combined with satellite data revealed an area of maximum rainfall centered over Samar, resulting in extreme totals greater than 600mm. The analysis also found that much of the heavy rainfall from Mekkhala fell over the same area devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
Tropical Storm Chedza rapidly intensified from a tropical low pressure area to a tropical storm on January 16 near Madagascar's southwestern coast. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 50 knots (57.5 mph/92.6 kph) with a defined low-level circulation center and deep convective banding.
The NASA GPM satellite captured detailed rainfall data of Tropical Storm Mekkhala on January 14, revealing intense convective storms near its center. The storm strengthened into a tropical storm over the western quadrant, with moderate vertical wind shear.
Tropical Cyclone Bansi is a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 149.6 mph, forecast to intensify into a Category 5 storm before weakening. The cyclone is moving northeast at 4.6 mph and expected to pass north of Mauritius.
Scientists have explained the origin of theta auroras, a type of high-latitude aurora that was unclear until now. The mysterious phenomenon is linked to hot plasma in the magnetosphere, caused by magnetic reconnection and funneled into near-Earth space from the sun.
Hagupit has weakened to a depression in the South China Sea before making landfall in southern Vietnam. The storm's maximum sustained winds dropped to 30 knots on Dec. 11, with forecasters predicting quick dissipation after landfall.
Tropical Storm Sinlaku made landfall in Vietnam, bringing heavy rainfall. NASA's TRMM and GPM satellites analyzed rainfall rates before landfall, while Terra satellite spotted the storm as it came ashore.
Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center tested a 'tripod' supporting the James Webb Space Telescope's secondary mirror in a successful deployment. The system was designed to unfurl in space to 8 meters long and was tested using the Pathfinder backplane structure.
Tropical Storm Nuri resembled a frontal system, stretching from northeast to southwest due to wind shear. NASA's Terra satellite captured an infrared image showing strong thunderstorms around its center.
The 21st Eastern Pacific tropical depression, TD 21E, formed far south of Acapulco, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds near 35 mph are expected to slowly strengthen over the next 48 hours.
Post-tropical cyclone Ana's remnant clouds are causing heavy rain and strong gusts in British Columbia, Canada. Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for several regions, with sustained winds near 21-29 mph (34-47 kph) reported at major airports.
Tropical Storm Hanna made landfall near Nicaragua and Honduras on Oct. 27, bringing strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to the region. The remnants of the storm continued to generate isolated thunderstorms over Honduras and northern Nicaragua until they dissipated by Oct. 28.
Tropical Storm Ana has moved west of the Hawaiian Islands and into the open waters of the Central Pacific Ocean, strengthening into a hurricane and weakening back to a tropical storm. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to British Columbia's central coast, with wind warnings posted along some coastal sections.
Tropical Cyclone Nilofar intensifies to hurricane strength with maximum sustained winds of 75 knots (86 mph/139 kph), centered near 15.2 north latitude and 62.2 east longitude.
The remnants of Tropical Depression 9 are lingering in the southeastern Yucatan Peninsula and northwestern Caribbean Sea, according to NOAA's GOES-East satellite. The National Hurricane Center predicts a low chance of re-development, with only a 10% probability over the next couple of days.
Tropical Storm Ana has re-organized due to abating southwesterly wind shear, allowing thunderstorms to circulate around its center. The storm is expected to continue strengthening through early Saturday, moving northward and potentially becoming a hurricane.
NASA's Aqua satellite detects snow on ground in Nepal and southwestern China as Cyclone Hudhud moves over the region. The MODIS instrument captured the image of snow on October 16, revealing the unusual weather phenomenon.
Tropical Storm Ana made a slow track west of the Hawaiian islands before moving away and heading towards the northwest Hawaiian islands. The storm's clouds were captured by NASA's Terra satellite on October 19, revealing its strongest thunderstorms in the eastern and western quadrants.
The storm formed near Mexico's southwestern coast on Oct. 18, triggering warnings and watches before weakening to a remnant low pressure area within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Ana is expected to intensify and impact the Hawaiian Islands, causing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. The storm may produce large swells and damaging surf along exposed shorelines.
Hurricane Gonzalo has become a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic, its first major hurricane in three years. According to NOAA's GOES-East satellite imagery, Gonzalo features tightly wrapped bands of thunderstorms spiraling into its center.
Tropical Storm Ana is intensifying in the Central Pacific Ocean, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. The storm is forecast to become a hurricane by late October 15 and may impact Hawaii on October 16.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of Typhoon Hudhud's remnants over India, Nepal, and China on Oct. 14, confirming the cyclone made landfall near Visakhapatnam on Oct. 12. The storm caused significant damage and fatalities in eastern India.
Hurricane Gonzalo has intensified into a hurricane, with powerful thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The storm is forecasted to become a major hurricane and make landfall on the island of Bermuda.