NBL Overview, originally uploaded by plemeljr

In order for astronauts to simulate and acclimate zero gravity, NASA uses the massive Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL), which is in effect a very long, deep, and largest swimming pool in the world. The NBL is not on the Johnson Space Center (JSC) main campus, but is a 10 minute drive, being housed in a converted warehouse. Here, full-sized high-fidelity Station mockups sit in 40 feet of water in order for astronauts and support staff to train for upcoming missions. Generally, two astronauts are on EVA at any one time (the buddy system), and each work together to perform a series of tasks according to the upcoming mission goals. For every astronaut who enters the water there are four additional NBL divers to assist the astronaut: one diver controls a video camera which records the training runs for both mission planners and the astronaut subjects, one tools diver who assists the astronaut, and finally two safety divers. The amount of equipment and weight of the suits make it all but impossible for the astronaut subjects to enter or exit the water without a great deal of assistance.

This training not only develops muscle memory and familiarity with Station, but also allows astronauts and support staff to develop and perfect orders of operations. Our dive escort noted that generally an overall outline and EVA mission goals have been agreed to prior to training at the NBL, but depending on the mission type and complexity, methods and procedures are worked out inside the NBL. Astronauts shoot for seven hours of training at the NBL for every one hour in EVA, though generally this fluctuates between five to eight. Generally they enter the water at 9 am and exit around 3 pm – a full day of work.

This article continues my reporting of my junket NASAtweetup at the Johnson Space Center on 17 FEB 2010. For all articles, check out the NASA tweetup page and photos.

Space Shuttle Endeavour’s current mission, STS-130 (wikipedia), delivered and assisted in assembling the final International Space Station module, Tranquility Node 3/Cupola. There are only four additional Space Shuttle flights until the fleet of remaining orbiters – Endeavour, Discovery and Atlantis – will be permanently retired. Thus ending the era of reusable manned space flight.
Station will continue to be serviced from Russia through the use of Soyuz and Progress, and by the Euopean Automated Transfer Vehicle. These are single-use rockets and remote controlled supply platforms, which will ferry both humans and material to Station.
President Obama recently unveiled his FY2011 budget outlining, with little surprise, the reduction of funding for any manned mission to Luna or Mars:

US space agency Nasa has already spent $9bn (£5.6bn) on the programme.
The president said Constellation was draining resources from other US space agency activities. He plans instead to turn to the private sector for launch services.
“While we’re cancelling Constellation, we’re not cancelling our ambitions,” said Jim Kohlenberger, chief of staff at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
“This isn’t a step backwards. I think the step backwards was trying to recreate the Moon landings of 40 years ago using largely yesterday’s technology, instead of game-changing new technology that can take us further, faster and more affordably into space.”
The decision to cancel Constellation was immediately condemned by Congressional figures who represent workforces dependent on the programme.

This is unsurprising, due to the fact that the Bush Administration’s lofty goal of manned missions to Luna and Mars lacked an essential item: any real funding whatsoever. Any future manned flights will come from private or public-private joint ventures.
The era of the Moonshot is over.
While the budget is pragmatic – especially in the current political environment – this is unfortunate. Humans are still stranded on a single blue planet, which we continue to neglect. Global Warming and climate change is real, and the probability of major climate events negatively affecting the population is growing. Colonizing other planets, while wonders of science fiction, increases our survival chances. Until there is a major trigger (Chinese settle Luna?), I don’t see manned space flight being anywhere near a priority of the USA in the near future.
This is also unfortunate since once we disband Project Constellation and Orion platforms, the professionals developing those programs will be scattered to the wind. With funding also goes facilities, such as the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility where NASA continues to develop the Orion module today.
When I was at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, it was mentioned more than once that Constellation and Orion was to defunded during FY2011, but there was never any plea for us to apply pressure to our Congresspeople. Rather it was plain that they were professionals, yet disappointed that these programs could end. One NASA engineer commented that they hope it is decided one way or another to fund or defund so they could plan out the rest of the fiscal year: either to push ahead with continued mockups, testing and design or reach an agreed upon fidelity, then wrap up the program in a way which the learnings and technology could be handed off to a third party.
If you have an opinion, please contact your Member of Congress.

This article continues my reporting of my junket NASAtweetup at the Johnson Space Center on 17 FEB 2010. For all articles, check out the NASA tweetup page and photos.

Space Shuttle main engines, originally uploaded by plemeljr

This article continues my reporting of my junket NASAtweetup at the Johnson Space Center on 17 FEB 2010. For all articles, check out the NASA tweetup page and photos.

NASA loves acronyms. Loves them.
Can’t get enough of them.
Which makes a lot of sense: would you rather say Baseline Accounting and Reporting System or BARS? Johnson Space Center truncates to JSC, Capsule Commander (the earth-based link between astronauts and the rest of NASA) truncates to CAPCOM, and so on.
Wherever possible, these acronyms generally sound catchy. Case in point: the Shuttle’s Orbital Maneuvering System is shortened to OMS, but is pronounced OHMS (like how much resistance you might have in a circuit). Sometimes the acronyms can be said different ways: the Canadian-built Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator is truncated to SPDM but pronounced, much to the chagrin of the Canadians, as Spudim.
But curiously enough, some parts and equipment become proper nouns. This happens most often on human rated equipment, such as the newly installed Cupola on the International Space Station (ISS). Usually NASA professionals refer to it as Cupola, but rarely the cupola. Additionally, the International Space Station is not usually referred to as ISS or the space station, but rather Space Station or Station.
This reminds me of Apple’s instance one making iPhone a proper noun.
I brought this up to a few NASA professionals, and their response was that there is rarely a single word for an object or piece of equipment. Over time the official name is truncated to an informal working name, which is whittled down to be as succinct and clear as possible to facilitate quick understanding and conversation. A must when broadcasting between space and earth. Nobody discusses Harmony: that would be Node 2; no one talks about PMA-2 (that would be Pressurized Mating Adapter): that would be Adapter; no one asks permission to enter Quest Joint Airlock: it is merely Airlock.

This article continues my reporting of my junket NASAtweetup at the Johnson Space Center on 17 FEB 2010. For all articles, check out the NASA tweetup page and photos.

President Obama Calls International Space Station (201002170001HQ), originally uploaded by nasa hq photo

Check out the view we had during the NASAtweetup at JSC:

http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/750690Free Webcam Chat at Ustream

Astronaut Bobby Satcher, originally uploaded by plemeljr

NASAtweetup, originally uploaded by plemeljr

Best. Logo. Ever.

I was lucky to get a slot in today’s NASA Tweetup at the Johnson Space Center, in Houston, Texas. JSC is the home of NASA’s manned flight program – which is rapidly coming to a close. Currently a shuttle mission, STS-130 using the Space Shuttle Endeavour, is finishing the addition of a new section of the International Space Station (ISS) with the addition of Tranquility Node 3/Cupola:

The European-built Node 3 is the final one of the three International Space Station nodes, which will be launched into orbit. The Cupola will become a panoramic control tower for the International Space Station, a dome-shaped module with windows through which operations on the outside of the station can be observed and guided. It is a pressurized observation and work area that will accommodate command and control workstations and other hardware.

We will be given a tour of the public areas of JSC and then a private tour of parts of JSC – weather permitting. During our time at the NASA tweetup, STS-130 will be on Flight Day 11, which has the following schedule:

• Endeavour to ISS transfer operations
• Joint Crew News Conference
• Rendezvous Tool Checkout
• Farewells and Hatch Closure
• ISS reboost, if required

The crew of STS-130 are:

• Commander: George D. Zamka
• Pilot: Terry W. Virts Jr.
• Mission Specialist 1: Kathyrn P. Hire
• Mission Specialist 2: Stephen K. Robinson
• Mission Specialist 3: Nicholas J.M. Patrick
• Mission Specialist 4: Robert L. Behnken

One thing I’ve always wondered about when the space shuttle docks to the ISS, is what happens to the momentum of the space shuttle once it hits the ISS? Here’ the explanation:

When Endeavour makes contact with the station, preliminary latches will automatically attach the two spacecrafts. The shuttle’s steering jets will be deactivated to reduce the forces acting at the docking interface. Shock absorber springs in the docking mechanism will dampen any relative motion between the shuttle and station.
Once motion between the shuttle and the station has been stopped, the docking ring will be retracted to close a final set of latches between the two vehicles.

Further posts will discuss the future of manned space flight, and provide up-to-date information to the Reader.
To follow along with future NASA Tweetup posts, please click here.