Boeing's Starliner Passes Crucial Thruster Test for Return of Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:54am on 29 Jul 2024,Monday Science

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully completed a key hot fire test of its Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters while docked at the ISS, bringing it closer to returning astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The test, involving the sequential firing of 27 thrusters, provided critical data for the upcoming Crew Flight Test. Flight director Chloe Mehring praised the test's success, noting peak performance of thrusters and stable helium system. Despite a month-long extension of their mission, Williams and Wilmore are now preparing for return simulations and a Flight Test Readiness Review, with multiple landing opportunities in August.

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Indian 'Gaganyaatri' to Embark on Historic ISS Mission with ISRO-NASA Collaboration

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:21am on 28 Jul 2024,Sunday Science

India is set for a historic milestone as an Indian astronaut, referred to as a 'Gaganyaatri,' prepares to journey to the International Space Station (ISS) in a joint ISRO-NASA mission. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the mission, named Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), will launch in August 2024 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The Gaganyaatri will be among four astronauts selected for this mission, representing a significant step forward in India’s space exploration efforts. The astronaut will be chosen from four Indian Air Force test pilots trained for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.

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NASA Astronauts Host Summer Olympics in Space as Sunita Williams Passes the Torch

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:35pm on 27 Jul 2024,Saturday Science

As the 2024 Summer Olympics begin on Earth, NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated with their own mini-Olympics. The event featured weightless versions of traditional sports, including makeshift discus throws and duct tape shotput. Sunita Williams and her crew passed a mock Olympic torch in a video released by NASA, showcasing their fun-filled activities and heartfelt message to Earth’s athletes. Williams and her team enjoyed the unique challenge of zero-gravity sports, offering their best wishes to Olympic competitors facing the rigors of Earth's gravity.

Read More at The Independent

Nasa Astronauts Hold Mini-Olympics in Space as Sunita Williams Passes the Torch

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:20pm on 27 Jul 2024,Saturday Science

To mark the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Nasa astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) organized their own mini-Olympics. A video released on July 26 shows the crew passing a mock Olympic torch, engaging in weightless events like discus throws and gymnastics, and sending a message to Earth’s athletes. Astronaut Matthew Dominick expressed their enjoyment and admiration for the challenges faced by Olympians under gravity. The ISS crew, including Russian cosmonauts, is currently experiencing an extended mission due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

Read More at The Times of India

Sunita Williams 'Gardens' in Space as 10-Day Mission Extends to 50 Days

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:30pm on 25 Jul 2024,Thursday Science

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has been in space for 50 days, far beyond her planned 10-day mission. She and fellow astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore are safely aboard the ISS, assisting with maintenance and experiments. Williams is conducting "gardening" in space, studying how plants grow in microgravity. This research is vital for future space missions. They also participated in vein scans to understand how space affects the human body. NASA and Boeing engineers are working to fix the Starliner's propulsion system and plan a safe return for the astronauts. An update on their return is expected soon.

Read More at NDTV

NASA Prepares Starliner for Return as Sunita Williams Gets Ready to Come Home

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:59pm on 25 Jul 2024,Thursday Science

NASA is working with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to update software and fine-tune systems as astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams prepare for departure from the International Space Station. The astronauts have been aboard for over a month, addressing glitches in the spacecraft. The updates and onboard measurements are crucial for assessing the Starliner's long-term performance, vital for future missions. This extended stay provides valuable data, ensuring the spacecraft's readiness for six-month missions. NASA plans a press conference to discuss the astronauts' potential return.

Read More at India Today

ISRO Astronauts to Begin NASA Training for Gaganyaan Mission in August

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:21pm on 24 Jul 2024,Wednesday Science

Two ISRO astronauts will commence training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas this August for the Gaganyaan mission. These astronauts, part of a group of four Indian Air Force test pilots, will be trained on ISS modules and protocols. One astronaut will join the Indo-US space mission to the ISS, announced during PM Modi’s visit to the US in June 2023. The mission, managed by Axiom Space, will utilize SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule. This collaboration marks a significant step towards India's first indigenous crewed spaceflight under the Gaganyaan program, expected by 2025.

Read More at Business Standard

NASA and Boeing to Announce Important Update on Sunita Williams's Delayed Return Due to Technical Challenges

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:58pm on 24 Jul 2024,Wednesday Science

NASA and Boeing are preparing to announce important details regarding the delayed return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station. The Boeing Crew Flight Test, part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, has faced technical challenges that postponed their return. The mission, which began on June 6 with the launch of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, is crucial for certifying the spacecraft for future ISS missions. Recent tests of the Starliner's thrusters have been conducted to ensure a safe return, with an announcement on initial findings expected soon.

Read More at India Today

Boeing Starliner Astronauts' Return Date to be Announced by NASA

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:45am on 24 Jul 2024,Wednesday Science

NASA and Boeing are set to announce the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS). The duo has been aboard the ISS since June 6, after launching on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. However, technical issues have delayed their return. The Boeing Crew Flight Test mission has faced challenges, prompting a crucial announcement regarding the astronauts' comeback. The exact date and details of their return are expected to be revealed, bringing an end to their extended stay in space. A press conference will provide further updates.

Read More at THE HILL

ISRO Successfully Tests Air Breathing Propulsion System in Second Experimental Flight

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:30am on 23 Jul 2024,Tuesday Science

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a successful second experimental flight to demonstrate the Air Breathing Propulsion Technology on July 22, 2024. The propulsion systems were mounted on an RH-560 Sounding Rocket, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The flight achieved satisfactory performance, including the successful ignition of the propulsion systems. Approximately 110 parameters were monitored to assess its performance. This data will aid in the further development of the technology. Prior to the mission, multiple ground tests were conducted at VSSC, LPSC, IPRC, and CSIR-NAL.

Read More at The Hindu

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