Every day, astronauts aboard the International Space Station see an orbital sunrise every 90 minutes. (Image: NASA)
Real-Life Millennium Falcon
The 30,000 Foot View:
(Actually, the 250-mile view…)
The best seats in the house are inside the real-life Millennium Falcon, aka the Cupola: a 360-degree, 7-window observation module aboard the International Space Station. The Cupola (Italian for “dome”) was launched aboard Endeavor in 2010 to conduct experiments, dockings, and observations of Earth. First conceived by Gary Kitmacher as a workstation for operating the station's Canadarm2 (pictured here), the Cupola’s elements were developed in California, New York, Brazil, and finally Italy & the European Space Agency from the 1980’s to 2003. (Photo: NASA)
Liftoff of Mars 2020
From this morning’s liftoff of Mars 2020 and the Perseverance Rover aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, Cape Canaveral, Space Launch Complex 41. Earth’s most advanced rover, along with the Ingenuity helicopter, will land on the Red Planet’s Jezero Crater in Feb 2021 to begin searching for signs of ancient life. (Photo: NASA)
Where it all Began
NASA’s Mars 2020 mission and Perseverance rover are en route to Mars, and here’s where flight began: Orville and Wilbur Wright in Kitty Hawk, N.C., c. December 17, 1903. Fun fact: Orville flew first, covering 120 feet while staying aloft for 12 seconds. (Photo: National Air & Space Museum)
Countdown to Mars
If you’re a fan of the red planet, there’s a fun week of events in store: NASA is targeting a launch for the Mars 2020 mission & Perseverance rover this Thursday, July 30th. Perseverance’s mission is to search for ancient life on Mars.
Monday: Mission coverage begins at 1 EST with NASA's pre-launch news conference
at www.nasa.gov.
Tuesday: check-out a new episode of REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids, focusing entirely on the red planet! Avail wherever you get your podcasts.
Wednesday: I’ll be joining NASA Social’s “Countdown to Mars” event; follow along for virtual tours & updates throughout the day.
Thursday: at 7.30 am EST, The Cosmosphere I are hosting a virtual event featuring pre-launch insights from Michael Staab, Fault Management Systems Principal Engineer for the Lunar Lander and Lunar Gateway programs at Northrup Grumman (and former JPL mission Flight Director). Then during the launch, scheduled for 7.50 am EST, Michael will offer commentary during NASA’s live broadcast and a post-launch Q&A. Definitely worth the early coffee. (Photo: NASA)