Ron Chiong’s Post

In this historic milestone for space exploration and commercial spaceflight, Houston-based Intuitive Machines became the first commercial company to land a #spacecraft on the Moon. Their #robotic lander, Odysseus, successfully touched down near the lunar South Pole, marking a significant moment for the US #spaceprogramme and ushering in a new era of lunar exploration. This achievement underscores the critical role of NASA's commercial #partnerships in advancing our capabilities beyond Earth. #spaceexploration #innovation #moonlanding https://ow.ly/VUUV50QI80p

The Space Shuttle Columbia successfully completed its fifth mission, STS-5, on November 16, 1982, marking a significant milestone for NASA's Shuttle program by transitioning into operational flights. This mission was the first in which the Shuttle deployed commercial satellites, demonstrating Columbia's capability as a reusable space vehicle designed for frequent trips to orbit. The crew, consisting of Vance D. Brand, Robert F. Overmyer, Joseph P. Allen, and William B. Lenoir, spent five days in space, deploying two communication satellites, SBS 3 and Anik C3, into geostationary transfer orbits. STS-5 showcased the Shuttle's potential for satellite deployment, scientific research, and space exploration, setting the stage for future missions that would expand humanity's presence in space. The success of STS-5 was a testament to the technological innovation and human ingenuity that defines space exploration, reinforcing the Space Shuttle Program's role in advancing our understanding of the universe. #milestonesinhistory #aviationhistory #ShuttleColumbia #STS5Mission #SatelliteDeployment #SpaceExploration #NASAInnovation #HumanIngenuity

The Space Shuttle Columbia successfully completed its fifth mission, STS-5, on November 16, 1982, marking a significant milestone for NASA's Shuttle program by transitioning into operational flights. This mission was the first in which the Shuttle deployed commercial satellites, demonstrating Columbia's capability as a reusable space vehicle designed for frequent trips to orbit. The crew, consisting of Vance D. Brand, Robert F. Overmyer, Joseph P. Allen, and William B. Lenoir, spent five days in space, deploying two communication satellites, SBS 3 and Anik C3, into geostationary transfer orbits. STS-5 showcased the Shuttle's potential for satellite deployment, scientific research, and space exploration, setting the stage for future missions that would expand humanity's presence in space. The success of STS-5 was a testament to the technological innovation and human ingenuity that defines space exploration, reinforcing the Space Shuttle Program's role in advancing our understanding of the universe. #milestonesinhistory #aviationhistory #ShuttleColumbia #STS5Mission #SatelliteDeployment #SpaceExploration #NASAInnovation #HumanIngenuity

ASTM's space simulation and applications of space technology committee (E21) has formed a new subcommittee on planetary protection that plans to develop standards for identifying, quantifying, and mitigating contamination, both forward and backward, between solar system bodies and the Earth-Moon system. “This is an exciting time for the subcommittee as we embark on our first planetary protection standard,” says Betsy Pugel, an expert with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and chair of E21.09, planetary protection. “As space exploration expands beyond Earth orbit and into our solar system, we need to inform, educate, and provide a level ground for technical information.” For more information, see https://lnkd.in/eKpc99tY #space #spaceflight #aerospace #moon #mars #solarsystem #biosphere

This past month the NASA crewed inflatable structures team flew out to Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville, Alabama to support the second full-scale ultimate burst pressure test on Sierra Space’s LIFE habitat! During this test we used digital image correlation (DIC) to evaluate how the structure deformed as internal pressure was increased. Notice that square section of red and blue dotted straps? This is a novel method of using colored DIC to improve the results of complex interwoven structures that was developed by the NASA inflatables team and, thanks to Sierra Space, was put to the test on a full-scale habitat! Congratulations to Sierra Space for their successful test and to all the incredible engineers behind this innovative technology! More info on this test: https://lnkd.in/ePKFUszh More info on the Color DIC method: https://lnkd.in/eWNUjey5 #NASA #SierraSpace #Space #Innovation #Technology #Engineering #Success

Check out Max Blumenfeld’s new blog about the aerospace industry in Florida! In the blog, Blumenfeld discusses the private and public sector in Florida’s space industry, as well as its future in the state. He compares top competitors like SpaceX, NASA, and Blue Origins to discuss the advances private space exploration has provided, and the problems that occur in the public sector. He also covers competing states building their own industry for space exploration. Read more on our blog site, or with the following link: https://lnkd.in/d69smie6 #dmcfsu #fsu #florida #floridastate #floridastateuniversity #research #policy #publicpolicy #thinktank #nonpartisan #space #aerospace #spaceindustry #aerospaceindustry #spaceexploration #aerospaceexploration #florida #tourism #privatesector #publicsector #SpaceCoast #competition #SpaceX #NASA #BlueOrigins

Mariner 10, a NASA space probe, was launched on November 3, 1973, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. It was the first spacecraft to utilize a gravity assist trajectory, a groundbreaking technique that enabled it to visit two planets, Venus and Mercury, during its mission. This innovative approach not only conserved fuel but also set a precedent for future interplanetary missions. Mariner 10's flyby of Venus in February 1974 provided a wealth of data about the planet's thick cloud cover and atmospheric conditions. Subsequently, the spacecraft's encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and again in March 1975 yielded unprecedented close-up images of the planet's surface, revealing its heavily cratered terrain and providing vital data about its magnetic field, atmosphere, and rotation. The mission's success laid the groundwork for future explorations and significantly enhanced our understanding of these two neighboring planets. #milestonesinhistory #spaceexplorationhistory #Mariner10 #GravityAssist #VenusFlyby #MercuryMission #PlanetaryScience #InterplanetaryPioneer

#onthisday in #tech #history -- September 17, 1976 🗓️ NASA Unveils Enterprise 🌌 NASA rolls out the first Space Shuttle, Enterprise, from its assembly facility to a waiting crowd. Included in the crowd was a delegation of actors from the Star Trek TV series. Originally to be named Constitution, a write-in campaign by Star Trek fans convinced President Gerald Ford and NASA to rename the Space Shuttle. The Enterprise was a prototype shuttle, designed for the early testing phase of the Space Shuttle program. It was built without engines or a functional heat shield. While it performed various atmospheric test flights, and was originally intended to be retrofitted for spaceflight, it was determined that it would be less expensive to simply build new shuttles. Therefore the Enterprise never did actually fly into space. From Marcel Brown thisdayintechhistory.com #nasa #space #spaceshuttle #enterprise #1970s

Mariner 10, a NASA space probe, was launched on November 3, 1973, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. It was the first spacecraft to utilize a gravity assist trajectory, a groundbreaking technique that enabled it to visit two planets, Venus and Mercury, during its mission. This innovative approach not only conserved fuel but also set a precedent for future interplanetary missions. Mariner 10's flyby of Venus in February 1974 provided a wealth of data about the planet's thick cloud cover and atmospheric conditions. Subsequently, the spacecraft's encounters with Mercury in March and September 1974 and again in March 1975 yielded unprecedented close-up images of the planet's surface, revealing its heavily cratered terrain and providing vital data about its magnetic field, atmosphere, and rotation. The mission's success laid the groundwork for future explorations and significantly enhanced our understanding of these two neighboring planets. #milestonesinhistory #spaceexplorationhistory #Mariner10 #GravityAssist #VenusFlyby #MercuryMission #PlanetaryScience #InterplanetaryPioneer

West Virginia could emerge as a key player in the rapidly growing global space industry. With NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Keystone Space Collaborative, and initiatives like the West Virginia Small Satellite Center, the state is well-positioned to capitalize on the projected 41% growth in the space sector over the next five years. As the global space economy soars, West Virginia can ascend alongside it – from the mountains of Appalachia to the craters of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn more about West Virginia's space economy here: https://buff.ly/3XBqw7t #Space #Economy #YesWV #SmallBusiness #NASA