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DUKAS_184646372_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Toyota Lunar Cruiser prototype at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on its first run out.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646369_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Toyota Lunar Cruiser prototype at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on its first run out.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646367_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Toyota Lunar Cruiser prototype at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on its first run out.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646365_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Toyota Lunar Cruiser prototype at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on its first run out.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646363_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Special airless tyres are being developed for the Toyota Lunar Cruiser but were not fitted to the prototype for its first run out.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646361_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Special airless tyres are being developed for the Toyota Lunar Cruiser but were not fitted to the prototype for its first run out.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646359_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Special airless tyres are being developed for the Toyota Lunar Cruiser but were not fitted to the prototype for its first run out.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646357_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Render of how the Toyota Lunar Cruiser will look exploring the Moon's surface
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_184646353_FER
First run out for Moon rover by car maker Toyota
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
Ref 16811
13/05/2025
See Ferrari text
Picture MUST credit: Toyota
A Moon rover being developed by car maker Toya has been given its first Earthbound test run.
The Lunar Cruiser is being built by the automobile giant alongside the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The planned six-wheeled vehicle will aid US space agency NASA's plans for exploring the Moon as art of its Artemis campaign to put humans back on the surface.
It was giving its first roll out at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 29.
From 2027, the Artemis will send astronauts to establish a base and engage in long-term exploration.
The hope is that knowledge gained through lunar exploration will underpin future missions to Mars.
Two Japanese astronauts are set to take part in the project.
They will be getting around in the crewed pressurised Lunar Cruiser.
The air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
Unlike previous lunar rovers, this means that those onboard need not wear extravehicular suits, even in an unforgiving environment with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and temperatures ranging from 120°C during the day to -170°C at night.
It is 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide, and 3.8 meters high with a cabin 7 square meters, which means it can also provide a living space for astronauts as they explore the lunar surface.
OPS: Render of how the Toyota Lunar Cruiser will look exploring the Moon's surface
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_161418880_FER
Baby Moon for going off road on Earth
Ferrari Press Agency
Baby cruiser 1
Ref 15165
09/10/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures MUST credit: Toyota/CALTY
A baby version of a planned Moon rover by Japanese car giant Toyota, has been unveiled — for going off road on Earth.
The concept vehicle has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company’s US-based CALTY design and research unit.
CALTY’s latest creation was inspired by Toyota’s Lunar Cruiser vehicle built to drive on the Moon.
The Baby Lunar Cruiser blends design cues from the company’s original FJ40 Land Cruiser with the futuristic capabilities of an interplanetary exploration vehicle.
Lunar Cruiser is being developed by the Japanese space agency Agency JAXA and Toyota.
The baby version has in-wheel electric motors and and is controlled by dual joysticks.
The compact footprint and airless tyres are said to give it unparalleled manoeuvrability.
OPS: The concept Baby Lunar Cruiser.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_161418879_FER
Baby Moon for going off road on Earth
Ferrari Press Agency
Baby cruiser 1
Ref 15165
09/10/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures MUST credit: Toyota/CALTY
A baby version of a planned Moon rover by Japanese car giant Toyota, has been unveiled — for going off road on Earth.
The concept vehicle has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company’s US-based CALTY design and research unit.
CALTY’s latest creation was inspired by Toyota’s Lunar Cruiser vehicle built to drive on the Moon.
The Baby Lunar Cruiser blends design cues from the company’s original FJ40 Land Cruiser with the futuristic capabilities of an interplanetary exploration vehicle.
Lunar Cruiser is being developed by the Japanese space agency Agency JAXA and Toyota.
The baby version has in-wheel electric motors and and is controlled by dual joysticks.
The compact footprint and airless tyres are said to give it unparalleled manoeuvrability.
OPS: The concept Baby Lunar Cruiser.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_161418878_FER
Baby Moon for going off road on Earth
Ferrari Press Agency
Baby cruiser 1
Ref 15165
09/10/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures MUST credit: Toyota/CALTY
A baby version of a planned Moon rover by Japanese car giant Toyota, has been unveiled — for going off road on Earth.
The concept vehicle has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company’s US-based CALTY design and research unit.
CALTY’s latest creation was inspired by Toyota’s Lunar Cruiser vehicle built to drive on the Moon.
The Baby Lunar Cruiser blends design cues from the company’s original FJ40 Land Cruiser with the futuristic capabilities of an interplanetary exploration vehicle.
Lunar Cruiser is being developed by the Japanese space agency Agency JAXA and Toyota.
The baby version has in-wheel electric motors and and is controlled by dual joysticks.
The compact footprint and airless tyres are said to give it unparalleled manoeuvrability.
OPS: The concept Baby Lunar Cruiser.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_161418877_FER
Baby Moon for going off road on Earth
Ferrari Press Agency
Baby cruiser 1
Ref 15165
09/10/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures MUST credit: Toyota/CALTY
A baby version of a planned Moon rover by Japanese car giant Toyota, has been unveiled — for going off road on Earth.
The concept vehicle has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company’s US-based CALTY design and research unit.
CALTY’s latest creation was inspired by Toyota’s Lunar Cruiser vehicle built to drive on the Moon.
The Baby Lunar Cruiser blends design cues from the company’s original FJ40 Land Cruiser with the futuristic capabilities of an interplanetary exploration vehicle.
Lunar Cruiser is being developed by the Japanese space agency Agency JAXA and Toyota.
The baby version has in-wheel electric motors and and is controlled by dual joysticks.
The compact footprint and airless tyres are said to give it unparalleled manoeuvrability.
OPS: The concept Baby Lunar Cruiser.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_161418874_FER
Baby Moon for going off road on Earth
Ferrari Press Agency
Baby cruiser 1
Ref 15165
09/10/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures MUST credit: Toyota/CALTY
A baby version of a planned Moon rover by Japanese car giant Toyota, has been unveiled — for going off road on Earth.
The concept vehicle has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company’s US-based CALTY design and research unit.
CALTY’s latest creation was inspired by Toyota’s Lunar Cruiser vehicle built to drive on the Moon.
The Baby Lunar Cruiser blends design cues from the company’s original FJ40 Land Cruiser with the futuristic capabilities of an interplanetary exploration vehicle.
Lunar Cruiser is being developed by the Japanese space agency Agency JAXA and Toyota.
The baby version has in-wheel electric motors and and is controlled by dual joysticks.
The compact footprint and airless tyres are said to give it unparalleled manoeuvrability.
OPS: The concept Baby Lunar Cruiser with augmented reality dash
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_161418873_FER
Baby Moon for going off road on Earth
Ferrari Press Agency
Baby cruiser 1
Ref 15165
09/10/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures MUST credit: Toyota/CALTY
A baby version of a planned Moon rover by Japanese car giant Toyota, has been unveiled — for going off road on Earth.
The concept vehicle has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company’s US-based CALTY design and research unit.
CALTY’s latest creation was inspired by Toyota’s Lunar Cruiser vehicle built to drive on the Moon.
The Baby Lunar Cruiser blends design cues from the company’s original FJ40 Land Cruiser with the futuristic capabilities of an interplanetary exploration vehicle.
Lunar Cruiser is being developed by the Japanese space agency Agency JAXA and Toyota.
The baby version has in-wheel electric motors and and is controlled by dual joysticks.
The compact footprint and airless tyres are said to give it unparalleled manoeuvrability.
OPS: The concept Baby Lunar Cruiser.
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_160875296_FER
Toyota unveils deisgn for lunar exploration vehicle capable of 10,000 kilometre range
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
?Ref 15124
26/09/2023
See Ferrari text
?Pictures must credit: Toyota
FFuture astronauts will be driving around on the Moon’s surface — in an out-of-this-world Toyota.
The Japanese car giant has released details of its planned Lunar Cruiser.
The vehicle , developed in tandem with the country’s space agency JAXA, will launch in 2029.
Toyota had previously discussed building a space rover in 2019 but now has revealed more details about its development.
The company is currently in the preliminary development phase before beginning work on the main vehicle in 2024.
Lunar Cruiser is Toyota’s nickname for the vehicle, which is officially called a “crewed pressurised rover.”
It features a cabin, where the air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
OPS:Rendering of the Toyota lunar rover rolling off a specially constructed lunar lander onto the Moon's surface
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_160875292_FER
Toyota unveils deisgn for lunar exploration vehicle capable of 10,000 kilometre range
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
?Ref 15124
26/09/2023
See Ferrari text
?Pictures must credit: Toyota
Future astronauts will driving around on the Moon’s surface — in a Toyota.
Future astronauts will be driving around on the Moon’s surface — in an out-of-this-world Toyota.
The vehicle , developed in tandem with the country’s space agency JAXA, will launch in 2029.
Toyota had previously discussed building a space rover in 2019 but now has revealed more details about its development.
The company is currently in the preliminary development phase before beginning work on the main vehicle in 2024.
Lunar Cruiser is Toyota’s nickname for the vehicle, which is officially called a “crewed pressurised rover.”
It features a cabin, where the air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
OPS:Rendering of the Toyota lunar rover
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_160875288_FER
Toyota unveils deisgn for lunar exploration vehicle capable of 10,000 kilometre range
Ferrari Press Agency
Lunar cruiser 1
?Ref 15124
26/09/2023
See Ferrari text
?Pictures must credit: Toyota
Future astronauts will driving around on the Moon’s surface — in a Toyota.
Future astronauts will be driving around on the Moon’s surface — in an out-of-this-world Toyota.
The vehicle , developed in tandem with the country’s space agency JAXA, will launch in 2029.
Toyota had previously discussed building a space rover in 2019 but now has revealed more details about its development.
The company is currently in the preliminary development phase before beginning work on the main vehicle in 2024.
Lunar Cruiser is Toyota’s nickname for the vehicle, which is officially called a “crewed pressurised rover.”
It features a cabin, where the air pressure is controlled to create an environment similar to Earth’s.
OPS:Rendering of the Toyota lunar rover
Picture supplied by Ferrari (FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_157393546_FER
Plan to collect samples from Martian moon.
Ferrari Press Agency
Mars 1
Ref 14914
29/06/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures must credit: JAXA
An audacious plan to land a space rover on one of the moon’s orbiting Mars has been announced.
The rover, built by the French and German space agencies will be placed aboard a mission being prepared by Japan.
The Martian Moon eXploration project, known as MMX, will target one of the Red Planet’s two moons, Phobos.
There have been several unsuccessful attempts to land on Phobos, the smallest of the satellites.
Phobos is just 22km in diameter but its make-up, just like that of its Mars sister moon Deimos, is a mystery.
Under the new agreement, the German-French rover will land on Phobos and conduct a mobile exploration despite the extremely low gravity there.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , JAXA, has signed an agreement with the German Aerospace Center, known as DLR and France’s Centre national d'études spatiales, known as CNES.
The rover, named IDEFIX, is due to be completed in the coming months.
OPS: Artist's impression of the MMX mission spacecraft carrying the rover heading past Mars to Phobos
Picture supplied by Ferrari
(FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_157393545_FER
Plan to collect samples from Martian moon.
Ferrari Press Agency
Mars 1
Ref 14914
29/06/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures must credit: JAXA
An audacious plan to land a space rover on one of the moon’s orbiting Mars has been announced.
The rover, built by the French and German space agencies will be placed aboard a mission being prepared by Japan.
The Martian Moon eXploration project, known as MMX, will target one of the Red Planet’s two moons, Phobos.
There have been several unsuccessful attempts to land on Phobos, the smallest of the satellites.
Phobos is just 22km in diameter but its make-up, just like that of its Mars sister moon Deimos, is a mystery.
Under the new agreement, the German-French rover will land on Phobos and conduct a mobile exploration despite the extremely low gravity there.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , JAXA, has signed an agreement with the German Aerospace Center, known as DLR and France’s Centre national d'études spatiales, known as CNES.
The rover, named IDEFIX, is due to be completed in the coming months.
OPS: Artist's impression of the MMX mission rover named IDEFIX on the surface of Phobos while the mother spadceship orbits above
Picture supplied by Ferrari
(FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_155628178_FER
dukas 155628178 fer
Ferrari Press Agency
Wooden 1
Ref 14809
24/05/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures must credit: Kyoto University
The world’s first wooden space satellite is being prepared for launch.
One of the reasons is to combat space junk orbiting earth as the wood burns up when falling back through the atmosphere.
Also wood does not block electromagnetic waves, so timber satellite could house antennae inside its body rather than on the outside where there is risk of damage.
It follows a successful experiment on board the International Space Station.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, known as JAXA, and a team from the country’s Kyoto University exposed three types of wood to the harsh environment outside the ISS for 10 months.
The samples were not affected by cosmic rays or incoming solar particles a according to the researchers.
The experiment began in March 2022 on board Japan’s Kibo ISS modul.
After examining the wood samples the team concluded that magnolia was the most durable and will be used to build the experimental satellite for launch in 2024.
OPS:Close up of the wood panel, made up of different species, tested on the International Space Station.
Picture supplied by Ferrari
(FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_155628153_FER
dukas 155628153 fer
Ferrari Press Agency
Wooden 1
Ref 14809
24/05/2023
See Ferrari text
Pictures must credit: Sumitomo Forestry
The world’s first wooden space satellite is being prepared for launch.
One of the reasons is to combat space junk orbiting earth as the wood burns up when falling back through the atmosphere.
Also wood does not block electromagnetic waves, so timber satellite could house antennae inside its body rather than on the outside where there is risk of damage.
It follows a successful experiment on board the International Space Station.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, known as JAXA, and a team from the country’s Kyoto University exposed three types of wood to the harsh environment outside the ISS for 10 months.
The samples were not affected by cosmic rays or incoming solar particles a according to the researchers.
The experiment began in March 2022 on board Japan’s Kibo ISS modul.
After examining the wood samples the team concluded that magnolia was the most durable and will be used to build the experimental satellite for launch in 2024.
OPS:How the wooden satellite might look
Picture supplied by Ferrari
(FOTO: DUKAS/FERRARI PRESS) -
DUKAS_132309841_EYE
Russian Node Module arrives
On Friday 26 November, astronauts on board the International Space Station welcomed the final Russian module, Prichal, This Node Module provides additional docking ports for Soyuz and Progress spacecraft. Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov oversaw it's docking to the Russian segment.
ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, who's currently aboard the International Space Station during his Cosmic Kiss mission, took this picture of the module and shared it on his social media channels.
Credit: ESA/NASA/Roscosmos-M. Maurer / eyevine
Contact eyevine for more information about using this image:
T: +44 (0) 20 8709 8709
E: info@eyevine.com
http://www.eyevine.com
(FOTO: DUKAS/EYEVINE)
ESA/NASA/Roscosmos-M. Maurer / eyevine -
DUKAS_130339710_EYE
Dinner for ten
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet and the rest of the International Space Station crew having dinner.
Thomas shared this image on his social media channels with the caption: "Dinner with everybody. Our new crewmembers Klim and Yulia work all day to shoot scenes for their movie, and our cosmonaut friends help them out a lot. I canÕt wait to see the final product! The tradition of our very special ship is to dine all together at least once a week, and itÕs fun to see new faces and hear new stories after five months in our small family. Kind of a warm-up round for resuming social life on Earth in a few weeks!"
Credit: ESA / eyevine
Contact eyevine for more information about using this image:
T: +44 (0) 20 8709 8709
E: info@eyevine.com
http://www.eyevine.com
(FOTO: DUKAS/EYEVINE)
ESA / eyevine -
DUKAS_129154178_EYE
Space men at work
Space men at work.
If you are spacewalking and you know it, raise your hand.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet (left) and JAXA astronaut Aki Hoshide (right) performed a spacewalk on Sunday 12 September to prepare another section of the International Space Station for its solar panel upgrade.
The new solar arrays, called IROSA or ISS Roll-Out Solar Array, are being gradually installed over the existing arrays to boost the International Space StationÕs power system.
Thomas and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough prepared and installed two IROSA solar panels across three spacewalks in June. The arrays were taken from their storage area outside the Space Station and passed from spacewalker to spacewalker to the worksite. There the rolled arrays were secured, unfolded, connected and then unfurled.
Aki and Thomas prepared the P4 truss for its IROSA installation. This is the same area as where Thomas and Shane installed two IROSAÕs but closer to the main body of the Space Station, in an area called the 4A channel. Only one new solar array will be installed here, on a later spacewalk.
While SundayÕs extravehicular activity or EVA was already the fourth spacewalk during ThomasÕ Alpha mission, it was his first with Aki and the first time a spacewalking pair did not feature a US or Russian astronaut.
Aki and Thomas made good time preparing the 4A channel for the next IROSA and were able to complete a second task to replace a floating potential measurement unit that was faulty. This unit measures the difference between the Space StationÕs conductive structures and the atmospheric plasma.
Thomas and Aki completed their spacewalk in six hours and 54 minutes, which hands Thomas the ESA record for longest time spent spacewalking.
How did he celebrate? With ice cream!
Thomas reminds us that, ÒSpacewalks last seven hours and are like top sport, so we need the calories afterCredit: ESA / eyevine
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ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet feeding tardigrades
Feeding tardigrades.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet captured feeding tardigrades in one of the International Space Station experiments.
Thomas shared this image on his social media channels with the caption: "Researchers are investigating the effects of microgravity on these microscopic creatures, also known as water bears, through an experiment called Cell Science 4. Did you know the largest tardigrade species is just over 1mm in length and they're incredibly hardy Ð surviving extreme environments in space and on Earth. In this case, researchers want to characterise the genes that allow tardigrades to survive during short and long periods in space, then assess how the use of these genes changes across generations. Maybe we can harness their secrets!"Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Welcome to the ISS
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet and NASA astronaut Mark T. Vande Hei are posing here at the entrance of the Cygnus capsule inside the International Space Station.
Thomas shared this image on his social media channels with the caption: "Welcome to the S.S. Ellison Onizuka Ð named after the first Asian American astronaut. Also: three tons of cargo, waiting to be unpacked"
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Cloud swirls
Cloud swirls. ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet snapped this image of clouds over the Mediterranean Sea during his second long-duration mission known as Alpha. He posted it on social media saying: "Nice cloud swirl in the Mediterranean, there are all types of clouds in this picture though, clouds over islands, clouds over mountains, clouds over the Sea. Did I mention I like clouds?"
Thomas was launched to the International Space Station for his second mission, Alpha, on 23 April 2021. He will spend six months living and working on the orbital outpost where he will support more than 200 international experiments in space.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Pyongyang photo mapping
Pyongyang photo mapping. ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet is spending six months on the International Space Station as part of his second mission "Alpha". In his free time, like many astronauts, he enjoys looking out of the Cupola windows at Earth. This collage of pictures shows Pyongyangm the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), made from around 40 pictures mapped together, digitally rotated and assembled into this large collage. The images were taken on 15 August 2021 at around 00:04 GMT.
Thomas asked to have the series of highly zoomed-in pictures aligned into this collage to show the area in detail. The International Space Station flies at roughly 400 km altitude so Thomas uses the longest lenses available onboard.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Film and cultures
Film and cultures.
Samples of the Biofilms experiment are headed to the International Space Station on the SpaceX CR23 cargo resupply mission this weekend to help maintain astronaut and material safety in space.
A common piece of advice of the past 18 months has been to make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. This is because microorganisms are easily spread across common surfaces like door handles and light switches, and it is no less true in space. The Space Station is, after all, a lab as well as a home to astronauts. It is especially important to keep this environment safe for the long-term health of astronauts and equipment on board.
Funded by ESA and developed by the Chair of Functional Materials at Saarland University and the Working Group for Aerospace Microbiology at German Aerospace Center DLR, Biofilms will test the antimicrobial properties of laser-structured metal surfaces such as steel, copper and brass under microgravity conditions.
But what is biofilm? When growing on surfaces, bacteria can ooze a mixture of microbial structures such as proteins and lipids. The biofilm is what makes microbes resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants. Left to grow, biofilm can be hard to clean and can erode surfaces, especially metals.
To combat microbial growth, Biofilms will test the growth of bacteria such as human skin-associated bacteria Staphylococcus capitis with a novel approach. The innovation of the experiment lies in the structured surfaces of common metals. Using Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) to add texture to the surfaces, researchers will study how well microbes grow (or not) on copper, metal and steel. Findings could help prevent microbial contamination in space.
Researchers performed a dry run of the experiment on Earth and all parameters, including hardware provided by Kayser Italia, checked out. The experiment will soon take centeCredit: ESA / eyevine
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Pirs undocking
Pirs undocking.
The Pirs docking compartment left the Space Station after 20 years of service and burned up safely in the atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean on Monday. Its departure made room for the new science module Nauka and the European Robotic Arm.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet took this picture of the Progress spacecraft and Pirs module leaving the Station during his Alpha mission. He said: "ItÕs not every day that you see a piece of the Station being taken away. We pitched the International Space Station 90 degrees, and so we flew belly first, to help out with the manoeuvre. Pyotr and myself tried to capture some photos and videos of this important moment in the Station's history. Quite a strange feeling to see a part of your ship fly away. A couple of hours later and we had front row seat to the fireball that was going to be DC1Õs last act." Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Back in the Dragon for a while
Back in the Dragon for a while.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet and part of the crew inside the Dragon spacecraft on 21 July 2021.
Thomas shared this image on his social media channels with the caption: "A good day to take our spacecraft for a spin! Just a short trip around the block, to re-dock to the zenith Space Station port and free up the forward parking spot for upcoming spacecraft, yes, thereís a lot of traffic up here! It felt good to put on our spacesuits and leave the International Space StationÖ just for a little while, itís not time to go home just yet."Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Thomas with spacesuit
Thomas with spacesuit.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet looks through his spacesuit during a check to see if the equipment is ready for a first spacewalk of his Alpha mission.
Two spacewalks are fast approaching for ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough who are preparing to exit the International Space Station and upgrade the StationÕs power supply.
As EV1, Thomas will wear a spacesuit with red stripes. Shane, as EV2, will wear a spacesuit with no stripes.
The duo will be aided by NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Mark Vande Hei inside the Space Station who will help them in and out of their spacesuits, and operate the 17-m-long robotic arm that will move Thomas and Shane to their worksites.
During these spacewalks, Thomas and Shane will install the first two of six new solar arrays that will unfurl in space. The panels, dubbed ISS Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSAs) arrived at the Station on the SpaceX CRS-22 supply mission, and were moved into position by robotic arm on 10 June.
The current solar arrays work well but are reaching the end of their 15-year lifespan.
The first pair of the Space StationÕs original solar arrays have been in use since 2000 and have been powering the station for more than 20 years. The new solar arrays will not replace the current ones, but will be positioned in front of six of the current arrays, increasing the StationÕs total available power from 160 kilowatts to a maximum of 215 kilowatts.
The same solar array design will be used to power elements of the lunar Gateway Ð a new Space Station in cislunar orbit to be launched by International Space Station partners.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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To the Moon!
To the Moon!
The Moon seen from the International Space Station by ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet on 30 May 2021.
Thomas commented on the photo: "The Cupola windows have scratch panes on the inside, that protect the windows from camera lenses bumping into it... but they are quite scratched over the years and it makes it very difficult to take pictures with the big lensesÉ only one window has a bump shield that slides open. I was only too happy to see the Moon frame itself perfectly in that window. Serendipity! The Moon is symbolically getting closer all the time with new programmes and humans set to land on our natural satellite in the next few years, brought there by the European Service Module for NASA's Orion spacecraft..."Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Near Burro Peak
Near Burro Peak.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet snapped this image of the Tyrone Mine, USA during his second long-duration mission known as Alpha. He posted it on social media saying: "An early morning pass over USA. The most vivid and contrasted colours are obtained in the middle of the day, but I like the shadows and pastel tones of the early morning. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!"
Thomas was launched to the International Space Station for his second mission, Alpha, on 23 April 2021. He will spend six months living and working on the orbital outpost where he will support more than 200 international experiments in space.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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20 years of Europeans on the Space Station
20 years of Europeans on the Space Station. The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth for over two decades, and the first European astronaut to arrive was Umberto Guidoni on 21 April 2001. This month ESA celebrates 20 years of ESA astronauts on the International Space Station. The next to be launched, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, is scheduled to ride to the Station on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on 22 April 2021 under NASA’s commercial crew programme.
Umberto flew to the Space Station on the US Space Shuttle STS-100 mission that was launched on 19 April 2001. This picture shows him in the Russian Zvezda Service Module after opening the hatch on 23 April between the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station. The Dragon spacecraft that will fly Thomas to space almost exactly 20 years later is also called Endeavour and leaves from the same launch facility at Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. It will be the first ESA launch from the USA in over a decade.
The 11-day STS-100 mission was the 9th Shuttle visit to the International Space Station and included two spacewalks. The main payloads were the Italian-built Raffaello multi-purpose pressurised logistics module and Canada's giant robotic arm, that went on to help build the International Space Station to the football-field-sized outpost it is today, with three laboratory modules, an airlock and more.
Since Umberto’s mission, there have been 26 further ESA astronaut missions to the International Space Station, with astronauts flying to Station on either the Russian Soyuz or US Space Shuttle spacecraft.
Thomas’ mission will be the 28th mission for ESA, with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer already lined up for his first flight later this year, and ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti scheduled for the 30th ESA International Space Station mission in 2022.
Umberto went on to become a member of the European Parliament after his historic flight.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Thomas Pesquet with GRIP experiment
Thomas Pesquet with GRIP experiment.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet configures equipment for an experiment called GRIP that studies astronauts' perception of mass and movement and how they interface with the human body and change in microgravity.
Thomas recently shared this image on his social media channels saying: "An old friend of mine: the ESA GRIP experiment! On my first parabolic flight in 2010, we took part in a safety analysis of the hardware, then during my first flight in 2017 I performed the on-orbit commissioning. It has been going strong since with 6 subjects (including ESA astronauts @astro_alex_esa and @astro_luca), and I should be one of the last ones! It is complex, with lots of cablesÖ always hard to manage when youíre free-floating. The experiment is under the responsibility of CADMOS, the French User Operations Centre based in Toulouse. They do an excellent job of sorting out the cables and telling us what goes where."
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Falcon 9 Crew Dragon getting readied for the launch of Crew-2.
Falcon 9 Crew Dragon getting readied for the launch of Crew-2.
A Falcon 9 Crew Dragon getting readied for the launch of Crew-2 on launch pad 39A on 22 April 2021 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet is returning to the International Space Station on his second spaceflight.
The mission, which is called Alpha, will see the first European to launch on a US spacecraft in over a decade. Thomas is flying on the Crew Dragon, alongside NASA astronauts Megan MacArthur and Shane Kimbrough, and Japanese astronaut Aki Hoshide.
After a delay due to difficult weather the launch is now planned for 23 April 2021 05:49 EDT / 11:49 CEST.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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European Robotic Arm installation on Nauka
European Robotic Arm installation on Nauka.
The European Robotic Arm (ERA) during installation on top of the the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, in May 2021.
The European Robotic Arm is the first robot that can ÔwalkÕ around the Russian part of the International Space Station.
ERA has a length of over 11 m, and can anchor itself to the Station in multiple locations, moving backwards and forwards around the Russian segment with a large range of motion. Its home base will be the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, also called ÔNaukaÕ.
Astronauts will find in the European Robotic Arm a most valuable ally Ð it will save them precious time to do other work in space.
The crew in space can control ERA from both inside and outside the Space Station, a feature that no other robotic arm has offered before.
100% made-in-Europe, this intelligent robotic arm consists of two end effectors, two wrists, two limbs and one elbow joint together with electronics and cameras. Both ends act as either a 'hand' for the robot.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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North Frisian Islands
North Frisian Islands.
Part of the Frisian Islands, a low-lying archipelago just off the coast of northern Europe, is visible in this image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.
Zoom in to see this image at its full 10 m resolution or click on the circles to learn more about the features in it.
The Frisian Islands stretch from the northwest of the Netherlands through Germany to the west of Denmark. Although they are considered a single physical feature, they are divided into West, East and North Frisian Islands – with the North Frisian Islands visible here.
The North Frisian Islands are split between Germany and Denmark. There are four larger islands that make up the archipelago: Sylt, Föhr, Amrum, and Pellworm.
Sylt, the largest of the archipelago, is around 100 sq km and is known for its distinctive shape of its shoreline. Sylt extends in length more than 35 km and, in some places, is only 1 km wide. A sandy beach stretches across the islands’ west coast, however it has begun to erode owing to storm tides. The northernmost island of Germany, it is connected to the mainland by the Hindenburgdamm, an 11 km-long causeway.
The Wadden Sea on the islands’ east side, between Sylt and the mainland, is part of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park and has been a nature reserve and bird sanctuary since 1935.
The islands of Föhr and Amrum are visible southeast of Sylt. The larger Föhr is called the ‘Green Island’ due to it being sheltered from the storms of the North Sea by its neighbouring islands. The island of Amrum features an extended beach area along its west coast, which faces the open North Sea. The east coast borders to mud flats and tidal creeks of the Wadden Sea.
The three white islands visible below Amrum are the North Frisian Barrier Islands. These sand banks, or shoals, act as a natural breakwater for the smaller islands cloCredit: ESA / eyevine
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Rad dishes in space
Rad dishes in space. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins poses next to a thriving radish crop growing inside the Advanced Plant Habitat in the International Space Station.
Located in EuropeÕs Columbus module, the NASA experiment is the latest in the study of plants growing in microgravity.
With plans to visit the Moon and Mars, future astronauts will need a regular, fresh source of food as they take on these missions farther away from home. In addition to providing much-needed vitamins and minerals, growing plants in space contributes to sustainability and adds homey touch to exploration.
Growing plants in the microgravity conditions of the International Space Station has allowed researchers to fine tune the approach: European research showed plants respond best to red and blue light, giving the Columbus module a disco feel.
Because plants no longer have gravity to root them to soil, the seeds are grown in ÔpillowsÕ that help evenly distribute fertilizer and water to the roots.
Radishes were chosen because it is a model plant; they have a short cultivation period and are genetically similar to the plant most frequently studied in space, Arabidopsis. Radishes are also edible and nutritious, with this batch ready for harvest any day now. Samples will be sent back to Earth for study.
The Advanced Plant Habitat is a self-contained growth chamber requiring very little intervention from astronauts. It is equipped with LED lights, porous clay, over 180 sensors and cameras regulated by researchers at NASAÕs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. From there, plant growth is monitored and conditions adjusted as necessary to better distribute water and fertilizer and control moisture and temperature levels.
The next ESA astronaut to launch to the Station is Thomas Pesquet for mission Alpha. Slated to arrive in Spring 2021, perhaps Thomas will get to try another batch ofCredit: ESA / eyevine
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In a spin on the ISS
In a spin.
If the orientation of this image is a little disorienting, then you know how astronauts feel in their first few hours in space. in weightlessness, the human body loses its cues for up and down and requires adjustments in over to move and manipulate objects.
Researchers are studying extent of this adjustment through the Grip experiment, being set up in this image by NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins on board the International Space Station. ESA KidsÕ mascot Paxi is on standby to help.
When you lift a cup of coffee, you are moving it against gravity. The amount of force you use to lift that cup or move any other object is something you learn as a child but, in the weightlessness of space, it is something astronauts must relearn.
The Grip experiment studies how the central nervous system controls movement and the force astronauts use to manipulate objects with their hands.
Commissioned by ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet in 2016, Grip was performed by both Alexander Gerst (2018) and Luca Parmitano (2019) during their Horizons and Beyond missions. Mike and his fellow NASA astronaut Victor Glover are next to participate.
During each session, Mike and Victor will hold an object equipped with measuring instruments between their right thumb and index finger and carry out a range of prescribed movements.
Prior to running on the Space Station, the Grip experiment flew on 20 parabolic flight campaigns. Results indicate that short-term exposure to microgravity induces subtle changes in how the forces used in gripping an object are coordinated. Our brains anticipate the effects of EarthÕs gravity even when it is not there. On the Space Station, researchers can now observe the long-term effects.
The results will help researchers understand potential hazards for astronauts as they move between different gravitational environments and improve the design of haptic interfacCredit: ESA / eyevine
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Laizhou Bay, China
Laizhou Bay, China.
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over the sediment-stained waters in Laizhou Bay, located on the southern shores of the Bohai Sea, on the east coast of mainland China.
Zoom in to see this image at its full 10 m resolution or click on the circles to learn more about the features in it.
The bay is the smallest of three main bays of the Bohai Sea, and is named after the city of Laizhou, visible to the east. Large quantities of sediment carried by the Yellow River, visible in the left of the image, discolour the waters of the bay and appear turquoise. This sediment can be seen throughout the waters in this image, even far from the coast.
The Yellow River is China’s second longest river, with a length of over 5400 km, and is surpassed only by the Yangtze River. The river rises in the Bayan Har Mountains in Western China and flows through nine provinces before emptying into the Laizhou Bay. Its drainage basin is the third largest in the country, with an area of around 750 000 sq km.
The river is estimated to carry 1.6 billion tonnes of silt annually, carrying the majority to the sea. Owing to this heavy load of silt, the Yellow River deposits soil in stretches, ultimately elevating the river bed. Excessive sediment deposits have raised the river bed several metres above the surrounding ground, sometimes causing damaging floods.
On the southern coast of Laizhou Bay, in the bottom of the image, flooded fields are visible and are most likely artificial fish farms. The city of Dongying, home to the second largest oilfield in China, is visible in the left of the image.
This image was processed in a way that included the near-infrared channel, which makes vegetation appear bright red. The lush vegetation can be distinguished from the brown fields in the image, which are unharvested or not yet fully grown.
Copernicus Sentinel-2 is a two-satellite mission. Each satellite carries a high-resolution camera that images Earth’s surfa
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Hidden science. Dotted around the International Space Station, these orange pouches collect information on radiation levels using a device called a dosimeter.
Hidden science.
The Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft arrived to the International Space Station just three hours after launch on 14 October, with Roscosmos astronauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins on board.
Aside from the human cargo, the Soyuz had space for some science, including one of ESAÕs longest-running experiments, Dosis-3D.
Dotted around the International Space Station, these orange pouches collect information on radiation levels using a device called a dosimeter. The experiment, in different forms, has been monitoring radiation levels since 2009 and the current pouches are changed after each six-month crew rotation. This pouch has been placed on the left side on the Utility Interface Panel next to the Vacuum Connector on ESAÕs Human Research Facility in ESAÕs science laboratory Columbus.
Radiation levels in space can be 15 times higher than on Earth. As soon as humans leave the protective shield that is EarthÕs atmosphere, space radiation becomes a serious concern. As we explore farther and head towards the Moon and even Mars on longer flights, defending ourselves against radiation becomes ever more important.
Dosis-3D helps researchers understand space radiation and how it penetrates the Space Station walls. Active and passive radiation detectors are used to map radiation in all modules, and will help designers and engineers make future spacecraft more resistant to radiation, such as the modules for the lunar Gateway.
Experiments like Dosis-3D often go overlooked as they sit passively in the corner, but as we approach the anniversary of 20 years of continuous habitation of the International Space Station, they are great examples of the kind of science that occurs on humankindÕs outpost in space, and helps prepare for the future of human exploration.
The orange-wrapped dosimeters are about the size of a pack oCredit: ESA / eyevine
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European space laboratory
European space laboratory.
The European space laboratory that is part of the International Space Station, August 2020.
While much of Europe was on holidays in August, it was business as usual on the International Space Station. European science continued to collect data on a range of topics looking to enhance space exploration and life on Earth. Credit: ESA / eyevine
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A panorama of the International Space Station
This panorama of the International Space Station is a wider view of what ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano was capturing on camera during the first of a series of historic spacewalks that took place in November 2019.
Author, journalist and researcher Lee Brandon-Cremer created this photo by stitching together three images taken by Luca as he made his way to the worksite during the first Extravehicular Activity or EVA to service the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), the StationÕs dark matter detector.
"For every spacewalk there are thousands of images taken. Sometimes a few images jump out at me,Ó he explains. ÒOne day I realised I could stitch these images together to expand the scene and show what the astronaut sees in a broader sense.Ó
To create this view, Lee first went looking for images with common points. This proved tricky: of the 1000 or so images he scanned, he found three that could be worked into two expanded photos of the Space Station.
He then joined and lightly edited the images to create a smooth photograph, a technique referred to as ÒstitchingÓ.
In the final image you can see the white panel radiators that keep the Space Station cool. The spacecraft on the left is a Soyuz. On the right is the Kibo module, with Japanese flag visible. The Space Station is flying to the right in this picture.
Nowadays we are spoiled for space imagery. From satellites circling the Earth and spacecraft taking selfies to astronaut snaps from the International Space Station, there is no shortage of photographs at which to marvel Ð and they are easy to access.
Aside from the critical role these images play in aiding scientific studies of Earth, the Solar System and outer space, they are important tools for science communication and public engagement.
One advantage of space imagery made public is how it engages citizen scientists and Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Southern Ukraine
Southern Ukraine.
Southern Ukraine is featured in this false-colour image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission. This image was processed in a way that included the near-infrared channel, which makes vegetation appear bright red.
Owing to Ukraineís climate and arable land, agriculture plays a large role in the countryís economy. In this image, captured on 26 June 2019, a patchwork of agricultural fields dominate the landscape. Ukraineís main grain crops are winter wheat, spring barley and corn.
Circular shapes in the image are an example of centre-pivot irrigation systems, where equipment rotates around a central pivot and crops are watered with sprinklers.
The bright red contrasts with the black waters of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnieper River, visible at the top of the image. Canals are visible as thin, black lines cutting through the agricultural fields, and are mostly used for water supply and irrigation of the surrounding farmlands.
In the far left of the image, the oval-shaped Oleshky Sands is visible. Covering an area of around 160 sq km., this large expanse of sand is considered a small desert in Ukraine. The grassy plains that used to cover the area are said to have died off hundreds of years ago owing to sheep farming ñ initiating the areaís desertification.
In the bottom-right of the image, a colourful network of salty lagoons lie along the northern border of the Crimean Peninsula. These shallow, marshy inlets are known as Syvash (also Sivash or Sivaö). During summer months, the warmer marsh waters leave unpleasant odours ñ earning the region the nicknames ëPutrid Seaí and ëRotten Sea.í
Copernicus Sentinel-2 is a two-satellite mission. Each satellite carries a high-resolution camera that images Earthís surface in 13 spectral bands. The mission is mostly used to track changes in the way land is being used and to monCredit: ESA / eyevine
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Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls.
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over Victoria Falls Ð one of the worldÕs greatest natural wonders.
Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa Tunya or Ôthe smoke that thunders,Õ lies along the course of the Zambezi River, on the border between Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe to the south. The Zambezi River flows for around 3500 km from its source on the Central African Plateau and empties into the Indian Ocean.
In this image, captured on 22 February 2019, the river cuts from left to right in the image before plunging over Victoria Falls Ð visible as a white line in the image. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls has a width of around 1700 m and a height of over 100 m which classifies it as the worldÕs largest sheet of falling water.
The spray from the falls normally rises to a height of over 400 m and is sometimes visible from up to 40 km away. The water from the Zambezi River then continues and enters a narrow, zigzagging series of gorges, visible in the bottom right of the image.
Despite recent reports of Victoria Falls drying up, the Zambezi River is subject to large seasonal fluctuations Ð with water levels rising and dropping dramatically throughout the year. According to the Zambezi River Authority, the lowest recorded water flows recorded were during the 1995Ñ96 season, which had an annual mean flow of around 390 cubic metres per second, compared to the long-term mean annual flow of around 1100 cubic metres per second.
The town of Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe, can be seen west of the falls, while the town of Livingstone Ð named after the famous Scottish explorer Ð is visible just north of the falls, in Zambia. The Harry Mwanga Nkumbula airport can be seen west of the town.
The circular shapes in the image are an example of an irrigation method called pivot irrCredit: ESA / eyevine
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Qarman CubeSat deployed from ISS
Qarman CubeSat deployed from ISS.
The moment ESA's latest mission left the International Space Station: the Qarman reentry CubeSat developed with Belgium's Von Karman Institute was deployed by NASA astronaut Andrew 'Drew' Morgan via a Nanoracks dispenser on 19 February 2020. Qarman will now fall gradually to Earth, to eventually gather valuable data on atmospheric reentry physics.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Suited up for gravity
Suited up for gravity. When it comes to grasping an object, our eyes, ears and hands are intimately connected. Our brain draws information from different senses, such as sight, sound and touch, to coordinate hand movements.
Researchers think that, on Earth, gravity is also part of the equation Ð it provides a set of anchoring cues for the central nervous system. Human evolution has balanced its way across millenia with visual references, self-orientation and the help of the vestibular system.
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano got a handle on how microgravity affects our ability to grab and manipulate objects in space with the Gravitational References for Sensimotor Performance (Grasp) experiment.
To get an idea of the differences in how our brains work both with and without gravityÕs pull, the Grasp experiment is also conducted back on Earth. Following his 201-day mission in space, Luca is continuing to work with researchers to collect scientific data while he undertakes a comprehensive rehabilitation programme.
During Grasp, LucaÕs eyes, ears and hands are suited up with a set of sensors Ð including a virtual reality headset Ð that gather information about his actions as he carries out a range of tasks. Rotating his hand to align with a visual object is the main activity, couched in a sort of video-game target practice.
By analysing patterns in the way Luca aligns his hands to the target, researchers seek to better understand how the central nervous system integrates the role of gravity in the neural processes underlying eye-hand coordination.
Armed with an enhanced understanding of the physiology behind eye-hand coordination, researchers hope to better understand and treat disorders relating to vertigo and dizziness, balance, spatial orientation and other aspects of the vestibular system. It will also be helpful in guiding astronauts during spacewalks anCredit: ESA / eyevine
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