NASA’s new rocket, the Space Launch System, will meet the challenges of exploring deep space. And when it comes to NASA’s journey of Mars and beyond, there are no small steps. Stephen Granade talks how SLS will be the most capable rocket ever built for that trip to the Red Planet and other destinations in the solar system. This is the first video in a set of three.
For the first time since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011, NASA is accepting applications for astronauts to start a new series of missions aimed at further space exploration with the goal of traveling to Mars. Applications will be accepted from December 2015-February 2016, and successful candidates will be announced mid-2017. From NASA:
In anticipation of returning human spaceflight launches to American soil, and in preparation for the agency’s journey to Mars, NASA announced it will soon begin accepting applications for the next class of astronaut candidates. With more human spacecraft in development in the United States today than at any other time in history, future astronauts will launch once again from the Space Coast of Florida on American-made commercial spacecraft, and carry out deep-space exploration missions that will advance a future human mission to Mars.
The agency will accept applications from Dec. 14 through mid-February and expects to announce candidates selected in mid-2017. Applications for consideration as a NASA Astronaut will be accepted at:
The next class of astronauts may fly on any of four different U.S. vessels during their careers: the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development by U.S. companies, and NASA’s Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.
From pilots and engineers, to scientists and medical doctors, NASA selects qualified astronaut candidates from a diverse pool of U.S. citizens with a wide variety of backgrounds.
“This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “Those selected for this service will fly on U.S. made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station, and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space.”
Newsweek has great article about Reid Wiseman and his amazing presence on social media from the International Space Station. For CauseScience readers this shouldn’t be a surprise since a lot of CauseScience posts have featured @astro_reid! Reid Wiseman has now returned to earth after 6 months in orbit, but hopefully he’ll continue posting about space and life in space! Check out the great article.
Also, in addition to @astro_reid, check out the great tweets from fellow ISS astronauts @Astro_Alex and @Msuraev!
[tweet https://twitter.com/astro_reid/status/531839225050968066] [tweet https://twitter.com/Astro_Alex/status/531351647306653697]Everyone who has been watching the 2014 World Cup USA games has probably seen the amazing fan that dresses up like Teddy Roosevelt. If you haven’t, or can’t get enough of him, see below tweet from Buzzfeed.
See, as epic as Teddy Roosevelt was historically, and as epic as this fan is now, in my own humble opinion, the most epic fans at the World Cup are these guys. I guess you can argue that they aren’t AT the World Cup, but then again, they are right above it sometimes.
They are watching and supporting ‘Merica from SPACE… that’s right: SPACE. How can you be more epic than space? SO my vote for the most epic fans for team USA are the astronauts, who have taken time from doing science and being astronauts, to watch and play the games in space. Follow them on twitter to get more awesome updates from the International Space Station (@astro_reid @Astro_Alex ).
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