NASA Administrator Honors Life of Apollo Astronaut Frank Borman
Former NASA astronaut Col. (ret.) Frank Borman
The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on the passing of former NASA astronaut Col. (ret.) Frank Borman, who passed away Nov. 7, in Billings, Montana, at the age of 95.
“Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero. Among his many accomplishments, he served as the commander of the Apollo 8 mission, humanity’s first mission around the Moon in 1968.
“His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.
“Frank began his career as an officer with the U.S. Air Force. His love of flying proved essential through his positions as a fighter pilot, operational pilot, test pilot, and assistant professor. His exceptional experience and expertise led him to be chosen by NASA to join the second group of astronauts.
“In addition to his critical role as commander of the Apollo 8 mission, he is a veteran of Gemini 7, spending 14 days in low-Earth orbit and conducting the first rendezvous in space, coming within a few feet of the Gemini 6 spacecraft.
“Frank continued his passion for aviation after his time with NASA as the CEO of Eastern Airlines.
“Frank knew the power exploration held in uniting humanity when he said, ‘Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.’ His service to NASA and our nation will undoubtedly fuel the Artemis Generation to reach new cosmic shores.”
For more about Borman’s NASA career, photos, and his agency biography, visit:
Construction on NASA Mission to Map 450 Million Galaxies Is Under Way
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Construction on NASA Mission to Map 450 Million Galaxies Is Under Way
Sara Susca, deputy payload manager and payload systems engineer for NASA’s SPHEREx mission, looks up at one of the spacecraft’s photon shields. These concentric cones protect the telescope from light and heat from the Sun and the Earth, which can overwhelm the telescope’s detectors.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
SHPEREx Photon Shield Fabrication at Applied Aerospace Structures Corp. in Stockton CA Requester: Kaitlyn Soares Photographer: Gregory M. Waigand Date: 2023-07-12 Photolab order: 107469-11.02.03
AACS
Key elements are coming together for NASA’s SPHEREx mission, a space telescope that will create a map of the universe like none before.
NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope is beginning to look much like it will when it arrives in Earth orbit and starts mapping the entire sky. Short for Specto-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx resembles a bullhorn, albeit one that will stand almost 8.5 feet tall (2.6 meters) and stretch nearly 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) wide. Giving the observatory its distinctive shape are its cone-shaped photon shields, which are being assembled in a clean room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
Three cones, each nestled within the other, will surround SPHEREx’s telescope to protect it from the light and heat of the Sun and Earth. The spacecraft will sweep over every section of the sky, like scanning the inside of a globe, to complete two all-sky maps every year.
“SPHEREx has to be quite agile because the spacecraft has to move relatively quickly as it scans the sky,” said JPL’s Sara Susca, deputy payload manager and payload systems engineer for the mission. “It doesn’t look that way, but the shields are actually quite light and made with layers of material like a sandwich. The outside has aluminum sheets, and inside is an aluminum honeycomb structure that looks like cardboard – light but sturdy.”
NASA’s SPHEREx will create a map of the sky like no other. Check out some of the special hardware the mission uses to do cutting-edge science. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
When it launches – no later than April 2025 – SPHEREx will help scientists better understand where water and other key ingredients necessary for life originated. To do this, the mission will measure the abundance of water ice in interstellar clouds of gas and dust, where new stars are born and from which planets eventually form. It will study the cosmic history of galaxies by measuring the collective light they produce. Those measurements will help tease out when galaxies began to form and how their formation has changed over time. Finally, by mapping the location of millions of galaxies relative to one another, SPHEREx will look for new clues about how the rapid expansion, or inflation, of the universe took place a fraction of a second after the big bang.
Cool and Stable
Amelia Quan, mechanical integration lead for NASA’s SPHEREx mission, is seen with a V-groove radiator, a piece of hardware that will help keep the space telescope cold.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
SPHEREx will do all this by detecting infrared light, a range of wavelengths longer than the visible light human eyes can see. Infrared light is also sometimes called heat radiation because all warm objects emit it. Even the telescope can create infrared light. Because that light would interfere with its detectors, the telescope has to be kept cold – below minus 350 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus 210 degrees Celsius).
The outer photon shield will block light and heat from the Sun and Earth, and the gaps between the cones will prevent heat from making its way inward toward the telescope. But to ensure SPHEREx gets down to its frigid operating temperature, it also needs something called a V-groove radiator: three conical mirrors, each like an upside-down umbrella, stacked atop one another. Sitting below the photon shields, each is composed of a series of wedges that redirect infrared light so it bounces through the gaps between the shields and out into space. This removes heat carried through the supports from the room-temperature spacecraft bus that contains the computer and electronics.
“We’re not just concerned with how cold SPHEREx is, but also that its temperature stays the same,” said JPL’s Konstantin Penanen, payload manager for the mission. “If the temperature varies, it could change the sensitivity of the detector, which could translate as a false signal.”
Eye on the Sky
The telescope for NASA’s SPHEREx mission undergoes testing at JPL. It is tilted on its base so it can see as much of the sky as possible while remaining within the protection of three concentric cones that protect the telescope from light and heat from the Sun and Earth.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
The heart of SPHEREx is, of course, its telescope, which collects infrared light from distant sources using three mirrors and six detectors. The telescope is tilted on its base so it can see as much of the sky as possible while remaining within the protection of the photon shields. Built by Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colorado, the telescope arrived in May at Caltech in Pasadena, California, where it was integrated with the detectors and the V-groove radiator. Then, at JPL, engineers secured it to a vibration table that simulates the shaking that the telescope will endure on the rocket ride to space. After that, it went back to Caltech, where scientists confirmed its mirrors are still in focus following the vibration testing.
SPHEREx’s Infrared ‘Vision’
NASA’s SPHEREx will use these filters to conduct spectroscopy, a technique that scientists can use to study the composition of an object or measure its distance. Each filter – about the size of a cracker – has multiple segments that block all but one specific wavelength of infrared light.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
The mirrors inside SPHEREx’s telescope collect light from distant objects, but it’s the detectors that can “see” the infrared wavelengths the mission is trying to observe.
A star like our Sun emits the entire range of visible wavelengths, so it is white (though Earth’s atmosphere causes it to look more yellow to our eyes). A prism can break that light into its component wavelengths – a rainbow. This is called spectroscopy.
SPHEREx will use filters installed on top of its detectors to perform spectroscopy. Only about the size of a cracker, each filter appears iridescent to the naked eye and has multiple segments to block all but one specific wavelength of infrared light. Every object SPHEREx observes will be imaged by each segment, enabling scientists to see the specific infrared wavelengths emitted by that object, whether it’s a star or a galaxy. In total, the telescope can observe more than 100 distinct wavelengths.
And from that, SPHEREx will create maps of the universe unlike any that have come before.
More About the Mission
SPHEREx is managed by JPL for NASA’s Astrophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Ball Aerospace built the telescope and will supply the spacecraft bus. The science analysis of the SPHEREx data will be conducted by a team of scientists located at 10 institutions across the U.S. and in South Korea. Data will be processed and archived at IPAC at Caltech. The SPHEREx data set will be publicly available.
For more information about the SPHEREx mission visit:
Astronaut Candidates Learn About NASA Ames, Heat Shields, and More
NASA astronaut candidates visited the agency’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley to learn about the center’s unique facilities and contributions to NASA missions, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Pictured here at the Arc Jet Complex, where spacecraft thermal protection systems are tested, are the 10 members of NASA’s current astronaut candidate class and two United Arab Emirates astronauts who are training with NASA. From left: Nichole Ayers, Mohammad Almulla (UAE), Marcos Berríos, Nora Almatrooshi (UAE), Deniz Burnham, Anil Menon, Jack Hathaway, Christopher Williams, Jessica Wittner, Luke Delaney, Andre Douglas, and Christina Birch.
NASA/Dominic Hart
NASA’s current class of astronaut candidates toured the agency’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, including a stop at the Arc Jet Complex, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. In the arc jet facilities, Ames researchers test advanced materials that protect spacecraft from the extremely high temperatures of entering an atmosphere – whether Earth’s, Mars’, or another in our solar system.
Among the candidates aiming to join America’s astronaut corps are women and men who will potentially fly on future Artemis missions, performing science on the Moon and exploring the resources it holds. Work performed in the arc jet will help ensure all Artemis astronauts return home safely. For Artemis I, launched in November 2022, material used in the Orion crew module’s heat shield was tested here at Ames.
The astronaut candidates – including former Ames intern Deniz Burnham – also visited other Ames facilities, learning about their contributions to Artemis and more. These include wind tunnel testing and supercomputer simulations of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket; development of the Astrobee free-flying robots that could assist future astronauts on missions; space biosciences research that will help keep crew healthy; and flight simulations at the Vertical Motion Simulator, where NASA’s human landing system program partners analyzed and improved early lander concepts to deliver humans to the lunar surface as part of the Artemis missions.
La NASA lanza su primer servicio de programación a la carta
NASA+ es un servicio de transmisión gratis y sin publicidad, con coberturas en directo y series de video originales. No requiere suscripción.
Ya están disponibles el nuevo servicio de programación a la carta y la aplicación actualizada de la NASA, dando paso a un nuevo mundo de contenido original producido por esta agencia espacial para el beneficio de todos. Estas nuevas plataformas digitales son el lugar de aterrizaje de series de videos originales, coberturas en vivo de lanzamientos, contenido para niños, programación en español y las últimas noticias, mientras la NASA continúa mejorando la vida en la Tierra mediante la innovación, la exploración y el descubrimiento.
El nuevo servicio de transmisión a demanda está disponible para descargar en la mayoría de las principales plataformas mediante la aplicación de la NASA para dispositivos móviles y tabletas iOS y Android, así como para los reproductores de transmisión multimedia Roku y Apple TV. Los usuarios también pueden ver la programación en línea visitando el sitio web:
“La NASA es líder en el gobierno federal [de Estados Unidos] en la creación de contenidos inspiradores que llegan a los espectadores dondequiera que estos se encuentren”, dijo la administradora adjunta de la NASA, Pam Melroy. “Estoy emocionada de que hayamos creado una poderosa trifecta con el recientemente renovado sitio web de la NASA, el lanzamiento de NASA+ y la aplicación actualizada de la NASA que muestra los muchos beneficios que nuestros datos pueden tener para toda la humanidad”.
Estas plataformas son parte de un esfuerzo para garantizar que el contenido de la agencia sea más accesible, fácil de descubrir y seguro para el público. A principios de este año, la NASA lanzó sus renovados sitios web nasa.gov y science.nasa.gov, así como sus versiones en español NASA.gov/es y ciencia.nasa.gov, creando una nueva central de información para la investigación científica, datos sobre el clima, información sobre programa Artemis y muchos otros contenidos.
“La nueva plataforma de programación y la aplicación actualizada de la NASA son los sitios donde el mundo puede acompañarnos en nuestra exploración de lo desconocido”, dijo Marc Etkind, administrador asociado de la Oficina de
Comunicaciones en la sede de la NASA. “La NASA es el catalizador de algunas de las mejores historias de la humanidad; y ahora, con nuestra nueva presencia digital, todos tendrán acceso a estas historias las 24 horas del día los siete días de la semana”.
Acceso gratuito a las mejores historias de la humanidad
Con este servicio de transmisión sin publicidad, sin costo y para toda la familia, los usuarios tendrán acceso a la cobertura en vivo de la NASA, ganadora de varios Premios Emmy, y a panorámicas de las misiones de la agencia, a través de una extensa colección de contenidos originales, incluyendo nuevas series que debutarán en este servicio de transmisión.
A partir de hoy, todos pueden disfrutar del contenido original de NASA+, que incluye:
Una serie documental que cubre cada imagen del telescopio espacial James Webb, así como una segunda serie que destaca el telescopio espacial más poderoso del mundo, desde los laboratorios hasta su lanzamiento;
Programas infantiles animados sobre los planetas, los misterios del universo y mundos intergalácticos;
Una serie que relata las historias personales de los astronautas negros de la NASA;
Una serie que lleva a los espectadores entre bastidores mientras un grupo de científicos trabaja para traer a la Tierra la primera muestra de un asteroide obtenida por Estados Unidos;
Imágenes del cosmos en ultra alta definición con una banda sonora espacial
Contenidos en español, los cuales incluyen una serie que destaca a empleados hispanos y latinos de la NASA, contenidos sobre el clima, y más.
NASA+ también cubrirá eventos en vivo y directo, para que la gente de todo el mundo pueda ver en tiempo real cómo la agencia lanza astronautas y experimentos científicos al espacio y, más adelante, cómo llevará a la primera mujer y a la primera persona no blanca a la Luna.
El universo al alcance de la mano
Con más de 30 millones de descargas, la aplicación de la NASA presenta una enorme colección del contenido más reciente de la agencia, que incluye más de 21.000 imágenes, podcasts, noticias, historias destacadas y la cobertura de eventos en vivo y directo. Las nuevas actualizaciones de la aplicación incluyen:
Acceso total al servicio de transmisión a la carta de NASA+;
Notificaciones automáticas en la nube;
Avistamientos y notificaciones que permiten a los usuarios ver sobrevolar la Estación Espacial Internacional;
La posibilidad de puntuar fotografías y de explorar y compartir las mejor valoradas;
Realidad aumentada que permite a los usuarios ver, rotar y ampliar modelos 3D de cohetes, naves espaciales y vehículos exploradores de la NASA.
La aplicación de la NASA está disponible sin costo alguno. Conoce más sobre la aplicación de la NASA en línea.
Para estar al día con las últimas noticias y obtener más información sobre la NASA, visita el nuevo sitio web:
NASA Launches its First On-Demand Streaming Service, Updated App
NASA+ is the agency’s no cost, ad-free streaming service featuring live coverage and original video series. No subscription required.
Credits: NASA
NASA’s new on-demand streaming service and upgraded app are now available, ushering in a new world of original content from the space agency for the benefit of all. These new digital platforms are the landing place of original video series, live launch coverage, kids’ content, Spanish-language programming, and the latest news as NASA continues to improve life on Earth through innovation, exploration, and discovery.
The new on-demand streaming service is available to download on most major platforms via the NASA App on iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices, as well as streaming media players Roku and Apple TV. Users also may stream online at:
“NASA is a leader in the federal government for creating inspirational content that meets people where they are,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “I am excited we have created a powerful trifecta with the recently revamped NASA website, the launch of NASA+, and the updated NASA App that showcases the many benefits our data can have for all humanity.”
These platforms are part of an effort to ensure agency content is more accessible, discoverable, and secure for the public. Earlier this year, NASA launched its revamped nasa.gov and science.nasa.gov websites, creating a new homebase for research, climate data, Artemis information, and more.
“NASA’s new streaming platform and app are where the world can join us as we explore the unknown,” said Marc Etkind, associate administrator, Office of Communications, NASA Headquarters. “NASA is the catalyst behind some of humanity’s greatest stories; and now, with our new digital presence, everyone will have access to these stories 24/7.”
No Cost Access to Humanity’s Greatest Stories
Through the ad-free, no cost, and family-friendly streaming service, users will gain access to the agency’s Emmy Award-winning live coverage and views into NASA’s missions through collections of original video series, including new series debuting on the streaming service.
Beginning today, everyone can enjoy original NASA+ content, including:
A documentary series following each image from the James Webb Space Telescope, as well as a second series highlighting the world’s most powerful space telescope from lab to launch
Animated children shows about the planets, mysteries of the universe, and intergalactic worlds
A series telling the personal stories of Black NASA astronauts
A series that takes viewers behind-the-scenes as a group of scientists work to return America’s first asteroid sample
Ultra-high-definition visuals of the cosmos set to a spaced-out soundtrack
Spanish-language content, including a series highlighting Hispanic and Latino NASA employees, climate content for kids, and more
NASA+ also will stream live event coverage, where people everywhere can watch in real-time as the agency launches science experiments and astronauts to space, and ultimately, the first woman and person of color to the Moon.
Turn on, tune in, and space out to relaxing music and ultra-high-definition visuals of the cosmos, from the surface of Mars to a Uranian sunset. Now live on NASA+.
Universe at Your Fingertips
Downloaded over 30 million times, the NASA app showcases a huge collection of the agency’s latest content, including more than 21,000 images, podcasts, news and feature stories, and live event coverage. The app’s new updates include:
Full access to on-demand streaming with NASA+
Cloud push notifications
International Space Station sightings and notifications that allows users to watch it pass overhead
The ability to rate photos and explore and share the highest rated ones
Augmented reality that allows users to view, rotate, and enlarge 3D models of NASA rockets, spacecraft, and rovers
The NASA app is available at no cost. Learn more about the NASA App online.
To keep up with the latest news from NASA and learn more about the agency, visit the agency’s new website at:
