Restored Apollo Mission Control Console. #nasa #space #apollo #apollo50th (at Fernbank Science Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B41f495n7eX/?igshid=sw3ocqsox3z1
If Alan Shepard can take swings on the Moon, then I call dibs on Mars. I’ll have Perseverance data to keep me out of the bunkers. @nasa @nasajpl #mars #perseverance #nasaperseverance #marsrover #mars2020 #mars2020rover https://www.instagram.com/p/CDsSY85nQoj/?igshid=192a1toh0qhtm
Moon rock retrieved by Alan Bean on Apollo 12 #nasa #apollo #moon #huntsvillealabama #usspaceandrocketcenter (at U.S. Space & Rocket Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw0klJcHh-V/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wffxjvgphmc4
NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab: The Ultimate Underwater Simulator for Astronauts
NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) is a state-of-the-art underwater facility located in Houston, Texas. It serves as an underwater simulation environment for astronauts to train for spacewalks and other extravehicular activities (EVAs). The NBL is one of the most advanced training facilities in the world and plays a critical role in preparing astronauts for the challenges they will face in space.
The NBL is a massive indoor pool that is over 200 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 40 feet deep. It contains a full-scale mock-up of the International Space Station (ISS) and other space structures, allowing astronauts to practice and perfect their spacewalking techniques in a controlled and safe environment. The pool is filled with over 6 million gallons of water, which provides a simulated weightless experience similar to that of space.
Astronauts are equipped with a full spacewalk suit, which provides them with life support and protection from the harsh conditions of space. The suit is buoyant, which makes it difficult for astronauts to move around in water. To overcome this challenge, the suit is weighted with lead weights to balance out the buoyancy, making it possible for astronauts to move around freely in the water. This process of weight balancing is called "neutral buoyancy," which gives the NBL its name.
The NBL is not only a training facility for spacewalking, but it is also used to test new spacewalk equipment and procedures. It allows engineers and scientists to observe how equipment and procedures perform in a simulated microgravity environment. This information is then used to make improvements and ensure the safety of astronauts in space.
One of the unique features of the NBL is its ability to simulate various lighting conditions, including daylight, nighttime, and the red lighting that is used during spacewalks. This capability allows astronauts to train for all types of spacewalking scenarios and ensures that they are well-prepared for any situation they may encounter in space.
In conclusion, NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab is a crucial component of astronaut training and space exploration. It provides a safe and controlled environment for astronauts to train for spacewalks and other EVAs, while also allowing engineers and scientists to test new equipment and procedures. The NBL plays a vital role in ensuring the success and safety of NASA's space missions.
A re-edit of one of my favorite images from a previous visit to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. #spaceshuttle @rocketcenterusa @nasa #nasa #usspaceandrocketcenter #space #marshallspaceflightcenter #huntsvilleal (at U.S. Space & Rocket Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_9DbjPHTj4/?igshid=ihu7m7gkszlw
I know it’s a very specific category, but I still can’t believe this! Thank you to my friends and family! #space #iss #internationalspacestation #childrensbooks #stem #steam https://www.instagram.com/p/CJZberVjUrF/?igshid=tb8xj1y7quxl
This month binoculars will come in handy–to view the moon, star clusters, and a close pairing of Venus and Jupiter.
You can’t miss bright Venus in the predawn sky. This month Venus pairs up with Jupiter on the morning of November 13th.
The Leonids peak on a moonless November 17th. Expect no more than 10 meteors an hour around 3:00 a.m., the height of the shower.
The Northern and Southern sub-branches of the Taurid meteor shower offer sparse counts of about 5 meteors per hour, but slow, bright meteors are common.
The nearby November Orionids peak on the 28th. In contrast to the Taurids, the Orionids are swift. But don’t expect more than 3 meteors per hour.
The moon glides by three beautiful star clusters in the morning sky this month, and a pair of binoculars will allow you to see the individual stars in the clusters. Aim your binoculars at the Pleiades and the moon on the 5th.
Then aim at the Messier or M-35 cluster and the moon on the 7th and the Beehive cluster and the moon on the 10th.
Meanwhile, at dusk, catch Saturn as it dips closer to the western horizon and pairs up with Mercury on the 24th through the 28th.
Also, Comet C/2017 O1 should still be a binocular-friendly magnitude 7 or 8 greenish object in November. Use Polaris, the North Star as a guide. Look in the East to Northeast sky in the late evening.
Watch the full What’s Up for November Video:
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.
In about 3 weeks, I’ll be attending Astronaut Training Experience at SpaceCamp as an educator! I’m so excited! Not bad for John, the world’s biggest 12 year old. Speaking of 12, that is also the number of former and current astronauts who have attended SpaceCamp. Astronaut Kate Rubins, who is on the ISS right NOW, attended as a seventh grader. #nasa @issnationallab @iss #space #stemeducation #spacecamp #iss #huntsvillealabama #launchamerica #stem https://www.instagram.com/p/CHcDEIWjriP/?igshid=rb5zh2exe8bt
My cool shirt arrived today! @earthspaceexplorationasu @asuinterplanetary #asu #arizonastateuniversity #astronomy #planets #solarsystemambassador #humanspaceflight #moon #mars https://www.instagram.com/p/CPRpFf8DF6y/?utm_medium=tumblr
The Apollo 6 CM is displayed not too far from where I live. I have visited it many times.
Apollo 11 Lunar Module Activation Checklist #nasa #apollo11 #apollo50thanniversary #usspaceandrocketcenter #huntsvillealabama https://www.instagram.com/p/BwyMXG4njXm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=136g82pilbj24
I host public outreach events about the science and research taking place everyday on the International Space Station. A favorite event of mine is called "Story Time From Space", where astronauts onboard the ISS read children's stories featuring space science and STEM topics. (Opinions are my own.)
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