ISS - SlashGear

NASA will have an emergency ISS space walk tomorrow

Brittany A. Roston | May 22, 2017

A failed computer will result in two astronauts conducting an emergency spacewalk at the International Space Station tomorrow, NASA has announced, enabling the ISS to resume operations with its primary (rather than backup) system. The computer is one of two units that control systems on the space station, though NASA reassures everyone that none of the astronauts have been or will be in danger from the computer failure.

Oculus Rift Mission:ISS lets you live out your astronaut dreams

JC Torres | Mar 10, 2017

Thanks to some historic events in space science, being an astronaut has once again become a “cool” career path. Of course, that chances of actually being chosen for a space mission are very slim. The next best thing? Getting a taste of what it’s like to live and work as an astronaut, made possible with virtual reality. That is exactly the “close enough” experience that Oculus is offering with Mission:ISS, which will let you at least see if you have what it takes to live among the stars.

Stunning blue lightning filmed from the International Space Station

Brittany A. Roston | Feb 10, 2017

Researchers at the International Space Station have managed to catch rare blue lightning on camera, giving everyone a look at the phenomenon commonly only spotted by pilots. Such blue flashes aren’t something you’re likely to see from the ground, as they tend to happen above thunderstorms, making them visible to planes above the clouds. In an effort to better study them, the researchers were asked to point a special camera above one such thunderstorm.

Algae survived 16 months in space outside of the ISS

Brittany A. Roston | Feb 9, 2017

Algae can survive exposure in space for a long duration of time, according to the results of a relatively recent experiment aboard (sort of) the International Space Station. The results have been described as ‘astonishing,’ with researchers finding that despite exposure to the vacuum of space, extreme temperature changes, and both UV and cosmic radiation, the algae was able to survive for 16 months on the exterior of the ISS, demonstrating an incredible hardiness.

Boeing’s Starliner capsule will use 3D printed components

Eric Abent | Feb 3, 2017

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner capsule won't start flying until next year, but when it does, a significant number of its components will be made through 3D printing. Boeing has recruited Oxford Performance Materials to produce around 600 parts for these space taxis, and these parts are offering some major benefits to Boeing without much in the way of negative trade-offs.

ESA will participate with ISS through 2024

Shane McGlaun | Dec 5, 2016

The 22 member states that participate in the European Space Agency (ESA) met for two days recently in Switzerland and came to the decision to continue ESA participation in the International Space Station (ISS). The ESA member states voted to extend participation in the ISS through 2024. The decision makes the ESA the final ISS partner that has agreed to extend participation.

Russian investigation into Soyuz loss focusing on third stage engine

Shane McGlaun | Dec 5, 2016

Russian officials were well into the investigation late last week into what happened to cause the loss of the Progress cargo spacecraft that was supposed to be heading to the ISS. The unmanned cargo ship burned up in the atmosphere above the Tuva region of Siberia shortly after launch. As of Friday no debris had been found in the area of the crash.

Russia’s cargo spacecraft destroyed on trip to restock ISS

Chris Davies | Dec 1, 2016

Bad news for those in the International Space Station looking forward to a fresh batch of food and supplies, after a Russian cargo ship was destroyed during launch today. The unmanned Progress MS-04 cargo spacecraft was meant to deliver 2.6 tons of fuel and other goods to the orbiting research platform to the Expedition 50 group currently onboard. However, just over six minutes after takeoff, telemetry from the craft cut out.

ISS fly-through video shot with 4K fisheye lens is almost like being there

Shane McGlaun | Oct 31, 2016

If you are among the masses stranded here on Earth who has dreamed of visiting the ISS odds are you will never get that chance. As close as the vast majority of us will ever get to the ISS is this beautiful fly through that NASA had published of the ISS in 4K resolution. The video was produced by Harmonic exclusively for NASA TV UHD and is over 18 minutes long.

Cygnus Cargo spacecraft successfully docks with ISS

Shane McGlaun | Oct 24, 2016

Orbital ATK has successfully launched a cargo spacecraft that docked with the ISS on October 23, 2016. The cargo ship was hauling much needed supplies and science experiments for the crew of six aboard the ISS to work on. Cygnus was captured by the robotic arm of the space station at 7:28am EDT to be attached later in the morning to the berthing port on the space station.

NASA puts Groot and Rocket Raccoon on official space station patch

Adam Westlake | Jul 23, 2016

Groot and Rocket Raccoon, the talking racoon and tree from Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, are becoming a part of official NASA history. The pair have been chosen by space agency to adorn this year's mission patch for the International Space Station's National Laboratory. The adorable patch was revealed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) at San Diego Comic-Con.

3 ISS astronauts return to Earth after 186 days in space

Adam Westlake | Jun 18, 2016

Most people would agree there's nothing like sleeping in your own bed after a decent amount of time away from home, but for these three astronauts, they're probably just happy to be back on Earth, regardless of where they sleep. Early Saturday morning saw the return of NASA's Commander Tim Kopra, the European Space Agency's Tim Peake, and Yuri Malenchenko of Russia's Roscomos after spending 186 consecutive days in space.