Editor‘s Note: In this week‘s special edition of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center‘s In Case You Missed It newsletter, we take a look back at some of our biggest stories from 2017. The ICYMI newsletter will take a break over the holidays and return January 5, 2018. For Marshall news and updates during the break, check out Marshall‘s webpage, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
NASA Marshall Observes, Shares Aug. 21 Total Solar Eclipse
On Aug. 21, when the Moon eclipsed the Sun, treating the United States to one of the most awe-inspiring events — a solar eclipse — scientists, researchers and experts from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center shared the eclipse with people at events in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, and around the world with a live broadcast.
Vice President Mike Pence Visits Marshall
Vice President Mike Pence visited NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Sept. 25, where he talked with astronauts aboard the International Space Station as he toured Marshall facilities supporting the orbiting laboratory. He also toured test facilities for NASA’s Space Launch System.
Progress Continues on NASA’s Massive SLS Rocket
Many critical milestones were reached in 2017 in the production and testing of the America’s new, heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System, that will power the agency’s missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
- Newly Constructed SLS Test Stands Change Huntsville Skyline
- Flight Controller for First Flight Tested with RS-25 Hot-fire Engine Test
- NASA’s Barge Pegasus Delivers Hardware to Marshall for Testing
- First Four Space Launch System Flight Engines Ready to Rumble
- Integrated Structural Testing on the Top of the Rocket Completed
- Engine Section Structural Test Article Installed in Marshall Test Stand
- First Flight Segment Arrives at NASA Kennedy for Processing
- Core Stage Pathfinder Delivered to NASA Michoud
- Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter Readied for Thermal Insulation Application
- Major Welding for First Flight Core Stage Hardware Completed
Marshall’s ‘Science Central’ Manages Space Station Science
Working with astronauts in orbit 24/7, Marshall’s Payload Operations and Integration Center is the command center for all science operations on the International Space Station. The team successfully coordinated space station operations and science experiments that teach us how to live and work in space for longer-duration missions.
- From Tools to Trash: Marshall’s Payload Stowage Team Tracks It
- Additional Space Station Crew Means New Team Members on the Ground
- New Window Improves the View of Science on Orbiting Laboratory
- Full Circle: Refabricator Demonstrated to Recycle, Reuse, Repeat
- Housing for In-Orbit Science Payloads Developed and Tested
- NASA, International Partners Ready New Research Facility for Space Station
Marshall Explores the Solar System and Beyond
NASA discoveries and missions change how we understand our universe. Marshall researchers and scientists played key roles in breakthroughs, while new missions were announced that will advance our understanding even more.
- Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer to Study Black Holes, Cosmic Mysteries
- First Science Results from NASA’s Juno Mission to Jupiter
- Marshall Scientists Assist LIGO in Third Gravitational Wave Observation
- Research Suggests Ancient Lunar Atmosphere, Possible Source of Lunar Water
- Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor Wakes the World to Smashing Neutron Stars
Technologies Developed and Demonstrated at Marshall Enables Discovery
Across scientific and engineering disciplines Marshall designs, develops, integrates, tests and operates technologies that enable scientific discovery and the human exploration of space. This year was marked by large-scale tests and competitions.
- Archinaut Conducts First Large 3-D Build in Space-like Environment
- Prizes Awarded in Second Level of NASA’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge
- First 3-D Printed Bi-metallic Rocket Engine Part Tested
- NASA’s Near-Earth Asteroid CubeSat Goes Full Sail
Marshall Investigates Earth’s Critical Challenges
Marshall missions address some of the critical challenges facing our planet today and in the future. This year was highlighted by storm-tracking technology that helps inform and protect while learning more about our home planet.
- Marshall Installs Receiving Antenna for Next-Generation Weather Satellites
- NASA, Brazil to Jointly Study Scientific Phenomena at Equator
- Sequel to Successful Lightning Study Mission Launched
Marshall Inspires, Educates the Next Generation of Explorers
Devoted to inspiring future generations of explorers, including those who will be the first to put boots on Mars and beyond, Marshall hosted many events this year to advance future human exploration.
- Students Design, Build and Race Human Exploration Rovers
- Teams from 23 States Compete in Student Launch Competition
- Fourth Annual ‘NASA in the Park’ Draws Record Crowd in Downtown Huntsville
For more information or to learn about other happenings at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, visit NASA Marshall. For past issues of the ICYMI newsletter, click here.
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