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Pictures of Spacecraft
Opportunity self-portrait in shadow, sol 180
As Opportunity stood on the rim of Endurance crater on sol 180 (July 27, 2004), the mission timed a Hazcam photo to catch the rover's shadow stretching deep into the crater's interior.
Filed under pretty pictures, pics of spacecraft in space, Mars, Mars Exploration Rovers, Opportunity
Schematic diagram of SAM's internal workings
A detailed gas flow diagram for Curiosity's SAM instument. Yellow boxes are the main analytical instruments: the Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS), the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS), andthe Gas Chromatograph System. Tan boxes labeled MN are manifolds, junctions of tubes. Microvalves (V) control where gases can flow. The Sample Manipulation System (SMS) with its Solid Sample Inlet Tubes (SSIT) handles solid samples and places them into ovens. There are two Wide Range Pumps (WRP) behind two High Conductance Valves (HC). Air enters the rover through two Inlets. There are two helium tanks (He) as well as a tank of oxygen (O2) and calibration gas. Scrubbers, Getters (G), and other traps can trap gases for later release and analysis. I don't know what (PM) are. Not shown in this diagram are the manifold and pipe heaters and the temperature sensors associated with each heater.
Filed under spacecraft, explaining technology, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Curiosity's SAM instrument, from the side (side panel removed)
The Sample Analysis at Mars, or SAM, is about the size of a microwave oven. This image was taken before installation of its side panels and before environmental testing. The suite's three instruments are visible: the tunable laser spectrometer (TLS) at lower left, quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) at upper right, and gas chromatograph (GC) at lower right.
Filed under explaining technology, spacecraft, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Schematic diagram of Curiosity's SAM instrument
The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument, largest of the 10 science instruments on Curiosity, includes three different laboratory instruments for analyzing chemistry, plus mechanisms for handling and processing samples. SAM will examine gases from the Martian atmosphere, as well as gases that ovens and solvents pull from powdered rock and soil samples. This schematic illustration shows major components of the microwave-oven-size instrument.
Filed under spacecraft, explaining technology, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Installation of Curiosity's SAM instrument
Technicians and engineers inside a clean room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory position SAM above the Mars rover, Curiosity, for installing the instrument. The rover is upside-down with its belly pan removed for access to the interior.
Filed under spacecraft, pretty pictures, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Concept art for Ariane 6, the ESA’s next-generation rocket. The Ariane 6 is hoped to fly by 2021.
Filed under spacecraft
NASA’s Orion capsule, with a service module based on the ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle. ATVs regularly carry supplies to the International Space Station.
Filed under spacecraft, human spaceflight, shuttle successor, future technology, Future Mission Concepts
Endeavour Opening Day Ceremony
Space Shuttle Endeavour opened to the world at the California Science Center on October 30, 2012.
Filed under pretty pictures, history, fun, spacecraft, Bill Nye, human spaceflight, astronaut, Space Shuttle program
Curiosity MAHLI self-portrait, sol 84
An amazing color self-portrait photo of Curiosity standing on Mars, on sol 84 (October 31, 2012). The photo is a mosaic of images shot with MAHLI, the camera on the end of the robotic arm. Although MAHLI is mostly intended as a tool for viewing soil and rocks up close at microscopic resolution, it can focus out to infinity so can be used to photograph things at any distance.
Filed under best of, pretty pictures, spacecraft, pics of spacecraft in space, Mars, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Filed under art, spacecraft, Phoenix
SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral to begin the private spaceflight company's first paid cargo run to the International Space Station.
Filed under mission status, spacecraft, private spaceflight, rockets
Filed under pretty pictures, art, spacecraft, Deep Impact
Solar Monitoring Observatory (SOLAR/SMO)
SOLAR is mounted on the Columbus module of the International Space Station. It measures the irradiance received from the sun, contributing to solar and stellar physics research, as well as improving atmoshperic modeling, atmospheric chemistry and climatology models.
Filed under spacecraft, International Space Station, solar observing spacecraft
Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO)
NASA’s twin STEREO spacecraft provide stereoscopic views of the sun to better understand coronal mass ejections.
Filed under art, spacecraft, solar observing spacecraft
Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
SDO records the Sun's dynamic solar activity to understand how it affects life on Earth.
Filed under art, spacecraft, solar observing spacecraft
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
SOHO studies the sun from core to outer corona, and has inadvertently discovered over 2,000 comets due to the coronagraph it uses to block out the sun’s direct glare.
Filed under pretty pictures, art, spacecraft, solar observing spacecraft
Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI)
RHESSI explores the particle physics behind solar flares. It is a small explorer mission (SMEX) in the original American Explorer line of spacecraft.
Filed under art, spacecraft, solar observing spacecraft
Curiosity's soil scoop, ready for action (sol 51)
Curiosity took this photo on sol 51 (September 27, 2012). The soil scoop is still pristinely clean, before the first attempt at sampling.
Filed under mission status, spacecraft, Mars, Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory)
Artist's concept of ISRO's Mangalyaan Mars orbiter.
Filed under art, spacecraft, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)
PICARD takes simultaneous measurements of the Sun's irraadiance, solar flares, magnetic fields and diameter/shape, studying the link between solar cycles and temeperature changes on earth. It is sponsored by CNES, the French space agency.
Filed under spacecraft, solar observing spacecraft
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