ss_blog_claim=8dcabb3175f064b32823a45ed345083b Majik's Thoughts: ISS
Showing posts with label ISS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ISS. Show all posts

6/01/2008

Emergency Toilet Repair!

Since Entrecard is still down I got to spend some time going through different News Networks' pages today. It seems that the toilet on the ISS (International Space Station) is partially broken down. The Space shuttle Discovery was launched yesterday carrying emergency plumbing supplies and the Japanese Kibo laboratory. I wonder what a leaky toilet would look like in space? Another important note for Canadians is that an ex-pat will be joining the crew of the Space Station for the next six months.

Going forward with the construction of the Space Station is a very important step for all of mankind. We have had a need to search out the unknown since before Columbus swore that the earth was round and not flat. We have come a long way since we have discovered that the earth is indeed round and we still have a lot more ground to cover. Creating an outpost for humanity in the darkness of space will help us get to Mars and beyond. Where am I going with this? Anyway, it is important that a Canadian ex-pat will be joining the crew of the ISS for the next six months.

I'm not sure if many of you have heard but the Canadian Space Agency is looking for more astronauts. I doubt I have much chance of becoming one, but I am sure there are quite a few Canadians who are willing to try. This has not been the first time the CSA has been looking to increase their number of employee's and I am sure that it will not be the last time either. I hope to hear more on their recruitment in the coming months. I also hope that they get that toilet they have on the station fixed as well, that could get really messy. All that urine floating around can't be good for the crew. Anyway be of luck to the Astronauts throughout their current mission!


Image Source: NASA
News Story: Shuttle lifts off with Montreal-born astronaut aboard

2/10/2008

News From Space!

Well it's official now, the shuttle Atlantis is in orbit. This is definitely good news for the European Space Agency (E.S.A.) considering the pay load on the shuttle is the E.S.A.s Columbus research module. The module has been in limbo for too long, even though the delays gave engineers longer to make upgrades to the systems on board.

The space shuttle left the launch pad on Thursday of last week and docked with the International Space Station yesterday. Attaching the Columbus research module is said to require three space walks or extra vehicular activities. So far there has been no mention of using the stations robotic arm to attach the module just the shuttles robotic arm. Although I'm sure the Canadian technology will be used during the space walks to give astronaughts a work platform.

Astronaughts on board will also be conducting an inspection of Atlantis' wings. The initial backflip performed by Commander Stephen Frick allowed for footage of the shuttles heat shields to be recorded. The U.S. Space agency doesn't expect to see anything that could endanger the crew upon re-entry.

All in all it is good to hear that the International Space Station program is making progress. One of our most challenging construction projects, albeit far behind schedule, is finally moving forward. My only thoughts about this news is, its about time!


News Story: Shuttle docks with space station
Image Source: Wiki Media Commons