Radiation Environment at Mars and Earth

This image depicts a full view of the Earth, taken by the Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES-8). The red and green charnels represent visible data, while the blue channel represents inverted 11 micron infrared data. The north and south poles were not actually observed by GOES-8. To produce this image, poles were taken from a GOES-7 image. Owned and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), GOES satellites provide the kind of continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. They circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the equatorial plane of the Earth at a speed matching the Earth's rotation. This allows them to hover continuously over one position on the surface. The geosynchronous plane is about 35,800 km (22,300 miles) above the Earth, high enough to allow the satellites a full-disc view of the Earth. Because they stay above a fixed spot on the surface, they provide a constant vigil for the atmospheric triggers for severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, flash floods, hail storms, and hurricanes. When these conditions develop, the GOES satellites are able to monitor storm development and track their movements. NASA manages the design and launch of the spacecraft. NASA launched the first GOES for NOAA in 1975 and followed it with another in 1977. Currently, the United States is operating GOES-8, positioned at 75 west longitude and the equator, and GOES-10, which is positioned at 135 west longitude and the equator. (GOES-9, which malfunctioned in 1998, is being stored in orbit as an emergency backup should either GOES-8 or GOES-10 fail. GOES-11 was launched on May 3, 2000 and GOES-12 on July 23, 2001. Both are being stored in orbit as a fully functioning replacement for GOES-8 or GOES-10 on failure.

STS002-13-208 (12-14 Nov. 1981) --- This clear view of the aft section of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Columbia's cargo bay and some of its cargo was photographed through the flight deck's aft windows. Visible in the center of the photo are the twin orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods. The vertical stabilizer or tail splits the top part of the image in half. The Induced Environment Contamination Monitor (IECM) Location experiment is located in the back center of the cargo bay, near the top. There is a grapple fixture attached to the side of the IECM. Various components of the Office of Space Terrestrial Applications (OSTA-1) payload are seen near the aft section of the cargo bay, such as the Feature Identification and Location Experiment (FILE) (the long cone shaped object on the right back), the Shuttle Multispectral Infrared Radiometer (SMIRR) (on pallet base) and the SIR-A recorder in the right foreground. In the left foreground the Shuttle Imaging Radar-A (SIR-A) antenna can be seen. Photo credit: NASA

Artist impression of NASA MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging MESSENGER spacecraft as it leaves Earth, following its Aug. 3, 2004 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. aboard a Delta II rocket.

iss067e253397 (Dec. 2, 2024) --- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Expedition 67 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti photographs and exchanges samples for the Fluids Science Laboratory Soft Matter Dynamics space physics experiment aboard the Intenational Space Station's Columbus laboratory module. The microgravity environment enables the observation of "wet" foams and the study of rearrangement phenomena, such as coarsening and coalescence, disentangled from drainage issues caused by Earth's gravity. Results may benefit Earth and space industries.

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, Test Chamber, recreate Venus conditions on Earth, photos of insulation construction progress

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, Test Chamber used to create Venus Conditions on Earth

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, Test Chamber, recreate Venus conditions on Earth, photos of insulation construction progress

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, Test Chamber, recreate Venus conditions on Earth, photos of insulation construction progress

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, Test Chamber used to create Venus Conditions on Earth

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, Test Chamber used to create Venus Conditions on Earth

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, Test Chamber, recreate Venus conditions on Earth, photos of insulation construction progress

STS007-03-058 (18-24 June 1983) --- The Island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. The colorful area is the mouth of the Betsiboka River near the city of Majunga. The photograph was taken with a 70mm handheld camera aimed through the aft flight deck?s overhead windows on the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Challenger.

NASA’s Virtual Glovebox (VGX) was developed to allow astronauts on Earth to train for complex biology research tasks in space. The astronauts may reach into the virtual environment, naturally manipulating specimens, tools, equipment, and accessories in a simulated microgravity environment as they would do in space. Such virtual reality technology also provides engineers and space operations staff with rapid prototyping, planning, and human performance modeling capabilities. Other Earth based applications being explored for this technology include biomedical procedural training and training for disarming bio-terrorism weapons.

iss057e080455 (11/12/2018) --- A view of the Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment - Attached Payload (SEDA-AP) located on the Japanese Experiment Module - Exposed Facility (JEM-EF). The SEDA-AP investigation consists of eight small instruments designed to measure the space environment. Five radiation and particle monitors, an electronic device performance monitor, a micro-particle capture , and a space environment exposure device will provide data to help researchers characterize the environment around space vehicles in low-Earth orbit, which will be used to develop shielding to ensure future spacecraft are safe.

iss066e087939 (12/9/2021) --- A view of the Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF), used for the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) during Expedition 66. The study may improve thermal systems for Earth and other planetary environments.

iss066e088377 (Dec. 9, 2021) --- NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Kayla Barron set up the Fluids Integrated Rack for a space physics study that may improve thermal systems for Earth and other planetary environments.

iss067e055839 (5/16/2022) --- Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) is the first multi-user facility on an ISS ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC). The facility primarily serves as a platform for earth-viewing sensors and other technologies requiring long-term access to the space environment.

iss067e055847 (5/16/2022) --- Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) is the first multi-user facility on an ISS ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC). The facility primarily serves as a platform for earth-viewing sensors and other technologies requiring long-term access to the space environment.

jsc2017e088397 (7/3/2017) --- Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) is the first multi-user facility on an ISS ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC). The facility primarily serves as a platform for earth-viewing sensors and other technologies requiring long-term access to the space environment.

iss067e055504 (5/16/2022) --- Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) is the first multi-user facility on an ISS ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC). The facility primarily serves as a platform for earth-viewing sensors and other technologies requiring long-term access to the space environment.

jsc2017e088400 (7/3/2017) --- Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) is the first multi-user facility on an ISS ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC). The facility primarily serves as a platform for earth-viewing sensors and other technologies requiring long-term access to the space environment.

jsc2020e040942 (4/18/2015) --- Copper zirconium alloy wire. The Exposure Experiment of Copper-Zirconium Antenna Metal Mesh to the Space Environment (ExHAM-Antenna Metal Mesh) investigation tests how well an antenna metal mesh, made from copper and zirconium, performs in the space environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO). While in space, the antenna metal mesh is exposed to cosmic rays and atomic oxygen in the LEO space environment - which can degrade antenna performance. Image Credit: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Taiyo Wire Cloth Co., Ltd., Technosolver Corporation, Koyo Materica Corporation, JAXA..

jsc2020e040941 (9/3/2018) --- Copper zirconium alloy wire being produced. The Exposure Experiment of Copper-Zirconium Antenna Metal Mesh to the Space Environment (ExHAM-Antenna Metal Mesh) investigation tests how well an antenna metal mesh, made from copper and zirconium, performs in the space environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO). While in space, the antenna metal mesh is exposed to cosmic rays and atomic oxygen in the LEO space environment - which can degrade antenna performance. Image Credit: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Taiyo Wire Cloth Co., Ltd., Technosolver Corporation, Koyo Materica Corporation, JAXA..

jsc2020e040944 (7/8/2020) --- Copper zirconium antenna metal mesh. The Exposure Experiment of Copper-Zirconium Antenna Metal Mesh to the Space Environment (ExHAM-Antenna Metal Mesh) investigation tests how well an antenna metal mesh, made from copper and zirconium, performs in the space environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO). While in space, the antenna metal mesh is exposed to cosmic rays and atomic oxygen in the LEO space environment - which can degrade antenna performance. Image Credit: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Taiyo Wire Cloth Co., Ltd., Technosolver Corporation, Koyo Materica Corporation, JAXA..

jsc2020e040943 (9/10/2020) --- An example of a copper zirconium antenna metal mesh on a deployable reflector. The Exposure Experiment of Copper-Zirconium Antenna Metal Mesh to the Space Environment (ExHAM-Antenna Metal Mesh) investigation tests how well an antenna metal mesh, made from copper and zirconium, performs in the space environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO). While in space, the antenna metal mesh is exposed to cosmic rays and atomic oxygen in the LEO space environment - which can degrade antenna performance. Image Credit: Technosolver Corporation, JAXA.

jsc2020e040945 (7/10/2020) --- Copper zirconium antenna metal mesh. The Exposure Experiment of Copper-Zirconium Antenna Metal Mesh to the Space Environment (ExHAM-Antenna Metal Mesh) investigation tests how well an antenna metal mesh, made from copper and zirconium, performs in the space environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO). While in space, the antenna metal mesh is exposed to cosmic rays and atomic oxygen in the LEO space environment - which can degrade antenna performance. Image Credit: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Taiyo Wire Cloth Co., Ltd., Technosolver Corporation, Koyo Materica Corporation, JAXA..

jsc2020e040940 (9/3/2018) --- Copper zirconium alloy wire being produced. The Exposure Experiment of Copper-Zirconium Antenna Metal Mesh to the Space Environment (ExHAM-Antenna Metal Mesh) investigation tests how well an antenna metal mesh, made from copper and zirconium, performs in the space environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO). While in space, the antenna metal mesh is exposed to cosmic rays and atomic oxygen in the LEO space environment - which can degrade antenna performance. Image Credit: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Taiyo Wire Cloth Co., Ltd., Technosolver Corporation, Koyo Materica Corporation, JAXA..

iss071e414653 (Aug. 1, 2024) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Jeanette Epps processes blood and saliva samples aboard the International Space Station's Harmony module. She stowed the specimens in a science freezer and the Kubik research incubator for future retrieval and later analysis. The weightless environment of the orbital outpost allows investigators to explore how living in space long term affects humans and gain insights not possible in Earth’s gravity conditions.

Haughton-Mars Project: - Photo credit to Lorenzo Flueckiger (CMU West) K-10 Rover 'Red' descending Drill Hill toward base campl at Haughton Creator Devon Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian high arctic. Which lies in the 'frost rubble zone' of the Earth, i.e., in a polar desert environment and is the only crater known to lie in such an environment. Beginning in 1997, the crater and its surroundings are studied as a promising Mars analog by the NASA-led Haughton-Mars Project. (photo reference K10-red-hughton-hill.jpg)

Ames Mars Wind Tunnel Facility N-245: NASA is simulating small martian 'dust devils' and wind in a laboraotry to determine how they may affect the landscape and environment of the red planet. Dust Devils on Mars are often a great deal biggger than those on Earth and can at times cover the whole planet. Martian winds & dust devils, big and little, collectively are a great force that is constantly changing the planet's environment. shown here: vortex generator inside vacuum chamber using dry ice w/ Jaimie Chhu

Ames Mars Wind Tunnel Facility N-245: NASA is simulating small martian 'dust devils' and wind in a laboraotry to determine how they may affect the landscape and environment of the red planet. Dust Devils on Mars are often a great deal biggger than those on Earth and can at times cover the whole planet. Martian winds & dust devils, big and little, collectively are a great force that is constantly changing the planet's environment. shown here: is the control room for the Mars W.T. with Eric Eddlemon

Haughton-Mars Project: - Photo credit to Matt Deans (NASA) K-10 Rover 'Black' and K-10 'RED' conducting systematic site survey at Haughton Creater Devon Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian high arctic. Which lies in the 'frost rubble zone' of the Earth, i.e., in a polar desert environment and is the only crater known to lie in such an environment. Beginning in 1997, the crater and its surroundings are studied as a promising Mars analog by the NASA-led Haughton-Mars Project. (photo reference MCD_0888.JPG)

Haughton-Mars Project: - Photo credit to Matt Deans (NASA) K-10 Rover 'Red' base camp at Haughton Creater Devon Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian high arctic. Which lies in the 'frost rubble zone' of the Earth, i.e., in a polar desert environment and is the only crater known to lie in such an environment. Beginning in 1997, the crater and its surroundings are studied as a promising Mars analog by the NASA-led Haughton-Mars Project. (photo reference MCD_0859.JPG)

Ames Mars Wind Tunnel Facility N-245: NASA is simulating small martian 'dust devils' and wind in a laboraotry to determine how they may affect the landscape and environment of the red planet. Dust Devils on Mars are often a great deal biggger than those on Earth and can at times cover the whole planet. Martian winds & dust devils, big and little, collectively are a great force that is constantly changing the planet's environment. shown here walnut shell particles used in vortex generator to simulate quartz dust on Mars

Ames Mars Wind Tunnel Facility N-245: NASA is simulating small martian 'dust devils' and wind in a laboraotry to determine how they may affect the landscape and environment of the red planet. Dust Devils on Mars are often a great deal biggger than those on Earth and can at times cover the whole planet. Martian winds & dust devils, big and little, collectively are a great force that is constantly changing the planet's environment. shown here: Silica Sand (Oklahoma 90) particles used in vortex generatory and Mars Wind Tunnel

Haughton-Mars Project: - Photo credit to Matt Deans (NASA) K-10 Rover 'Red' base camp at Haughton Creater Devon Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian high arctic. Which lies in the 'frost rubble zone' of the Earth, i.e., in a polar desert environment and is the only crater known to lie in such an environment. Beginning in 1997, the crater and its surroundings are studied as a promising Mars analog by the NASA-led Haughton-Mars Project. (photo reference MCD_0838.JPG)

Haughton-Mars Project: - Photo credit to Matt Deans (NASA) K-10 Rover 'Black' driving on 'Drill Hill at Haughton Creater Devon Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian high arctic. Which lies in the 'frost rubble zone' of the Earth, i.e., in a polar desert environment and is the only crater known to lie in such an environment. Beginning in 1997, the crater and its surroundings are studied as a promising Mars analog by the NASA-led Haughton-Mars Project. (photo reference IMG_1278.JPG)

Haughton-Mars Project: - Photo credit to Matt Deans (NASA) K-10 Rover 'Red' base camp at Haughton Creater Devon Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian high arctic. Which lies in the 'frost rubble zone' of the Earth, i.e., in a polar desert environment and is the only crater known to lie in such an environment. Beginning in 1997, the crater and its surroundings are studied as a promising Mars analog by the NASA-led Haughton-Mars Project. (photo reference K10-R-haughton.jpg - crop of ACD07-0170-4 MCD_0859.JPG)

Haughton-Mars Project: - Photo credit to Matt Deans (NASA) K-10 Rover 'Black' operating with ground-penetrating radar at Haughton Creater Devon Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian high arctic. Which lies in the 'frost rubble zone' of the Earth, i.e., in a polar desert environment and is the only crater known to lie in such an environment. Beginning in 1997, the crater and its surroundings are studied as a promising Mars analog by the NASA-led Haughton-Mars Project. (photo reference MCD_0745.JPG

iss071e066956 (May 9, 2024) --- The inside of the Kibo laboratory module's airlock safely links the pressurized environment of the International Space Station to the vacuum of space. Astronauts load hardware, experiments, and CubeSats inside the airlock then depressurize it before the external hatch opens to the harsh environment of space. The Japanese robotic arm grapples the research hardware and installs it on an external pallet or points a small satellite deployer away from the station and deploys the CubeSats into Earth orbit.

Ames Mars Wind Tunnel Facility N-245: NASA is simulating small martian 'dust devils' and wind in a laboraotry to determine how they may affect the landscape and environment of the red planet. Dust Devils on Mars are often a great deal biggger than those on Earth and can at times cover the whole planet. Martian winds & dust devils, big and little, collectively are a great force that is constantly changing the planet's environment. shown here: Carbondale Red Clay dust used in vortex generatory and Mars Wind Tunnel

iss056e078370 (6/7/2018) --- Photo of the QUANTUM experiment floating in front of Window 7 in the Cupola module. Earth is in the background. QUANTUM observes the effects of entropy outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Materials with tight, intense crystalline structures are exposed to a space environment to observe even small changes and differences between materials aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and those on Earth.

iss056e078371 (6/7/2018) --- Photo of the QUANTUM experiment floating in front of Window 7 in the Cupola module. Earth is in the background. QUANTUM observes the effects of entropy outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Materials with tight, intense crystalline structures are exposed to a space environment to observe even small changes and differences between materials aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and those on Earth.

S73-23952 (May 1973) --- This is the official emblem for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Skylab Program. The emblem depicts the United States Skylab space station cluster in Earth orbit with the sun in the background. Skylab will evaluate systems and techniques designed to gather information on Earth resources and environmental problems. Solar telescopes will increase man's knowledge of our sun and the multitude of solar influences on Earth environment. Medical experiments will increase knowledge of man himself and his relationship to his earthly environment and adaptability to spaceflight. Additionally, Skylab will experiment with industrial processes which may be enhanced by the unique weightless, vacuum environment of orbital spaceflight. The 100-ton laboratory complex Skylab space station is composed of the Command/Service Module (CSM), Orbital Workshop (OW), Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM), Multiple Docking Adapter (MDA), and Airlock Module (AM). The NASA insignia design for Skylab is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which we do not anticipate, it will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA

iss055e026913 (4/19/2018) --- View of the Materials ISS Experiment Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) taken by the External High Definition Camera (EHDC1). The MISSE-FF platform provides the ability to test materials, coatings, and components or other larger experiments in the harsh environment of space, which is virtually impossible to do collectively on Earth.

jsc2022e031226 (4/26/2022) --- A mission overview of the Protein Manufacturing investigation shows hardware, operations, and scientific details. The Protein Manufacturing project demonstrates and tests the operation of a novel bioreactor technology to support robust fungal growth for the production of high-protein food in a low-Earth orbit, space environment. Image courtesy of BioServe.

Onboard photo of space shuttle Columbia (STS-73) crewmembers Fred Leslie (foreground) and Catherine Coleman aboard the United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML) conducting experiments in a microgravitational environment available in the Orbiter's cargo bay while in low earth orbit.

ISS034-E-051551 (21 Feb. 2013) --- Cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, Expedition 34 flight engineer, works with the Electronic Nose hardware in the Zvezda service module aboard the International Space Station in Earth orbit. This hardware is used to measure contamination in the environment should there be hard to detect chemical leaks or spills.

Tech Talk on Extreme Rovers: Unveiling the latest findings of Robotic Exploration of Extreme Environments shown in the Immersve Theater NASA Ames Exploration Center Bldg 943A Dr Chris McKay of Ames offers open discussion about rovers in the exporation of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

STS072-306-024 (11-20 Jan. 1996) --- Astronaut Daniel T. Barry sleeps on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Endeavour. The sleeping bag is considered advantageous primarily because it restricts movement in the microgravity environment, as Barry’s crew mates pointed out during a televised NASA briefing following the mission.

Tech Talk on Extreme Rovers: Unveiling the latest findings of Robotic Exploration of Extreme Environments shown in the Immersve Theater NASA Ames Exploration Center Bldg 943A Dr Chris McKay of Ames offers open discussion about rovers in the exporation of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

Astronaut Pierre J. Thuot, mission specialist, works with the Mid-deck 0-gravity Dynamics Experiment (MODE) aboard the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-62). MODE studies the dynamics of liquids and skewed space structures in the microgravity environment.

iss065e144303 (June 15, 2021) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 65 Flight Engineer Megan McArthur looks out a window on the Kibo laboratory module at the Earth below and the Exposed Facility where microgravity experiments are placed to understand how the harsh environment of outer space affects a variety of materials.

STS112-E-05104 (10 October 2002) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) and a portion of the Quest Airlock are visible. MISSE collects information on how different materials weather in the environment of space.

S132-E-007185 (15 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, STS-132 mission specialist, takes advantage of the weightless environment on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis to get creative with his posture during Flight Day 2 activities. Photo credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

jsc2023e065214 (2/7/2023) --- Eighth grade student researchers work on their experiment, Microgreen Growth in Microgravity Environment, which will be included in the Nanoracks-National Center for Earth and Space Science Education-Orbiter-Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Mission 17 to ISS (Nanoracks-NCESSE-Orbiter-SSEP).

STS093-345-008 (22-27 July 1999) --- Close-up view of the Plant Growth Investigations in Microgravity (PGIM-1) payload experiment onboard the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Columbia. The PGIM-1 monitors the space flight environment for stressful conditions that affect plant growth.

iss066e123191 (Jan. 20, 2022) --- NASA astronaut Engineer Raja Chari gathers items for the Rhodium Synthetic Cryptobiology experiment for packing inside the SpaceX Cargo Dragon resupply ship. Results from the biotechnology study could help create more rugged biological components and advance these technologies for use in space and in extreme environments on Earth.

Tech Talk on Extreme Rovers: Unveiling the latest findings of Robotic Exploration of Extreme Environments shown in the Immersve Theater NASA Ames Exploration Center Bldg 943A Dr Chris McKay of Ames offers open discussion about rovers in the exporation of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

Tech Talk on Extreme Rovers: Unveiling the latest findings of Robotic Exploration of Extreme Environments shown in the Immersve Theater NASA Ames Exploration Center Bldg 943A Dr Chris McKay of Ames offers open discussion about rovers in the exporation of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

Back dropped by the blue and white Earth is a Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) on the exterior of the Station. The photograph was taken during the second bout of STS-118 Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA). MISSE collects information on how different materials weather in the environment of space.

Tech Talk on Extreme Rovers: Unveiling the latest findings of Robotic Exploration of Extreme Environments shown in the Immersve Theater NASA Ames Exploration Center Bldg 943A Dr Chris McKay of Ames offers open discussion about rovers in the exporation of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

Tech Talk on Extreme Rovers: Unveiling the latest findings of Robotic Exploration of Extreme Environments shown in the Immersve Theater NASA Ames Exploration Center Bldg 943A Dr Chris McKay of Ames offers open discussion about rovers in the exporation of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

STS027-10-021 (2-6 Dec. 1988) --- Astronaut Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, STS-27 mission specialist, is able to handle a number of cameras with the aid of the microgravity in the shirt sleeve environment of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA

s115e06407 (9/17/2006) --- The Materials International Space Station Experiment-5 (MISSE-5) was an external payload that flew on-board the ISS from August 2005 until September 2006. MISSE-5 provided an opportunity for researchers to test a wide range of samples in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment.

iss066e123190 (Jan. 20, 2022) --- NASA astronaut Engineer Raja Chari gathers items for the Rhodium Synthetic Cryptobiology experiment for packing inside the SpaceX Cargo Dragon resupply ship. Results from the biotechnology study could help create more rugged biological components and advance these technologies for use in space and in extreme environments on Earth.

Boeing’s Crew Flight Test Starliner prepares for thermal vacuum testing at Boeing’s Space Environment Test Facility in El Segundo, Calif. During this test series, test teams outfitted Starliner with hot plates and radiators and placed in a vacuum chamber that could also be filled with a cryogenic nitrogen shroud. This allowed Boeing teams to simulate the vacuum environment in space as well as the drastic temperature swings Starliner will see as it moves to and from direct sunlight and the Earth’s shadow. This is the Starliner that will be used for Boeing’s Crew Flight Test as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which is working with Boeing to return human spaceflight launches to the space station from U.S. soil.

S68-55391 (11 Dec. 1968) --- Astronaut Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot of the Apollo 9 (Spacecraft 104/Lunar Module 3/Saturn 504) space mission, is seen inside Chamber "A," Space Environment Simulation Laboratory, Building 32, participating in dry run activity in preparation for extravehicular activity which is scheduled in Chamber "A." The purpose of the scheduled training is to familiarize the crewmen with the operation of EVA equipment in a simulated space environment. In addition, metabolic and workload profiles will be simulated on each crewman. Astronauts Schweickart and Alan L. Bean, backup lunar module pilot, are scheduled to receive thermal-vacuum training simulating Earth-orbital EVA.

Boeing’s Crew Flight Test Starliner prepares for thermal vacuum testing at Boeing’s Space Environment Test Facility in El Segundo, Calif. During this test series, test teams outfitted Starliner with hot plates and radiators and placed in a vacuum chamber that could also be filled with a cryogenic nitrogen shroud. This allowed Boeing teams to simulate the vacuum environment in space as well as the drastic temperature swings Starliner will see as it moves to and from direct sunlight and the Earth’s shadow. This is the Starliner that will be used for Boeing’s Crew Flight Test as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which is working with Boeing to return human spaceflight launches to the space station from U.S. soil.

Ames Mars Wind Tunnel Facility N-245: NASA is simulating small martian 'dust devils' and wind in a laboraotry to determine how they may affect the landscape and environment of the red planet. Dust Devils on Mars are often a great deal biggger than those on Earth and can at times cover the whole planet. Martian winds & dust devils, big and little, collectively are a great force that is constantly changing the planet's environment. shown here: looking through Mars W. T. air intake towards test section w/ Eric Eddlemon

Spacecraft: The Kennedy Space Center has processed and launched many scientific missions to study Earth, the moon, other planets, and the space environment, which has greatly expanded our knowledge and understanding of the solar system. These automated machines have orbited and landed on Venus and Mars, explored the Sun’s environment, observed comets and asteroids, and made close-range surveys while flying past Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The Launch Services Program, established in 1998, continues this mission today. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA

Ames Mars Wind Tunnel Facility N-245: NASA is simulating small martian 'dust devils' and wind in a laboraotry to determine how they may affect the landscape and environment of the red planet. Dust Devils on Mars are often a great deal biggger than those on Earth and can at times cover the whole planet. Martian winds & dust devils, big and little, collectively are a great force that is constantly changing the planet's environment. shown here: interior of vacuum chamber from above showing Mars W. T. and Vortex Generator w/ Dric Eddlemon and Jaimie Chhu

Boeing’s Crew Flight Test CST-100 Starliner prepares for thermal vacuum testing at Boeing’s Space Environment Test Facility in El Segundo, Calif. During this test series, test teams outfitted Starliner with hot plates and radiators and placed in a vacuum chamber that could also be filled with a cryogenic nitrogen shroud. This allowed Boeing teams to simulate the vacuum environment in space as well as the drastic temperature swings Starliner will see as it moves to and from direct sunlight and the Earth’s shadow. This is the Starliner that will be used for Boeing’s Crew Flight Test as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which is working with Boeing to return human spaceflight launches to the space station from U.S. soil.

This NASA Dryden Flight Research Center DC-8 takes off from Patrick Air Force Base to pursue its goal of collecting high-altitude information about Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms. Flying at 35,000 to 40,000 feet, the plane is equipped with instruments to measure the storm’s structure, environment and changes in intensity and tracking. The DC-8 is part of the NASA-led Atmospheric Dynamics and Remote Sensing program that includes other government weather researchers and the university community in a study of Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms. The hurricane study, which lasts through September, is part of NASA’s Earth Science enterprise to better understand the total Earth system and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment

This NASA Dryden Flight Research Center DC-8, on view at Patrick Air Force Base, stands ready to pursue its goal of collecting high-altitude information about Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms. Flying at 35,000 to 40,000 feet, the plane is equipped with instruments to measure the storm’s structure, environment and changes in intensity and tracking. The DC-8 is part of the NASA-led Atmospheric Dynamics and Remote Sensing program that includes other government weather researchers and the university community in a study of Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms. The hurricane study, which lasts through September 1998, is part of NASA’s Earth Science enterprise to better understand the total Earth system and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment

NASA pilots Dick Ewens and Gordon Fullerton sit at the controls in the cockpit of the Dryden Flight Research Center DC-8 that was on view at Patrick Air Force Base. The DC-8 is one of two aircraft being flown in a hurricane study through September to learn about the storms from top to bottom. Flying at 35,000 to 40,000 feet, the DC-8 is equipped with instruments to measure a hurricane’s structure, environment and changes in intensity and tracking. The other plane, a modified U2, and the DC-8 will fly in conjunction with scheduled storm flights of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and the U.S. Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The study is part of NASA’s Earth Science enterprise to better understand the total Earth system and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment

iss070e005386 (Oct. 18, 2023) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli uses a portable DNA detection device that can be found in laboratories and classrooms on Earth. She was identifying bacteria extracted from water samples collected aboard the International Space Station. Known as BioMole, the study is demonstrating the ability to monitor the spacecraft’s microbial environment without sending samples back to Earth for analysis.

Pamela Conrad, an astrobiologist from Goddard Space Flight Center, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA-funded astrobiology research has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth. Researchers conducting tests in the harsh environment of Mono Lake in California have discovered the first known microorganism on Earth able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

iss060e014594 (7/25/2019) ---Photo documentation during the preparation for the VECTION experiment in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The objective of The Effect of Long Duration Hypogravity on the Perception of Self-Motion (VECTION) study is to determine to what extent an astronaut's ability to visually interpret motion, orientation, and distance may be disrupted in a microgravity environment, and how it may adapt, and how it may be changed upon return to Earth. Multiple experimental time points inflight and upon return to Earth allows for the adaptation and recovery process to be investigated.

ISS034-E-062050 (3 March 2013) --- Taking advantage of a weightless environment onboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station, Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford juggles some tomatoes, which he probably considers to be among the more delicious components of a recent "package" that arrived from Earth on March 3. The SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft brought up a large shipment of food and other supplies, and the spacecraft will remain docked to the station for three weeks. Ford is in Node 1 or Unity. The U.S. lab or Destiny is in the background.

Astronaut Michael Clifford places a liquid nitrogen Dewar containing frozen protein solutions aboard Russia's space station Mir during a visit by the Space Shuttle (STS-76). The protein samples were flash-frozen on Earth and will be allowed to thaw and crystallize in the microgravity environment on Mir Space Station. A later crew will return the Dewar to Earth for sample analysis. Dr. Alexander McPherson of the University of California at Riverside is the principal investigator. Photo credit: NASA/Johnson Space Center.

Steven Benner, a distinguished fellow at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA-funded astrobiology research has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth. Researchers conducting tests in the harsh environment of Mono Lake in California have discovered the first known microorganism on Earth able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

During the annual Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Shari Blissett-Clark of the Florida Bat Conservancy displays one of the mammals. The event took place during the annual Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests have an opportunity to learn more about energy awareness, the environment and sustainability.

Astronaut Tom Akers places a liquid nitrogen Dewar containing frozen protein solutions aboard Russia's space Station Mir during a visit by the Space Shuttle (STS-79). The protein samples were flash-frozen on Earth and will be allowed to thaw and crystallize in the microgravity environment on Mir Space Station. A later crew will return the Dewar to Earth for sample analysis. Dr. Alexander McPherson of the University of California at Riverside is the principal investigator. Photo credit: NASA/Johnson Space Center.

During the annual Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Shari Blissett-Clark of the Florida Bat Conservancy displays one of the mammals. The event took place during the annual Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests have an opportunity to learn more about energy awareness, the environment and sustainability.

ISS045E028447 (09/25/2015) --- Sunlight shines on the International Space Station as it flies approximately 250 miles over the Earth’s surface. One of the station’s massive solar arrays is visible left, responsible for generating power for all of the various station systems. The Japanese Exposed Facility is visible at the top of the image where experiments are exposed to the vacuum and environment of space. The Japanese HTV-5 cargo vehicle is seen on the right while still docked to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module; the vehicle was unberthed and released on Sept. 28, 2015.

Felisa Wolfe-Simon, a lead researcher and NASA astrobiology research fellow, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA-funded astrobiology research has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth. Researchers conducting tests in the harsh environment of Mono Lake in California have discovered the first known microorganism on Earth able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Felisa Wolfe-Simon, director, Astrobiology Program, NASA Headquarters, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA-funded astrobiology research has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth. Researchers conducting tests in the harsh environment of Mono Lake in California have discovered the first known microorganism on Earth able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Satellites: The principal objectives of the Launch Services Program are to provide safe, reliable, cost-effective and on schedule launch services for NASA and NASA-sponsored payloads seeking launch on expendable vehicles. These payloads have a number of purposes. Scientific satellites obtain information about the space environment and transmit it to stations on Earth. Applications satellites designed to perform experiments that have everyday usefulness for people on Earth, such as weather forecasting and communications. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA

s114e7235 (8/6/2005) --- Backdropped by a colorful Earth, this aft view of the International Space Station was photographed during the flyaround by the Space Shuttle Discovery following the undocking of the two spacecraft. Visible in the frame are the P6 Truss / Photovoltaic Solar Arrays and MISSE-5. The Materials International Space Station Experiment-5 (MISSE-5) was an external payload that flew on-board the ISS from August 2005 until September 2006. MISSE-5 provided an opportunity for researchers to test a wide range of samples in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment.

Technicians extend the solar array on NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) during a deployment test inside Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Aug. 10, 2019. ICON will launch on a Pegasus XL rocket, attached beneath the company's L-1011 Stargazer aircraft, from the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Launch is scheduled for Oct. 10. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology and communications systems.

Northrop Grumman's L-1011 Stargazer aircraft is at the hot pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on May 26, 2018. Preparations are underway to attach the company's Pegasus XL rocket, containing NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), beneath the aircraft. The explorer will launch on June 15, 2018, from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands (June 14 in the continental United States). ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology, communications systems and society.

The first stage motor for the Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket was moved inside Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In the background are the second and third stage segments. The rocket is being prepared for NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, mission. ICON will launch from the Kwajalein Atoll aboard the Pegasus XL on Dec. 8, 2017. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology, communications systems and society.

The first stage motor for the Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket is moved into Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket is being prepared for NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, mission. ICON will launch from the Kwajalein Atoll aboard the Pegasus XL on Dec. 8, 2017. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology, communications systems and society.

Workers transfer the wing for the Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket from a truck to a forklift at Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket is being prepared for NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, mission. ICON will launch from the Kwajalein Atoll aboard the Pegasus XL on Dec. 8, 2017. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology, communications systems and society.

The 66th Space Shuttle flight began with a nearly on-time liftoff of the Orbiter Atlantis (STS-66) into the clear Florida skies. Atlantis returned to space after a nearly two year absence. The plarned 11-day flight will continue NASA's Mission to Planet Earth, a comprehensive international collaboration to study how Earth's environment is changing and how human beings affect that change. Primary payloads on this flight included the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-3), making its third flight, and the German-built Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite (CRISTA-SPAS), which was deployed and retrieved during the mission.

The solar panels on NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) are being deployed to test them inside Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Aug. 10, 2019. ICON will launch on a Pegasus XL rocket, attached beneath the company's L-1011 Stargazer aircraft, from the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Launch is scheduled for Oct. 10. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology and communications systems.

The Northrop Grumman L-1011 Stargazer aircraft, with the Pegasus XL rocket attached beneath, is being prepared for takeoff from the runway at the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 7, 2018. NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite is secured inside the rocket's payload fairing. The Pegasus XL rocket will be carried aloft by the Stargazer. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology, communications systems and society.

iss060e014613 (7/25/2019) --- European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmintano is shown in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the Vection experiment. The objective of The Effect of Long Duration Hypogravity on the Perception of Self-Motion (VECTION) study is to determine to what extent an astronaut's ability to visually interpret motion, orientation, and distance may be disrupted in a microgravity environment, and how it may adapt, and how it may be changed upon return to Earth. Multiple experimental time points inflight and upon return to Earth allows for the adaptation and recovery process to be investigated.