Page 6 - Aerotech News and Review, Feb. 21, 2019

NASA, from 5
mospheric particulates, and how the Astronomers used NASA’s Strato- be present in some parts of the mod-
chemical transformation of smoke spheric Observatory for Infrared ern universe, but it had never been
affects air quality, and to a lesser Astronomy, or SOFIA, to make detected in space until instruments
extent weather downwind. another breakthrough, the discov- aboard SOFIA detected it in our own
Scientists aimed a new sensor on ery of the universe’s first type of galaxy for the first time after decades
the ER-2 at the moon in an effort molecule. When the universe was of searching. The molecular signa-
to improve Earth observations. The still very young, only a few kinds ture of helium hydride was found in
airborne Lunar Spectral Irradiance of atoms existed. Scientists believe a nebula located 3,000 light-years
Instrument (air-LUSI) measured and that around 100,000 years after the from Earth near the constellation
characterized the amount of sunlight big bang, helium and hydrogen com- Cygnus. This confirms a key part of
reflected by the Moon at various bined to make a molecule called he- our basic understanding of the chem-
istry of the early universe and how it
phases to accurately calibrate Earth lium hydride for the first time. They evolved over billions of years.
observation sensors. reasoned that helium hydride should
Spaceflight Technology
Armstrong personnel supported
the successful testing of a launch
abort system for the Orion spacecraft
that will enable the Artemis missions
to the Moon, during which humans
will land on the lunar surface for the
first time since the final Apollo mis-
sion in 1972. Once proven, the next
generation of planetary exploration
spacecraft will be used for a new se-
ries of lunar expeditions and eventu-
ally take astronauts to Mars.
In preparation for these missions, Masten Space Systems photograph
a terrain-relative navigation system A terrain relative navigation system was tested on a Masten Space Systems
is under development by Draper of Xodiac rocket in Mojave, Calif. The mission was part of the Flight Opportunities
Cambridge, Mass., for the next lu- program effort to mature space technology through flight.
nar lander module. The system was
tested on a Masten Space Systems agency’s Space Technology Mission parabolic aircraft flights, and high-
Xodiac rocket at Mojave, Calif., on Directorate. The program provides altitude balloons. Building a flight
Sept. 11, 2019. The experiment was opportunities for large and small busi- heritage enables these technologies
part of the Flight Opportunities pro- nesses and universities to demonstrate to be more readily included in future
gram effort to mature space technol- technologies of interest to NASA in
NASA photograph NASA projects and to stimulate the
The TigerShark UAS was flown over Edwards Air Force Base to demonstrate ogy through flight. a space-like environment by testing growth of the U.S. commercial space-
sensors for detect and avoid operations in controlled airspace. Armstrong manages NASA’s Flight them on board commercial suborbit-
Opportunities program under the al launch vehicles, reduced-gravity flight industry.

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HEATHER HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE AS A NURSE AT PALMDALE
REGIONAL FOR FIVE YEARS: She takes pride in caring for her
patients and their families — from her clinical tasks to the little things
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Heather,
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