On Oct. 12-13, 2015, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly took a series of seventeen photographs from the International Space Station during a single flyover of Australia. This first photo of the series was posted with the caption, “#EarthArt in one pass over the #Australian continent. Picture 1 of 17. #YearInSpace”.
Image Credit: NASA
Source…..www.nasa.gov
Scott Kelly recently broke the record for most time spent in space by a US astronaut, logging his 383rd day aboard the International Space Station. He’s also on pace to break another record on October 29th, when he spends his 216th consecutive day orbiting the earth — the most in a row.
For many people, this seems like a dream. The idea of floating up in space, where so few people in the history of the world have ever been, is intoxicating. But it can, of course, get intensely lonely, Kelly says.
“A year really is a long time…a long time to never be able to go outside, or feel the sun on your face, or to see your family through anything besides a computer screen,” he muses.
And one of the ways he stays connected to the world below is through music.
“When living in a place isolated from the rest of the world like here aboard the International Space Station, [music] becomes more significant,” he tells Spotify.
Kelly has created a playlist that reflects his space journey so far. It spans many genres, but there is a contemplative wistfulness that runs through it. It’s not hard to imagine listening to these songs as you stare across the void back at your home planet.
And to be honest, it’s a bit dorky — the kind of earnest emotion unconcerned with looking cool.
Here are the tracks, which Kelly suggests you listen to in order:
Source…..www.businessinsider.com
Natarajan
Never been on an airplane? Here’s your chance to board one for as little as Rs 60, or even for nothing if you don’t have the money. Retired aircraft engineer Bahadur Chand Gupta will be happy to show you around.
“I am in an aeroplane for the first time. I saw many things inside,” exclaimed an excited Jatin when he boarded the flight to nowhere.
He is one of many underprivileged kids who may never get a chance to fly on an actual plane. But he climbed the long stairway that took him to an orange and white aircraft set up on a patch of land on the outskirts of Delhi.
When a retired aircraft engineer Bahadur Chand Gupta, who comes from the small village of Kasana in Haryana, started his career many years ago, the villagers curiously asked him what it was like to be in an aircraft. None of them had ever seen a real airplane and they wanted to get a glimpse of life in the aviation industry through Gupta’s eyes. –
For security reasons, Gupta was never able to take his fellow villagers inside an actual aircraft. But he always wanted to do something that would give them a taste of flying.
To make the experience close to real, the ‘passengers’ in his ‘flight’ are given boarding passes, shown safety instructions, and even offered in-flight snacks. Some even get to see the cockpit.
The passengers pay as little as Rs. 60 to board this flight and some can even get to be part of it for free (depending upon their financial condition). What adds to the amazing in-flight experience is the unique evacuation practice where the kids slide out of the the aircraft instead of taking the regular stairs.
Source….Shreya Pareek….www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
Just before the 15th anniversary of continuous human presence on the International Space Station on Nov. 2, 2015, U.S. astronaut and commander of the current Expedition 45 crew, Scott Kelly, is breaking spaceflight records. On Friday, Oct. 16, Kelly begins his 383rd day living in space, surpassing U.S. astronaut Mike Fincke’s record of 382 cumulative days. Kelly will break another record Oct. 29 on his 216th consecutive day in space, when he will surpass astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria’s record for the single-longest spaceflight by an American. Lopez-Alegria spent 215 days in space as commander of the Expedition 14 crew in 2006.
In this July 12 photograph, Kelly is seen inside the Cupola, a special module which provides a 360-degree viewing of the Earth and the space station. On each additional day he spends in orbit as part of his one-year mission, Kelly will add to his record and to our understanding of the effects of long-duration spaceflight.
Kelly is scheduled to return to Earth on March 3, 2016, by which time he will have compiled 522 total days living in space during four missions.
Image Credit: NASA
Source….www.nasa.gov
Natarajan
In-flight entertainment systems will need to be top quality in the future as ultra-long non-stop routes are becoming all the rage.
Qantas announced a non-stop 19-hour flight between Australia and the UK within two years – and now Singapore Airlines is set to launch a non-stop journey that’s the same, gruelling length.
In a statement this week Singapore Airlines announced that it would resume offering 19-hour flights from Singapore to New York in 2018.
The carrier previously operated the long haul route until 2013.
Singapore Airlines says that due to demand the service will resume with the help of a brand new aircraft.
The plane in question will be Airbus’ new ‘ultra-long range’ version of its A350-900, of which Singapore Airlines will be the launch customer.
The high-tech newly converted planes will have the capability of flying up to 19 hours using the increased fuel capacity of its system from 141,000 litres to 165,000 litres.
Our customers have been asking us to re-start non-stop Singapore-US flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner,’ said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.
The airline has placed an order for 67 of the Airbus A350s, and as more of the efficient planes are added to the fleet, the plan is to resume the 19-hour Singapore-LA route in the near future as well.
At the moment, fliers wishing to make the 8,700-nautical-mile journey to the Big Apple from Singapore have to face the delights of a 22-hour journey, with at least one connection.
LA-bound passengers have a slightly shorter ordeal, with the trip currently taking around 17 hours or more, also with a stop.
Battle is on: Qantas also plans to offer 19-hour flights – from Perth to London
The news comes after Qantas revealed plans to offer a non-stop 19-hour flight between Australia and the UK within two years.
If it does launch before Singapore Airlines’ 19-hour route it will briefly give Qantas the crown of operating the world’s longest non-stop commercial flight.
The airline’s chief executive Alan Joyce said they aim to fly between Perth and London using its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner by 2017.
‘This opens up direct service from Australia to Europe for the first time,’ he said.
The potential flight path would need two pairs of pilots, extra cabin crew and a proper rest area for airline staff.
Qantas has already ordered eight Boeing 787-9 planes to replace its 747 fleet.
The new aircraft will have roughly 250 seats and include business class, premium economy and economy.
Qantas already operates the current longest route in the world, from Sydney to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Source…..www.dailymail.co.uk
For those lucky enough to ride in a first class cabin, a 20-hour flight is actually something to look forward to.
AirlineRatings.com, which rates airlines on the level of comfort and safety they provide to passengers, recently ranked the top 10 airlines with the best first class cabins.
From multi-room suites to double beds covered in plush linens, here’s a look inside the cushiest first class cabins in the world.
Business class cabins on Emirates have privacy doors, personal mini bars, and ambient lighting for maximum relaxation. Each seat converts to a fully flat mattress.
On longer flights, take advantage of the onboard shower spa stocked with Bvlgari toiletries, or stretch your legs and grab a drink in the first and business class lounge.
On Etihad Airways, cabins feature Poltrona Frau leather seats, ambient lighting, personal wardrobes, and a chilled drinks cabinet. Guests looking for the ultimate experience in luxury can stay in The Residence — an upper deck cabin on the A380 airbus that has a living room, separate double bedroom, ensuite shower room, personal butler, and chef.
Each wood grain and leather cabin on Japan Airlines‘ 777 is designed with custom airweave bedding, a retractable privacy partition, and a 23-inch personal TV screen. Meals are prepared by chefs like Seiji Yamamoto, known for his three-Michelin star restaurant, Ryugin, in Tokyo.
Lufthansa’s first class suites include ergonomically shaped seats, lie-flat beds with a mattress topper, pillow, and duvet, and in-flight entertainment in up to eight languages. The wine list is curated by sommelier Markus Del Monego and caviar is served.
The seats on Singapore Airlines are 35 inches wide, with a bed length of 82 inches and curved side panels for privacy. Passengers are treated to pajamas and bedroom slippers as they relax in the ambient mood lighting. Each seat has a vanity corner with a mirror so you can freshen up before you disembark.
International first class suites on Australia’s
Qantas airline are designed with lie-flat beds measuring 6.5 feet long. The mattress is made of plush sheepskin and the seat and leg rest are adjustable. There’s even an ottoman so you can have a guest in your cabin.
Dining options include an eight-course tasting menu or an à la carte menu designed by Chef Neil Perry, with selections from Quantas’ award-winning wine list.
Swiss International Air Lines’ first class armchairs are available on long-haul flights and can be turned into a lounge armchair, a table for two, or a 6.5 foot bed with a mattress and privacy walls.
Passengers are given pajamas by Zimmerli of Switzerland and toiletry bags that contain socks, eye masks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, earplugs, and skincare products by La Prairie.
Korean Air’s first class cabins offer a variety of seating options. The Kosmo Suite 2.0 includes a sliding door that’s see-through on the inside, a 9.4-inch partition, and a 79-inch seat. Kosmo Suite seats are 26.5 inches wide and have adjustable back support, a footrest, and one-touch controls to change positions.
There’s also a Kosmo Sleeper with a 78-inch lie-flat bed and a Sleeper Ottoman with a
180-degree lie-flat bed on B777-300, A330-300, and A330-200 aircrafts.
Seats come with personal LCD screens, individual reading lamps, and free noise-cancelling headphones.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) offers first class passengers a cabin with comfortable seating, a large adjustable dining table, and an adjustable cocktail table. What sets this cabin apart is its storage. There’s a mini closet for your jacket and shoes, a space underneath the ottoman for baggage, and multiple compartments for smaller items.
Seats have two LED personal lights, international telephones with personal satellites to make calls in privacy, a ‘do not disturb’ light, USB port, and 23-inch LCD wide-screen monitor.
Guests flying Royal First Class on Thai Airways are greeted with chilled Champagne and caviar. The Airbus A380s and newly remodeled Boeing 747s feature semi-private suites that are almost eight feet long. Seats are either 23 or 27 inches wide on the 747 and Airbus A380, respectively.
Chairs convert to 180-degree lie-flat beds, in-flight entertainment systems boast 23-inch flat screes with over 300 programs, and passengers can relax with a full-body massage at the Royal First Lounge of Bankgkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport before their flight.
Source….www.businessinsider.com.au
Natarajan
Alaska Airlines Space Bins will give passengers almost 50 percent more space overhead for carry-on bags. Within two years, nearly half of Alaska Airlines’ fleet will be fitted with the larger bins, the airline said. (Boeing)
Is the end of scrambling for overhead bin space near?
Boeing revealed new overhead bins on its Boeing 737s that will give passengers almost 50 percent more space for carry-on luggage.
Alaska Airlines is one of the first major airlines outfitted with Boeing’s bigger and wider bins, it dubbed Space Bins, which will fit six bags instead of four.
In order to do that, it’s sacrificing about 2 inches of head space, says Boeing.
But the move could mean savings for passengers who spent $3.5 billion last year on fees to check their bags–and are trying to find ways around check bag fees, which average around $25 per bag.
On Alaska’s 737-800, the expanded bin space will increase the number of bags that can fit overhead from 118 to 178 — a difference of 60 more standard sized bags.
“Alaska is relentlessly focused on making the travel experience better,” Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines vice president of marketing said in a release. “We’ve been on a mission to improve our cabin experience for several years and Space Bins are part of a $150 million investment we’ve made to make flying more comfortable and enjoyable.”
Within two years, nearly half of Alaska Airlines’ fleet will be fitted with the larger bins, the airline said. Delta will also have Space Bin 737s in early 2016 and United has also committed to the bins.
But that doesn’t mean you can bring on a bigger bag— the size limitations for carry-ons on Alaska will stay in place.
Source….www.foxnews.com
natarajan
photo credit: brownpau/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
It turns out it’s even harder to get into a spacesuit than getting into a pair of skinny jeans after a few drinks.
NASA has released a video of astronaut Peggy Whitson putting on her spacesuit before an underwater training session. The video was filmed earlier this summer at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It’s fairly understandable that it’s a bit of a pain to put on when you appreciate the amount of equipment it has to hold. Essentially acting as a one-man spaceship, it has multiple layers of insulation, oxygen supplies, a power supply, communication equipment, and even an emergency propulsion system.
Source….www.iflscience.com
Natarajan
photo credit: Chandra X-ray Observatory awaiting deployment from the Space Shuttle Columbia. NASA
In celebration of American Archive Month, NASA has released six mind-blowing images from the Chandra archive.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched and deployed from Space Shuttle Columbia on July 23, 1999. Since then, it has collected data on thousands of cosmic objects such as pulsars, supernovae, interstellar gas clouds, and galaxies. NASA hopes that by releasing these images to the public and scientific community, it will inspire new perspectives and serve as inspiration for future exploration.
The images can take hours, and in some instances days, to capture. They are imaged using a combination of light waves, X-rays, and radio waves.
Below is W44, also known as G34.7-0.4, which is an expanding supernova remnant that is interacting with the dense cosmic material surrounding it.
Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Georgia/R.Shelton & NASA/CXC/GSFC/R.Petre; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Next is SN 1987A, the brightest and nearest supernova to Earth in the last century. This image shows the result of the supernova explosion, which occurs when a star runs out of fuel and then hurls layers of itself out into space.
Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PUS/E.Helder et al; Optical: NASA/STScI
Below is Kesteven 79, another remnant of a supernova explosion. This one, however, occurred thousands of years ago.
Image credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/F.Seward et al, Optical: DSS
Next is MS 0735.6+7421, a galaxy cluster where one of the most powerful eruptions ever observed by humanity was seen.
Image credit: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Waterloo/A.Vantyghem et al; Optical: NASA/STScI; Radio: NRAO/VLA
Here, we see the galaxy cluster 3C295. The pink area is superheated gas and the yellow regions are individual galaxies. Galaxy clusters like this contain huge amounts of dark matter, which hold the hot gas (pink) and galaxies (yellow) together.
Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Cambridge/S.Allen et al; Optical: NASA/STScI
Last but not least is the “Guitar Nebula,” containing a pulsar officially called B2224+65. This pulsar is traveling at an extremely high speed of approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) per second.
Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/UMass/S.Johnson et al, Optical: NASA/STScI & Palomar Observatory 5-m Hale Telescope
Check out NASA’s website for more details on each image.
Source….Tom Hale in http://www.iflscience.com and http://www.businessinsider.com.au
natarajan
Venus, moon and more over Qutab Minar on the morning of October 10, 2015 by Abhinav Singhai in India.
Venus and moon, with Jupiter below, on the morning of October 9, by Asthadi Setyawan in Indonesia.
As seen from Australia on the morning of October 9, the moon passed in front of Venus. Colin Legg wrote: “…a 5-hour drive east of Perth to Bremer Bay where Venus would emerge from behind the moon just as it cleared the horizon. Perched on a cliff face, looking east over the southern ocean, I watched the two brightest objects in the night sky slowly drift apart as they climbed into a starry early morning sky.” Read more at Colin’s Facebook page
Source…..www.earthsky.org
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 