Showing posts with label Science and Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science and Technology. Show all posts

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Three International Space Station Crewmates Safely Return to Earth

Source: NASA

Wigsbuy.com

Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who set multiple U.S. space records during her mission aboard the International Space Station, along with crewmates Jack Fischer of NASA and Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos, safely landed on Earth at 9:21 p.m. EDT Saturday (7:21 a.m. Kazakhstan time, Sunday, Sept. 3), southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan.

While living and working aboard the world’s only orbiting laboratory, Whitson and Fischer contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science, welcomed several cargo spacecraft delivering tons of supplies and research experiments, and conducted a combined six spacewalks to perform maintenance and upgrades to the station.

Among their scientific exploits, Whitson and Fischer supported research into the physical changes to astronaut’s eyes caused by prolonged exposure to a microgravity environment. They also conducted a new lung tissue study that explored how stem cells work in the unique microgravity environment of the space station, which may pave the way for future stem cell research in space.

Additional research included an antibody investigation that could increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment, and the study of plant physiology and growth in space using an advanced plant habitat. NASA also attached the Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass Investigation (ISS CREAM) on the outside of the space station in August, which is now observing cosmic rays coming from across the galaxy.

The crew members received a total of seven cargo deliveries during their mission. A Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle launched to the space station in December 2016 delivering new lithium-ion batteries that were installed using a combination of robotics and spacewalks. Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft arrived at the station in April on the company's seventh commercial resupply mission. Three SpaceX Dragon spacecraft completed commercial resupply missions to the station in February, June and August. And, Russian ISS Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the station in February and June.

Whitson’s return marks the completion of a 288-day mission that began last November and spanned 122.2 million miles and 4,623 orbits of the Earth – her third long-duration mission on the station. During her latest mission, Whitson performed four spacewalks, bringing her career total to 10. With a total of 665 days in space, Whitson holds the U.S. record and places eighth on the all-time space endurance list.

Fischer, who launched in April, completed 136 days in space, during which he conducted the first and second spacewalks of his career. Yurchikhin, who launched with Fischer, now has a total of 673 days in space, putting him seventh place on the all-time endurance list.

Expedition 53 continues operating the station, with Randy Bresnik of NASA in command, and Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos and Paolo Nespoli of ESA (European Space Agency) serving as flight engineers. The three-person crew will operate the station until the arrival of NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba, and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos. Vande Hei, Acaba and Misurkin are scheduled to launch Sept. 12 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Budget, Travel Ban, Climate Change, Science and Technology, Employee Wellness Programs, Energy Prices, VISAs

Congressman Jeff Duncan Reacts to Presidential Budget Blueprint
Jeff Duncan (R-SC, 3rd)
March 16, 2017

"As Mick said yesterday, ‘This is not a soft power budget, this is a hard power budget.’ I couldn’t agree more. It is long past time to shore up the nation’s defenses with the spending needed to modernize our military and improve readiness. Defending our country must always be the nation’s top priority, and this budget takes important steps in that direction."
Read more...

ENGEL STATEMENT ON LATEST DISTRICT COURT RULING AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRAVEL BAN
Eliot Engel (D-NY, 16th)
March 16, 2017

Congressman Eliot L. Engel issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court ruling which froze President Trump’s latest travel ban:
Read more...

Esty Statement on President Trump’s FY 18 Budget Outline
Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 5th)
March 16, 2017

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) today issued the following statement regarding the budget outline released by President Trump:
Read more...

Rep. Faso Cosponsors Resolution to Combat Climate Change
John Faso, (R-NY, 19th)
March 15, 2017

Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) today joined 16 Republican members of the House to introduce a resolution that calls for using American innovation to preserve and protect our environment.
Read more...

FITZPATRICK STATEMENT ON WHITE HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL
Brian Fitzpatrick, (R PA, 8th)
March 16, 2017

“President Trump is a negotiator and, as such, this broad-stroke budget proposal should be treated as a starting point, not a final product. As a CPA, I appreciate the administration’s focus on fighting back against Washington’s overspending, and as a former counter-terror FBI agent, I appreciate the commitment to rebuild our military and support a robust foreign policy. However, I am very concerned about any proposed cuts to places like the EPA and State Department. We are requesting more information on the White House’s spending priorities – and I will fight for my own – during the upcoming budget debate.”
Read more...

=====
Alibris: Books, Music, & Movies
=====

Foster Introduces American Innovation Act
Bill Foster (D-IL, 11th)
March 16, 2017

Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the American Innovation Act, a measure that would support the steady growth of federal investment in scientific and technological research.
Read more...

Setting the Record Straight: Q&A on Voluntary Employee Wellness Programs
Virginia Foxx (R-NC, 5th)
March 16, 2017

Voluntary employee wellness plans have long helped lower health care costs for working families and promote the health and wellbeing of employees. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, introduced the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (H.R. 1313) to provide regulatory clarity so employers can have the certainty they need to continue offering their workers the option of participating in employee wellness programs. Unfortunately, critics of the bill are spreading false information to deny workers that option. Below are some basic facts to help set the record straight.
Read more...

SCHUMER VOWS TO PROTECT CRITICAL FED INVESTMENT
Charles E. Schumer- (D - NY)
March 16, 2017

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today sounded the alarm and expressed serious concerns over reports that the administration will eliminate all funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)- the proposed elimination Schumer says would put countless community development and infrastructure projects at risk in Syracuse and across Central New York. Schumer promised to fight to protect the CDBG program, which is currently scheduled to receive $3 billion from HUD.
Read more...

Senator Scott, Congressman Rice Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Energy Prices
Senator Tim Scott - (R - SC)
March 16, 2017

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced legislation that could help lower energy prices for millions of Americans. His legislation corrects an inefficiency in the United States tax code to allow more effective use of the nuclear production tax credit (PTC) to lower energy prices for consumers and mitigate the risk public-private partnerships incur when involved in the construction of first-in-a-generation nuclear power facilities.
Read more...

Senator Stabenow Statement on President Trump’s Budget Request that Completely Eliminates Great Lakes Funding
Senator Debbie Stabenow - (D - MI)
March 16, 2017

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget request, which completely eliminates funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative:
Read more...

=====
Bedford Fair
=====

Statement on President Trump’s Budget Blueprint
Patrick J.Toomey - (R - PA)
March 16, 2017

"President Trump's budget blueprint proposes a significant increase in spending to strengthen national security, rebuild our neglected military, and honor our commitment to veterans with additional resources for the VA. To pay for these changes, it proposes reductions to non-defense programs. After years of overspending, I am encouraged that the President has proposed actual spending cuts and has committed to maintaining the overall cap on discretionary spending. I look forward to carefully examining each of the proposed reductions in this budget proposal."
Read more...

Tillis, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Legislation Authorizing Additional Visas for Afghan Interpreters, Support Staff
Senator Thom Tillis - (R - NC)
March 16, 2017

Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John McCain (R-AZ), and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide 2,500 more visas for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which allows Afghans, including interpreters, who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and face threats as a result of their service, to apply for refuge in the United States. The senators introduced their bill after the U.S. Embassy in Kabul officially stopped scheduling interviews for applicants seeking a visa through the Afghan SIV program. Last year, Senators Tillis, Shaheen, McCain, and Reed led efforts in the Senate to extend this vital national security program.
Read more...

=====
BeadRoom.com