via NASA http://ift.tt/YfRGQu

via NASA http://ift.tt/1t61ANs

via NASA http://ift.tt/1t61AwZ

via NASA http://ift.tt/1t61AwN

NASA engineers inspect a new piece of technology developed for the James Webb Space Telescope, the micro shutter array, with a low light test at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Developed at Goddard to allow Webb’s Near Infrared Spectrograph to obtain spectra of more than 100 objects in the universe simultaneously, the micro shutter array uses thousands of tiny shutters to capture spectra from selected objects of interest in space and block out light from all other sources.
The James Webb Space Telescope is a large space telescope, optimized for infrared wavelengths. It is scheduled for launch later in this decade. Webb will find the first galaxies that formed in the early universe, connecting the Big Bang to our own Milky Way galaxy. Webb will peer through dusty clouds to see stars forming planetary systems, connecting the Milky Way to our own solar system.
Caption Credit: Laura Betz, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
Image Credit: NASA Goddard/Chris Gunn via NASA http://ift.tt/1oHU0oA

This spring NASA researchers took to the skies to capture data about the effects of jet biofuels on aircraft emissions and contrails.
In this image, NASA’s DC-8 research aircraft, which had the job of burning the biofuel, leads one of the “sampling” chase aircraft across an early morning sky near NASA’s Armstrong Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
The science instruments on the chase aircraft, as they were flown through the DC-8’s wake, were able to record more data about how the emissions mixed with air.
The tests, known as Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions or ACCESS II, were a follow-on to flight tests done in 2013.
ACCESS II confirms that the biofuel results in at least 50 percent reduction in soot emissions when burning the blended fuel as opposed to standard jet fuel. The goal of the research is to help lead to more environmentally friendly aircraft designs.
> Read More
Image Credit: NASA/ORAU Richard Moore via NASA http://ift.tt/Yboyde

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, 2014. “My favorite views from #space – just past #sunrise over the ocean,” the Expedition 40 astronaut tweeted.
The Expedition 40 crew has been busy aboard the Space Station, recently performing health checks and humanoid robot upgrades. In the meantime, a trio of orbital residents is packing up gear as they prepare to return home in less than two weeks. Commander Steve Swanson powered down and stowed Robonaut 2 after wrapping up its mobility upgrades this week. He installed new legs on the humanoid robot including external and internal gear as well as cables. This sets the stage for more upgrades in the fall before Robonaut takes its first steps as an assistant crew member. Robonaut was designed to enhance crew productivity and safety while also aiding people on Earth with physical disabilities.
Image Credit: NASA/Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) via NASA http://ift.tt/1tqRDhy