Doing my part

Cross-posted at Cosmo.Sphere

One of the advantages of working in the ISS National Laboratory Office is that I get to support projects that actually fly in space.  This morning, I got to sit with my Department of Defense counterparts on-console while astronaut Mike Barratt operated the SPHERES experiment.

We’re using the SPHERES free-flying satellites inside the Space Station to develop and test new algorithms for flying satellites in formation and autonomous rendezvous & docking procedures.  As space gets more crowded and we endeavor to fly more commercial and government operations, this kind of knowledge will be increasingly important.

Watching on the live feed from the ISS as the SPHERES tumble and re-orient reminded me, yet again, why I got into this field and how important the work we do is.  With every experiment, we are working to build a better future and advance humanity as a spacefaring species.

As the National Lab activities of the Station ramp up and we bring more and more commercial and government partners on-board, I am increasingly excited to see what the future will hold. From new propulsion systems to optical communications to space-based solar power to NIH research grants, we’re doing new and exciting things that can only be done in space.

When it comes to the Space Station, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.