Author Topic: SpaceX CRS-17 Dragon - RNDZ, ISS Ops, EOM - UPDATES (Read 35164 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 05/04/2019 08:05 pm »

UPDATE ONLY thread for CRS-17 ISS ops.

NSF Threads for CRS-17 : Discussion / Updates / RNDZ, ISS Ops, EOM Updates

NSF Articles for CRS missions : https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=CRS+Dragon

External cargo: OCO-3, STP-H6

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1124585353959170053

Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
SpaceX News Articles (Recent) / SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
SpaceX Dragon Articles / SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
L2 SpaceX Section

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #1 on:** 05/05/2019 10:42 pm »

https://twitter.com/iss_casis/status/1125163264579649536

Quote

The @SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft is expected to arrive at the @Space_Station early tomorrow after Saturday's successful launch. Get up early and catch live coverage of the rendezvous and capture on nasa.gov/live beginning at 5:30 a.m. EDT.
Image credit: NASA

Targeteer · « **Reply #2 on:** 05/06/2019 06:15 am »

The crew is on duty and reports CCP set-up is complete. CCP function check is also complete.

smoliarm · « **Reply #3 on:** 05/06/2019 07:28 am »

Quote from: Targeteer on 05/06/2019 06:15 am

The crew is on duty and reports CCP set-up is complete. CCP function check is also complete.

CCP -

Pretty please for us mortals what "CCP" stands for in this context?
I'm not going to list all the possible variants like 'Communist Party of China' or 'Community College of Philadelphia' (or even more familiar 'capacitively coupled plasma').
And I'm not that lazy to google but - unfortunately - the search for "ISS CCP" gives millions pf pages with CCP = 'commercial crew program'...

jarnu · « **Reply #4 on:** 05/06/2019 08:12 am »

Crew Command Panel

It took me a while... see google for ISS On-Orbit Status Report

Cheers

catdlr · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/06/2019 08:22 am »

Quote from: jarnu on 05/06/2019 08:12 am

Crew Command Panel

It took me a while... see google for ISS On-Orbit Status Report

Cheers

also in the NASA Acronyms - Full List web site

From NSF own Thread HERE

jarnu · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/06/2019 08:31 am »

I’m afraid it is not in the web site, it has the search broken, or in the pdf who is not friendly to mobile platforms Also several matches can be a solution and there is no context but the original message. The ISS reports have the correct answer without any chance of mistake. In this case I assume the request is fair.

vaporcobra · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/06/2019 08:36 am »

*updates* thread

dsmillman · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/06/2019 09:21 am »

Just arrived at 250m hold point.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/06/2019 09:27 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #10 on:** 05/06/2019 09:31 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/06/2019 09:31 am »

Go to depart 250 meters.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #12 on:** 05/06/2019 09:35 am »

Dragon about to enter the Keep Out Sphere (KOS).

David is the Gate Keeper as Visiting Vehicle Officer.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #13 on:** 05/06/2019 09:35 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #14 on:** 05/06/2019 09:44 am »

Standard face on Mars joke:

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125334047633416193

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #15 on:** 05/06/2019 09:44 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 05/06/2019 09:59 am »

There's the ISS symbol on the C113.2 Dragon, earned during her previous flight on CRS-12.

lucspace · « **Reply #17 on:** 05/06/2019 10:01 am »

Is that wire running from the capsule to the trunk nominal?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 05/06/2019 10:04 am »

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125340434031685633

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #19 on:** 05/06/2019 10:05 am »

Quote from: lucspace on 05/06/2019 10:01 am

Is that wire running from the capsule to the trunk nominal?

Getting attention on Twitter. Don't know!

eeergo · « **Reply #20 on:** 05/06/2019 10:11 am »

Quote from: lucspace on 05/06/2019 10:01 am

Is that wire running from the capsule to the trunk nominal?

Well spotted!

It looks like a connector for a T/E line got ripped instead of disconnected. The port was empty on prior Dragons.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #21 on:** 05/06/2019 10:12 am »

30m hold point.

eeergo · « **Reply #22 on:** 05/06/2019 10:13 am »

MCC-H noting the cable. Off-nominal, shouldn't be an issue except for ROBO ops.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #23 on:** 05/06/2019 10:17 am »

Per the cable:

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125343499082248192

eeergo · « **Reply #24 on:** 05/06/2019 10:29 am »

Adding line 11 in cue card for ROBO:

"Failure: Line getting into capture volume, preventing capture.
Before free drift - back away.
After free drift - back away, retreat."

Letting astros process that in order to press with approach.

eeergo · « **Reply #25 on:** 05/06/2019 10:32 am »

The line appears to be some kind of power or telemetry cable coming off the umbilical "bouquet" connecting with Dragon's SM on the side facing the T/E. It appears to have been basically unchanged from early CRS flights using F9 v1.0.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #26 on:** 05/06/2019 10:33 am »

Go to proceed from 30 meter hold point to the capture point.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #27 on:** 05/06/2019 10:35 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #28 on:** 05/06/2019 10:48 am »

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125351458868690946

eeergo · « **Reply #29 on:** 05/06/2019 10:49 am »

From here http://kenkremer.blogspot.com/, the best view I could find of the offending umbilical for this mission - note that, since now CRS missions have late-load capability, the area around the hatch is obscured by the enclosing cleanroom. You can just see the lower side of the line.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #30 on:** 05/06/2019 10:49 am »

At the capture point.

theonlyspace · « **Reply #31 on:** 05/06/2019 10:50 am »

GO FOR CAPTURE

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #32 on:** 05/06/2019 10:51 am »

GO for capture:

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125352362544070656

theonlyspace · « **Reply #33 on:** 05/06/2019 10:51 am »

Nice closeup of dragon over the Earth

eeergo · « **Reply #34 on:** 05/06/2019 10:52 am »

Holding until the Sun "gets out of our faces"

eeergo · « **Reply #35 on:** 05/06/2019 10:54 am »

Good view of the full length of the cable

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #36 on:** 05/06/2019 10:55 am »

Orbital sunrise.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125353197135179776

theonlyspace · « **Reply #37 on:** 05/06/2019 10:55 am »

Maybe some one can screen grab this

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #38 on:** 05/06/2019 10:56 am »

eeergo · « **Reply #39 on:** 05/06/2019 11:00 am »

SSRMS is in motion.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #40 on:** 05/06/2019 11:00 am »

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125354669084160000

theonlyspace · « **Reply #41 on:** 05/06/2019 11:01 am »

2 AND HALF METERS DRAGON IN FREE DRIFT Now 1 meter

theonlyspace · « **Reply #42 on:** 05/06/2019 11:02 am »

Now arm over the pin. WE have capture 601 Central time

eeergo · « **Reply #43 on:** 05/06/2019 11:03 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #44 on:** 05/06/2019 11:03 am »

Capture video:
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125355462067740672

eeergo · « **Reply #45 on:** 05/06/2019 11:07 am »

David St.Jacques giving a speech thanking everyone and, especially, the Canadian teams - also in French. Canadarm-2 controlled by a Canadian onboard

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #46 on:** 05/06/2019 11:21 am »

Quote from: eeergo on 05/06/2019 11:07 am

David St.Jacques giving a speech thanking everyone and, especially, the Canadian teams - also in French. Canadarm-2 controlled by a Canadian onboard

Video

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125356765565071360

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #47 on:** 05/06/2019 01:10 pm »

Berthing.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #48 on:** 05/06/2019 01:15 pm »

Latches....

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #49 on:** 05/06/2019 01:17 pm »

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125389072799870980

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #50 on:** 05/06/2019 01:35 pm »

Berthing complete.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1125393663755018240

Lewis007 · « **Reply #51 on:** 05/07/2019 05:01 am »

Some early pics of the Dragon arrival posted by Hague on Twitter, plus some posted by Royce Renfrew of Mission Control during the Dragon ops. Note the little swan and dragon on the console, symbolizing the current Cygnus & Dragon vehicles docked to the ISS.

Targeteer · « **Reply #52 on:** 05/07/2019 05:23 am »

Quote from: eeergo on 05/06/2019 11:07 am

David St.Jacques giving a speech thanking everyone and, especially, the Canadian teams - also in French. Canadarm-2 controlled by a Canadian onboard

A speech like every other one given during such an event, written by PA--errrrr--Communication honks on the ground. I really wish they provided an outline and let the Astronauts speak more naturally and frankly, honestly.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #53 on:** 05/07/2019 07:00 pm »

Some images posted by NASA

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #54 on:** 05/08/2019 05:34 pm »

FEATURE ARTICLE: Cancer treatment investigation among science delivered by SpaceX Dragon to Station -

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/05/cancer-treatment-science-delivered-dragon-station/

- By Chris Gebhardt

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1126178501701328898

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #55 on:** 05/11/2019 07:02 am »

Nice view from inside Dragon’s trunk:

https://twitter.com/nasaearth/status/1126970244667514880

Quote

An international handshake 🤝 in space! This morning Canadarm2 unloaded @NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 handing it off to the Kibo robotic arm which placed #OCO3 among a fleet of Earth 🌍 observation instruments in the Japanese Experiment Module aboard the @Space_Station.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #56 on:** 05/14/2019 07:07 pm »

From L2 ISS:

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1128376140127666176

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #57 on:** 05/18/2019 09:55 am »

A couple more photos from NASA

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #58 on:** 06/01/2019 09:32 pm »

https://twitter.com/raul74cz/status/1134929533117898752

Quote

NOTAM Hazard Area of #SpaceX CRS-17 Dragon C113.2 reentry for Monday 03 Jun in window between 21:30-22:00 UTC. Estimated splashdown and recovery by NRC Quest approximately 331km southwest of the Port of LA. goo.gl/HXcS8Q

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #59 on:** 06/02/2019 07:00 pm »

https://twitter.com/tungsten_flight/status/1135242498920468480

Quote

Packing day on @Space_Station Crew getting @SpaceX #Dragon 17 ready for its return to Earth on 6/3. You can follow along nasa.gov/ntv from @NASA_Johnson starting at 10:45 CT

starbase · « **Reply #60 on:** 06/03/2019 12:49 pm »

Dragon was just unberthed on ISS at 12:35 UTC.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-stream

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #61 on:** 06/03/2019 01:09 pm »

https://twitter.com/Tungsten_Flight/status/1135533400519917568

Quote

Common Berthing Mechanism unbolted and initial #SSRMS motions. @NASA_Johnson @Space_Station @SpaceX @csa_asc – at Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #62 on:** 06/03/2019 01:51 pm »

Filled with more than 4,200 pounds of valuable scientific experiments and other cargo, a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft is set to return to Earth from the International Space Station Monday, June 3. NASA Television and the agency’s website will provide live coverage of the craft’s release beginning at 11:45 a.m. EDT.

Around noon, flight controllers at mission control in Houston will deliver remote commands to the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to detached Dragon from the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module. Expedition 59 Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency will back up the operation and monitor Dragon’s systems as it departs the orbital laboratory.

After firing its thrusters to move a safe distance away from the station, Dragon will execute a deorbit burn around 4:56 p.m. to leave orbit, as it heads for a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, 202 miles southwest of Long Beach, California, at 2:55 p.m. PDT. There will be no live coverage of deorbit burn or splashdown.

Dragon launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket May 4 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and arrived at the station two days later.

Some of the scientific investigations Dragon will return to Earth include:

Observing Protein Crystal Growth
NASA’s Biophysics-6 experiment looks at the growth of two proteins of interest in cancer treatment and radiation protection. Scientists are using ground-based predictions and in-space X-ray crystallography to determine which proteins benefit from crystallization in microgravity, where some proteins can grow larger and with fewer imperfections.

Microalgae Biosynthesis in Microgravity
Microalgae Biosynthesis in Microgravity (MicroAlgae) studies the effects of microgravity on Haematococcus pluvialis, an algae capable of producing a powerful antioxidant, astaxanthin. It could provide a readily available dietary supplement to promote astronaut health on long-duration space exploration missions. A community college student and alumnae of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program proposed the research, and NCAS is engaging community colleges across the U.S. to conduct ground studies for comparison to the in-orbit investigation.

Genes in Space
On May 23, astronauts aboard the space station successfully edited DNA using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for the first time in space, working on the Genes in Space 6 investigation. This milestone advances understanding of how DNA repair mechanisms function in space and supports better safeguards to protect space explorers from DNA damage. Genetic damage caused by cosmic radiation poses a serious risk to space travelers, especially those on long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. CRISPR/Cas9 now joins a growing portfolio of molecular biology techniques available on the ISS National Lab.

These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations aimed at keeping astronauts healthy during space travel and demonstrating technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, including missions to the Moon by 2024 and on to Mars. Space station research also provides opportunities for other U.S. government agencies, private industry, and academic and research institutions to conduct microgravity research that leads to new technologies, medical treatments, and products that improve life on Earth.

For more than 18 years, humans have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space. A global endeavor, more than 230 people from 18 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 2,500 research investigations from researchers in 106 countries.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #63 on:** 06/03/2019 03:46 pm »

15 mins to release.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #64 on:** 06/03/2019 03:50 pm »

10 mins.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #65 on:** 06/03/2019 03:58 pm »

GO for release.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1135576431487004673

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #66 on:** 06/03/2019 04:04 pm »

Release!

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1135577917935820800

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #67 on:** 06/03/2019 04:08 pm »

Departure Burn 1.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #68 on:** 06/03/2019 04:10 pm »

Departure Burn 2.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #69 on:** 06/03/2019 04:15 pm »

Third burn complete.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #70 on:** 06/03/2019 04:23 pm »

Outside the KOS and AE.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1135581183008497664

Rondaz · « **Reply #71 on:** 06/03/2019 04:35 pm »

Dragon Resupply Ship Leaves Station, Heads for Pacific Splashdown

Mark Garcia Posted on June 3, 2019

The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft released from the International Space Station at 12:01 p.m. EDT after flight controllers in Houston delivered remote commands to the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm. Expedition 59 Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency monitored Dragon’s systems as it departed the microgravity laboratory.

Next up, Dragon will fire its thrusters to move a safe distance from the station and execute a deorbit burn around 4:56 p.m. to leave orbit. Splashdown down is targeted for approximately 5:55 p.m. EDT (2:55 p.m. PDT).

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/06/03/dragon-resupply-ship-leaves-station-heads-for-pacific-splashdown/

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #72 on:** 06/03/2019 08:56 pm »

Should be in the deorbit burn right now.

12 minutes and 53 seconds - retrograde

One hour to splashdown.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #73 on:** 06/03/2019 08:57 pm »

https://twitter.com/kfacciol/status/1135610289418887168

https://twitter.com/Astro_Christina/status/1135614920676978693

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #74 on:** 06/03/2019 09:19 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1135657208618704896

Quote

Dragon's de-orbit burn is complete and its trunk has been jettisoned. Pacific Ocean splashdown in ~30 minutes.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #75 on:** 06/03/2019 09:46 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1135664048807170048

Quote

Dragon's drogue chutes deployed nominally

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #76 on:** 06/03/2019 09:47 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1135664211286081536

Quote

Dragon's main parachutes have been deployed

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #77 on:** 06/03/2019 09:52 pm »

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1135665584211865600

Quote

Good splashdown of Dragon confirmed, completing SpaceX’s seventeenth resupply mission to and from the @Space_Station!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #78 on:** 06/03/2019 09:55 pm »

Nicely done!

Article for this:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/06/crs-17-dragon-eom-homecoming/

Rondaz · « **Reply #79 on:** 06/04/2019 03:13 am »

Dragon Completes Cargo Return Mission with Splashdown in Pacific

Mark Garcia Posted on June 3, 2019

SpaceX‘s Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 5:48 p.m. EDT (2:48 p.m PDT), approximately 202 miles southwest of Long Beach, California, marking the end of the company’s 17th contracted cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station for NASA. The spacecraft returned more than 4,200 pounds of valuable scientific experiments and other cargo.

Some of the scientific investigations Dragon returned to Earth include:

Observing Protein Crystal Growth

NASA’s Biophysics-6 experiment looks at the growth of two proteins of interest in cancer treatment and radiation protection. Scientists are using ground-based predictions and in-space X-ray crystallography to determine which proteins benefit from crystallization in microgravity, where some proteins can grow larger and with fewer imperfections.

Microalgae Biosynthesis in Microgravity

Microalgae Biosynthesis in Microgravity (MicroAlgae) studies the effects of microgravity on Haematococcus pluvialis, an algae capable of producing a powerful antioxidant, astaxanthin. It could provide a readily available dietary supplement to promote astronaut health on long-duration space exploration missions. A community college student and alumnae of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program proposed the research, and NCAS is engaging community colleges across the U.S. to conduct ground studies for comparison to the in-orbit investigation.

Genes in Space

On May 23, astronauts aboard the space station successfully edited DNA using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for the first time in space, working on the Genes in Space-6 investigation. This milestone advances understanding of how DNA repair mechanisms function in space and supports better safeguards to protect space explorers from DNA damage. Genetic damage caused by cosmic radiation poses a serious risk to space travelers, especially those on long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. CRISPR/Cas9 now joins a growing portfolio of molecular biology techniques available on the ISS National Lab.

These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations aimed at keeping astronauts healthy during space travel and demonstrating technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, including missions to the Moon by 2024 and on to Mars. Space station research also provides opportunities for other U.S. government agencies, private industry, and academic and research institutions to conduct microgravity research that leads to new technologies, medical treatments, and products that improve life on Earth.

For more than 18 years, humans have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space. A global endeavor, more than 230 people from 18 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 2,500 research investigations from researchers in 106 countries.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/06/03/dragon-completes-cargo-return-mission-with-splashdown-in-pacific/

Lewis007 · « **Reply #80 on:** 06/04/2019 05:04 am »

Video of Dragon SpX-17 departure

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #81 on:** 06/04/2019 06:29 pm »

Images from NASA Johnson

Olaf · « **Reply #82 on:** 06/04/2019 07:32 pm »

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1135984202678120448

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #83 on:** 06/04/2019 07:42 pm »

There she blows

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1135994973352890368

Quote

NRC Quest coming up the hazy Pacific coast heading to port carrying the Dragon capsule back from its CRS-17 mission. #spacex #CRS17

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #84 on:** 06/04/2019 08:43 pm »

Dragon's official splashdown time: 21:48:38 UTC on 3 June 2019.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #85 on:** 06/04/2019 08:43 pm »

https://twitter.com/shorealonefilms/status/1136005760956141571

Quote

#CRS17 looking toasty! #SPACEX #dragon

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1136010094200512512

Quote

A quick peek into the tent as Dragon glided into port. #spacex #crs17

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #86 on:** 06/04/2019 11:01 pm »

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1136027862039912448

Quote

SpaceX’s toasty Dragon has been lifted off NRC Quest at Port of LA. The capsule splashed down in the Pacific on Monday after spending the month at the International Space Station. Wow. 🙌

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #87 on:** 06/05/2019 08:12 am »

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1136180221445492741

Quote

A few more toasty shots of Dragon at Port of LA, freshly recovered from its stay at our orbiting science lab. Don’t you just wanna touch it? #spacex #crs17 #portoflosangeles

ace5 · « **Reply #88 on:** 06/06/2019 01:20 am »

the cable

Targeteer · « **Reply #89 on:** 07/16/2019 05:54 am »

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/orbiting-carbon-observatory-3-oco-3/

News | July 12, 2019
NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 Gets First Data
Preliminary carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements from OCO-3 over the United States. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
› Full image and caption

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3), the agency's newest carbon dioxide-measuring mission to launch into space, has seen the light. From its perch on the International Space Station, OCO-3 captured its first glimpses of sunlight reflected by Earth's surface on June 25, 2019. Just weeks later, the OCO-3 team was able to make its first determinations of carbon dioxide and solar-induced fluorescence - the "glow" that plants emit from photosynthesis, a process that includes the capture of carbon from the atmosphere.

The first image shows carbon dioxide, or CO2, over the United States during OCO-3's first few days of science data collection. These initial measurements are consistent with measurements taken by OCO-3's older sibling, OCO-2, over the same area - meaning that even though OCO-3's instrument calibration is not yet complete, it is right on track to continue its (currently still operational) predecessor's data record.

OCO-3 was also able to make its first measurements of solar-induced fluorescence. The second image shows solar-induced fluorescence in western Asia. Areas with lower plant glow - indicating lower photosynthesis activity - are shown in light green; areas with higher photosynthesis activity are shown in dark green. As expected, there is significant contrast in plant activity from areas of low vegetation near the Caspian Sea to the forests and farms north and east of the Mingachevir Reservoir (near the center of the image).

"The team is so excited to see how well OCO-3 is performing," said Project Scientist Annmarie Eldering, who is based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. "These preliminary carbon dioxide and solar-induced fluorescence retrievals look fantastic and will only improve as calibration improves."

OCO-3 launched to the space station on May 4. Although one of its main objectives is to continue the five-year data record started by OCO-2, it has two unique capabilities. First, OCO-3 is equipped with a new pointing mirror assembly that will allow scientists to map local variations in carbon dioxide from space more completely than can be achieved by OCO-2.

Second, the space station's orbit will allow OCO-3 to see the same location on Earth at different times of day, which will allow scientists to study how carbon dioxide fluctuates throughout the day. OCO-2, not mounted on the space station, is in a near polar orbit that only allows it to see the same location at the same time of day.

OCO-3's data will complement data from two other Earth-observing missions aboard the space station - ECOSTRESS, which measures temperature stress and water use by plants, and GEDI, which assesses the amount of above-ground organic plant material present particularly in forests. The combined data from all of these instruments will give scientists both an unprecedented level of detail about how plants around the globe are responding to changes in climate and a more complete understanding of the carbon cycle.

The mission team expects to complete OCO-3's in-orbit checkout phase - the period where they ensure all instruments and components are working and calibrated correctly - next month. They are scheduled to release official carbon dioxide and solar-induced fluorescence data to the science community a year later; however, given the quality of the measurements that OCO-3 is already making, the data will likely be available sooner.

The OCO-3 project is managed by JPL. Caltech manages JPL for NASA.