A Home for Astronauts around the Moon

Images

Tuesday, 02 April 2024

The primary structure of the Gateway space station's HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) module is one step closer to launch following welding completion in Turin, Italy. HALO is one of four Gateway modules where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for lunar surface missions. NASA is partnering with Northrop Grumman and their subcontractor Thales Alenia Space to develop HALO.

Image Credit: Northrop Grumman/Thales Alenia Space

Planetary Positions

01.05.2024 at 22:30:13 UTC

Planet	Longitude
The Sun	12 Tau 01' 24"
The Moon	18 Aqu 00' 32"
Mercury	17 Ari 36' 42"
Venus	03 Tau 01' 41"
Mars	00 Ari 59' 38"
Jupiter	24 Tau 20' 30"
Saturn	16 Pis 43' 09"
Uranus	22 Tau 26' 29"
Neptune	28 Pis 57' 27"
Pluto	02 Aqu 06' 14"

Solar Status

BZ Status:	-2
Proton Density:	6.18
Proton Speed:	355.6 k/sec
KP Status:	2.67

Type	May 2	May 3	May 4
Active	30%	30%	30%
Minor	20%	20%	35%
Moderate	5%	5%	10%
Strong	1%	1%	1%
Kp Index Prediction
00-03UT	3.67	3.67	3.33
03-06UT	4.00	3.33	2.33
06-09UT	3.67	3.00	3.00
09-12UT	3.33	3.33	2.67
12-15UT	3.00	3.00	2.67
15-18UT	2.67	3.33	4.00
18-21UT	3.67	3.33	4.33
21-00UT	3.67	3.67	4.33
Solar Activity
Solar activity reached high levels. Five sunspot groups were present on the visible solar disk and background X-ray flux levels were mostly in the low C-class levels. Region 3654 (S07W70, Fkc/beta-delta) weakened a bit in its magnetic complexity, as the gamma configuration appeared to diminish. Still the mixed polarity delta spot in the intermediate section retained its magnetic shear and the instability was evident as it produced an M9.5/2b flare at 30/2346 UTC and a long duration C5.8 at 01/0758 UTC. An associated CME was observed with the long duration C5.8 flare. Analysis is ongoing of this event, but due to its far west location, an Earth-directed component is unlikely.
Solar Wind
The solar wind environment was indicative of a slow regime, until near 30/1130 UTC when a disturbance in the field occurred. Total IMF increased from ambient levels and peaked at 14 nT, while the Bz component underwent a prolonged southward deflection with a maximum negative deviation of -8 nT. Solar wind speed underwent a slight escalation, but peaked ~425 km/s. The phi angle varied between sectors, but seemed to settle into primarily a negative sector halfway through the period. While its uncertain what the cause of the disturbance was, a possible candidate was an isolated negative polarity CH HSS that may be flowing just north of Earth or causing weak, tenuous influences or it could also be a transient passage.
Energetic Particle
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was normal to moderate and the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background.

A Home for Astronauts around the Moon

Related Posts

By Their Powers Combined

International Space Station Program Manager Dana Weigel

The Horse’s Mane

Hubble Spots a Magnificent Barred Galaxy

Navigating the Moon with Art