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A once in a lifetime event visible every 75-76 years, Halleys comet returned in 1986. Halley is the only short-period comet that is clearly visible to the naked eye from Earth. It has been documented since 240 BC.

NASA and Veterans

November 11 each year is a day we honor those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. 

Discover how we have close ties to the military, even to this day, and see who has traded in their camouflage uniform for an astronaut flight suit.

There have been veterans working for us since the beginning, even when it was still called the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). 

Additionally, there are several active duty military members working at NASA facilities through special government programs.

Today, there are more than 1500 veterans currently employed with us. Their experiences in the military make their expertise invaluable around the agency. We value the unique leadership style they bring to the work place.  Above and below are some astronaut veterans.

A Partnership for the Space Age

Since the early days of NASA, we’ve partnered with all branches of the military. We still work closely with the military today and rely on the expertise of our service members to support our missions both while in active duty and in the civilian workforce. Here are some examples of this close partnership:

The Marines helped with recovery efforts of Astronaut Alan Shepard at the end of his sub-orbital flight on May 5, 1961…a task performed across several of our missions.

Today, the Navy helps us recover spacecraft, just like the Orion space capsule…which will one day carry astronauts into deep space and eventually on our journey to Mars. 

…and the Air Force has traditionally and continues to help us transport sensitive and critical space hardware around the globe. 

The Coast Guard has even helped us access remote locations to collect oceanographic data as part of our efforts to study and learn more about the Earth. 

We’ve partnered with the Army to use their unique capabilities at the Yuma Proving Ground to test the entry, descent and landing of our spacecraft systems.

To all the Veteran’s out there, we thank you for your service to America and your continued support of America’s space program.

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

http://player.vimeo.com/video/62255585

Comet Panstarrs captured in gorgeous time-lapse above the skies of Boulder, CO by Patrick Cullis. Lovely stuff.

Comets are mysterious frozen chunks of stellar and planetary debris, these dirty snowballs that wander in darkness until their tails are blown bright and wide by solar winds. Some follow paths so random and eccentric that they may pass a star only once, or perhaps not at all, instead floating through interstellar space, never to be known. But for those fleeting moments, like Panstarrs’ current passage, they are like icy candles lit for our enjoyment by the breath of the sun.

A song of ice and fire, indeed.

QSL cards confirm either a two-way radiocommunication between two amateur radio stations or a one-way reception of a signal from an AM radio, FM radio, television or shortwave broadcasting station. They can also confirm the reception of a two-way radiocommunication by a third party listener. A typical QSL card is the same size and made from the same material as a typical postcard, and most are sent through the mail as such.

Amédée Guillemin, Les comètes (1875)

Blackmagic URSA 4K Digital Cinema Camera

And now that one special, prestigious piece of gear has finally arrived to round off the years of camera development and take you to the vertiginous peaks of unbelievable footage quality and extreme equipment versatility: the recently released Blackmagic URSA 4K Digital Cinema Camera is the ultimate camera for professional film crews and keen solo cameramen looking to revolutionize their filming sessions.

Tarantula Nebula

Stars, Mercury, and Solar Corona

By Stereo A

January 2nd & 3rd, 2009