APOD: Astronaut Installs Panoramic Space... (2010 Feb 24)

[APOD Robot]

Astronaut Installs Panoramic Space Window

Explanation: This space job was almost complete. Floating just below the International Space Station, astronaut Nicholas Patrick put some finishing touches on the newly installed cupola space windows last week. Patrick was a mission specialist onboard the recently completed space shuttle Endeavor's STS-130 mission to the ISS. Pictured, Patrick floats near the outermost of seven windows on the new cupola of the just-installed Tranquility module. Patrick hovers about 340 kilometers over the Earth's surface, well in front of the blue sky, blue water, and white clouds pictured far in the background. In the above image, covers on windows three and four were in place and clearly labelled. Images from inside the ISS's new panoramic cupola are now available.

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[Refugee]

Another title could have been: Astronaut explores new way of secretly meeting with his girlfriend by climbing through the window

[biddie67]

It's a real shame that the human condition of relatively short lifespans doesn't allow the great scientific minds of ages past to participate in this adventure - they would be loving it and probably great contributors also ....

[tbarnes36]

Does anyone know if the astronaut that is located by clicking "available" in the image's description is open to a relationship? If she is my brother is available.

[BMAONE23]

Does anyone know if the astronaut that is located by clicking "available" in the image's description is open to a relationship? If she is my brother is available.

Don't know about the requirements of habitation on the ISS but she isn't wearing any ring to indicate she is married

[rstevenson]

Don't know about the requirements of habitation on the ISS but she isn't wearing any ring to indicate she is married

Nor does my wife.

Rob

[RJN]

Caption contest: "Hello? Yes, I'm from the census and I'm wondering how many astronauts live here."

[emc]

"The thing's hollow—it goes on forever—and—oh my God—it's full of stars!"

[emc]

“I’ll have a Galaxy burger with Astro fries and a Titan slushy please.”

[rstevenson]

"Maybe they were kidding when they said this was the Porta Potty."

[BMAONE23]

"Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck,...Goose"

[BMAONE23]

"I don't care how many windows you have in there, you can't touch my view"

[emc]

"Maybe they were kidding when they said this was the Porta Potty."

A friend of mine got a job working on the space shuttle program a number of years ago... and when they first introduced him to his responsibilities he was shown this elaborate conglomeration of impressive machinery that he would be helping make “space ready”... well, he was significantly impressed by the technology and it turned out to be the space shuttle waste disposal unit… needless to say he was very impressed by the complexity of it all and bemused by the technology required to pee and poop in space…

[rstevenson]

Guys? Come on, somebody better come out here and undo these handcuffs. ... Guys? ... GUYS! ... It's not funny anymore! ...

[biddie67]

I pulled you over because you were speeding in a school zone - may I see your driver's license and registration, please?

[neufer]

A friend of mine got a job working on the space shuttle program a number of years ago... and when they first introduced him to his responsibilities he was shown this elaborate conglomeration of impressive machinery that he would be helping make “space ready”... well, he was significantly impressed by the technology and it turned out to be the space shuttle waste disposal unit… needless to say he was very impressed by the complexity of it all and bemused by the technology required to pee and poop in space…

• 
  • ----------------------------------------------------
    ZERO GRAVITY TOILET
    PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO
    READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE
  1. The toilet is of the standard zero-gravity type. Depending on requirements, System A and/or System B can be used, details of which are clearly marked in the toilet compartment. When operating System A, depress lever and a plastic dalkron eliminator will be dispensed through the slot immediately underneath. When you have fastened the adhesive lip, attach connection marked by the large "X" outlet hose. Twist the silver coloured ring one inch below the connection point until you feel it lock.
  
  2. The toilet is now ready for use. The Sonovac cleanser is activated by the small switch on the lip. When securing, twist the ring back to its initial-condition, so that the two orange line meet. Disconnect. Place the dalkron eliminator in the vacuum receptacle to the rear. Activate by pressing the blue button.
  
  3. The controls for System B are located on the opposite wall. The red release switch places the uroliminator into position; it can be adjusted manually up or down by pressing the blue manual release button. The opening is self adjusting. To secure after use, press the green button which simultaneously activates the evaporator and returns the uroliminator to its storage position.
  
  4. You may leave the lavatory if the green exit light is on over the door. If the red light is illuminated, one of the lavatory facilities is not properly secured. Press the "Stewardess" call button on the right of the door. She will secure all facilities from her controll panel outside. When gren exit light goes on you may open the door and leave. Please close the door behind you.
  
  5. To use the Sonoshower, first undress and place all your clothes in the clothes rack. Put on the velcro slippers located in the cabinet immediately below. Enter the shower. On the control panel to your upper right upon entering you will see a "Shower seal" button. Press to activate. A green light will then be illuminated immediately below. On the intensity knob select the desired setting. Now depress the Sonovac activation lever. Bathe normally.
  
  6. The Sonovac will automatically go off after three minutes unless you activate the "Manual off" over-ride switch by flipping it up. When you are ready to leave, press the blue "Shower seal" release button. The door will open and you may leave. Please remove the velcro slippers and place them in their container.
  
  7. If the red light above this panel is on, the toilet is in use. When the green light is illuminated you may enter. However, you must carefully follow all instructions when using the facilities duting coasting (Zero G) flight. Inside there are three facilities: (1) the Sonowasher, (2) the Sonoshower, (3) the toilet. All three are designed to be used under weightless conditions. Please observe the sequence of operations for each individual facility.
  
  8. Two modes for Sonowashing your face and hands are available, the "moist-towel" mode and the "Sonovac" ultrasonic cleaner mode. You may select either mode by moving the appropriate lever to the "Activate" position.
  
  If you choose the "moist-towel" mode, depress the indicated yellow button and withdraw item. When you have finished, discard the towel in the vacuum dispenser, holding the indicated lever in the "active" position until the green light goes on...showing that the rollers have passed the towel completely into the dispenser. If you desire an additional towel, press the yellow button and repeat the cycle.
  
  9. If you prefer the "Sonovac" ultrasonic cleaning mode, press the indicated blue button. When the twin panels open, pull forward by rings A & B. For cleaning the hands, use in this position. Set the timer to positions 10, 20, 30 or 40...indicative of the number of seconds required. The knob to the left, just below the blue light, has three settings, low, medium or high. For normal use, the medium setting is suggested.
  
  10. After these settings have been made, you can activate the device by switching to the "ON" position the clearly marked red switch. If during the washing operation, you wish to change the settings, place the "manual off" over-ride switch in the "OFF" position. you may now make the change and repeat the cycle.
  ----------------------------------------------------

[neufer]

• ----------------------------------------------------
  ZERO GRAVITY TOILET
  PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO
  READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE
  ----------------------------------------------------

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1wwzwvf ... r_embedded[/youtube]

[neufer]

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-a ... mary-roach

[dorian]

Yer space toilet is greate Why people cannot invent some gravity system?

[neufer]

Yer space toilet is greate Why people cannot invent some gravity system?

It would probably not be too difficult to split the station in two and spin them using some long tether.

However, they could no longer perform microgravity experiments.