Skip to main content

"Cosmic Giants Take on Daring Spacewalk Mission: NASA and JAXA Astronauts Upgrade the International Space Station"

 


image source:nasa.blog.gov
"Cosmic Pioneers Tackle Monumental Task in Space: NASA and JAXA Astronauts Embark on Epic Spacewalk to Upgrade the International Space Station"

Two of the world's most daring space explorers, NASA astronaut Nicole Mann and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, have embarked on a mission of celestial significance. At 7:45 a.m. EST, they began a spacewalk to complete the construction of a mounting platform on the 1A power channel, a task that was initiated during a previous spacewalk on January 20th.

Their mission is part of a larger effort to augment the power channels of the International Space Station with cutting-edge technology. The astronauts will be installing International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSAs), state-of-the-art devices that will provide the station with additional power, essential for its ongoing operations.

With precision and grace, Mann and Wakata will be relocating and installing an articulating portable foot restraint from the P6 truss, preparing the way for future spacewalks and vital upgrades. They will also, if time permits, complete cable routing on the 1B power channel, further consolidating the station's power systems.

Mann, adorned in a red-striped spacesuit, will serve as the extravehicular crew member 1. Wakata, dressed in an unmarked suit, will be the extravehicular crew member 2. This will be the second spacewalk for both Mann and Wakata, solidifying their position as seasoned space veterans.

As these two cosmic pioneers tackle this monumental task, they will not only be contributing to the maintenance and upkeep of the International Space Station, but they will also be pushing the limits of human exploration and technological advancement. Their bravery and expertise will inspire future generations to reach for the stars and continue exploring the mysteries of the universe.

source: (blogs.nasa.gov)

#Nasa #Jaxa #Spaceexploration #Energy


Comments

Hot Topics 🔥

Amsterdam Strikes Geothermal Gold: Hot, Thick, Permeable Reservoir Confirmed

Breakthrough Beneath the Beach: Amsterdam Region Hits Geothermal Paydirt at Strandeiland By: Robert Buluma The Netherlands just took a giant leap toward fossil-free heating. On the artificial island of Strandeiland (part of Amsterdam’s fast-growing IJburg district), the SCAN exploration well has officially confirmed what the geothermal community has been hoping for: a thick, hot, and , most importantly permeable reservoir in the Slochteren Formation. Key numbers that matter:   Reservoir thickness: 152 meters   Bottom-hole temperature: 66 °C   Permeability: confirmed via successful production and injection tests   That’s not screaming-hot by Icelandic standards, but for direct-use district heating in one of Europe’s densest urban areas, 66 °C is more than enough to supply thousands of homes with clean, baseload heat – forever. Why This Well Changes Everything for the Netherlands The Dutch government launched the SCAN program (Seismic Campaign Nethe...

Vulcan Energy's G-LEP Plant in Landau Paves the Way for Europe's Sustainable Lithium Revolution

Breaking Ground: Vulcan Energy's G-LEP Plant in Landau Paves the Way for Europe's Sustainable Lithium Revolution By: Robert Buluma In the heart of Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate region, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the laying of the foundation stone for the first optimized Geothermal and Lithium Extraction Plant (G-LEP) in Landau, spearheaded by Vulcan Energy Resources, an Australian-German company. As Petra Dick-Walther, State Secretary in the Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, and Mobility of Rhineland-Palatinate, described in her recent social media post, this project represents a "quantum leap into the future." It enables the simultaneous extraction of climate-neutral lithium and generation of renewable energy from the hot thermal beds of the Upper Rhine Graben, opening new avenues for Germany's energy transition, supply security, and Europe's sovereignty over critical resources. Lithium, a key component in batteries for electri...

Geo Dipa's Game-Changing Leap: Commercial Silica and Lithium Production from Geothermal Brines by 2028

Geo Dipa's Ambitious Leap: Extracting Silica and Lithium from Geothermal Brines by 2028 Introduction In an era where the global energy transition demands sustainable sources of critical minerals, Indonesia's state-owned PT Geo Dipa Energi ( Persero ) is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation. By 2028, Geo Dipa plans to commence commercial production of silica and lithium extracted from geothermal brines, a byproduct of its geothermal power operations. This initiative not only diversifies the company's revenue streams but also aligns with Indonesia's broader goals of enhancing renewable energy capacity and supporting the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.  Geothermal energy, harnessed from the Earth's heat, produces hot brines rich in dissolved minerals like lithium and silica. Traditionally viewed as waste, these brines are now seen as valuable resources. Geo Dipa's strategy builds on years of feasibility studies and international partnershi...

Zanskar’s Big Blind: First Blind Geothermal Discovery in 30 Years

Big Blind: The Geothermal Discovery That Changes Everything By: Robert Buluma Utah startup  Zanskar Geothermal quietly dropped one of the most important announcements in American energy in decades. They discovered and confirmed “Big Blind” ,the first completely blind, commercial-grade geothermal system found in the United States in over thirty years. Let that sink in. No hot springs.   No fumaroles.   No steaming ground.   No prior wells.   Zero surface expression whatsoever. Just desert, sagebrush, and – 7,000 feet below,  a reservoir hot enough and permeable enough to support gigawatt-scale power production. This isn’t incremental progress. This is a paradigm breaker. Why “Blind” Discoveries Matter So Much For the last 40 years, geothermal development in the U.S. has been geographically handcuffed. You could only build plants where nature advertised the resource on the surface – think Yellowstone, The Geysers, or Imperial Valley. Ever...

FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR GEOTHERMAL PROJECTS LEVERAGING TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES

FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR GEOTHERMAL PROJECTS LEVERAGING TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES Aligning Policy, Risk Mitigation, and Investor Capital to Unlock Geothermal Growth Geothermal energy stands at a unique crossroads in the global energy transition. It is one of the few renewable resources capable of delivering continuous, baseload power and heat, independent of weather conditions. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal offers grid stability, industrial heat, and long-term energy security. Yet despite its immense potential, geothermal deployment has historically lagged behind other renewables due to high upfront capital costs, geological uncertainty, and complex financing requirements. In recent years, governments and financial institutions have increasingly turned to **tax credit incentives as a strategic lever to overcome these barriers. By reducing capital expenditure, improving cash flow profiles, and attracting institutional investors, tax credits are reshaping how geothermal projects are fina...

Geothermal-Powered Greenhouses: Qingyun County's Leap Toward Sustainable, Year-Round Agriculture in Shandong

Harnessing Geothermal Energy to Power Modern Agriculture: How Qingyun County Is Redefining Sustainable Food Production in Shandong By:  Robert Bulum a As winter tightens its grip across northern China, most agricultural regions brace for declining productivity, rising energy costs, and increased environmental pressure. Yet in Qingyun County, located in China’s eastern Shandong Province, a different story is unfolding,one where geothermal energy is quietly transforming agriculture into a resilient, low-carbon, high-yield enterprise. At the heart of this transformation lies the Shandong Shuifa Aerospace Modern Agriculture Industrial Park, where geothermal energy has become a critical enabler of year-round food production, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability. A Warm Oasis in the Depth of Winter Shortly after the Minor Snow solar term, temperatures outside the greenhouses in Qingyun County drop sharply. Inside the intelligent greenhouse complex, however, conditions re...

13 States Launch Initiative to Accelerate Geothermal Power Development

NASEO Launches Multistate Geothermal Power Accelerator: A Major Step Toward Clean, Reliable Energy By:  Robert Buluma In a significant boost for America's clean energy future, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) announced on December 18, 2025, the launch of the NASEO Geothermal Power Accelerator. This collaborative initiative brings together 13 states to fast-track the development of geothermal power in partnership with the private sector. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office and NASEO itself, the Accelerator aims to unlock the vast potential of geothermal energy a reliable, firm, and flexible source of clean power available around the clock. The participating states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and West Virginia. These diverse regions, spanning traditional geothermal hotspots in the West to emerging opportunities in the East, will wo...

Germany Unveils Groundbreaking KfW–Munich Re Program to De-Risk Deep Geothermal Heat Projects

Germany Launches Landmark Financing Program to Accelerate Deep Geothermal Heat Projects By: Robert Buluma Germany has taken a decisive step toward securing a climate-neutral heat future. On December 18, 2025, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK), KfW Development Bank , and global reinsurer Munich Re officially launched a groundbreaking funding program designed to unlock large-scale investments in deep geothermal energy for municipal and industrial heat supply. The new initiative, known as the KfW Geothermal Promotional Loan (KfW-Förderkredit Geothermie), directly addresses one of the most persistent bottlenecks in geothermal development: the high financial risk associated with drilling deep geothermal wells. By combining low-interest loans with comprehensive risk coverage, the program is set to significantly accelerate geothermal deployment across Germany. Why Deep Geothermal Matters for Germany’s Heat Transition While Germany has made remarkable progre...

Powering Sweet Success: Taiwan Fructose's Geothermal Energy Partnership in the Philippines

A Sweet Transition: How Taiwan Fructose is Powering Philippine Manufacturing with Clean Geothermal Energy By:  Robert Buluma In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, some partnerships stand out as truly inspiring. One such collaboration is between Taiwan Fructose Co. Ltd.'s Philippine subsidiary and First Gen Corporation , which has teamed up to supply the company's Batangas production facility with clean geothermal energy. This innovative agreement not only ensures reliable power for manufacturing sweeteners but also marks a significant step toward decarbonizing industrial operations in the Philippines. It's a perfect example of how renewable energy can sweeten the deal for both business and the environment. The partnership was recently announced, allowing Taiwan Fructose (Philippines) — a leading global supplier of high-quality sweeteners — to draw electricity directly from First Gen-EDC's Bacon-Manito (Bac-Man) geothermal complex located in the Bicol regio...

American Critical Resources and Plum Acquisition Corp. IV Sign LOI for SPAC Merger to Advance U.S. Geothermal Lithium Project

Revolutionizing Energy: The Synergy of Geothermal Power and Lithium Extraction at Hell's Kitchen Posted by  Robert Buluma  on December 20, 2025 In an era where the world is racing toward sustainable energy solutions, the intersection of geothermal power and lithium production is emerging as a game-changer. As electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and advanced technologies demand ever-increasing supplies of critical minerals, innovative projects are stepping up to meet the challenge. One such groundbreaking initiative is the Hell's Kitchen project by American Critical Resources (ACR), a subsidiary of Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (CTR) . This California-based endeavor not only harnesses the Earth's natural heat for clean electricity but also extracts lithium a vital component in batteries ,directly from geothermal brines. With a recent announcement of a proposed business combination with Plum Acquisition Corp. IV (Nasdaq: PLMK), a special purpose ac...