The two Iowans in America's astronaut corps both point to the historic first moon landing 40 years ago today as the spark that launched their successful careers in space exploration. Peggy Whitson of Beaconsfield and Jim Kelly of Burlington have both rocketed into orbit on multiple NASA missions in … [Read more...]
Iowa astronaut recalls her own shuttle mission
The space shuttle Discovery is scheduled for liftoff this (Saturday) afternoon, NASA's first manned launch in a full year. The first Iowa woman in space, astronaut Peggy Whitson, rocketed into orbit in 2002 and spent six months aboard the International Space Station. Whitson, who is not on this … [Read more...]
Iowan confident NASA will fix the shuttle
The latest Iowan to fly aboard a space shuttle says he's confident NASA will conclusively fix problems with the orbiter before it flies again next year. Astronaut Jim Kelly says he was angry when he first learned a three-foot chunk of foam flew off the external fuel tank during Discovery's July … [Read more...]
NASA astronaut touts soybeans as space food
An astronaut who grew up in Nebraska is at the Iowa State Fair today (Tuesday), touting soybeans as a crop to grow for food on long space flights, like a manned trip to Mars. "Given the distances away, the travel times involved, we need to have smarter ways to provide for the crews," astronaut … [Read more...]
Grassley favors continued space exploration
The panel investigating the crash of the space shuttle Columbia will issue its report today, and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he'd support more Congressional funding for NASA to prevent future tragedies. Grassley, a Republican, says the space agency evidently did -not- learn enough important … [Read more...]
Whitson goes from outerspace to underwater
The first Iowa woman in space is headed the opposite direction on her next NASA mission. Mount Ayr native Peggy Whitson spent six months aboard the International Space Station last year. Later this month, she'll head for Aquarius, an underwater lab off Key Largo, Florida. Whitson says "Instead of … [Read more...]
Whitson speaks about space in Ames
A southern Iowa farm girl who grew up to become an astronaut will be in Ames this weekend, telling her tales of six months aboard the International Space Station. Mount Ayr native Peggy Whitson is being accompanied on this trip to Iowa State University by a mockup of two modules from the massive … [Read more...]
Exhibit shows how astronauts live
While most Iowans will never climb aboard the orbiting International Space Station, hundreds will be able to walk through a giant exhibit of the station this week in central Iowa. Tiffany Cordell, a spokeswoman for NASA's Johnson Space Center, says the interactive display is being trucked into Ames … [Read more...]
Iowa native who’s been in space now ready for mission under the sea
The next NASA mission for astronaut Peggy Whitson, an Iowa native, will not be in outer space, but under water. Whitson will lead a two-week mission, 60 feet underwater near Key Largo. The facility's called "The Aquarius" and returning to the surface takes about a day and a half because they have … [Read more...]
Chili developed in Iowa will feed future astronauts
When America's space shuttles return to routine flights, they'll be taking along a spicy meal developed in Iowa. Des Moines-based Soy Creations has developed a freeze-dried chili that's won the seal of approval from a taste-test team of NASA astronauts in Houston. The dish will be added to future … [Read more...]