A principal investigator talks about an experiment on board the space station observing the forces that drive space weather. HWHAP Episode 334.
Houston, we have a podcast.
Welcome to the official podcast of NASA's Johnson Space center, episode 334 atmospheric waves.
I'm Ken Appell, and I'll be your host today on this podcast, we bring in the experts, scientists, engineers, and astronauts, all to let you know what's going on in the world of human spaceflight and more.
So, we talk a lot about the experiments that take place inside the International Space Station.
But the orbiting lab also serves as a platform for observing and studying our home planet from its unique vantage point in low Earth orbitz that's both hands on and automated equipment.
It's all about location.
And today we're going to talk about an experiment that makes use of that location, the atmospheric waves experiment, or awe, that is currently attached to the exterior of the International Space Station on a two year observation mission.
Have you ever seen photos of the earth and noticed the red, green, purple, or yellow lights that form around our home planet?
That's where awe comes in from its space station perched.
This experiment focuses on those colorful bands of light in earths atmosphere called airglow, to determine what combination of forces drive space weather in the upper atmosphere.
Space weather is important because it can have profound impacts, not only affecting technology and astronauts in space, but can influence our everyday lives here on the ground, such as disrupting radio and gps communications.
Theres a lot to unpack here, and luckily, Im only here for the color commentary.
We are joined by Oz ultimate expert Lou Gehr Shirles, the investigation's principal investigator, who will help us understand how the experiment for the first time is making global observations of an important driver of space weather and maybe even sharing an update or two.
All right, let's get into it.
T -5 seconds start.
Here she goes.
Houston, we have a podcast.
Lou Garrett, thank you so much for joining us on Houston.
We have a podcast today.
Well, thank you very much for having me today to talk about the atmospheric waves experiment.