‘One-of-a-kind exhibition' in Columbus chronicles astronaut's space missions
A new exhibition in Columbus offers a glimpse into space through the eyes of an astronaut who went there and did that not once but three times.
Photographs from retired NASA astronaut Dave Scott's three space missions are on display at the Columbus State University Bo Bartlett Center through Aug. 2.
The exhibition, titled 'Images from Space that Fire the Imagination' features images from Scott's missions aboard Gemini VIII, Apollo 9, and Apollo 15.
'Americans have always been explorers. They've always been cutting edge. They've always thought out of the box,' Tina Cross, coordinator of external funding at Columbus State University's Coca-Cola Space Science Center told the Ledger-Enquirer, 'and these astronauts led the way to finding things that are just Earth-shaking or Moon-shaking, as the case may be.'
Included in the exhibition are photographs taken by Scott, including one he took of Apollo 15 Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin working on the Moon near the Lunar Rover.
The show is a collaboration between the Bo Bartlett Center and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, featuring items from Scott's personal collection that have been donated to the CCSSC via Scott's brother, Tom Scott, who worked with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
'He was familiar with the Space Science Center from its initial stages,' Cross said, 'and so, about eight or nine years ago, he started bringing things from Dave to us. And the first pictures he brought are here.'
The Bo Bartlett Center is at 921 Front Ave. in downtown Columbus. It is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Musk Walks Back Threat to Decommission SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft
(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk seemingly backed down from a threat to decommission SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft that ferries cargo and people to the International Space Station for the US, made during an escalation of a spat between the billionaire and President Donald Trump. Next Stop: Rancho Cucamonga! ICE Moves to DNA-Test Families Targeted for Deportation with New Contract Where Public Transit Systems Are Bouncing Back Around the World US Housing Agency Vulnerable to Fraud After DOGE Cuts, Documents Warn The Global Struggle to Build Safer Cars SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is the company's primary vehicle for sending astronauts and cargo to orbit. The company has billions of dollars in contracts with NASA to send the agency's astronauts on periodic trips to and from the ISS, which helps the space agency to maintain an uninterrupted presence at the space station until its retirement by the end of 2030. Musk initially pledged to decommission the spacecraft after Trump's threat to pull Musk's governmental contracts, which was prompted by Musk's near-incessant bashing of the president's tax bill on X, his social media service. However, just hours later, he responded to a post suggesting he take a step back and cool off for a couple of days, replying 'Good advice. OK, we won't decommission Dragon.' It's unclear what exactly Musk initially meant by 'decommissioning' Dragon. SpaceX also uses its Dragon spacecraft for commercial missions, separate from the ones it performs for NASA. The company has flown six private astronaut missions on Dragon, either to fly freely in orbit or visit the International Space Station. SpaceX is slated to launch another private astronaut mission on Dragon as soon as June 10, in partnership with Axiom Space, sending four civilians to the ISS. NASA will 'continue to execute upon the President's vision' and work with its industry partners, agency spokesperson Bethany Stevens said in a post on X. An abrupt end to SpaceX's Dragon would leave NASA in a significant bind regarding its space station program. The vehicle is the only operational US option for sending astronauts to the space station, though the agency does also rely on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft to launch NASA astronauts periodically. It's also one of the main options for keeping the space station stocked with food and supplies. NASA potentially has another US option for sending crew to the space station in Boeing's Starliner. However, the vehicle is still not certified for carrying astronauts, after suffering a botched test flight in 2024 that left two astronauts on the ISS for months longer than planned. Because of engine issues with Starliner, NASA tasked SpaceX with bringing home the astronauts on a Dragon craft. SpaceX is also under contract with NASA for creating a Dragon-like vehicle that will be responsible for guiding the ISS out of orbit. It's unclear where those plans currently stand. --With assistance from Peter Vercoe. Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert Wants to Donate His Billions—and Walk Again YouTube Is Swallowing TV Whole, and It's Coming for the Sitcom Millions of Americans Are Obsessed With This Japanese Barbecue Sauce Is Elon Musk's Political Capital Spent? Trump Considers Deporting Migrants to Rwanda After the UK Decides Not To ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The promise and peril of a crewed Mars mission
A crewed mission to Mars would rank among the most complex and costly undertakings in human history -- and US President Donald Trump has vowed to make it a national priority. That political momentum, coupled with SpaceX chief Elon Musk's zeal, has breathed new life into a cause long championed by Red Planet advocates -- even as major obstacles remain, including Trump and Musk's latest feud. - Why go? - As NASA writes in its Moon to Mars blueprint, "exploration of the cosmos remains a great calling for humanity." A mission to Mars would pursue scientific objectives like determining whether Mars ever hosted life and charting the evolution of its surface, as well as answering broader space physics questions -- such as the history of the Sun through studying Martian soil. Geopolitics also looms large, as Trump has pledged to "plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond," invoking the "unlimited promise of the American dream." Critics, however, say cuts to NASA's science budget and the cancellation of key projects -- including the return of rock samples collected by the Perseverance rover -- are undermining the research mission. "The purpose of exploration is not just to go somewhere," Nobel-winning astrophysicist John Mather told AFP. "This is not a tourist thing. This is a fundamental knowledge thing." - Getting there - Musk is betting SpaceX's future on Starship, the largest rocket ever built, despite fiery failures in its nine test flights. He's aiming for an uncrewed launch by late 2026, timed with the next favorable Earth-Mars alignment. But the timeline is widely seen as optimistic: Starship has yet to land its upper stage or demonstrate in-orbit refueling -- both essential for deep space travel. Some experts believe the system is fundamentally sound, while others say it's too soon to judge. "A lot of the pertinent and relevant technical information... is not known to us," Kurt Polzin, chief engineer for NASA's space nuclear propulsion project, told AFP. He backs Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP), which uses fission to heat hydrogen and generate thrust. NTP delivers "a lot of power in a very small package," Polzin said, eliminating the need for orbital refueling or fuel production on Mars. Astronauts would spend seven to nine months in a cramped spacecraft, exposed to intense space radiation beyond Earth's magnetosphere. Ideas to improve radiation shielding range from passive methods, like using dense materials, to active concepts such as plasma fields that deflect radiation, while drugs are being developed to reduce cell damage. Without a system to simulate gravity -- such as rotational spin -- crews would also need grueling exercise routines to counteract muscle and bone loss. Mental health is another concern. Growing plants aboard -- more for morale than sustenance -- has proved beneficial on the ISS. Communication delays further complicate matters. On the station, real-time data has helped prevent an average of 1.7 potentially fatal incidents per year, said Erik Antonsen, chair of NASA's human systems risk board -- but such communication will not be possible en route to Mars. - Life on Mars - Once on the surface, the uncertainties grow. Probes and rovers have found hints -- organic molecules, seasonal methane -- but no definitive signs of life. If it ever existed, it likely died out long ago. Still, Earth's own "extremophiles" offer intriguing clues -- from fungi that harness Chernobyl's radiation for energy, to microbes that survived 500,000 years in frozen stasis. "If they can survive here in extreme environments, we have every reason to suspect they can be on Mars," said NASA astrobiologist Jennifer Eigenbrode at the recent Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit. And while NASA has decided nuclear fission will power surface operations, other choices -- from crop selection to habitat design -- remain open. "Mars has a 24-hour, 39-minute day -- that small difference creates strain, increases stress, and reduces sleep quality," said Phnam Bagley, a space architect who designs for comfort and crew well-being -- critical factors in preventing conflict. The first trip would be around 500 days on the surface, but long-term colonization raises deeper questions. For instance, scientists don't yet know whether mammalian embryos can develop in low gravity -- or what childbirth on Mars would entail. "I think it's really important to take that seriously," said NASA's Antonsen. "Even if you don't plan on it happening, people are still going to have sex, and somebody might get pregnant. Then it becomes a medical issue." ia/jgc/acb
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Debris from SpaceX rocket launch reportedly washing ashore on Mexican beaches
MATAMOROS, Mexico - Debris from SpaceX's latest Starship test flight is reportedly being found along beaches in northeastern Mexico and parts of southern Texas, sparking concern among environmental groups and raising questions about the consequences of attempts to reach space. The material, which is believed to be remnants of SpaceX's ninth Starship test flight, includes fragments of aluminum, plastic shards and several large tanks, according to Conibio Global A.C., a nonprofit environmental organization. The test flight from nearby Boca Chica, Texas, launched with no apparent issues on the night of May 27, but, during the mission, the Super Heavy booster failed to complete a controlled landing burn and crashed into the Gulf of America. Environmental crews in Mexico have since documented widespread debris washing ashore beaches, with some of the objects recovered reportedly marked with the name 'SpaceX.' Future Of Nasa's Mega Moon Rocket Appears In Doubt Following Major Boeing Announcement Of particular concern to environmentalists is the timing of the event with the annual sea turtle nesting season. Affected beaches are known nesting grounds for several species of sea turtles, including the endangered Kemp's ridley. Conservation groups worry that hatchlings will encounter hazardous debris, which could be ingested or block their path to the sea. In addition to the threat to marine life, the environmental group says the debris poses risks to the fishing industry, which is vital to the region. The organization has been documenting cleanup efforts and is urging national and international authorities to hold the Elon Musk-run space company responsible. Spacex Launches Megarocket From South Texas, Loses Control During Mid-mission FOX Weather reached out for comment on the story and similar to all other previous inquiries, no response was received. While SpaceX has not publicly responded to the reports, the incident adds to an ongoing debate about the unintentional impacts of rocket launches. The FAA has faced previous legal action over allowing SpaceX to operate following debris being scattered across environmentally sensitive regions of the Lone Star State. While legal responsibilities may be somewhat unclear, a long-standing memo from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs states: "A launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space object on the surface of the Earth or to aircraft in flight."Original article source: Debris from SpaceX rocket launch reportedly washing ashore on Mexican beaches
