With covid-19 now spreading widely in the U.S. , it ’s no surprise that normal operations at NASA are being disrupted as well . Two NASA worker have already tested positive for the new coronavirus , and officials at the place representation are have to prioritise only the most essential delegation . Here ’s what we ’re learning about how NASA design to move ahead with its project during this unprecedented health crisis .
So far , NASA has n’t announced any major cancelations or delays , unlike the European Space Agency , which last weekannouncedthe postponement of its ExoMars delegation to 2022 , cite the novel coronavirus as a lend factor .
On March 8 , 2020 , a prole at NASA ’s Ames Research Center in Californiatested positivefor covid-19 . soon after , a 2nd worker from NASA ’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama was likewiseconfirmedas having shrink the novel coronavirus . In both instances , NASArespondedby elevating each facility to a level 3 rating along itsResponse Framework , which mandate telework for non - mission - all-important personnel , the shutting down of daycare center , and curb travel to delegacy - indispensable workers , among other provision .
Conceptual image of SpaceX crew dragon docking with the International Space Station. The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew program, which will restore the space agency’s ability to launch astronauts to space from U.S. soil.Image: (NASA/SpaceX)
In reply to the covid-19 pandemic , NASA has also implemented a level 2 rating across the board , which encourages employees to play remotely , practise social distancing , and minimize non - essential oeuvre - touch on travel , among other things . As of today , no other cases of the disease have been reported at any other NASA marrow , according to NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel , who equate with Gizmodo via email today .
NASA is not yet at level 4 for any of its facilities , which is the highest rating along its Response Framework . Should a Stage 4 rating be required — something that remains a distinct possibility , given the severity of the outbreaks in Italy and Spain — NASA would have to close facilities down entirely , limiting access to mission - essential worker responsible for the protection of living and critical infrastructure .
In terms of NASA projects that might be imminently affected by the pandemic , there are a several that come to mind , namely the summertime launching of theMars 2020 Perseverance rover , the AprilDemo-2 mission(to examine a SpaceX Crew Dragon with two NASA spaceman on board ) , and the already - delayed building of theJames Webb space telescope . But there are lots of other project to consider as well .
NASA Response Framework, Stages 1 to 3.Image: (NASA)
Due to the “ coronavirus situation in the United States and its possible wallop on travel during the next few calendar week , three NASA Earth Science airborne science campaigns slate to deploy across the land this bound have reschedule their force field bodily function until later in the year , ” said Beutel .
These safari includeDeltaX(an airborne and field survey of the Mississippi River Delta),Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere , or DCOTTS ( a project that uses aircraft to study the chemistry and composition of the upper atmosphere ) , andSub - Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment , or S - MODE ( a project that read the effects of the ocean on climate ) .
“ The scientific returns of these undertaking are not wait to be touch on by this change of programme , ” said Beutel . “ Overall , the coronavirus has not importantly affected NASA ’s operations , and work continues on track . ”
NASA Response Framework Stage 4, which has not been implemented anywhere as of this time.Image: (NASA)
Preparations for the approaching launches of the Mars Perseverance rover and NASA ’s Commercial Crew flight test ( SpaceX ’s Demo-2 mission ) to the International Space Station , along with construction of the James Webb telescope ( targeted for launching next year ) , are proceeding as planned , he tell .
“ As the coronavirus spot continues , we ’ll make adjustments as appropriate , ” added Beutel .
In related news , the Visitor Complex at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida has beenshut downuntil further notice .
https://gizmodo.com/health-care-workers-in-5-states-test-positive-for-covid-1842354182
Another future missionary post to reckon is the launch of a Russian Soyuz MS-16 rocket on April 9 , 2020 , which is imagine to deliver NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian spaceman Nikolai Tikhonov and Andrei Babkin to the ISS . unremarkably , NASA quarantines its spaceman for 14 Clarence Day prior to a mission , but this quarantine stop could start in the beginning than usual , give the circumstances .
“ We expect [ Russian functionary ] to take additional quantity to verify that quarantine is a niggling tighter , ” Kirk Shireman , ISS program manager at NASA , toldSpaceNews . “We’re ready to deal with that if it happens , ” he said .
At the same time , NASA is talking to the White House , the State Department , and other federal agencies , Beutel enjoin Gizmodo . The place agency has also created an home , multi - office working grouping to address ongoing exit bear on to the outbreak . And in the end , NASA will adhere to guideline provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and also the NASA chief wellness and medical officer , he said .
So nothing too spectacular — at least not yet . With the extreme fluidity of the billet , this could all change on a dime bag . We ’ll be watching closely , dread the bad but skip for the good .
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