Tracking the space station’s next crew … A distant and lonely neutron star … And taking the bite out of some very dangerous bugs – a few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA!

Next Space Station Crew Prepares for Launch in Kazakhstan

The next International Space Station crew, including our astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor, was in Kazakhstan this week, ahead of its scheduled June 6 launch to the station. Aunon-Chancellor, Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos, and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency will spend just over six months aboard the orbital outpost.

Astronomers Spot a Distant and Lonely Neutron Star

Astronomers have discovered a special kind of neutron star for the first time outside of the Milky Way galaxy. Located 200,000 light years from Earth, within the remains of a supernova, this newly identified neutron star is a rare variety that has both a low magnetic field and no stellar companion.

‘TickBot’ Takes the Bite out of Bugs

A semi-autonomous, eco-friendly robot created to kill and collect ticks is being tested at our Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. TickBot, created by Old Dominion University in nearby Norfolk, uses a metal guide wire to patrol a predetermined perimeter. Carbon dioxide from the dry ice it releases attracts the ticks to a piece of cloth which is treated with a pesticide that is non-toxic to humans. TickBot is being tested at the center’s Child Development Center, where ticks have been found on students.

“Answer Time” from Orbit

Tumblr users sent in over 7,500 questions about living and working in space to astronauts Drew Feustel and Ricky Arnold on the space station.

NASA Astronaut, Ricky Arnold:
“The audacity of building this magnificent machine in low Earth orbit with countries from around the world coming together. We just learn so much when we set high goals for ourselves.”

The duo’s answers to 18 lucky users’ questions were shared this week on NASA’s Tumblr during the agency’s first video “Answer Time” session and Tumblr’s first “Answer Time” session from space.

Remembering Astronauts Bean and Peterson

Ceremonies on May 30 at Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex honored the passing of astronauts Alan Bean and Don Peterson. Bean passed away May 26 at the age of 86. During Apollo 12 he became the fourth person to walk on the moon and later commanded the second crewed flight of Skylab. After leaving NASA he became an accomplished artist. Peterson flew on the maiden voyage of Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983 and took part in the first spacewalk of the Space Shuttle Program. He passed away on May 27 at the age of 84.

That’s what’s up this week @NASA …