INSIGHT | APPEL Knowledge Services

The surface of Venus is marked by hundreds of large volcanoes such as Maat Mons, shown here in this computer-generated three-dimensional image. Credit: NASA

NASA Missions to Shine New Light on Venus

January 21, 2022 // by Kevin Wilcox

The closest planet to Earth has proven elusive to understand.

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), after nearly six years orbiting Earth, is retrieved during space shuttle mission STS-32. LDEF gathered data about how high-performance spacecraft materials withstand long-term exposure to solar radiation, space debris, and the extreme temperatures of Low Earth Orbit. This information helped engineers select the best materials to build the International Space Station, Mars rovers, and other spacecraft. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: Recovering LDEF

January 11, 2022 // by Kevin Wilcox

NASA’s Long Duration Exposure Facility reveals hazards of Low Earth Orbit.

Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket launches with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, from the ELA-3 Launch Zone of Europe’s Spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Credit: NASA

December 2021 INSIGHT Now Available

December 29, 2021 // by INSIGHT Staff

Don’t miss the latest issue of INSIGHT, APPEL Knowledge Services’ online publication featuring our new podcasts, columns, articles, lessons learned and more. We invite you to read it today on our website.

This artist’s illustration shows NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration relaying a laser communication signal to a ground station on Earth. Optical communications systems promise dramatic increases in data transfer rates. Credit: NASA

Demonstration Mission to Test Laser Communications

December 27, 2021 // by Kevin Wilcox

Bidirectional system offers significant increase in data transfer rates.

Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Incorporating Human Factors from the Beginning of a Program/Project

December 22, 2021 // by INSIGHT Staff

Employing qualified human factors personnel on a design team from the start of a program or project has proven to be successful and effective.

Former Astronaut Scott Altman discusses teamwork.

Critical Knowledge inSight: Supporting Team Performance

December 20, 2021 // by INSIGHT Staff

A good leader can enhance a team’s performance using trust and humility.

Watch Video

Podcast Episode 75: Artemis Progress

December 15, 2021 // by INSIGHT Staff

NASA’s Kristin Morgan discusses 2021 progress and what’s ahead for the Artemis Program in 2022.

Listen

This spiral galaxy, M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, has come into much sharper focus as centuries of innovation in telescopes has revealed increasing levels of detail. Credit: NASA

Flagship Telescopes Reveal the Unexpected

December 13, 2021 // by Kevin Wilcox

Astronomers will use Webb to continue the long search for early galaxies.

Thirteen tons of telescopes and support equipment occupy the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Columbia for mission STS-35, the first shuttle mission dedicated entirely to astronomy. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: 13 Tons of Telescopes

December 6, 2021 // by Kevin Wilcox

STS-35 was the first mission devoted exclusively to astronomy.