Since that pivotal moment, the Speedy has become inextricably linked with the first lunar landing, even garnering the affectionate nickname “the Moonwatch.” NASA's current Artemis program marks the first time in over 50 years for humans to return to the moon, and even longer since the history-making moment of the first man on the Moon - and the watch that accompanied him. Inside, it carried four important crew members: Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin and, last but not least, the Omega Speedmaster mechanical chronograph. ![]() Just four days later, on July 20, 1969, it landed on the surface of the Moon. The Apollo 11 spacecraft, whose command module was incidentally named Columbia, launched into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, Florida. They depicted a spacecraft being fired from a columbiad (a type of Civil War-era cannon) in Florida to the Moon, and subsequently splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.Ī century later, on the morning of July 16, 1969, Verne’s premonition came true. Please download the latest OMEGA Brochure to learn more about the research project.In the late 1800s, celebrated French author Jules Verne published a pair of sci-fi novels predicting man’s journey to the Moon. Developed protocols for harvesting algae and controlling grazers.Showed efficient uptake of CO2 using gas exchange column.Showed that forward osmosis could be potentially coupled with OMEGA to enhance both biomass production and wastewater treatment.Operated 100, 200, 1,600, and 3,200-liter PBR systems for repeated algal growth cycles.Demonstrated controlled microalgae growth on wastewater in floating PBRs.(NASA OMEGA project: Jan 2010 - May 2012) The next step is for others to deploy larger-scale systems in protected bays to determine if OMEGA can be used commercially for biofuels production, environmental remediation, wastewater treatment and carbon sequestration. The detailed results of the investigations will be published in scientific journals and made publicly available in the near future. The next step is for other organizations to deploy larger-scale systems offshore in protected bays to determine if OMEGA can be used commercially for biofuels production, environmental remediation, wastewater treatment or carbon sequestration. At this stage OMEGA warrants further investigations. It is not known if OMEGA, using existing offshore wastewater outfalls, coastal CO2 sources, ships, and local energy sources can meet the required returns. On land, neither the required energy nor the economic returns on investment can be met. Large-scale algae farms (millions of acres) will require huge pipelines for wastewater and CO2, the farm infrastructure, and a transportation network for the diverse products. Research by scientists and engineers has demonstrated that OMEGA is an effective way to grow microalgae and treat wastewater on a small scale.Īlgae do not currently contribute significantly to biofuel production because of logistical and economic issues. NASA’s project goals are to investigate the technical feasibility of a unique floating algae cultivation system and prepare the way for commercial applications. Wastewater with oil-producing algae circulate through photobioreactors (green tubes) floating in a seawater tank at the San Francisco Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, where NASA has set up one of its OMEGA research facilities. Potential implications of replacing fossil fuels include reducing the release of green house gases, decreasing ocean acidification, and enhancing national security. The OMEGA system is being investigated by NASA as an alternative way to produce aviation fuels. The algae clean the wastewater by removing nutrients that otherwise would contribute to marine deadzone formation. The algae use energy from the sun, carbon dioxide and nutrients from the wastewater to produce biomass that can be converted into biofuels as well as other useful products such as fertilizer and animal food. These algae are among the fastest growing plants on Earth. Floating in seawater, the photobioreactors contain freshwater algae growing in wastewater. NASA’s OMEGA system consists of large flexible plastic tubes, called photobioreactors. ![]() Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae (OMEGA) is an innovative method to grow algae, clean wastewater, capture carbon dioxide and to ultimately produce biofuel without competing with agriculture for water, fertilizer or land.
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