Recent NASA studies found that spore-forming bacteria like Bacillus pumilus can survive in space for up to 18 months, surviving harsh conditions including UV radiation and extreme temperatures. These hardy organisms may be able to carry life between planets via lithopanspermia.
Climate scientist Compton Tucker receives the 2014 Vega Medal for his work on remote sensing, measuring global land photosynthesis from space. His research has led to a 33-year data set invaluable for scientists studying Earth's climate.
Research conducted by Erja Portegijs and colleagues found that physical function and sense of autonomy are independent determinants of life-space mobility in older people. Life-space mobility, which reflects an individual's opportunities to participate in society, is affected by both physical limitations and psychological factors.
Scientists have developed a new technique to convert astronaut urine into fuel and drinking water, reducing the waste burden in space missions. The Urea Bioreactor Electrochemical system efficiently converts urea into ammonia, which is then turned into energy with a fuel cell.
Health experts provide principles and decision-making guidelines to aid NASA in protecting astronauts on longer, higher-risk missions. The report emphasizes the importance of protecting astronaut health while fulfilling the agency's mission of exploration.
The James Webb Space Telescope features a primary mirror composed of 18 smaller lightweight mirror segments, each with precise actuators to align and shape the mirror. The segments are designed to work together as one giant mirror, capturing light from distant galaxies and stars in space.
Researchers reveal that a combination of solar eruptions led to the formation of a powerful storm. The STEREO mission helped detect key features, providing new insights into the causes of extreme space weather events.
The Australian National University-led Cooperative Research Centre for Space Environment Management will track space debris, improve predictions of space debris orbits, and predict potential collisions in space. The center aims to reduce the rate of debris proliferation and remove debris using ground-based lasers.
A new Cooperative Research Centre will use lasers to track and remove space debris in low orbits around the Earth. The initiative aims to reduce collision risks for satellites, space stations, and spacecraft.
NASA successfully tested remote robotic oxidizer transfer technology, enabling robots to replenish hazardous propellant in satellites. The technology has the potential to extend satellite life, mitigate orbital debris, and aid commercial satellite servicing.
Researchers have discovered that some tumors behave less aggressively in microgravity compared to on Earth, sparking hope for new cancer treatments. The unique conditions of space exploration offer insights into genetic and cellular processes that cannot be replicated on land.
Giant hot flow anomalies can swallow Venus whole due to its magnetic field absence, posing a significant threat to the planet's surface. Observations from European Space Agency's Venus Express reveal frequent and large-scale space weather events at Venus.
The PLATO mission aims to discover and characterize Earth-like planets in the Sun's neighborhood. With an array of telescopes, it will measure planetary sizes, masses, and ages to determine their habitability. By observing one million stars, PLATO is expected to find thousands of new exoplanets.
The James Webb Space Telescope is nearing completion, with all 18 primary mirror segments and four science instruments delivered to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The telescope will be the most powerful space telescope ever built, capable of observing distant objects in the universe.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies' biochemical pathway to fight fungal infections is compromised after space flight, while bacterial infection defense remains intact. The study offers a promising lead in understanding the impact of microgravity on human immune systems, paving the way for future research with astronauts.
Researchers found that aggressive thyroid cancer cells in microgravity exhibit a redifferentiation to a less aggressive state, offering hope for new treatments. The study's findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for cancer drugs that may be effective on Earth.
Researchers have mapped the exploration area and analyzed geological characteristics, producing a 1°×1° geologic map near the landing site. They identified two basaltic units with distinct formation mechanisms, shedding light on the lunar surface's composition.
The final three of 18 primary mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope have arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The mirrors, built by Ball Aerospace, will form a 6.5-meter-diameter primary mirror when integrated with a stable structure.
The Solar Ultra-Violet Imager (SUVI) is a new telescope that will observe the sun in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths, identifying active regions, solar flares, and eruptions. This will improve space weather forecasting, enabling earlier warnings for potential impacts on Earth's power grids, communication systems, and orbiting satellites.
A team of astronomers from Cardiff University has discovered a noble gas molecule, argon hydride, in the Crab Nebula. The find provides new insights into the chemistry of outer space and challenges previous assumptions about the conditions necessary for such molecules to form.
Two studies examine the effects of spaceflight on mouse eyes, revealing oxidative stress as a key mechanism behind eye damage. Researchers found genes involved in response to oxidative stress and potential indicators of optic nerve damage, highlighting the need for countermeasures to protect astronauts' vision.
A U of A research team has identified a giant cosmic accelerator above the Earth, accelerating particles to near-light speeds within the Van Allen radiation belt. The discovery could improve space weather forecasts and protect man-made systems from damage.
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center researchers are part of a new virtual institute focusing on space science and human exploration. They will apply models to understand plasma interactions with asteroids, small bodies, and the effects of solar wind and radiation.
CRaTER, an instrument on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, has made detailed measurements of radiation in deep space. The findings provide crucial data on the high-energy hazards at and around the moon, enabling astronauts to shield against radiation.
Scientists from UNH have published comprehensive findings on space-based radiation hazards using a UNH-led detector aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The data provide critical information on the radiation hazards faced by astronauts on extended missions to deep space like Mars.
NASA presents cutting-edge computational achievements, including insights into galaxy formation and climate modeling, as well as advancements in quantum computing and space launch system design. The agency's expertise is key to mission success, enabling research on oceanic climate change and space weather.
The University of Houston will be part of a new Ocean Energy Safety Institute that aims to provide reliable knowledge about critical safety issues. The institute will develop programs of research, technical assistance, and education to support ultra-deep exploration and production.
The SwRI-led ISET team will study the origin, evolution, and physical properties of near-Earth asteroids and their moons, aiming to better understand their potential for cost-effective human exploration. The research will also investigate minimoons, small bodies with the potential to provide insights into the history of the Solar System.
Researchers from UCLA and international partners use a unique alignment of six spacecraft to measure the release of magnetic energy close to Earth. They discover that this energy is stored in Earth's magnetosphere and released through a process called magnetic reconnection, which powers Earth's auroras and radiation belts.
ASU researchers are part of a $28 million NSF-FESD grant program to study the Great Oxidation Event and ancient climate change. They aim to understand the role of Earth system dynamics in human evolution, using a combination of models, geochemical proxies, and laboratory experiments.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that the brain represents the space near others in the same way it represents the space near itself. This shared representation could help individuals interact more efficiently and understand social cues more intuitively.
The LLCD experiment aims to validate and build confidence in laser communications, allowing for 3-D High Definition video transmissions in deep space. The technology has incredible application possibilities, enabling the transmission of hundreds of millions of bits of data per second from the moon to Earth.
NASA has accepted its newest Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) into the network, replenishing an aging fleet essential for space exploration. The new satellite will provide critical real-time communication support for NASA's human spaceflights, International Space Station activities, and various science missions.
The Japanese vehicle delivers new hardware to NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), enabling the demonstration of satellite-servicing activities and cryogen replenishment. The RRM team will work with the Dextre robot to test intermediate steps leading up to cryogen transfer.
Undergraduate students at University of Houston are conducting research on Alzheimer's diagnostics, breast cancer treatment, and fruit fly courtship patterns. Their projects aim to develop new diagnostic methods and treatments, while exploring adaptations to environmental changes.
The article highlights NASA's Hubble Space Telescope's incredible view of Comet ISON against a vast backdrop of galaxies and stars. The comet appears to be swimming through the cosmos despite its immense distance from Earth, showcasing the telescope's unparalleled resolution.
Researchers found that particles with mass experience different space-times depending on their direction of motion, while massless particles see the same space-time in all directions. This discovery challenges our understanding of isotropy in the universe.
A team of researchers used TACC supercomputers to simulate the impact of space debris on spacecraft and body armor. The simulations aimed to develop ballistic limit curves predicting shield perforation rates when hit by projectiles. By analyzing these results, NASA can design more effective shielding for its spacecraft.
Two university researchers argue that NASA's Planetary Protection protocols are overly restrictive and expensive, making missions to search for life on Mars unviable. They suggest revising policies to prioritize impact on planetary exploration while minimizing costs.
Scientists from UNH and SwRI report that lightweight materials like plastics provide effective shielding against the radiation hazards faced by astronauts during extended space travel. This finding could help reduce health risks to humans on future missions into deep space.
The new mathematical model by Professor Kostas Skenderis links flat space-time to negatively curved space-time, governed by laws similar to electromagnetism. The research aims to find a combined understanding of the Universe, combining individual theories to describe its nature.
The STP-H4 payload complement includes three NRL experiments: SWATS, MARS, and GLADIS, which will investigate space weather and its impact on military and civilian systems. The experiments aim to improve forecasting capabilities and provide two-way communications for various sensor arrays.
James Cameron will deliver a presentation on his DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition and donate an extreme-depth unmanned undersea exploration system known as a 'lander' to Scripps. The lander will be used for future deep-sea exploration endeavors, unlocking the mysteries of Earth's least explored environment.
The University of California, Berkeley will design, build, and operate the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite to study the impact of Earth's weather on space weather. The satellite aims to improve forecasts of extreme space weather events that can disrupt GPS signals and radio communications.
Researchers found that cosmic radiation impairs the ability of cells in the intestines of mice to eliminate oncogenic proteins, substantially increasing development of colorectal tumors. The study suggests that space travelers may be at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer due to prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation.
The premier issue of New Space journal marks a significant milestone in the field of commercial space ventures. The inaugural issue features premium content from leading experts, including editorials, roundtable discussions, and peer-reviewed original articles.
Brain researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute have discovered that healthy observers and neurological patients scan visual scenes with the same general strategy, regardless of scene size or fixation status. This finding challenges previous concepts of exploration and fixation as fundamentally different behaviors.
A new membrane developed by researchers at Wits University can effectively separate waste from water, making it suitable for treating pollutants in various processes. The technology has the potential to filter pure water from wastewater produced during mining, oil and gas exploration, and nuclear activities.
Astronomers have captured a striking image of a spiral galaxy distorted by gravitational lensing, resembling an alien from the classic computer game 'Space Invaders'. The foreground cluster of galaxies acts as a natural lens to magnify and brighten light from background galaxies, creating this surreal landscape.
Paulo Oemig, a NASA Goddard educator fellow, has been chosen as the new teacher liaison for space education. He will use Space Foundation-provided training and resources to integrate space principles into the classroom.
Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed by NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, emitting solar particles into space at speeds of up to 750 miles per second. Historically, CMEs of this strength have caused minimal effects on Earth
The journal features world-class content on innovative applications of emerging space-based technologies, including commercial cargo and crew services, tourism, colonization, deep space research, and resource utilization. The first issue includes an original article on the B612 Foundation Sentinel Space Telescope and a roundtable discu...
The European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC) has released its position statement on the ESA council meeting at ministerial level, commenting on the impact of decisions taken. The ESSC recommends prioritizing scientific return in the Science Programme and reiterates its support for European involvement in the Global Exploration Strategy.
NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission aims to demonstrate robotic refueling in space, which could add years of functional life to satellites and expand options for operators. The mission will employ the Canadian-built Dextre robot and NASA's RRM module to simulate robotic refueling, with a focus on improving satellite servicing capabilities.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has been providing amazing images of the universe since April 1990, while the next-generation James Webb Space Telescope will reveal mysteries of the universe in much greater detail. The new free e-Books offer interactive resources and insights into both telescopes' science and technology.
A National Science Foundation-funded research team has discovered the remains of a camp used by explorers of the 'Heroic Age' of Antarctic exploration, dating back to 1912. The site was found using a combination of written accounts and historic images, matching an archival photograph from the Terra Nova expedition.
On Nov. 20, 2012, a coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed by NASA spacecraft, with speeds of 450 miles per second, a slow to average speed for CMEs. The event had significant space weather implications and was closely monitored by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
Scientists from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center directly observed Kelvin-Helmholtz waves in the solar wind, allowing energy transfer into near-Earth space. The presence of these waves enables charged particles to breach Earth's magnetic shield, altering the magnetosphere's behavior.
The new journal will publish innovative research, interviews, roundtable discussions, and briefs on emerging space-based technologies and initiatives. It aims to facilitate collaborations among industry, academia, and government agencies, advancing knowledge and society through space exploration.
Astrophysicists at the University of New Hampshire have created PREDICCS, a near-real-time tool predicting space radiation hazards. The system integrates numerical models, real-time measurements, and 'propagation codes' to provide accurate projections out to Mars.