The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) is scheduled to launch on a United Launch Alliance's Delta II Heavy rocket on June 11. The launch window opens at 11:45 a.m.-1:40 p.m. EDT, pending weather conditions. GLAST will survey the universe over an energy range of 20 million electron volts to over 300 billion electron volts.
Research published in BMC Public Health found that living near green spaces does not encourage people to engage in physical activities like walking or cycling. In fact, those with more green space nearby tend to walk and cycle less frequently due to convenience factors.
Transistors made with new material SAND prove resistant to radiation, a crucial factor for long space missions. The devices could also enable new technologies like printable electronics and transparent displays.
A study from Georgetown University Medical Center suggests that high-energy space radiation can lead to premature aging and prolonged oxidative stress in cells, potentially causing colon cancer. The researchers found that exposure to high-LET radiation induced a highly oxidative environment in cells, conducive to cancer development.
The James Webb Space Telescope sunshield, crucial to the mission's success, has completed its preliminary design review. The five-layer sunshield will deploy in space to shade the telescope optics and enable it to reach proper operating temperature.
Researchers will study how germs change when exposed to space, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases. The experiment aims to confirm earlier results on Salmonella's increased virulence in space.
Researchers predict space tourism will become a significant development in the tourism industry, with suborbital flights expected to be available by 2010-2015. Lunar hotels are also planned, with companies such as Galactic Suites promising luxurious stays in space for high prices.
Columbus, a state-of-the-art European research facility, has been successfully deployed to the International Space Station (ISS) via NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis. The laboratory will enable astronauts to conduct extensive scientific experiments in various fields, including life sciences and space science.
The Hubble servicing mission, scheduled for August 2008, aims to equip the telescope with new instruments, including the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and Wide Field Camera 3. These upgrades will enhance Hubble's capabilities to explore the universe, studying dark matter, dark energy, and planetary atmospheres.
Researchers discovered that a special type of stem cell in the brain is selectively killed by space radiation, raising concerns about cognitive and emotional risks for astronauts. The study's findings suggest that identifying medications or physical shielding to protect these cells will be crucial for future human space missions.
Researchers found that a special type of stem cell in the brain is selectively killed by space radiation, raising concerns about cognitive and emotional risks. The study's findings suggest that shielding or medications may be necessary to protect astronauts from health risks caused by space radiation.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully completed its preliminary design review, verifying the integrated performance of its Optical Telescope Element. The telescope, set to be the premier space observatory of the next decade, will study various phases in the universe's history.
The James Webb Space Telescope will utilize the advanced SpaceWire technology to improve communication between its components, allowing for higher data collection rates and enhanced scientific discovery. This enables the telescope to study more of the universe with its 66 million detector pixels.
A new study shows that spaceflight affects the genetic responses and disease-causing potential of Salmonella typhimurium, making it more infectious. The research, led by Arizona State University, reveals a key role for a master regulator called Hfq in triggering these changes.
A team of researchers has identified the region in the brain responsible for perceiving sound space. The study used an improved experimental design to map the auditory spatial location center and found that the planum temporale is activated when people locate sounds in space, indicating a nonintentional representation of spatial location.
A new approach to detect life on Mars, based on technology similar to pregnancy test kits, was successfully launched into space. The Life Marker Chip experiment has the potential to detect trace levels of biomarkers in the Martian environment.
The UK Space Exploration Working Group recommends involvement in both human and robotic elements of space exploration to play a full role in the century's unique opportunities. The report stresses the need for a new vision, suggesting preparatory human space flight activities and maintaining UK's significant role in planetary science.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will present five awards for key contributions to space science and technology during the AIAA SPACE 2007 Conference & Exposition. Burt Rutan will be recognized as the AIAA Engineer of the Year for his innovations in access to space.
Scientists have developed algorithms to enable the 19 individual mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to function as one telescope, allowing for sharper images and detection of distant galaxies. The 'Wavefront Sensing and Controls' system was tested successfully on a scale model and through computer simulations.
Scientists are studying Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria grown in space to understand how it adapts and potentially poses a threat to long-duration space travelers. The bacteria were brought back from orbit frozen in 'zero-g mode' for analysis, providing valuable insights into its behavior in microgravity.
A new NASA mission will carry a suite of University of Colorado at Boulder experiments to the International Space Station, involving over 15,000 K-12 students from around the world. The experiments focus on plant growth, yeast cell genes, and crystal formations in space.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed agreements to cooperate on the James Webb Space Telescope and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission. The JWST will investigate galaxy, star, and planetary system origins, operating in space at L2 with a 21.3-foot primary mirror.
The Canadian Space Agency has awarded a $39 million contract to COM DEV International Ltd. to build the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) and Tuneable Filter Imager (TFI) camera for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. These instruments will provide essential pointing capability and unique science capabilities, including infrared imaging and pl...
The QUT microgravity tower will enable scientists to study diverse phenomena in reduced-gravity environments, including nanomaterials and combustion. This facility will be one of only a few in the world and provide an attractive alternative to costly space testing methods.
NASA is exploring the possibility of adding a lightweight grapple fixture to the James Webb Space Telescope to enable safe emergency servicing operations in space. The feasibility study aims to determine if the feature will be added to the telescope before its planned launch in 2013.
Raven, a mobile surgical robot developed by the University of Washington, will operate in an underwater capsule off the coast of Florida, guided by surgeons in Seattle. The 12-day mission tests current technology for sending remote-controlled surgical robotic systems into space.
New Horizons successfully completed a flyby of Jupiter, using the planet's gravity to accelerate the spacecraft towards its destination in the Kuiper Belt region. The mission is gaining nearly 9,000 miles per hour and will provide scientists with stunning science results at Jupiter.
Researchers have developed a tiny, cold, and efficient cryogenic refrigerator operating at 120 cycles per second that achieves rapid cooling and low temperatures without moving parts. The device uses oscillating helium gas to transport heat, enabling faster cool-down and smaller size.
A University of Houston student is working on a space suit redesign that prioritizes stability and locomotion for astronauts. Her research focuses on reducing the weight and improving the mobility of the space suit, which will enable astronauts to navigate the lunar terrain more easily.
The James Webb Space Telescope's mirror blanks have been constructed, forming a mirror over seven times larger than the Hubble Telescope's mirror. The larger mirror enables excellent resolution and sensitivity, allowing scientists to see back to the formation of the first galaxies after the Big Bang.
The James Webb Space Telescope's backplane has passed health tests, withstanding freezing temperatures and operating accurately. The successful test ensures the telescope can handle its space trip and work in space, paving the way for future scientific discoveries.
The microshutters will enable scientists to block unwanted light from objects closer to the camera in space, letting the light from faraway objects shine through. This technology allows the telescope to focus on the faint light of stars and galaxies so far away, they formed early in the history of the universe.
The James Webb Space Telescope will enable fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. The telescope will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing new instrumentation to better understand and predict space weather. They are studying ionospheric storms that can affect life on Earth, including radiation threats and communication disruptions.
New findings indicate that near-Earth space weather is driven by the merging rate of Earth's and sun's magnetic fields, not solar wind's electric field. Researchers developed a formula predicting 10 types of space weather activity, including aurora and magnetic disturbances.
BioServe is launching two space station experiments involving K-12 students worldwide, tracking seed germination and nematode population dynamics in microgravity. The projects aim to engage students in space research while exploring biological processes that support NASA's human exploration of space.
A new National Research Council report emphasizes the physical risks of extended space journeys due to space radiation. The report recommends developing storm shelters to protect astronauts from harmful radiation, as well as improving space engineering techniques and enhancing solar forecasting.
The University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center will design and build the Energetic Heavy Ion Sensor (EHIS) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) third-generation weather satellites. The instrument will monitor energetic particles in space, helping refine computer models to predict space weather events.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has awarded NASA's Earth Observing System Program the 2006 Space Systems Award. The program, which comprises a series of Earth-observing satellites and an advanced data system, is being recognized for its outstanding achievements in global environmental monitoring.
A scientist-astronaut is sending human T-cells to the International Space Station to study why they don't activate properly in microgravity. The experiment aims to identify which genes are not expressed in space, shedding light on immunosuppression and potential treatments for astronauts.
The Microbe experiment on board the space shuttle Atlantis will investigate how three common microorganisms adapt to microgravity, with potential benefits for developing new therapeutics and treatments for infectious diseases. The results will help NASA evaluate risks to astronauts on future missions to the moon and Mars.
Purdue engineers are developing advanced rocket technology that uses kerosene, eliminating the need for foam insulation. The research focuses on understanding combustion instability to create better computational models for designing rocket engines. This will enable more efficient and safer testing, reducing the risk of accidents and h...
Researchers aim to understand how prolonged space trips affect human immune systems by studying fruit flies on a Space Shuttle mission. The flies will be exposed to bacteria, fungi, and reduced gravity to determine if their weakened immune systems make them more susceptible to infection.
The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab will design and operate NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, which will study Earth's radiation belts and improve space weather forecasting. The mission aims to predict potentially hazardous space weather effects and better characterize planetary space environments.
The MIT SPHERES project aims to develop autonomous space vehicles that can maintain their positions via radio links, interacting almost constantly. The first critical test of the SPHERE is set for May 18 inside the space station, with two additional satellites scheduled to reach the station later this year.
A JAP study reveals that headdown bedrest accurately models the physiological responses of astronauts to spaceflight, with similar declines in cardiorespiratory responses to exercise. This finding has important implications for helping space travelers and aiding earthbound elderly individuals.
The Laser Scaling Device uses twin lasers to add scale to photographs, allowing investigators to measure the size of objects in images. This technology facilitates fast and accurate measurement analysis of digital evidence, facilitating serendipitous evidence detection and improving crime scene investigations.
The team's collaborative efforts led to near real-time determination of upper atmospheric density, improving geostationary satellite orbits. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration praised this as the 'greatest improvement in atmospheric drag modeling over the last 30 years'.
A new federal grant will support joint faculty appointments, biomedical projects, and research collaborations between Florida Tech, FSRI, and other universities and companies. The funding aims to develop countermeasures for radiation exposure and other health issues associated with long-duration space missions.
Researchers discovered a link between GPS data and satellite images of the plasmasphere, allowing them to understand the ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere as a coupled system. The study provides a new understanding of space storms and their impact on Earth's upper atmosphere.
Researchers at NSBRI have developed an ultrasound training method that reduces learning time to two-to-three hours a year. The program uses computer-based instruction and remote guidance to enable non-physicians to assess and manage emergency medical conditions in space, sports, and emergency response situations.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has provided critical shielding data to NASA, enabling the resumption of space shuttle flights. The NIST system measures electromagnetic shielding characteristics in key locations, allowing NASA to set safe power levels on radar systems.
Researchers generate high-resolution dataset of vegetation canopy height, aboveground biomass, and carbon stocks for the US in 2000. The dataset will enable unprecedented quantification of biomass and carbon stocks, improving studies on climate interactions, forest fire mitigation, and wildlife habitat characterization.
The UT Southwestern team will study how human cells respond to ionizing radiation in outer space, which can cause DNA damage leading to cancer. The research project aims to improve shielding material for spacecrafts and design safer spacesuits.
The space shuttle Columbia's exhaust plume caused a significant increase in polar mesospheric cloud activity over Antarctica, forcing scientists to rethink their role in monitoring global climate change. The clouds formed at an altitude of about 52 miles due to the high concentrations of water vapor released into the atmosphere.
A NASA-led NRL study found that space shuttle exhaust can form Antarctic polar mesospheric clouds, contributing to a remarkable 10-20% of clouds observed during one summer season. The discovery challenges the interpretation of PMC trends in terms of global climate change.
Abed-rest study investigates the impact of space-like conditions on the human immune system, exploring possible causes of a compromised immune response. The study aims to provide valuable data for international efforts to plan long-duration missions and address health risks associated with chronic radiation exposure.
A study led by Steven Cummer of Duke University and Walter Lyons found that sprites are generated by major lightning strikes. The total charge, as it moves from the cloud to the ground, is most critical in sprite development. Sprites are brief, lasting only 3 to 10 milliseconds, but can be monitored globally using a single sensor.
The American Geophysical Union issues a position statement warning that NASA's commitment to innovative Earth and space science programs is under threat due to new financial demands. This could lead to decimated effective programs and degraded capabilities in weather forecasting, search and rescue, and life and property protection.
A significant gap exists in understanding Earth's energy balance, crucial for accurately determining climate change. Scientists call for improved research observations and models to describe the overall energy balance of Earth's system.