The revolutionary Space-DRUMS system, installed on the International Space Station, uses acoustic levitation to position chemicals in zero-gravity without a container. This technology enables the production of ultra-pure materials, such as temperature-resistant ceramics used in plane and engine coatings.
The 'Jollbot' can jump over obstacles and roll on smoother terrain, solving the problem of robots being able to move over rough terrain. It uses electrical motors to store energy in its springy skeleton, allowing it to leap up to half a metre high.
Astronauts on the International Space Station successfully performed remotely-guided sonograms using a ground-to-space communication system. The study's findings demonstrate the feasibility of sonography in microgravity environments and could lead to new applications in space medicine.
The NASA-designed Sunshield is made of a super-tough polymer-based film that can block the sun's energy while maintaining structural integrity. The telescope needs to be extremely cold to observe distant galaxies and stars in infrared light, and the Sunshield plays a crucial role in achieving this.
BioServe is launching two educational experiments involving butterflies and spiders on a space shuttle mission in November. The experiments will compare the life cycles of butterflies and spiders in space to those on Earth, with over 100 K-12 students from Colorado participating.
Researchers found that infants later diagnosed with autism displayed unusual exploration of objects, including spinning and repetitive visual examination, as early as 12 months. These behaviors could be added to parent check-lists or quickly assessed during pediatric visits, potentially improving early diagnosis and treatment.
NASA scientists uncrated an Apollo-era heat shield to analyze its design and thermal response, providing valuable insights for the development of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle's Thermal Protection System. The study aims to improve the vehicle's heat protection capabilities, enabling it to safely carry crews to the moon and beyond.
The Arizona State University team will focus on characterizing life's elemental requirements, moving beyond water and energy as criteria for the search. This approach aims to identify more habitable worlds within our solar system and beyond.
Undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Michigan will design and build a small CubeSat satellite, called Radio Aurora Explorer (RAX), to measure ionosphere energy flow. The mission aims to understand space weather processes, which can affect GPS signals and other space communication systems.
Richard Garriott will use special software 'Windows on Earth' to identify targets for scientific research and educational exploration during his trip to the International Space Station. The software, developed by TERC and the Association of Space Explorers, simulates a realistic view of the Earth from space.
Researchers found that individuals tend to use exploration or exploitation search modes depending on the task demands, but also exhibit a tendency to continue searching in the same way across domains. This suggests a possible link between spatial and abstract search mechanisms.
Researchers found water bears can withstand extreme dehydration and cosmic radiation in space, but are harmed by ultraviolet radiation. Ingemar Jönsson's team discovered that water bears can repair DNA damage after exposure to space conditions.
Researchers have developed a computer program that will help astronauts manage psychosocial challenges, including depression and interpersonal conflicts. The Virtual Space Station is being tested with veteran astronauts, providing private access to treatments even when they're far from Earth.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will present five awards for key contributions to space science and technology during the AIAA SPACE 2008 Conference & Exposition. Notable recipients include Elon Musk, Michael A'Hearn, and the TacSat-2 Spacecraft Team.
NASA's Mars exploration program aims to analyze Martian samples using tools and instruments on Earth. The program provides a critical component of bringing samples back to Earth, enabling precise measurements and definitive life-detection assays.
The High-Resolution Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS) will investigate dark matter, galaxy formation, and explore the nature of matter in extreme environments. NASA's Explorer Program Mission of Opportunity has awarded $44 million for the instrument and operations.
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.
The partnership aims to spread Chinese scientific knowledge on petroleum exploration to a wider audience, facilitating communication between Chinese and international experts. The journal's strict peer-review process and high rejection rate ensure the publication of high-quality research.
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.
A University of Oregon study reveals that Korean adoptees in the US often explore their ethnic identities through either social exposure with peers or cultural heritage. The research found that those who don't explore may assimilate into white culture, while those who do may develop a symbolic attachment to their international heritage.
This study found that laparoscopic hepatic left lateral lobectomy combined with fiber choledochoscopic exploration of the common bile duct reduces liver function damage compared to traditional open operations. The procedure also significantly decreases post-operative pain and complications such as biliary fistula, cholangitic stenosis,...
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.
Two groundbreaking technologies, a nano chemsensor unit (NCSU) and a variable emissivity film, have proven successful on NASA's MidSTAR-1 satellite. The NCSU can detect harmful chemicals and contaminants in space, while the film controls heat on spacecraft, reducing weight and power consumption.
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.
A large-scale industrial expansion into space offers a sustainable solution to environmental concerns, providing unlimited resources and energy sinks for pollutants. This approach reconciles technological optimism with economic scarcity, enabling a unified political vision for the 21st century.
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 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 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.
Researchers developed a self-test tool using data from an undersea mission to assess stress, fatigue and cognitive fitness in astronauts. The test involves a vigilance task and cortisol measurements to evaluate the effects of prolonged space missions on mental performance.
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...
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.
Dr. Brian Sauser, Stevens Institute of Technology Assistant Professor, has been awarded a NASA Faculty Fellowship to conduct research at the Johnson Space Center. He will focus on growing systems engineering competencies and team formation indices to support NASA's return to the Moon and Mars missions.
Scientists return to Cenote Zacatón to resume tests of the NASA-funded robot DEPTHX, designed to survey and explore for life in one of Earth's most extreme regions. The probe may hold clues to life in outer space and on Earth's ice-bound polar lakes.
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.
Research by Pino G. Audia and Jack A. Goncalo suggests that successful inventors' creative output decreases over time, while collaboration and exploration goals can help manage this phenomenon. The study's findings have implications for R&D managers seeking to boost their departments' productivity.
Researchers at Tufts University are developing soft-bodied robots inspired by biology, which could revolutionize medical diagnosis and treatment, as well as space exploration. The project aims to create devices that can adapt to different environments and perform tasks such as climbing and burrowing.
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.
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 Radiation Belt Storm Probes – Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma (RBSP-ECT) project will measure the behavior of charged particles causing space radiation. The study aims to achieve a better understanding of the physical processes controlling the shape and intensity of Earth's radiation belts.
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.
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 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 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 suggest that Martian features can be explained by meteorite strikes rather than evaporated lakes. Base surges from massive explosions caused by meteorite impacts result in simple and consistent explanations for rock formations and sediment layers found at the Opportunity site.
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.
John Castagna's developed an algorithm to predict seismic-wave velocities for direct hydrocarbon indicator analysis, detecting oil and gas reservoirs more effectively. This advancement enables explorers to locate hydrocarbon discoveries with higher accuracy, reducing the need for costly drilling operations.