Federal, provincial and territorial mines ministers agree that vulnerable mining communities are a priority. The conference discussed ways to maintain community viability through cooperation on exploration initiatives, processing technologies, and Aboriginal engagement.
Researchers are testing the Space Cycle, a human-powered centrifuge that generates artificial gravity, to prevent muscle loss and atrophy in astronauts. The device simulates various levels of gravity, from Earth to five times Earth's gravity, to assess its effectiveness in maintaining muscle mass and strength.
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.
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.
NASA's Goddard technologist Vladimir Lumelsky proposes developing a 'High-Tech Skin' with over 1,000 infrared sensors to enable robots to sense their environment and react like humans. This technology is crucial for carrying out NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, where humans and robots work together in unstructured environments.
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.
NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit have been studying geology on opposite sides of Mars for over a year. The rovers have found extensive layered bedrock, including rocks containing the mineral Ilmenite, which suggests a shared origin and diversity in volcanic rocks in the Gusev region.
Researchers at Penn State are developing new approaches to integrating control and condition monitoring systems for Intelligent Vehicle Health Management. This will enable equipment to continue operating when something breaks or is about to fail, reducing the need for human intervention on long, unmanned deep space missions.
Scientists at PNNL develop MicroCATS, a system to produce propellant from Martian resources, regenerating breathable air and enabling life support. The goal is to advance microtechnology principles for larger-scale Mars missions by 2030.
The European Space Agency recommends a mission that combines key technologies from BeagleNet, ExoMars and NASA to search for life on Mars. The rover will include instruments to study seismic phenomena and a drill capable of penetrating the surface.
Researchers at UT Southwestern will investigate the consequences of space radiation exposure on human health, with a focus on lung cancer and its prevention. The $9.8 million grant will enable the development of new cell systems and animal models to study high-energy particles in space.
NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers and the Cassini-Huygens Mission will be discussed, highlighting new discoveries and future exploration plans. The AAAS annual meeting also features presentations on climate change, urban decision-making, and revolutionary engine architectures.
The CRaTER instrument will measure high-energy charged particles in deep space to develop equipment and materials for human safety in the lunar environment. Scientists at Boston University are leading the development of the instrument with NASA funding.
A new NASA book, 'Touch the Sun,' allows visually impaired students to explore solar science through embossed color pictures, Braille, and large-print descriptions. The book features 16 photographs of the sun and space weather, selected by Dr. Joseph Gurman and Steele Hill.
A nuclear-powered space mission to Neptune, expected to launch between 2016 and 2018, aims to gather data on the planet's atmosphere and its largest moon Triton. The mission will employ electrical and optical sensors to study Neptune's atmospheric elemental ratios, gravity, and magnetic fields.
A study of 24,411 US child appendectomies found racial disparities in rupture rates, with Asian and black children at higher risk. The rate improved with hospital volume, but health insurance status also played a significant role in appendix rupture likelihood.
NASA has successfully tested artificial intelligence (AI) software that can detect and diagnose errors in satellite systems. The Livingstone Version 2 (LV2) software is being used to troubleshoot the NASA Earth Observing One (E0-1) satellite's instruments and systems, allowing for more efficient and effective maintenance.
NIST has awarded up to $80.1 million in funding for 32 new advanced technology program (ATP) projects, spanning various key technology areas including energy, medical diagnostics, electronics, and computer interfaces. The projects aim to improve productivity, facilitate trade, and enhance quality of life.
RIT will receive $1.2 million to study nanomaterials and nanostructures for space photovoltaics, aiming to develop more efficient solar cells for robotic exploration. The goal is to upgrade power supplies, improving performance and range for NASA's robotic missions.
The Space Simulator, a $500,000 Beowulf cluster, has achieved remarkable performance in astrophysics simulations, calculating the evolution of the Universe and studying massive star explosions. Its low cost and scalability make it an ideal tool for specific research applications.
Ten Central Florida teachers are conducting space research for eight weeks with professors from the University of Central Florida's Department of Mechanical, Materials & Aerospace Engineering. They will develop models and teaching tools to share with their students in the fall.
Kenneth Baldwin will lead a $2.5 million NASA program to develop exercise programs for astronauts, addressing physical impacts of space travel. The research aims to enhance the new NASA Space Exploration Initiative, enabling humans to work for months on the International Space Station and potentially send humans to Mars.
Aura will provide unprecedented information on the composition of the atmosphere and its impact on climate change and air quality. The satellite will help scientists understand how atmospheric composition affects and responds to changing climate conditions.
Dr. Ballard and his team will map the ship and conduct scientific analyses of its deterioration, assessing the impact of manmade factors on natural decay. They'll also study microbial research and examine the effects of tiny microbes on the ship's hull.
Jonathan I. Lunine, a renowned planetary scientist, will testify before the President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy about detecting other Earths around nearby stars. He suggests developing medium-sized optical and infrared space telescopes, the Terrestrial Planet Finder, which could discover habitable ...
The PERs will allow museum visitors to search for organo-fluorescent evidence of life in a Martian terrain, mimicking the role of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers. The robots are powered by Intel technology and can move at 1.6 inches per second, providing an interactive experience for visitors.
A research team at the University of Michigan has discovered a way to disrupt the magnetic field of microwave ovens, reducing interference with nearby electrical devices. This breakthrough could have significant impacts on fields such as radar, deep-space exploration, and cancer treatment.
A new neutron detector is being developed to monitor spacecraft radiation, with a goal of creating a lightweight and portable device that can detect high-energy neutrons. The detector will provide crucial data for exploration missions outside Earth's orbit, where astronauts are exposed to increased radiation levels.
NASA will conduct thousands of experiments at its new $34 million Space Radiation Laboratory to develop materials and countermeasures protecting spacecraft crews from harmful space radiation. The laboratory, built in cooperation with the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, simulates the harsh space environment.
A team of scientists will search for marine organisms with potential to cure human maladies such as cancer and AIDS-related infections in the Gulf of Mexico. They will also explore abandoned oil rigs and an ancient shoreline, cataloging diversity of organisms and collecting new species.
A UB engineer developed software that can pinpoint leak locations on the space station and estimate hole sizes. This helps speed up the process of identifying source modules, which is crucial for astronauts' safety.
Researchers at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute are developing a new treadmill training system to help astronauts recover from balance problems after long-duration space flights. The system will also aid elderly patients and others with similar issues.
The study found that roads, damage to tundra, and animal population decline are significant concerns. The report concludes that a balance must be reached between economic development and environmental protection in the North Slope region.
Fotini Markopoulo Kalamara presents a fresh approach to researching theoretical possibilities for looking inside black holes and at particles of space/time. She proposes that an 'inside' quantum theory of gravity should be the collection of all partial observations of the inside observers.
Jeneene Sams, a NASA space product manager, works with companies to conduct experiments in space that improve their products and ultimately people's lives. She sponsors two commercial experiments: one on growing zeolite crystals that can store hydrogen, a pollution-free fuel, and another testing a fire-fighting system in microgravity.
The DARE concept uses balloons with a StratoSail device to control their path in strong atmospheric winds, enabling pole-to-pole exploration of Venus and Titan's atmospheres and targeted observations of Mars and Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
The University of Houston has a rich history of space research, with contributions to NASA's Exobiology Program and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers are planning to go back to the moon and Mars to develop space outposts.
Space weather events, caused by solar storms, are damaging satellites and power grids due to increasing technological challenges. Scientists are working on predicting and mitigating these effects with new observations, simulations, and predictive models.
Researchers conducted a high-tech simulation to test the Mars Exploration Rover mission, which will arrive on Mars in early 2004. The test aimed to understand the nature and accumulation patterns of Mars' signature red dust, crucial for ensuring astronaut safety.
Space motion sickness affects 70% of first-time space travelers, causing nausea, vomiting, and cognitive impairment. Researchers are testing four drugs to find a safe alternative that reduces symptoms without affecting reaction time or memory.
John Uri, a NASA scientist, has led research on the International Space Station since childhood. He oversaw 52 investigations in various scientific disciplines, including medical research and material science.
The proposed system uses autonomous spaceships to transport crews between Earth and Mars, enabling frequent 5-month trips. The design architecture includes Astrotels and Taxis, which will facilitate sustainable Mars habitation and exploration.
Scientists will study the properties of materials in low-gravity conditions to improve industry's high-tech products. Bubbles trapped in solid samples can cause internal cracks, diminishing a material's strength.
NASA's new Microgravity Science Glovebox will enhance the Space Station's science capabilities by providing a facility for safely working with fluids, flames, particles, and fumes. The glovebox supports low-cost, small investigations from multiple disciplines, including materials science and biotechnology.
Researchers plan to use cycler spacecraft, which would constantly ferry people and materials between Earth and Mars, to enable human exploration and colonization of the Red Planet. The cyclers would rotate slowly to create artificial gravity and provide comfortable accommodations for passengers on long trips.
Astronauts experience orthostatic intolerance after space flight, characterized by lightheadedness and dizziness. UT Southwestern researchers found that heart shrinking and becoming stiff is the primary cause, contrary to previous research suggesting a malfunction of the sympathetic nervous system.
A new suite of experiments will be delivered to the International Space Station by Space Shuttle Endeavour, broadening scientific research onboard the orbiting space laboratory. The experiments are expected to lead to insights in various fields such as bone disorder treatments, plant growth, and cancer cell formation.
The Mars Odyssey spacecraft has entered into orbit around Mars, providing a key communications link for the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission. The two Rovers will be able to upload data on mineral and element composition of rocks and soils to a state-of-the-art communications package.
Celera Genomics has adopted Aura's OPUS software to streamline its development processes, saving time and resources. The partnership demonstrates the practical applications of innovative technologies developed for space exploration.
Researchers are developing a compact machine called AMPDXA to precision measure tissue mass, bone density and geometry. This instrument will aid in preventing weakened bones and fractures for astronauts returning to Earth or landing on another planet.
Researchers examine how personality, culture, and group dynamics influence behavior and health outcomes in isolated environments. They also investigate the risks of space radiation exposure on astronauts' bodies, aiming to identify traits that maximize crew functioning and reduce individual and group problems.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission will attempt a controlled descent to the surface of asteroid 433 Eros on February 12, gathering close-up pictures of its boulder-strewn surface. The primary goal is to study the asteroid's composition and behavior, with a secondary aim of practicing maneuvers for future landing missions.
The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has created nuclear matter with the highest energy density ever achieved, opening a new frontier in scientific exploration. The experiment also reveals striking differences from previous experiments, hinting at new phenomena and a possible transition to quark-gluon plasma.
NASA's 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program aims to develop a privately owned, commercially competitive reusable launch vehicle. Proposals are due November 27, with cost proposals due December 4, and are expected to award multiple contracts totaling $900 million next spring.
Sverdrup Technology has been awarded a $300 million contract by NASA to provide engineering, scientific and technical services at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The contract covers support for space transportation systems, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center are testing thin-walled membranes for use in large space structures. The lightweight materials could revolutionize space exploration with reduced costs and increased efficiency.
The Foundation for Exploration and Research on Cultural Origins (FERCO) has funded eight research projects on ancient civilizations in Asia, North America and Europe. These projects include studies of early maritime adaptations, trade networks and the distribution of obsidian, among others.
The MACE-II experiment, launched on September 8 aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, will test techniques for predicting motion and controlling vibrations in zero gravity. With multiple months of testing, researchers will interact with the experiment remotely to refine its performance.
NASA has awarded four small businesses 90-day contracts to develop concepts and requirements for a potential backup capability to provide access to the International Space Station. The study aims to enhance the station's operational flexibility by launching within a week if primary delivery methods are unavailable.
Researchers are studying zeolites, crystals that can produce more gasoline from a barrel of oil, reducing dependence on petroleum. In microgravity, larger crystals are grown, providing insights into their structure and potential for efficient fuel production.