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.
NASA and Lockheed Martin have agreed on a plan to proceed with the X-33 space plane program, including the use of aluminum fuel tanks for hydrogen fuel. The restructured plan focuses on milestone payments and mission safety, with the goal of reducing launch costs.
Hernandez Engineering, Inc. will deliver management, personnel, equipment, and supplies for safety and mission assurance at NASA's Marshall Center. The contract value is up to $35.9 million, with a focus on reducing space launch costs and improving flight safety.
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.
University of Colorado at Boulder researchers will study the effects of spaceflight on neural development in fruit flies and investigate gene expression in kidney cells. The experiments, sponsored by NASA and the National Institutes of Health, aim to understand nerve growth and development, as well as tissue engineering applications.
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.
Researchers at Purdue University are designing software to manufacture superior crystals, enabling better electronic hardware and alloys. Space experiments have uncovered critical information on crystal formation in the absence of gravity, which is incorporated into mathematical models.
The National Space Science and Technology Center will bring together scientists, engineers, and educators to work on common goals of technology advancements. The center will provide expertise and advanced research opportunities for NASA's mission and the growing medical research sector in Alabama.
Lawanna Harris, a NASA engineering technician, is working on a rocket-based combined cycle engine to make space travel more affordable. Her research goal is to reduce the cost of payload from $10,000 to hundreds of dollars per pound within 25 years.
The NASA-developed Data Matrix symbol technology offers high-capacity marking in a small space, with applications in various industries such as automotive and electronics. The technology enables permanent identification of parts and products, even when protected by coatings or other obstacles.
The University of Iowa's contribution to the Cluster 2 space mission will analyze plasma waves in Earth's magnetosphere, predicting space weather events. The US experiment will also enable a unique telescope-like system for studying low-frequency radio emissions.
Crystals grown in space may produce better semiconductor materials due to reduced gravity effects. The 'detached growth' process, performed on the space shuttle, has produced pencil-thin crystals with uniform distributions.
A U of T engineer has devised a method to control vibrations in robots assembling or repairing objects in outer space. By entering a 'corrected' equation into the system, scientists can reduce deformations and complete tasks more quickly.
Nine companies have been selected to participate in a $15 million NASA Research Announcement effort titled the Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Risk Reduction Definition Program. This research will explore possible Earth-to-orbit launch vehicles, in-space orbit transfer vehicles, and ground and flight operations.
The X-40A test vehicle, built by Boeing, is being shipped to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, Calif., for a series of ground and air tests. The X-37 project aims to demonstrate technologies in the orbital and reentry environments for next-generation reusable launch vehicles.
Susan Okie, a medical reporter at The Washington Post, has won the 2000 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Public Communications Award. Her two-part series on tuberculosis highlights the challenges of controlling this deadly disease and emphasizes the need for new medicines and vaccines to eradicate it.
Visitors to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will enjoy live performances by country, rock, pop, and gospel artists while exploring rocket firings, space exhibits, and facility tours. The event also features appearances by NASA astronauts and real space flight hardware.
The NASA Marshall Open House offers a daylong space adventure with interactive exhibits, including a Space Shuttle Pavilion, magnetic levitation track and International Space Station mockup. Meet astronauts, robots and celebrities, and participate in activities like the Astronaut Moon Bounce.
Detecting active regions on the far side of the Sun allows for up to two weeks' advance warning of strong solar winds. The method uses Lyman alpha radiation to track sunspot activity and predict severe space weather.
The SPHERES project aims to test formation flying technologies and measure key parameters in microgravity. The mini satellites, the size of volleyballs, are being tested aboard NASA's KC-135 airplane, allowing researchers to validate control algorithms, metrology, and autonomy.
A new NASA web site features women who are making history with their contributions to microgravity research. The site profiles women from diverse backgrounds and expertise, including astronauts, scientists, engineers, and more.
The Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell experiment simulated Earth's climate, the Sun's atmosphere, and other planets' atmospheres in microgravity. Scientists created models of fluid flows in planetary atmospheres using a nickel-coated steel ball, silicone oil, and artificial gravity.
The NASA space shuttle Endeavour will gather information key to the University of Hawaii's research on the aftermath of volcanic eruptions. The mission aims to provide more extensive topographic data on volcanoes, including Mount Pinatubo, using advanced radar interferometry.
University of Colorado researchers found that the production of antibiotic actinomycin D was 75% higher in space than on Earth, with a 20-fold increase in fermentation efficiency. This breakthrough has implications for developing new anti-cancer therapies.
NASA has awarded $22 million in grants to 65 researchers to explore the effects of microgravity on materials science. The research will be conducted both on Earth and in space, with a focus on understanding fundamental physical and chemical processes.
A new analysis by Futron estimates the risks faced by NASA's space station crew, including serious illness, deaths, and accidents inside the station. The consultancy predicts a 93% probability that a micrometeorite impact will cause disaster if it occurs.
Surgeons have successfully performed two operations using a new LED-based probe to treat brain cancer, with promising results. The treatment, called Photodynamic Therapy, involves activating light-sensitive drugs with long wavelengths of light, destroying tumors while sparing surrounding tissues.
Researchers from HHMI at Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School discovered that stem cells can deliver therapeutic genes to diseased organs, potentially remodeling genetically defective tissues. The study suggests that adult stem cells may be manipulated to heal genetic defects in various organs and tissues.
NASA will unveil its future space transportation goals and programs at Space Transportation Day '99, aiming to lower launch costs and make interplanetary exploration feasible. The conference will cover various projects, including X-33 and X-34 rocket planes, as well as technologies for safer and more reliable operations.
The partnership will focus on materials science, biotechnology, Earth sciences, propulsion, optics, and other areas that support NASA's mission. The center aims to reduce expenses and maximize scientific return by sharing facilities and ideas.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new propulsion system called M2P2 that could potentially increase spacecraft speeds by up to 10 times, surpassing Voyager I's distance from Earth. The system uses a plasma chamber and electromagnetic field to harness the solar wind for propulsion.
A team of scientists from Montana State University designed an experiment to study the role of gravity on infection-fighting white blood cells. The goal is to understand why astronauts are more vulnerable to infections in space and develop pharmaceuticals to boost immune responses.
The University of Iowa is conducting a space shuttle experiment to study human cell growth and metabolism in space. The oxygen-sensing system developed by the university will be used to monitor oxygen levels and provide feedback control for optimal growth conditions.
BioServe will fly three bioprocessing payloads and industry experiments, including a National Institutes of Health experiment and two K-12 student outreach projects, on the space shuttle Columbia. The experiments focus on developing new wastewater treatments and improving techniques used to evaluate pharmaceutical compounds.
The Marshall Space Flight Center is developing innovative solutions to reduce costs and increase reliability in space transportation. The team aims to make space accessible to the general public, enabling adventure travel, business ventures, and scientific research.
Researchers at NASA and the University of Alaska have discovered mysterious bursts of colored light in thunderstorms, known as sprites. These brief, fleeting phenomena contain a great deal of energy, which may be sufficient to drive novel chemical reactions, potentially impacting the Earth's protective ozone layer.
NASA has selected 23 organizations to develop revolutionary space-based power generating systems that harness the Sun's energy for Earth and space. The selected teams will receive $6.4 million in funding to create commercially viable space solar power technologies.
A study by NASA's Johnson Space Center found that spaceflight increases the levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in astronauts' saliva samples. EBV can cause glandular fever and has been associated with Burkitt's lymphoma, a type of cancer common in Africa.
A team of young researchers, mentored by Associate Professor Max Vercruyssen, are developing a computerized driving simulator to evaluate astronaut fitness for space travel. The simulator aims to determine alertness, judgment, and motor skills related to operating an automobile, similar to assessing fitness-for-duty in the space shuttle.
Spann will present the latest information from the UltraViolet Imager project, which studies how space storms develop and affect Earth's space environment. The presentation aims to provide insights into directly driven auroral signatures resulting from interplanetary pressure points.
The Inner Space/Outer Space II Symposium will explore questions of the hour in particle astrophysics, including the origins of the universe and dark matter. The four-day agenda includes presentations on Extra Dimensions, the Accelerating Universe, and Beyond the Standard Models.
NASA gave astronauts melatonin to improve sleep, but found no benefit; instead, electrodes seemed to help them relax and sleep better. Astronauts' duties likely cause insomnia, and monitoring equipment helps them see sleep as part of their mission.
Scientists experiment with materials in space to study structure, properties and processing methods. These experiments have led to new understanding of semi-conductors, metallic-electronic crystals and improved X-ray and infrared sensors.
Scientists observed solar activity directly affecting Earth's outer atmosphere, causing auroral light displays. The Polar satellite measured the effects of a massive solar storm that pumped 200 gigawatts of energy into Earth's atmosphere.
A total of 48 researchers, including eight from Alabama, have been awarded NASA grants to study protein crystallization and cell science. These grants may lead to improvements in medical technologies such as drug design and tissue engineering.
Polar spacecraft has taken the first measurements showing that solar events directly affect our outer atmosphere. The results correlate CMEs with enhanced ion outflows from the upper ionosphere, providing a new understanding of the complex interactions between the sun and Earth's magnetic field.
The University of Michigan's VORTEX experiment, launched on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, investigates fluid atomization in microgravity. The study aims to answer fundamental questions about the process by which liquids are converted into tiny droplets.
Deep Space 1, a miniaturized space probe powered by solar-electric propulsion, will navigate through space and analyze charged particles and magnetic fields surrounding an asteroid and two comets. The mission, led by CU-Boulder Professor Fran Bagenal, tests innovative technologies and aims to explore the outer solar system.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center aim to demonstrate a propellant-free propulsion system using a tether system similar to those used on earlier SEDS missions. The ProSEDS flight could enable shorter tethers for propulsion or electrical power generation, and even de-orbit satellites with minimal cost and weight.
The third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) campaign observed rare lightning fields and purple sprites in the eye of Hurricane Georges. The team studied the hurricane's unique characteristics, including large cloud turrets and variable wind speeds.
Bacteriorhodopsin, a salt-loving organism's defense mechanism, is grown in space to produce stable crystals, offering new insights into complex membrane proteins and their applications in all-optical computing. The findings may lead to the development of battery-conserving computer displays.
Scientists have discovered archaea, an ancient branch of microbial life that can thrive in extreme environments like volcanic vents and acidic hot springs. These microorganisms produce enzymes that are stable under harsh conditions, offering potential benefits for environmental cleanup, pollution prevention, and energy production.
Researchers from NASA and French-American teams crystallized thaumatin in space, producing larger and more defect-free crystals with improved x-ray diffraction properties. This breakthrough paves the way for better understanding of the molecule's shape and function, potentially leading to new treatments for diabetes and obesity.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute created a 2D system to study fire propagation, revealing that flame dynamics follow simple laws governing penetration of liquids into porous materials. This breakthrough provides a low-cost alternative to studying fire in space and could aid in detecting slow-moving flames in aircraft.
Scientists discuss ways to use lightweight materials like hydrogen, boron, and lithium for radiation shielding. Researchers also explore using composites and polyamide binders for efficient protection against space radiation.
Researchers at NASA have developed innovative methods to study molten metals in space, including electrodes and magnets to measure fluid flows and dendrite growth. These techniques will help improve manufacturing processes on Earth by understanding subtle phenomena affected by gravity.
The TEMPUS furnace, used on NASA's Microgravity Sciences Laboratory-1 mission in 1998, has demonstrated its value by making repeat measurements that matched very closely with one another. Scientists are now analyzing the data to correct surface tension measurements and make the first-ever reliable viscosity measurements.
Materials scientists will use microgravity conditions to study material formation and behavior, producing high-value products. The U.S. Laboratory Module will house three Materials Science Research Racks, with each rack capable of conducting various experiments.
The conference will bring together over 100 principal investigators to discuss recent microgravity materials science research, including results from the Microgravity Sciences Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission. Researchers will also preview plans for the International Space Station and its Materials Science Research Facility.