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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to Professor Bernard Cohen, nuclear power plants emit fewer carcinogens and pollutants compared to coal burning power stations. This results in a much lower fatality rate, with air pollution from coal causing 25 fatalities per minute versus only 0.018 for nuclear.
A team of researchers has deployed an Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS) on the Pacific island of Nauru to study clouds and sunlight. The station will gather information for at least 10 years, providing insights into global warming effects and El Niño/La Niña weather phenomena.
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.
Russian scientists are developing a bacterial mixture to break down organic waste from astronauts' underwear, reducing storage issues in space. The disposal unit will process plastic, cellulose, and other waste aboard spacecraft, addressing the acute problem of waste management in space.
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.
The US Energy Department has established a long-term climate research station on Nauru in the Central Pacific Ocean. The facility will collect data on the sun's energy transmission, absorption, and reflection in the tropics, focusing on cloud effects on heating and cooling the atmosphere.
Researchers are developing a non-destructive testing technique that can detect cracks in materials and welds under extreme conditions. This technology is being adapted for use in space to test the International Space Station and other structures, reducing the need for costly repairs.
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 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.
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.
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.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have identified crucial elements for successful international cooperation in future space programs. These include scientific goals, clear communication among teams, and regular assessments to ensure mission vitality.
Researchers have developed a unique antenna design called the Orlan antenna to provide communications and vital signs for astronauts on the International Space Station. The antenna's special loop design couples sufficient energy to transmit radio-frequency signals while minimizing reflections.
The meeting explores hyperbaric oxygen therapy's potential in minimizing damage from strokes and preventing paralysis after spinal cord injuries. Dr. Mary Anne Frey will discuss the results of the Neurolab Space Shuttle Mission, while Sen. John Glenn will talk about his upcoming space-based research on aging.
Researchers will present findings on prevention, treatment of neurological problems like stroke, epilepsy, and brain injury. The meeting aims to develop international collaborations and transfer lessons learned in space and undersea research to patient care.
Scientists are searching deep ice from the Antarctic for signs of life that could survive in icy conditions, with a focus on Europa. The discovery of liquid water beneath the surface of another moon raises possibilities about potential life on Europa.
Researchers aim to address wave front errors caused by vibrations and thermal stresses in large space telescopes, affecting their clarity and focus. They've developed software-based solutions to detect and correct these aberrations, enabling better performance for space exploration.
A team of scientists is tracking El Niño changes using a remote cloud observatory in the Western Pacific. Continuous measurements are being collected to evaluate and develop cloud property and radiation algorithms for global climate models.
Researchers grew viable cartilage tissue from bovine cells on polymer scaffolds, but found that tissues grown in space were smaller and mechanically weaker than those on Earth. This study demonstrates the feasibility of cultivating cells and tissues in space over long periods.
The USMP-4 mission successfully delivered a haul of science and samples to help scientists investigate the era of International Space Station. The mission made significant contributions to materials science, solidification processes, and ultrasmall electronics, with results expected to have practical applications in industries like eye...
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment is the most extensive non-NASA remote operation on the flight, providing high-quality data for dendritic growth studies. The experiment's video system records 30 images a second, offering real-time insights into crystal growth in space.
Scientists are using NASA's Michelson interferometer to study protein crystal growth in space, a method that may lead to new treatments for diseases. The device, which was originally used to test the existence of the luminiferous ether, is being repurposed to analyze how molecules assemble into crystals.
A Stanford doctoral student has developed a dynamic control system that uses Global Positioning System signals to actively control errant oscillations in large space structures. The system can detect centimeter-level precision and automatically fire thrusters to compensate for wayward motions, allowing for stable structure operation.
The American Phytopathological Society recognizes distinguished members with the Fellows designation for their contributions to plant pathology. The Society also presents several awards, including the Excellence in Extension Award and the Ruth Allen Award, to honor outstanding research and teaching achievements in the field.
Researchers found that people demonstrate territorial behavior in parking lots, delaying departure times when another car wants the space, and becoming more aggressive with honking cars. This behavior is counterproductive, wasting time and effort.
The study enhances lightning detection capabilities with total lightning measurements, providing more accurate forecasts of severe storms and storm morphology. This technology has the potential to improve space launch weather support and reduce delays or scrubs due to adverse weather conditions.
The two miniature water worlds, designed by former Biosphere 2 crew members, have been safely transferred to the American space shuttle Atlantis for comprehensive testing of their effects on plants and animals in space. The experiments aim to provide insights into long-term human spaceflight and pharmaceutical research.
The U.S. National Science Foundation is supporting over 145 Antarctic investigations this season, focusing on carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean, deicing dynamics of sea life, archea ecology, UV-B impact on terrestrial plants, and drilling an ice dome in West Antarctica.
Microgravity researchers Michael Paulaitis and Kathleen Stebe are developing stable suspensions to create polymers in Earth-based labs. Their findings could shape space station materials, fuel pumping systems, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Two new 'cool climate' grape varieties, Traminette and Marquis, have been bred for their excellent fruit quality and cold-hardiness, making them suitable for the Northeast's short growing seasons. These hybrid grapes have shown promise in trials across several regions.
The Penn State students will test off-the-shelf semiconductor chips to learn the effect of high energy particle radiation on standard semi-conductors. They will also measure how much micro debris hits the shuttle using a piezoelectric device, and map the Earth's magnetic field as it flies through it.