The amount of space debris has increased exponentially over the decades, posing a significant challenge for safely operating spacecrafts in lower Earth orbit. WVU engineer Piyush Mehta is working on improving drag prediction accuracy with the help of a $125,000 NASA award.
The WVU Robotic Technology Center and Maxar are collaborating on the SPIDER project to demonstrate in-space assembly of a satellite using a lightweight robotic arm. The technology developed under SPIDER could enable self-assembling commercial satellites, human space exploration, and in-space telescope assembly.
The project aims to develop advanced compression space suits designed to protect astronauts from physical strains in space missions. The technology is also transferable to medical applications for burns, sports injuries, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and cerebral palsy.
The University of Melbourne will develop a small, powerful satellite called SpIRIT to launch in 2022. The spacecraft will host an X-ray detector provided by the Italian Space Agency and demonstrate Australian-made space capabilities.
The deep seafloor is a largely unexplored habitat that plays a critical role in the Earth's carbon cycle. Long-term studies at Station M have dramatically changed marine biologists' perceptions of life in the deep sea, revealing dynamic changes and connections between surface and seafloor conditions.
Researchers have improved Wi-Fi network operation and performance for the 5G/6G ecosystem by applying machine learning techniques. A new algorithm, ε-sticky, is proposed to reduce service disruptions and network instability, benefiting both stations that have found a suitable access point and those that haven't.
Researchers at the University of Reading found that calculating the speed of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) when they hit Earth provides more useful early warnings for satellite operators. This allows them to take evasive action or switch off systems to protect against radiation damage, and warn astronauts of potential threats.
A new study suggests that implementing orbital-use fees for satellites in orbit could reduce collision risk and increase the industry's long-run value. The fees, which would be calculated based on projected costs of additional collision risk and space debris production, could quadruple the value of the satellite industry by 2040.
The James Webb Space Telescope has achieved a significant milestone by being fully folded and stowed into its launch configuration. The observatory will unfold and stretch itself out in space before making groundbreaking observations of the cosmos.
The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a breathtaking portrait of a firestorm of starbirth in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This iconic image, nicknamed the 'Cosmic Reef,' showcases the telescope's enduring legacy and transformative impact on modern astronomy.
A new study found that long-duration space travel can cause expansions in the brain's white matter and combined brain and cerebrospinal fluid volumes. The researchers also observed alterations to the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of the skull, suggesting elevated intracranial pressure during spaceflight.
A NASA-built instrument uses shearing force to grow E. coli bacteria, demonstrating a more suitable method for space travel than existing alternatives. The research opens a new path to bio-manufacturing drugs during long-term space flights.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health are developing a dedicated space stem cell orbital research laboratory within the International Space Station (ISS) to study microgravity's effects on human biology. The studies aim to understand aging, degenerative diseases, and cancers in space, with potential applications for therapeutics on Earth.
Researchers at Kennedy Space Center successfully grew red romaine lettuce in space onboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its safety and nutritional value. The study found that space-grown lettuce was similar to Earth-grown controls in terms of composition but showed increased levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants.
Researchers from NJIT and NASA will conduct experiments on colloidal particles at the International Space Station to advance materials engineering. The ACE-T-Ellipsoids investigation aims to learn how periodic arrangement is formed, revealing hidden interrelations between processes driving particle arrangement.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of 24 strains of Burkholderia bacteria from the ISS water dispenser and found them highly similar to Earth-based strains. The bacteria are susceptible to common antibiotics, making them treatable in the event of an infection.
A new international advisory system is working to keep aircraft crew and passengers safe from space weather impacts. The system predicts disruptions from solar activity and helps airlines adjust flight paths to minimize impacts on navigation and communications systems.
Astronomers at Kazan Federal University used a powerful space exploration tool to discover a new binary star system. The team employed the gravitational lensing method to track changes in brightness and confirm the presence of two stars.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service-led Pacific Northwest Research Station found that Alaska's Tongass and Chugach National Forests produce an average of 48 million salmon annually, worth approximately $88 million. The forest rivers and lakes support the salmon population through various life stages.
The International Arctic Station (IAS), dubbed Snowflake, will be a fully autonomous facility powered by renewable energy sources and hydrogen fuel. The station aims to test and promote environmentally friendly technologies for life support and remote settlement maintenance in the Arctic region.
A team of researchers discovered a case of stagnant blood flow resulting in a clot in the internal jugular vein of an astronaut on the International Space Station. The study found that anticoagulation therapy was effective in reducing the size of the clot, but not eliminating it entirely.
A US astronaut on the International Space Station developed a deep vein thrombosis, prompting UNC expert Stephan Moll to consult and develop a treatment plan. Moll advised on using Enoxaparin and Apixaban to effectively treat the blood clot, which was successfully managed over 90 days.
Researchers developed a system to accurately detect space debris in Earth's orbit using laser ranging telescopes and neural networks. The new algorithm significantly improves the success rate of space debris detection, allowing for safer spacecraft maneuvers.
Scientists have obtained precise measurements of a pulsar's size and mass, as well as the first-ever map of hot spots on its surface using NASA's NICER telescope. The new data reveals that pulsars are not simple objects with powerful magnetic fields, but rather complex systems with multiple hot spots.
Researchers clarify the process by which gamma-ray flashes are generated from thunderstorms, discovering they can produce an ultraviolet emission known as an Elve. The findings reveal that high-electric fields produced just prior to a lightning bolt within the thunderstorm cloud trigger the TGF.
Researchers found changes to the dentate gyrus, an area of the hippocampus responsible for spatial thinking and memory, in participants who spent 14 months in Antarctica. Cognition tests showed effects on both spatial abilities and selective attention.
The Kennedy Uplink Station is a critical component of NASA's Launch Communications Segment, providing uplink and downlink communications between Artemis astronauts and mission controllers. The segment has reduced costs and simplified operations, enabling NASA to save tens of millions of dollars in operating costs over its lifetime.
Researchers on Australia's first space research mission to the International Space Station will investigate how microgravity affects aggressive cancers like ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. The mission may lead to new treatments that enhance existing therapies.
Researchers are developing robotic networks that can work independently but collaboratively to accomplish complex tasks. By using genetic fuzzy logic, they were able to get three robots and then five robots to move a token to a designated spot on a table.
A new solar power generator prototype developed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and US research teams will be deployed on a NASA flight to the International Space Station. The compact system could provide unprecedented watt per kilogram of power, critical to lowering costs for private space flight.
A new coating technology being tested on the International Space Station has shown promise in reducing electrical charges that can damage spacecraft electronics. The coating, developed using atomic layer deposition, could also help make spacesuits more conductive and reduce lunar dust's electrostatic charge.
A new study found that long-duration space missions change brain structure and function in NASA astronauts, correlating with declines in motor skills and cognitive performance. Researchers hope to better understand the effects of microgravity on the human brain to improve astronaut safety.
The Antarctic Broadcasts: Broader Impacts Through Telepresence project invites the public and classrooms to interact with polar scientists conducting critical research in Western Antarctica. The Inner Space Center will broadcast live 'Polar Stories' sessions, providing real-time feeds from ships and remote stations.
The 6-month study aboard the ISS will evaluate the ability of Lamborghini's carbon fiber materials to withstand extreme conditions, including temperature fluctuations, radiation exposure, and vacuum. The research aims to develop technologies and devices that could be used on Earth and in space.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that male mice sent to space for 35 days retained their reproductive ability upon return. The research team also reported healthy offspring with no effects from the parents' space stay.
Researchers are developing a bulletproof vest that can sense the speed and angle of impact, then change its properties to absorb the force. The technology could also protect buildings, satellites and spacecraft from space junk and meteorites.
Researchers have developed a laser prototype that nearly meets the stringent requirements for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. The laser system features a seed laser, YDFA amplifiers, and an optical reference cavity to improve spectral purity and stability.
Researchers investigated melatonin's role in preventing bone loss during space flight using cultured goldfish scales. They found that melatonin suppresses bone resorption by stimulating osteoblasts to produce CALCITONIN. This suggests melatonin could serve as a prophylactic drug to prevent bone loss of astronauts.
A new study by researchers at the University of Warwick and others found that living within 300m of urban green space is associated with greater happiness, sense of worth, and life satisfaction. The study used data from 25,518 people in London and found that proximity to green space was more important than lifestyle factors.
A study found that microgravity impacts brain connectivity in cosmonauts, changing sensorimotor functions like movement and body position perception. The brain develops an auxiliary system relying on visual and tactile feedback to compensate for limited vestibular input.
The University of Edinburgh's space mining devices will be tested in orbit to study how microscopic organisms can recover minerals from space rocks. The experiment aims to develop ways to source essential materials for survival in space.
A collaboration between amateur astronomers and the Ministry of Defence has successfully used high-end consumer equipment to track satellites in space. The project shows that small aperture prosumer level lenses can monitor positions and maintain accurate orbits for low Earth orbit satellites.
Research finds that common types of mold spores on the International Space Station can survive high doses of ionizing radiation, raising concerns about contamination and planetary protection protocols. The findings also suggest that fungi could be used to produce important compounds like antibiotics and vitamins in space.
Scientists confirm electrically-charged molecules shaped like soccer balls in space, shedding light on the mysterious contents of interstellar medium. The discovery points toward a strong likelihood for other complex carbon-bearing molecules arising spontaneously in space.
The Graphene Flagship partners with the European Space Agency and the University of Cambridge to launch a rocket into space, testing the printing of graphene patterns on silicon substrates in zero gravity. The mission aims to validate graphene's self-assembly properties and pave the way for its use in long-term space exploration.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have developed novel coatings with nanotechnology-based surface textures and chemistry to prevent microorganism attachment on various food products. The goal is to reduce the risk of biofilm formation and cross-contamination, ensuring safer produce for consumers.
A new study from UTMB has identified biomarkers that predict individual susceptibility to muscle function decline and found effective exercise and hormone treatments to combat atrophy. The findings may allow scientists to personalize space medicine by designing specific programs for each astronaut before long-term missions.
Satellites equipped with the new technology can deorbit and reenter the Earth's atmosphere, preventing space debris proliferation. Researchers have developed a prototype of the deorbit kit using low work-function tethers, which transforms orbital energy into electrical energy without fuel.
The article discusses NICER's nighttime X-ray sweeps of the entire sky, tracing magnetic fields and energetic particles. These observations provide insights into neutron star properties and the formation of pulsars, shedding light on the mysteries of matter in their cores.
Researchers use graphene to improve loop heat pipes, essential for satellites and equipment in space. The Graphene Flagship project aims to integrate these devices into satellites and the international space station in the next few years.
A new research finding published in Nature has located the source region for about half of the new CFC-11 emissions, which are attributed to an increase of around 7000 tons per year in trichlorofluromethane added to the atmosphere since 2013. This is primarily linked to new production from eastern China.
The IAC and ESA have signed an agreement to expand the programmes of optical communication with space missions and studies of space debris at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife. The new agreement will enable the installation of additional optical systems on the existing telescope, enhancing the observatory's capabilities.
Scientists have pioneered a new genomic methodology to identify and map bacterial species on the International Space Station, aiming to safeguard astronauts' health. The approach has applications in environmental management and healthcare, and will enable researchers to explore new microbiome environments.
The World Economic Forum has announced a new Space Sustainability Rating system to address growing space traffic and debris in Earth's orbit. The rating will assess satellite operators' environmental impact, with the goal of reducing congestion and promoting sustainability.
Researchers are tweaking tiny tomato plants to increase photosynthesis and make them suitable for growing on the International Space Station. The goal is to create a crop that can feed astronauts and potentially support future space colonies.
Researchers applied principal component analysis to receiver function data, improving signal-to-noise ratio and separating structural variations. The new method effectively constrains the crustal structure beneath targeted stations.
A NASA study has verified recent global warming figures, showing high consistency between satellite-based AIRS data and station-based GISTEMP analysis over the past 15 years. The findings also suggest that surface-based data may be underestimating temperature changes in the Arctic, indicating faster warming at the poles.
A recent study published in Science found that a year-long mission to the International Space Station has a small but significant impact on the gut microbiome. The researchers discovered that the ratio of two dominant phyla of bacteria shifted during flight, but returned to normal after Scott Kelly's return to Earth.
The NASA Twins Study found that Scott Kelly's telomeres in white blood cells got longer while in space, contradicting initial expectations. This could mean a higher risk for accelerated aging and age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Scientists found no long-lasting, major differences between astronaut Scott Kelly's epigenome and his twin brother Mark's after a year in space. The study suggests that research on additional astronauts may help predict medical risks on long space journeys.