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.
A new space weather model accurately predicts 'killer' electrons in the Earth's outer radiation belt, providing a one-day warning before space storms. The model connects satellite measurements to electron population data, enabling reliable forecasts and protecting vital infrastructure.
Researchers found mostly human-associated microbes on the ISS, including opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. The study provides a comprehensive catalogue of bacteria and fungi, which can help improve safety measures for NASA's deep space human habitation.
A large section of the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica is expected to break away from the British Antarctic Survey's Halley Research Station in as little as a few months. The iceberg, measuring over 1,500 square kilometres, is part of the ice shelf's natural lifecycle, driven by changes in ice-shelf geometry.
Researchers tested a silver- and ruthenium-based coating on the International Space Station, finding it highly effective in reducing bacteria growth by up to 80% compared to bare steel. The AGXX® coating may provide a solution to combating antibiotic-resistant superbugs in deep space missions.
NASA research finds that dormant viruses reactivate in over half of crew members on Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions. The reactivation rate increases with spaceflight duration, raising concerns for the success of deep-space missions. Effective prevention and treatment are crucial to safeguarding astronauts.
Researchers tested large-area perovskite solar cells in near space at an altitude of 35 km, demonstrating their ability to retain power conversion efficiency despite extreme conditions. The study found that a device based on FA0.81MA0.10Cs0.04PbI2.55Br0.40 retained 95.19% of its initial efficiency.
The ECOSTRESS mission aims to provide critical data for irrigation, enabling farmers to optimize water usage and reduce drought vulnerability. By measuring surface temperature, scientists can calculate evapotranspiration and identify which plants are using water most efficiently.
A new photometric telescope, Sun-THz, will measure solar flares on the International Space Station. Developed in Brazil, it will work alongside a Russian instrument to take consistent measurements.
X-rays have shorter wavelengths than infrared and radio waves, enabling tighter beams and less energy consumption. The demonstration aims to increase interest in the technology, which could enable more efficient data transfer rates for deep space missions.
Researchers have charted the environment surrounding a stellar-mass black hole using NASA's NICER payload. The study reveals changes in the environment's size and shape, including the corona contracting vertically from 100 to 10 miles at vast distances.
A new study found that prolonged spaceflights can impair natural killer cell function in astronauts, increasing the risk of cancer and viral reactivation. The effects are more pronounced in first-time astronauts, suggesting stress or age may play a role.
A study of 17 astronauts found that long-duration spaceflight reduces paraspinal muscle size by 4.6-8.8% and increases fatty tissue content, with some changes persisting for up to four years after returning to Earth.
Researchers at NTNU are developing self-contained planters to allow astronauts to grow food in space. The goal is to provide fresh produce for long-duration missions like those to Mars and beyond. By growing plants directly in water with dissolved nutrients, fertilization and irrigation can be controlled precisely.
Researchers have demonstrated feasible global quantum communication between high-orbiting satellites and a ground station, exchanging single photons over 20,000km. This milestone experiment proves secure quantum communications on a global scale using the Global Navigation Satellite System.
A set of immune system tissue chips is scheduled to launch on SpaceX's 16th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station, where they will simulate the aging process of the immune system. The goal is to gain new insights into the molecular basis for many human conditions and develop novel therapies.
A new study reveals spaceflight has limited impact on B-cell immunity, a crucial part of the immune system. Astronauts living on the International Space Station for 6 months showed unaffected B-cell immune competency, suggesting in-flight vaccine-based countermeasures may be effective.
Researchers found strains of Enterobacter bugandensis on the ISS with antimicrobial resistance patterns similar to those on Earth. The strains included genes involved in virulence and disease, raising concerns about potential health implications for future missions.
Research on the International Space Station reveals that electrically charged dust grains line up in straight lines, even without gravity. The study suggests that forces between particles and atoms impose order on the system.
A study of Russian cosmonauts reveals that space travel alters the brain's tissue volume, particularly in grey and cerebrospinal fluid areas. Changes persist for at least six months after returning to Earth, with potential implications for cognition and vision.
A recent study published in Astrobiology found that microbes and organic compounds can survive for a year in space, suggesting interplanetary migration is possible. The Tanpopo mission exposed Deinococcus aetherius to space conditions, measuring key factors like temperature and radiation.
Researchers used mathematical abstraction to describe gravitational waves as functions that remain invariant during distribution. They found arbitrary functions can be set to encode information, allowing for spatial transmission without distortions.
A new plasma thruster technology has been developed to remove space debris, decelerating it with a force imparted from the satellite. The system uses bi-directional ejection of plasma plumes, controlled by a magnetic field and gas injection, for efficient removal in three operational modes.
Researchers developed innovative business models for space-related start-ups, including DIT Space, which commercialized satellite images and created competitive advantages. The study highlights the growth of space entrepreneurship worldwide, with a focus on Central America.
The optical society laser engineers have successfully designed and tested a high-resolution laser system for the GEDI mission, which will study Earth's forests and topography from the International Space Station. The laser systems must withstand heat and vibration for journey to and operation aboard ISS.
The USDA Forest Service introduces the Hot-Dry-Windy Index (HDW) to predict wildland fire danger, leveraging temperature, moisture, and wind variables. Researchers tested HDW against existing indexes and found promising results, with potential applications worldwide.
Researchers on the International Space Station are studying ferrofluids with magnetic fields to create pump systems without mechanical moving parts. This could extend system lifetimes and improve performance in next-generation space vehicles.
Scientists have discovered a repeatable pattern in how space weather activity changes with the solar cycle, enabling better understanding and planning for space weather. The breakthrough allows for more accurate forecasting of potential threats to Earth from solar flares and extreme space weather.
Russian scientists propose a new classification of symmetry groups in crystal space, considering geometric limitations on atomic arrangement. The approach determines forbidden regions with specific spatial symmetries, classifying 230 groups into 33 classes.
A study published by the USDA Forest Service found that tweets from California during the 2015 wildfire season could predict air quality impacts from smoke. The research combined ground-based monitoring with a topic model mapping citizens' tweets to improve models for predicting smoke dispersion.
The James Webb Space Telescope boasts unparalleled capabilities, including a revolutionary lightweight carbon-composite material and exceptional load-bearing capability in extreme temperatures. Its advanced design enables it to unfold flawlessly by remote control and operate at extremely low temperatures.
A Rochester Institute of Technology researcher has developed a new solar sailing technology using diffractive metafilm materials that could propel spacecraft more efficiently and reduce overheating. The new material can steer reflected or transmitted photons for near-Earth, interplanetary, and interstellar space travel.
The ECOSTRESS mission uses satellite data from NASA to track temperature changes in various biomes. The on-the-ground data collected by the University of Queensland will be used to validate the accuracy of the satellite data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of water stress and crop growth.
Current understanding of human physiology and surgery in space is crucial for future astronauts. The review highlights novel pathologies that could arise from prolonged weightlessness and exposure to cosmic radiation, emphasizing the need for specialized training and medical preparedness.
A new model examines the relative role of random interactions between individuals in a crowd compared to interactions stemming from their eagerness to be on their way. The study reveals that internal interactions between pedestrians can be negligible, and external factors such as crowd pressure drive the flow of people toward exits.
A new alloy is being developed through the testing of a sintering process in microgravity aboard the International Space Station. The investigation uses liquid phase sintering to study the degree of distortion caused by microgravity, with potential applications for space manufacturing and Earth-based industries.
Bernd Chudoba and his team aim to create a forecasting methodology that identifies science and technology gaps related to space transportation issues. The project will develop a toolbox to forecast space transportation infrastructure needs, enabling the US to plan for its 2030 goal of eliminating vulnerabilities in space.
A novel drug has been identified as a potential treatment for brain damage caused by exposure to cosmic rays, protecting memory function in mice. The study's findings suggest that rebooting the brain's immune system may help prevent cognitive impairments in astronauts during deep space travel.
Researchers explore creating self-assembling microscopic particles to manufacture materials in space with tailored nanostructures. The ability to create self-assembling and potentially self-repairing materials could be key to surviving deep space destinations.
Astronomers have detected a unique laser emission from the heart of the Ant Nebula, indicating the presence of a double star system. The phenomenon was discovered using European Space Agency's Herschel space observatory and is connected to the death of a star.
The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation - GEDI is a first-of-its-kind laser instrument designed to map the world's forests in high resolution and three dimensions. It will gather height information about everything in its path, but is specifically designed to measure forests.
A NASA and NIST study found that traditional smoke detectors may not effectively detect smoke particles in space due to unique microgravity properties. The study investigated five common materials used on spacecraft and found that some detectors struggled to detect smaller particles, posing a concern for fire safety.
A team of City College-bred fruit flies and parasitic wasps are part of an International Space Station experiment to understand how the human immune system reacts to spaceflight conditions. The goal is to inform astronauts on potential infections during long-duration missions.
Astronaut David Wolf shares his experience of worsening eye sight after space missions, citing a possible connection between microgravity and visual impairment. Researchers are using advanced imaging techniques to find solutions for the effects of space travel on vision, critical for future long-duration missions.
A UMass Amherst geoscientist will spend 45 days in a closed habitat on a NASA research mission to study human adaptations during space travel. The experiment aims to optimize the quality of life and work flow for future astronauts, simulating isolation, confinement, and remote conditions.
A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists describes a method using cloud characteristics to quantify snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The research found two distinct cloud types producing snow at Summit Station, with mixed-phase clouds accounting for 51% of snow accumulation.
Tropical Cyclone Keni has intensified into a tropical cyclone after consolidating over Vanuatu in the Southern Pacific Ocean. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured its true-color image on April 9, showing the storm's center surrounded by thunderstorms.
Elon Musk presents an updated design for the Big Falcon Rocket, a powerful rocket intended to propel a space vehicle to the International Space Station and beyond. The BFR's updated design includes a huge carbon fiber tank and new fueling system to lower costs and achieve rendezvous and docking.
Changes in eye structure occur in astronauts after prolonged spaceflight, including a shift in Bruch membrane opening and increase in retinal thickness closer to the optic nerve head rim margin. These changes may be caused by microgravity-associated orbital and cranial fluid shifts.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's NSF Center for Space, High-performance, and Resilient Computing has developed a radiation-resistant computer capable of high-performance computing in space. The system will be launched on the International Space Station and is nearly three times more powerful than its predecessor.
The Grand Challenge Initiative - Cusp is a series of international sounding rocket missions investigating the physics of heating and charged particle precipitation in the geomagnetic cusp. The team will study the effects of solar activity on Earth's atmosphere, improving navigation and communication near the poles.
The international team's roadmap outlines research directions to boost human radioresistance through gene therapy, radioprotective mechanisms, and regenerative technologies. This could extend the healthspan of spacefarers and enable safe long-term space colonization.
The GOLD mission provides unprecedented measurements of Earth's upper atmosphere, tracking day-to-day changes in temperature and composition. By imaging ultraviolet light, GOLD will create a map of the hemisphere revealing how these forces impact our technological society.
IceCube, a bread loaf-sized satellite, has produced the world's first map of global atmospheric ice distribution in the 883-Gigahertz band. This achievement demonstrates submillimeter wavelength observations from space and provides critical data on cloud ice properties.
The NASA GOLD Mission observes the dynamic intermingling of space and Earth's uppermost atmosphere, seeking to understand what drives change in this critical region. The mission provides fast observations to monitor hour-by-hour changes in space weather and improves forecasting models for satellites, astronauts, and life on Earth.
A NASA team has demonstrated fully autonomous X-ray navigation in space, utilizing millisecond pulsars to precisely determine the location of an object moving at thousands of miles per hour. This technology offers a new option for deep-space navigation that could work in concert with existing spacecraft-based radio and optical systems.
The James Webb Space Telescope underwent critical cryogenic testing inside Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, ensuring it will safely reach its orbit and perform its science mission. The telescope was subjected to a range of tests, including alignment checks and simulations of starlight detection.
Researchers found that astronauts' core body temperature increases gradually over 2.5 months, eventually reaching 38°C (100.4°F), impairing physical and cognitive performance. In space, sweat evaporation is slower than on Earth, leading to overheating during exercise.
The Space Debris Sensor (SDS) will track orbital debris between .05mm and 3mm in size for two to three years, providing near-real-time impact detection capabilities. The sensor will help researchers map the entire orbital debris population and plan future sensors to mitigate damage from debris.
The Genes in Space-3 team achieved the first-ever sample-to-sequence process entirely aboard the International Space Station, identifying two previously unknown microorganisms. The breakthrough could aid in diagnosing astronaut ailments, identifying DNA-based life on other planets, and benefiting other experiments.