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.
The ExoMars joint space mission involves two phases, the first launched in 2016 with Schiaparelli lander and Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), while the second phase is scheduled for 2020 with a new lander and rover.
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.
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 speed breeding platform enables rapid generation of wheat and other crops, increasing generations per year by threefold. This technology uses LED lights to create intensive growth regimes, reducing costs and heat, and has the potential to rank alongside the Green Revolution.
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.
Space Station Research Explorer on NASA.gov provides a tailored experience for scientists and enthusiasts, offering thousands of investigations, results summaries, and in-orbit photographs. The new tool features improved search capabilities, social media sharing, and bookmarking options.
The Lomonosov satellite detected air showers caused by high-energy space rays and registered transient light phenomena associated with storm ares. The satellite also observed gamma-ray bursts for the first time in history, allowing for simultaneous measurements in optic and gamma ranges.
The Graphene Flagship has successfully tested graphene for two space-related applications: loop heat pipes and solar sails. The experiments, conducted in microgravity, showed excellent thermal properties and radiation pressure behavior, paving the way for a commercial product.
Astronomer Jeyhan Kartaltepe is leading a team that will use the James Webb Space Telescope to study the formation of the universe's first galaxies. The Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science Survey will provide detailed information about galaxy structures and physical conditions.
The US space exploration program should focus on robotic sample recovery and human missions to Mars, according to Scott Hubbard, Editor-in-Chief of New Space. He highlights the benefits of this strategy, including offsetting costs through international partnerships.
After completing 100 days of cryogenic testing, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has emerged from Chamber A at the Johnson Space Center. The telescope is now set to be integrated with its spacecraft element in California, marking a crucial step towards its launch as the world's premier infrared space observatory.
The telescope underwent a series of tests designed to ensure it functions as expected in an extremely cold environment, including alignment checks and cryogenic vacuum testing. After 15 years of planning and over 90 days of testing, the telescope's cryogenic test has been deemed an outstanding success.
Fast-moving space dust could collide with biological particles, enabling bacteria and organisms to travel to other planets. The study suggests that asteroid impacts are not the sole mechanism for transferring life between planets.
A theoretical physicist at Goethe University Frankfurt proposes using magnetic sails to decelerate interstellar spacecraft, enabling them to collect data from nearby stars and planets. The concept involves creating a strong magnetic field that reflects ionized hydrogen in the interstellar medium, slowing down the probe.
Researchers found permanent effects on human brain structure due to microgravity, including crowding and narrowing of the brain's central sulcus. The study aimed to understand the causes of VIIP syndrome, a condition affecting astronauts' vision and intracranial pressure.
Research reveals plants can aid in reducing social and cognitive problems associated with space travel, suggesting they should be part of future mission design. The study's findings support the use of plants for both nutritional and psychological reasons to promote astronaut well-being.
The James Webb Space Telescope successfully tested its optics alignment using a unique 'selfie' photo. The image verified the line of sight for the telescope's cryogenic testing configuration.
The new book, 'Public Space? Lost and Found,' examines the crucial role of art in shaping our sense of community and politics. It argues that public space is an essential requirement of contemporary life and can never be politically neutral ground.
The University of Pittsburgh has established a new NSF-funded research center, SHREC, to focus on mission-critical computing in space, high-performance computing, and resilient computing. The center aims to bring in $1 million in annual external funding and collaborate with industry partners.
The Global Aerospace Corporation has developed a Pluto lander concept that uses drag from the ultra-thin atmosphere to decelerate and gently land on the surface of Pluto. The lander-hopper can then hop around the surface, investigating surface features and performing science measurements.
Research by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Katariina Nykyri suggests that solar wind fluctuations can affect the speed and strength of space hurricanes, impacting plasma transport into Earth's magnetosphere. This may provide insights for better space-weather prediction and safer satellite navigation.
The Robotic External Leak Locator (RELL) successfully located a small ammonia leak on the International Space Station, confirming its safety status and avoiding a risky spacewalk. The instrument provided precise measurements of gas amounts and types, allowing operators to isolate and repair the leak.
A NASA study found that astronaut blood parameters, such as red blood cells and oxygen-carrying proteins, remained higher than pre-flight levels even after adapting to microgravity. The study collected whole blood samples from 31 astronauts over up to six months on the International Space Station.
A team led by a Princeton University graduate student has developed a unique simulation of magnetic reconnection in space plasmas, which could lead to improved forecasts of space weather events. The new model approximates kinetic effects using fluid equations and agrees better with kinetic models than traditional simulations.
The UK will build a cutting-edge space weather radar in the Arctic, providing unprecedented detail to understand space weather's effects on technology and society. The EISCAT_3D radar will measure the upper atmosphere and near-Earth space, helping scientists better comprehend the connections between Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) have provided critical communication services to NASA's missions since the 1980s, increasing global communication coverage to over 99%. The TDRS network will continue to play a vital role in space communications for years to come.
Scientists have tracked a solar storm using data from 10 NASA and ESA spacecraft, shedding light on how coronal mass ejections (CMEs) move through space. The study provides key information for understanding space weather effects on the solar system.
Researchers at UTMB and Houston Methodist are growing lungs in space to understand how lung cells react to the change in gravity and extreme space environment. The goal is to develop therapeutics that could help astronauts and people on Earth with autoimmune diseases, hormone deficiencies, and other issues.
The ISS-CREAM mission will study cosmic rays at energies above 1 billion electron volts, shedding light on their origins and properties. The experiment aims to measure the highest-energy particles yet detected in space, providing unparalleled insights into the interstellar neighborhood.
Researchers studying fruit flies have found that a neurotransmitter called dopamine regulates social space, with too little or too much release causing male and female fruit flies to adjust their distance. The discovery may lead to new insights into disorders where personal space is an issue.
Children worldwide can connect with astronauts aboard the space station via ARISS, inspiring youth to pursue STEM interests. The program has sparked powerful memories and lifelong passions among participants.
The five sunshield layers of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have been fully installed, providing precise temperature control for the telescope's infrared sensors. The layers work together to reduce temperatures by approximately 570 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring optimal performance for observing distant objects in the universe.
A new NASA study using data from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft has discovered that plasmaspheric hiss waves are more complex than previously understood. Low-frequency hiss waves interact with high-energy particles and can efficiently remove them from the radiation belts, protecting satellites.
Nebraska physicist Christian Binek discovered a formula that links magnetism to elasticity and temperature. This finding may enable engineers to design materials with tailored elasticity by manipulating magnetic properties or applying external fields.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are analyzing the eerie sounds made by plasma waves in space, including whistler-mode waves and chorus waves. By understanding how these waves interact with particles, scientists can improve predictions of space weather and protect satellites and telecommunications signals.
The James Webb Space Telescope will undergo a three-month test period at NASA's Johnson Space Center to prove its ability to operate in space-like conditions. Chamber A, a historic Apollo-era test chamber, simulates temperatures as low as -393 degrees Fahrenheit, essential for detecting infrared light from distant objects.
The article presents Elon Musk's vision for a self-sustaining city on Mars, requiring significant improvements in transportation costs. The CEO of SpaceX discusses the advantages of using Mars as a hub for a multi-planetary species, including its planetary options and system architecture.
Researchers studying space-traveling flatworms found that microgravity affects their regeneration, behavior and microbiome. The worms' bodies underwent permanent changes after exposure to space, including spontaneous fission and altered biological states.
The James Webb Space Telescope is being tested at NASA's Chamber A, a massive thermal vacuum testing chamber that previously tested Apollo moon mission hardware. The chamber has undergone major upgrades to reach extremely low temperatures and conduct precise optical testing.
The new 'Webb-cam' provides daily video feeds on the telescope's progress, allowing space enthusiasts to see the telescope's development in real-time. The camera is mounted where it has a view of the cleanroom at NASA Johnson Space Center and can be seen online.
The study found that VLF radio communications can interact with particles in space, creating a barrier around Earth. This 'barrier' corresponds to the inner edge of the Van Allen radiation belts and may help remove excess radiation from the near-Earth environment.
A new study examines the effects of high-altitude nuclear explosion tests on Earth's magnetic environment, revealing similarities with natural radiation belts and auroras. The research sheds light on the impact of space weather on satellites and astronauts.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a space-based sodium lidar to study the complex relationship between the chemistry and dynamics of the mesosphere, which lies 40-100 miles above Earth's surface. The instrument aims to provide higher-resolution data on small-scale dynamics in the upper atmosphere.
The Royal Astronomical Society has funded five public engagement projects to promote astronomy and space science, including tactile stargazing for blind people and adventures in space for girls. The projects aim to increase interest and participation in these fields, particularly among underrepresented groups.
A team of researchers at the University of Strathclyde has successfully created man-made space radiation in a laboratory setting using laser-plasma-based accelerators. This breakthrough could enable safer and more reliable space exploration by testing devices and equipment in controlled conditions on Earth.
A NASA model has simulated stealth solar storms from the sun, showing how slow and quiet processes can create massive magnetic field twists that speed out into space without warning. The models match space-based observations, revealing a complex process that generates energy over two weeks.
Scientists at Northumbria University and University of Plymouth are developing medical guidelines for astronauts. A systematic review group will pool studies and create comprehensive guidelines that inform operational decisions. The guidelines aim to prevent health changes among astronauts, as well as benefiting terrestrial human health.
Ben Tippett's research uses Einstein's theory of general relativity to propose a method for time travel. By curving space-time into a circle, he suggests that time can be bent and travelers can move backward in time. However, the use of exotic matter is still needed to make this concept a reality.
Scientists assessed the state of space weather research, including geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) that can disrupt power systems, railroads, and pipelines. GICs can cause temporary blackouts and mis-operation of railway signaling systems.
International research effort has advanced agriculture in space and led to Earth-based advances, including LED lighting and new seed potato propagation techniques. Plants will be a major component of proposed regenerative life-support systems for human space exploration, providing food, oxygen, and aiding water recycling.
The James Webb Space Telescope has completed its acoustic and vibration tests, ensuring it can withstand launch vibrations and maintain functionality in space. The telescope was subjected to simulated forces of up to 100 times per second using a new vibration test system.
A new EU report highlights knowledge gaps in reducing risks linked to space weather and recommends policy, industry, and science collaborations to close these gaps. The report also emphasizes the need for early warning systems and better communication between science and industry.
NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aims to establish a high-speed internet in space, enabling faster data rates and smaller communication systems. The technology has the potential to revolutionize space communications for missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.
The James Webb Space Telescope is inspected for contamination using ultraviolet flashlights in a darkened clean room. The long exposure captures the technicians as 'ghostly wraiths', while a special light technique illuminates the primary mirror.
Alan Dressler, chair of the AURA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Beyond Committee, received the 2017 Carl Sagan Memorial Award for his leadership in research and policies advancing exploration of the Cosmos. The award recognizes the committee's influential report that led to the development of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
Scientists from NASA and NCAR have shown that tracking coronal mass ejections can help detect solar energetic particles earlier than current forecasting techniques. This could provide critical warning time for astronauts in low-Earth orbit or interplanetary space.
A Florida State University researcher is leading a joint US-Russia project to study the effects of space travel on astronauts' vision and cardiovascular problems. The $750,000 grant will fund research using male mice sent to space, examining changes in lymphatic and vascular functions to understand the impact on vision.