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.
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 James Webb Space Telescope successfully completed its final thermal vacuum test, with the spacecraft element exposed to extreme temperatures and conditions. The test paves the way for the integration of the telescope and spacecraft elements, a crucial step towards launch.
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.
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.
The Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute will survey an estimated 3 billion acres of US ocean territory over five years, utilizing next-generation instruments like ROVs and AUVs. The institute's telepresence technology will allow the public to interact with scientists in real-time, improving the efficiency of ocean exploration.
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.
Boston College's Institute for Scientific Research has been awarded a $10.6-million contract to study the space environment and improve capacities to understand and respond to various space phenomena. The research will focus on topics such as solar emissions analysis, radio frequency wave propagation, and ionospheric remote sensing.
A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology has developed a novel fire extinguisher concept called Vacuum Extinguish Method (VEM), which uses vacuum to suck in flames and combustion products. This method is suitable for enclosed spaces like spacecraft or submarines, where traditional extinguishers can spread harmful gases.
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.
The NASA Twin Study has provided a comprehensive multi-omics view of the human body's response to long-term space flight. The study found increased collagen proteins in urine, correlating with vascular remodeling during space flight.
New research from Tepper School of Business finds that forcing employees to interact with unfamiliar colleagues in open work spaces encourages exploration, leading to improved financial performance and new product ideas.
UTSA joins NASA's Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitats institute (RETHi) to advance space smart habitat designs for deep space habitats, leveraging expertise in civil infrastructure with advanced technology fields.
Researchers used satellite radar data to map the extent of standing water and measure land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston area, revealing large flooded areas fell outside FEMA designated flood zones. The study highlights the need for revising flood hazard zone maps and resilience plans in coastal regions.
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.
Tropical Cyclone Joaninha generated heavy rainfall in the Southern Indian Ocean, with rates exceeding 0.75 inches per hour around its center. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission data used by NASA's IMERG provided a comprehensive analysis of the cyclone's precipitation patterns.
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.
A new paper proposes specific scientific objectives for a Mars Sample Return campaign to address fundamental questions about the planet. The study identifies critical measurements that would need to be done on returned samples to maximize their scientific value.
The study focused on the design and results of the second field deployment of BASALT, identifying critical capabilities needed for science-driven EVAs. Researchers presented recommendations for future directions and subsequent research objectives.
The twin Van Allen Probes are starting a new phase of their exploration, lowering their orbits to gather data on the dynamic radiation belts. The spacecraft will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere, providing insight into how oxygen can degrade satellite instruments.
Purdue researchers develop a technology to address uncertainty in CubeSat ignition systems, enabling reliable propulsion for extended lifetimes. The innovation uses nanosecond-long pulses to initiate ignition, successfully testing over 1.5 million pulses without significant damage.
The CAPER-2 mission aims to understand how particles are accelerated in the aurora borealis by studying the interaction between electrons and atmospheric gases. The team hopes to uncover the fundamental physics behind this process, which is crucial for understanding space radiation and astrophysical phenomena.
Researchers at MUSC sound the alarm about hydrocephalus associated with long-term spaceflight (HALS), a brain condition that affects astronauts during extended space missions. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, highlights the need for more research into HALS to understand its effects on the human brain and develop countermeasures.
ORNL's automated plutonium-238 production increased annual output from 50g to 400g, moving closer to NASA's goal of 1.5kg/year by 2025. The lab also developed a novel cryogenic memory cell design that may boost storage while using less energy in future computing applications.
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 propose using tiny satellites with lasers to provide a steady reference light for massive space telescopes, relaxing the need for precision in segmented telescope designs. This approach aims to reduce costs and enable more flexible telescope designs.
Researchers found that mice exposed to weightlessness during a 30-day spaceflight displayed altered immune systems, with impaired B lymphocyte production and persistent effects after return to Earth. The study suggests potential concerns for astronauts' health and highlights the need for countermeasures.
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.
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.
Researchers from UCL and University of Reading studied rapidly evolving aurora to understand energy release physics. They mapped back to where instabilities occur in space, gaining valuable physical clues.
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.
Chris Fox, a space buff since childhood, and his team discovered exoplanet Kepler 159d by analyzing the orbits of nearby planets. The exoplanet has a mass similar to Saturn's and likely consists of gases with no solid surface.
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.
NASA's IMERG combined data from multiple satellites and visible imagery to create a composite picture of Tropical Storm Kong-Rey in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The heaviest rain fell around the center and northwest, with winds decreasing to 60 knots.
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.
A recent expedition demonstrated how AI can dramatically accelerate exploration of deep sea ecosystems using autonomous robots and high-throughput data analysis. Scientists used unsupervised clustering to analyze seafloor images and identify biological hotspots, which were then surveyed and sampled within days.
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.
The James Webb Space Telescope relies on innovative components like the 'Spider', a thermally isolating device with Kevlar fibers, to accurately detect light from distant galaxies and celestial objects. This cutting-edge technology enables the telescope to observe objects in the Kuiper Belt and study the universe's origins.
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.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are investigating the use of gallium nitride crystals in various space applications, including radiation tolerance and neutron detection. The material's high efficiency and resistance to radiation make it an attractive option for reducing instrument size, weight, and power consumption.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 SEXTANT team plans to fly XNAV on a CubeSat mission called CubeX to gather timing data from millisecond pulsars. The mission aims to improve navigation in deep space and measure the Moon's lower crust and upper mantle composition.
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.
The study found that the student-centered design resulted in high course grades and demonstrable mastery of content. The course uses Smart Sparrow's learning platform to access learner analytics, enabling instructors to make rapid design improvements.
Researchers estimated radiation risks for astronauts in low Earth orbits, finding they would have faced toxic doses during a massive solar event. The study used supercomputers to model the Manned Orbiting Laboratory's orbit profile and simulate space weather.
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.
Recent research from the University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center shows that space radiation is getting far more intense, posing significant risks to astronauts and satellite technology
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.