Articles tagged with Manned Space Missions
Research reviews show that back pain in space is often sciatica, a form of back pain radiating down the legs. Astronauts experience changes in spine curvature due to microgravity, leading to acute and chronic pain upon return to Earth.
Researchers used Mars Odyssey data to identify sub-surface water ice deposits in temperate regions of Mars. Seasonal variations suggest significant quantities of water ice can be found beneath the surface, making them ideal resources for future human missions.
A study found that microgravity significantly impacts P-glycoprotein expression and function in rats, with higher levels of P-gp expression in long-term microgravity exposure. The researchers identified 26 proteins interacting with P-gp, which regulated ATP hydrolysis-coupled transmembrane transport and other functions.
Researchers at Skoltech have identified a favorable window of opportunity for manned Mars missions in the mid-2030s. The study suggests that launching during the decaying phase of solar activity can help shield astronauts from cosmic rays, allowing for longer flight durations.
An international team of space scientists finds that humans can travel to and from Mars safely if the spacecraft has sufficient shielding. The round trip should be shorter than four years. Scientists also recommend timing the mission during solar maximum to shield astronauts and the spacecraft from radiation.
Researchers have used synthetic biology to produce affordable alternatives to anti-malaria drugs, clean fuels, and pharmaceuticals. The technology has the potential to reduce costs by up to 85% for future long-duration space missions, including those to Mars and the Moon.
The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has achieved significant milestones, including the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Solar Dynamic Observatory. The center is also working on future missions to study global precipitation, Mars' lost atmosphere, and dark energy.
CSIRO research scientist Dr John Bunton is to receive a NASA Space Act Board Award for his work on a novel 'beamformer' capable of providing a live video link from Mars. His design involves dividing video signal data into narrow channels and summing the data from all 400 antennas to reconstruct a broadband signal.
Kenneth Baldwin will lead a $2.5 million NASA program to develop exercise programs for astronauts, addressing physical impacts of space travel. The research aims to enhance the new NASA Space Exploration Initiative, enabling humans to work for months on the International Space Station and potentially send humans to Mars.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and NASA have developed a process to convert inedible wheat grass into activated carbon, absorbing nitrogen oxides and producing fertilizer. This technology could support a crew of six astronauts on a three-year Mars mission by recycling waste and conserving materials.
Researchers found American astronauts and mission control personnel reported lower emotional health scores compared to their Russian counterparts. The study suggests steps NASA can take to boost morale, such as rotating leadership roles among three-person crews.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a genetic algorithm that optimizes low-thrust trajectories for interplanetary missions, increasing payload capability and flexibility.
UC Berkeley's Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Astrophysics will take over day-to-day operations of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) observatory, fostering space science and technology innovation. The transfer aims to reduce costs and increase educational outreach through project-based learning experiences.