Articles tagged with Space Flight
The Delta II rocket carrying NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) is being assembled at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket, fueled by nine solid rocket motors, will search for signs of new laws of physics and explore the universe's most extreme environments.
Researchers used supercomputing power to simulate the early Universe and identify potential methods for measuring dark energy. The study's findings will help design a proposed satellite mission called SPACE, which aims to unveil the nature of dark energy and its role in the Universe's accelerating expansion.
Astronomers have detected a mysterious type of cosmic explosion, known as a short gamma-ray burst (GRB), 7.4 billion years ago, more than halfway back to the Big Bang. This discovery dramatically moves back the time at which we know short GRBs were exploding.
NASA researchers present groundbreaking discoveries on polar mesospheric clouds, Voyager 2's solar system boundary, Mars rovers' water evidence, and Northern Lights dynamics.
The newly completed map of Antarctica is a result of NASA's state-of-the-art satellite technologies, offering the most geographically accurate and high-resolution views of the continent. The Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica will enable researchers to better plan scientific expeditions and help scientists map various rock formations.
NASA Goddard's method for producing high-quality carbon nanotubes has been recognized as a winner in the Nano 50 awards. The technology eliminates the need for metal catalysts, resulting in safer and less expensive production methods.
The James Webb Space Telescope will utilize the advanced SpaceWire technology to improve communication between its components, allowing for higher data collection rates and enhanced scientific discovery. This enables the telescope to study more of the universe with its 66 million detector pixels.
A new study shows that spaceflight affects the genetic responses and disease-causing potential of Salmonella typhimurium, making it more infectious. The research, led by Arizona State University, reveals a key role for a master regulator called Hfq in triggering these changes.
A new approach to detect life on Mars, based on technology similar to pregnancy test kits, was successfully launched into space. The Life Marker Chip experiment has the potential to detect trace levels of biomarkers in the Martian environment.
The UK Space Exploration Working Group recommends involvement in both human and robotic elements of space exploration to play a full role in the century's unique opportunities. The report stresses the need for a new vision, suggesting preparatory human space flight activities and maintaining UK's significant role in planetary science.
A new company, Nanotailor, has licensed NASA Goddard's innovative process to produce high-quality, low-cost single-walled carbon nanotubes. This technology will benefit industries such as medical, construction, manufacturing, and imaging, making affordable nanotechnology available for a broad range of applications.
A study by National Space Biomedical Research Institute has found that osteopontin plays a significant role in the immune response to chronic stress. Mice with normal OPN gene experienced weight loss, spleen and thymus atrophy, and reduced white blood cells after three days of hindlimb unloading.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed agreements to cooperate on the James Webb Space Telescope and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission. The JWST will investigate galaxy, star, and planetary system origins, operating in space at L2 with a 21.3-foot primary mirror.
Astronomers have determined the properties of a rare binary star system using NASA's FUSE satellite and ground-based telescopes. The system, LH54-425, consists of two massive O-stars with combined mass of about 100 suns, orbiting each other every 2.25 days.
Astronomers using NASA's Swift satellite have discovered that energetic flares seen after gamma-ray bursts are a continuation of the burst itself. GRBs release enormous energy in seconds, and long-duration bursts come from massive star collapse, forming black holes or neutron stars.
Phoenix will use a robotic digging arm to determine if the Martian soil environment was favorable for microbial life. The lander is equipped with instruments that suggest frozen water exists within arm's reach of the surface.
GLAST will study extreme objects, detecting thousands of new gamma-ray sources and extending knowledge of dark matter. Environmental testing begins after successful integration of components, ensuring the spacecraft can survive launch and space conditions.
The James Webb Space Telescope's mirror blanks have been constructed, forming a mirror over seven times larger than the Hubble Telescope's mirror. The larger mirror enables excellent resolution and sensitivity, allowing scientists to see back to the formation of the first galaxies after the Big Bang.
A team of Canadian scientists will gather detailed information about the northern lights using a network of Ground-Based Observatories and NASA satellites. The THEMIS mission aims to pinpoint the cause of brilliant explosions in the auroral displays.
The Corot space mission is scheduled to launch on December 27, 2006, and will detect planets orbiting around other stars. The mission will also probe the secrets of stellar interiors, potentially discovering rocky worlds similar to Earth.
Researchers use advanced instruments to measure changes in the ice sheets' mass balance, revealing a consistent story of shrinking ice masses. The West Antarctic ice sheet is currently shrinking substantially, while East Antarctica's larger ice sheet has been growing slowly.
Astronomers have observed a rare phenomenon of two supernovas occurring simultaneously in the same galaxy, with implications for our understanding of galaxy mergers. The high frequency of supernovas in NGC 1316 suggests that massive star formation may be driving this activity.
The 2006 Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge has awarded prizes to 22 winning entries across five categories, showcasing innovative approaches to visualize complex scientific concepts. The winning images and multimedia presentations will be featured in the September 22, 2006 issue of Science.
The Microbe experiment on board the space shuttle Atlantis will investigate how three common microorganisms adapt to microgravity, with potential benefits for developing new therapeutics and treatments for infectious diseases. The results will help NASA evaluate risks to astronauts on future missions to the moon and Mars.
Researchers studied team cohesion, problem-solving and task performance of aquanauts in Aquarius undersea habitat. The NEEMO 9 project assessed physiologic reactions to isolation, sleep disruption and technology use.
The new movies released by NASA's Cassini mission provide a realistic experience of the Titan landing. The images taken by Huygens' Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR) during its plunge into Titan's atmosphere have been converted into movie format, showcasing the probe's descent and the changes it observed in the environment.
A JAP study reveals that headdown bedrest accurately models the physiological responses of astronauts to spaceflight, with similar declines in cardiorespiratory responses to exercise. This finding has important implications for helping space travelers and aiding earthbound elderly individuals.
A new federal grant will support joint faculty appointments, biomedical projects, and research collaborations between Florida Tech, FSRI, and other universities and companies. The funding aims to develop countermeasures for radiation exposure and other health issues associated with long-duration space missions.
Scientists use Chandra to observe the Northern Lights dancing in X-ray light, revealing changing bright arcs of energy above the Earth's surface. The team detects low-energy X-rays generated during auroral activity, expanding our understanding of solar storms and their impact on the planet.
The University of Colorado's Student Dust Counter instrument will monitor dust grain density in space as New Horizons approaches Pluto. The team hopes to identify undetected clumps of dust, shedding light on the solar system's formation and other stars' planetary systems.
The Cassini mission has released a flood of new images of Saturn's icy moons, revealing detailed features such as plumes on Enceladus and compositional variation on the surfaces of Rhea, Dione, and Hyperion. The new views include large mosaics, movies, and false-color views, providing insights into the moons' intricacies.
The Swift satellite has received a "Best of What's New" award for its innovative technology, enabling rapid detection and follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts. This breakthrough has confirmed the origin of gamma-ray bursts and helped pinpoint the birth of a special kind of black hole.
Researchers Bill Kurth and Don Gurnett used Cassini data to study Saturn's kilometric radiation, a phenomenon similar to Earth's northern lights. The higher resolution instrument provided detailed information on the spectrum and its variability, shedding new light on the radio emissions above Saturn's auroras.
The New Horizons spacecraft has been shipped from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for pre-launch tests. Engineers have tested the probe's structural integrity using a vibration test lab, simulating the energetic ride it would encounter during liftoff.
The European Space Agency recommends a mission that combines key technologies from BeagleNet, ExoMars and NASA to search for life on Mars. The rover will include instruments to study seismic phenomena and a drill capable of penetrating the surface.
The Swift satellite will pinpoint the location of distant gamma-ray bursts, studying both the burst and its afterglow. It may uncover new clues about the burst mechanism and provide a bonanza of cosmological data, including information about supermassive black holes.
The detection of molecular nitrogen in interstellar clouds promises to enhance our knowledge of interstellar chemistry and the formation of planets. FUSE, a satellite-telescope designed at Johns Hopkins, allowed astronomers to probe dense clouds where N2 is expected to be dominant.
The Landsat 5 satellite has exceeded expectations with 100,000 orbits and over 29 million images collected. Its longevity has enabled scientists to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's land surface features.
Researchers at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute are developing a new treadmill training system to help astronauts recover from balance problems after long-duration space flights. The system will also aid elderly patients and others with similar issues.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University successfully applied the new simulation standard IEEE 1516, enhancing collaboration and accuracy in simulations. The tool integration allowed for a more detailed cardiovascular system model, enabling analysis of cardiac arrhythmias and performance measures.
The AIM mission will investigate the sudden increase of noctilucent clouds near the equator, potentially linked to global warming. Temperature measurements indicate cooling at high altitudes, which may explain the rising cloud observations.
The Aquarius mission will provide global maps of salt concentration on the ocean surface, allowing scientists to closely monitor ocean circulation and heat transport. The mission will help advance understanding of ocean-atmosphere interactions and potentially inform strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural events.
The CONTOUR spacecraft, launched from Cape Canaveral, will provide the closest look yet at a comet's nucleus. It will orbit Earth until August 15 before firing its main engine and entering a comet-chasing orbit around the sun.
The NOAA-17 satellite has been successfully launched into orbit, providing improved imaging and sounding capabilities for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The spacecraft will collect meteorological data and transmit it to users worldwide.
Scientists discuss advancements in predicting extreme weather events, analyzing changes in global snow and ice cover, and the challenges of global environmental monitoring. New data from NASA's Earth-observing spacecraft reveal complex patterns in climate change and its effects on our planet.
The TIMED spacecraft is beginning its two-year science mission to study the influences of the sun and humans on the least explored portion of Earth's atmosphere. The mission will provide a global picture of this critical region, enabling future 'space weather' predictions.
Engineers have demonstrated the precision attitude control capability of NASA's Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) on board the EO-1 satellite, making it the first time this technology has been used. The PPT is a fuel-efficient system that uses electromagnetic forces to propel a spacecraft, offering potential benefits for future space missions.
The Cornell and Contour Comet Challenge encourages students and teachers to create educational programs about the spacecraft's goal to study comets. The challenge includes two winning teams that will receive a trip to Kennedy Space Center and educational materials.
Astronauts experience orthostatic intolerance after space flight, characterized by lightheadedness and dizziness. UT Southwestern researchers found that heart shrinking and becoming stiff is the primary cause, contrary to previous research suggesting a malfunction of the sympathetic nervous system.
The TIMED mission aims to study the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere/Ionosphere (MLTI), a gateway between Earth's environment and space. The 2-year mission will gather comprehensive global measurements of temperature, pressure, wind, chemical composition, and energy inputs and outputs in this region.
The TIMED mission will study the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere/Ionosphere region, crucial for understanding space weather's effects on communications and satellite tracking. Ground-based instruments will be used to conduct a global study of this area.
Researchers are developing a compact machine called AMPDXA to precision measure tissue mass, bone density and geometry. This instrument will aid in preventing weakened bones and fractures for astronauts returning to Earth or landing on another planet.
Researchers examine how personality, culture, and group dynamics influence behavior and health outcomes in isolated environments. They also investigate the risks of space radiation exposure on astronauts' bodies, aiming to identify traits that maximize crew functioning and reduce individual and group problems.
NASA has launched a new Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle program office at the Marshall Space Flight Center, aiming to develop a safer and less expensive launch system. The program seeks proposals from industry and academia to reduce business and technical risk.
Sverdrup Technology has been awarded a $300 million contract by NASA to provide engineering, scientific and technical services at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The contract covers support for space transportation systems, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center are testing thin-walled membranes for use in large space structures. The lightweight materials could revolutionize space exploration with reduced costs and increased efficiency.
NASA and Lockheed Martin have agreed on a plan to proceed with the X-33 space plane program, including the use of aluminum fuel tanks for hydrogen fuel. The restructured plan focuses on milestone payments and mission safety, with the goal of reducing launch costs.
Hernandez Engineering, Inc. will deliver management, personnel, equipment, and supplies for safety and mission assurance at NASA's Marshall Center. The contract value is up to $35.9 million, with a focus on reducing space launch costs and improving flight safety.
The NASA Terra spacecraft and ER-2 aircraft conducted the first synchronized scientific observations over Southern Africa as part of the six-week SAFARI 2000 initiative. The target was to measure carbon monoxide levels in the atmosphere, a major component of air pollution.
Scientists will study the effects of space vacuum and solar radiation on four specially selected microbes, including one known to survive high temperatures. The experiment aims to test the theory that microbial life once came to Earth on a meteorite from another planet.