Articles tagged with Space Flight
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
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.
A team led by Dr. Charles Meegan is developing a new burst monitor to fly on the Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope, which will provide broad energy coverage for gamma-ray studies and help solve the nature of gamma-ray bursts.
NASA's X-34 and X-40A vehicles will be showcased at the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology Exposition, highlighting the X-37 Project and its related technologies. The event will provide an opportunity for industry representatives to learn about the program and its benefits.
The X-40A test vehicle, built by Boeing, is being shipped to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, Calif., for a series of ground and air tests. The X-37 project aims to demonstrate technologies in the orbital and reentry environments for next-generation reusable launch vehicles.
The Marshall Center's Fastrac engine team has developed a 60,000-pound-thrust engine with reduced costs through innovative design and commercial off-the-shelf parts. The team achieved this feat in under three years, significantly faster than usual for rocket engines.
The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has awarded a $136.9 million contract option to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to provide information services from May 2000 to April 2001. This brings the total value of the contract to approximately $1.05 billion if all options are exercised.
The composite liquid oxygen tank is the largest ever made and will be the first to fly on a launch vehicle, aiming to reduce launch costs from $10,000 per pound to $1,000. The X-34 flying laboratory is being developed to demonstrate technologies for safer and more efficient reusable launch vehicles.
The second NASA X-34 rocket research plane has reached a major assembly milestone with the attachment of its composite wing to its fuselage. The vehicle, designated A-2, will undergo powered flights next year at Dryden Flight Research Center.
NASA scientists find that jet aircraft add a few tens of parts per trillion of nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere, increasing ozone levels. However, the impact is too small to detect, but as air traffic increases, understanding these effects becomes crucial for global climate research.
NASA will unveil its future space transportation goals and programs at Space Transportation Day '99, aiming to lower launch costs and make interplanetary exploration feasible. The conference will cover various projects, including X-33 and X-34 rocket planes, as well as technologies for safer and more reliable operations.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a scale to measure air travel stress, finding that men and women experience it differently. The study suggests that anxiety and anger can trigger stress, but also highlights the importance of coping mechanisms such as relaxation skills and adaptive behavior.
The US government has awarded a $11.3 million contract to Summa Technology Inc. for the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of Fastrac rocket engines. The company will build three new flight engines for the X-34 technology demonstrator and utilize one existing engine.
New superballoons could carry scientific experiments and relay voices globally, offering a cost-effective solution for space research. The balloons' lightweight design and strong materials enable long-duration flights up to 100 days at an altitude of 36 kilometres.
Scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center have accurately predicted the current phase of Cycle 23 of the sunspot cycle. The team predicts that Cycle 23 will be above average but not a record setter, with the sun now on the upswing of its 23rd activity cycle.
The third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) campaign observed rare lightning fields and purple sprites in the eye of Hurricane Georges. The team studied the hurricane's unique characteristics, including large cloud turrets and variable wind speeds.
A NASA instrument package will measure atmospheric conditions on a record-breaking solo balloon flight around the world. The mission aims to simulate planetary missions and educate the public on Earth's lower atmosphere.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment is the most extensive non-NASA remote operation on the flight, providing high-quality data for dendritic growth studies. The experiment's video system records 30 images a second, offering real-time insights into crystal growth in space.
Astronomers have detected a giant solar eruption with particles hurtling towards the Earth. The NASA POLAR spacecraft will monitor the Earth's aurora in real-time, capturing enhanced activity on Wednesday afternoon.
The MSX satellite successfully tracked two medium-range missiles, demonstrating its ability to perform key missile defense functions. The primary sensors collected several minutes of high-quality data, which is now undergoing preliminary analysis at the USASSDC.