Articles tagged with Space Flight
Researchers at Penn State have developed a small-scale laboratory experiment known as a hydrogen test loop to investigate nuclear thermal propulsion. The simulation, which includes a stainless steel pipe and a heating element, successfully models the operation of a reactor in space. The study's findings could lead to more efficient and...
Researchers create AstroCrete, a strong concrete-like material using human serum albumin and urea-based binders, suitable for Martian construction. The material's compressive strength can be up to 40 MPa, making it a potential solution for in-situ resource utilization.
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.
The Dartmouth Engineering team will conduct research on planetary science relating to icy planets' geophysics and astrobiology, aiming to understand the nature of these worlds and their habitability. The project will provide valuable tools for interpreting measurements taken by future missions.
UMass Lowell students have designed and built a miniature satellite, SPACE HAUC, which will be launched into Earth's orbit this fall. The satellite aims to demonstrate fast data transmission technology, and its success will train the next generation of astronomers and space scientists.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers has developed a simulation-based approach to accurately predict the effects of altered gravity on an individual-by-individual basis. The approach identifies key factors influencing cardiovascular responses and increases accuracy and saving time compared to traditional methods.
NRF2 helps keep muscles from weakening in low gravity by regulating oxidative stress. In mice, NRF2 deficiency accelerates fast-twitch fiber type transition and changes energy metabolism during space flight.
The world's largest and most powerful space science telescope, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, has completed a key milestone with the fully expanded and locked primary mirror.
Researchers developed a non-intrusive Bio-Monitor shirt to track astronauts' health during spaceflight, providing continuous measurements of heart rate, breathing rate, and physical activity. The study found significant reductions in physical activity during spaceflight, highlighting the potential for early warning systems.
Researchers used NASA's NICER telescope on the International Space Station to measure the size of PSR J0740+6620, the most massive known neutron star. The team's findings provide insights into the squeezability of matter in neutron star cores, shedding light on what happens when neutrons break down into smaller particles.
Researchers use NASA Infrared Telescope Facility's iSHELL spectrometer to confirm and measure exoplanet masses discovered by TESS mission orbiting bright K and M dwarf host stars. They aim to constrain bulk densities for a better understanding of the exoplanet mass-radius relation.
Astronomers have discovered three hot worlds larger than Earth in the Pisces-Eridanus stream, a collection of young stars. The planets, TOI 451 b, c, and d, are expected to retain much of their atmospheres despite intense heat from their nearby star.
The Emirates Mars Mission will provide crucial science data on the Martian atmosphere, measuring dust particles, ice clouds, and water vapor. The mission's launch marks a significant milestone in space exploration for an Arab nation and has enormous positive impacts on science communities.
A cohort of NASA interns developed network protocols for Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), enabling flexible communication in space and remote areas. DTN will revolutionize space communications, empowering NASA to establish a sustained presence on the Moon.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has mapped the gravity field of asteroid Bennu, revealing a weaker and less dense core than previously thought. This could put the asteroid's survival at risk in the near future as it may slowly spin itself apart.
Tropical Storm Chan-hom's visible image revealed an exposed low-level circulation center, while bands of thunderstorms wrapped into the partially exposed center. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next three days, potentially developing a more circular shape.
Post-tropical cyclone Teddy was located near latitude 51.0 degrees north and longitude 57.3 degrees west, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and a central pressure of 975 millibars. The storm moved closer to the northwestern Newfoundland coast overnight before merging with an extratropical low-pressure area.
Tropical Storm Noul made landfall in central Vietnam on Sept. 17 and was weakening as it moved toward Thailand. The Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of the storm over Laos, showing a shapeless appearance with a difficult-to-find low-level center.
Tropical Storm Noul is intensifying in the South China Sea, forecast to strengthen into a typhoon before landfall in central Vietnam. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured visible images of the storm on September 16, showing building convection and clouds obscuring its low-level circulation center.
Paulette's transformation into an extra-tropical storm revealed by NASA imagery, with visible clouds and wind circulation. The system is expected to weaken over the next couple of days, but still poses a threat to Atlantic Canada and the US east coast with life-threatening surf conditions.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Depression Rene as it was dissipating in the central North Atlantic Ocean. The storm opened into a trough of low pressure and dissipated over several hours.
Tropical Storm Karina became slightly better organized with deep convection near its center. The storm is forecast to move over cooler waters and into a drier atmosphere, leading to weakening trends and eventual dissipation. Maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph, with gusts expected to be higher.
Tropical Depression 20 strengthened into Tropical Storm Teddy, breaking a hurricane season record. The storm is expected to become a major hurricane later in the week, with life-threatening surf and rip current conditions forecasted for the Lesser Antilles.
Tropical Storm Rene appears more organized as wind shear eases, becoming slightly circular on satellite imagery. The storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Saturday, Sept. 12, with no expected landfall impact.
Typhoon Haishen has a 10 nautical-mile wide eye surrounded by hundreds of miles of thunderstorms, intensifying to 130 knots with forecast landfall in South Korea. NASA's Terra satellite captures visible images revealing deep convection and spiral banding.
Tropical Depression 15 formed over the Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina, and has been battling wind shear. The depression is currently 140 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, moving toward the east-northeast at 14 mph.
Astronomers studied the galaxy's radio structure using VLBA, revealing a striking TIE fighter shape at 6.6 GHz. The team observed two periods of activity in TXS 0128+554, suggesting a lull in activity created a gap in the radio emission.
Researchers studied sleep patterns of astronauts before, during and after spaceflight to find that they slept an average of only 5.7 hours in space, with a 17.7% reduction in sleep efficiency. Sleep architecture also changed, with decreases in non-REM and REM sleep.
Tropical Storm Higos is headed for a landfall in southeastern China, with NASA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing an image of the storm. The VIIRS instrument revealed deep convection and thunderstorms, forecast to intensify before making landfall.
Two types of solar cells, perovskite and organic, were tested in space as part of the MAPHEUS 8 program, achieving efficiency levels of 25% and generating power under exceptional conditions. The results show promise for future aerospace applications, particularly for missions to the outer solar system.
Tropical Depression 06W has been persisting for days, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing its visible image. The storm is expected to maintain intensity for another day and a half before weakening.
Hurricane Elida's eye has become fully covered by high clouds, a sign of the storm weakening due to cooler waters. The storm is expected to weaken quickly and degenerate into a remnant low-pressure area on Thursday.
NASA's new pixel-based silicon detector technology has the potential to detect highly energetic photons in space with less power consumption. The AstroPix project is using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing process to create more efficient detectors.
I-Wen Mike Chu and Robert Weigel collaborate on analyzing STET code simulations to model magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling processes. They will produce visualization tools and co-author a journal article on their findings.
Hurricane Douglas passed close to Hawaii, bringing strong surf, heavy rains, and gusty winds. NASA's Terra satellite imagery showed the storm's track and center stayed just off shore from the islands.
The WVU Robotic Technology Center and Maxar are collaborating on the SPIDER project to demonstrate in-space assembly of a satellite using a lightweight robotic arm. The technology developed under SPIDER could enable self-assembling commercial satellites, human space exploration, and in-space telescope assembly.
Tropical Storm Dolly formed over the Northern Atlantic Ocean after transitioning from a subtropical depression. NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of the storm on June 23, revealing strong winds and a thick band of thunderstorms. The National Hurricane Center predicts Dolly will weaken and become post-tropical by Wednesday.
A massive Saharan dust cloud formed from strong atmospheric updrafts, picked up by prevailing winds, and is now being blown across the Atlantic and eventually over North and South America. The dust helps build beaches in the Caribbean and fertilizes soils in the Amazon.
The NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of post-tropical storm Arthur on May 19, revealing a weak circulation with clouds northeast and east of the center. The storm is expected to weaken and move southeast through Thursday, affecting waters in the Bahamas.
A study published by King's College London found that spaceflight and combined oral contraceptive pill use do not increase the risk of venous thromboembolism in female astronauts. The research looked at 38 flights between 2000 and 2014 and proposed more frequent blood tests during astronaut selection and training.
Dusan Odstrcil and his team are developing a high-quality heliospheric model using Python to accelerate visualization and increase output availability. ENLIL--a time-dependent MHD model--is the only code that can simulate coronal mass ejections up to Jupiter or Saturn orbit.
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered the first planet to orbit two stars, TOI 1338 b. The exoplanet orbits a binary system consisting of a larger and smaller star, with the latter being only one-third the mass of our Sun.
Astronomers using TESS data have discovered that Alpha Draconis, a well-studied binary star system, regularly undergoes eclipses. The brief eclipses last only six hours and provide an opportunity to measure the masses and sizes of both stars with high accuracy.
A study investigated eye changes in astronauts during long space missions and those experiencing simulated weightlessness from 30 days of bed rest. The results showed similarities between the two conditions, providing new insights into spaceflight's effects on vision.
The Kennedy Uplink Station is a critical component of NASA's Launch Communications Segment, providing uplink and downlink communications between Artemis astronauts and mission controllers. The segment has reduced costs and simplified operations, enabling NASA to save tens of millions of dollars in operating costs over its lifetime.
Typhoon Kalmaegi is moving towards the northern Philippines, causing signal warnings in Luzon provinces. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 86mph and is expected to weaken rapidly as it enters the South China Sea.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected light rain falling at a rate of 0.4 inches per hour from Tropical Depression Fengshen on November 18. The storm is expected to become a remnant low-pressure system later that day.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission reveals heavy rainfall rates near the eastern coast of the Central Philippines, exceeding 40 mm/hour. The tropical cyclone, Kalmaegi, is forecast to weaken and turn west-southwest before approaching the Gulf of Aden.
A study found that spaceflight affects human heart cells' gene expression, but these changes largely revert to normal upon return to Earth. The researchers used induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and observed significant changes in gene expression related to mitochondrial function.
NASA's microgap-cooling technology has successfully demonstrated its ability to cool tightly packed electronics in low- and high-gravity environments with nearly identical results. The technology uses a coolant to flow through embedded microchannels, removing heat generated by devices and preventing overheating.
A new study found that long-duration space missions change brain structure and function in NASA astronauts, correlating with declines in motor skills and cognitive performance. Researchers hope to better understand the effects of microgravity on the human brain to improve astronaut safety.
Hurricane Lorenzo, a very large tropical cyclone, is moving towards the northeast at 22 mph. The storm has grown in size, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 90 miles from its center.
GPM core satellite measured rainfall rates throughout Tropical Storm Tapah, revealing rates as high as 1.6 inches per hour at the storm's center. Forecasters incorporate this data into their forecasts to predict the storm's trajectory and strength.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Major Hurricane Humberto and its extensive 'tail' of thunderstorms stretching past eastern Canada. The storm's eye was just 490 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, but the surrounding band of thunderstorms extended beyond that region.
Hurricane Juliette has grown into a major hurricane, with its eye now visible in NASA satellite imagery. The storm's maximum sustained winds have reached near 125 mph (205 kph), and it is moving northwest at 8 mph (13 kph).
NASA estimates heavy rainfall in Hurricane Dorian, with IMERG product suggesting up to 120mm of accumulation in certain regions.
A new Northwestern University study discovered that spaceflight consistently changes the abundance and diversity of gut bacteria in mice. Using a novel analytical tool called STARMAPS, researchers found that spaceflight causes a specific change on the microbiome, but ruled out radiation as the cause.
NASA has implemented three initiatives to make it easier for small businesses to collaborate with the agency, including an annual Request for Information and Industry Day events. These efforts aim to increase commercialization of innovations and improve collaboration between NASA and the small business community.
NASA's Aqua satellite images show a ring of strong thunderstorms around Lekima's center, with maximum sustained winds near 50 knots. The storm is expected to strengthen into a typhoon and pass over Taiwan before dissipating off China's east coast.
Satellite imagery shows Tropical Storm Flossie maintaining its structure with little change from July 31 to August 1. The storm is expected to cross into the central Pacific basin late Friday or early Saturday and begin slowly weakening on Saturday.