A novel Kalman filter, GMCKF, was proposed to improve robot tracking accuracy in space with complex non-Gaussian noise. The algorithm achieves better performance under various non-Gaussian noises by utilizing a generalized Gaussian density function and automatic parameter selection.
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A study by Inga Popovaitė suggests that women may be better suited for long-term space missions due to their positive and supportive leadership style. Women tend to focus on mutual support, motivation, and a positive environment, which can be beneficial in extreme situations where interpersonal conflicts can jeopardize team success.
A research team discovered that bacterial cellulose produced by Komagataeibacter bacteria survived on Mars-like conditions. The study found minor changes in the genome after reactivation on Earth, suggesting cellulose as a potential biomarker for extraterrestrial life.
Three high school students from Portugal used a Raspberry Pi computer to measure Earth's magnetic field in orbit, comparing their results to data provided by the International Geomagnetic Reference Field. They found significant differences due to static magnetic fields inside the space station, but improved results with more measurements.
A new type of sampler using felt nibs from pens has been developed for collecting biological samples, offering longer storage life and ease of use. This technology has potential applications in space exploration and medical settings.
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A study of NASA, ESA, and Russian space agency data found that extended spaceflight leads to changes in the brain's perivascular spaces. The research, led by Medical University of South Carolina scientists, used MRI scans to evaluate brain changes before and after six months on the International Space Station.
A self-contained experiment is being sent to the International Space Station to investigate stress and DNA damage caused by space travel. The goal is to determine if genomic damage experienced during space travel is linked to the silencing of a specific gene, beta-arrestin1.
The article reviews key technologies for space intelligent robots in on-orbit operation requirements. Researchers discuss challenges such as microgravity, complex illumination, and strong radiation in space.
Researchers create transgenic lettuce that expresses a bone-stimulating hormone, which could help prevent osteopenia in astronauts and resource-limited areas on Earth. The lettuce would need to be consumed daily by astronauts to get a sufficient dose of the hormone.
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Researchers analyzed skin cell data to identify gene expression patterns responsible for inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Crustacean-inspired cotton was found to control water flow through a special wicking mechanism. Autonomous water treatment systems were also developed to improve energy efficiency and waste reduction.
A collaborative research project on quantum technology has started on the International Space Station (ISS), utilizing ultracold atoms to conduct fundamental research and develop future quantum sensors. The BECCAL experiment is a multi-user platform open to international scientists, allowing them to test their ideas in practice.
Researchers developed an autonomous assembly method for a 3-arm robot to fix a multi-pin and hole load plate on a space station. This solution tackles the challenges of complex environmental lighting and matching multiple groups of holes and pins in the task. The study reduces astronaut safety risks by leveraging robots instead of humans.
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Researchers developed a recursive composite adaptive control method to improve the accuracy and dynamic performance of robot manipulators in the Chinese Space Station. The new controller reduces computational loads and achieves faster parameter convergence, making it suitable for high-degree-of-freedom robots.
Researchers analyzed thousands of space station photographs to discover that Russian cosmonauts use walls to display religious icons and Soviet heroes, reflecting national identity and cultural heritage. This study has practical applications for long-duration space missions, where understanding human identity and society is crucial.
A new study aims to use the microgravity conditions of space to better understand how flames spread on Earth. By performing complementary ground-based and microgravity experiments, researchers can precisely measure flame spread along a combustible object, allowing for more accurate predictions of wildfire behavior.
Researchers are reconstructing life on the ISS over two decades to understand space culture and how astronauts interact with their tools and colleagues. The project uses digital photography, crowdsourcing, and archaeological surveys to document developments and changes within the station's lifestyle and cultural makeup.
China's space transportation systems have made significant leaps in recent decades, with advancements in launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and artificial intelligence. The country aims to become a powerful space nation by the mid-21st century, with plans for manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
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A multidisciplinary team of Lehigh University researchers will conduct experiments on thermophoresis in complex fluids for bioseparations at the International Space Station. The team hopes to understand how temperature gradients affect particles and improve virus separation techniques with potential societal impact.
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.
Researchers have developed a novel method for studying DNA repair in yeast cells that can be conducted entirely in space, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The technique successfully demonstrated the viability of the new method on the ISS, paving the way for extensive research into DNA repair in space.
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DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Researchers investigated whether spending a year in space was associated with worsening eye changes. The study found that spaceflight led to structural changes in the eye, which can potentially affect vision.
Scientists have identified three novel bacterial strains on the International Space Station (ISS) that could aid in growing crops in space. The strains, including a previously undiscovered species, possess genetic determinants for promoting plant growth under stressful conditions.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science devise a new electrochemical technology to manufacture ammonia-based fertilizer from urea, addressing the problem of food production in closed environments. The study aims to provide a solid basis for sustaining long-term stay in extremely closed spaces such as space stations.
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Researchers studied spiders in space, where they built asymmetrical webs with the center displaced. However, when exposed to lamplight, the webs became more symmetrical, and spiders oriented themselves away from the light source.
Fruit flies exposed to microgravity for three weeks showed profound changes to their hearts, including smaller size and reduced contractility. These findings suggest that astronauts may benefit from protective measures to keep their hearts healthy during long-duration space travel.
Researchers at UC San Diego are launching an experiment to the ISS to study mudslides in microgravity and develop technologies to prevent them. They hope to create a protective layer using Xanthan gum, a common food additive.
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Researchers found that D. radiodurans produced outer membrane vesicles and initiated multifaceted protein responses to alleviate cell stress after 1 year of exposure to low Earth orbit. The bacteria also used polyamine putrescine as a reactive oxygen species scavenger during regeneration.
A new optical communications ground station is being built in Western Australia to receive high-speed data transmissions from space. The station will be part of a larger network and support groundbreaking projects, including NASA's Artemis mission.
Hurricane Laura made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane along the Louisiana coast, with sustained winds near 150 mph and a clear circular eye. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a nighttime image of the storm just after landfall.
Researchers found that thick aggregates of bacteria Deinococcus can provide sufficient protection for survival during several years in space. The study suggests that these aggregates could potentially survive travel between Earth and Mars, supporting the theory of panspermia.
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Hurricane Genevieve's size and strength were revealed through NASA's wide-angle photos, showing a clear eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The storm's wind field expanded, affecting the Baja California peninsula with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and large ocean swells.
A NASA-built instrument uses shearing force to grow E. coli bacteria, demonstrating a more suitable method for space travel than existing alternatives. The research opens a new path to bio-manufacturing drugs during long-term space flights.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health are developing a dedicated space stem cell orbital research laboratory within the International Space Station (ISS) to study microgravity's effects on human biology. The studies aim to understand aging, degenerative diseases, and cancers in space, with potential applications for therapeutics on Earth.
Researchers at Kennedy Space Center successfully grew red romaine lettuce in space onboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its safety and nutritional value. The study found that space-grown lettuce was similar to Earth-grown controls in terms of composition but showed increased levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants.
Researchers from NJIT and NASA will conduct experiments on colloidal particles at the International Space Station to advance materials engineering. The ACE-T-Ellipsoids investigation aims to learn how periodic arrangement is formed, revealing hidden interrelations between processes driving particle arrangement.
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A US astronaut on the International Space Station developed a deep vein thrombosis, prompting UNC expert Stephan Moll to consult and develop a treatment plan. Moll advised on using Enoxaparin and Apixaban to effectively treat the blood clot, which was successfully managed over 90 days.
Scientists have obtained precise measurements of a pulsar's size and mass, as well as the first-ever map of hot spots on its surface using NASA's NICER telescope. The new data reveals that pulsars are not simple objects with powerful magnetic fields, but rather complex systems with multiple hot spots.
The 6-month study aboard the ISS will evaluate the ability of Lamborghini's carbon fiber materials to withstand extreme conditions, including temperature fluctuations, radiation exposure, and vacuum. The research aims to develop technologies and devices that could be used on Earth and in space.
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A study published in Scientific Reports found that male mice sent to space for 35 days retained their reproductive ability upon return. The research team also reported healthy offspring with no effects from the parents' space stay.
The University of Edinburgh's space mining devices will be tested in orbit to study how microscopic organisms can recover minerals from space rocks. The experiment aims to develop ways to source essential materials for survival in space.
The National University of Singapore's quantum satellite SpooQy-1 carries a quote from The Golden Record 2.0, a play written for the NUS Arts Festival, to test a quantum light source enabling future secure communication. The satellite, built by CQT and the NUS Centre for the Arts, honours Singapore's diversity and globalised world.
The article discusses NICER's nighttime X-ray sweeps of the entire sky, tracing magnetic fields and energetic particles. These observations provide insights into neutron star properties and the formation of pulsars, shedding light on the mysteries of matter in their cores.
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.
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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.
Researchers found mostly human-associated microbes on the ISS, including opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. The study provides a comprehensive catalogue of bacteria and fungi, which can help improve safety measures for NASA's deep space human habitation.
X-rays have shorter wavelengths than infrared and radio waves, enabling tighter beams and less energy consumption. The demonstration aims to increase interest in the technology, which could enable more efficient data transfer rates for deep space missions.
Researchers have charted the environment surrounding a stellar-mass black hole using NASA's NICER payload. The study reveals changes in the environment's size and shape, including the corona contracting vertically from 100 to 10 miles at vast distances.
Researchers discovered that bacteria on the ISS are adapting to survive in a stressful environment, rather than evolving into superbugs. The study's findings provide good news for astronauts and potential space tourists, but also highlight the need for precautions against illness transmission.
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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 found strains of Enterobacter bugandensis on the ISS with antimicrobial resistance patterns similar to those on Earth. The strains included genes involved in virulence and disease, raising concerns about potential health implications for future missions.
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.
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.
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The flight operations team at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center conducted two successful communications tests, simulating the complex exchange of command and telemetry data among multiple service providers during the first six hours of flight. The team successfully communicated with the telescope and demonstrated their ability to comm...
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 ECOSTRESS mission uses satellite data from NASA to track temperature changes in various biomes. The on-the-ground data collected by the University of Queensland will be used to validate the accuracy of the satellite data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of water stress and crop growth.
The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation - GEDI is a first-of-its-kind laser instrument designed to map the world's forests in high resolution and three dimensions. It will gather height information about everything in its path, but is specifically designed to measure forests.
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.
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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.
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.
Changes in eye structure occur in astronauts after prolonged spaceflight, including a shift in Bruch membrane opening and increase in retinal thickness closer to the optic nerve head rim margin. These changes may be caused by microgravity-associated orbital and cranial fluid shifts.