Articles tagged with Space Stations
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.
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.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's NSF Center for Space, High-performance, and Resilient Computing has developed a radiation-resistant computer capable of high-performance computing in space. The system will be launched on the International Space Station and is nearly three times more powerful than its predecessor.
The Space Debris Sensor (SDS) will track orbital debris between .05mm and 3mm in size for two to three years, providing near-real-time impact detection capabilities. The sensor will help researchers map the entire orbital debris population and plan future sensors to mitigate damage from debris.
The Genes in Space-3 team achieved the first-ever sample-to-sequence process entirely aboard the International Space Station, identifying two previously unknown microorganisms. The breakthrough could aid in diagnosing astronaut ailments, identifying DNA-based life on other planets, and benefiting other experiments.
Space Station Research Explorer on NASA.gov provides a tailored experience for scientists and enthusiasts, offering thousands of investigations, results summaries, and in-orbit photographs. The new tool features improved search capabilities, social media sharing, and bookmarking options.
A study published in PeerJ found that the microbial community on the International Space Station is diverse and closely resembles homes on Earth. The research team compared the bacteria found on the ISS to data from other projects, including the Human Microbiome Project and the Wildlife of Our Homes study.
The CALET experiment has successfully measured the cosmic-ray electron spectrum up to 3 TeV, providing insight into the origin and acceleration of cosmic rays. The findings suggest the presence of nearby astrophysical sources, such as pulsars or dark matter annihilation.
Researchers found permanent effects on human brain structure due to microgravity, including crowding and narrowing of the brain's central sulcus. The study aimed to understand the causes of VIIP syndrome, a condition affecting astronauts' vision and intracranial pressure.
The University of Pittsburgh has established a new NSF-funded research center, SHREC, to focus on mission-critical computing in space, high-performance computing, and resilient computing. The center aims to bring in $1 million in annual external funding and collaborate with industry partners.
A new protective textile developed at the University of Delaware using shear thickening fluid technology will protect astronauts from punctures and projectiles in space. The technology has been awarded a $750,000 grant to produce a prototype for NASA's Journey to Mars mission.
The Robotic External Leak Locator (RELL) successfully located a small ammonia leak on the International Space Station, confirming its safety status and avoiding a risky spacewalk. The instrument provided precise measurements of gas amounts and types, allowing operators to isolate and repair the leak.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) have provided critical communication services to NASA's missions since the 1980s, increasing global communication coverage to over 99%. The TDRS network will continue to play a vital role in space communications for years to come.
Researchers at UTMB and Houston Methodist are growing lungs in space to understand how lung cells react to the change in gravity and extreme space environment. The goal is to develop therapeutics that could help astronauts and people on Earth with autoimmune diseases, hormone deficiencies, and other issues.
The ISS-CREAM mission will study cosmic rays at energies above 1 billion electron volts, shedding light on their origins and properties. The experiment aims to measure the highest-energy particles yet detected in space, providing unparalleled insights into the interstellar neighborhood.
Children worldwide can connect with astronauts aboard the space station via ARISS, inspiring youth to pursue STEM interests. The program has sparked powerful memories and lifelong passions among participants.
A NASA-supported experiment on the International Space Station is growing large crystals of pure enzyme to develop improved antidotes for nerve poisons. By harnessing microgravity conditions, researchers hope to create better countermeasures that can quickly reactivate the enzyme and deliver them orally.
The Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission has started its science operations on the International Space Station (ISS). It will help scientists understand the nature of neutron stars using X-ray measurements. The mission aims to determine how matter behaves in their interiors.
Researchers from Stanford University and NASA's JPL have designed a robotic gripper to grab and dispose of space debris, featuring gecko-inspired adhesives. The gripper can stick to flat objects and curved surfaces, and switch between relaxed and rigid states for precise manipulation.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that astronauts' exercise capacity decreases by 30-50% due to decreased oxygen transport efficiency. This decrease can impact astronaut performance and has implications for understanding blood vessel function in older patients with heart failure.
Researchers found that mammalian cells can respond to changes in gravitational conditions extremely quickly, recovering full function within 42 seconds. This rapid adaptation challenges previous assumptions about cell behavior in space, providing good news for manned space flight.
Raven will test foundational technologies for autonomous rendezvous, enabling spacecraft to find and secure targets without human involvement. The system aims to mature for future NASA missions, including the Restore-L servicing mission and potential use on Journey to Mars.
The Space Network will transmit double the data in a single second than it ever has before, supporting new instruments with greater data flow requirements. The upgrade enables an increase in scientific output from the International Space Station, allowing for more sophisticated experiments to be conducted.
NavCube, combining NASA's SpaceCube and Navigator Global Positioning System (GPS) flight receiver, enables X-ray communications in space. The technology has the potential to significantly enhance performance at low altitudes, potentially even near the moon and lunar orbits.
Gene expression data from E. coli grown in space reveal reduced glucose uptake and increased extracellular acidity, suggesting altered bacterial behavior due to reduced transport of molecules.
The study investigates changes in perceptions about home in space and the development of a unique culture among astronauts. Researchers found that a shared space culture can help crew members respond to different situations, reducing stress and improving morale.
Researchers at the University of Delaware are using the International Space Station's U.S. National Laboratory to study self-assembly in microgravity, with a focus on creating new types of colloidal materials that can be used in various applications such as phononic bandgap materials and ultra-low thermal conductivity coatings.
A new study published in mSphere found that the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus behaves similarly in space as it does on Earth. The research, led by Benjamin Knox, compared fungal isolates from the International Space Station to reference isolates from earth and found no significant changes in growth or virulence.
Two Cornell engineering professors, Paul Steen and Michel Louge, are sending experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) to study the behavior of water in microgravity. Their research aims to gain insights into contact-line mobility and inertial spreading of water droplets, which is important for manufacturing and coating oper...
Researchers studying giant space droplets develop simple experimental device to predict their behavior, shedding light on fluid dynamics in low-gravity environments. The findings have potential applications in water processing, fuel systems, and habitats.
A CSU-developed air quality sampler, TPS100, will be sent to the International Space Station to collect airborne particles and address astronaut health concerns. The device uses thermophoresis to capture nanoparticles and has been tested in lab settings before its upcoming space mission.
Tropical Storm Frank weakened to a tropical storm on July 28, 2016, with winds decreasing from hurricane strength. NASA's RapidScat instrument observed sustained winds of near 30 meters per second north of the center.
NASA's Aqua satellite and RapidScat instrument captured data on Tropical Storm Darby's winds and cloud top temperatures before it weakened to a remnant low-pressure system. The strongest winds were found north of the storm's center, with coldest cloud top temperatures exceeding -63 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Pittsburgh researcher has received a grant to study the effects of prolonged space travel on bones using a 3D microphysiological system. The research aims to develop new treatments for osteoporosis and enhance personalized medicine.
The Saffire-I experiment aims to study how fires grow and spread in microgravity, with the goal of verifying fire-safety protocols for the ISS and future manned flights to Mars. The experiment will use a heated wire to ignite a large cloth sample, and researchers will monitor its growth and spread.
The MinXSS CubeSat was deployed from the ISS in 2016 to study solar flares and their effects on Earth's upper atmosphere. The mission aims to understand the physics behind these events, which can disrupt radio and GPS signals.
Fantala storm intensifies over 12 hours, reaching 120 knots in wind speed, with wave heights of 30 feet. NASA's Aqua and International Space Station satellites monitor the storm's progression, predicting a possible threat to Madagascar before turning southeast.
Researchers at USC and JPL are launching fungi into space to explore their potential as novel therapeutics for use both in space and on Earth. The study aims to discover new compounds that could be used to develop medicines for astronauts and potentially address life-threatening diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
Goddard's Network Integration Center coordinates communications for Near Earth and Space Networks, ensuring reliable data transmission from space to ground. The center has been operational since Project Mercury and supports human spaceflight missions, including those in low-Earth orbit and beyond.
Tropical Cyclone Uriah's surface winds reached 30 meters per second near its southwestern quadrant, with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 230 nautical miles from the center. NASA's RapidScat and AIRS instruments showed wind shear's effect on cloud top temperatures, indicating the potential for heavy rain generation.
A tropical low-pressure area is consolidating into a depression in the Southern Indian Ocean, with powerful convective storms dropping rain at a rate of over 3.7 inches per hour near Madagascar's eastern coast. The system's winds are expected to continue developing over the next 24 hours, posing a threat to the region.
Tropical Cyclone Annabelle was characterized by strong winds and high sea surface temperatures, but adverse conditions led to its demise. The storm's maximum sustained winds decreased to 35 knots on Nov. 24, indicating a lack of lift in the system.
A new study published in the FASEB Journal found that NASA astronauts' medication usage in space is more similar to Earth-based groups than expected. The most common issues were sleep problems and skin rashes, which highlights the need for better understanding of how medicines work in microgravity environments.
Tropical Storm Olaf is returning to its birthplace in the Eastern Pacific Ocean after leaving the Central Pacific. The storm, which formed on October 14, has been weakening and is expected to continue moving eastward.
A study published in Microbiome found that Actinobacteria, a type of bacteria associated with human skin, made up a larger proportion of the microbial community in the ISS than in Earth cleanrooms. Opportunistic pathogens were also present in the ISS dust samples, but the risk of infection to astronauts remains unknown.
Researchers analyze journals written by NASA astronauts to identify factors that affect their mental and emotional states during long-duration space missions. The study aims to develop recommendations for future missions, including training exercises and procedures to mitigate behavioral issues.
Tropical Storm Oho formed near Hawaii on October 3, with strongest winds detected on its southeastern side. The storm is expected to intensify and move northeast, potentially affecting the US.
Tropical Storm Mujigae was tracked by NASA using its Aqua satellite and RapidScat instrument aboard the International Space Station. The storm's surface winds were measured, revealing maximum sustained winds of 53.6 mph/86.4 kph near the northern quadrant.
Tropical Depression Marty's winds had diminished to near 30 mph with higher gusts, leaving the southwestern coast of Mexico. The storm then degenerated into a remnant low pressure area, forecast to dissipate in a day or so.
NASA's RapidScat instrument tracked the waning winds of Tropical Storm Ida on September 25, 2015, pinpointing the strongest sustained winds in the southeastern quadrant. The storm eventually became a remnant low-pressure area, moving westward at 5 mph before dissipating.
Tropical Storm Niala has weakened to a tropical depression, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The storm is expected to continue moving west-southwest towards Hawaii, with additional weakening forecasted over the next couple of days.
The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) has successfully transitioned to Phase B, paving the way for the deployment of a laser-based instrument on the International Space Station. This mission aims to provide high-resolution measurements of Earth's forest vertical structure, enabling scientists to better understand the globa...
Tropical Storm Vamco developed into a depression on September 13, with NASA's RapidScat instrument measuring its surface winds. The storm intensified rapidly and was located near Vietnam by September 14, before dissipating over rugged terrain.
NASA-NOAA satellites confirmed Tropical Storm Grace had weakened into an open wave of low pressure, with wind data from RapidScat confirming the degeneration. The remnants are moving westward near 18 mph and expected to produce gusty winds and showers over the Lesser Antilles.
Satellite imagery shows Tropical Storm Fred losing its punch, with no strong thunderstorms developing in the storm. The RapidScat instrument measured the strongest winds tightly circling the center, but they are not indicative of a strengthening storm.
Tropical Storm Ignacio has weakened significantly, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph, as it moves north of the Hawaiian Islands. The storm is expected to turn north-northwest late on September 3 and slow weakening is anticipated starting Thursday.
Tropical Storm Hilda is weakening due to diminishing winds, with maximum sustained winds holding at 45mph. The storm is expected to move west-southwest and produce heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash floods across the Hawaiian Islands.