Articles tagged with Astronauts
A new self-healing material has been developed that can plug life-threatening holes in spacecraft, preventing structural penetration and catastrophic damage. The material, made by sandwiching a reactive liquid between two solid polymer layers, reacts with oxygen to form a solid plug in under a second.
Astronauts' nutritional needs are crucial for long-duration space missions, as microgravity and radiation exposure impact health. NASA's Biochemical Profile project aims to understand the effects of spaceflight on nutrition and develop strategies to mitigate negative effects.
The RED Epic Dragon camera is capable of recording images with six times more detail than previous cameras, capturing high-resolution footage of astronauts on the International Space Station. The camera's ability to record at high resolution and up to 300 frames per second makes it ideal for science investigations and dynamic events.
A CU-Boulder-led study has discovered a permanent, lopsided dust cloud enveloping the moon. The cloud is composed of tiny dust grains kicked up by high-speed interplanetary dust particles, and its density increases during annual events like the Geminid meteor showers.
Researchers have created a real-time monitoring system for air and water quality in space, reducing the need for sample collection and analysis. The system enables astronauts to test their surroundings more efficiently, making long-term space missions possible.
Researchers at UC Irvine will investigate the behavioral impairments of rodents attributed to space radiation exposure, aiming to understand the underlying causes of these deficits. The study aims to inform efforts to minimize the effects of solar and galactic cosmic radiation on the central nervous system.
A team of researchers has refined the timeline of meteorite impacts on the moon by analyzing argon isotopes in Apollo 17 samples using laser microprobe technology. The study provides new insights into the lunar impact record and its implications for understanding Earth's early bombardment history.
A Florida State University and Russian Academy of Sciences team found that space travel may impair the body's ability to regulate blood flow to the brain, contributing to temporary or permanent vision problems experienced by astronauts. The research team plans to conduct further experiments to find solutions.
Astronauts on ISS captured stunning night image of Cyclone Bansi in January 2015, revealing brilliant lightning around its eye. The cyclone reached category 4 strength before weakening into an extra-tropical system.
The MATROSHKA experiment found that doses of cosmic radiation inside the International Space Station were lower than those recorded by astronauts' personal dosimeters. In open space, the overestimation was even higher, exceeding 200%.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive cognitive test battery, Cognition, to measure the impact of spaceflight stressors on astronauts' cognition. The 10-test battery will be administered to the first astronaut on the International Space Station on November 28.
A series of articles published in New Space journal suggest that ordinary citizens can take short trips to the edge of space without significant health effects. The research also identifies potential challenges and risks associated with human commercial spaceflight.
A team of MIT researchers assessed the Mars One mission's technical feasibility, highlighting the need for new technologies to keep humans alive on Mars. The study found that a system to remove excess oxygen and more advanced water extraction methods are required, among other innovations.
Researchers studied how average people with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and other common conditions performed during simulated flight. They found that nearly everyone tolerated the stresses of commercial spaceflight without problems.
A new study suggests that the reason for astronauts falling on the lunar surface might be due to insufficient gravity, which affects perception of 'up'. The study found that a 15% gravity level is needed to influence orientation judgment, close to what's found on the moon.
A study published in The Lancet Neurology found that astronauts suffer from significant sleep deficiency during spaceflight, with average durations of less than six hours per night. This is despite NASA's scheduled 8.5 hours of sleep, and the build-up of sleep deficiency begins long before launch.
Creating and optimizing food for astronauts, soldiers, and individuals in extreme conditions is crucial. Researchers are working on developing lighter, tastier, and more nutritious prepackaged foods with longer shelf life to meet the needs of six-person crews on Mars missions.
Researchers on the International Space Station made significant discoveries about the effects of microgravity on the human body, including protein crystal growth and wound healing. Their work has the potential to improve pharmaceutical treatments and advance our understanding of diseases.
Researchers are investigating leadership roles in highly effective, collaborative teams that can troubleshoot problems and minimize conflict. The UCF-NASA study aims to develop a taxonomy for selecting or composing teams according to desirable social roles.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that rats exposed to high-energy particles simulating space radiation show lapses in attention and slower reaction times. The cognitive impairments are linked to protein changes in the brain and may be predicted by developing a biological marker for sensitivity to radiation's effects.
The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine has developed ethics principles and responsibilities to guide NASA in implementing health standards for spaceflights beyond low Earth orbit. The guidelines aim to mitigate risks faced by astronauts on extended stays on the International Space Station and Mars missions.
Health experts provide principles and decision-making guidelines to aid NASA in protecting astronauts on longer, higher-risk missions. The report emphasizes the importance of protecting astronaut health while fulfilling the agency's mission of exploration.
The study found the heart becomes more spherical by 9.4% in microgravity, similar to predicted models, and may benefit certain cardiovascular patients on Earth. The temporary shape change appears after spaceflight, but long-term health effects are unknown.
Kansas State University researchers are developing wearable medical sensors to monitor astronauts' vital data, such as breathing rate or muscle activity. The team is also creating a specialized wireless network for the biosensors to communicate with each other and a space station.
Researchers claim NASA portrayed astronauts as pioneering cowboys in its images of the moon landing, promising a future that never materialized. The study analyzed over 400 memory cards from visitors to the National Space Centre and found half contained a reference to the moon landing as a glimpse into a future that never came true.
A $6 million CU Boulder instrument will study lunar dust behavior, helping answer why astronauts saw a pre-sunrise glow on the moon. The LADEE mission, launched on Sept. 6, will orbit the moon for a month to collect data and answer questions about lunar dust transport.
A Michigan State University project is developing a measurement system to capture team effectiveness in real time, providing instant feedback to astronauts. The system consists of badges that measure activities such as heart rate, motion, and vocalization to identify potential issues with team cohesion.
A team of MSU researchers aims to boost astronaut motivation to exercise during long-duration space missions. They will test software featuring computer-generated workout partners to improve adherence and overall health outcomes.
A University of Houston research team partnered with NASA and astronauts on the International Space Station to examine how spaceflight affects the immune system. They will collect blood, saliva, and urine samples from two astronauts before, during, and after a mission to monitor natural killer cells and assess viral reactivation risks.
A recent study published by the American College of Cardiology found no significant benefits from using the blood pressure-lowering medication aliskiren to treat patients with recent heart failure hospitalizations. However, patients on aliskiren did show improved NT-proBNP levels, which can help physicians plan treatment.
A study published in JAMA found that adding aliskiren to standard therapy did not improve long-term outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The results showed no significant reduction in cardiovascular death or rehospitalization rates at 6 or 12 months after discharge.
A 520-day space simulation revealed alterations in sleep patterns and neurobehavioral consequences for astronauts. The study highlights the need for artificial light exposure, food intake, and exercise to maintain human behavior during prolonged space missions.
A new study shows that exposure to cosmic radiation in space can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that high-mass particles, like iron, can penetrate spacecraft shielding and cause neurological impairment in animal models.
Researchers found that spaceflight compromises the ability of arteries and veins to constrict, leading to orthostatic hypotension upon return to Earth. This condition affects up to half of astronauts on short-term missions and nearly all on long-term missions.
A new paper by Dr. Leonard Mermel reveals that microgravity weakens the immune system while increasing antimicrobial resistance in some microorganisms. In a spacecraft, germs can remain airborne for longer periods and spread more easily due to power limitations and recirculated air.
A new warning system can forecast radiation from solar storms nearly three hours in advance, allowing astronauts and air crews to take protective action. The system uses data from neutron monitors installed at the South Pole to estimate the intensity of high-energy particles that arrive on Earth first.
Researchers at Arizona State University and NASA have developed a new technique for detecting bone loss using isotope analysis. This method is more sensitive than current X-ray methods and poses less risk to patients, making it a promising tool for early detection of diseases such as osteoporosis.
Researchers found that lengthy spaceflight affects cardiovascular responses, but the intensive exercise routines on these missions keep mechanisms well-prepared for return to Earth. The study tested six astronauts on long-term missions aboard the International Space Station.
Prolonged space travel has been found to cause brain and eye abnormalities in astronauts, similar to those seen in intracranial hypertension of unknown cause. MRI scans revealed optic nerve expansion, eyeball flattening, and pituitary gland changes in astronauts exposed to microgravity for extended periods.
The Space Weather Laboratory will implement ensemble forecasting, producing up to 100 computerized forecasts simultaneously, improving the reliability of space weather alerts. This new capability is crucial for protecting astronauts and NASA spacecraft from potential harm during periods of increased solar activity.
A recent study published in Ophthalmology found that astronauts who spent long durations in space experienced swollen optic nerves, distorted eyeball shapes, and retinal changes. The study also revealed that many astronauts experienced worsening of distance or near visual acuity after flight.
A NASA-sponsored study found that prolonged space flights can cause a range of visual system changes in astronauts, including blurry vision and abnormalities in the eye tissues. The study's findings have implications for long-duration manned space voyages, such as a trip to Mars.
Charlie Duke, a Hall of Fame astronaut, presented the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's largest monetary award to OU student Bradley Pirtle. The $10,000 scholarship recognizes Pirtle's exceptional performance in computer engineering and his commitment to pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science.
A team of Iowa State researchers has developed a new method for analyzing drinking water samples in space, using colorimetric solid phase extraction to detect iodine and silver concentrations. The innovative technology will enable astronauts to quickly assess the safety of their drinking water in real-time.
Researchers at Kansas State University are working with NASA to develop a method for measuring astronauts' physical abilities, which will help ensure their safety in space. By using an obstacle course that simulates various lunar tasks, the team has found that treadmill tests can predict an astronaut's performance with high accuracy.
The mission has provided sharper views of the lunar surface, including the trails left by astronauts and the tracks laid down by the lunar rover. The higher resolution allows scientists to retrace the astronauts' steps with greater clarity to see where they took lunar samples.
The first manned mission to Mars poses significant challenges in provisioning astronauts with food, including weight, nutrition, and psychological factors. Bioregenerative systems that involve growing crops could supply food, oxygen, and purify air, while shipping bulk commodities is another option.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is preparing for suborbital flights with its astronaut payload specialists, aiming to develop commercial human spaceflight. The team has completed required FAA flight physicals and experiment payloads, and will wear a mission patch symbolizing the project.
A study will test a novel therapy to increase bone mass in mice flown in space, which may also provide insights into preventing skeletal fragility among patients on earth. The therapy aims to counteract the effects of microgravity on bones.
CU-Boulder alumni played a significant role in NASA's space shuttle program, with 16 astronauts flying on 40 missions. The university also contributed to numerous scientific experiments and instruments, including those for the Hubble Space Telescope.
Scientists have developed new ultrasound tools that can be used in space and remote areas, allowing non-physician astronauts to perform diagnostic exams. The tools include a catalog of 'space-normal' imagery of the human body, enabling astronauts to provide care without consulting a physician on Earth.
New research in the FASEB Journal suggests that flawed antibody production could compromise resistance to infections during long-term missions. Scientists found that antibodies produced in space are less effective than those produced on Earth, posing a serious risk for astronauts.
Dr. Christopher J. Morris, a researcher at Brigham and Women's Hospital, has been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI). He will investigate the effects of sudden shifts in sleep/wake patterns on the cardiovascular system in astronauts.
A team from Montana State University solved the mystery of missing sunspots from 2008 to 2010, which coincided with unusually weak magnetic fields at the sun's poles. The discovery allows for the prediction of space weather, influencing technology in space and on Earth.
Hundreds of 'moon trees,' planted by Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa in 1971, are living out their lives across the US. As some die or succumb to disease, NASA's Dave Williams is racing against time to find and record the remaining trees' locations.
A team of scientists will investigate how spaceflight affects the immune system, particularly in response to viruses like RSV, which can cause severe respiratory illness. The study aims to protect astronauts and vulnerable populations on Earth from increased infection susceptibility.
Heather Hollen, a University of Oklahoma senior majoring in geography and electrical engineering, has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship by astronaut William Pogue. The award recognizes Hollen's exceptional academic achievements and her passion for engineering and geography.
Dr. William R. Muehlberger, a renowned geologist, is awarded the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal for his groundbreaking work in tectonics and exceptional service to the geoscience community. He has supervised over 90 Ph.D. theses and trained astronauts in geology.
Researchers will explore fundamental questions about bone health and the immune system in a microgravity environment. The NIH is funding experiments on osteoporosis, immune response suppression, and excessive alcohol use.
A team of researchers has developed a system that uses electrical trickery on the brain to induce realistic spaceflight effects. The Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) system safely simulates the sensory and mobility disturbances experienced by astronauts after returning to Earth's gravity.