SwRI will lead Hubble, Webb observations of Io, Jupiter's volcanic moon
Friday, 01 September 2023 09:19
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The Space Telescope Science Institute recently awarded Southwest Research Institute a large project to use the Hubble and James Webb telescopes to remotely study Io, the most volcanically active body in the solar system. The study will complement the upcoming flybys of the Jupiter moon by NASA's Juno spacecraft and will provide insights into Io's contributions to the plasma environment around Ju Photocatalytic CO2 conversion for artificial carbon cycle at extraterrestrial sites
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Today, space missions mainly rely on the transportation of basic needs from the Earth, which is extremely challenging and logistically impossible when we aim to develop stations or habitats on extraterrestrial sites such as the Moon and Mars.
For example, an astronaut needs almost a kilogram of oxygen per day to sustain their life. Therefore, tons of oxygen have to be transported to build LRO data helping NASA prepare for Artemis astronauts on the Moon
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When astronauts set off for a trip around the Moon in 2024 with NASA's Artemis II mission, they will go primed with knowledge of lunar landmarks gathered by one of the Agency's premiere robotic missions to our nearest cosmic neighbor. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), launched in 2009, has returned a treasure trove of scientific data in its fourteen years of operation, but this is not a Newly discovered planet has longest orbit yet detected by the TESS mission
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Of the more than 5,000 planets known to exist beyond our solar system, most orbit their stars at surprisingly close range. More than 80 percent of confirmed exoplanets have orbits shorter than 50 days, placing these toasty worlds at least twice as close to their star as Mercury is to our sun - and some, even closer than that.
Astronomers are starting to get a general picture of these plane Thermometer molecule confirmed on exoplanet WASP-31b
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Chromium hydride (CrH), a molecule that's relatively rare and particularly sensitive to temperature, is useful as a "thermometer for stars," according to astronomer Laura Flagg, because it's abundant only in a narrow range between 1,200-2,000 degrees Kelvin.
Flagg, a research associate in astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), has used this and other metal hydrides to determi Lawsuit claims Amazon’s board erred in awarding Kuiper launch contracts to Blue Origin and others
Thursday, 31 August 2023 21:10
Video: Muscle stimulation to enhance astronaut health
Thursday, 31 August 2023 18:48 Write a comment
Space exploration presents unique health challenges for astronauts due to lack of gravity, isolation, and radiation exposure. ESA's SciSpacE activities aim to comprehend these effects and their implications for human well-being during extended missions.
ESA collaborates with researchers to conduct experiments in microgravity and analog environments, shedding light on the consequences of space stressors. One critical concern is muscle and bone atrophy. Despite daily exercise routines, astronauts face deterioration. ESA is investigating electrical stimulation as a potential countermeasure, with tests planned on board the International Space Station.
The Muscle Stimulation experiment is a centerpiece of this research. By applying controlled electric currents to leg muscles, the study aims to enhance muscle mass, strength, and recovery. Complementary assessments, including MRI scans, microcirculation analysis, and blood samples, will provide a comprehensive understanding of the efficacy.
Addressing these challenges could yield benefits on Earth too. The insights gained could translate to better health care for diverse populations, from the elderly to clinical patients and athletes.
Space junk in Earth orbit and on the moon will increase with future missions—but nobody's in charge of cleaning it up
Thursday, 31 August 2023 17:57 Write a comment
There's a lot of trash on the moon right now—including nearly 100 bags of human waste—and with countries around the globe traveling to the moon, there's going to be a lot more, both on the lunar surface and in Earth's orbit.
In August 2023, Russia's Luna-25 probe crashed into the moon's surface, while India's Chandrayann-3 mission successfully landed in the southern polar region, making India the fourth country to land on the moon.
With more countries landing on the moon, people back on Earth will have to think about what happens to all the landers, waste and miscellaneous debris left on the lunar surface and in orbit.
I'm a professor of astronomy who has written a book about the future of space travel, articles about our future off-Earth, conflict in space, space congestion and the ethics of space exploration. Like many other space experts, I'm concerned about the lack of governance around space debris.
Space is getting crowded
People think of space as vast and empty, but the near-Earth environment is starting to get crowded.
Preventing outer space from becoming a hazardous junkyard
Thursday, 31 August 2023 17:22 Write a comment
As the number of objects launched into orbit grows, the EU is working to prevent debris from getting out of hand.
An upsurge in worldwide rocket and satellite launches into space means collisions are an increasing danger that EU research projects are seeking to curb.
The number of satellites in space may exceed 100,000 by 2030, according to forecasts. Small satellites are increasingly being sent into low orbits 500 to 1,000 kilometers above Earth to do everything from improve remote communications to guide driverless cars.
Collision alarm
"There is an increasing amount of debris in space," said Anthony Caron, future programs manager at a French space-observation company called Share My Space. "More and more debris implies more and more collision probability—and the problem is real now. There are lots of events where you have to perform maneuvers to avoid collisions.
How is ESA supporting ISRO’s Aditya-L1 solar mission?
Thursday, 31 August 2023 13:30
QinetiQ wins $224 million contract to provide technical services to Space Development Agency
Thursday, 31 August 2023 12:46
A good night’s sleep in orbit
Thursday, 31 August 2023 12:05 Write a comment
During his Huginn mission, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen will run two experiments focusing on sleeping in space: Circadian Light and Sleep in Orbit.
Image:
Lagrange Points 
