How does NASA plan to keep samples from Mars safe from contamination (and contaminating Earth)?
Monday, 03 October 2022 15:22
NASA's Mars Sample Return Mission is inching closer and closer. The overall mission architecture just hit a new milestone when Perseverance collected the first sample that will be sent back. But what happens once that sample actually gets here? NASA and its partner, ESA, are still working on that, but recently they released a fact sheet that covers what will happen during the first stage of that process—returning to the ground.
That return will take place in the middle of the desert in the western U.S., in an area called the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR). While this may seem like an obscure place to land such an important mission, it does have several things going for it.
Studying yeast DNA in space may help protect astronauts from cosmic radiation
Monday, 03 October 2022 15:08
Nuclear fusion reactions in the sun are the source of heat and light we receive on Earth. These reactions release a massive amount of cosmic radiation—including X-rays and gamma rays—and charged particles that can be harmful for any living organisms.
Life on Earth has been protected thanks to a magnetic field that forces charged particles to bounce from pole to pole as well as an atmosphere that filters harmful radiation.
During space travel, however, it is a different situation. To find out what happens in a cell when traveling in outer space, scientists are sending baker's yeast to the moon as part of NASA's Artemis 1 mission.
Cosmic damage
Cosmic radiation can damage cell DNA, significantly increasing human risk of neurodegenerative disorders and fatal diseases, like cancer.
Viasat sells tactical data communications business to L3Harris for $1.96 billion
Monday, 03 October 2022 13:13
L3Harris Technologies has agreed to acquire Viasat’s tactical data link business for $1.96 billion, the companies announced Oct. 3.
The post Viasat sells tactical data communications business to L3Harris for $1.96 billion appeared first on SpaceNews.
European Researchers' Night 2022
Monday, 03 October 2022 12:32
On Friday 30 September, ESRIN, our establishment in Italy, welcomed members of the public on site as part of European Researchers' Night.
Joining research centres throughout Europe, European Researchers' Night, promoted each year by the European Commission, is targeted at people of all ages who want to know more about science, research, and space exploration.
Solar power beams: a step towards cleaner energy
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
Elon Musk may help NASA extend life for Hubble
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
Unknown debris dislodges from Ingenuity Mars helicopter's foot during 33rd flight
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
Firefly Aerospace scrubs launch after rocket engine shuts down
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
Juno probe takes detailed photo of Jupiter's moon, Europa
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
NRO awards commercial RF Capabilities Contract to Kleos Space
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
HawkEye 360 awarded radio frequency contract by NRO
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman to deliver hypersonic air-breathing missile to USSF
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
New Curtin-led research discovers the heart of our evolution
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
Trackem Launches New GPS Business Tracking Platform
Monday, 03 October 2022 10:11
Wanted: firms to connect and guide Moon missions
Monday, 03 October 2022 08:27
Are you ready to join ESA’s initiative to support European space companies to create a constellation of lunar satellites that connect and guide missions to the Moon?