Undergrad publishes theory on immune dysfunction in space
Monday, 19 September 2022 18:45![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Credit: Rocky An, <i>Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology</i> (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.997365 Undergrad publishes theory on immune dysfunction in space](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2022/undergrad-publishes-th.jpg)
It's been known for decades that though astronauts' immune systems become suppressed in space, leaving them vulnerable to disease, the exact mechanisms of immune dysfunction have remained a mystery. Now a Cornell undergraduate has found a potential solution.
A biological and mechanical engineering double major in the College of Engineering, Rocky An published his theory, "MRTF May be the Missing Link in a Multiscale Mechanobiology Approach toward Macrophage Dysfunction in Space," Sept. 12 in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.
An reviewed the last 20 years of literature on the behavior of macrophages—key cells in the body's immune response—in space and recent research about how macrophages respond to forces in normal gravity, identifying a transcription factor that could prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
"I just kept asking questions about how the data is presented," An said. "There are these two really important papers, in particular, one a review of how macrophages are suppressed in microgravity, and another about the mechanobiology of macrophages.
Lynk Global gets first commercial satellite direct-to-cell operating license
Monday, 19 September 2022 16:37![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Lynk-Mongolia-300x161.jpg)
Lynk Global secured regulatory approval Sept. 16 to operate its initial cellphone-compatible constellation globally, although the startup needs to deploy more satellites and get landing rights before it can start services.
The post Lynk Global gets first commercial satellite direct-to-cell operating license appeared first on SpaceNews.
UAE rover to fly on China’s Chang’e-7 lunar south pole mission
Monday, 19 September 2022 16:02![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shackleton_Crater-300x169.jpg)
The United Arab Emirates will fly its Rashid 2 rover on China’s 2026 Chang’e-7 lunar landing mission following an agreement between the two countries.
The post UAE rover to fly on China’s Chang’e-7 lunar south pole mission appeared first on SpaceNews.
Astrobotic announces plans for lunar power service
Monday, 19 September 2022 15:55![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![LunaGrid](https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/lunagrid-300x166.jpg)
Astrobotic unveiled plans Sept. 19 to develop a commercial power service for the moon that the company argues is essential for creating long-term infrastructure on the lunar surface.
The post Astrobotic announces plans for lunar power service appeared first on SpaceNews.
New exoplanet detection program for citizen scientists
Monday, 19 September 2022 15:51![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Artist’s conception of the multiple planet system. Credit: Gemini Observatory. Artwork by Lynette Cook New exoplanet detection program for citizen scientists](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2022/new-exoplanet-detectio.jpg)
The SETI Institute and its partner Unistellar are launching a new exoplanet detection program that will engage citizen scientists worldwide. Amateur astronomers, using either Unistellar's eVscope or another telescope, will be invited to help confirm exoplanet candidates identified by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) by observing possible exoplanet transits from Earth.
Most known exoplanets have been detected using the transit method, most notably by the Kepler Mission and now TESS. A transit is when a planet passes between its star and the observer, who will see the star dimming as the planet orbits. The demand for follow-up observations of transiting exoplanets is greater than ever. There are currently more than 5,100 confirmed exoplanets, with thousands more detections to be confirmed. This program will focus its efforts on exo-Jupiters detected by those NASA missions.
Some estimates suggest that TESS will identify more than 10,000 exoplanet candidates.
Ariane 5: payload and geography open super-efficient path to GEO
Monday, 19 September 2022 14:24![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![VA258 liftoff](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2022/09/va258_liftoff2/24461561-1-eng-GB/VA258_liftoff_card_full.jpg)
Ariane 5’s 7 September 2022 launch made headlines for orbiting Europe’s tallest-ever telecommunications satellite, but the VA258 mission also stands out for its trajectory – one of the most extreme examples yet flown of a super-efficient path to geostationary (GEO) orbit.
Planet shares information on Tanager hyperspectral constellation
Monday, 19 September 2022 12:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/rsz_tanager_rendering-300x158.png)
Planet released additional information about the hyperspectral constellation the Earth-observation company is developing through the Carbon Mapper public-private partnership.
The post Planet shares information on Tanager hyperspectral constellation appeared first on SpaceNews.
Mars is mighty in first Webb observations of Red Planet
Monday, 19 September 2022 12:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2022/09/first_webb_observations_of_mars/24456893-1-eng-GB/First_Webb_observations_of_Mars_card_full.jpg)
The James Webb Space Telescope captured its first images and spectra of Mars on 5 September 2022. The telescope, an international collaboration between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency, provides a unique perspective with its infrared sensitivity on our neighbouring planet, complementing data being collected by orbiters, rovers, and other telescopes.
United Arab Emirates to launch first lunar rover in November
Monday, 19 September 2022 11:35Valery Polyakov, took longest single trip to space, dies
Monday, 19 September 2022 11:34![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Valery V. Polyakov, the cosmonaut who set a world record for spending time in space on the MIR space station from Jan. 8, 1994, to March 22, 1995, enjoys a visit to the Philopappos Hill in Athens, with the ancient Parthenon in the background, on Oct. 16, 1995. Polyakov has died at age 80, Russia's space agency announced Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Aris Saris, File Valery Polyakov, took longest single trip to space, dies](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2022/valery-polyakov-took-l.jpg)
Satellite mission confirms cornerstone of general relativity is unshakeable
Monday, 19 September 2022 10:40![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/microscope-relativity-satellite-bg.jpg)
FCC grants Lynk first-ever license for commercial satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone service
Monday, 19 September 2022 10:40![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/lynk-orbital-cellular-phone-coverage-bg.jpg)
Lockheed Martin delivers its highest powered laser to date to US Department Of Defense
Monday, 19 September 2022 10:40![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/us-army-indirect-fires-protection-capability-high-energy-laser-ifpc-hel-demonstrator-lockheed-martin-bg.jpg)
IAC 2022 - ESA DG and Directors meet the press
Monday, 19 September 2022 09:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/videos/2022/09/iac_2022_-_esa_dg_and_directors_meet_the_press/24455961-5-eng-GB/IAC_2022_-_ESA_DG_and_Directors_meet_the_press_card_full.png)
The world's largest global space event takes place in Paris from 18 to 22 September 2022 and ESA, of course, will be there!
Watch the replay of the first live coming from the International Astronautical Congress with the ESA Director General and several Directors talking to the press. They will answer questions from journalists while focusing on ESA’s strategy, Agenda 2025 and the ambitious package that will be put forward at the ESA Ministerial Council in November.
IAC 2022: ESA DG and Directors meet the press
Monday, 19 September 2022 09:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/videos/2022/09/iac_2022_esa_dg_and_directors_meet_the_press/24455961-5-eng-GB/IAC_2022_ESA_DG_and_Directors_meet_the_press_card_full.png)
The world's largest global space event takes place in Paris from 18 to 22 September 2022 and ESA, of course, will be there!
Watch the replay of the first live coming from the International Astronautical Congress with the ESA Director General and several Directors talking to the press. They will answer questions from journalists while focusing on ESA’s strategy, Agenda 2025 and the ambitious package that will be put forward at the ESA Ministerial Council in November.