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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 12, 2024
The SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat) has lauded a landmark achievement by Fleet Space Technologies, which showcased the pioneering satellite-based Push-to-Talk (PTT) technology through the Defence Space Command's ASCEND2LEO project. In collaboration with Safety from Space, SmartSat enabled Fleet Space's innovation by refining the 'Beagle' communications waveform, initially devel

Do astronauts experience 'space headaches'?

Wednesday, 13 March 2024 19:00
International Space Station
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Space travel and zero gravity can take a toll on the body. A new study has found that astronauts with no prior history of headaches may experience migraine and tension-type headaches during long-haul space flight, which includes more than 10 days in space. The study was published in Neurology.

"Changes in gravity caused by space flight affect the function of many parts of the body, including the brain," said study author W. P. J. van Oosterhout, MD, Ph.D., of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands.

"The , which affects balance and posture, has to adapt to the conflict between the signals it is expecting to receive and the actual signals it receives in the absence of normal gravity. This can lead to space in the first week, of which headache is the most frequently reported symptom. Our study shows that headaches also occur later in space flight and could be related to an increase in pressure within the skull."

The study involved 24 astronauts from the European Space Agency, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

space launch
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

SpaceX is set to send up another batch of Starlink satellites targeting one minute before sunset from the Space Coast on Wednesday night using a first-stage booster for a record-tying 19th time.

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 of SpaceX's internet satellites is set to launch at the opening of a four-hour window that runs from 7:29-11:29 p.m. flying from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A. Backup opportunities are available during a four-hour window Thursday that opens at 7:04 p.m. With daylight saving time in play since last weekend, sunset hours have been pushed later. Sunset is set for 7:30 p.m.

Space Launch Delta 45's weather squadron forecasts a 60% chance for good conditions with upper level wind shear a concern. That improves to 95% in the event of a one-day delay.

The first-stage could equal the total number of flights by two of SpaceX's other boosters, one of which, though, was destroyed when it toppled over at sea.

This booster's resume includes two human spaceflights, the Inspiration4 orbital mission flown by billionaire Jared Issacman and the first private spaceflight for Axiom Space on its Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station.

Study brings scientists a step closer to successfully growing plants in space
Research led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign uses polymer-based stretchable electrodes to remotely monitor plant growth, bringing scientists a step closer to growing plants in space to feed astronauts during long missions. Credit: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

New, highly stretchable sensors can monitor and transmit plant growth information without human intervention, report University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers in the journal Device.

The polymer sensors are resilient to humidity and temperature, can stretch over 400% while remaining attached to a plant as it grows and send a wireless signal to a remote monitoring location, said chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying Diao, who led the study with plant biology professor and department head Andrew Leakey.

Commercial rocket trying to put a satellite into orbit explodes moments after liftoff in Japan
Space One's Kairos rocket explodes after liftoff from a launch pad in Kushimoto, Wakayama prefecture, western Japan, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Credit: Kyodo News via AP

A commercial rocket trying to put a satellite into orbit was intentionally exploded shortly after liftoff Wednesday morning in central Japan following a problem that's still under investigation.

Space One was aiming to be Japan's first private sector success at putting a satellite into orbit.

Online video showed the Kairos blasting off in a mountainous area filled with trees then exploding five seconds later. A huge plume of smoke engulfed the area, and flames shot up in some spots. Spurts of water were shown trying to put out the blaze.

Live footage on public broadcaster NHK showed debris scattering from the sky and later charred pieces were shown strewn about on the ground.

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 12, 2024
Throughout the annals of history, alcohol has not only been a staple of human civilization but also a significant cultural and social element that has accompanied many of humanity's most monumental moments. As our gaze turns skyward and our ambitions reach for the stars, the intriguing question emerges: How will alcohol fit into the future of space exploration and settlement? "Alcohol in Space" by Chris Carberry.
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 12, 2024
Aireon is at the forefront of aviation innovation with the establishment of the Aireon Space-Based VHF Coalition, a collaborative initiative aimed at developing space-based VHF voice and data communication services for the aviation sector. This marks a significant leap towards enhancing global air traffic safety and efficiency. The coalition sees the partnership of industry giants includin
Washington DC (UPI) Mar 12, 2024
SpaceX on Sunday launched a total of 46 Starlink satellites into orbit in back-to-back launches in Florida and California. Against the backdrop of broken clouds and Florida swampland at dusk, SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the latest in a series of Falcon 9 launches. The engines roared to life and sent the rocket off the
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 12, 2024
Exolaunch, a global leader in launch mission management and satellite deployment services, announced the successful deployment of 28 customer satellites during the SpaceX Transporter-10 Rideshare mission. The mission, executed on March 4, 2024, at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marks another significant achievement for Exolaunch in supporting the commercial space sector and the small
San Francisco CA (SPX) Mar 11, 2024
Within the next few decades, NASA aims to land humans on the Moon, set up a lunar colony and use the lessons learned to send people to Mars as part of its Artemis program. While researchers know that space travel can stress space crew members both physically and mentally and test their ability to work together in close quarters, missions to Mars will amplify these challenges. Mars is far away -
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