Astronauts test virus-fighting surface coating
Monday, 15 February 2021 12:41
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are conducting experiments with an antimicrobial surface coating designed to fight the spread of bacteria and viruses.
The coating was developed by The University of Queensland and Boeing as a joint research project to inhibit viral agents, such as the Earth-bound coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Michael Monteiro from UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) said it was exciting to see the research go into space after years of development.
The technology has already been tested aboard Boeing's ecoDemonstrator as part of the company's Confident Travel Initiative.
Boeing's Mike Delaney said while testing continued on orbit and on Earth, the team had been encouraged by the preliminary results of the antimicrobial chemical compound.
"There is potential for broad-based applicability for a surface coating like this when used in conjunction with other measures to prevent disease transmission," Mr Delaney said.
The ISS experiment tests two identical sets of objects from aircraft—including a seatbelt buckle, fabric from airplane seats and seat belts, parts of an armrest and a tray table—with only one set receiving the antimicrobial surface coating.
Jezero crater through the eyes of Mars Express
Monday, 15 February 2021 12:00
On 18 February 2021, NASA’s Perseverance rover is expected to arrive at Jezero impact crater, the site of a former lake on Mars. The High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express has provided important context for the landing site and its surrounds.
Join the new era of exploration as an ESA astronaut
Monday, 15 February 2021 11:30
For the first time in over a decade, the European Space Agency (ESA) is seeking new astronauts to join humankind’s greatest adventure for the benefit of Earth.
Contest for Crew Dragon seat well short of fundraising goal
Monday, 15 February 2021 11:01
WASHINGTON — A competition to raffle off a seat on an upcoming Crew Dragon mission has raised only a small fraction of its goal so far, but the contest organizers say that they will continue the fundraising effort even after the contest ends.
Join the team
Monday, 15 February 2021 10:48
For the first time in over a decade, the European Space Agency is seeking new astronauts. The last selection took place in 2008-09, and resulted in these familiar faces being welcomed into the ESA Astronaut Corps: (from left) Luca Parmitano, Thomas Pesquet, Alexander Gerst, Andreas Mogesen, Tim Peake, Samantha Cristoforetti.
This class was selected following a year-long Europe-wide recruitment process that attracted 8413 valid applications. Following thorough psychological, medical and professional screening ESA’s astronaut class of 2009 became the first new recruits to join the European Astronaut Corps since 1992.
Not pictured here is ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, who was
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites, loses booster in sea
Monday, 15 February 2021 09:32
ISS Progress 77 Sets Off From Baikonur Cosmodrome
Monday, 15 February 2021 09:32
The comet that killed the dinosaurs
Monday, 15 February 2021 09:32
NASA wants to fly a helicopter on Mars for the first time
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Melting dusty ice may have carved Martian gullies
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Tuning in for a precision landing on Mars on Feb 18
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Perseverance rover lands on Mars this week
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Tianwen 1 enters Mars' polar orbit
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Slingshot Aerospace names Melanie Stricklan CEO and Gets Laser-Focused on Space Initiatives
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ISRO opens its doors to private firms
Monday, 15 February 2021 09:32