Copernical Team
Ceres may have formed in the asteroid belt
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New research by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) challenges previous assumptions about the origins of the dwarf planet Ceres. The study, published in the 'Journal of Geophysical Research Planets', reveals evidence that Ceres may have formed in the asteroid belt rather than migrating from the outer reaches of the Solar System. The key findings are based on Mars Cloud Atlas offers key insights into atmospheric dynamics
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Researchers and cloud enthusiasts now have a new resource to explore unique cloud formations on Mars. The German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Berlin has developed a comprehensive 20-year database of cloud and storm images, providing scientists with deeper insights into Martian atmospheric features. The "Mars Cloud Atlas" is now available to the public at https://hrscteam.dlr.de/public/data.php. Dan Reusable spacecraft returns to Earth after 268-day mission
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China's reusable experimental spacecraft successfully returned to Earth on Friday, following a 268-day orbital mission, as announced by the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This marks a significant step in the development of China's reusable spacecraft technologies, paving the way for more affordable and efficient space travel between Earth and outer space, according to a statement from the laun Continued success at NASA in jeopardy due to budget strains, aging infrastructure, and short-term focus
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NASA's contributions to technological innovation and its ability to inspire future STEM leaders are at risk due to critical issues related to infrastructure, budgetary mismatches, and a focus on short-term goals, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Commissioned by Congress as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the report highlight SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew complete first private spacewalk
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A pioneering private crew made history Thursday with the first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts, marking a giant leap forward for the commercial space industry.
The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, led by fintech billionaire Jared Isaacman, launched early Tuesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, journeying deeper into the cosmos than any humans in the past 50 years, since t Russia's Soyuz rocket launch to ISS called flawless for NASA veteran's first space trip in decade
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An American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts successfully launched Wednesday for a six-month mission to the International Space Station and the transition from one mission crew to another.
Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner departed Earth in a live-streamed event with NASA astronaut Don Pettit on time at 12:23 p.m. EDT aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft atop a Soy Polaris Dawn reaches 870 miles above Earth; as crew preps for first private EVA
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The Polaris Dawn mission on Tuesday reached an orbit of 870 miles above the Earth's surface, the farthest humans have been away from the planet since the 1970s.
It marked the farthest orbit of Earth since the Gemini missions during the Apollo era.
The private space mission, paid for by billionaire Jared Isaacman reached the milestone orbit on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Space Keeping mold out of future space stations
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Mold can survive the harshest of environments, so to stop harmful spores from growing on future space stations, a new study suggests a novel way to prevent its spread.
Antarctic research supports healthy space for astronauts
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Astronauts and Australian Antarctic expeditioners are working together to advance human health in space, and on Earth.
Today, four astronauts are orbiting Earth on the Polaris Dawn mission, undertaking a range of research projects to better understand the effects of long-duration spaceflight on human health.
At the same time, expeditioners and doctors at Australia's Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations are collecting data for two of the projects, involving ultrasound and body scanning technology.
Australian Antarctic Division Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jeff Ayton, said the two projects were part of a collaboration with the US-based Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH).
"Antarctic expeditioners and astronauts are both isolated, confined populations in extreme environments, doing hazardous work, dependent on technology for survival, and with limited scope for evacuation," he said.
"This makes Australia's Antarctic Program an excellent analog for understanding the risks to humans in space, and for testing and developing technologies and methodologies to reduce these risks.
Polaris Dawn project aims to prevent bone loss in space
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Dartmouth researchers have a project aboard the Polaris Dawn mission they hope will help address two major health risks of space flight—the breakdown of astronauts' bones in zero-gravity conditions and the resulting danger of developing kidney stones.
When subjected to weightlessness, bones freed from the burden of supporting the human body leach calcium. The shedding of this critical element reduces bone density and, as the calcium enters the urine, heightens the chance of painful kidney stones forming in the urinary tract.
Through Polaris Dawn, which launched from Florida on Sept. 10, researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine and Thayer School of Engineering are testing a critical element of a handheld device the team is developing that would alert crew members to high levels of calcium in their urine during space flight so they can take action.
