Artificial gravity reduces spaceflight’s health toll in fruit fly tests

Microgravity wreaks havoc on the bodies of astronauts, which is bad news given humanity’s space-bound ambitions. A NASA experiment housing fruit flies on the International Space Station has now shown that artificial gravity can help reduce some of thos… Continue reading Artificial gravity reduces spaceflight’s health toll in fruit fly tests

Moon caves may offer year-round jeans-and-jacket temperatures

The Moon isn’t the most hospitable place, but that’s not stopping NASA from sending humans back there soon. Thankfully, an orbiter has now found a region of the Moon with year-round jeans-and-jacket weather – underground caves.Continue ReadingCategory:… Continue reading Moon caves may offer year-round jeans-and-jacket temperatures

EEG earbud is made to monitor astronauts’ sleep patterns on the ISS

Sleeping while wired up with a full EEG cap would be hard enough here on Earth, but can you imagine trying to do so in the zero-gravity environment of outer space? It could be quite awkward, which is why an earbud has been designed to serve the same pu… Continue reading EEG earbud is made to monitor astronauts’ sleep patterns on the ISS

Astronauts found to destroy 54 percent more red blood cells in space

A study claimed to be the first of its kind has shed new light on the dangers posed by spaceflight, and the impacts on red blood counts for astronauts on long-duration missions. The research deepens our knowledge around a condition known as “space anem… Continue reading Astronauts found to destroy 54 percent more red blood cells in space

Body-sucking sleeping bag may help protect astronauts’ vision

When astronauts stay in outer space for extended periods, they frequently develop a vision problem known as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Scientists are now trying to keep that from happening, via an experimental vacuum-sealed sl… Continue reading Body-sucking sleeping bag may help protect astronauts’ vision

Brain damage biomarkers detected in cosmonauts after long space jaunts

Striking new research investigating blood samples taken from Russian cosmonauts before and after long stints on the International Space Station (ISS) has revealed significant elevations of several biomarkers that could indicate brain damage. The study … Continue reading Brain damage biomarkers detected in cosmonauts after long space jaunts

Future astronauts may be able to pull water and oxygen from lunar soil

If there are two things that are essential to human life, they’re water and oxygen – neither of which are easily available on the moon. Thanks to a new technique, though, astronauts may someday be able to harvest those elements from lunar soil.Continue… Continue reading Future astronauts may be able to pull water and oxygen from lunar soil

Chinese astronauts return after a record-breaking 90 days in space

In another landmark moment for China’s fledgling space exploration program, three astronauts sent to work on the country’s under-development space station safely returned to Earth on Friday, after spending three months in orbit. Their successful touchd… Continue reading Chinese astronauts return after a record-breaking 90 days in space

Revised FAA rules put Branson and Bezos’ astronaut wings in doubt

Are Sir Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos astronauts? Though both billionaires flew to at least the edge of space, they may not qualify for official astronaut wings. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released revised rules for its Commercial Sp… Continue reading Revised FAA rules put Branson and Bezos’ astronaut wings in doubt