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Category Archives: Space Station

Space News: Space station research shows that hardy little space travelers could colonize Mars

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In the movies, humans often fear invaders from Mars. These days, scientists are more concerned about invaders to Mars, in the form of micro-organisms from Earth.

Three recent scientific papers examined the risks of interplanetary exchange of organisms using research from the International Space Station.

All three, Survival of Rock-Colonizing Organisms After 1.5 Years in Outer Space, Resistance of Bacterial Endospores to Outer Space for Planetary Protection Purposes and Survival of Bacillus Pumilus Spores for a Prolonged Period of Time in Real Space Conditions, have appeared in Astrobiology Journal.

Organisms hitching a ride on a spacecraft have the potential to contaminate other celestial bodies, making it difficult for scientists to determine whether a life form existed on another planet or was introduced there by explorers. So its important to know what types of micro-organisms from Earth can survive on a spacecraft or landing vehicle.

Currently, spacecraft landing on Mars or other planets where life might exist must meet requirements for a maximum allowable level of microbial life, or bioburden. These acceptable levels were based on studies of how various life forms survive exposure to the rigors associated with space travel.

If you are able to reduce the numbers to acceptable levels, a proxy for cleanliness, the assumption is that the life forms will not survive under harsh space conditions, explained Kasthuri J. Venkateswaran, a researcher with the Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a co-author on all three papers.

That assumption may not hold up, though, as recent research has shown that some microbes are hardier than expected, and others may use various protective mechanisms to survive interplanetary flights.

Spore-forming bacteria are of particular concern because spores can withstand certain sterilization procedures and may best be able to survive the harsh environments of outer space or planetary surfaces.

Spores of Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 have shown especially high resistance to techniques used to clean spacecraft, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation and peroxide treatment.

When researchers exposed this hardy organism to a simulated Mars environment that kills standard spores in 30 seconds, it survived 30 minutes.

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Space News: Space station research shows that hardy little space travelers could colonize Mars

Space Station study seeks how plants sense 'up' and 'down'

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On Earth, we take for granted that a plant grows up and its roots grow down. In space, however, this seemingly predictable formula is upended. How do plants sense "up" and "down" where those relative positions don't exist?

The Biotube-MICRO investigation that recently arrived to the International Space Station aims to investigate, and what it finds could have big implications for long-duration human spaceflight.

The study was delivered to the space station April 20 aboard a Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft. It's one of several science payloads on the SpaceX-3 mission, the company's third contracted commercial resupply flight to the orbiting laboratory.

"What we learn from this experiment will help us grow plants in space, because right now, roots grow in random directions due to the lack of gravity," explained Ralph Fritsche, a payload manager with the International Space Station Ground Processing and Research Project Office at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "It will also provide fundamental understanding of plant biology that benefits us on Earth."

Biotube-MICRO will help scientists understand how gravity guides plants into growing correctly. Since starch grains in plant cells react to magnetic fields, the study uses extremely strong magnets to try to influence the direction of root growth. If the root curves away from the magnet, it's an indication that plants can use magnetic fields, rather than the downward pull of gravity, to determine which way to grow.

The full name of the project is Biotube-Magnetophoretically Induced Curvature in Roots. Developed by the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, it contains three magnetic field chambers, each of which carries eight cassettes holding 10 Brassica rapa seeds. Brassica rapa is a quick-growing plant also known as field mustard.

Aboard the space station, resident crew members will install the Biotube-MICRO investigation in a standard payload rack, turn it on, and complete a startup sequence.

The study itself is completely automated. A small amount of water will be injected into each seed cassette, prompting the seeds to germinate. Small cameras will record the plants' growth and send these images to scientists on Earth, so they can decide when to conclude the study. At that point, application of either formaldehyde or RNAlater will stop the growth and preserve the seedlings.

"We don't need a lot of growth. We'll have a seed the size of a BB, and a root maybe an inch long," Fritsche said.

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Space Station study seeks how plants sense 'up' and 'down'

Ireland’s first secondary school experiment in space: Final Space Experiment – Video

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Ireland #39;s first secondary school experiment in space: Final Space Experiment
This video was taken at St. Nessan #39;s Community College in Limerick, showing the students working on their space research project that will be sent to the International Space Station on the...

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Ireland's first secondary school experiment in space: Final Space Experiment - Video

New Animated Series Space Racers Launches Nationwide with Technical Consulting from NASA

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Maryland Public Television (MPT), the presenting station forSpace Racers, is pleased to announce the official launch of this new, educational animated series with technical consulting from NASA. Early reports indicate a majority of public television stations have expressed interest in airingSpace Racersin the coming months. Public television stations in the top markets that will be airing Space Racers starting in May include:Los Angeles(KCET, KVCR),Dallas(KERA),Washington D.C./Baltimore(MPT),Houston(Houston Public Media, TV 8),Detroit(WTVS, Detroit Public TV),Seattle(KCTS 9),Miami(WRLN Channel 17),Denver(Rocky Mountain PBS),Orlando(WEFS-TV),Pittsburgh(WQED),Salt Lake City(KUED),West Palm Beach(WXEL PBS For the Palm Beaches),Charlotte/South Carolina(ETV),Alabama(APT),Norfolk(WHRO),Arkansas(AETN),New Orleans(WLAE),Providence(WSBE) and many more. If your state is not included, contact your localpublic television stationto find out when it will air in your area.

The officialSpace Racerswebsite,www.SpaceRacers.org, created by WNET in conjunction with Siite, recently launched and includes out-of-this-world features like videos, space games and tools for little scientists to explore the solar system. An exclusive section for parents and educators encompasses family activities and lesson plans based on an early-childhood STEM curriculum. Educational materials created specifically for use in local classrooms will be available on the site.

Science Museums and NASA Visitor Centers around the country will host screening events to celebrate the premiere and support the series launch locally.The Maryland Science Center, a partner in the series' live educational interstitials, hosted an exclusive screening of the series in early April. Children were treated to a first hand-account of the show's development from the Executive Producer and heard from NASA scientists about their involvement in the creation ofSpace Racers. Several launch events are being held in partnership with NASA including the Space Center Houston onMay 4, The California Science Center inLos AngelesonMay 29and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center inHuntsville, ALon June 1. Other upcoming events include aMay 3screening at the Clark Planetarium inSalt Lake City, aMay 8screening at the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum inWashington D.C., and aMay 10screening at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Denver.

The Virginia Air & Space Center is collaborating with theSpace Racersteam to develop an interactive space exploration exhibit for their preschool-aged visitors. The audience will experience the science behind space exploration including living, working and playing in space. The branded Space Racers-themed exhibit debuts in summer 2014 and will include theSpaceRacerscharacters and showcase video content from the show.

"We are thrilled and delighted at the reception ofSpace Racers. The station's reactions have been phenomenal and we are really excited about the pick-up of the show thus far," saysRichard SchweigerExecutive Producer and Creator ofSpace Racers. "Working on a Space Racers Museum exhibit with the Virginia Air & Space Center is exactly what we could hope for in terms of marrying our characters to science and space education. And nothing is more pleasing then seeing the response of the children attending our events when they see Eagle, Hawk, Robyn and the rest of theSpace Racerscrew for the very first time. We are pleased to be giving our fans this special treat."

"Maryland Public Television is very pleased with the overwhelming response we are receiving from public television stations around the country," adds MPT Chief Content OfficerSteven Schupak. "When we first spoke with Richard and theSpace Racersteam three years ago, we knew this series was something special. We are also very pleased to work on the live-action interstitials with Richard and his creative animation team."

Viewers that would enjoy seeing this series in their area are encouraged to contact their local Public Television Station to express interest inSpace Racers.Public TV stations can be located through the online station finder at this web link:http://www.aptonline.org/aptweb.nsf/vViewers/Index-Stations+Near+You

About Space Race, LLCFounded in 2010 Space Race, LLC is based inNew Yorkspecializing in children's programming and educational entertainment. Space Race, LLC aims to provide high-quality kids content for television, websites, gaming activities, and educational curricula.

About MPTLaunched in 1969 and headquartered inOwings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). MPT's six transmitters coverMarylandplus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Frequent winner of regional Emmy awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows. Beyond broadcast, MPT's commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is manifest in its year-round instructional events and super-websiteThinkportwhich garners in excess of 1.4 million visits annually.

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New Animated Series Space Racers Launches Nationwide with Technical Consulting from NASA

Space Engineers Let’s Play (Survival Mode/S-1) -E07- Starting the Space Station [Gameplay Tutorial] – Video

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Space Engineers Let #39;s Play (Survival Mode/S-1) -E07- Starting the Space Station [Gameplay Tutorial]
Playlist Season 1: http://goo.gl/HuDJp1 Feel like Subscribing?: https://www.youtube.com/user/Kage848 --------------------------------------------------------...

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Space Engineers Let's Play (Survival Mode/S-1) -E07- Starting the Space Station [Gameplay Tutorial] - Video

SpaceX’s Reusable 1st Stage Test — Video Footage Badly Damaged – Video

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SpaceX #39;s Reusable 1st Stage Test -- Video Footage Badly Damaged
The private space company launched its Dragon capsule on a NASA cargo delivery run to Space Station on April 18th. The Falcon 9 #39;s first stage deployed it #39;s landing gear and touched the water...

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SpaceX's Reusable 1st Stage Test -- Video Footage Badly Damaged - Video


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