Daily Archives: March 31, 2022

Mark Vande Hei, a NASA astronaut, returned to Earth on Wednesday with two Russian counterparts, landing in Kazakhstan after he spent 355 days in space.

Mr. Vande Hei and his Russian crewmates, Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov, flew home together in a Russian spacecraft, guided by Russian flight controllers. After touching down on a grassy plain at 5:28 p.m. local time, or 7:28 a.m. Eastern time, Mr. Vande Hei was met by a contingent of NASA and Russian personnel, a close collaboration between the two space agencies that has continued despite Russias deadly invasion of Ukraine and the tensions it has caused between Moscow and the West.

The three men emerged in a world where cooperation between Russia and the United States to preserve the future of the International Space Station can no longer be taken for granted.

The space station was meant to be a marvel of peaceful post-Cold War amity between Moscow and Washington, drawing Russia into the community of international collaboration and preventing Russian rocket engineers from selling expertise to countries like North Korea seeking to build better missiles.

But in the past month, Russia has faced withering sanctions, condemnation and growing isolation from Western nations. President Biden harshly condemned President Vladimir V. Putin for the invasion.

NASA has tried to stay above the fray for the past month with minimal statements saying that operations on the space station are unaffected. And the astronauts say publicly that they are inclined to steer around the rupture between their governments. But the ongoing military conflict could test NASAs ability to continue working with Roscosmos, the state corporation that runs Russias space activities.

In Kazakhstan on Wednesday, the Soyuz capsule landed upright, but as often happens, winds dragged the parachute and pulled the capsule over on its side. Within half an hour, recovery teams helped all three astronauts out of the Soyuz.

After a journey of 5,680 orbits of Earth that stretched more than 150 million miles, Mr. Vande Hei was greeted by NASA flight doctors, public affairs officials and representatives from the astronauts office and the space station management.

The astronauts first sat outside, drinking tea during initial medical tests. Mr. Vande Hei smiled broadly and gave a thumbs up before putting on a protective mask. He took off a pair of sunglasses, commenting that it was a beautiful day. As he and the two Russian crew were carried into an inflatable tent for more medical checks, Mr. Vande Hei spoke with someone on a satellite phone.

Following their stay in the tents, the astronauts were to take a two-hour flight on Russian helicopters to the city of Karaganda. There Mr. Vande Hei and the American delegation were expected to a board a NASA Gulfstream jet and head back to the United States, with one stop in Germany for refueling.

While NASA and Roscomos worked together Wednesday to bring their crew members back from orbit, their cooperation was preceded in recent weeks by bellicose outbursts from Dmitry Rogozin, who leads the Russian space program. He shared a video on Twitter that suggested the Russians might leave Mr. Vande Hei behind.

NASA officials have carefully sidestepped what Mr. Rogozin has said and insisted that nothing has changed.

For the safety of our astronauts, the working relationship between NASA and our international partners continues, Bill Nelson, the NASA administrator, said during his State of NASA speech on Monday. And that includes the professional relationship between the cosmonauts and our astronauts.

On Tuesday, Mr. Shkaplerov, one of the returning Russian astronauts, turned over command of the space station to Tom Marshburn of NASA. We are one crew, Mr. Shkaplerov said during the ceremony, which ended with hugs.

While NASA remains mum, Scott Kelly, a retired astronaut who held the record for consecutive days in space by an American until Mr. Vande Hei passed it recently, feuded on Twitter this month with Mr. Rogozin. He stopped at NASAs request.

Outside of the space station, Russian and European cooperation has all but collapsed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European Space Agency postponed a rover mission to Mars because it relied on a Russian rocket. And a British satellite internet company, OneWeb, canceled a series of launches that used Russias Soyuz rockets, shifting some of them to SpaceX rockets. Russia also said it would cease cooperative science experiments with Germany conducted on the Russian part of the space station. A German astronaut, Matthias Maurer, is currently a member of the crew.

March 31, 2022, 1:12 a.m. ET

Orbital construction of the International Space Station, a cooperative venture between the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada, began in 1998 with the launch of the module Zarya. Financed by NASA and built by Russia, it is actually part of the NASA-led half of the space station reflecting American foreign policy at the time, which sought to sustain Russias space program during the economic tumult after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russian and American astronauts permanently moved into the fledging space station on Nov. 2, 2000, and it has been continuously occupied by rotating crews of astronauts ever since.

The Russian and NASA-led segments of the station are separate but tightly connected. The Russians rely on American solar panels for power while Russian cargo ships provide periodic boosts to keep the station from falling into the atmosphere. It is not really an operation that you can separate and go your own way, said Joel Montalbano, the program manager for the space station at NASA, during a news conference a couple of weeks ago.

Mr. Montalbano said of the conflict in Ukraine, Were aware of whats going on, but we are able to do our jobs to continue operations.

The astronauts also may be circumspect when talking with one another in orbit. In February, before Russian troops entered Ukraine, Mr. Vande Hei told KARE, a Minnesota television station, that the crew got along fantastically and that Ukraine was not a frequent topic of conversation.

All I can say is we havent talked about that too much, Mr. Vande Hei said. Im not sure we really want to go there.

But Mr. Kelly, who spent 340 days on the space station in 2015 and 2016, said that if he were still in orbit, he would likely discuss the conflict with his Russian counterparts.

Russia moved into Syria when were there, he said in an interview. He and his Russian crewmates even talked about the possibility of direct armed conflict between the United States and Russia but it was at an abstract, not personal level.

Putins advisers. U.S. intelligence suggests that President Vladimir V. Putin has been misinformed by his advisersabout the Russian militarys struggles in Ukraine. The intelligence shows what appears to be growing tension between Mr. Putin and the Ministry of Defense, U.S. officials said.

We all recognizee what was important to us at that time was supporting each other, Mr. Kelly said. Literally relying on each other for our lives if the situation warranted.

In an interview recorded last week but streamed on NASA Television on Wednesday, Mr. Vande Hei referred indirectly to the war in Ukraine.

This is a very challenging time for international relations, Mr. Vande Hei said. My hope is that in our attempt to further and find peace throughout the world, that these type of connections that we have can be maintained and serve as a path forward.

April will be a busy month of comings and goings at the space station. As early as April 6, private company, Axiom Space of Houston, will lead three space tourists to the orbital lab. They paid $55 million each for the experience.

Later in April, another crew of four astronauts three from NASA, one from Italy are to launch on SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket to the space station.

The longer-term future of the International Space Station remains unclear. The current agreement between the partner nations extends through 2024. NASA would like to extend operations until 2030 as it tries to support companies that want to launch future commercial outposts in orbit. Russia has not agreed to the extension, suggesting that it might want to set off on its own instead. It may also seek to collaborate with China in space.

However, it is unclear how much Roscosmos can do with limited financing that will get tighter as it cuts off contracts from foreign countries.

Russia also no longer brings in money flying NASA astronauts to orbit. For nearly a decade after the space shuttle was retired, Russias Soyuz was the only way Americans could get to and from the space station. NASA now uses on SpaceXs Crew Dragon capsule, and a second spacecraft by Boeing, Starliner, could start flying astronauts late this year.

NASA would still like to fly some of its astronauts on the Soyuz, but instead of paying for the flights, it wants to trade seats on the American spacecraft for Russian astronauts. While Russian astronauts are still training in Houston, NASA and Roscosmos have not yet completed an agreement for such a swapping of seats. And negotiations have been slowed by other U.S.-Russian disputes, including the aftermath of a Russian antisatellite weapon test in November.

Mr. Vande Hei and his Russian crewmates wont only be adjusting to the worlds changing geopolitics. It might take a little while to get used to gravity again.

Youre nauseous, said Mr. Kelly, recalling own his recovery after nearly a year of floating. Youre dizzy, youre tired. Youre sore.

Mr. Kelly said the most striking effects were in his cardiovascular system, with blood and fluid pooling in his lower legs.

I cant speak for everyone else, but that was the most troubling thing he said. Standing up and just physically seeing your ankles get like twice as big.

The rest is here:
On the Space Station, U.S. and Russian Astronauts Steer Around the War in Ukraine - The New York Times

The perils of space flight often seem as boundless as the universe around us. From blastoff to splashdown, astronauts are exposed to a withering array of health hazards, including exposure to cosmic radiation, loss of muscle mass, lowered immunity, high blood pressure and increased risk of infections that can have lingering effects.

Yet even after more than 60 years of manned space exploration, much remains unknown about the long-term effects of space travel on humans. In hopes of answering one of the key outstanding questions about space biology, University of Utah Health scientists, in collaboration with NASA, are preparing to launch an experiment to the International Space Station (ISS) that will evaluate the effects of space travel on bone marrow cells, called megakaryocytes, and their daughter cells circulating in the blood, called platelets. Platelets curb bleeding and help dampen the effect of infectious diseases. The payload is being developed and could be ready for launch within the next year.

PHOTO CREDIT: University of Utah Health

Hans Schwertz and Matthew Rondina are leading the effort to prepare a University of Utah Health experiment for delivery to the International Space Station.

The study, one of 10 space biology research projects selected by NASA in 2021, could help amplify scientific understanding of how human bodies respond, adapt, and acclimate to space, says Matthew Rondina, professor of internal medicine and pathology at U of U Health and a study co-investigator along with principal investigator, Hans Schwertz, an adjunct professor of family and preventive medicine at U of U Health who practices at the Billings Clinic in Bozeman, Montana.

This unique research will not only provide vital information about how to protect future space travelers from the potentially harmful effects of altered megakaryocyte function and platelet activity during and after long-term space travel, but it could also have important implications for health care here on Earth, Rondina says. What we learn from this experiment could broaden our understanding of what role megakaryocytes and platelets have in inflammation, wound healing, immunity and tissue regeneration. This knowledge could potentially lead to new treatments for a host of autoimmune diseases and other disorders.

Every adult has about 3 trillion platelets floating around in the blood stream. These cells not only form blood clots in response to bleeding but also are natural sources of growth factors and other substances important for maintaining healthy tissue. Previous studies have suggested that weightlessness, exposure to cosmic radiation and the psychological stress of space flight can alter platelet activity, increasing the risk of hemorrhages and slow wound healing. In addition, scientists found that astronauts working on the ISS had an increased risk of blood clot formation.

To better understand this phenomenon, Schwertz, Rondina and colleagues will explore how space flight might disrupt the function of megakaryocytes that are responsible for the production of platelets. They theorize that space travel could induce genetic changes in megakaryocytes that could impair platelet production, blood counts and function.

The three-stage experiment consists of:

The NASA-funded study could lead to better understanding of how platelet activity can go awry in space, why inadvertent blood clots form in space crews and how long these effects linger after space travelers return to Earth, Schwertz says.

The researchers have begun the ground-based experiments at U of U Health. Moving forward, they will work with NASA to establish flight hardware assessments and prepare for the launch of the experiment to the ISS, which could take up to a year.

When you dive into it, it can seem to be overwhelming, Schwertz says. All the experiments must be precisely set up for space, which is a totally unforgiving environment. But at the same time, we must think about why we are doing this. Its for the astronauts and how we can protect them better.

Continued here:
U of U Health experiment prepared for launch to International Space Station | @theU - @theU

ZIN Technologies, headquartered in Middleburg Heights, will expand and add 125 new jobs. ZIN is a provider of advanced engineering and product development services for NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense and private industry. The State of Ohio has awarded a Job Creation Tax Credit to facilitate ZIN adding 125 new positions to the 191 engineers and scientists currently located in Middleburg Heights. The expansion is the result of ZIN Technologies being among a team of companies working on the first free-flying commercial space station, called Starlab.

Mayor Matthew J. Castelli commented on the announcement, Middleburg Heights City government regularly collaborates with ZIN Technologies to ensure the companys continued success in our community, and we are excited that this growth opportunity in the commercial space market will bring new investment and jobs to Middleburg Heights and the State of Ohio.

Read the full press release opens in a new windowhereopens PDF file .

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ZIN Technologies Commercial Space Station Project to Add Jobs in Middleburg Height - Middleburg Heights

"I feel like I just made a once-in-a-lifetime image."Slam Zoom

The shots of stuff in space that you can get with a high quality telescope these days are incredible. For a gobstopping example, look no further than German astrophotographer Sebastian Voltmer, who managed to snap a photo of the International Space Station in which, amazingly, you can actually make out two astronauts clambering on its exterior during a spacewalk last week.

I feel like I just made a once in a life time image, Voltmer wrote of the image. Its probably the first ground based picture showing two spacewalkers on the ISS at the same time.

Heres the shot:

The unbelievable shot shows NASA astronaut Raja Chari and and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer during a spacewalk last week. Voltmer says that the image was captured using a C11 EdgeHD telescope (and you can check out more of his space photography here.)

During the spacewalk of the two astronauts [Raja Chari] and [Matthias Maurer] the International Space Station appeared shortly after sunset in the bright evening sky over Germany, he wrote. This image of the ISS was taken on March 23, 2022.

Weve seen a lot of incredible space images over at Futurism but in terms of a shot takenfrom the ground, this ones going to be tough to beat.

More on space photography: Awesome Photo Shows James Webb Space Telescope in Deep Space Home

Care about supporting clean energy adoption? Find out how much money (and planet!) you could save by switching to solar power at UnderstandSolar.com. By signing up through this link, Futurism.com may receive a small commission.

Read the rest here:
Guy Snaps Photo of Space Station So Detailed You Can See Spacewalking Astronauts on Exterior - Futurism

Does Astronomy, space and the beyond fascinate you? Of course it does, you would not have clicked and started reading. I studied astronomy and astrophysics in school and used to get lost in time stargazing, studying and learning about what is beyond earths atmosphere. Being an astronaut is, or at least used to be a pretty classic answer for most kids when asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Even though most of us didn't become astronauts ourselves we can admire those that did make the childhood dream come true.

NASA has a Spot the Station website that tracks the International Space Station as it travels around the globe. "Watch the International Space Station pass overhead from several thousand worldwide locations. It is the third brightest object in the sky and easy to spot if you know when to look up. Visible to the naked eye, it looks like a fast-moving plane only much higher and traveling thousands of miles an hour faster!"

They share where it can be easily seen from the sky, when and over what cities. Well Boise, The International Space Station just became visible over our skies starting and will be able to be spotted until April 12th.

According to spotthestation.com/nasa.gov, "All sightings will occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset. This is the optimum viewing period as the sun reflects off the space station and contrasts against the darker sky."

Here are the best times and if you have a telescope the best positions in the sky to set it for maximum visibility.

Nikki West

Did you know we have a home grown Idaho Astronaut who has been to the International Space Shuttle? James F. Reilly fromMountain Homewent on three space shuttle missions during his career from 1994 to 2008. According to theNASA website, "These missions included the transport of important equipment for other stations, the retrieval of astronauts from different expeditions, and performing construction and repair on the International Space Station."

A look at all of the space shuttles that served our nation.

This is not only one of the most incredible homes in Idaho, this Sun Valley home has been hailed as one of the most unique and breathtaking in the world. With it's incredible design, attention to detail and full blown livable cement bunker like home, photos of this masterpiece are worth checking out.

Read more here:
See The International Space Station Over Boise Now Through April 12th, Here's How - KIDO Talk Radio

An Israeli company will test its equipment on astronauts in space expected next week during a SpaceX flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

The company Brain.Space has been developing methods to study brain activity for four years.

The company said on Monday that three astronauts on the planned private space firm Axiom Spaces mission to the ISS will wear its devices. The equipment will be a head covering, or helmet, that can record electrical brain activity through a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG).

The 10-day mission is the first private trip to the space station. The launch is set for April 3 with four astronauts.

Brain.Space Chief Executive is Yair Levy. He told Reuters scientists know that a low-gravity environment affects the way the body works. He said that such an environment will probably also affect the brain. He said his company would like to study that.

Levy said that data has continuously been collected on heart rate, skin resistance, and muscle mass through measurements in space but not brain activity.

Brain.Spaces effort joins 30 experiments that will be included in the so-called Rakia Mission to the ISS.

Three of the four astronauts, including Israeli Eytan Stibbe, will wear the special helmet. The device has 460 points that connect to the top of the head. It performs a number of functions for 20 minutes a day. During that time, data will be sent to a computer on the space station. The company said one of these jobs, called the visual oddball, has been effective at finding unusual brain activity.

Similar studies using these functions have been completed on Earth. After the mission, Brain.Space will compare the EEG data to look for any differences in brain activity between Earth and space.

Company officials say such experiments are needed because long-term space exploration and off-world living are within grasp.

Brain.Space said it raised $8.5 million in investments. It describes itself as a brain infrastructure company.

Brain.Space is working with the brain sciences department at Israels Ben Gurion University to turn huge amounts of data into useful knowledge. Levy said he hoped the space mission would help organizations, researchers, and computer program developers.

"Space is an accelerator. The idea is to revolutionize and make possible brain activity apps, products and services that's as easy as pulling data from an Apple Watch," Levy said. He said measuring mental health disorders like ADHD could be a possible goal.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Steven Scheer reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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mission n. a flight by an aircraft or spacecraft to perform a specific task

function n. the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used

grasp n. the ability to get or find something

infrastructure n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly

accelerate v. to quicken the progress or development of something

revolutionize v. to change (something) very much or completely

app n. a computer program that performs a special function

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Israeli Company to Measure Brain Activity on Space Mission to ISS - VOA Learning English