Category Archives: Space Travel

They will conduct 14 scientific experiments in microgravity that will help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans to explore space further

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By SPA

Published: Mon 15 May 2023, 9:27 AM

The launch of the Saudi mission to space is scheduled for May 21, 2023. On this day, Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut, and Ali AlQarni will travel to the International Space Station.

The mission is part of the Kingdom's astronauts' program, launched on September 22 last year. The mission represents Saudi Arabia's ambitions in space research and is part of the goals of Vision 2030.

The Saudi space mission will launch from the United States and, more importantly, marks a historic moment for the Kingdom. The astronauts will conduct 14 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity that will help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans to explore space further.

The results will advance the Kingdom's global position in space exploration, aiming to serve humanity better. It will support Saudi research centres and have a scientific impact on future space exploration.

The astronauts will also conduct three educational awareness experiments with 12,000 Saudi students via live feed.

This mission, once accomplished, places the Kingdom as one of the few countries that will have had two astronauts simultaneously on board the International Space Station. Its success will enhance the Kingdom's global position in space exploration and service to humanity.

It will represent a milestone for the Saudi astronaut program. The program is designed to prepare future astronauts and engineers for space through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions, achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

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Saudi space mission to launch on May 21, first Arab woman astronaut to embark on historic journey to ISS - wknd.

RIYADH The Saudi mission to space will take off from the United States on schedule, it was announced here.

Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut, and Ali Al-Qarni will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, May 21.

The mission is part of the Kingdoms astronauts program, which was launched on Sept. 22 last year. The mission represents Saudi Arabias ambitions in space research and is part of the goals of Vision 2030.

The Saudi space mission will launch from the United States and, more importantly, mark a historical moment for the Kingdom.

The astronauts will conduct 14 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity that will help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans to further explore space.

The results will advance the Kingdom's global position in space exploration, with the ultimate aim of better serving humanity.

It will support Saudi research centers and will have a scientific impact on future space exploration.

The astronauts will also conduct three educational awareness experiments with 12,000 Saudi students via live feed.

This mission, once accomplished, will place the Kingdom as one of the few countries that will have had two astronauts simultaneously on board the International Space Station.

Its success will enhance the Kingdom's global position within the field of space exploration and service to humanity.

It will represent a milestone for the Saudi astronaut program.

The program is designed to prepare future astronauts and space engineers through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions. SG

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Saudi astronauts to launch space mission on May 21 - Saudi Gazette

The Kingdoms first ever astronauts Ali al-Qarni and Rayyanah Barnawi. (SPA)

Tamara Abueish, Al Arabiya English

Published: 15 May ,2023: 08:53 AM GST Updated: 15 May ,2023: 09:02 AM GST

Saudi Arabias first space mission is scheduled to launch on May 21, with the Kingdoms first ever astronauts Ali al-Qarni and Rayyanah Barnawi the first Arab Muslim female astronaut on board, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) confirmed on Sunday.

The two astronauts are set to travel to the International Space Station, the report said.

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The Saudi space mission, which marks a historical moment for the Kingdom, will launch from the United States.

NASA Space Operations had earlier this month said the mission would launch no later than May 21 after delays.

The astronauts will conduct 14 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity that will help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans to further explore space, SPA reported.

The astronauts will also conduct three educational awareness experiments with 12,000 Saudi students via a live feed.

The results are expected to not only advance the Kingdoms global position in space exploration, but also support Saudi research centers and have a scientific impact on future space exploration.

Once accomplished, the mission places the Kingdom as one of the few countries that will have had two astronauts simultaneously on board the International Space Station.

The Kingdoms astronauts program was launched in September 2022 and falls under Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 goals to advance space research, according to SPA.

The program is designed to prepare future astronauts and engineers for space through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research, and future space-related missions.

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First Saudi space mission to launch on May 21 with Kingdoms first astronauts - Al Arabiya English

Flights from Sydney to London in two hours will be possible during the next decade by travelling through space, a new study said.

Suborbital space flights, where passengers would be briefly launched into space before descending to their final destination, would slash the current 22 hours flying time from Sydney to the British capital.

While suborbital fights are currently marketed to wealthy space tourists and scientists, research by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, suggests they could become commercial within 10 years.

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But in addition to their hefty price tag one ticket aboard Virgin Galactic's space tours costs more than $650,000 suborbital flying also impacts the human body.

When a person is launched up to 100kms into space at G-force speed, gravitational forces are placed on the body when they leave and return to Earth's lower atmosphere.

These forces, the study said, create a heavy sensation on the chest, making it more difficult to breathe, and can reduce the intake of oxygen, affect the rhythm of the heart and lead blood to pool away from the brain.

The research was conducted by King's College London and used technology provided by the UK's Royal Air Force to recreate the G-forces on 24 space travel participants.

It found most people can handle space travel without major health impacts.

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Older people could potentially withstand the strains of suborbital flights better than younger, fitter travellers, because they generally have slightly "stiffer arteries" which could reduce the pooling of blood away from the brain.

The space flights experiments also caused a temporary loss of vision in 88 per cent of participants.

People with heart or lung conditions, or obesity, could be at greater risk from suborbital flying, the researchers said.

But pre-flight safety checks may need to be tweaked to take account of the potential health impacts.

The study suggested space travel hopefuls should undergo centrifuge testing before they board their flights.

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Flying in space would slash Sydney to London journey time to just two hours - 9News

New research from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suggests that flights from Sydney to London could be reduced by around 20 hours by travelling through space.

The experts say that these suborbital flights could be commercialised in the next decade, meaning passengers will be able to navigate the globe in less time than it takes to fly across Australia.

Currently, it takes a whopping 22 hours to fly from Sydney to London but with advances in suborbital space flights, this could become just a few hours.

Suborbital flights entail passengers being launched into space for a short period before descending to the desired location an out-of-this-world shortcut.

These types of flights have been popularised in recent years, such as those offered by Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic.

Currently, space tourists pay around 350,000 per seat making it easy to understand why most passengers opt for the slower but significantly cheaper option.

However, regulators have predicted these prices will soon plummet like a rocket reentering the atmosphere, eventually making this intergalactic flight option more viable.

In their recent study, CAA employed The UKs Royal Air Force technology to recreate the G-forces experienced in suborbital flights on 24 participants.

The results showed that most people could handle space travel without suffering severe health outcomes although a temporary loss of vision was experienced by 88% of participants.

Additionally, people with prior health and lung conditions or obesity could be at an increased risk of poor health outcomes.

Interestingly, due to their stiffer arteries older people may cope better with the effect of space travel than younger people.

Speaking on the findings, Paul Kostek, IEEE senior member and advisory systems engineer with Air Direct Solutions, outlined the critical steps required to grow the space tourism industry and ensure that rapid flights from Sydney to London become a reality.

Kostek explained: The advent of space tourism is very much upon us. However, for space tourism to become an established industry, private companies must be able to achieve a return on investment.

This will come, in part, from the development of reusable space technology, such as launch vehicles that will improve turn-around times and drop costs for crew and materials, so private companies wont have to reinvent the wheel for every space holiday or venture such as these.

The broader plan is to pave the way for commercial companies into space, with the hope that the private industry will help to influence the future of space technologies or even, one day, provide rocket-powered holidays in space.

Space tourism will likely grow over the next few decades and reach a level similar to current commercial air travel. As this announcement implies, companies are already exploring the use of rockets for commercial travel between continents, with a high cost for a quick trip.

In future, prices will need to decrease, and there will need to be more availability with backing from the likes of NASA, which will provide more people with the opportunity to see the Earth from lower Earth orbit and increase humanitys awareness of the planet as a shared place.

There will also need to be more space vehicles, launch facilities and spaceports. Whether launching tourists or satellites into space, increasing the number of spaceports will grow the space travel business and open up a number of opportunities.

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Flights from Sydney to London take two hours with outer space ... - Innovation News Network

The Muslim worlds fascination with space exploration has sparked discussions on its religious legitimacy, prompting debates on the permissibility of such endeavours. Muslim countries, such as Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Pakistan, and Turkey, have developed their own space programmes, launched satellites, and are planning to send Muslim astronauts into space, in consultation with Islamic scholars. Islamic rulings on space activities for Muslim countries are not uniform or authoritative but rather a dynamic process that depends on the opinions of various scholars and organizations. Some scholars argue that space exploration is permissible as long as it does not harm Gods creation or violate Islamic principles. The issue of space tourism has emerged, with non-binding legal opinions or fatwas being issued to assist Muslim astronauts in observing their faith in space.

Some scholars believe that certain space activities are prohibited (haram), and they cite the Quranic verse Dont kill yourself with your own hands (Quran 2:195) considering space-related activities, especially space tourism, as equivalent to self-harm. They argue that partaking in space tourism involves risk andviolates the self-preservation principle, or the duty to protect oneself from damage.Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, has stated that space tourism is not permissible as it involves unnecessary risk and extravagance. Another Saudi Arabian Islamic scholar, Sheikh Al-Habib Ali Al-Jifri, has expressed the opinion that space tourism violates the sanctity of life and wastes resources that could be better used for the benefit of humanity.

In 2014, a fatwa council in the United Arab Emirates issued a ruling denouncing participation in the Mars One project, after the thousands of applications from Muslims desiring a one-way trip to the RedPlanet. The endeavour, according to the council, would be suicidal and go against Islamic values because it would imperil human life and ruin Gods creation by leaving space debris. Despite this fatwa, the Hope spacecraft was successfully launched to Mars by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency on July 19, 2020. As part of the Mars 2117 project to construct a human settlement on the Red Planet, the orbiter successfully arrived at Mars on February 9, 2021, after completing a Mars orbit insertion maneuver that lasted for around 27 minutes. The UAE is the only Muslim-Arab nation to achieve this, and the sixth nation worldwide (after the US, Russia, China, and India).

The alternative school of thought holds that space travel is permissible if it does not conflict with ones ability to engage in religious practises like fasting, prayer, or the right position of the Qibla. Experts have agreed that Muslims should continue to pray and fast even while they are in space. They have developed a few methods, such as utilising a digital compass or aligning the spacecraft with the position of the Earth, for detecting the direction of the Qibla, the direction Muslims face while praying.

In 2007, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian astronaut, was able to perform Islamic rituals such as prayer and fasting during his time in space. Sheikh Saleh Al Fawzan a Saudi Arabian scholar, has also affirmed the permissibility of prayer and fasting in space, provided that space travel does not violate Islamic principles. Interestingly, the first Arab astronaut, Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman, also performed Islamic rituals such as reading the Quran, praying, and fasting during his space mission in 1985. He described this experience as enhancing his closeness with the Almighty.

Islam encourages individuals to research new things, explore the world, and increase their knowledge. There are numerous verses and hadiths in the Quran and the Sunna (the teachings and customs of the Prophet Muhammad) that exhort Muslims to seek knowledge and wisdom, and use their intellect and reason to explore the signs of Allah in the cosmos. For example, Allah says in the Quran: O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority [from Allah] (Quran 55:33).

The human race is encouraged by this verse from the Quranto explore the cosmos beyond the spheres of the heavens and the earth. The verse implies that if we are capable of going beyond these realms, we should do so. It emphasises the necessity of acting within the confines of what is allowed according to Islamic beliefs while simultaneously embracing the quest for scientific and technical development. Allah has given humans the ability and permission to explore and travel to outer space. In another verse, And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed, in that are signs for people who reason (Quran 16:12).

This verse from Surah An-Nahl highlights Allahscreationandcontrol of the entire universe, including all of its elements, such as the stars, sun, and moon. It emphasises the vastness and intricacy of the universe, urging humansto explore and appreciate its wonders. The verse also underlines the significance of using our reasoning and reflective abilities to obtain a better knowledge of the universe and its signs. Space exploration allows us to observe and comprehend these signs in greater depth.

Islamic scholars consider various factors when issuing a ruling on space exploration. The intent of the journey comes first, followed by a consideration of the advantages and disadvantages for the individual. The third is to follow Islamic practisesin outer space, and the fourth is to respect Allahs creation and his manifestations.

With certain challenges, space exploration can provide significant advantages for Islamicnations, which have a long history of astronomical contributions. One advantage of space exploration for Muslim countries is that it can boost their scientific and technological skills. Many Muslim countries have developedspace programmes to launch satellites, rockets, or astronauts into orbit.These programmes can assist Islamiccountries in developing their infrastructure, education, innovation, and economies. Egypts satellites, for instance, are anticipated to support the expansion of the Suez Canal axis and keep an eye on Egypts water security.Investments in space technology and research can benefit Muslim nations in many ways, including economic diversification andjob creation as demonstrated by Saudi Arabias plan to boost its space programmes by $2 billion by 2030.

The ability to foster global cooperation and dialogueamongst different nations and religions is another advantage of space exploration. Islamic nations can promote mutual understanding, respect, and trust by working together with other nations on space initiatives. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian astronaut who visited the International Space Station in 2007 with Russian assistance, also carried out experiments on boardwith astronauts from the United States, Japan, and Germany. The first Muslim nation to deploy a lunar rover, Turkey, also revealed plans to work with SpaceX to launch its first moon mission in 2023. NASA believes that international cooperation in space canlower expenses, boost productivity, and improve safety.

However, Muslim nations also have several difficulties, the most fundamental of which relates to Islamic practises and laws. For instance, many Muslims face Mecca when they pray, yet while a spacecraft is orbiting Earth at 17,400 miles per hour, Mecca passes rapidly below the spaceship. Similarly, Muslims fast during Ramadan from dawn until dark; however, there are 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets per day in space. Therefore, Muslim countries need to consult with Islamic scholars and authorities to find solutions and guidelines for these issues. For instance, some Islamic scholars have suggested performing prayers facing Earth or in the last known direction of Mecca and fasting according to the local time at the launch site.

Geopolitical and security concerns also exist, as other countries may perceive their actions as dangerous or confrontational. The US has denounced Irans satellite launches, calling them a breach of UN resolutions and a cover for ballistic missile development. Israel has also accused Egypts space programme of being a spy operation. Security threats from hostile actors could potentially come from their ability to interfere with or sabotage space assets. Furthermore, scientific and technological barriers because many countries lack the necessary resources, expertise, and infrastructure. Technical issues and financial limitations have caused delays and setbacks in Pakistans space programme.

To address these complex issues, it is crucial for Muslim countries to consult with Islamic scholars, legal experts, and international partners. The development of a robust and sustainable space programme can offer numerous benefits to Muslim countries, and Islamic rulings must be considered a source of motivation to explore the cosmos. By witnessing the wonders and mysteries of Allahs creation in space, Muslims can increase their faith and gratitude to Him. Space exploration can also inspire spiritual enlightenment among Muslims.

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The Final Frontier for the Faithful: Islamic Rulings on Space - E-International Relations

If you use Twitter, you're no doubt aware of the changes the social media platform has seen in recent months.

Ever since SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought Twitter last year, it's been a bit of a circus. Users were threatening to leave Twitter even before the sale was finalized, and some have argued that recent changes have emboldened bad behavior on the platform (opens in new tab). With Musk's recent announcement (opens in new tab) that NBC and Comcast veteran Linda Yaccarino (opens in new tab) was taking over as Twitter CEO, there is hope for a change in direction for the platform after several months of turmoil.

Nonetheless, there has been a documented upsurge in misinformation spreading through Twitter, including anti-vaccine (opens in new tab) and anti-climate change (opens in new tab) denialism, not to mention the influx of racist, sexist, and anti-LGBTQ harassment (opens in new tab). This behavior has helped accelerated a growing "Twitter migration" to other platforms due to what many see as systemic issues with the platform as it exists today.

Former NASA astronaut Jos Hernndez, who can be found on Twitter at @astro_jose (opens in new tab) , is struggling with these issues along with everyone else. As a notable science communicator on the social media site, his decision whether or not to keep using Twitter (along with those of many other science communicators on the platform) represents a major inflection point in the battle for public science education online and whether our online spaces will be overrun with misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories in place of science as we know it today.

Fortunately for science communication, Hernndez isn't going anywhere.

Related: Space scientists and astronauts launch to other platforms amid Twitter turmoil

"I see [Twitter] as a good tool to disseminate information, especially to communities or sectors of our community where perhaps they don't go out of their way to learn about science," Hernndez told Space.com. "This is sort of a good primer for them, such that they see it and they're interested, and that they can take a deeper dive, utilizing other sources."

Last year's launch of Artemis 1 and the Orion spacecraft is a perfect case in point, Hernndez said.

"You see me post about it because I want to make people aware that, 'Hey, we're going back to the moon,'" he said. "We're not only going to go back to the moon, but we're going to take men and women and people of color are going to step on the moon. It's not just going to be Caucasian males doing it; it's going to be a diverse set of astronauts doing that."

The splashdown of the Orion spacecraft, as well as SpaceX's various rocket launches, are exactly the kind of events that make for viral social media content. Thanks to SpaceX regularly livestreaming its launches and maintaining an active social media presence, events such as booster landings, payload deployments and sometimes even spectacular explosions on a launchpad all make their way onto Twitter, where they are widely shared, often starting with Musk himself.

The irony that Musk, who is arguably more responsible for revitalizing American spaceflight than anyone else in the past 20 years, is also the same man opening the disinformation floodgates is not lost on Hernndez, who made history as the first person to use the Spanish language in space (opens in new tab), which he tweeted from orbit during the STS-128 space shuttle mission (opens in new tab) in 2009.

"You've got to separate Elon Musk, the individual who has the vision for SpaceX, from Elon Musk, the individual who has his political views," Hernndez said. "I love the Elon Musk that is running SpaceX and has that vision. I think he's a brilliant man, but I do not appreciate the Elon Musk with the political views that he has doing what he's doing with Twitter. It's almost as if, you know, it's a superpower gone bad."

The issue of politics and speech on Twitter isn't new by any means.

Twitter's "breakout" moment, after all, was the 2009 popular uprising in Iran that many at the time called the "Twitter revolution" following contested elections in that country. Social media's role in the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 after 30 years of authoritarian rule and the Arab Spring uprisings at that time are all intertwined with the growth of Twitter's platform during those years.

But with the contentious U.S. elections of 2016 and 2020 especially, the role of social media and misinformation in politics and election results makes the subject especially fraught right now something that Musk has accelerated with many of his early actions as Twitter's CEO.

Hernndez, who has been an active Twitter user for more than a decade, recoiled along with many other verified figures on the platform when Musk's paid verification scheme was first announced. But Hernndez was even more concerned about the rollback of regulation around hate speech and misinformation, as well as the reinstatement of banned accounts, including that of former President Donald Trump, who was suspended after tweeting through the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol in a manner many consider to be incitement.

"My concern was that Elon Musk is claiming a first-amendment, freedom-of-speech justification" for account reinstatements and loosening of moderation, Hernndez said, "and doing a poll on whether he should let Trump back in or not you don't make decisions like that. You need to be able to control the content of your platform that you own. You got to have some principles and assure that whatever is posted is real; it's factual."

Twitter is a private company, so it and Musk, by extension is free to publish whatever it likes and ban or reinstate whomever it wants to, as long as those actions stay on the right side of the law.

Nonetheless, his controversial moves have put many in the space community in an awkward spot. After all, as SpaceX CEO, Musk has played an undeniable role in advancing spaceflight and space exploration.

"With respect to space, you know, my respect to him," Hernndez said. "He's a genius, and I appreciate what he's done in pushing NASA and sort of pushing other companies to follow along and manage to bring space travel back into the mainstream. But with his other activities, you know, I strongly disagree with how he positions himself. But this is a free country, and as long as he's not doing anything illegal, yeah, I assume he's allowed to do it and doesn't mean I have to like it. It also doesn't mean I have to stay on this platform."

Between the reinstatement of previously banned accounts and the reported uptick in hate speech on the platform, many academics in the science and space communities questioned whether they should stick around on Twitter or head for Mastodon and other platforms. Hernndez has wrestled with this challenge publicly on Twitter. But there's no denying that Twitter's massive user base provides an important platform for science communicators.

"I think others have expressed concern, but it's what I would call passive concern," Hernndez said of the space and broader science community leaving Twitter. "I think that what they're saying to themselves is, 'You know, maybe Twitter isn't the right forum for what I want to accomplish. You know, maybe I should go to LinkedIn and do my postings there, or some other forum.'"

But those platforms don't quite match up to Twitter in some aspects. "There's less of an audience for you for the information that you want to put out, and there's less of a chance that you might spark the imagination of a young kid who reads her tweet that will then say, 'Hey, maybe I should look at [a] science or STEM career given what I'm reading astronaut Jos Hernndez posting," Hernndez said.

"We end up losing those opportunities, and those are the cases where I say, 'We're doing a disservice to society by leaving,'" he added. "But then again, we're also very wary of what happens if we stay. What's going to happen to the platform, and are we going to be drowned out?"

Link:

Twitter is still vital for the space community. A former NASA astronaut ... - Space.com

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)

CNLs expertise in materials sciences, radiobiology and post-irradiation analysis will be utilized to produce strong, lightweight nanomaterials to enable safer space travel

CHALK RIVER, Ontario, May 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canadas premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contribution agreement with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to develop and test novel, multi-purpose materials that have the potential to improve the safety and viability of long-term space travel. Funded through the CSAs Space Technology Development Program (STDP) [22STDPQ08], the $1 million project will contribute to Canadas ongoing efforts to enable space exploration, by advancing the development of materials that can withstand the extreme conditions in space, while safely shielding spacecraft personnel and equipment.

Outer space is an incredibly hazardous environment, which necessitates the use of materials that are not only lightweight but that can also endure harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures, while providing radiation shielding and excellent mechanical properties. In recent years, CNL has been conducting research on nanocomposite materials in radiation environments in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada. The STDP initiative aims to explore novel approaches to enhance the characteristics of such nanomaterials, making them suitable for space applications.

This project requires expertise across many different disciplines, including materials sciences, radioactive materials management, post-irradiation analysis, and radiobiology, and CNL is one of the only places in Canada that has the resources to conduct this research, commented Dr. Jeff Griffin, CNLs Vice-President of Science and Technology. We have a multidisciplinary team of experts and the necessary equipment and facilities ready to design and test these materials, and to assess their functionality, durability and performance in these types of extreme environments. Overall, its an incredibly exciting project, knowing that our work could help protect Canadian astronauts and play a role in future space missions.

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The nanotube materials proposed for investigation comprise low-mass elements that satisfy the weight constraints for space expeditions, in conjunction with tactical elements and configurations that mitigate the impact of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE), which are two primary sources of radiation in space, along with secondary radiation generated by the interaction of these radiation sources with materials present in spacecraft, such as neutrons and gamma-rays. The novel materials are also anticipated to possess unique electromagnetic characteristics that could potentially serve as a safeguard for electronic equipment installed on board the ship. Overall, the project will see CNL perform modelling to optimize such nanomaterials for their various shielding performances, as well as extensive and rigorous testing of their properties before and after irradiation, and finally, the experimental determination of their shielding efficiencies.

"The goal of this project is to develop materials not only with radiation shielding properties but also with good mechanical strength, oxidation resistance, thermal stability at high temperatures, and, of course, low weight. When all of these features are combined, these materials are ideal for enabling safer and more efficient space exploration," said Zahra Yamani, a research scientist in CNL's Applied Physics section. "We will employ a systematic approach that combines modelling and experimentation to investigate their applicability.

The project comes as public interest in space travel continues to grow here in Canada, and as the country increasingly participates in international collaborations to advance space exploration. Among other projects, Canada is developing an autonomous robotic system, known as Canadarm3, which will be used to maintain NASAs Lunar Gateway, a space station in lunar orbit. It was also just announced that CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be one of four astronauts who are poised to fly around the moon next year as part of the NASA-led Artemis program, an international collaboration that is designed to send humans farther into space than ever before, including distant destinations like Mars. This growing momentum and interest in space exploration signals good news for CNL, who has seen its work increasingly being used to support research related to space travel.

That work includes a project within CNLs New Technology Initiatives Funding (NTIF)program that examined the systematic effects of gamma, proton and neutron radiation on the physical properties of nanotube materials, and which would go on to serve as the basis for CNLs application to the CSA for STDP funding. It also encompasses a number of activities carried out on behalf of the CSA, such as a recent project funded through Atomic Energy of Canada Limiteds (AECL) Federal Nuclear Science & Technology (FNST) Work Plan, which qualified the health risks for astronauts associated with deep space radiation exposure. Other projects include the development of a novel neutron detector to help quantify the neutron dose astronauts will receive in space, and the creation of a novel methodology for mission planning around extreme solar particle events, which are of particular concern for acute radiation sickness for crew in deep space. And many other CNL projects, such as work to help advance the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), which have the potential to provide safe and reliable power to space shuttles or planetary installations, could have long-term applications to Canadas space program.

To learn more about the CSAs Space Technology Development Program, please visit https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/funding-programs/programs/stdp/. For more information on CNL, including its work in materials sciences and radiobiology, please visit http://www.cnl.ca.

About CNL

As Canadas premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

To learn more about CNL, please visit http://www.cnl.ca.

CNL Contact:Patrick QuinnDirector, Corporate Communications1-866-886-2325

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CNL Aims to Better Protect Canadian Astronauts Through New Project Funded by the Canadian Space Agency - Yahoo Finance

The first commercial space station in the world will be launched by SpaceX as early as 2025, with the aim of creating a complex of several modules.

According to SpaceX, the Vast Haven-1 space station will launch into low Earth orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket as early as August 2025. It will perform the duties of a stand-alone space station with crew, and in the future will be connected to a larger Vast space station.

Vast, a company established in 2021, intends to someday create a 100-meter-long multi-module rotating artificial gravity space station.

A commercial rocket launching a commercial spacecraft with commercial astronauts to a commercial space station is the future of low-Earth orbit, and with Vast were taking another step toward making that future a reality, Tom Ochinero, the senior vice president of commercial business at SpaceX, said in statement.

The SpaceX team couldnt be more excited to launch Vasts Haven-1 and support their follow-on human spaceflight missions to the orbiting commercial space station.

Two human spaceflight trips to the space station will be launched by SpaceX after the launch. While orbiting Earth, the first mission will dock with Haven-1 for up to 30 days. Haven-1 will provide opportunities for science and research, as well as amenities such as a large window dome for viewing and photography and always-on internet via on-board Wi-Fi

Up to four crewed seats on that first mission will be made available by Vast to domestic and international space agencies and private individuals involved in science and philanthropic projects. The price was not immediately made public, although those seats can be reserved online.

SpaceX has been transporting people into space for several years, including transporting civilians in 2021 and working with NASA this year to transport four astronauts to the International Space Station.

In addition to these missions, there are a number of companies looking at the future of space tourism, such as the French space company that plans to send tourists into the stratosphere in 2025, with six-hour rides starting at about $132,000 per person; and Space Perspective, which plans to take tourists to the stars in a carbon-neutral spherical capsule with 360-degree views by 2024.

When Orbital Assemblys Voyager station finally opens, visitors who want to stay a little longer may soon have the opportunity to stay overnight.

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SpaceX Announces Seat Reservations For Space Station Travel - Traveling Lifestyle

UNITED STATES. Florida: In a groundbreaking step towards the future of space exploration, Axiom Space is ready to launch its second private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 21. This mission carries immense significance as it aims to further the plans for the first commercial space station while the ISS enters its final leg of service.

The four-person Axiom-2 crew, consisting of Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will play pivotal roles in implementing a full range of scientific, outreach, and commercial activities during their time aboard the orbiting laboratory.

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Axiom Spaces Director of Human Spaceflight, Commander Peggy Whitson, is no stranger to the realm of space exploration. As a former NASA astronaut and ISS commander, she brings a wealth of experience to the mission.

Having undertaken three long-duration space flights, Whitson has amassed an astonishing 665 days in space, surpassing the record of any other American astronaut or female astronaut worldwide. Her expertise and leadership will undoubtedly be instrumental in ensuring the success of Axiom-2.

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Joining Whitson is Pilot John Shoffner, a prominent figure in the field of STEM advocacy. Shoffner has been at the forefront of the fiber optic telecommunications industry since its nascent stages, and he now seeks to raise awareness about the new era of space access.

Shoffner aims to foster public interest and understanding of space exploration through scientific research, technology demonstrations, and various outreach and educational events.

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The Axiom-2 crew will also include Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alqarni, a seasoned fighter pilot with over 2,387 flight hours, brings a wealth of aviation experience to the mission.

Meanwhile, Barnawi, a highly accomplished biomedical researcher with nearly a decade of specialization in cancer stem-cell research, will focus her attention on stem cell and breast cancer research during the Ax-2 mission. Their expertise will contribute significantly to advancing scientific understanding in these critical areas.

With the go-ahead from NASA, Axiom Space is now prepared for the launch of its second mission after successfully completing the Flight Readiness Review. The collaborative efforts of Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX have ensured a thorough evaluation of launch readiness and the ability to conduct on-orbit flight operations safely.

This mission is particularly significant because it is the first private mission that a female astronaut has led. Axiom Spaces commitment to diversity and inclusivity in space exploration is evident in the composition of the crew.

The historic nature of this mission emphasizes the progress made in breaking down barriers and fostering equal opportunities in space exploration.

As the crew eagerly awaits launch day, they are undergoing quarantine measures to guarantee their well-being and prevent introducing harmful pathogens to the ISS.

On Sunday at 5:37 PM EDT, the Axiom-2 crew is set to launch aboard a Falcon-9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. On May 22, the crews Dragon spacecraft, appropriately namedFreedom,will dock with the International Space Station to start their arduous voyage.

The Axiom-2 mission represents a significant milestone in commercial space travel and highlights the growing influence of private companies in shaping the future of human presence in space. With their unique skills, diverse backgrounds, and unwavering determination, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi are poised to make history and further propel humanitys journey beyond the confines of Earth.

Also Read: NASA Set to Unveil Partner for Lunar Lander Development in Historic Artemis Moon Mission

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Axiom-2 Mission Set to Launch with Diverse Crew of Private ... - Transcontinental Times