Video: Muscle stimulation to enhance astronaut health
Thursday, 31 August 2023 18:48Space exploration presents unique health challenges for astronauts due to lack of gravity, isolation, and radiation exposure. ESA's SciSpacE activities aim to comprehend these effects and their implications for human well-being during extended missions.
ESA collaborates with researchers to conduct experiments in microgravity and analog environments, shedding light on the consequences of space stressors. One critical concern is muscle and bone atrophy. Despite daily exercise routines, astronauts face deterioration. ESA is investigating electrical stimulation as a potential countermeasure, with tests planned on board the International Space Station.
The Muscle Stimulation experiment is a centerpiece of this research. By applying controlled electric currents to leg muscles, the study aims to enhance muscle mass, strength, and recovery. Complementary assessments, including MRI scans, microcirculation analysis, and blood samples, will provide a comprehensive understanding of the efficacy.
Addressing these challenges could yield benefits on Earth too. The insights gained could translate to better health care for diverse populations, from the elderly to clinical patients and athletes.
Space junk in Earth orbit and on the moon will increase with future missions—but nobody's in charge of cleaning it up
Thursday, 31 August 2023 17:57There's a lot of trash on the moon right now—including nearly 100 bags of human waste—and with countries around the globe traveling to the moon, there's going to be a lot more, both on the lunar surface and in Earth's orbit.
In August 2023, Russia's Luna-25 probe crashed into the moon's surface, while India's Chandrayann-3 mission successfully landed in the southern polar region, making India the fourth country to land on the moon.
With more countries landing on the moon, people back on Earth will have to think about what happens to all the landers, waste and miscellaneous debris left on the lunar surface and in orbit.
I'm a professor of astronomy who has written a book about the future of space travel, articles about our future off-Earth, conflict in space, space congestion and the ethics of space exploration. Like many other space experts, I'm concerned about the lack of governance around space debris.
Space is getting crowded
People think of space as vast and empty, but the near-Earth environment is starting to get crowded.
Preventing outer space from becoming a hazardous junkyard
Thursday, 31 August 2023 17:22As the number of objects launched into orbit grows, the EU is working to prevent debris from getting out of hand.
An upsurge in worldwide rocket and satellite launches into space means collisions are an increasing danger that EU research projects are seeking to curb.
The number of satellites in space may exceed 100,000 by 2030, according to forecasts. Small satellites are increasingly being sent into low orbits 500 to 1,000 kilometers above Earth to do everything from improve remote communications to guide driverless cars.
Collision alarm
"There is an increasing amount of debris in space," said Anthony Caron, future programs manager at a French space-observation company called Share My Space. "More and more debris implies more and more collision probability—and the problem is real now. There are lots of events where you have to perform maneuvers to avoid collisions.
How is ESA supporting ISRO’s Aditya-L1 solar mission?
Thursday, 31 August 2023 13:30QinetiQ wins $224 million contract to provide technical services to Space Development Agency
Thursday, 31 August 2023 12:46A good night’s sleep in orbit
Thursday, 31 August 2023 12:05During his Huginn mission, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen will run two experiments focusing on sleeping in space: Circadian Light and Sleep in Orbit.
SatixFy sells satellite payload subsidiary to MDA
Thursday, 31 August 2023 12:03NASA gears up for return of OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample
Thursday, 31 August 2023 10:31Chinese study finds GSSAP close approaches a threat to its GEO assets
Thursday, 31 August 2023 09:41Umbra selected by AFWERX for SBIR Phase II Contract
Thursday, 31 August 2023 07:35Umbra, a leader in advanced space radar technology, announced it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25 million focused on Space-Based Moving Target Indication (MTI) to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Umbra will leverage its market leading wide-bandwidth, affordable space systems, uniquely operating in paired
Northrop Grumman delivers mini laser to US Government
Thursday, 31 August 2023 07:35Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered a miniaturized high-energy laser source to the U.S. government. The laser is ruggedized for field use and miniaturizing it allows for rapid placement in tactical situations. The 10kW class high-energy laser, known as Phantom, is about 12 cubic feet (nearly the size of a mini fridge). Weighing less than 200 pounds, it enables lift
Picogrid, building a more open defense ecosystem, clinches $950m Air Force IDIQ contract
Thursday, 31 August 2023 07:35Picogrid has been awarded a $950,000,000 ceiling Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract for the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). This multiple award contract provides awardees the opportun
Last 'Super Blue Moon' until 2037
Thursday, 31 August 2023 07:35Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat Wednesday night: a rare "super blue Moon" that won't be seen again for more than a decade. Supermoons occur when the Moon passes through its perigee, or the point that takes it closest to Earth during its elliptical orbit. This makes it look about 14 percent bigger compared to when it is at its furthest point, and a touch brighter. Full Moons are