NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

December 17, 2024

Near to the Heart Nebula

What excites the Heart Nebula? First, the large emission nebula on the upper left, catalogued as IC 1805, looks somewhat like a human heart. The nebula glows brightly in red light emitted by its most prominent element, hydrogen, but this long-exposure image was also blended with light emitted by sulfur (yellow) and oxygen (blue). In the center of the Heart Nebula are young stars from the open star cluster Melotte 15 that are eroding away several picturesque dust pillars with their atom-exciting energetic light and winds. The Heart Nebula is located about 7,500 light years away toward the constellation of Cassiopeia. This wide field image shows much more, though, including the Fishhead Nebula just below the Heart, a supernova remnant on the lower left, and three planetary nebulas on the image right. Taken over 57 nights, this image is so deep, though, that it clearly shows fainter long and complex filaments.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

SpaceX Launches

December 17, 2024

NROL-149 Mission

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, December 17 at 5:19 a.m. PT for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-149 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Wednesday, December 18 starting at 1:07 a.m. PT.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about ten minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This is the 22nd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, SDA-0B, Iridium OneWeb, Transporter-7, NROL-113, NROL-167, and 14 Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=nrol-149

SES O3b mPOWER Mission

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, December 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES O3b mPOWER mission to medium Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The one-hour 27-minute launch window opens at 3:59 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Wednesday, December 18 with the same window.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This will be the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=SES-O3b-mPOWER-e

Sols 4393-4395: Weekend Work at the Base of Texoli Butte

Dec 16, 2024

Curiosity continues to make great progress over the Mount Sharp bedrock and will spend the weekend investigating the northern base of the “Texoli” butte.

The science team back on Earth enjoyed taking in the beautiful views of nearby “Wilkerson” butte and “Gould Mesa” while digging into the workspace in front of us to create a hefty to-do list for our roving geologist on Mars.

The rocks at the rover’s wheels today consisted of dusty, pale-colored bedrock that had a range of textures.

We used the dust removal tool (DRT), MAHLI, and APXS instruments to characterize lighter, smooth bedrock at “Calabasas Peak,” and slightly darker, rougher bedrock at “Triunfo Canyon.”

The ChemCam team used the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze the composition of the rougher bedrock at “Chilao” and a vein that cuts through the bedrock at “Ojai,” and Mastcam provided the supporting documentation images of each target.

The Mastcam team assembled a variety of images and mosaics in the workspace and beyond.

Two stereo mosaics documented the network of fractures in the bedrock at “Fern Dell” while a stereo mosaic of “Amir’s Garden” will be used to observe possible deformation in the rocks.

A few single-frame images of troughs in the workspace will be used to investigate active surface processes.

Further in the distance, Mastcam created a stereo mosaic of “Jawbone Canyon” to image potential aeolian ripples, and supported a ChemCam long-distance RMI image of a crater in the drive direction called “Grant Lake.”

Lastly, ChemCam planned a long-distance RMI image to get a closer look at the structures within Gould Mesa.

Curiosity will drive 44 meters (about 144 feet) to the west over the weekend as we continue to close in on the intriguing boxwork structures.

Lastly, the environmental group rounded out the plan with activities including cloud observations, dust-devil monitoring, and surveys of the amount of dust in the atmosphere.

https://science.nasa.gov/blog/sols-4393-4395-weekend-work-at-the-base-of-texoli-butte/

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia26477-curiosity-surveys-texoli/

NASA Finalizes Strategy for Sustaining Human Presence in Low Earth Orbit

Dec 16, 2024

As part of the agency’s efforts to enable broader use of space, NASA has released its final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit, defining the long-term approach toward advancing microgravity science, technology, and exploration for the benefit of all.

Developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will guide the agency toward the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships.

“As we near the retirement of the International Space Station in 2030, these objectives are a pivotal next step in solidifying U.S. leadership in space,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

“Our consultation with industry, academia, and international partners has helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low Earth orbit, which will be enabled by a continuous human presence.

Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow – advancing science, innovation, and opportunities for all, while preparing for humanity’s next giant leap of exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.”

In early 2024, NASA initiated a planning process that included drafting an initial set of goals and objectives for the low Earth orbit microgravity environment and seeking feedback from its workforce, government partners, industry, academia, international space agencies, and the public.

The agency reviewed more than 1,800 comments and hosted two workshops, resulting in essential adjustments to the goals and objectives to better align with its partners.

The final framework includes 13 goals and 44 objectives across seven key areas: commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure, operations, science, research and technology development for exploration, international cooperation, workforce development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, and public engagement.

The agency’s efforts in low Earth orbit are integral to its broader ambitions for deep space exploration.

The microgravity environment in low Earth orbit provides a cost-effective, easily accessible proving ground for technologies and research necessary for human missions to explore the solar system.

With most of the journey to Moon and Mars occurring in microgravity, the objectives give the opportunity to continue vital human research, test future exploration systems, and retain the critical skills needed to operate in the microgravity environment.

“These finalized objectives represent a clear path forward as NASA transitions from the International Space Station to a new era of commercial space stations,” said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of commercial spaceflight.

“Low Earth orbit will remain a hub for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and international cooperation, while making strategic investments in a commercial space ecosystem that benefits not just NASA, but the entire space community.”

The low Earth orbit microgravity goals and objectives, combined with significant stakeholder engagement, drive NASA’s need to maintain an unbroken, continuous heartbeat of humans in the commercial low Earth orbit destinations era.

NASA requires long-duration flights to mitigate risk for future trips to the Red Planet. To ensure reliable access to and use of low Earth orbit, a diversity of providers operating on a regular cadence is essential.

The objectives will also guide the development of requirements for future commercial space stations that will support NASA’s missions, while reducing risk for human missions to Mars, preserving operational skills, advancing critical scientific research, and sustaining engagement with international and commercial partners.

“Collaboration and consultation remain a cornerstone of our low Earth orbit strategy,” said John Keefe, director of cross-agency strategy integration at NASA.

“The objectives we’ve established will help NASA craft a work plan that ensures NASA is positioned to meet current and future needs and prioritizes the development of critical capabilities for low Earth orbit.”

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-finalizes-strategy-for-sustaining-human-presence-in-low-earth-orbit/

NASA Sees Progress on Starlab Commercial Space Station Development

Dec 16, 2024

A NASA-funded commercial space station, Starlab, recently completed four key developmental milestones, marking substantial progress in the station’s design and operational readiness.

The four milestones are part of a NASA Space Act Agreement awarded in 2021 and focused on reviews of the habitat structural test article preliminary design, systems integration, integrated operations, and a habitat structural test plan.

“These milestone achievements are great indicators to reflect Starlab’s commitment to the continued efforts and advancements of their commercial destination,” said Angela Hart, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program.

“As we look forward to the future of low Earth orbit, every successful milestone is one step closer to creating a dynamic and robust commercialized low Earth orbit.”

The commercial space station is designed to launch on a single flight and includes a large habitation and laboratory module with a smaller service module for power and propulsion.

Earlier this year, Starlab Space completed a structural test article preliminary design review, supported by NASA.

The structural test article is an engineering development unit of the station’s habitation module, which is where astronauts will spend most of their time living and working aboard the future commercial destination.

An engineering development unit is a physical model that is used to test and verify the design of a project, such as a space station.

Starlab also recently shared a test plan for the structural test article, which included defining qualification tests of the development unit from welding verifications to proof pressure and static load testing, among others.

During proof pressure tests, a spacecraft component or system is pressurized to a significantly higher than normal operating pressure to verify its structural integrity, and a static load test measures the response of a component or system under an applied load.

In addition, Starlab completed integration operations and systems integration reviews.

These reviews included updates on system and station architecture, segment interfaces, and program goals, as well as a comprehensive look into the program’s requirements.

Starlab also is set to complete a preliminary design review and phase 1 safety review by the end of the year.

This review is meant to demonstrate that the station’s design meets system requirements, including human spaceflight verification, with acceptable risk.

The safety review will summarize the current design and general safety approach for the destination.

NASA is supporting the design and development of multiple commercial space stations, including Starlab, through funded and unfunded agreements.

The current design and development phase will be followed by the procurement of services from one or more companies, where NASA aims to be one of many customers for low Earth orbit destinations.

https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasa-sees-progress-on-starlab-commercial-space-station-development/

NASA Welcomes Thailand as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

Dec 16, 2024

Following a signing ceremony Monday in Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, NASA congratulates Thailand as the 51st nation to commit to the safe and responsible exploration of space that benefits humanity.

“Thailand’s commitment to the Artemis Accords will enhance the country’s engagement with NASA and the international community,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“By signing the accords, Thailand builds upon an important foundation and shows great leadership for the open, responsible and peaceful exploration of space.”

Pakorn Apaphant, the executive director of Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Thailand.

Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Supamas Isarabhakdi and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec also participated in the ceremony.

Nelson contributed the final remarks in a pre-recorded video message.

“Thailand will enter the golden age of space exploration in full force,” said Apaphant of the country’s signing.

In 2020, the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords, a set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity.

The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.

On Dec. 11, NASA celebrated 50 countries signing the Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters with the signing of Austria. More countries are expected to sign in the weeks and months ahead.

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-welcomes-thailand-as-newest-artemis-accords-signatory/

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/

NASA Names New Leader of STEM Engagement

Dec 16, 2024

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced Monday Elaine P. Ho will serve as the next associate administrator of NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM), where she will lead the agency’s efforts to inspire Artemis Generation students and educators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The role, based out of the agency’s headquarters in Washington, is effective immediately.

Ho also will remain the associate administrator for the agency’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity while a replacement is sought.

She will succeed Mike Kincaid, who retired from the agency in November after 37 years with NASA.

Kris Brown, who has been serving as acting associate administrator for OSTEM, will return to her position as the office’s deputy associate administrator for strategy and integration.

“At NASA, we know STEM education is critical for building a strong and competent future workforce,” said Nelson.

“Under Elaine’s leadership, we will continue to empower students, educators, and communities to reach for the stars and tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”

In her role as associate administrator for NASA’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, she played an instrumental part in fostering a NASA culture that values the unique backgrounds of our workforce to bolster innovation and drive mission success.

Prior to that role, she served as NASA’s deputy associate administrator for OSTEM, responsible for leading and managing a wide-ranging portfolio of projects and initiatives that benefit students, universities, and educational institutions across the country.

Before joining NASA, Ho held several roles at the White House, including senior policy advisor for the Let Girls Learn initiative in the Office of the First Lady and chief of staff of the U.S. Digital Service.

In 2021, she returned to the White House on a year-long detail, serving as deputy chief of staff for workforce in the Office of Science and Technology Policy and director of Space STEM Policy for the Vice President’s National Space Council.

Prior to her federal service career, Ho was a practicing attorney, specializing in employment law.

She also served four years of active duty as a criminal prosecutor in the U.S. Air Force and continues her service as a colonel in the Air Force Reserves.

Ho holds a civil engineering degree from Duke University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-names-new-leader-of-stem-engagement/

"Another Day, Another Sleigh": Sunita Williams Turns Santa On Space Station

Dec 17, 2024 14:23 pm IST

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are getting into the Christmas holiday spirit.

The festive mood came after the recent departure of a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which delivered essential supplies and holiday gifts to the orbiting laboratory.

In a photo shared by NASA on X, Ms Williams was seen alongside astronaut Don Pettit, both wearing Santa hats.

“Another day, another sleigh,” read the caption. “[NASA Astronauts] Don Pettit and Suni Williams pose for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio inside the [Space Station['s Columbus laboratory module.”

The ISS crew plans to recreate familiar holiday customs, including special meals prepared with ingredients sent from Earth, and connecting with loved ones via video calls.

They will also reportedly enjoy special meals prepared with fresh ingredients delivered by the SpaceX Dragon.

The veteran astronaut and her fellow astronauts are also engaging in educational outreach efforts, sharing insights about life in space with students on Earth through live video sessions.

Earlier this month, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft departed from the ISS following a successful cargo delivery mission.

The unpiloted capsule had carried approximately 2,720 kg of crew supplies, scientific experiments, and equipment to the station.

Launched on November 4 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre, the spacecraft arrived at the ISS on November 5.

After re-entering Earth's atmosphere, the Dragon will make a parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of Florida, marking the completion of SpaceX's 31st commercial resupply mission for NASA.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have spent six months aboard the ISS, are set to return to Earth in February.

Initially, on an eight-day mission in June, the duo faced unexpected challenges when their aircraft malfunctioned, extending their stay in space.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sunita-williams-turns-santa-on-space-station-another-day-another-sleigh-7267790

https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1868761679737373006

https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2024/news-2024-135

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad7a63

NASA's Webb Finds Planet-Forming Disks Lived Longer in Early Universe

December 16, 2024 10:00AM (EST)

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope just solved a conundrum by proving a controversial finding made with the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope more than 20 years ago.

In 2003, Hubble provided evidence of a massive planet around a very old star, almost as old as the universe. Such stars possess only small amounts of heavier elements that are the building blocks of planets.

This implied that some planet formation happened when our universe was very young, and those planets had time to form and grow big inside their primordial disks, even bigger than Jupiter. But how? This was puzzling.

To answer this question, researchers used Webb to study stars in a nearby galaxy that, much like the early universe, lacks large amounts of heavy elements.

They found that not only do some stars there have planet-forming disks, but that those disks are longer-lived than those seen around young stars in our Milky Way galaxy.

“With Webb, we have a really strong confirmation of what we saw with Hubble, and we must rethink how we model planet formation and early evolution in the young universe,” said study leader Guido De Marchi of the European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, Netherlands.

A Different Environment in Early Times

In the early universe, stars formed from mostly hydrogen and helium, and very few heavier elements such as carbon and iron, which came later through supernova explosions.

“Current models predict that with so few heavier elements, the disks around stars have a short lifetime, so short in fact that planets cannot grow big,” said the Webb study’s co-investigator Elena Sabbi, chief scientist for Gemini Observatory at the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab in Tucson.

"But Hubble did see those planets, so what if the models were not correct and disks could live longer?"

To test this idea, scientists trained Webb on the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy that is one of the Milky Way’s nearest neighbors.

In particular, they examined the massive, star-forming cluster NGC 346, which also has a relative lack of heavier elements.

The cluster served as a nearby proxy for studying stellar environments with similar conditions in the early, distant universe.

Hubble observations of NGC 346 from the mid 2000s revealed many stars about 20 to 30 million years old that seemed to still have planet-forming disks around them.

This went against the conventional belief that such disks would dissipate after 2 or 3 million years.

“The Hubble findings were controversial, going against not only empirical evidence in our galaxy but also against the current models,” said De Marchi.

“This was intriguing, but without a way to obtain spectra of those stars, we could not really establish whether we were witnessing genuine accretion and the presence of disks, or just some artificial effects.”

Now, thanks to Webb’s sensitivity and resolution, scientists have the first-ever spectra of forming, Sun-like stars and their immediate environments in a nearby galaxy.

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“We see that these stars are indeed surrounded by disks and are still in the process of gobbling material, even at the relatively old age of 20 or 30 million years,” said De Marchi.

“This also implies that planets have more time to form and grow around these stars than in nearby star-forming regions in our own galaxy.”

A New Way of Thinking

This finding refutes previous theoretical predictions that when there are very few heavier elements in the gas around the disk, the star would very quickly blow away the disk.

So the disk’s life would be very short, even less than a million years. But if a disk doesn't stay around the star long enough for the dust grains to stick together and pebbles to form and become the core of a planet, how can planets form?

The researchers explained that there could be two distinct mechanisms, or even a combination, for planet-forming disks to persist in environments scarce in heavier elements.

First, to be able to blow away the disk, the star applies radiation pressure. For this pressure to be effective, elements heavier than hydrogen and helium would have to reside in the gas.

But the massive star cluster NGC 346 only has about ten percent of the heavier elements that are present in the chemical composition of our Sun. Perhaps it simply takes longer for a star in this cluster to disperse its disk.

The second possibility is that, for a Sun-like star to form when there are few heavier elements, it would have to start from a larger cloud of gas.

A bigger gas cloud will produce a bigger disk. So there is more mass in the disk and therefore it would take longer to blow the disk away, even if the radiation pressure were working in the same way.

“With more matter around the stars, the accretion lasts for a longer time,” said Sabbi. "The disks take ten times longer to disappear.

This has implications for how you form a planet, and the type of system architecture that you can have in these different environments. This is so exciting.”

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NASA Images Reveal Deadly Cyclone From Space

Dec 17, 2024 at 6:57 AM EST

Adeadly cyclone that ripped through the islands of Mayotte on December 14, 2024, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life in its wake, has been captured in terrifingly powerful satellite imagery.

Cyclone Chido's hurricane-force winds devastated the small island, a French overseas department and region in the Indian Ocean.

The devastating storm has left hundreds, possibly thousands, dead, though as of Tuesday morning, only 21 deaths have been officially reported, according to Tortoise Media.

Chido's Path of Destruction

Cyclone Chido first developed as a tropical disturbance on December 5, 2024, in the southeastern Indian Ocean. Rapidly intensifying, it struck the Mauritian islands of Agaléga on December 11 before reaching its peak the following day.

At its most powerful, Chido's sustained winds reached an incredible 155 miles per hour—the equivalent of a strong Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the storm moved westward through an environment conducive to sustaining powerful systems, including warm sea surface temperatures of up to 84°F and low vertical wind shear.

After passing just north of Madagascar on December 13, Chido made direct landfall on northern Mayotte the following morning.

Released by the NASA Earth Observatory, the satellite images reveal an island entirely engulfed by the destructive storm.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard the NOAA-20 satellite captured a striking image of Cyclone Chido at 10:15 a.m. Universal Time on December 14, about three hours after the storm made landfall.

French officials have described the devastation as unprecedented.

Bruno Retailleau, France's Minister of the Interior, posted on X (formerly Twitter): "What awaits France in Mayotte is colossal: the island is devastated.

The State has been mobilized from the very beginning to help the victims and prevent other crises from adding to the misery."

President Emmanuel Macron echoed the gravity of the situation in a separate post, stating: "This evening, during the meeting of the interministerial crisis unit, I ensured that all emergency measures to help the inhabitants of Mayotte were taken and that the continuity of the State could be ensured.

"I will be traveling to Mayotte in the coming days to support our fellow citizens, civil servants, and the emergency services that have been mobilized.

This is about dealing with emergencies and starting to prepare for the future. Faced with this tragedy, which is upsetting each of us, I will declare national mourning."

Unprecedented Impact on Mayotte

Météo-France described Chido as the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in over 90 years.

The European Union's preliminary satellite assessment found widespread structural damage across eastern and northern parts of Mayotte, including the capital city of Mamoudzou on Grande Terre and the airport on Pamandzi (Petite Terre).

Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, and key infrastructure, such as the airport's control tower and main hospital, has suffered severe damage.

The cyclone has also completely knocked out electricity across the island, leaving tens of thousands of residents without power. Recovery efforts are further hampered by Mayotte's economic challenges.

Cyclone Chido's Regional Consequences

After devastating Mayotte, Cyclone Chido continued westward and made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, again carrying Category 4-equivalent winds.

174,000 people have been impacted in Mozambique, where the storm killed at least 34 people and destroyed 35,000 homes, according to a report on Relief Web.

Chido is expected to dissipate over Zimbabwe throughout Tuesday.

As France's poorest department and the most impoverished territory in the European Union, Mayotte has limited infrastructure and resources to cope with such a catastrophic event.

https://www.newsweek.com/mayotte-nasa-images-reveal-deadly-cyclone-chido-space-2001960

https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1868740823317192916

https://thedebrief.org/darpa-funded-research-may-help-future-space-explorers-eat-food-made-from-asteroids/

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-astrobiology/article/how-we-can-mine-asteroids-for-space-food/9EF3C4FA6F32368D09994EB7910C7035

DARPA-funded Research May Help Future Space Explorers Eat Food Made From Asteroids

December 17, 2024

Food made from asteroids may help future astronauts live in space for years without supplies from Earth, according to research from Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration.

With help from a DARPA-funded process that uses bacteria to turn plastic waste into food, Western University (WU) researchers say the process could theoretically support hundreds or even thousands of astronauts for a year.

The researchers note that the process has challenges, including the sheer volume of asteroid material needed to generate enough edible biomass.

However, they believe their study shows that making food from space rocks is a potentially viable solution to feeding astronauts on deep space missions or colonists living on Mars.

“What if humanity could acquire the raw materials to make food in space?” the study authors write.

“This article investigates ways to do just that using new techniques developed to recycle plastic waste into food on Earth and extrapolating these techniques to the theoretical application of converting asteroidal material into food.”

Food Made From Asteroids Contains Valuable Nutritional Profile

In a series of experiments, the WU research team fed organic material similar to material found on asteroids to a strain of bacteria designed to use it for food.

As expected, the bacteria consumed the material, growing into a significant biomass.

According to the study’s lead researcher, Joshua Pierce, the team’s newly grown biomass had the texture and appearance of a caramel milkshake.

After harvesting the biomass, the team sent it to Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing Madison, Inc., for a nutritional analysis.

The results showed that the organic, edible biomass contained roughly 45% carbohydrates, 35% of which were dietary fiber, 15% fat, 32% protein, 7% ash, and 1% moisture.

Although not a perfectly balanced ratio, humans eating the 2,500 calories per day used in NASA calculations could survive on this nutritional profile.

The study authors point out that if humans want to explore the depths of the solar system and beyond, “it will be necessary to become less reliant on the resupply tether to Earth.”

For example, they explain that sending enough food to Mars for six astronauts on a one-year mission will weigh around 12 tons “without packaging.”

For colonists looking to set up a permanent settlement on Mars or someplace else in the solar system, the need for food independence from Earth only increases.

Since humans need variety in their diet, the team explored altering the biomass to create more palatable alternatives.

One test resulted in a yogurt-like substance that could be mixed with flavorings or seasonings. Attempts to dry out the biomass resulted in a nutrient-dense powder that could be used in various culinary applications.

Bennu-Sized Asteroid Could Feed 17,000 Astronauts for a Year

Although the team’s lab results were promising, the researchers say they were forced to use a simulated asteroid instead of a real one.

They made some overtures to space rock owners to see if they could use them to make food out of asteroids.

However, since the process destroys the asteroid, Pearce said, “The people that collect rocks were not happy when we made these proposals.”

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Fortunately, Pearce says that the hydrocarbons and other organic molecules found in asteroids “matches up pretty reasonably” with the products we already know the bacteria used in the experiments can eat.

The team says a wide range of hydrocarbons and other organic compounds found in asteroids could affect the amount available for the bacteria to convert to edible biomass.

In this study, the team looked at two forms of organic material found in asteroids, Bennu and the Murchison meteorite.

The most readily available compounds were aliphatic hydrocarbons, setting a mathematical “floor” for the amount of food made of asteroids a rock like Murchison could generate.

The second and most prevalent carbon molecule found in these types of asteroids is solvent-insoluble organic matter (IOM).

In theory, the researchers say that the combination of aliphatic compounds and IONs represents “the maximum amount of organic matter that could theoretically be attributed to food production.”

After doing some calculations, the team found a wide range of food production capabilities depending on how much carbon material in the asteroids can be accessed “assuming NASA’s standard diet of 2500 calories per day is maintained.”

When only the aliphatic hydrocarbons can be converted, the team found that an asteroid the size of Bennu could support around 600 astronauts for one year.

However, if the process could convert all of the carbon, a Bennu-sized space rock could support around 17,000 astronauts over that same amount of time.

“The average results for the minimum scenario (only aliphatic hydrocarbons are converted into biomass) is over 631 astronaut life years, and the average results for the maximum scenario (all IOM are converted into biomass) is over 17 000 astronaut life years,” the study authors write.

A Path For Human Space Exploration

In the study’s conclusion, the authors highlight several challenges to creating food made from asteroids.

For example, Pearce said that future space explorers would need a “super machine” designed to break down the asteroid rock and manage the growth of the bacteria efficiently.

Scaling the process is also a significant barrier; smaller missions may manage this better than larger ones.

However, large, permanent settlements like those planned for the Moon and Mars would require industrial-scale facilities to produce enough food made from asteroids to support thousands of humans without resupply missions from Earth.

“The values obtained for the amount of asteroid mass that need to be processed to provide food for a single astronaut are large, but if human exploration of the solar system is to be done, it provides a potential path to doing so,” the study authors write.

“Based on the results of this study, this approach appears promising but there are substantial areas of future work.”

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China’s hypersonic drone near-space launch test revealed on video for the first time

8:00pm, 17 Dec 2024

A new video has revealed a remarkable first in hypersonic flight – an unmanned Chinese MD series aircraft being launched in near space from a high-altitude balloon, reaching a speed of Mach 7 before landing safely to be reused later.

The full video, released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), showcases the trials of the MD series and the drone developers behind the aircraft.

The team from the Institute of Mechanics (IMECH) at CAS, known as the “Qian Xuesen Young Scientist Task Force”, were the same specialists who achieved the first horizontal landing of the hypersonic drone in 2020.

Hypersonic flight is a field of intense global strategic competition in advanced aerospace technology. The MD-22 – the latest known model in the series – was first unveiled at the 2022 Zhuhai air show.

The aircraft boasts a maximum range of 8,000km (4,971 miles) and can carry payloads of up to 600kg (1,323 pounds), delivering substantial strategic capabilities.

The concept of near-space hypersonic flight was first proposed by Qian Xuesen, the founding father of China’s space programme.

He envisioned aircraft that could operate in the range between conventional aircraft and satellites, requiring mid-air launches for unparalleled flexibility.

Flight trials of the MD series – known as a “wide-range vehicle” – have shown efficient performance at both high and low velocities, the team said.

“We aim for the best. While our ideas are highly forward-thinking, they’re achievable in theory,” IMECH engineer Li Wenhao said in the video.

The gruelling development process has included more than 30 design refinements to optimise models and improve testing.

In 2020, an initial test failed due to a parachute deploying too soon. In May 2021, a second attempt was abandoned because of bad weather in the Gobi Desert.

“You can run 100 ground tests, but if there’s one unresolved issue, it will inevitably emerge during flight,” said Zhang Chen’an, one of the team members featured in the video.

After refining theoretical models and upgrading on-site test protocols, the team’s third flight test attempt in November 2021 was successful, and included the recovery of the aircraft, the MD-21 prototype.

“The flight path is highly complex – diving first, then ascending and returning, which makes this generation of aircraft even more challenging than its predecessors,” Li said in the video.

Formed in 2018, the task force is made up of multidisciplinary experts, all in their 20s and 30s, who work next to the same workspace where Qian Xuesen established IMECH decades ago and laid the foundation for China’s aerospace research.

The team has successfully conducted nine flight tests with five different experimental models.

The reusable aircraft have achieved autonomous horizontal landings without propulsion, significantly expanding the operational boundaries of reusable aerospace vehicles.

“We are currently developing a new generation of aircraft to make wide-range hypersonic vehicles even faster and more efficient,” said Liu Wen, an associate professor with IMECH.

China’s investments in innovative research are intended to lay the groundwork for transformative advancements in science and technology.

Since 2021, CAS has formed 188 task forces named after pioneering scientists like Qian Xuesen.

The teams aim to address key scientific challenges and have achieved significant breakthroughs in basic science and technology

For example, the “Li Siguang Tibetan Plateau Paleo-Biology Task Force” revealed the evolution of basins in the Northern Qiangtang Block and found major coal deposits in upper Permian strata. Similarly, the “Wang Dezhao Deep Blue Task Force” developed China’s first unmanned underwater vehicle with countermeasure capabilities.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3291162/chinas-hypersonic-drone-near-space-launch-test-revealed-video-first-time

Earth from space: Antarctica's 'Deception Island' is one of the only places on Earth where you can sail into an active volcano

December 17, 2024

This striking satellite photo shows off the unique shape of Antarctica's "Deception Island" — a semi-submerged, active volcanic caldera created by one of the region's largest known eruptions, which now provides a haven for ships and researchers exploring the area around the South Pole.

The horseshoe-shaped island, which is roughly 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) wide, is located in the Southern Ocean around 65 miles (105 km) from mainland Antarctica.

It is one of the South Shetland Islands, which sit in the middle of the Drake Passage — a stretch of water commonly known as the "iceberg graveyard," due to the number of massive ice slabs that fall apart as they move through this passage, after breaking off from Antarctic ice sheets.

Deception Island gets its intriguing name because, from sea level, it looks like a single solid landmass surrounded on every side by steep cliffs.

But if you approach it and find the narrow 1,600-foot-wide (500 meters) opening in the caldera's rim, known as "Neptune's Bellows," you realize that it holds a massive hidden lagoon.

Explorers first discovered the secret passageway in 1820.

Before then, many sailors would have likely passed by not knowing that its interior, known as Port Foster, is an excellent refuge for sailors to wait out massive storms that frequently hit the Southern Ocean.

The unusual landmass was left behind after a major volcanic eruption around 4,000 years ago, which likely launched between 7 and 14 cubic miles (30 and 60 cubic kilometers) of ash and magma into the sky — the equivalent of between 120 million and 240 million Olympic swimming pools.

Experts believe this was the largest eruption in Antarctica for at least the last 12,000 years, according to NASA's Earth Observatory.

The island is still volcanically active and has hosted at least 20 small eruptions since the end of the 19th century.

However, it has not erupted since 1970 and has been silent since 2015, when the last seismic activity was recorded on the island, according to the Smithsonian Institute's Global Volcanism Program.

There is only one other active volcano in Antarctica — Mount Erebus on Ross Island.

Today, Port Foster is home to two permanent research stations run by Argentina and Spain, according to the British Antarctic Survey.

A third station, belonging to Chile, was also located on the island but was destroyed during the 1970 eruption.

There are also between 50,000 and 100,000 breeding pairs of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) that call the island home, alongside several species of seals and seabirds, according to the BBC.

Deception Island is also visited by thousands of tourists every year who journey to the remote island on cruise ships and come ashore to enjoy volcanic springs along Port Foster's beaches.

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/antarctica/earth-from-space-antarcticas-deception-island-is-one-of-the-only-places-on-earth-where-you-can-sail-into-an-active-volcano

Submarines for space exploration

17/12/2024

Submarines are emerging as a unique research platform to study human adaption to extreme environments – from ocean depths to outer space.

ESA, the Portuguese Space Agency and the Portuguese Navy are now using these vessels of underwater exploration to recreate isolation and confinement challenges in space.

The first crew of the SubSea project returned to shore yesterday after completing a 60-day underwater expedition.

A scientific team from universities in Germany, Italy and Portugal is studying how stress, mood and crew dynamics evolve among 25 volunteers confined in cramped quarters, much like astronauts on long space missions.

From deep seas to outer space

Submarines replicate the isolation, confinement and operational challenges of space missions, making them ideal for studying how these conditions affect crew members and for developing strategies to help them cope.

Underwater expeditions serve as high-fidelity analogues for testing new techniques and for gathering data to improve future human spaceflight missions.

To understand how body and mind adapt throughout the mission, scientists used questionnaires and collected hair and saliva samples.

The results will help them track stress markers like cortisol, as well as monitor changes in the crew’s immune health.

Human resilience

ESA and its international partners have been using the International Space Station for more than two decades to conduct hundreds of experiments, including the study of the effects of spaceflight on human health.

On the Space Station, astronauts are exposed to microgravity and space radiation while living and working in a confined environment.

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who recently spent six months orbiting Earth with the Huginn mission, believes that missions like SubSea help them prepare for the many physiological and psychological challenges of space.

“SubSea is an essential initiative to understand human resilience in extreme environments," says Andreas.

“Research into life and work in confined environments, whether under the sea, in space or in remote locations on Earth provide invaluable insights into how humans adapt physically and mentally to isolation and stress,” he adds.

“These efforts deepen our understanding of extreme environments and play a crucial role in preparing the global space community for the challenges of future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond,” says Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration.

Integrating knowledge from submarine and astronaut research communities could drive innovation in healthcare for polar stations, military deployments, hiking expeditions, populations living in prolonged darkness, and even mining operations.

Findings could address clinical disorders such as seasonal affective disorder, depression, and sleep disturbances.

This SubSea mission marks the initial phase of a project designed to expand its research scope in subsequent stages.

Portuguese expertise

“SubSea aligns perfectly with Portugal’s growing focus on analogue activities and space medicine,” states Ricardo Conde, president of the Portuguese Space Agency.

Portugal has several terrestrial analogue sites, such as the Capelinhos Volcano and Barreiro da Faneca in the Azores and the Selvagens Islands in Madeira. These locations resemble conditions found on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars.

By leveraging its unique terrestrial and marine resources, Portugal is positioning itself as an essential hub for research, innovation, and training to support future space missions.

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Submarines_for_space_exploration

Japan and India startups to study using lasers to tackle space debris

Dec 17, 2024

Space startups in Japan and India said on Tuesday they had agreed to jointly study using laser-equipped satellites to remove debris from orbit, an experimental approach to the increasingly imminent problem of orbital congestion.

Tokyo-based Orbital Lasers and Indian robotics company InspeCity said they would study business opportunities for in-space services such as de-orbiting a defunct satellite and extending a spacecraft's life.

Carved out from Japanese satellite giant Sky Perfect JSAT this year, Orbital Lasers is building a system that will use laser energy to stop the rotation of space junk by vaporizing small parts of its surface, making it easier for a servicing spacecraft to rendezvous.

Orbital Lasers plans to demonstrate the system in space and supply it to operators after 2027, said Aditya Baraskar, the company's global business lead.

It can be mounted on InspeCity satellites if the companies clear regulatory requirements in India and Japan, Baraskar added. The companies said they had signed a preliminary agreement to initiate the collaboration.

InspeCity was founded in 2022 and raised $1.5 million last year, while Orbital Lasers has raised ¥900 million ($5.8 million) since it was established in January.

A United Nations panel on space traffic coordination in late October said that urgent action was necessary to track and manage objects in low Earth orbit because of the rapid increase in satellites and space junk.

There are already more than 100 companies in the space servicing market as satellite constellations expand, Nobu Okada, chief executive of Japanese debris mitigation pioneer Astroscale, said earlier this year.

The project is the latest example of collaboration between Japan and India, whose governments are working together on the joint Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, which could launch as early as 2026.

Indian rocket maker Skyroot and satellite builder HEX20 are also working with Japanese moon exploration firm Ispace on a future lunar orbiter mission.

The two countries' commercial space tie-ups have been driven by Japanese satellite data solutions for India's disaster management and agriculture, and can expand to more fields such as manufacturing, said Masayasu Ishida, chief executive of Tokyo-based nonprofit Spacetide, which has hosted space business conferences since 2015.

"The key is finding where and how to build complementary relationships" that align with national policies such as "Make in India," which aims to boost local production, Ishida said.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/12/17/companies/japan-india-space-debris/