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Antibiotic Resistance Experiments on International Space Station (ISS)
NASA is dispatching multiple biological and physical science experiments and equipment as part of SpaceX's 30th commercial resupply services mission. The commercial resupply launch took place Thursday, March 21, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Examining living things and physical processes in challenging environments helps scientists build the basic understanding needed to explore space further and spend more time there. This research also has positive effects on life here on Earth. These experiments not only lead to groundbreaking scientific discoveries but also facilitate sustainable exploration of deep space and promote innovative engineering
For example, one of the experiments is to understand antibiotic resistance in space.
The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria presents a major risk to human health, whether on Earth or in space. Even though common, harmless bacteria such as Enterococcus faecalis (EF) and Enterococcus faecium are present on the International Space Station just like they are on Earth, they show resistance to antibiotics and are more resilient compared to their counterparts on the ground. This raises concerns about the possibility of more harmful bacteria causing infections for astronauts, particularly during long-duration missions, since conventional antibiotic treatments may not work effectively.
To tackle this problem, the Genomic Enumeration of Antibiotic Resistance in Space project will conduct a survey of the space station to identify antibiotic-resistant microbes.
Through analyzing the genetic characteristics of these bacteria, scientists aim to comprehend their adaptation to the distinctive space environment. This insight will play a crucial role in devising protective strategies for astronauts' well-being during extended space missions. Furthermore, it has the potential to enhance our overall understanding of antibiotic resistance, thereby improving healthcare practices on Earth.
US and Germany Collaborate to Monitor Earth's Water Movement
NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR (German Aerospace Center) have agreed to collaborate on the development, launch, and operation of a duo of spacecraft aimed at monitoring monthly shifts in Earth's gravity field to track the movement of water, ice, and land masses. This partnership aims to enhance understanding of Earth's water cycle, including responses to factors like climate change. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-Continuity (GRACE-C) mission is scheduled for launch no earlier than 2028.
Gravity naturally varies across Earth's surface due to differences in mass distribution. For example, movements in underground water storage or melting ice sheets cause significant shifts in mass, which, in turn, alter the planet's gravity field over weeks to months.
To measure these changes, researchers rely on the GRACE-C satellites, which detect tiny variations in distance between them. As the lead satellite passes over areas with more mass, such as regions with higher groundwater levels, it experiences a slight pull forward due to increased gravity, causing it to move away from the trailing satellite. Equipped with a laser ranging interferometer (LRI) instrument capable of detecting distance changes 100 times smaller than a human hair's thickness, the satellites continuously monitor the space between them.
Data collected from the GRACE missions is vital for characterizing Earth's climate. These measurements, combined with other data and computer models, are routinely utilized for drought assessment, agricultural water-use planning, and understanding the drivers of sea level rise, such as ice loss from the world's ice sheets. Airbus won the contract for manufacturing these satellites.
Pushpak - Successful Test Landing Marks Triumph for India's Reusable Launch Vehicle 'Pushpak
India's space aspirations soared higher as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) celebrated the successful test landing of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) dubbed 'Pushpak' at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere, near Karnataka’s Chitradurga. Witnessed by ISRO chairman S Somanath and other dignitaries, the event marked a pivotal achievement in India's quest for affordable space access.
Dubbed 'Pushpak,' the winged vehicle was gracefully released from an Indian Airforce Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km. Navigating autonomously, it made precise maneuvers, touching down flawlessly on the runway with the aid of a brake parachute, landing gear brakes, and nose wheel steering system, as announced by ISRO.
This successful landing is the latest milestone in a series of tests aimed at refining Pushpak's robotic landing capabilities, bringing India closer to realizing its ambitious space exploration goals. While operational deployment remains a few years away, this achievement underscores India's technological prowess and commitment to revolutionizing space access.
The Pushpak project, developed over a decade with an investment of approximately Rs 100 crore, signifies India's stride towards making space exploration more affordable and accessible. It's a testament to the nation's vision for the future, including plans to establish the Bhartiya Antariksha Station by 2035.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently briefed on the progress of the Pushpak vehicle during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, highlighting the government's support for such groundbreaking initiatives. The journey of the RLV spacecraft began in 2012, with its design approved by the National Review Committee, leading to the development of the first prototype named RLV-TD (Technology Demonstrator).
Collaborating with institutions like the National Aerospace Laboratory and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), ISRO has made significant strides in developing heat-resistant materials crucial for spacecraft protection during atmospheric re-entry. The maiden flight of RLV in 2016 marked a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey, paving the way for future endeavors.
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ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization ISRO ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation IN-SPACe SpaceX DRDO, Centre for Airborne Systems Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) - DRDO Narendra Modi Somanath S
Russia and China to Jointly Construct Moon Nuclear Reactor by 2035
Russia and China have revealed plans to collaborate on a groundbreaking project, aiming to construct a shared nuclear reactor on the moon by 2035. This ambitious endeavor comes as both countries strive to expand their presence beyond Earth's atmosphere, following India's Chandrayaan mission.
The collaboration between Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, and China's National Space Administration (CNSA) aims to establish an automated nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2035. This reactor will power a proposed lunar base jointly operated by both nations.
In 2021, Roscosmos and CNSA had unveiled intentions to construct the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a shared moon base. However, strained relations and Roscosmos' plan to exit the International Space Station by 2025 have dimmed hopes of NASA astronauts visiting the ILRS.
Roscosmos recently announced plans to develop a nuclear reactor in collaboration with CNSA to potentially power the ILRS. Director General Yury Borisov highlighted the challenge of executing the construction task autonomously, stating that the project would likely proceed "without the presence of humans," as technological solutions near readiness.
Black Hole Myths
The term "black holes" captivates minds worldwide, drawing curiosity about these enigmatic entities in space. However, many assumptions about black holes are actually misconceptions.
Myth 1: Black holes are entirely black. Contrary to belief, recent images from the Event Horizon telescope reveal light near the black hole's event horizon. This light emanates from the accretion disk—a flat structure comprising dust and gas swirling toward the event horizon. Additionally, jet streams propel matter outward from the disk's poles.
Myth 2: All black holes are uniform in size. In reality, black holes vary in size, determined by their mass. Small black holes form from the rapid collapse of stars, while supermassive ones reside at the centers of galaxies.
Dr. Dan Evans of NASA explains the connection between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies, suggesting they grew in tandem over billions of years.
Myth 3: Proximity to a black hole guarantees being pulled into its center. Surprisingly, one can approach a black hole closely without immediate peril. For instance, a black hole with the Sun's mass would allow objects to orbit it at relatively close distances.
Myth 4: Nothing escapes a black hole's grasp. Contrarily, Hawking radiation theory posits that radiation can escape over time, leading to the black hole's evaporation.
In essence, unraveling the myths surrounding black holes reveals their complexity and challenges preconceived notions about these cosmic phenomena.
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