We present a chemical kinetics model of the solid-phase chemical evolution of a comet, beginning with a long period of cold-storage in the Oort Cloud, followed by five orbits that […]
Radiation
Posted inEuropa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Missions & Hardware, Radiation, Status Report
Europa Clipper Transistors Can (Probably) Support The Baseline Astrobiology Mission
NASA’s Europa Clipper mission remains on track, with a launch period opening on Thursday, Oct. 10. The next major milestone for Clipper is Key Decision Point E on Monday, Sept. […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Unprecedented Atmospheric Changes Occurred During May’s Geomagnetic Superstorm
On May 11, a gorgeous aurora surprised stargazers across the southern United States. That same weekend, a tractor guided by GPS missed its mark.
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Radiation
Microbes That Can Withstand Microwave Exposure
Since the industrial revolution, microbes have successfully colonized one novel type of habitat after another: for example marine oil spills, plastic floating in the oceans, industrial brownfields, and even the […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
Understanding The Stellar Flare Risks To Planets That Could Host Life
A groundbreaking study has revealed that red dwarf stars can produce stellar flares that carry far-ultraviolet (far-UV) radiation levels much higher than previously believed. This discovery suggests that the intense […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report
Offworld Biology: Rotifer-B2 Preflight Imagery
Preflight image of the Rotifer-B2 experiment container. The Rotifer-B2 investigation aims to explore the effects that spaceflight has on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair mechanisms of the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Stellar Cartography
Sun-like Stars Have Been Found Orbiting Hidden Companions
Most stars in our universe come in pairs. While our own Sun is a loner, many stars like our Sun orbit similar stars, while a host of other exotic pairings […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Status Report
Survival Of Microorganisms During Two-year Exposure Outside The International Space Station
Results of an experiment named “Test” on survival and variability of microorganisms in open space near the International Space Station are presented.
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release, Radiation, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Biosignatures Could Survive Near The Surfaces of Enceladus and Europa
Europa, a moon of Jupiter, and Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, have evidence of oceans beneath their ice crusts. A NASA experiment suggests that if these oceans support life, signatures […]
Posted inCubesats and smallsats, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Radiation, Space Life Science, Status Report
Biosentinel Deep Space Mission
BioSentinel was launched as a secondary payload on the space launch system (SLS) Artemis I mission on November 16, 2022, and is currently in a heliocentric orbit at approx. 36 […]