Hitching a ride in the Soyuz capsule with Tim Peake, Yuri Malenchenko and Tim Kopra were 46 species of small organisms and more than 150 organic compounds. Their voyage was […]
ISS
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Space Stations
Microbes in Space: JPL Researcher Explores Tiny Life
On May 11, a sealed capsule containing fungi and bacteria fell from the sky and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. Microbiologist Kasthuri Venkateswaran could hardly wait to see what […]
Posted inNASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Plant Biology, Space Life Science
Thora Halstead, Space Biologist
Keith’s note: When I first came to Washington in 1986 I had the extreme pleasure of working with Thora at NASA Headquarters. Thora learned her craft from the very first […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Space Life Science, Space Stations, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Sequencing DNA in Space
NASA is not often known for making the best use of existing COTS (commercial off the shelf technology) aboard the ISS. Then again, sometimes they are. This is an example […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release, Space Stations
Spacewalk Marks End of ESA's Exposed Space Chemistry Experiment
ESA’s Expose facility was retrieved today from outside the International Space Station by cosmonauts Yuri Malenchenko and Sergei Volkov, who were completing a spacewalk to place new experiments on the […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Mars, Press Release, Space Stations
Fungi Survive Martian Conditions on the International Space Station
The McMurdo Dry Valleys, located in the Antarctic Victoria Land, are considered to be the most similar earthly equivalent to Mars. They make up one of the driest and most […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astrochemistry, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Space Kombucha in the Search for Life and Its Origin
You might know it as a drink for hipsters or as an ancient brew drunk for centuries in Eurasia, but the culture that ferments sugary tea into Kombucha is going […]
Posted inBiophysics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gravitational Biology, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Space Stations
Space Station Research Studies Exposure Of Life To Vacuum of Space
In the movies, humans often fear invaders from Mars. These days, scientists are more concerned about invaders to Mars, in the form of micro-organisms from Earth. Three recent scientific papers […]
Posted inPolar / Alpine Expeditions, Societal Issues, Space Stations
Early Morning Skywatching and Teaching Satellite Concepts to Sherpas
I got up early today to see the ISS and Endeavour fly over my house. Its always cool to see them flying in formation like this.
Posted inMoon, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Space Stations, Status Report
Everest and Moon Rocks On-Orbit: NASA STS-130 Report #23 5 a.m. CST Friday, Feb. 19, 2010
Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas HOUSTON – Hatches between Endeavour and the International Space Station were closed at 2:08 a.m. CST. During 9 days, 52 minutes of joint operations, the […]