Tag: NASA

Aug162017 by adminNo Comments

NASA, students to study eclipse with high-altitude balloons

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Not everyone will be watching next week's eclipse from ground level. As part of the Eclipse Ballooning Project, some 50 high-altitude balloons launched from 20 locations will offer a view of the phenomenon from the edge of space.For those in the path of Monday's total solar eclipse, the star attraction will be skyward. Necks will be craned as moon's path intercepts the sun and casts a shadow stretching 70 miles across.Thanks to the cameras and live-streaming technology installed on most of the balloons' payloads, online viewers will be able to look down on the eclipse."The focus of the live stream will really be on the shadow," said Angela Des Jardins of Montana State University.The project, which includes dozens of student research teams from colleges and universities acr...

Aug112017 by adminNo Comments

NASA TV to broadcast six-hour space walk outside ISS

Science

Aug. 11 (UPI) -- NASA's own TV channel is scheduled to broadcast a six-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The walk will take place on August 17, and coverage will begin at 10 a.m. EDT.The spacewalk will be carried out by a pair Russian cosmonauts, Expedition 52 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy. While outside the space station, the duo will manually launch five nanosatellites, each with a different purpose -- not all of them scientific.One of the miniature satellites is encased in paneling created by 3D printers. The cubed satellite will help researchers test the effects of low-Earth orbit on 3D printed materials.Another mini satellite is being launched in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Sputnik 1 launch, the world's first a...

Aug52017 by adminNo Comments

NASA responds to job application from boy, 9

Technology

A nine-year-old boy received an encouraging response from NASA after he applied for the role of planetary protection officer.The job was listed this week as the space agency seeks help to protect Earth from aliens.In technical terms, the officer would assist with the "avoidance of organic-constituent and biological contamination in human and robotic space exploration".The job advert notes that "space flight missions may intentionally or unintentionally carry Earth organisms and organic constituents to the planets or other solar system bodies".Among the first applicants for the role was nine-year-old Jack Davis. He wrote to the space agency to explain:"My name is Jack Davis and I would like to apply for the planetary protection officer job.I may be nine but think I would be fit for the job....

Aug42017 by adminNo Comments

NASA seeks employee to protect Earth from aliens

Technology

Anyone whose skill set includes the ability to protect Earth from aliens still has more than a week to apply for what may just be their dream job.NASA is looking for a planetary protection officer.What that means in technical terms is someone who can help with the "avoidance of organic-constituent and biological contamination in human and robotic space exploration".The job advert notes that "space flight missions may intentionally or unintentionally carry Earth organisms and organic constituents to the planets or other solar system bodies".Equally, spacecraft could return "to Earth and its biosphere with samples from extraterrestrial targets of exploration".The job ad says that "frequent travel may be required", although it does not specify whether that is simply on Earth, or around the so...

Jul282017 by adminNo Comments

NASA scientists find chemical capable of forming cell membranes on Saturn's moon

Science

July 28 (UPI) -- Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Center have identified a chemical capable of forming cell membranes on Titan, Saturn's largest moon.Researchers have previously hypothesized that Titan's atmosphere featured acrylonitrile, but this is the first time scientists have directly detected the chemical.On Earth, acrylonitrile, or vinyl cyanide, is used in plastics manufacturing. On Titan, scientists believe the compound could form a flexible but stable structure similar to the lipid bilayers the makeup cell membranes on Earth.Acrylonitrile's chemical signature was found in Titan's stratosphere, but its concentration -- 2.8 parts per billion -- is great enough to reach the moon's surface.Titan's chemical diversity has long intrigued scientists. Researchers believe the moon has ma...