All posts tagged: microgravity

NASA Studies Flame and Combustion in Space to Understand Effect of Microgravity

NASA Studies Flame and Combustion in Space to Understand Effect of Microgravity

Published by Webster

NASA scientists safely created controlled flames in space for years. The research on fire spread will help to enhance the combustion understanding, with the protection of future explorers.In the absence of Earth’s gravity, the behaviour of flames is different compared to Earth. In general, the warm air rises and gets replaced by cool air from below. This circulation effect doesn’t take place in microgravity, i.e. space. Combustion study in microgravity gives a rare opportunity for scientists to know about the fundamentals of combustion without the effect of gravity. Astronauts Fire Safety The scientists studied combustion in space to protect astronauts from fire accidents, explained NASA. Astronauts should be aware of what to do in case of a fire emergency. In contrast to Earth, astronauts cannot evacuate the spacecraft and dial 911. The environment of the spacecraft needs to be made as protective as possible with the help of materials that don’t burn. Research is crucial when some materials could even be more flammable in the partial gravitational environments. Study of Flames Spread in Microgravity International …

Astronaut Vision Changes in Space, Pose Risks for Mars Exploration

Astronaut Vision Changes in Space, Pose Risks for Mars Exploration

Published by Webster

A significant number of astronauts spending extended time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have reported changes to their vision, raising concerns for future deep-space missions. Reports indicate that 70 percent of astronauts who have spent between six to twelve months in microgravity have experienced noticeable shifts in eyesight. Symptoms linked to spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) include swelling of the optic nerve, flattening at the back of the eye, and vision impairment. The phenomenon is attributed to fluid redistribution in microgravity, which increases pressure on ocular structures. While many astronauts recover upon returning to Earth, the long-term impact remains uncertain, making it a critical issue for extended missions beyond low Earth orbit. Findings of the Study According to a study, Microgravity, researchers led by Santiago Costantino at the Université de Montréal examined 13 astronauts who had spent five to six months on the ISS. Participants from the United States, Europe, Japan and Canada, with an average age of 48, were included in the research. Eye measurements were taken before and after spaceflight, focusing on ocular …

NASA’s Astronaut Sunita Williams Grows Lettuce in Space: Everything You Need to Know

NASA’s Astronaut Sunita Williams Grows Lettuce in Space: Everything You Need to Know

Published by Webster

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is conducting an agricultural experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) aimed at advancing space farming techniques and addressing Earth’s agricultural challenges, as per reports. The experiment, part of NASA’s Plant Habitat-07 study, involves cultivating “Outredgeous” romaine lettuce in microgravity conditions. According to reports, the study examines how water availability impacts plant growth in space, with potential benefits for long-term space missions and sustainable farming on Earth. Objectives of the Experiment The primary goal of this research is to develop effective plant cultivation methods for extended space missions. Scientists are exploring how plants grow and thrive in microgravity to support self-sustaining life-support systems in space. As per sources, these findings are expected to aid in designing water-efficient agricultural practices for drought-stricken regions on Earth. According to multiple reports, Sunita Williams has been collecting baseline water samples and installing the science carrier for the lettuce, which serves as its cultivation chamber. Data from this experiment will assess growth patterns, nutritional content, and the general health of the lettuce. Implications for Space and …

Here’s how many calories astronauts need in space to stay energetic, fit | Food-wine News

Here’s how many calories astronauts need in space to stay energetic, fit | Food-wine News

Published by Parlour News

Just like on Earth, where a reduction in calorie intake affects body weight, the same happens in space. Experts say the effect is compounded with microgravity or very little gravity. “Microgravity can affect bone and muscle turnover. There is rapid caloric loss and protein deficiency coupled with nutritional deficiency, which can lead to a shift in fluid and electrolyte balance in prolonged stay in space,” said Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology, Zandra Healthcare and co-founder of Rang De Neela Initiative. He added that being in space causes astronauts to burn calories quickly and lose some critical nutrients with prolonged stay. “On Earth, we don’t usually think about gravity helping our muscles and bones stay healthy, but it’s always there, gently pulling us down and giving our bodies a natural workout. Without this constant pull, the body has to work harder in space, which uses more energy and nutrients,” elaborated Dr Kovil. Without strong gravity, Dr Kovil explained that astronauts’ bones and muscles don’t get as much exercise as they do on Earth, so they start …

NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Refutes Health Concerns, Shares Fitness Routine from Space

NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Refutes Health Concerns, Shares Fitness Routine from Space

Published by Webster

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has recently addressed speculations surrounding her health condition while on the International Space Station (ISS), discarding recent claims made by media outlets regarding her wellbeing. In response to reports that suggested she appeared “gaunt” due to an extended stay on the ISS, Williams clarified her status during a video interview on November 12, explaining that her weight has remained unchanged since her arrival in orbit. Routine Exercise and Physical Adaptations Williams, who commands Expedition 72 aboard the ISS, responded to health concerns publicly, indicating that any changes in her physical appearance are the result of rigorous exercise routines rather than health deterioration. Like all astronauts on extended missions, she has been following an intense workout regimen designed to counteract the muscle and bone density loss commonly associated with prolonged microgravity exposure. Williams stated that her routine includes running on a treadmill, riding an exercise bike and lifting weights. It is a form of exercise that has led to increased muscle mass, particularly in her thighs and glutes, while her overall weight …

One of NASA’s new spacesuits passes microgravity test

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Collins Aerospace, a private company hired to create spacesuits for use outside the International Space Station (ISS), has tested its suit aboard a commercial microgravity flight, passing a milestone that lets engineers move forward toward critical design review. NASA outsourced the design of new spacesuits in 2022 after spending 15 years trying to develop new suits on its own. Collins Aerospace said the suit is lighter and has less volume than the “enhanced” Extravehicular Mobility Units that current NASA astronauts use. It can be modified when missions change and fit a much wider range of body types far more easily than the older suits that are based on designs that are decades old. During the test, the plane executed “roller-coaster-like maneuvers” to induce weightlessness and allow someone wearing a prototype to see if it actually lets someone move around in it under those conditions. As seen in the video below, they tried things like navigating through doors in zero-G. Collins Aerospace’s next test will put the suit in a vacuum chamber to see how it …