News Articles
ISS
Nov 19, 2018
While 3D printers are technology that many people are familiar with, there’s one 250 miles above us on the International Space Station (ISS) that’s unlike anything currently found on Earth. It’s known as the Refabricator, a hybrid 3D printer that can recycle its hard, polymer plastic numerous times... Read More
Earth, ISS
Mar 7, 2017
About 30 years ago, researchers announced that ozone concentrations high in the atmosphere over the South Pole had hit an all-time low. This critical layer of the atmosphere that shields us from the Sun’s harmful UV rays had a ‘hole’ in it. And that hole was rapidly expanding. This discovery led to... Read More
ISS
Dec 13, 2016
Crewmembers on the International Space Station (ISS) can experience sunrises and sunsets in rapid succession -- about 16 “sunsets” per day because the space station circles Earth once every 90 minutes.
ISS
Aug 29, 2016
Ever since the first strands of DNA were sequenced in the 1970s, researchers understood the profound significance of analyzing genetics for a wide range of medical and biological research.
Earth, ISS
Jul 28, 2016
Summer can bring with it a whirlwind of activity. Hurricane season causes potential havoc on land with threats of forceful winds and torrential rainfall. A helpful set of eyes mounted on the International Space Station (ISS) allows scientists to observe these massive storms from a special angle --... Read More
ISS
May 27, 2016
It has been known for some time that time in space affects astronauts’ vision. Post-flight vision changes have been reported by many astronauts after they spend time on the International Space Station. Many, but not all. But why are only certain people affected by spaceflight in this manner?’
ISS
Feb 23, 2016
If your favorite astronaut returns from space wearing horn-rim glasses and funny stockings, don’t be too disappointed. It’s all part of the job. And there’s a logical explanation.
Among the challenges astronauts face during their stints on the International Space Station, farsightedness is fairly... Read More
ISS
Jan 20, 2016
On August 10th, astronauts on the International Space Station sampled their first space-grown salad and pronounced it “good.” They were treated to freshly harvested red romaine lettuce grown in the “Veggie” plant growth chamber—a special structure designed to make gardens flourish in... Read More
ISS
Dec 28, 2015
Muscles are miracles of nature. They convert energy into motion more efficiently than any gasoline engine or electric motor. They’re extremely resilient and even heal themselves. Instead of degrading with use, our muscles become stronger the more we work them.
ISS
Nov 17, 2015
Traveling in space has many odd effects on the human body. One of the strangest has to do with vision.
After spending some time on the International Space Station, many astronauts discover that they cannot see as well as they do on Earth. The effect is so well known that members of... Read More
ISS
Nov 15, 2015
The human body is incredibly complex. Every part of us—from our bones to our blood cells—is subject to a host of chemical reactions and molecular interactions that, without our conscious effort, keep us alive.
But what happens to these processes when we leave the planet?
ISS
Oct 31, 2015
When the Space Age began, there was no such thing as a “graphical user interface.” Astronauts interacted with their electronics using only knobs and toggle switches. It was a different time.
Fast forward to 2015.
ISS
Jul 10, 2015
Astronauts on the International Space Station give up many pleasures to take those giant leaps in the name of science. They leave behind fresh vegetables, relaxing hot showers, warm sunshine, gently misting rain, and much more.
One of the things astronauts say they miss most is a good cup of... Read More
ISS
May 23, 2015
May 23, 2015: Humans have long been fascinated by the cosmos. Ancient cave paintings show that we've been thinking about space for much of the history of our species. The popularity of recent sci-fi movies suggest that the human mind just might be coming to grips with theharsh... Read More
