What Are The Benefits of 3D Printing in Space?
3D printing has moved from a hobbyist’s best friend to one of the most useful tools in nearly every industry. With a computer and a bit of heat, you can turn strings of plastic filament into nearly anything. More advanced types of 3D printers can even lay down layers of metal, glass, or cement. There is even a 3D printer in orbit above the Earth on the International Space Station. What are the benefits of 3D printing in space and will we see more of it in the future? Keeping Rocket Weight Low That same gravity that keeps you from floating away from the Earth’s surface also makes it difficult…
Here’s How NASA Chose the First Astronauts to Walk on the Moon
While we're excited to see the Artemis astronauts make their way to the lunar surface, they aren't the first human beings to set foot on the moon. How did NASA choose the Apollo astronauts for the 1969 mission? How has the selection process changed over the years, and what is NASA looking for in its Artemis astronauts?
What’s on the Menu for Astronauts?
When you think of eating food in space, what foods come to mind? Chances are, it’s that freeze-dried ice cream that you tried once as a kid during a science field trip, right? During the early part of the space race, that would have been a staple, but astronaut food doesn’t look like that anymore. What is on the menu for modern astronauts, and how has it changed since we first started setting out into the cosmos? Early Astronaut Food During the early years of manned space flight, the food that the astronauts were able to take into space with them greatly resembled the tube of toothpaste on your bathroom…
Why Does the Advisory Committee Want a Smaller ISS Crew?
There are currently six astronauts on the International Space Station right now — three from the United States, two from Russia and one from Japan. You can use this website to see who they are and how many days they’ve been in space. There are even informational profiles for each astronaut, so you can learn more about them. A total of six astronauts doesn’t sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but that hasn’t stopped the Advisory Committee from recommending smaller ISS crews going forward. Why does the committee want smaller teams on the International Space Station, and what will this mean for the future of the…
How Does Space Fever Affect an Astronaut’s Health?
We’ve been sending men and women into space since the late 1960s, and we’ve spent the better part of the last 60 years studying the effect that space travel has on the human body. Recently, we’ve discovered a new and potentially dangerous side effect of living and working in microgravity environments: space fever. What is space fever, and how can it affect the health of the astronauts who live and work on the International Space Station? What Is Space Fever? When you’re on Earth, as long as you are not ill, your normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius. When you become sick and your body…
To The Stars And Beyond
I remember looking at the stars every night as a child with my father who was fascinated by Astronomy. His love of the stars rolled off into a passion of mine and as an adult there will always be moments where I look up at night, am mesmerized by the beauty of the dark, glittering sky and bright moon and am literally lost in space. I have imagined, sometimes, what it would be like to be an astronaut. Imagine that – being an astronaut. Being out there in the deep void of space where there is so much that can be explored. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk…
Moscow’s Secret Moon Plan: The N-1 Rocket [Infographic]
“Hoping to beat the Americans to the moon before 1970, Soviet rocket engineer Sergey Korolyov worked in secret to plan the mighty N-1, an equal to the American Saturn V booster. In 1966 however, the sudden death of Korolyov threw Soviet plans into disarray. After four N-1s were lost in catastrophic accidents, the Soviets destroyed the remaining hardware and denied the very existence of the program. The N-1 remained a state secret until being made public in 1990.” Taken from the infographic below: Source Space.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration
RIP. Neil Armstrong
Yesterday, August 25, we lost a true hero. Neil Armstrong died at the age of 82 due to complications from blocked coronary arteries. He was an inspiration to many and has taught us to dream big about the future of humanity in space. He will be forever remembered. RIP.
15 Things You Didn’t Know About Outer Space [Infographic]
Since the dawn of history, outer space has always caught the imagination of people across the continents and different cultures. However most of what we currently know about space has been discovered since the beginning of the space age over half a century ago.
