NASA astronaut Anil Menon assigned mission to International Space Station
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Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Life on Mars? Thick clay layers on red planet might hold the answer
The possibility of life on Mars is something scientists and astronomers have been trying to figure out for decades. With rapid advancements in science in the last century, scientists have stumbled across various clues as to how and where life could be hidden on the red planet. While meteorites, liquid water and water ice at the planet's poles have hinted that the planet may once have been ideal for life, new research suggests that the thick, mineral-rich layers of clay were ideal for life to survive for a long time. These layers, which are said to have formed about 3.7 billion years ago, had warmer and wetter conditions than the rest of the planet. Researchers say they analysed 150 clay deposits using NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and analysed their shape and locations to see how they resembled ancient lakes and rivers on the planet. In a statement to Rhianna Moore, a researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas' Jackson School of Geosciences, said, 'These areas have a lot of water but not a lot of topographic uplift, so they're very stable. If you have a stable terrain, you're not messing up your potentially habitable environments.' For those wondering, deposits like these on Earth can be found in certain landscapes and climatic conditions. Researchers say they noticed that most of the clay layers were formed in low areas near ancient lakes, but they weren't close to the valleys where water once flowed. In a new study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists say these clay minerals were found in areas where chemical weathering was favoured over physical erosion.' Since tectonic activity is pretty much non-existent on Mars, CO2 released by volcanoes on Mars likely stayed in the planet's atmosphere for a long time, making it warmer and wetter. This may have also contributed to the formation of the clay layers. Speculation also has it that the clay absorbed water and captured chemical byproducts like cations, which prevented them from reacting with the rocks surrounding them. However, it is still unclear how the planet's topography and climate affected the formation of these clay layers.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
From Beef Paste To Gajar Ka Halwa, How Do Astronauts Eat in Zero Gravity? Explained
Last Updated: Freeze-dried foods first made their way into space during NASA's Gemini Program, designed to sustain astronauts on missions lasting up to two weeks Imagine a bowl of your favourite warm soup. Now imagine it floating upside down as you struggle to get a mouthful. For astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), this is how every meal is—a delicate dance of science, engineering, and appetite. From vacuum-sealed tacos to rehydrated scrambled eggs, eating in space is less about fine dining and more about surviving in zero gravity—without letting your lunch float away. But how exactly do astronauts fill their stomachs hundreds of kilometres above Earth? Let's start with the history of eating in space. According to NASA, on April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri A Gagarin also became the first person to eat in space, 'squeezing beef and liver paste from an aluminum tube into his mouth. For dessert he had a chocolate sauce, eating it using the same method". Astronaut John H Glenn became the first American to eat in space as he relished apple sauce from a toothpaste-like tube. His fellow Mercury astronauts on slightly longer missions consumed other food items also from tubes. Freeze-dried foods first made their way into space during NASA's Gemini Program, designed to sustain astronauts on missions lasting up to two weeks. To eat, crewmembers would inject water from the spacecraft's supply into the food packets to rehydrate them. By the time of the Apollo missions to the Moon, the menu had expanded to around 70 items, ranging from main courses to condiments and drinks—all still freeze-dried and sealed in pre-packaged containers. As the Apollo programme progressed, enhancements were introduced, such as the option to use hot water for rehydration and food pouches that allowed astronauts to eat with a spoon, making meals slightly more familiar. While sandwiches were tested, they quickly proved problematic: the bread spoiled easily and crumbs floated freely in the cabin, posing risks to equipment and even the astronauts' eyes and lungs. With Skylab, America's first space station, the variety of food didn't grow significantly, but preservation methods improved thanks to the addition of a freezer. According to Charles Bourland, the NASA food scientist who helped develop Skylab's meal system, about 15 per cent of the onboard food could now be frozen, allowing astronauts to enjoy items like ice cream and lobster Newburg. The rest of the meals were canned, offering both convenience and long shelf life. HOW DO ASTRONAUTS EAT IN SPACE? In microgravity, food can float away, so meals aren't served on plates or in bowls. Instead, astronauts eat out of special containers like thermostabilised pouches (like vacuum-sealed bags), cans, and rehydratable packets (foods that need water added before eating). Many space foods are freeze-dried to save weight and prevent spoilage. Astronauts inject hot or cold water into these packets to bring the meals back to life before eating. This is exactly how Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who has been in space for more than a week at the International Space Station (ISS), would have had his favourite gajar ka halwa and moong dal ka halwa that he carried from home. Beverages such as tea and coffee or the aamras that Shukla's family specially packed for him are usually in powder form, which can be mixed with water before consumption. There is provision for heating the food on the ISS. Astronauts mostly use spoons with magnetic or Velcro grips, straws (with clamps) for drinking from sealed beverage bags, and scissors to cut open food packets. Since crumbs and loose liquids float and can clog air filters or damage sensitive equipment, bread is often replaced with tortillas, and sticky, viscous foods (like peanut butter or oatmeal) are preferred because they don't drift easily. Seasonings such as salt and pepper are available, but they are typically dissolved in water which can be added to the food through droppers, Indian Express reported. After meals, used food packets are disposed of in designated waste compartments, while utensils are wiped clean with special towelettes. Since water is limited and can't be used for washing, traditional cleaning methods aren't possible in space. Growing food in space is a major focus for space agencies like NASA for both practical survival and long-term sustainability in deep space missions. For missions to Mars or deep space, resupplying food from Earth isn't feasible—it would take months or even years for deliveries. Growing food onboard means astronauts can become self-reliant, reducing dependency on Earth. Also, launching food from Earth is expensive and inefficient. Every extra kilogram adds to the cost and fuel load of a mission. Producing food in space drastically reduces the need to launch large food reserves. Plants don't just provide food—they also release oxygen through photosynthesis, absorb carbon dioxide, and help recycle water in closed-loop systems. This supports the entire life support system and creates a more sustainable habitat. Packaged space food has a long shelf life, but nutrients (especially vitamins) degrade over time. Freshly grown food offers better nutrition, more fibre and natural hydration. top videos View all From the emotional and mental perspective, caring for plants and eating something freshly grown helps astronauts feel more connected to Earth. It reduces isolation and monotony in long missions, improving morale, which is crucial for mental health in confined, high-stress environments. So far, NASA has grown lettuce, radishes, mustard greens, and chili peppers on the ISS, while China successfully sprouted cotton and potato seeds on the Moon (Chang'e-4 mission). Future missions now plan to test more crops, soil substitutes, and artificial light systems. tags : International Space Station ISS nasa Shubhanshu Shukla Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 05, 2025, 16:46 IST News explainers From Beef Paste To Gajar Ka Halwa, How Do Astronauts Eat in Zero Gravity? Explained
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Shux in space: ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla conducts bone, radiation, and microgravity experiments on ISS
Focus on bone health and personalised space medicine About the mission and crew Radiation monitoring and algae deployment Live Events Microgravity research involving tardigrades and muscle regeneration Cognitive assessments and interaction with mission scientists (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel After a day of scheduled rest, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow Axiom-4 crew members resumed scientific activities aboard the International Space Station ( ISS ) on Saturday, conducting experiments aimed at understanding the effects of microgravity on bones and radiation exposure. These studies are expected to contribute to both astronaut safety on long-duration missions and medical advancements on crew took part in the Bone on ISS experiment, which studies how bones degrade in microgravity and recover after returning to Earth. According to Axiom Space, researchers are analysing biological markers related to bone formation, inflammation, and growth to build a 'digital twin' — a virtual simulation model of how bones respond to spaceflight.'This personalised approach could revolutionise astronaut-health screening, allowing mission planners to predict skeletal risks and tailor countermeasures for each individual. Beyond space, the findings may also lead to better treatments for osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions here on Earth,' Axiom Space said in a Shukla, 39, a native of Lucknow, serves as the mission pilot for Axiom-4. Veteran U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson is the commander, while Hungarian Tibor Kapu and Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski serve as mission specialists. Shukla, whose call sign is "Shux", is part of the 14-day commercial mission operated by Axiom the tenth flight day, Shukla also participated in an experiment to monitor radiation levels aboard the ISS. This research is expected to support protective strategies for astronauts on missions farther from addition, Shukla deployed samples for the Space Micro Algae investigation. The experiment focuses on understanding the growth and adaptation of microalgae in space , with potential applications for life support systems such as food, fuel, and air production in future space to the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ), Shukla also completed a microgravity experiment involving tardigrades. The study explored their survival, revival, and reproductive behaviour in space, with the findings expected to improve understanding of extremophile resilience and potential therapeutic applications on is also involved in the myogenesis study, which investigates the impact of microgravity on human muscle regeneration. The experiment is progressing with planned interventions and observation recordings in line with established part of the Electronic Displays human research study, Shukla has been conducting daily software-based cognitive and interface assessments. The goal is to enhance crew interaction with digital systems in space and other Axiom-4 crew members are scheduled to interact with Axiom Space's chief scientist, Lucie Low, on Sunday to discuss progress on the 60 science experiments planned for the 14-day parallel, additional Indian experiments studying selected strains of microalgae and cyanobacteria under space conditions continue aboard the ISS, contributing to ongoing research in regenerative life-support systems and space nutrition.(With inputs from PTI)
